Exploring the effects of haze pollution on airborne fungal composition in a cold megacity in Northeast China

Airborne fungi have posed potential threats to public health. However, limited information about their variations in haze episodes was available, especially for the air polluted regions in Northeast China. This study aimed to investigate the disparity of fungal richness, taxonomy, and pathogens between hazy days and non-hazy days at an urban site in Northeast China. This study also aimed to explore the potential influence of air mass trajectories and environmental factors on airborne fungi. This study identified six pathogenic fungal species and four pathogenic fungal genera, accounting for 1.15% of the total fungi. The analysis results suggested that fungi were found more prone to attach to coarse particles. Fungal richness, fungal taxonomy, and pathogenic types in hazy samples were significantly higher than those in non-hazy samples with statistical significance. Furthermore, air masses passed through densely-populated and polluted regions were found associated with higher 18S rRNA concentrations. Increased concentrations of particulate matter and water-soluble ions during polluted episodes contributed to higher fungal abundance. However, no significant disparities in community diversity were detected. This study observed the strong wind, dry air, and high temperatures in favor of fungal survival. The seasonal variation of these factors promoted fungal communities in the same episodes or approaching sampling time more easily clustered together. The results of this study have implications for revealing multifaceted information of inhalable particles on hazy days and provide references to public health exposure assessment. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study found that fungal richness, taxonomy, and pathogenic types were significantly higher in hazy days compared to non-hazy days; the influence of air mass trajectories and environmental factors on airborne fungi was significant; strong winds, dry air, and high temperatures were favorable for fungal survival.