This study aims to investigate the seasonal variations in outdoor bioaerosol concentrations and transport of bioaerosols in Port Harcourt City (PHC), Nigeria. Bioaerosol samples were collected at locations with high and low traffic density by means of a two-stage Anderson air sampler and standard procedures were used to identify the isolates. The values recorded showed that the PHC atmosphere was more contaminated during the dry season with ranges from 1.6 × 103 ± 3.6 CFU/m3 to 2.12 × 103 ± 3.5 CFU/m3 and 1.8 × 103 ± 3.0 CFU/m3 to 2.27 × 103 ± 6.5 CFU/m3 respectively for bacteria and fungi as against 7.0 × 102 ± 1.7 CFU/m3 to 1.22 × 103 ± 2.9 CFU/m3 and 6.5 × 102 ± 2.0 CFU/m3 to 1.22 × 103 ± 1.2 CFU/m3 recorded during the wet season. Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest percent occurrence of 82% followed by Bacillus subtilis (73%) during the dry season while Proteus species with 18% recorded the least occurrence rate. For fungi, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus had the highest percent (73%) occurrence followed by Candida tropicalis (64%) and Pichia sp. (55%) while Erotium sp. recorded the least 18%. The temperature recorded a strong positive and significant correlation with fungi (0.83), bacteria (0.77), a weak positive correlation with pressure (0.44) and a negative correlation with relative humidity (−0.050). Relative humidity was observed to have recorded a negative, but significant correlation with all other parameters. On the other hand, pressure recorded a positive and significant correlation with other parameters. However, fungi and bacteria recorded the strongest and most significant correlation (0.96). The potential health risks associated with the identified bioaerosols were reviewed based on their health effects and exposure levels. This study will contribute to the understanding of the bioaerosol burden in Port Harcourt city and its potential impact on public health. In addition the results may assists policy-makers in developing targeted interventions to reduce exposure to harmful bioaerosols and improve air quality, particularly in areas with high traffic densities.

Seasonal Variation of Outdoor Bioaerosol Transport and the Attendant Health Risks at High Traffic Density in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria

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发表日期：

2025年6月6日

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Idongesit S. Ambrose,
Tyoyima John Ayua,
Nsikak A. Abraham,
Uzochukwu K. Chukwu,
Imoh Ekpa,
Ioryue I. Silas,
Unyime S. Udoette

摘要

This study aims to investigate the seasonal variations in outdoor bioaerosol concentrations and transport of bioaerosols in Port Harcourt City (PHC), Nigeria. Bioaerosol samples were collected at locations with high and low traffic density by means of a two-stage Anderson air sampler and standard procedures were used to identify the isolates. The values recorded showed that the PHC atmosphere was more contaminated during the dry season with ranges from 1.6 × 10³ ± 3.6 CFU/m³ to 2.12 × 10³ ± 3.5 CFU/m³ and 1.8 × 10³ ± 3.0 CFU/m³ to 2.27 × 10³ ± 6.5 CFU/m³ respectively for bacteria and fungi as against 7.0 × 10² ± 1.7 CFU/m³ to 1.22 × 10³ ± 2.9 CFU/m³ and 6.5 × 10² ± 2.0 CFU/m³ to 1.22 × 10³ ± 1.2 CFU/m³ recorded during the wet season. Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest percent occurrence of 82% followed by Bacillus subtilis (73%) during the dry season while Proteus species with 18% recorded the least occurrence rate. For fungi, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus had the highest percent (73%) occurrence followed by Candida tropicalis (64%) and Pichia sp. (55%) while Erotium sp. recorded the least 18%. The temperature recorded a strong positive and significant correlation with fungi (0.83), bacteria (0.77), a weak positive correlation with pressure (0.44) and a negative correlation with relative humidity (−0.050). Relative humidity was observed to have recorded a negative, but significant correlation with all other parameters. On the other hand, pressure recorded a positive and significant correlation with other parameters. However, fungi and bacteria recorded the strongest and most significant correlation (0.96). The potential health risks associated with the identified bioaerosols were reviewed based on their health effects and exposure levels. This study will contribute to the understanding of the bioaerosol burden in Port Harcourt city and its potential impact on public health. In addition the results may assists policy-makers in developing targeted interventions to reduce exposure to harmful bioaerosols and improve air quality, particularly in areas with high traffic densities.