Aerobiological survey in L'Aquila (Italy) throughout 1988 to 1990

Summary Airborne pollens were sampled in L'Aquila (Italy) throughout 1988 to 1990. Our data indicate that the flowering seasons of pollens mostly accounting for airborne concentrations are somewhat unique as compared to other Mediterranean areas. The prolonged season of Cupressaceae as well as the two different flowering seasons of Oleaceae, namely ofFraxinus, Ligustrum andOlea europaea, respectively, were the most relevant findings of our study. Furthermore, it is also worth to note thatParietaria judaica could be detected during the study period throughout March to June, but not in late summer and early autumn, as expected.Moreover, we evaluated the frequency of different pollen sensitizations in 2813 patients requiring medical care during the study period because of allergic diseases, such as conjunctivitis, oculorhinitis, and bronchial asthma. Our data demonstrate that both Compositae and Urticaceae proved to be the most allergenic pollens despite the low airborne concentrations detected. Finally, a relevant finding was the highOlea sensitization among patients with bronchial asthma.     

Olea Europea 3-year pollen record in the area of Thessaloniki,Greece and its sensitizing significance

Summary The observations of airborne pollen ofOlea europea and the incidence of clinical manifestations in patients allergic to this pollen type have not been registered so far in the city of Thessaloniki. The purpose of this study was: 1. to assess theO. europea pollen circulation in the area of our city, and 2. to detect the percentage of sensitivity toO. europea pollen in patients with pollinosis. We collected daily pollen samples during a 3-year period (February '87-January '90), using a Burkard volumetric trap, located on a high level area in the centre of the city. The pollen counts were then registered. The O.europea pollen grains were not differentiated microscopically from the other Oleaceae, but identified through phenological criteria. The patients included in the assessment of the sensitivity toO. europea came from the out-patient clinic of bronchial asthma of the General Hospital ?G. Papanicolaou?. They had a seasonal pollinosis and they were submitted to prick test using a battery of 22 groups and an O.europea extract. Pollen ofO. europea appears first in the atmosphere of Thessaloniki at the beginning of May, shows a peak in the end of May and continues to be present till the end of June. The quantity ofO. europea pollen ranked 6th in the list of the total pollen count and its flowering period coincided with that of grasses. In a sample of 360 patients with seasonal pollinosis, we detected anO. europea pollen sensitivity combined with other alleargens in 37% of the patients and a monosensivity in 4%. We conclude that pollen ofO. europea results to be present over a relative short period of time (May–June) in the area of Thessaloniki. The percentage of patients' sensitization toO. europea pollen was a little less frequent than sensitization to grasses, even if their flowering time coincides and their presence in the air shows about the same concentration values.     

Monitoring of airborne pollen and pollen calendar of Cosenza,Southern Italy

Summary From May 1986 to May 1989 surveys of airborne biological particles have been performed in the atmosphere of Cosenza, Italy with the aim of monitoring the presence of airborne pollen. The survey station is situated at Arcavacata of Rende, a hilly area 474 meters above sea level, 7 km north-west of the main town. The sampler (VPPS 2000) is located about 20 meters above ground level. The monitoring, performed in accordance with the criteria suggested by the Italian Association of Aerobiology (A.I.A.), enabled the identification of 26 different pollen types. The pollination graphics show: 1) a late winter period in which pollen from trees appears; 2) a spring period with a prevalence of Gramineae, Fagaceae, Oleaceae andParietaria pollen; 3) a late spring-summer period during which Fagaceae,Pinus and Compositae pollen grains are present; 4) a late summer-autumn and winter period characterized by a drastic reduction of airborne pollen. A study of the calendar reveals, furthermore, that: 1) Gramineae pollen is, amongst those of allergological importance, the most representative; 2)Parietaria is not perennial and is present in modest concentrations; 3)Olea reaches a high peak in June, but not as high as in other southern regions; 3) pollen from arboreal plants is prevalent compared to that of herbaceous plants.     

