Vol.2, No.5, 506-514(2010) Natural Science
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ns.2010.25063
Investigation of airborne fungi at different altitudes in
Shenzhen University
Li Li, Chao Lei, Zhi-Gang Liu*
College of Life Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; *Corresponding Author:
Received 15 December 2009; revised 24 February 2010; accepted 18 March 2010.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the richness of species or
genera of airborne fungi, the amount of airborne
fungi, and its seasonal variation at different al-
titudes in Shenzhen University. The effect of
meteorological factors on airborne fungi was
also analyzed. Methods: Slide-exposure me-
thod and open-plate method were used. Re-
sults: There were 27 genera or species of fun-
gus spores identified. Among the identified
fungal genus, Cladosporium, Ustilago, Alter-
naria, Helminthsporium and Uredinales were
more prevalent. There were 18 genera of fungi
colonies identified. Among which Penicillium,
non-sporulating fungi, Aspergillus, Saccharo-
myces and Cladosporium were more common.
The airborne fungal spores were present in the
atmosphere of Shenzhen University all year
round. The peaks of airborne spores appeared
during April and October, while the lowest
numbers were observed during January, July
and December from March 2005-Febrary 2006.
The highest volumes of fungi colonies were
observed during April, October and September,
while the lowest numbers were detected during
in January, July and December or May from
March 2005-Febrary 2006. The meteorological
factors had no relationship between the total
monthly spore count at 10 and 30 meter height.
At 70 meter, the total spores count was nega-
tively correlated with solar radiation. Conclu-
sions: Most of the fungi spores decreased along
with the increase of altitudes.
Keywords: Airborne Fungi; Open-Plate Method;
Slide-Exposure Method
1. INTRODUCTION
Airborne fungi are one of the common allergens that
induce respiratory hypersensitivity reaction [1-3]. The
major allergic symptoms include asthma, rhinitis, bron-
chopulmonary mycoses and hypersensitive pneumonitis
[4]. Airborne fungi also act as an indicator for the at-
mospheric bio-pollution. The presence of fungal pro-
pagules, volatiles and mycotoxins in the air can pose a
health hazard in all segments of the population [5].
Fungi variety and concentration depends on various fac-
tors, including topography, time of day, meteorological
parameters, seasonal climatic variation and type of
vegetation [6-7]. Extensive investigations of airborne
fungi had been done in many parts of the world [8-15].
In China, such studies had been done in different prov-
inces [16-25].
But to our knowledge there are no published data on
the airborne fungi at different altitudes in one place.
Shenzhen city is located at 22°27'-22°52' N and 113°46'-
114°37' E. The weather in Shenzhen is associated with
high temperature and humidity throughout the year,
which suits for the reproduction of airborne fungi. As a
well developed city, Shenzen has a large number of tall
buildings and mansions providing both working and
living spaces. The aim of this work was to determine the
concentration of airborne fungi present at different alti-
tudes and the effect of seasonal variations, which will
provide useful information on the air quality of residen-
tial areas.
2. METHODS
2.1. Slide-Exposure Method
The slide-exposure method based on the protocol adap-
ted from Ye (1992) was used to determine the fungal
spores [26]. Briefly, the slides with vaseline for spore
sampling were set on the second floor (10 meter above
ground level), the seventh floor (30 meter above ground
level) and the sixtieth floor (70 meter above ground level)
of the technological building in Shenzhen University
(22°54′37'' N and 113°93′77'' E), respectively. Two
slides were collected daily from March, 2005 to Febru-
ary, 2006. The slides were stained by basic fuchsin solu-

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tion. Fungal spores were enumerated and identified by
using a light microscope (OLYMPUS BH-2, Japan). The
average spore counts of the two samples in each altitude
were taken.
