Molds on the Southern California deserts

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Aerobiology
• Mycology

Background:

• Airborne mold spores are ubiquitous environmental components.
• Understanding regional variations in mold populations is crucial for public health and ecological studies.
• Previous studies have characterized mold prevalence in different geographical locations, but less is known about specific desert microclimates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare airborne mold prevalence in two distinct Southern California desert communities.
• To identify common mold genera and analyze their distribution based on altitude and season.
• To provide comparative data against previous mold studies in non-desert environments.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous mold plate studies were conducted in two desert communities.
• Samples were collected and analyzed to identify and quantify common mold genera.
• Environmental factors such as altitude and temperature were noted for correlation.

Main Results:

• The most prevalent mold genera identified were Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus.
• Alternaria spores were more abundant in the high desert (3500 ft), while Cladosporium was more common in the low desert (470 ft).
• Higher mold counts were observed in the high desert during summer and in the low desert during winter. Overall mold counts were less than half of those reported in a previous Indianapolis study.

Conclusions:

• Airborne mold composition and concentration are significantly influenced by microclimatic conditions within desert regions.
• Distinct altitudinal and seasonal patterns exist for common mold genera like Alternaria and Cladosporium in Southern California deserts.
• Desert environments may harbor lower concentrations of airborne molds compared to more temperate, humid regions.