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  1. Article ; Online: Using qPCR and microscopy to assess the impact of harvesting and weather conditions on the relationship between Alternaria alternata and Alternaria spp. spores in rural and urban atmospheres.

    Apangu, Godfrey Philliam / Frisk, Carl Alexander / Adams-Groom, Beverley / Petch, Geoffrey M / Hanson, Mary / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas

    International journal of biometeorology

    2023  Volume 67, Issue 6, Page(s) 1077–1093

    Abstract: Alternaria is a plant pathogen and human allergen. Alternaria alternata is one of the most abundant fungal spores in the air. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Alternaria spp. spore concentrations can be used to predict the abundance and ... ...

    Abstract Alternaria is a plant pathogen and human allergen. Alternaria alternata is one of the most abundant fungal spores in the air. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Alternaria spp. spore concentrations can be used to predict the abundance and spatio-temporal pattern of A. alternata spores in the air. This was investigated by testing the hypothesis that A. alternata dominates airborne Alternaria spp. spores and varies spatio-temporally. Secondarily, we aimed at investigating the relationship between airborne Alternaria spp. spores and the DNA profile of A. alternata spores between two proximate (~ 7 km apart) sites. These were examined by sampling Alternaria spp. spores using Burkard 7-day and cyclone samplers for the period 2016-2018 at Worcester and Lakeside campuses of the University of Worcester, UK. Daily Alternaria spp. spores from the Burkard traps were identified using optical microscopy whilst A. alternata from the cyclone samples was detected and quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results showed that either A. alternata or other Alternaria species spores dominate the airborne Alternaria spore concentrations, generally depending on weather conditions. Furthermore, although Alternaria spp. spore concentrations were similar for the two proximate sites, A. alternata spore concentrations significantly varied for those sites and it is highly likely that the airborne samples contained large amounts of small fragments of A. alternata. Overall, the study shows that there is a higher abundance of airborne Alternaria allergen than reported by aerobiological networks and the majority is likely to be from spore and hyphal fragments.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Alternaria/genetics ; Spores, Fungal ; Microscopy ; Air Microbiology ; Weather ; Allergens/analysis
    Chemical Substances Allergens
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-05-16
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 280324-0
    ISSN 1432-1254 ; 0020-7128
    ISSN (online) 1432-1254
    ISSN 0020-7128
    DOI 10.1007/s00484-023-02480-w
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: Environmental DNA reveals diversity and abundance of Alternaria species in neighbouring heterogeneous landscapes in Worcester, UK

    Apangu, Godfrey Philliam / Frisk, Carl Alexander / Petch, Geoffrey M. / Muggia, Lucia / Pallavicini, Alberto / Hanson, Mary / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas

    Aerobiologia. 2022 Dec., v. 38, no. 4 p.457-481

    2022  

    Abstract: Alternaria is a pathogenic and allergenic fungus affecting 400 plant species and 334 million people globally. This study aimed at assessing the diversity of Alternaria species in airborne samples collected from closely located (7 km apart) and ... ...

    Abstract Alternaria is a pathogenic and allergenic fungus affecting 400 plant species and 334 million people globally. This study aimed at assessing the diversity of Alternaria species in airborne samples collected from closely located (7 km apart) and heterogeneous sites (rural, urban and unmanaged grassland) in Worcester and Lakeside, the UK. A secondary objective was to examine how the ITS1 subregion varies from ITS2 in Alternaria species diversity and composition. Airborne spores were collected using Burkard 7-day and multi-vial Cyclone samplers for the period 5 July 2016–9 October 2019. Air samples from the Cyclone were amplified using the ITS1and ITS2 subregions and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform whereas those from the Burkard sampler were identified and quantified using optical microscopy. Optical microscopy and eDNA revealed a high abundance of Alternaria in the rural, urban and unmanaged sites. ITS1 and ITS2 detected five and seven different Alternaria species at the three sampling sites, respectively. A. dactylidicola, A. metachromatica and A. infectoria were the most abundant. The rural, urban and unmanaged grassland sites had similar diversity (PERMANOVA) of the species due to similarity in land use and proximity of the sites. Overall, the study showed that heterogeneous and neighbouring sites with similar land uses can have similar Alternaria species. It also demonstrated that an eDNA approach can complement the classical optical microscopy method in providing more precise information on fungal species diversity in an environment for targeted management. Similar studies can be replicated for other allergenic and pathogenic fungi.
    Keywords Alternaria ; air ; allergenicity ; environmental DNA ; fungi ; grasslands ; land use ; light microscopy ; species diversity
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2022-12
    Size p. 457-481.
    Publishing place Springer Netherlands
    Document type Article ; Online
    ZDB-ID 1499126-3
    ISSN 1573-3025 ; 0393-5965
    ISSN (online) 1573-3025
    ISSN 0393-5965
    DOI 10.1007/s10453-022-09760-9
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  3. Article ; Online: Do atmospheric events explain the arrival of an invasive ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) in the UK?

    Siljamo, Pilvi / Ashbrook, Kate / Comont, Richard F / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas

    PloS one

    2020  Volume 15, Issue 1, Page(s) e0219335

    Abstract: Species introduced outside their natural range threaten global biodiversity and despite greater awareness of invasive species risks at ports and airports, control measures in place only concern anthropogenic routes of dispersal. Here, we use the ... ...

    Abstract Species introduced outside their natural range threaten global biodiversity and despite greater awareness of invasive species risks at ports and airports, control measures in place only concern anthropogenic routes of dispersal. Here, we use the Harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, an invasive species which first established in the UK from continental Europe in 2004, to test whether records from 2004 and 2005 were associated with atmospheric events. We used the atmospheric- chemistry transport model SILAM to model the movement of this species from known distributions in continental Europe and tested whether the predicted atmospheric events were associated with the frequency of ladybird records in the UK. We show that the distribution of this species in the early years of its arrival does not provide substantial evidence for a purely anthropogenic introduction and show instead that atmospheric events can better explain this arrival event. Our results suggest that air flows which may assist dispersal over the English Channel are relatively frequent; ranging from once a week from Belgium and the Netherlands to 1-2 times a week from France over our study period. Given the frequency of these events, we demonstrate that atmospheric-assisted dispersal is a viable route for flying species to cross natural barriers.
    MeSH term(s) Animal Migration/physiology ; Animals ; Belgium ; Coleoptera/physiology ; France ; Humans ; Introduced Species/statistics & numerical data ; Models, Statistical ; Monte Carlo Method ; Netherlands ; United Kingdom ; Wind
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-01-15
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2267670-3
    ISSN 1932-6203 ; 1932-6203
    ISSN (online) 1932-6203
    ISSN 1932-6203
    DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0219335
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  4. Article: Airborne Cladosporium and Alternaria spore concentrations through 26 years in Copenhagen, Denmark

    Olsen, Yulia / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas / Hertel, Ole / Rasmussen, Karen / Sigsgaard, Torben / Gosewinkel, Ulrich

    Aerobiologia. 2020 June, v. 36, no. 2

    2020  

    Abstract: Cladosporium spp. and Alternaria spp. spores are dominating the airspora of Denmark. Currently, little is known about the influence of climate change on the fungal spore abundance in the air. The aim of this study was to examine temporal changes in ... ...

    Abstract Cladosporium spp. and Alternaria spp. spores are dominating the airspora of Denmark. Currently, little is known about the influence of climate change on the fungal spore abundance in the air. The aim of this study was to examine temporal changes in airborne Alternaria and Cladosporium spores over 26 years. This is the first report of long-term airborne Cladosporium spore occurrence in Denmark. Air spore concentrations were obtained with a Burkard volumetric spore sampler placed in Copenhagen, Denmark, during June–September, 1990–2015. The highest monthly Spore integrals (SIn) for Alternaria were measured in August, whereas for Cladosporium July SIn was nearly as high as August SIn. Average Alternaria seasonal spore integral (SSIn) was 8615 Spores day m⁻³, while average 3-month (July–September) Cladosporium SIn was 375,533 Spores day m⁻³. Despite increasing annual temperature and decreasing relative humidity, we found a decreasing trend for Alternaria seasonal SIn (Slope = − 277, R² = 0.38, p < 0.05), Alternaria (Slope = − 31, R² = 0.27, p < 0.05) and Cladosporium (Slope = − 440, R² = 0.23, p < 0.05) annual peak concentrations. We did not find any statistically significant trends for airborne Alternaria seasonal characteristics and duration, and likewise for Cladosporium 3-month SIn and peak concentration dates. Mean temperature was the main meteorological factor affecting daily spore concentrations. However, effect of meteorological parameters on daily spore concentrations was stronger for Cladosporium (R² = 0.41) than for Alternaria (R² = 0.21). Both genera had diurnal peaks during the day hours, earlier for Cladosporium (11:30–14:30) and later for Alternaria (15:00–19:00). Although Alternaria and Cladosporium daily concentrations were moderately correlated (Spearman’s correlation coefficient: rₛ = 0.55, p < 0.05), their overall annual indices were different, which indicates different sources and different factors determining spore release. We explain temporal decreasing trends in Alternaria SSIn by growing urbanisation around Copenhagen and by changes in agricultural practices.
    Keywords Alternaria ; Cladosporium ; air ; climate change ; fungal spores ; relative humidity ; temperature ; urbanization ; Denmark
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2020-06
    Size p. 141-157.
    Publishing place Springer Netherlands
    Document type Article
    Note NAL-AP-2-clean
    ZDB-ID 1499126-3
    ISSN 1573-3025 ; 0393-5965
    ISSN (online) 1573-3025
    ISSN 0393-5965
    DOI 10.1007/s10453-019-09618-7
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  5. Article: Environmental DNA reveals diversity and abundance of

