Fungi isolated from wind dust from several Villages in Nineveh Governorate

Background/Aim: In bio-geoscience and atmospheric studies, little focus has been on the biological, chemical, and physical mechanisms of emission and dispersion of Primary Biogenic Aerosol (PBA) particles. Biogenic aerosols are a significant part of the Earth's atmosphere and play an important role in atmospheric chemistry, climate, ecosystems, and people's health. They can carry biological organisms and reproductive materials, worsening human, animal, and plant diseases. Dust produced during wind events can be contaminated with microorganisms like viruses, fungi, and bacteria, resulting in respiratory diseases. The study aimed to describe the fungi in air dust collected in wind events in Nineveh governorate, Iraq. Methods: Dust samples were taken in several villages in the Nineveh Governorate, near the Al-Jazeera region, characterized by frequent dust events. Conventional microbiological techniques were used to isolate and identify the cultivable fungi in the samples. Results: A total of 22 fungal isolates were identified from the dust samples. The predominant genera included Penicillium (45.45%) and Aspergillus (40.91%), followed by Cladosporium (4.55%), Helminthosporium (4.55%), and Alternaria (4.55%). Conclusion: The results indicate that the fungi in the area's dust are viable and cultivable and can be characterized by conventional microbiological methods. Most of the identified fungal species have the potential to cause diseases, indicating a need to do more research on their effects on the environment and health.