The Air Spora

The Air Spora is an illustrated guide to trapping, identifying and quantifying airborne biological particles such as fungus and plant spores and pollen. This book will be of use to anyone interested in aerobiology or studying applied aspects such as dispersal and effect of allergens, or human, animal and plant pathogens. Including a comprehensive review of what is in the air and detailing the historical development of theories leading to modern aerobiology, the book explains the fundamental processes behind airborne dispersal and techniques used to sample, identify and quantify biological particles. Methods are explained in a step-by-step guide for the use of standard air sampling devices. Although formats applicable to modern molecular and immunological techniques are described, the emphasis of the book is on simple visual identification of particles in air samples using traditional microscopy. Consequently a chapter on setting-up and using a light microscope is included, although experienced researchers can skip to chapters showing photographs of examples of the Air Spora and nine colour plates of paintings of airborne particles at a magnification of x1000.

"I recommend this book to those actively running or thinking of running a pollen and spore trapping program. It will also be of value to doctors, allergists, and those teaching the basics of palynology, wishing to include a lecture or two on air spora."

David M. Jarzen, Florida Museum of Natural History

In: The Newsletter of the American Association Of Stratigraphic Palynologists, 2007(40:2)

• Aerobiology
• Allergy
• Bur
• Paintings
• Plant Pathology
• Pollen
• Spores
• plant pathogens
• Biological Microscopy

From the reviews:

‘A book on general aerobiology with an emphasis towards fungal spores and pollen that will interest both the specialist and the non-specialist. The illustrations are great’ W.D. Griffiths, Airborne Matters, Dunstable, Beds, UK

"The book adds a novel and important value to aerobiology. ‘The Air Spora’ is a well written step-by-step guide to key techniques for trapping, identifying and quantifying airborne biological particles. The book enables precise identification of particles largely by superb colour paintings. In my opinion the book will remain for decades a reference source for most institutions concerned with aerobiology. In conclusion, ‘The Air Spora’ is a high-quality book which could be recommended" (Jacek Dutkiewicz, Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, Issue 13, 2006)

"This book draws together the different approaches and techniques, used in aerobiology in a very informative and useful way. The authors have produced a text which will become a standard reference in aerobiological teaching and research. The glossary contains many aerobiological terms which should be useful for the beginner. Given the subject areas covered and illustrations it is likely that this book will appeal to a wide range of nonspecialists readers as well as aerobiological connoisseurs." (Roy Kennedy, Plant Pathology, Issue 58, 2007)

"I recommend this book to those actively running or thinking of running a pollen and spore trapping program. It will also be of value to doctors, allergists, and those teaching the basics of palynology, wishing to include a lecture or two on air spora." (David M. Jarzen, Florida Museum of Natural History In: The Newsletter of the American Association Of Stratigraphic Palynologists, 2007)

"‘The Air Spora’ … is an illustrated guide for trapping and quantifying airborne fungus spores, pollen and other bioparticles. … The illustrations,microphotographs and colour paintings are very pleasing and are of high quality. The book is paper bound with an attractive laminated cover page containing paintings of biological particles which gives the book a most pleasing appearance. … This is a well prepared manual and should be possessed by all aerobiologists. It is a ‘must’ for youngsters who choose to pursue research in aerobiology." (B. P. R. Vittal, Indian Journal of Aerobiology, Vol. 19 (2), 2006)

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