AIR-BORNE FUNGI IN THE ARCTIC AND OTHER PARTS OF CANADA

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Abstract
Quantitative and qualitative studies were made of the fungi in the air over various parts of Canada and Alaska, continuing studies in arctic aerobiology. In winter, arctic air is apparently sterile: in summer, at Ft. Churchill, Man., ground level samples varied from 0.5 to 4.4 per cu.ft. Cladosporium was the commonest fungus (average 0.5 per cu.ft.), followed by yeasts (0.16), Penicillium (0.06), and Stemphylium (0.03 per cu.ft.). Other fungi present were Pullularia, Botrytis, Aspergillus, Verticillium, Pyrenochaete, Helminthosporium, Phyllosticta, Papularia, Cunninghamella, and Sporormia. Of 3711 colonies 57% failed to sporulate. Silicone slide readings as high as 114.9 fungus spores per cu.ft. were obtained and included the following: yeasts (8.6), Cladosporium (3.8), smuts (2.5), Fusarium (0.6), Alternaria (0.06 per cu.ft.), Venturia, Cercospora, Septoria, rusts, Leptosphaeria, Sordaria, and Pleospora and many hyaline one-celled spores. In 2 flights to Resolute Bay, N. W. T., the flora was found to be similar to that at Ft. Churchill but nos. did not exceed 1 per cu.ft., although readings up to 78 fungus spores per cu.ft. were recorded on slides in warm air over Hudson Bay. Most of the fungi are considered to be soil types originating in agricultural areas and carried northward by southerly winds. The majority are no longer viable when they reach the arctic. There is evidence that the nos. of fungi are correlated with air masses, not only in the arctic but also in air over other parts of Canada.