2.2. Open-Plate Method
The open-plate method was adapted based on Ye (1992)
to determine the fungal colonies [26]. Briefly, the plates
with Peptone Dextrose Agar, Potato Dextrose Agar and
Czapek Dox Agar respectively were set on the same
places as described above once during each month (total
12 times in one year). Three plates were opened for a
period of 5 min at various altitudes, and then were incu-
bated at 28℃ ± 1 for up to 5 days. The colonies were ℃
stained by lactic acid methylene blue solution and iden-
tified by colony and microscopic morphology. Colony
counts were then converted to the colony forming
units/m3, CFU/m3 = 5000N/A t (N: colony count; A:
square of plate; t: exposure time) [27]. The total colony
forming units of three plates at each altitude were added
to obtain the total colony forming units at each altitude.
2.3. Statistical Analysis
The relationship between the monthly total spores count
at various altitudes, the most common fungi and the
monthly meteorological factors (average temperature:
X1; average relative humidity: X2; average atmospheric
pressure: X3; average wind speed: X4; rainfall: X5 and
solar radiation: X6) were established respectively by
means of stepwise multiple regression method (The data
were analyzed using SPSS Version 12.0). The value of
p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The
meteorlogical data were obtained from Shenzhen me-
teorlogical administration (Table 1).
3. RESULTS
3.1. Airborne Fungal Spore Count at Three
Different Altitudes
During the entire year, there were 2190 slides collected
at three different altitudes. The total fungal spore counts
at 10, 30 and 70 meters height were 4,102, 3,540 and
2,929.5 respectively. There were 27 genera or species
identified belonging to the subphylum Zygomycotina
family Mucoraceae: Rhizopus (0.17%); subphylum As-
comycotina family Sphaeriaceae: Chaetomium (0.39%);
subphylum Basidiomycotina family Ustilaginaceae: Usti-
lago (13.04%), Uredinales (9.54%); subphylum Deutero-
mycotina family Moniliaceae: Cladosporium (16.45%),
Aspergillus (0.59%), Geotrichum (0.52%), Botrytis (0.31%),
Trichothecium (0.09%), family Dematiaceae: Alternaria
(11.41%), Helminthosporium (11.37%), Curvularia
(8.41%), Stachybotrys (5.38%), Stemphylium (4.58%),
Nigrospora (1.93%), Heterosporium (1.02%), Acrothe-
cium sp. (0.53%), Papularia (0.31%), Clavispora (0.22%),
Cercospora sp. (0.09%), Wardomyces (0.05%), family
Tuborculariaceae: Fusarium (0.85%), Epicoccum (0.48%),
family Sphaeropsidaceae: Hendersonia sp. (4.18%), As-
cochyta sp. (4.04%), Diplodia sp. (3.65%), Sphaeropsis
sp. (0.20%) and unidentified spores (0.20%) (Tables
2-4).
At three different altitudes, the majority of spores
were Cladosporium, Ustilago, Alternaria, Helmintho-
sporium and Uredinales.
3.2. Fungal Colony Forming Units at Three
Different Altitudes
During the entire year, the total of 53,473, 50,962 and
49,543 colony forming units at 10, 30 and 70 meters,
respectively were collected, enumerated and then char-
acterized into 18 genera or species. The common fungi
belonged to the subphylum Zygomycotina family Mu-
coraceae: Muco r (0.31%), Rhizopus (0.31%); subphylum
Ascomycotina family Sphaeriaceae: Chaetomiu m (0.51%),
family Saccharomyetaceae: Saccharomyces (12.67%);
subphylum Deuteromycotina family Moniliaceae: Peni-
cillium (24.11%), Aspergillus (15.63%), Cladosporium
(11.85%), Trichothecium (0.71%), Trichoderma (0.72%),
Botrytis (0.51%), Geotrichum (0.31%), family Dema-
tiaceae: Alternaria (5.11%), Curvularia (5.00%), Hel-
minthosporium (1.22%), Nigrospora (0.51%), Stachy-
botrys (0.51%), family Tuborculariaceae: Fusarium
(0.71%), family Sphaeropsidaceae: Phoma sp. (0.61%),
non-sporulating fungi (18.28%) and unidentified colony
(0.41%) (Tables 5-7).
Table 1. Averages of meteorological measurements: temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), atmospheric pressure (P), wind speed
(WS), rainfall (R), and solar radiation (SR) in Shenzhen from March 2005-Febrary 2006.
