A comparison between modern pollen spectra of moss cushions and Cundill pollen traps

Pollen spectra of 23 Cundill pollen traps from 23 different sampling sites in Southwest Turkey are compared with the corresponding pollen spectra of moss cushions from the same sites. The Cundill pollen traps represent the modern pollen rain data from one year whereas the moss cushions represent the pollen rain of several years. The comparative study reveals some main differences between the two pollen entrapment media. The one-year entrapment medium (pollen trap) appears to be more sensitive for local (releve area 10x10 m) and regional (100-500 m, or a few kilometres for Olea europaea) vegetation. Pollen spectra of moss cushions are dominated by high pine pollen percentage values and hardly sense fine vegetation structures. The conclusion of this comparative modern pollen study allows to interpret fossil sediment spectra from the Near East in a more critical way. It is concluded that one should preferably sample rapidly deposited sediments for palynological analyses, as the resulting highresolution pollen diagrams will be most informative about the former vegetation patterns.     

北京主要气传致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期预测

花粉是我国北方引发过敏性鼻炎最主要过敏原,花粉症发病期与花粉浓度高峰期吻合。基于北京地区2012至2020年花粉季多站、逐日分类花粉浓度观测数据分析,得出北京地区花粉浓度在3月上旬至5月中旬(可进一步划分为3月中旬至4月上旬和4月下旬至5月上旬两个高峰期)和8月中旬至9月中旬分别存在两个高峰期,第一个高峰期内优势致敏花粉种类为柏科、杨柳科和松科,第二个高峰期内优势致敏花粉种类为桑科、菊科蒿属和藜科。根据优势致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期观测数据,使用与花粉采样站点位置相匹配的逐日气象观测数据累积值,基于作物模型概念和模糊逻辑原理建立了北京地区主要气传致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期预测模型。经检验,柏科、杨柳科、松科、桑科、菊科蒿属和藜科花粉模型预测准确率分别为87.8%、80.0%、64.4%、86.7%、78.8%和81.8%。基于北京地区主要气传致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期预测模型可为本地花粉症防治提供理论参考。     

Airborne Pollen Grains in Zonguldak,Turkey,2001-2002

The variation in airborne pollen concentration of the Zonguldak region, Turkey was studied for two consecutive years 2001-2002 using a Durham sampler. During this period, a total of 61 304 pollen grains belonging to 43 taxa were recorded. Of these 43 taxa, 26 belonged to arboreal and 17 to nonarboreal plants. The main pollen types were Pinaceae, Populus, Carpinus, Betula, Corylus, Fagus orientalis,Castanea sativa, Alnus glutinosa, Quercus, Cupressaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Gramineae, representing 96.7% of the pollen spectrum. Pollen concentration reached the highest level in March.     

Airborne Pollen Grains in Zonguldak，Turkey，2001-2002

The variation in airborne pollen concentration of the Zonguldak region．Turkey was studied for two consecutive years 2001-2002 using a Durham sampler．During this period．a total of 61 304 pollen grains belonging to 43 taxa were recorded．Of these 43 taxa．26 belonged to arboreal and 17 to nonarboreal plants．The main pollen types were Pinaceae,Populus,Carpinus,Betula,Corylus,Fagus orientalis,Castanea sativa,AInus glutinosa,Quercus,Cupressaceae,Chenopodiaceae and Gramineae．representing 96．7％of the pollen spectrum．Pollen concentration reached the highest level in March．     

Airborne pollen sampling in Toledo, Central Spain

Toledo is one of the main tourist spots of Spain, attracting around two million visitors per year. Its geographical situation in the vast and scarcely monitored Region of Castilla La Mancha and the high number of tourists (especially in the spring) has resulted in the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA) making this city a major study objective. Air monitoring studies carried out using REA sampling procedures commenced in October 2002. Thirty-two pollen types were identified during the sampling period (October 2002 to October 2004). The annual Pollen Index (PI) was 44124 for the agricultural year October 2002–October 2003, and 29666 in the same period of 2003–2004. The most abundant taxa were, in decreasing order of dominance: Cupressaceae, Quercus, Poaceae, Populus, Olea, Urticaceae, Platanus, Pinus and Ulmus. Other, less well-represented pollen taxa included Salix, Alnus, Fraxinus and Tamarix, which were characteristic of riverside areas, and Morus, Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae. The presence of Castanea pollen grains originating from chestnut crops far away from the city was clearly an example of long-distance transport. The highest concentrations of airborne pollen were detected from March to May and also in January, due to the flowering of Cupressaceae species. In general, there was a correlation between pollen and meteorological parameters: a positive correlation with temperature and a negative correlation with rainfall and humidity during the pre-peak period. A negative correlation between temperature and some tree pollen taxa was detected in the principal pollen period correlation analysis due to their long pollination periods.     