北京城区气传花粉季节分布特征

研究北京城区气传花粉种类、数量及季节消长规律,为防治花粉症及建设合理城市绿地提供有效资料.应用Burkard采样器于2010年12月31日至2011年12月31日对北京城区气传花粉浓度进行监测,并对花粉浓度进行统计学分析.研究结果显示,2011年北京城区的花粉季节从3月20日起始,至10月18日截止,持续213d,占全年天数的58％;全年花粉含量月分布呈现两个高峰,第1个高峰为3-4月,主要花粉为木犀科、杨属、柳属等树木花粉,占全年花粉总量的30％;第2个高峰为8-9月,主要花粉为菊科、藜科及苋科等莠草花粉,占全年花粉总量的50％;2011年度北京城区最具代表性的气传花粉来自于菊科,比重占了收集到气传花粉的35％.研究结果还表明,秋季的气传花粉致敏性强,所以北京花粉症的高发季节主要集中在秋季,以8-9月为最高,其中有95％的病人在此期间出现花粉症症状.花粉浓度及飘散规律受当地植被状况及气候等多种因素影响,因此,北京城区空气中气传花粉飘散种类、数量及季节分布规律的调查结果,可以为本地区花粉症防治及绿化品种的选择提供可靠依据.     

Influence of meteorological parameters on Olea flowering date and airborne pollen concentration in four regions of Portugal

For calculating the total annual Olea pollen concentration, the onset of the main pollen season and the peak pollen concentration dates, using data from 1998 to 2004, predictive models were developed using multiple regression analysis. Four Portuguese regions were studied: Reguengos de Monsaraz, Valença do Douro, Braga and Elvas. The effect of some meteorological parameters such as temperature and precipitation on Olea spatial and temporal airborne pollen distribution was studied. The best correlations were found when only the pre‐peak period was used, with thermal parameters (maximum temperature) showing the highest correlation with airborne pollen distribution. Independent variables, selected by regression analysis for the predictive models, with the greatest influence on the Olea main pollen season features were accumulated number of days with rain and rainfall in the previous autumn, and temperatures (average and minimum) from January through March. The models predict 59 to 99% of the total airborne pollen concentration recorded and the initial and peak concentration dates of the main Olea pollen season.     

Comparison between the allergenic airborne pollen in Trieste and at Lozzo di Cadore (Italy) in 1989

Summary A comparative study was carried out between aeroallergenic pollen spectra in Trieste and at Lozzo di Cadore. The two localities were found to be different on a five-day running mean basis as to the 8 pollen taxa monitored by the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network managed by the Italian Association of Aerobiology (AIA). In the zone of Lozzo the pollination curve of the spring flowering taxa showed a lag of about one month due to the colder climate. Lozzo di Cadore showed a poor airborne pollen content,Corylus and Graminaceae being prevailing. Trieste has a higher airborne pollen diversity and longer pollination times because of its higher floristic and vegetational complexity. In Trieste the allergenic pollen spectrum showed great quantities ofOstrya, Quercus, Oleaceae, Graminaceae and of ruderal taxa, widespread over the area, due to man's influence.     

Phenological records as a complement to aerobiological data

Phenological studies in combination with aerobiological studies enable one to observe the relationship between the release of pollen and its presence in the atmosphere. To obtain a suitable comparison between the daily variation of airborne pollen concentrations and flowering, it is necessary for the level of accuracy of both sets of data to be as similar as possible. To analyse the correlation between locally observed flowering data and pollen counts in pollen traps in order to set pollen information forecasts, pollen was sampled using a Burkard volumetric pollen trap working continuously from May 1993. For the phenological study we selected the main pollen sources of the six pollen types most abundant in our area: Cupressaceae, Platanus, Quercus, Plantago, Olea, and Poaceae with a total of 35 species. We selected seven sites to register flowering or pollination, two with semi-natural vegetation, the rest being urban sites. The sites were visited weekly from March to June in 2007, and from January to June in 2008 and 2009. Pollen shedding was checked at each visit, and recorded as the percentage of flowers or microsporangia in that state. There was an association between flowering phenology and airborne pollen records for some of the pollen types (Platanus, Quercus, Olea and Plantago). Nevertheless, for the other types (Cupressaceae and Poaceae) the flowering and airborne pollen peaks did not coincide, with up to 1 week difference in phase. Some arguments are put forward in explanation of this phenomenon. Phenological studies have shown that airborne pollen results from both local and distant sources, although the pollen peaks usually appear when local sources are shedding the greatest amounts of pollen. Resuspension phenomena are probably more important than long-distance transport in explaining the presence of airborne pollen outside the flowering period. This information could be used to improve pollen forecasts.     