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
T (ºC) 17.2 23.1 27.2 27.8 29.4 28.5 28.8 26.2 22.9 16.7 16.2 17.8
RH (%) 71 74 76 78 71 79 72 64 67 50 69 72
P (hPa) 1016.6 1011.9 1005.6 1002.41004.31002.81007.21012.81014.4 1019.2 1016.41017.6
WS (m/sec) 2.1 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.7 2.6 2.3
R (mm) 48.3 42.9 379.2 469.9 326.6 587.3 231.8 21.3 14.0 9.0 20.6 48.0
SR (h) 759 881 1194 756 2264 1639 1495 1946 1798 1549 1202 912

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Table 2. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and slide fungal spores count at 10 meter during 12 months.
Genera month
or species Jan Feb Mar AprMayJunJulAugSepOct Nov Dec Total spores
Rhizopus 0 0 0 2 0 0 2.50 0 0 0 0 4.5
Chaetomium 0 2 1 0 2.5 0 2 4.5 1.5 1.5 1 4 20
Ustilago 23.5 67.5 80.5 37.5 56.5 22.51531 81 57.523.5 42.5 538.5
Uredinales 40.5 36 40 29 26.530.53230.530 32.547.5 15.5 390.5
Cladosporium 47 21.5 19 90.5103 52 32.552.515.597.572.5 22 625.5
Aspergillus 2.5 3 0 3 1 1 3 0 2 3.5 2.5 0 21.5
Geotrichum 6.5 0 0 2 0 0 2.50 3 0 2 1.5 17.5
Botrytis 0 2 1.5 0 3 2 0 1.5 3.5 0 0 5.5 19
Trichothecium 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4
Alternaria 42 26.5 33.5 81 46.537 34.552 40 37 30 25.5 485.5
Helminthosporium 24 40.5 68 22.5 42 48 24.530 34 58 31.5 34 457
Curvularia 24 34 24.5 36.531.529 1515.530.544 39.5 23 347
Stachybotrys 18 20 13 33 15 14.59.520 20.524.518 23.5 229.5
Stemphylium 15 15.5 15 18.516 14.51315.523.517.521.5 20 205.5
Nigrospora 6.5 10.5 15 6.5 4 5.5 105 3.5 7.5 6 6.5 86.5
Heterosporium 5.5 0 1.5 6 2 2 1.50 5.5 5.5 0 0 29.5
Acrothecium sp. 2 0 2 3 3 3 2.53 4.5 0.5 1 4.5 29
Papularia 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 0 0 3.5 5 4.5 0 14.5
Clavispora 1 0.5 1 0 0.5 0 0 1 0.5 0 0 0 4.5
Cercospora sp. 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.5 0 1 4.5
Wardomyces 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.5
Fusarium 4 1.5 1 2.5 1.5 2 0 0 2.5 2.5 2.5 0 20
Epicoccum 2 2.5 1 2.5 0 1.5 0 2 2.5 5.5 0 2.5 22
Hendersonia sp. 15 16 27 18.515 9.5 1310.519.516.59 24.5 194
Ascochyta sp. 9 7.5 11 16.57.5 10.51515 17 15.519.5 23 167
Diplodia sp. 20 7.5 16 16.511.5 8 118 15.512 12 7 145
Sphaeropsis sp. 2.5 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1.5 10
Unidentified spores 2.5 0.5 1 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 1.5 8.5
Total spores 313 316 379.5 427.5388.5294.5242299359.5445.5344.5 292.5 4102
Table 3. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and slide fungal spores count at 30 meter during 12 months.
