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Seasonal Variation in Fungi in Beach Sand in Summertime: Stintino (Italy)

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Deligios

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vittorio Mazzarello

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Maura Fiamma

    (Laboratorio Analisi, Ospedale “San Francesco”, ASSL Nuoro, 08100 Sardinia, Italy)

  • Aleksandra Barac

    (Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Lorenzo Diana

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Marco Ferrari

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Manuela Murgia

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Bianca Paglietti

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Salvatore Rubino

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The goal of this study was to monitor the microbial biodiversity in beach sand that is heavily visited by tourists during the summer, and to determinate whether the high presence of bathers (around 5000 per day) can modify sand microbial composition. Methods: Between 2016 and 2020, 150 sand samples were collected from nine different points at La Pelosa beach in Sardinia, Italy. Non-culturing methods were used; DNA extraction and meta-barcode sequencing were performed. All samples were analyzed with sequencing methods for 16S and ITS sequences. Results: Fungal genera differ on the three beaches and in the winter/summer zones. The ITS sequence showed the most common presence of Candida during summer and Paradendryphiella in the winter. The greatest diversity was found in the dune during winter, while in other parts of the beach, there are differences between bacteria and fungi, particularly in the wash zone during the winter, with high diversity for 16S sequences but low diversity for ITS sequences. Conclusions: It appears reasonable that the sands, even on non-urban beaches, should be included in health monitoring programs in addition to the waters, and that access to them should be regulated by limiting the number of bathers with the aim of reducing the presence of pathogenic fungal species.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Deligios & Vittorio Mazzarello & Maura Fiamma & Aleksandra Barac & Lorenzo Diana & Marco Ferrari & Manuela Murgia & Bianca Paglietti & Salvatore Rubino, 2023. "Seasonal Variation in Fungi in Beach Sand in Summertime: Stintino (Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:23:p:7134-:d:1292696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. João Brandão & Elisabete Valério & Chelsea Weiskerger & Cristina Veríssimo & Konstantina Sarioglou & Monika Novak Babič & Helena M. Solo-Gabriele & Raquel Sabino & Maria Teresa Rebelo, 2023. "Strategies for Monitoring Microbial Life in Beach Sand for Protection of Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-21, May.
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      Keywords

      fungi; skin; microbiota; beach; sand;
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