Ten types of microscopically identifiable airborne fungal spores at Leiden, The Netherlands

A universal method for the complete assessment of atmospheric fungal spores does not exist, which is continuous, volumetric and non-selective, and offers at the same time reliable identification of the collected spores. To perform a survey of airborne fungal spores, a choice has to be made between a viable and non-viable method. For the study carried out in Leiden, the non-viable, continuous volumetric method has been employed, showing the results over a period of 10 years, for 10 microscopically identifiable fungal spore types. Of this selection, Cladosporium spores have by far the highest airborne quantities, with an average annual total of the daily averages of over 700000. Boo3,tis, Ustilago and Alternaria follow with much lower spore concentrations of between 20 000 and 30 000 as annual totals. The spore types of Epicoccum, Erysiphe, Entomophthora, Torula. Stemph),lium, and Polythrbwiu.m are represented with annual sums lower than 10 000. A spore calendar shows the overall seasonal appearance of the 10 selected types. Kevwords: Aerobiology; Fungal spores; Spore calendar