Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland

Primary Biological Aerosol Particles (PBAPs) range in size from a few nanometres to hundreds of micrometres and include particles such as pollen and fungal spores, which are significant due to their prevalence and potential to induce allergic reactions and other health-related issues. This study emp...

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Main Authors: Jerry Hourihane Clancy, Emma Markey, Moisés Martínez-Bracero, José María Maya-Manzano, Eoin J. McGillicuddy, Gavin Sewell, Roland Sarda-Estève, Dominique Baisnée, Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira, Gemma Davis, David J. O’Connor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Atmosphere
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/3/275
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author Jerry Hourihane Clancy
Emma Markey
Moisés Martínez-Bracero
José María Maya-Manzano
Eoin J. McGillicuddy
Gavin Sewell
Roland Sarda-Estève
Dominique Baisnée
Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira
Gemma Davis
David J. O’Connor
author_facet Jerry Hourihane Clancy
Emma Markey
Moisés Martínez-Bracero
José María Maya-Manzano
Eoin J. McGillicuddy
Gavin Sewell
Roland Sarda-Estève
Dominique Baisnée
Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira
Gemma Davis
David J. O’Connor
author_sort Jerry Hourihane Clancy
collection DOAJ
description Primary Biological Aerosol Particles (PBAPs) range in size from a few nanometres to hundreds of micrometres and include particles such as pollen and fungal spores, which are significant due to their prevalence and potential to induce allergic reactions and other health-related issues. This study employs real-time fluorescence spectroscopy devices, the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS-NEO) and IBAC-2, to monitor PBAPs in the urban environment of Dublin, Ireland, during a six-week campaign in the summer of 2019. The WIBS-NEO demonstrated moderate correlations (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.5–0.7) in comparison with Hirst volumetric air sampler data for pollen and fungal spore concentrations following appropriate data filtering. In contrast, the IBAC-2 showed poor correlation with ambient fungal spore concentrations and lacked the necessary particle size ranges for reliable pollen measurement. Comparative analysis between WIBS-NEO and IBAC-2 revealed moderate correlation (R<sup>2</sup> ≈ 0.6) for small fluorescent particles (fluorescent particles between 0.7 and 1.5 μm optical diameter) but lower correlation for larger particles and specific bioaerosol types. The findings suggest that while the WIBS-NEO is effective for real-time bioaerosol monitoring, further refinement is needed for IBAC-2. This study underscores the potential of using advanced real-time monitoring tools in urban environments and highlights the need for continued development to address current limitations.
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spelling doaj-art-1e8ffe11dde144f48a68a11f68f50dc02025-08-20T02:42:38ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-02-0116327510.3390/atmos16030275Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, IrelandJerry Hourihane Clancy0Emma Markey1Moisés Martínez-Bracero2José María Maya-Manzano3Eoin J. McGillicuddy4Gavin Sewell5Roland Sarda-Estève6Dominique Baisnée7Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira8Gemma Davis9David J. O’Connor10School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, IrelandDepartment of Plant Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, SpainSchool of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, D07 H6K8 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, D07 H6K8 Dublin, IrelandLaboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE), CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, 91191 Saint-Aubin, FranceLaboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE), CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, 91191 Saint-Aubin, FranceDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, 18 de Septiembre 2222, Arica 1000000, ChileSchool of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, IrelandPrimary Biological Aerosol Particles (PBAPs) range in size from a few nanometres to hundreds of micrometres and include particles such as pollen and fungal spores, which are significant due to their prevalence and potential to induce allergic reactions and other health-related issues. This study employs real-time fluorescence spectroscopy devices, the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS-NEO) and IBAC-2, to monitor PBAPs in the urban environment of Dublin, Ireland, during a six-week campaign in the summer of 2019. The WIBS-NEO demonstrated moderate correlations (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.5–0.7) in comparison with Hirst volumetric air sampler data for pollen and fungal spore concentrations following appropriate data filtering. In contrast, the IBAC-2 showed poor correlation with ambient fungal spore concentrations and lacked the necessary particle size ranges for reliable pollen measurement. Comparative analysis between WIBS-NEO and IBAC-2 revealed moderate correlation (R<sup>2</sup> ≈ 0.6) for small fluorescent particles (fluorescent particles between 0.7 and 1.5 μm optical diameter) but lower correlation for larger particles and specific bioaerosol types. The findings suggest that while the WIBS-NEO is effective for real-time bioaerosol monitoring, further refinement is needed for IBAC-2. This study underscores the potential of using advanced real-time monitoring tools in urban environments and highlights the need for continued development to address current limitations.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/3/275real-timesporepollenmonitoringbioaerosols
spellingShingle Jerry Hourihane Clancy
Emma Markey
Moisés Martínez-Bracero
José María Maya-Manzano
Eoin J. McGillicuddy
Gavin Sewell
Roland Sarda-Estève
Dominique Baisnée
Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira
Gemma Davis
David J. O’Connor
Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland
Atmosphere
real-time
spore
pollen
monitoring
bioaerosols
title Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland
title_full Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland
title_short Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Fluorescence-Based Spectroscopic Instruments: Bioaerosol Detection in the Urban Environment of Dublin City, Ireland
title_sort comparative analysis of real time fluorescence based spectroscopic instruments bioaerosol detection in the urban environment of dublin city ireland
topic real-time
spore
pollen
monitoring
bioaerosols
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/3/275
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