Annual variations of air-borne pollen in the Coastal Plain of Israel |
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| Authors: | N Keynan Y Waisel A Shomer-Ilan A Goren S Brener |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Botany, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, 69978;2. Ministry of Health, Research Institute for Environonmental Health, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel |
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| Abstract: | A survey of airborne pollen was conducted during 1984 in the coastal plain of Israel. The flora of that area is continuously changing due to urbanization and agriculture, thus affecting the airborne pollen spectrum. Significant pollen counts were monitored throughout the year, with a seasonal peak during spring. Meteorological parameters, such as wind velocity, wind direction and temperature affected pollen content of the air. Under certain conditions, even pollen of insect-pollinated plant species was found in the air. The most conspicuous among the airborne pollen were olive, cypress and pine trees as well as pollen grains from the Poaceae, Amaranthaccae, Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Urticaccae. Results indicate that most of the airborne pollen grains were of local origin and from cultivated trees. Thus, it is possible to reduce airborne pollen contaminants around human habitations by selection of the proper non-allergenic ornamental plants. |
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