Genera month
or species Jan Feb Mar Apr MayJun Jul AugSep Oct Nov Dec Total spores
Rhizopus 0 0 1.5 2.5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 9
Chaetomium 0.5 1.5 2.5 0 1.5 0 1.5 2.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 1.5 14
Ustilago 26.5 33.5 59 47 26 22.516.525.568 62.524.5 32.5 444
Uredinales 34.5 30.5 31.5 32.5 15.524 26 23 23 40.531 22.5 335
Cladosporium 21.5 28.5 29.5 86 56.546 32.543 22.585.554 38.5 544
Aspergillus 1.5 2 2 2.5 2 3 0 2 3 1.5 0 2 21.5
Geotrichum 2 0 1 3 2 0 1.5 0 3.5 0 1 1.5 15.5
Botrytis 0 1.5 0.5 0 1.5 2.5 0 1 1 0 0 3 11
Trichothecium 0 0.5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3.5
Alternaria 37.5 23.5 21 56 40.528.531.542 23.534.524.5 29 392
Helminthosporium 16 32 62 45.5 36.5 43 14 27 27.544.524 24.5 397
Curvularia 20.5 24.5 32 36 33.536 17 17 23.538.534.5 16 329
Stachybotrys 12 17.5 18 18 20.516 12 17.515.525.519 7.5 199
Stemphylium 8 12.5 11 14 20.519.510 12 20.514 17 15 174
Nigrospora 8 7.5 10 10 3.5 4.5 7 4 1.5 9.5 4 8.5 78
Heterosporium 3.5 0.5 1.5 5.5 3.5 2.5 1 0 4.5 5.5 0.5 2 30.5
Acrothecium sp. 1 0 0 1.5 1.5 1 1.5 2.5 3.5 0 1.5 2 16
Papularia 0 1 0 0 1.5 2.5 0 0 2 3 2.5 0 12.5
Clavispora 1 1.5 0.5 1 0 0.5 0 0 1 1.5 1 1 9
Cercospora sp. 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Wardomyces 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Fusarium 2 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 4 1 0 4 4.5 1.5 0 28.5
Epicoccum 1 1 1 0 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 1 4.5 0 0 17
Hendersonia sp. 19 8.5 22 15.5 11 9 10 8 15 13.56 14.5 152
Ascochyta sp. 13 17.5 25.5 17 9 7.5 13 12 12 12 9.5 14.5 163
Diplodia sp. 13.5 14 21.5 12 7 6 6 10.510.512.59.5 5 128
Sphaeropsis sp. 0 0 2.5 0 2.5 0 0 0 1.5 0 0 2.5 9
Unidentified spores 1 1 0.5 0 1 1 0.5 0 0 0 0.5 2 7.5
Total spores 243.5 263 359.5 409.5302.5283.5205 253 288.5 415 266.5 250.5 3540

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Table 4. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and slide fungal spores count at 70 meter during 12 months.
Genera month
or species Jan Feb Mar Apr MayJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total
spores
Rhizopus 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 0 4.5
Chaetomium 0 2 0.5 1 2 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 1 7
Ustilago 18.5 46.5 30.5 44.5 23.5 32 21 30.5 74.5 26.5 31 16.5 395.5
Uredinales 13 19 40.5 43.5 19.5 14.5 20.515 12 19.5 35.5 30 282.5
Cladosporium 29.5 16.5 95.5 88.5 33 36 19.536 20.5 65 65 65 570
Aspergillus 2.5 0 1.5 3.5 3 1.5 0 2.5 2 1.5 0 1 19
Geotrichum 3.5 0 1.5 5 5 0 0.5 0 3 0 1 2 21.5
Botrytis 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Trichothecium 0 0 0 0 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.5
Alternaria 27 35 40.5 44.5 30 27 20 24 15.5 19.5 15 31 329
Helminthosporium 24.5 38 39 55 29.5 32.5 18.536 19 32 12 12 348
Curvularia 6 28.5 10 25 23 18.5 12.522 19.5 21 18.5 9 213.5
Stachybotrys 0 12 9.5 13.5 18.5 15.5 10 15 8.5 16.5 10.5 10.5 140
Stemphylium 4 6 8 9.5 12.5 10.5 6 7 12.5 9 10.5 9 104.5
Nigrospora 3 4.5 9 3.5 2 2 6 2 0.5 1.5 2 3.5 39.5
Heterosporium 8.5 1.5 2.5 2 6.5 5 0 1.5 7.5 6.5 2.5 4 48
Acrothecium sp. 1 0 1 1 1.5 0 0.5 1 2 2 0.5 1 11.5
Papularia 0 2 0 0 1 1.5 0 0 1.5 0 0 0 6
Clavispora 4 1 1.5 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 10
Cercospora sp. 0 0 3.5 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Wardomyces 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.5 0 0 0 2.5
Fusarium 6 3.5 2 3 2.5 4.5 2.5 2.5 3 3.5 3.5 5 41.5
Epicoccum 0 2 2.5 0 0 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 0 3 0 12
Hendersonia sp. 13 6 11 8 7.5 7 7 5 10 8.5 4 8.5 95.5
Ascochyta sp. 5.5 7 13 8 16 5.5 8 9.5 5.5 8.5 6 5 97.5
Diplodia sp. 8 18.5 12.5 9.5 8.5 11 6.5 11.5 7.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 113
Sphaeropsis sp. 0 0 1.5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2.5
Unidentified spores 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.5 5.5
Total spores 177.5 251.5 338.5 373 249.5 229 163.5223 226 247.5 228.5 222 2929.5
Table 5. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and colony forming count at 10 meter during 12 months.
