Integration of Aerosol Spectrometry Techniques with Other Methods for Spore Concentration Monitoring for Analysis of Degradation of Wooden Structures: from Lens-Less Flow Morphometry to Aerosol Mass Spectrometry and in Situ Elemental Microanalysis
Abstract
Gradov O. V, Makaveev P. Yu, Orekhov F. K and Zhulanov Yu. V
It is well known that any pathogenic fungi or mold play a significant role in the degradation of wooden structures, such as timber framings, fachwerk houses and natural furniture. They have the ability to break down cellulose and hemicellulose, which are key components of wood, leading to decay and mechanical / structural weakness. As they colonize wooden surfaces, they can cause discoloration, warping, and ultimately compromise the structural integrity of the material. In addition to wood, pathogenic fungi and mold can also affect a variety of other ma-terials, including textiles, paper, and even certain types of plastics. Con-sequently analyzing the types of mold and the morphology of fungal spores is crucial in combating fungal damage to wooden materials. Dif-ferent species of fungi have varying spore morphologies, growth pat-terns and destructive capabilities, making it essential to identify them accurately for effective treatment and prevention strategies. Aerosol measurements and spectroscopy offer promising avenues for the detec-tion of fungal spores and mold in airborne streams. By leveraging aero-sol measurement techniques, such as particle counters and optical parti-cle sizers, it becomes feasible to quantify the concentration of fungal spores within an air stream. These methods enable the real-time moni-toring of airborne spore levels, providing valuable insights into the dy-namics of fungal dispersion. By examining the unique spectral and morphometric signatures associated with fungal spores, it becomes pos-sible to differentiate them from other airborne particles, thus facilitating their identification within complex aerosol mixtures. Integrating aerosol measurements with spectroscopic analysis holds significant potential for advancing the rapid and accurate identification of fungal spores and mold in air streams. This combined approach not only enhances our un-derstanding of airborne fungal dynamics but also offers practical impli-cations for indoor air quality assessment, environmental monitoring and wood engineering damage prevention.