The relationships between the concentrations of airborne pollen and allergic symptoms in Trieste (Northern Italy) in 1989

Summary Concentrations of airborne pollens recorded in Trieste in 1989 are evaluated in relation to allergic complaints in 113 patients with skin prick tests positive to one pollen species. Analysis of the result enable the two most important allergens to be confirmed as: Poaceae in 70.7% of patients and Parietaria in 18.6%. Few people had monosensitation to Compositae (Artemisia), Corylaceae and Fagaceae.Sympotoms are related to the flowering period when pollen levels climbed to daily averages of 15–20 grains/m³ but they started later than airborne peak concentrations and finished later than pollen decline. Pollen concentration recording can be a useful way to predict the clinical manifestation in sensitive patients but other factors are involved in determining symptoms like subjective mucosal reactions, polysensitization, patients living and working environment.     

Study of seasonal and daily variations in airborneOlea europaea L. pollen in Jaén (Spain), 1993–1995

A study is made of the seasonal and daily variations in the concentrations of pollen ofOlea europaea L. over three consecutive years (1993–1995) in the atmosphere of Jaén (southern Spain). A Burkard volumetric spore trap was used for sampling. The results show that the highest concentrations of airborne olive pollen occur during May and the first 2 weeks of June, when levels often exceed 500 grains/m³ and occasionally reach nearly 5000 grains/m³ (the levels of allergenic pollen in the atmosphere of Jaén are among the highest in Europe). Over the 3-year study period a significant seasonal variation was detected, not only in the development of the principal pollination period, but also in the value of the maximum pollen concentrations recorded.     

A comparative study on the effects of altitude on daily and hourly airborne pollen counts

The concentration of pollen grains in the air was studied using two aerobiological volumetric Hirst-type spore traps, one at ground level and the other at a height of 16 m on a terrace. The study was carried out between 2009 and 2011, from March to June in Badajoz (SW Spain). Intradiurnal and daily pollen counts were compared with both, different meteorological parameters and the distribution of local pollen sources. Forty-six pollen types were identified and 89 % of the total grains corresponded to Quercus, Poaceae, Olea, Pinaceae and Plantago pollen types, in descending order. The mean height ratio of the daily pollen count was 1.02. Significant correlations were observed when comparing daily pollen counts for predominant pollen types at both levels. The comparisons have shown significant differences in the daily pollen count between the two samplers in the case of Olea and Pinaceae, but not for Quercus, Poaceae and Plantago. Similar results were obtained using the intradiurnal airborne pollen database. No significant correlation has been found between pollen count and the different meteorological parameters, showing no dependence on height. These differences of Olea and Pinaceae may be explained in part by the uneven distribution of the pollen sources and the disturbance by nearby buildings. The temporal variation patterns between the two sites were similar; however, taking into account the average of the data, the higher values were obtained first at the ground level and later at 16 m.     

Airborne pollen grain concentrations at two different heights

The present study describes the airborne pollen grain concentrations at two different heights (1.5 m and 15 m, respectively). The survey was carried out in 1991 and 1992, using two Burkard spore-traps, both set up at the University of Córdoba, Faculty of Sciences. Generally, and for all herbaceous plants, pollen detection started and ended around the same date on both samplers. However, in the case ofOlea europaea, the pollen was detected in advance by the sampler located at 1.5 m compared with the one located at 15 m, probably due to the fact that olives growing close to the low sampler flower before the great olive plantations located some 60 km south of the city. No significant differences between the counts of both samplers have been observed, except in the case of Urticaceae, where the sampler situated on top of the building recorded higher pollen concentrations in both years. Similar annual peaks of Urticaceae are probably due to the buoyancy of their small, light grains and the explosive pollination mechanism which liberates pollen grains from the anthers of the Urticaceae family, includingUrtica andParietaria.     

A long-term study of winter and early spring tree pollen in the Tulsa, Oklahoma atmosphere

Since 1986 the atmosphere in Tulsa, Oklahoma has been monitored for airborne pollen and spores with a Burkard 7-day spore trap situated on the roof of a building at The University of Tulsa. The present study specifically examined the early spring tree pollen season for several local taxa and the occurrence of pre-season pollen during December and January. Knowledge of the local pollen season will help identify the presence of out-of-season pollen and possible long distance transport (LDT) events. Average daily concentrations of airborne pollen for species ofBetula, Quercus, Ulmus, and Cupressaceae were determined for each year from 1987 to 1996. The data showed that during the early spring the precise pollination periods for these allergenic tree species are highly variable. There were considerable variations in start date, season length, peak concentration, date of peak, and cumulative season total. The start dates forUlmus, Betula, andQuercus varied by 30 days or more, while the early spring Cupressaceae pollen showed the least variation in start date (only 23 days). More research is needed to understand the mechanisms which govern the onset and magnitude of pollen release. Although several reports have documented episodes of long distance transport (LDT) of pollen, the actual contribution of out-of-season or out-of-region pollen to local air spora is poorly known. The current study also re-examined the LDT ofJuniperus ashei pollen in Oklahoma.Juniperus pollen appeared in the Tulsa atmosphere on 40% of the days in December and January with concentrations as high as 2400 pollen grains/m³ of air; however, no local populations ofJuniperus pollinate at this time of the year. High concentrations occurred on days with southerly winds suggesting thatJuniperus ashei populations in southern Oklahoma and Texas were the pollen source. Since no local pollen is present in the Tulsa atmosphere in December and January, this example of LDT has been easy to document.     

