Aerobiological Results from the 1994 Cruise of the Urania (CNR)

In July 1994, we were able to collect airborne fungal spores and pollen grains over the Adriatic Sea from the upper deck of the oceanographic ship Urania (CNR). The biological particles were collected using a modified Lanzoni VPPS 1000 sampler. Not only were the airborne concentrations of different organisms estimated, their viability was also tested with a 1% TTC solution. Results show that pollen viability and concentrations were significantly correlated with distance. Estimated time of residence in the air was never found to be significant. Relative Humidity had the strongest potential to model pollen or spores concentrations over sea. Southern winds presented the lowest pollen viability and concentrations and the highest ratio of small spores over larger ones, such as a Basidiospores/Alternaria ratio above 0.01.