Genera month
or species
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total
colony
Mucor 0 157 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 314
Rhizopus 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Chaetomium 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 157 0 0 0 314
Saccharomyces 157 472 786 944 472 629 157 472 315 315 472 472 5663
Penicillium 157 944 1258 2674472 786 315 315 22021887 1415 472 12897
Aspergillus 315 472 315 2045315 1573315 315 11011887 472 157 9282
Cladosporium 786 1258 472 315 472 315 315 472 629 315 315 629 6293
Trichothecium 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 314
Trichoderma 0 315 0 0 315 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 630
Botrytis 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 314
Geotrichum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 315 0 0 0 472
Alternaria 0 0 629 157 157 0 0 315 315 157 157 0 1887
Curvularia 0 0 315 0 157 0 0 0 157 629 0 157 1415
Helminthosporium 0 157 157 0 0 315 0 157 0 0 157 0 943
Nigrospora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 157
Stachybotrys 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 314
Fusarium 0 157 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 471
Phoma sp. 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 314
Non-sporulating
fungi 0 629 629 2045 629 1101157 944 18871415 786 786 11008
Unidentified fungi 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 314
Total colony 1572 4718 5189 833731464876125934617392 6919 3931 267353473

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514
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Table 6. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and colony forming count at 30 meter during 12 months.
Genera month
or species
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total
colony
Mucor 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Rhizopus 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Chaetomium 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Saccharomyces 157 629 472 1101629 315 629 315 315 315 472 315 5664
Penicillium 315 1101 1573 2045629 629 472 629 20452359 1101 472 13370
Aspergillus 472 472 1573 1730315 315 629 472 629 629 315 315 7866
Cladosporium 472 472 315 472 315 11010 629 315 315 157 157 4720
Trichothecium 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 315 0 0 472
Trichoderma 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Botrytis 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Geotrichum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alternaria 0 315 0 157 0 472 0 157 944 315 157 157 2674
Curvularia 0 157 315 0 0 157 0 629 315 786 472 472 3303
Helminthosporium 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 157 0 0 471
Nigrospora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 315 0 0 0 315
Stachybotrys 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Fusarium 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Phoma sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 157 0 0 314
Non-sporulating fungi 472 315 1258 2516315 629 0 786 14151730 472 629 10537
Unidentified fungi 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Total colony 1888 4089 5663 802123604246188736176450 7078 3146 251750962
Table 7. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and colony forming count at 70 meter during 12 months.
