Atmospheric transport of mold spores in clouds of desert dust.
Fungal spores can be transported globally in clouds of desert dust. Many species of fungi (commonly known as molds) and bacteria--including some that are human pathogens--have characteristics suited to long-range atmospheric transport. Dust from the African desert can affect air quality in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Asian desert dust can affect air quality in Asia, the Arctic, North America, and Europe. Atmospheric exposure to mold-carrying desert dust may affect human health directly through allergic induction of respiratory stress. In addition, mold spores within these dust clouds may seed downwind ecosystems in both outdoor and indoor environments.
Shinn
Eugene A
EA
U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA. eshinn@usgs.gov
Griffin
Dale W
DW
Seba
Douglas B
DB
D000391:Air Microbiology; D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D003889:Desert Climate / Q000009:adverse effects; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D014481:United States; D018557:United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust