Influence of the External Environment on Airborne Fungi Isolated from a Cave

Abstract

Atmospheric air may contain a variety of biological components, e.g. microorganisms, which may be harmful to the internal environment of caves and the health of its visitors. Our study aimed at mycological evaluation of the air inside and outside of Niedźwiedzia Cave in Poland. Between 123 and 214 CFU fungi per 1m 3 of air were isolated from the air sampled in the cave, and ca. 600 CFU from the air sampled outside of it. Cladosporium herbarum and Rhizopus stolonifer are the species most frequently isolated from the air inside the cave and Cladosporium herbarum from the outside.