Genera month
or species
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total
colony
Mucor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rhizopus 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157
Chaetomium 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 314
Saccharomyces 472 1258 786 786 315 629 315 786 786 944 472 629 8178
Penicillium 472 315 1730 2045944 944 472 472 629 1415 944 472 10854
Aspergillus 472 315 472 1258315 786 472 472 786 944 629 0 6921
Cladosporium 786 472 1101 629 472 629 315 472 786 472 629 472 7235
Trichothecium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 157 0 0 314
Trichoderma 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 314
Botrytis 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 314
Geotrichum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alternaria 0 472 472 472 157 315 0 472 315 157 157 315 3304
Curvularia 0 0 0 157 157 472 0 157 786 944 0 315 2988
Helminthosporium 0 0 0 157 157 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 471
Nigrospora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 315 0 0 0 315
Stachybotrys 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 314
Fusarium 0 157 315 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 472
Phoma sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 157 314
Non-sporulating fungi 0 315 629 1573786 786 472 315 315 629 315 472 6607
Unidentified fungi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 157
Total colony 2202 3618 5505 7234330348752046314650325976 3774 283249543

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3.3. Effect of Seasonal Variations on the
Total Airborne Fungi in One Year
The airborne fungal spores were present in the air
around Shenzhen University throughout the year. The
distribution curve of total airborne fugal spores peaked
in April and October, and dropped to the lowest values in
January, July and December (Figure 1). The distribution
curve of the total colony forming unit spiked in April,
October and September, and fell to the lowest values in
January, July and December (Figure 2).
3.4. The Effect of Seasonal Variations on
Airborn Fungi at Three Different Altitudes
At 10, 30 and 70 meters height, increased levels of total
airborne fugal spores was observed during April and
October, while lower levels were observed during Janu-
ary, July and December (Figure 3). The concentration of
fungal spores decreased with respect to the increase in
the altitude. The number of spores at 70 meters was
lower compared to the levels observed at 30 and 10 me-
ters during September and October.
The distribution curve of fungal colony at 10, 30 and
70 meters height indicated a sharp increase during four
months from January to April. The distribution curve of
the fungal colonies at 10 and 70 meters reached to its
lowest point during July, January, December, and at 30
meter height similar levels were observed in July, Janu-
ary and May (Figure 4).
3.5. The Relationship between the Airborne
Fungal and Meteorological Factors
The monthly meteorological measurements: average tem-
perature, average relative humidity, average atmospheric
pressure, average wind speed, rainfall and solar radiation
had no observable relationship between the total spore
count at 10 and 30 meters height. At 70 meters height,
the total spore count was negatively correlated with solar
radiation (Y = 342.191 – 0.718 X6, r = 0.602, p < 0.05).
Months
Figure 1. The distribution of slide spore count during a 12
month period.
Months
Figure 2. The distribution of colony forming count during
a 12 month period.
Months
Figure 3. The distribution of slide spore count at three alti-
tudes during a 12 month period.
Months
Figure 4. The distribution of colony forming count at three
altitudes during a 12 month period.
The total monthly spore count of Cladospo rium, Usti-
lago, Alremaria had no relationship between the mete-
orological factors. The spore counts of Holminthsporium
was negatively correlated with solar radiation (Y =
156.026 – 0.409 X6, r = 0.602, p ＜ 0.05). The spore
count of Uredinales was negatively correlated with av-
erage wind speed and rainfall (Y = 176.894 – 35.314 X4
– 0.099 X5, r = 0.805, p ＜ 0.05).

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514
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4. DISCUSSION
4.1. Comparison of Airborne Fungi in
Shenzhen University and Other Regions
The most common fungi documented in many Chinese
districts were Alremari, Cladosporium, Usti lago , Ure-
dinales, Asperg illus, Penicill ium, Ho lm in ths p or iu m, Fu-
sarium an d Saccharomyces [16-25]. Similar observa-
tions were documented in many other countries as well
[7-9,12,14,28,29]. The top five genera of fungi spores in
our study were Cladosporium (16.45%), Ustilago
(13.04%), Alremaria (11.41%), Holminthsporium
(11.37%) and Uredinales (9.54%). While the top five
genera of fungi spore in Guangzhou were Alremaria
(27.49%), Ustilago (17.26%), Uredinales (6.95%), Hol-
minthsporium (6.09%) and Fusarium (4.99%). Clado-
sporium only took up 0.77% in Guangzhou [16]. The top
five genera of fungal colony in our study were Penicil-
lium (24.11%), Aspergillus (15.63%), Saccharomyces
(12.67%), Cladosporium (11.85%) and Alremaria
(5.11%). The top five genera of fungi colony in Guang-
zhou were Cladosporium (21.60%), Penicillium (19.71%),
Alremaria (5.54%), Rhizopus (5.05%) and Aspergillus
(4.43%). The non-sporulating fungi in our study area and
in Guangzhou were 18.28% and 30.79%, respectively
[16]. This indicates that the fungal spore count differs
according to time and place.
