| Dissertation |
Thesis (M.Sc.) --NUI, 2016 at Department of Chemistry, UCC. |
| Summary |
Current methods of measuring and identifying Primary Biological Aerosol Particles (PBAP) use traditional methods such as impaction and optical microscopy. A shift toward the use of Light Induced Fluorescence (LIF) techniques has been occurred over the last decade with instruments such as Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS) becoming widely used in the detection of fungal spores, pollen and bacteria. More accurate identification and classification of PBAP may be possible using a newer LIF instrument the Multi-parameter Bioaerosol Sensor (MBS). The idea behind this research was aimed at solving an identification problems using optical microscopy by using fluorescence spectroscopy. Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum all have similar size, shape and surface characteristics. These spores cannot be separated using microscopy. In contrast by exciting these fungal spores and recording their emitted fluorescence spectrum with the MBS, characteristic fluorescence spectra were obtained for all three species. Work was undertaken initially in a laboratory setting where spores were introduced by nebulization into a closed chamber from which the MBS sampled. The pure spore samples were analysed by the MBS to ascertain its capability to distinguish between them. Each spore was measured for size and fluorescence emissions which were analysed and used for the production of characteristic spectra. All three species produced fluorescence spectra which were separable from one another in a laboratory environment. Mixed spore samples were also tested to measure the ability of the MBS to distinguish individual spores within a non-uniform sample. Finally the laboratory results were tested at an active green waste monitoring facility. The MBS was co-located with a traditional impaction technique the SporeWatch for a four day campaign. Results were compared between the instruments with spectral analysis of the MBS data showing interesting results that were comparable to the laboratory-based spectra. This was the first research of its kind using the MBS for fungal spore detection and the results indicate great promise in the future monitoring of ambient PBAP. |
| Subject |
Atmospheric chemistry.
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| Collection |
Theses Masters (Research)
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Theses Chemistry Department
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| Description |
160 pages ; 30 cm. |
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