Mold and Yeast-Like Fungi in the Seaside Air of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic) after an Emergency Disposal of Raw Sewage

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the meteorological factors and the number of molds and yeast-like fungi in the air in the five coastal towns in the years 2014–2017, and in 2018, after emergency disposal of raw sewage to the Gdańsk Gulf. In the years 2014–2018, a total number of 88 air samples were collected in duplicate in the five coastal towns of Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk-Brzeźno. After the application of the (PCA) analysis, this demonstrated that the first principal component (PC1) had a positive correlation with the water temperature, wind speed, air temperature, and relative humidity. The second principal component (PC2) had a positive correlation with the relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and air temperature. In 2018, potentially pathogenic mold and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Stachybotrys chartarum complex, Aspergillus section Fumigati) were detected in the seaside air. While the detected species were not observed in the years 2014–2017. We suggest that it is advisable to inform residents about the potential health risk in the event of raw sewage disposal into the water. Moreover, in wastewater treatment plants, tighter measures, including wastewater disinfection, should be introduced.

The Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Failure on the Gulf of Gdansk (Southern Baltic Sea)

“…Our team attempted to assess the air and sea water after an emergency discharge of raw sewage into the Bay of Gdańsk. We presented the results of the research in several manuscripts [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

The emergency discharge of sewage to the Bay of Gdańsk as a source of bacterial enrichment in coastal air

“…The total concentration of bacteria detected in air samples taken along the coast was higher when the wind was blowing from the sea. When the wind was blowing from the land, a higher concentration of fungal mould spores was detected 46 , 47 . Our study indicates a statistically significant relationship between the wind speed and the concentration of psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria after an emergency discharge of sewage into the Bay of Gdańsk.…”

Higher Number of Yeast-like Fungi in the Air in 2018 after an Emergency Discharge of Raw Sewage to the Gulf of Gdańsk—Use of Contingency Tables

“…Atmospheric air sampling performed in five coastal towns of the Gulf of Gda ńsk (Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, and Gda ńsk-Brzeźno) (Figure 1) as well as mycological analysis have been described in detail in the study conducted by Michalska et al [33]. In short, they can be presented in the following manner: in 2014-2018, air monitoring was carried out in 5 towns of the Gulf of Gda ńsk (Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, and Gda ńsk-Brzeźno).…”

“…They affect the Earth's radiation balance, the scattering and absorption of solar radiation directly or through condensation in clouds, and the formation of nuclei (CCN) and ice-nucleating particles (INPs) [30,32]. In our recent research, we searched for hidden relationships and regularities between meteorological factors and the number of mold and yeast-like fungi in the air of five coastal towns of the Gulf of Gda ńsk [33]. For this purpose, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model was applied, which is one of the numerous methods of factor analysis that has been used for many years in the analysis of environmental samples [34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

“…For this purpose, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model was applied, which is one of the numerous methods of factor analysis that has been used for many years in the analysis of environmental samples [34][35][36][37][38][39]. The PCA analysis showed a significant correlation between meteorological factors and the number of molds and yeast-like fungi in the air of five coastal towns in 2014-2017 and in 2018, which saw an emergency discharge of sewage into the Gulf of Gda ńsk [33]. However, the PCA model is a relatively simple graphical interpretation of results.…”