The concentration of fungal spores changed with sea-
sonal variation in many districts in China during April to
October [16-25]. The concentration of fungal spores in
Guangzhou was high during April, September and Oc-
tober, and the lower during January, July and December
[16]. Similar results were observed in our study.
4.2. Comparison of Airborne Fungal Spores
at Different Altitudes
Our results showed that the total spore count decreased
with the increase in height. However, the total genera of
fungi did not decrease with the height. The fungi with
larger spore sizes, such as Holmin thsporium, Alremaria,
Ustilago and Curvularia were concentrated at 10 meters
height. While the fungi with smaller spore sizes such as
Cladosporium was concentrated at 70 meters. The count
of Aspergillus didn’t show much difference at 30 or 70
meters height. Chakraborty (2001) [13] reported that the
smaller spores were dominant at greater heights and lar-
ger spores and conidia were more prevalent at lower
levels. Furthermore, the distribution of fungal spores at
different altitude was influenced by their shapes [30].
4.3. The Relationship between the Airborne
Fungi and Meteorological Factors
The distribution of airborne fungi spores can be affected
by various factors including meteorological factors. The
effect of meteorological factors on the count of airborne
fungal spores varied from one fungal taxon to another.
Most airborne fungi have a strong relationship with
temperature; however, Aspergillus/Penicillium hyphal
fragments were positively correlated with wind speed. In
comparison with other airborne fungi, Leptosphaeria
and unidentified Ascomycetes were more closely corre-
lated with rain and relative humidity during the growing
season [31]. Alternaria and Cladosporium are positively
correlated with temperature and duration of sunlight.
However, Ustilago indicated a positive correlation with
relative humidity and negative correlation with wind
speed [32]. Alternaria and Cladosporium showed a posi-
tive association with temperature, duration of sunlight
and accumulated rainfall, but negatively correlated with
daily rainfall [33].
In our results, the meteorological factors had no ob-
servable relationship between the total monthly spore
count and altitude. At 70 meters, the total spore count
was negatively correlated with solar radiation. The total
monthly spore count of Cladosporium, Ustilag o, Alre-
maria had no observable relationship between the mete-
orological factors. The spore count of Holminthsporium
was negatively correlated with solar radiation, while the
spore count of Uredinales was negatively correlated with
average wind speed and rainfall. In this study, the tem-
perature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure did not
affect the total spore concentrations. It may be due to the
subtropical climatic location of Shenzhen. The meteoro-
logical data showed that the temperature, relative hu-
midity, atmospheric pressure did not change drastically
in Shenzhen during the entire year. Therefore, seasonal
variations did not affect the distibution of the fungal
spores significantly.
5. CONCLUSIONS
There were 27 genera or species of fungus spores and 18
genera of fungi colonies identified in a given year. The
airborne fungal spores were present in the atmosphere of
Shenzhen University all year round. The peaks of air-
borne spores appeared during April and October, while
the lowest numbers were observed during January, July
and December. The highest volumes of fungi colonies
were observed during April, October and September,
while the lowest numbers were detected during in Janu-
ary, July and December or May. The meteorological
factors had no relationship between the total monthly
spore count at 10 and 30 meter height. At 70 meter, the
total spores count was negatively correlated with solar
radiation. Most of fungi spores decreased along with the
increase of altitudes.
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was financially supported by the natural science foundation
of Guangdong Province (No. 04300891). The authors would like to
gratefully acknowledge Guo- qiang Xiong and Yan Ying in center for

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514
513
513
disease control of Nanchang who helped with the indentification of the
fungi. The authors would also thank Shenzhen meteorlogical admini-
stration for providing the meteorlogical data.
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