title: Spatial and temporal distribution of Alternaria spores in the Iberian Peninsula atmosphere, and meteorological relationships: 1993-2009.
abstract: This paper provides an updated of airborne Alternaria spore spatial and temporal distribution patterns in the Iberian Peninsula, using a common non-viable volumetric sampling method. The highest mean annual spore counts were recorded in Sevilla (39,418 spores), Mérida (33,744) and Málaga (12,947), while other sampling stations never exceeded 5,000. The same cities also recorded the highest mean daily spore counts (Sevilla 109 spores m(-3); Mérida 53 spores m(-3) and Málaga 35 spores m(-3)) and the highest number of days on which counts exceeded the threshold levels required to trigger allergy symptoms (Sevilla 38 % and Mérida 30 % of days). Analysis of annual spore distribution patterns revealed either one or two peaks, depending on the location and prevailing climate of sampling stations. For all stations, average temperature was the weather parameter displaying the strongest positive correlation with airborne spore counts, whilst negative correlations were found for rainfall and relative humidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. mariajesus.aira@usc.es
authors.forename: María-Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aira
authors.forename: Francisco-Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rajo
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-González
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seijo
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elvira-Rendueles
authors.forename: Ilda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Bustillo
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Sánchez
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Recio
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tormo
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000528:Alternaria / Q000502:physiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006813:Humidity; D011174:Portugal; D011891:Rain; D013030:Spain; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors; D014887:Weather