Pollen calendar for Vigo, North-West Spain (1995)

This is the first data from a pollen survey in Vigo, an Atlantic city in northwest Spain. The pollen calendar for Vigo is presented, as well as the pollination period for the nine most important allergenic plants. Through 1995, 30 083 pollen grains belonging to 52 taxa, were recorded using the Lanzoni VPPS 2000 volumetric spore-trap. The most relevant taxa found were: Urticaceae,Pinus, Poaceae andQuercus (75% of the total pollen),Betula, Castanea, Cupressaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ericaceae, Myrtaceae,Olea, Plantago, Platanus andRumex (21%), and the final 4% was distributed mainly among pollen types, such as:Corylus, Alnus, Fabaceae, Compositae,Artemisia andCedrus. Of the total annual pollen count, 56% was found in March and April. Another, secondary peak was recorded in June corresponding to the flowering period of herbaceous species. The high pollen total of Urticaceae (7625 grains, 25% of the total) should be highlighted. The percentages ofOlea europaea (565 grains) should be noted as well, taking into account its geographical distribution.     

Grasses, olive, parietaria and cypress in Athens: Pollen sampling from 1995 to 1999

The airborne pollens can produce asthma andrhinoconjuctivitis (pollinosis). Sincegeographic and climatic factors influence thequality and quantity of pollen counts invarious countries and between seasons, the aimof the study was to record major seasonalallergenic pollens; grasses, olive, parietariaand cypress in Athens during five consecutiveseasons throughout the years 1995–1999. Thedaily pollen count was carried out every yearfrom March to October using a Burcardvolumetric weekly spore trap, which was placedabout 20 m from the ground, in Athens citycentre. Daily values were expressed as numberof pollen grains/m³ of air. The meanmonthly values of pollens/m³ were used tocompare the results of the consecutive years.Recording of the major pollen allergens inAthens area for five consecutive years led tothe assessment of the pollination period foreach of these plants and confirmed thevariations in the amount of pollen per plantper year.     

Pinus pollen in the atmosphere of Vigo and its relationship to meteorological factors

The Pinus genus has an elevated pollen production and an anemophilous nature. Although considered to be hypoallergenic, numerous cases of allergies caused by Pinus pollen have been cited and different authors believe that its allergenicity should be studied in more depth. In the city of Vigo several patients have tested positive for Pinus pollen extracts in skin tests, some of them being mono-sensitive to such pollens. In order to ascertain the behaviour of Pinus pollen and its correlation to the main meteorological factors, we carried out an aerobiological study in the city of Vigo from 1995 to 1998 by using a Hirst active-impact volumetric sporetrap, model Lanzoni VPPS 2000, placed on the left bank of the Vigo estuary (42°14’15’’N, 8°43’30’’W). Pinus has high quantitative importance in the airborne pollen spectrum of the city. It is one of the best represented taxa constituting 13%–20% of the total annual pollen levels. The quantity of Pinus pollen present in the atmosphere of the city of Vigo throughout a year is 5751 grains (as the average for the sampled years), with a very long pollination period, from the middle of January until May. The maximum concentration was recorded in 1998 with 1105 grains/m³ on 3 March, a much greater value than those for the previous years. At the end of its pollination period there is usually a final increase in Pinus pollen concentrations coinciding with the pollination of Pinus silvestris, which are more abundant in mountainous areas far from the city. Received: 17 March 1999 / Revised: 20 December 1999 / Accepted: 20 December 1999     