    Apangu, Godfrey Philliam / Frisk, Carl Alexander / Petch, Geoffrey M / Muggia, Lucia / Pallavicini, Alberto / Hanson, Mary / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas

    Aerobiologia

    2022  Volume 38, Issue 4, Page(s) 457–481

    Abstract: Alternaria: Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10453-022-09760-9. ...

    Abstract Alternaria
    Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10453-022-09760-9.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-10-23
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 1499126-3
    ISSN 1573-3025 ; 0393-5965
    ISSN (online) 1573-3025
    ISSN 0393-5965
    DOI 10.1007/s10453-022-09760-9
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  6. Article: Regional variation in airborne Alternaria spore concentrations in Denmark through 2012–2015 seasons: the influence of meteorology and grain harvesting

    Olsen, Yulia / Gosewinkel, Ulrich Bay / Hertel, Ole / Rasmussen, Karen / Sigsgaard, Torben / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas

    Aerobiologia. 2019 Sept., v. 35, no. 3

    2019  

    Abstract: High airborne Alternaria spore concentrations measured in eastern Denmark have been associated with local agricultural sources. However, the density of agricultural areas is highest in western Denmark. This is the first report of airborne Alternaria ... ...

    Abstract High airborne Alternaria spore concentrations measured in eastern Denmark have been associated with local agricultural sources. However, the density of agricultural areas is highest in western Denmark. This is the first report of airborne Alternaria spore concentrations obtained with Burkard volumetric spore sampler in western Denmark, Viborg. We compared the concentrations of airborne Alternaria spores and the patterns of air mass transport using HYSPLIT model between Copenhagen and Viborg for the seasons 2012–2015, with the main focus on the days with daily average Alternaria spore concentrations ≥ 100 s m−3 (high concentration days). Except for 2012, Annual Spore Integrals (ASIns) were on average 3335 s day m−3 higher in Viborg than in Copenhagen. The high concentration days during 2012–2015 occurred more frequently and with higher values in Viborg (96 days; mean = 381 s m−3) than in Copenhagen (79 days; mean = 270 s m−3). We found increased shares of trajectories coming from South-East on the high concentration days and increased shares of trajectories coming from the West and North-West on the days with concentrations below 100 s m−3 for both stations. July and August had the highest spore integrals matching the periods of grain harvesting in Denmark. The absence of the concurrent grain harvesting in Denmark was associated with the lowest ASIns in 2012. The results of this study support the hypothesis that local sources cause the main load of airborne Alternaria spore concentrations in Denmark; however, the contribution from the remote source areas in northern Germany, Poland and southern Sweden remains unquantified.
    Keywords agricultural land ; air ; Alternaria ; mass transfer ; meteorology ; spores ; Denmark ; Germany ; Poland ; Sweden
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2019-09
    Size p. 533-551.
    Publishing place Springer Netherlands
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 1499126-3
    ISSN 1573-3025 ; 0393-5965
    ISSN (online) 1573-3025
    ISSN 0393-5965
    DOI 10.1007/s10453-019-09587-x
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  7. Article ; Online: Forecasting methodologies for Ganoderma spore concentration using combined statistical approaches and model evaluations.

    Sadyś, Magdalena / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas / Kennedy, Roy

    International journal of biometeorology

    2016  Volume 60, Issue 4, Page(s) 489–498

    Abstract: High concentration levels of Ganoderma spp. spores were observed in Worcester, UK, during 2006-2010. These basidiospores are known to cause sensitization due to the allergen content and their small dimensions. This enables them to penetrate the lower ... ...