Aeropalynology of Australian native arboreal species in Brisbane, Australia

The influence of meteorological parameters on airborne pollen of Australian native arboreal species was investigated in the sub-tropical city of Brisbane, Australia over the five-year period, June 1994–May 1999. Australian native arboreal pollen (ANAP), shed by taxa belonging to the families Cupressaceae, Casuarinaceae and Myrtaceae accounts for 18.4% of the total annual pollen count and is distributed in the atmosphere during the entire year with maximum loads restricted to the months May through November. Daily counts within the range 11–100 grains m^–3 occurred over short intervals each year and were recorded on 100 days during the five-year sampling period. Total seasonal ANAP concentrations varied each year, with highest annual values measured for the family Cupressaceae, for which greater seasonal frequencies were shown to be related to pre-seasonal precipitation (r ² = 0.76, p = 0.05). Seasonal start dates were near consistent for the Cupressaceae and Casuarinaceae. Myrtaceae start dates were variable and established to be directly related to lower average pre-seasonal maximum temperature (r ² = 0.78, p = 0.04). Associations between daily ANAP loads and weather parameters showed that densities of airborne Cupressaceae and Casuarinaceae pollen were negatively correlated with maximum temperature (p < 0.0001), minimum temperature (p < 0.0001) and precipitation (p < 0.05), whereas associations with daily Myrtaceae pollen counts were not statistically significant. This is the first study to be conducted in Australia that has assessed the relationships between weather parameters and the airborne distribution of pollen emitted by Australian native arboreal species. Pollen shed by Australian native Cupressaceae, Casuarinaceae and Myrtaceae species are considered to be important aeroallergens overseas, however their significance as a sensitising source in Australia remains unclear and requires further investigation.     

Models for forecasting airborne Cupressaceae pollen levels in central Spain

The influence of meteorological variables on airborne Cupressaceae pollen levels in central Spain was analyzed, and prediction models based on polynomial and multiple regressions were used to predict pollen counts throughout the pollen season. The Cupressaceae pollen type was selected in view of both its abundance in the atmosphere of the central Iberian Peninsula (particularly from January to March) and its allergenic importance. Sampling was performed uninterruptedly over a 5-year period, using a Hirst volumetric sampler and the sampling method established by the Spanish Aerobiology Network. Temperature displayed the strongest (positive) correlation with Cupressaceae pollen counts. Polynomial and multiple regression analysis showed that maximum temperature was the most influential variable included in prediction models. The prediction equations obtained for the study period were reasonably satisfactory, accounting for 48% and 59% of the variation in airborne pollen levels.     

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.     

Comparisons of moss polster and pollen trap data: a pilot study

Modern pollen-vegetation relationships have been explored in recent years through analysis of either pollen trap (= absolute results) or moss polster contents (= relative results). In the past few attempts were made to compare data from these two sources. It was the aim of the present study to achieve this comparison through more exact sampling of moss polsters. A pilot study was carried at Morton Lochs, Fife, Scotland where pollen traps have been sampled continuously for ten years. Moss samples were collected from cushions adjacent to two of the pollen traps during May 1985, 1986 and 1987. Moss polsters were sampled usingan equivalent surface cross-section area to that of the traps. In comparing the pollen results from the two sources some similarities can be identified, but in general there are more inconsistencies. These may be traced to difficulties in the precision of moss sampling, variable rates of moss growth and local deposition factors. It is considered that further study, in which these difficulties are minimised, would be justified. Ultimately it is hoped that precise sampling of mosses will produce sufficiently reliable modern pollen rain results to enable pollen-vegetation studies to move away from relative (percentage) values without requiring long-term artificial pollen trapping techniques.     

空气致敏花粉污染研究进展

对空气致敏花粉污染概念的提出 ,空气致敏花粉污染的特点和影响因素 ,花粉采集方法的改进以及空气致敏花粉污染的研究进展等方面进行了总结 ,指出了研究中存在的问题 ,并对研究前景进行了展望     

Airborne pollen of entomophilous plants and spores of pteridophytes in Rzeszów and its environs (SE Poland)

Airborne pollen of entomophilous plants occurred in low or very low concentrations, and constituted 4 of the total pollen sum. In 1997–2002, between 18 and 26 taxa were identified. Out of this large group the following taxa were represented in larger concentrations every year– Salix, Acer, Morus, Cichorioideae, Asterioideae, Plantago major/media, Sambucus nigra and Tilia. Microscopic examination revealed that pollen grains of the above mentioned species were often glued together, which is a typical adaptation to this kind of pollination. Club moss (Lycopodium spp.) and horsetail (Equisetum spp.) spores were recorded sporadically. Fern spores were found frequently but in very low numbers. In 2002 the occurrence of the airborne pollen of entomophilous plants in the city and in the countryside was compared. A higher percentage value of pollen was found in the atmosphere of the city rather than in the countryside, due to the high concentration of Acer pollen, which is a partly entomophilous species and common in municipal plantings. In the countryside air there was a higher concentration of pollen from purely entomophilous species, such as Viburnum and Asteroideae.     

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.     

