Meteorological influences on airborne pollen and spores in Johannesburg (Gauteng), South Africa

• DOI: 10.1007/s10453-023-09799-2
• Publication Date: 2023-09-26T13:02:41Z
• Authors: Linus B. Ajikah; Sarah J. Roffe; Frank H. Neumann; Marion K. Bamford; Nanike Esterhuizen; Dilys Berman; Jonny Peter
• Keywords: Cladosporium; Penicillium chrysogenum

Abstract Airborne fungal spores and pollen (aerospora), synergistic with air pollution, are key triggers of allergic respiratory diseases. Effective diagnosis treatment requires up-to-date location-specific knowledge on the temporal variability aerospora types levels. Johannesburg is largest city in South Africa has grown substantially three decades, changes ground cover, population density yet until now, no continuous sampling occurred. We present a daily two-year (August 2019–July 2021) assemblage for explore characteristics 13 dominant relation to meteorological variables (pressure, rainfall, relative humidity, temperature wind characteristics). February–July, July–September January-July represent high-risk periods [( Alternaria alternata (Fries. ex Keissler), Ascospores, Aspergillus niger (Van Tieghem) , Penicillium chrysogenum (Thom), Cladosporium graminum (Corda), Epicoccum nigrum (Link), Helminthosporium solani (Durieu Montagne) Nigrospora sphaerica (Saccardo ex. Mason), Smuts Ustilago nuda ( Jensen Rostrup) Torula herbarum (Link)], trees Cupressus Morus Platanus ) grass (Poaceae), respectively. Using generalised additive model, results show that explained 7–32% variability, effect tree pollen. Rainfall, humidity influenced spore Poaceae counts, moderate/low rainfall (< 20 mm), higher/mid-ranging (~ 40–60%) temperatures ~ 15–20 °C associated higher counts during periods. Rainfall predominantly periods, occurring low (<10 mm) days. These update profile Johannesburg, Africa, providing important information inform allergy care.