    Abstract High concentration levels of Ganoderma spp. spores were observed in Worcester, UK, during 2006-2010. These basidiospores are known to cause sensitization due to the allergen content and their small dimensions. This enables them to penetrate the lower part of the respiratory tract in humans. Establishment of a link between occurring symptoms of sensitization to Ganoderma spp. and other basidiospores is challenging due to lack of information regarding spore concentration in the air. Hence, aerobiological monitoring should be conducted, and if possible extended with the construction of forecast models. Daily mean concentration of allergenic Ganoderma spp. spores in the atmosphere of Worcester was measured using 7-day volumetric spore sampler through five consecutive years. The relationships between the presence of spores in the air and the weather parameters were examined. Forecast models were constructed for Ganoderma spp. spores using advanced statistical techniques, i.e. multivariate regression trees and artificial neural networks. Dew point temperature along with maximum temperature was the most important factor influencing the presence of spores in the air of Worcester. Based on these two major factors and several others of lesser importance, thresholds for certain levels of fungal spore concentration, i.e. low (0-49 s m(-3)), moderate (50-99 s m(-3)), high (100-149 s m(-3)) and very high (150 < n s m(-3)), could be designated. Despite some deviation in results obtained by artificial neural networks, authors have achieved a forecasting model, which was accurate (correlation between observed and predicted values varied from r s = 0.57 to r s = 0.68).
    MeSH term(s) Air Pollutants/analysis ; Allergens/analysis ; Forecasting ; Ganoderma ; Models, Theoretical ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Regression Analysis ; Spores, Fungal/isolation & purification ; United Kingdom ; Weather
    Chemical Substances Air Pollutants ; Allergens
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-04
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 280324-0
    ISSN 1432-1254 ; 0020-7128
    ISSN (online) 1432-1254
    ISSN 0020-7128
    DOI 10.1007/s00484-015-1045-3
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  8. Article: Grain harvesting as a local source of Cladosporium spp. in Denmark

    Olsen, Yulia / Begovic, Tanja / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas / Rasmussen, Karen / Gosewinkel, Ulrich / Hertel, Ole / Sigsgaard, Torben

    Aerobiologia. 2019 June, v. 35, no. 2

    2019  

    Abstract: Cladosporium spp. are omnipresent moulds that grow on multiple substrates. Their spores possess a high allergenic potential. Currently, little is known about the incidence and the sources of airborne Cladosporium spores in Denmark. Air samples were ... ...

    Abstract Cladosporium spp. are omnipresent moulds that grow on multiple substrates. Their spores possess a high allergenic potential. Currently, little is known about the incidence and the sources of airborne Cladosporium spores in Denmark. Air samples were collected between 31 May and 22 September 2015 in Viborg (Jutland, western Denmark). Eighteen out of 21 days with daily average concentrations exceeding the health-relevant threshold of 3000 Spores m−3, including the day with peak daily (13,553 Spores m−3) and 3-h concentrations (35,662 Spores m−3), occurred in August. The air masses that approached Viborg during the longest episode of elevated spore concentrations originated from northern Poland, the Baltics, passing over southern Sweden and the eastern Danish island of Zealand. The Cladosporium spore concentrations from Viborg were compared with the Cladosporium spore concentrations from the operational monitoring station in Copenhagen (Zealand, eastern Denmark). During the episode, concentrations in Viborg were on average 2268 spores m−3 higher than in Copenhagen. On the peak day between 8:00 and 15:00, concentrations in Viborg were 4–7 times higher than in Copenhagen, which we associated with grain crop harvesting in eastern Jutland. Elevated day time concentrations in Viborg on the days with daily average concentrations exceeding the threshold also indicate the local character of the sources.
    Keywords Cladosporium ; air ; allergenicity ; harvesting ; monitoring ; spores ; Baltic States ; Denmark ; Poland ; Sweden
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2019-06
    Size p. 373-378.
    Publishing place Springer Netherlands
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 1499126-3
    ISSN 1573-3025 ; 0393-5965
    ISSN (online) 1573-3025
    ISSN 0393-5965
    DOI 10.1007/s10453-018-09556-w
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  9. Article: Predicting abundances of invasive ragweed across Europe using a “top-down” approach

    Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas / Karrer, Gerhard / Müller-Schärer, Heinz / Schaffner, Urs / Sikoparija, Branko / Smith, Matt / Sun, Yan

    Science of the total environment. 2019 Oct. 10, v. 686

    2019  

    Abstract: Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is a widely distributed and harmful invasive plant that is an important source of highly allergenic pollen grains and a prominent crop weed. As a result, ragweed causes huge costs to both human health and ... ...