An atmospheric pollen survey conducted during the winter in Minneapolis,Minnesota, USA

Few atmospheric pollen surveys have been conducted during the winter months in cities located in the midlatitudes. The purpose of this present investigation was to study pollen conditions during the winter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a city that experiences cold temperatures and develops substantial snow cover. One hundred thirty‐three atmospheric samples were collected with a Rotorod Sampler between 11 October 1995 and 1 May 1996. Pollen was recovered in 109 samples, including 27 of the 40 samples collected in December and January. Twenty‐five types of pollen were observed during the study period; Cupressaceae (cedar/juniper), Ambrosia (ragweed) and Artemisia (sage/sagebrush) grains were most abundant during the period when local plants were not flowering. The weed pollen was most likely contributed by local sources, perhaps by dried flowers on dead plants. In contrast, the Cupressaceae pollen recovered in October and the early winter months is thought to have originated in the southern United States where several species of Juniperus flower late in the year. This study demonstrated that low but measurable concentrations of pollen occurred in the atmosphere throughout the winter.     

Airborne Pollen Grains of Afyon,Turkey

The airborne pollen grains of Afyon have been studied for a two-year period(1999-2000)with a Durham sampler,A total of 14367 pollen grains belonging to 40 taxa have been identified and recorded with some unidentified ones.Of them,6732 were identified in 1999 and 7635 in 2000.Of the total pollen grains,69.67% were arboreal,26.64% on-arboreal and 3.68% unidentified.The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinus,Granineae,Cupressaceae,Platamus,Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae,Quercus,Ailanthus,Moraceae,Juglans,Salix,Cedrus and Rosaceae.The highest level of pollen grains was in May.     

Airborne Pollen Grains Of Afyon, Turkey

The airborne pollen grains of Afyon have been studied for a two-year period (1999-2000) with a Durham sampler. A total of 14 367 pollen grains belonging to 40 taxa have been identified and recorded with some unidentified ones. Of them, 6 732 were identified in 1999 and 7 635 in 2000. Of the total pollen grains, 69.67% were arboreal, 26.64% non-arboreal and 3.68 % unidentified. The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinus, Gramineae, Cupressaceae, Platanus, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Quercus, Ailanthus, Moraceae, Juglans, Salix, Cedrus and Rosaceae. The highest level of pollen grains was in May.     

京津冀地区气传花粉数据分析

花粉作为城市大气污染物成分之一, 严重影响人类的居住环境和生命健康, 是政府部门和科学界共同关注的热点问题。为此, 该文基于近60年来已发表的京津冀地区气传花粉数据, 总结了该地区主要气传花粉种类及其季节性分布特征, 表明气传花粉浓度的年际变化基本遵循双峰型规律, 即春季高峰以柏科、杨柳科和桦木科等乔木植物花粉为主, 夏秋季高峰以蒿属、葎草属/大麻(Cannabis sativa)以及藜科/苋科等草本植物花粉占优势; 探讨了影响气传花粉浓度的主导气象因子、花粉症发病特点等应当注意的问题; 指出土地改造和行道树种植等人类活动可能对北京地区的气传花粉组成变化产生影响。最后, 文中强调未来气传花粉的长期监测在大气环境评估、花粉过敏防治和城市绿化建设等方面具有重要作用。     

Poaceae pollen in the atmosphere of Zagreb (Croatia), 2002 – 2005

Pollen of grasses (Poaceae) is one of the most important airborne allergen sources worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine diurnal, day‐to‐day, weekly, monthly and annual pollen variation, and the effect of selected meteorological parameters on atmospheric pollen concentrations in Zagreb. A preliminary study was carried out during four seasons (2002 – 2005), using a 7‐day VPPS 2000 Hirst volumetric pollen trap. Total annual grass pollen concentrations in Zagreb were constant (2 673 – 3 074 p.g.m^?3), with a relative drop in 2004 (1 196 p.g.m^?3). The beginning of the grass pollen season is usually observed when the average daily temperature exceeds 13.5°C (max. daily temp. 19.5°C), without precipitation. In all four study years the absolute peak of concentrations occurs in the second half of May. The length of pollen season during the study period was 157 – 173 days. A high variability was observed in the maximal concentration and in the number of days when grass pollen concentration exceeded the threshold value of 30 p.g.m^?3 (9 – 40 days). Statistically significant correlations were found between airborne grass pollen concentrations and air temperature, level of precipitation and relative humidity.     

Airborne pollen and spores of León (Spain)

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of airborne pollen and spores was carried out over 2 years (from September 1987 to August 1989) in the city of León. Slides were prepared daily using a volumetric pollen trap, which was placed on the Faculty of Veterinary Science building (University of León) 12m above ground-level. Fifty-one pollen types were observed; the most important of these were: Cupressaceae during the winter,Pinus andQuercus in spring, and Poaceae, Leguminosae and Chenopodiaceae in the summer. The results also showed the existence of a rich mould spore assemblage in the atmosphere. The group of Amerospores (Penicillium, Aspergillus andCladosporium) as well as Dictyospores (Alternaria) were the most abundant;Puccinia was common in the air in August. Fluctuations in the total pollen and spores m³ of air were compared with meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall). From the daily sampling of the atmosphere of León, considering the maximum and minimum temperature and duration of rainfall, the start of the pollen grain season was observed generally to coincide with a rise in temperature in the absence of rain.