Speleomycological research in underground Osówka complex in Sowie Mountains (Lower Silesia, Poland)

Aeromycological Monitoring of Disused Mines in Poland

“…pose a threat to, e.g., cave formations [7], animals [10][11], or even historical treasures [12]. It is now often acknowledged that there is a greater need for a universal monitoring system for underground sites, in particular those that are frequently visited by tourists: this system seems to be the only one capable of detecting negative changes occurring in underground ecosystems [13].…”

Culturable Fungi in Brown Bear Cave Dens

“…They occur mainly on organic matter such as animal or human faeces, or on dead plant material. Inside the underground objects fungi are most often present as spores migrating with the air currents or with water, or are carried by the animals inhabiting such objects, i.e., by bats, rodents, or arthropods, but also by humans [17][18]. The fungal taxa most often found in the underground objects are those belonging to the genera of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Fusarium, and Trichoderma, as well as Cladosporium and Alternaria [18][19].…”

“…taxa can also potentially negatively affect the health of humans and animals as they are the causal factor of severe infectious diseases [21] infections of internal and external organs such as skin, bone marrow, intestines, kidneys, and eye cornea. They may also cause pneumonia, endocarditis peritonitis, and urinary tract infections [22], as well as allergies in humans and in animals [23], and they are capable of producing high numbers of spores [18]. Penicillium taxa are also characterized by their ability to synthesize mycotoxins, which can consequently be found in underground objects [4,24].…”

“…Such a state of affairs indicates that a prolonged stay in bear dens, which may be the case when conducting scientifi c research, e.g., sampling, may be a potential source of health risk, particularly in persons showing allergies to fungi [18][19]. It has been unknown so far whether or not the high concentrations of fungal spores do negatively affect the health status of animals inhabiting the dens.…”

Aeromycology: studies of fungi in aeroplankton

“…Speleomycological research done in unfinished Nazi military complex "Riese" located in underground complex Osówka in the Sowie Mountains showed that Cladosporium spp. were most frequently isolated both from internal and external atmosphere (Pusz et al 2014b). However, in shafts of copper mine located in Lubiń mining site (property of KGHM Polska Miedź SA) the most numerous fungi belonged to Penicillium spp.…”