Airborne pollen grains in Yalova,Turkey, 2004

In this study, airborne pollen grains of Yalova province were investigated using VPSS 2000 from January to December 2004. During studying period, a total of 22409 pollen grains/m³ which belonged to 46 taxa and 74 unidentified pollen grains were recorded. From the identified taxa, 26 belong to arboreal and 20 to non-arboreal plants. Total pollen grains consist of 80.50% arboreal, 19.17% non-arboreal plants and 0.33% unidentified pollen grains. In the investigated region, from arboreal plant taxa Platanus spp. (29.08%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (21.22%), Pinus spp. (7.34%), Alnus spp. (4.75%), Castanea spp. (3.03%), Quercus spp. (3.07%), Olea spp. (2.50%), Acer spp. (2.21%), Corylus spp. (1.41%) and Fagus spp. (1.15%), and from non-arboreal plant taxa Poaceae (10.01%), Asteraceae (2.86%), Plantago spp. (1.47%) and Artemisia spp. (1.11%) were responsible for the greatest amounts of pollen.     

Airborne pollen and spores monitoring in Buenos Aires City: a preliminary report. Part I. Trees and shrubs (AP)

Summary The monthly trees and shrubs pollen (AP) content of the atmosphere during a whole annual period is analyzed. Thirty airborne pollen types have been identified. Most of them come from cultivated plants flowering in late winter-early spring. Thereby the annual peak is recorded in October. The highest frequencies recorded are those ofFraxinus americana, Acer negundo, Platanus spp. andMorus nigra. A second minor peak is recorded in March, and is mainly due toCasuarina spp./Myrica spp. pollen. Aeropalynological data are discussed and correlated with phytogeographical, phenological and meteorological parameters.     

Airborne behaviour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echium</Emphasis> pollen

Species of Echium are clearly entomophilous, but they release great amounts of pollen into the atmosphere with its consequent anemophilous transport, because their high pollen production, the smallness of the grains, and the exserted position of their anthers. Using three volumetric airborne sporetraps in Extremadura (SW of Spain) between 1994 and 1998, we found that Echium pollen reached pollen concentrations similar to or greater than other anemophilous plants. The main pollination period appeared from April to June. The maximum peak daily concentration reached 35.9 grains/m³ and the annual recorded totals showed interannual variations between 64.2 and 614.4. Correlations were calculated between the daily pollen concentrations and the meteorological parameters rain, temperature, wind direction and velocity and relative humidity. Wind direction seems to be significant, warm dry air seems to facilitate the release of pollen into the atmosphere and increase its concentrations. Hourly pollen concentration reached a maximum between 11:00 and 12:00 and a minimum at 07:00, and the patterns were very similar in the three localities studied. This would indicate that the presence of Echium pollen in the atmosphere is related to the processes of anthesis of the populations near the traps, and would not correspond to a model of transport from distant zones.     

Incidence of sensitisation to the pollens of urticaceae (Parietaria), Poaceae and Oleaceae (Olea europea) and pollen rain in Liguria (Italy)

Summary The authors examined 734 sensitised patients living in four localities in Liguria (Genoa, Savona, Pietra Ligure and Sanremo). The commonest source of sensitisation (62.7%) was Urticaceae (Parietaria), followed by Poaceae (52.5%) andOlea europaea L. (24.0%). A survey of airborne pollens revealed a greater presence of Urticaceae and Poaceae in Genoa and of Oleaceae in Pietra Ligure and Sanremo.     

Pollen concentrations in central Italy (Ascoli Piceno and Perugia)

Summary Air-borne pollen grains were collected using Hirst volumetric spore traps in both Ascoli Piceno and Perugia during the March–November 1983 period. Similar types of pollens were recorded in both towns. In Perugia, higher total amounts of Cupressaceae/Taxaceae pollens were recorded in March and of Quercus, Gramineae, Urticaceae and Oleaceae in May–June. However, the pollen concentration in the Ascoli Piceno atmosphere was higher in the August–October period owing to the pollen of the ?summer weeds?.

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Riassunto I granuli di polline aerodiffusi sono stati campionati con trappole volumetriche tipo Hirst sia in Ascoli Piceno che in Perugia durante il periodo marzo–novembre 1983. In entrambe le città sono stati rilevati tipi di polline simili. In Perugia sono state registrate concentrazioni di polline in atmosfera più elevate rispetto ad Ascoli Piceno in marzo per la pollinazione di Cupressaceae/Taxaceae e in maggio–giugno per la pollinazione di Quercus, Gramineae, Urticaceae e Oleaceae. In Ascoli Piceno, invece, la concentrazione di polline in atmosfera è state più elevata di Perugia nel periodo agosto–ottobre per la pollinazione delle ?erbe estive?.