    Abstract Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is a widely distributed and harmful invasive plant that is an important source of highly allergenic pollen grains and a prominent crop weed. As a result, ragweed causes huge costs to both human health and agriculture in affected areas. Efficient mitigation requires accurate mapping of ragweed densities that, until now, has not been achieved accurately for the whole of Europe. Here we provide two inventories of common ragweed abundances with grid resolutions of 1 km and 10 km. These “top-down” inventories integrate pollen data from 349 stations in Europe with habitat and landscape management information, derived from land cover data and expert knowledge. This allows us to cover areas where surface observations are missing. Model results were validated using “bottom–up” data of common ragweed in Austria and Serbia. Results show high agreement between the two analytical methods. The inventory shows that areas with the lowest ragweed abundances are found in Northern and Southern European countries and the highest abundances are in parts of Russia, parts of Ukraine and the Pannonian Plain. Smaller hotspots are found in Northern Italy, the Rhône Valley in France and in Turkey. The top-down approach is based on a new approach that allows for cross-continental studies and is applicable to other anemophilous species. Due to its simplicity, it can be used to investigate such species that are difficult and costly to identify at larger scales using traditional vegetation surveys or remote sensing. The final inventory is open source and available as a georeferenced tif file, allowing for multiple usages, reducing costs for health services and agriculture through well-targeted management interventions.
    Keywords allergenicity ; Ambrosia artemisiifolia ; analytical methods ; expert opinion ; georeferencing ; habitats ; health services ; human health ; invasive species ; inventories ; land cover ; landscape management ; models ; pollen ; prediction ; remote sensing ; surveys ; vegetation ; weeds ; Austria ; France ; Italy ; Russia ; Serbia ; Southern European region ; Turkey (country) ; Ukraine
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2019-1010
    Size p. 212-222.
    Publishing place Elsevier B.V.
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 121506-1
    ISSN 1879-1026 ; 0048-9697
    ISSN (online) 1879-1026
    ISSN 0048-9697
    DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.215
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  10. Article: Three years (2008–2010) of measurements of atmospheric concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) at Station Nord, North-East Greenland

    Bossi, Rossana / Skjøth, Carsten Ambelas / Skov, Henrik

    Environmental science. 2013 Nov. 20, v. 15, no. 12

    2013  

    Abstract: Atmospheric concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been measured for the first time at Station Nord, North-East Greenland, from 2008 to 2010. The data obtained are reported here. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), endosulfan I and ... ...

    Abstract Atmospheric concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been measured for the first time at Station Nord, North-East Greenland, from 2008 to 2010. The data obtained are reported here. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), endosulfan I and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were the predominant compounds detected in the atmosphere, followed by p,p′-DDE and dieldrin. Chlordane isomers and related compounds (trans- and cis-chlordanes, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide, trans- and cis-nonachlor) were also detected. Atmospheric concentrations of the investigated compounds were correlated with temperature using the Clausius–Clapeyron equation in order to obtain information about their transport properties. The correlation between atmospheric concentrations and temperature was not significant for endosulfan I, γ-HCH and p,p′-DDT, which indicates that direct transport from direct sources is the dominating transport mechanism for these compounds. A significant correlation with temperature was found for all the other studied pesticides and pesticide degradation products, which indicates that re-emission of these compounds from previously contaminated surfaces is an important factor for the observed variation in concentrations. Pesticide concentrations were also correlated with sea ice cover. Concentrations of the compounds that have not been in use for decades correlated with temperature and ice cover, while concentrations of compounds still in use did not correlate with either of these parameters. These observations indicate that processes such as revolatilization from the open sea surface are important mediating factors in the dynamics of anthropogenic persistent pollutants in the Arctic environment under the expected influence of climate change processes.
    Keywords alpha-endosulfan ; chlordane ; climate change ; DDT (pesticide) ; dieldrin ; equations ; HCH (pesticide) ; heptachlor ; heptachlor epoxide ; hexachlorobenzene ; isomers ; lindane ; pesticide degradation ; pollutants ; sea ice ; temperature ; Arctic region ; Greenland
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2013-1120
    Size p. 2213-2219.
    Publishing place The Royal Society of Chemistry
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 2703814-2
    ISSN 2050-7895 ; 2050-7887
    ISSN (online) 2050-7895
    ISSN 2050-7887
    DOI 10.1039/c3em00304c
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