Comments on Brugger and others (2018) ‘A quantitative comparison of microfossil extraction methods from ice cores’

ABSTRACTIn our comments, we re-evaluate Brugger and others (2018) Lycopodium/Eucalyptus double marker approach, based on the fact that previous evidence already demonstrated that the batch of Eucalyptus tablets used by Brugger and others (2018) is not suitable for quantitative comparisons as they are characterized by inconsistent pollen concentration. We present clear evidence that the Eucalyptus tablets do feature inaccurate pollen concentrations, and are therefore improper for all quantitative comparisons of microfossil extraction methods. Consequently, the results of the quantitative and qualitative assessment of different pollen extraction methods from ice samples compiled by Brugger and others (2018) are highly questionable due to the use of faulty marker tablets.

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Why loss matters: Reply to the comments of Festi and others on ‘A quantitative comparison of microfossil extraction methods from ice cores’ by Brugger and others (2018)

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/jog.2019.61 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (253) ◽

pp. 867-868

Author(s):

Sandra O. Brugger ◽

Erika Gobet ◽

Federica R. Schanz ◽

Oliver Heiri ◽

Christoph Schwörer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ice Cores ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Quantitative Comparison

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A quantitative comparison of microfossil extraction methods from ice cores

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/jog.2018.31 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (245) ◽

pp. 432-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

SANDRA O. BRUGGER ◽

E. GOBET ◽

F. R. SCHANZ ◽

O. HEIRI ◽

C. SCHWÖRER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Scales ◽

Ice Cores ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Sample Treatment ◽

Loss Assessment ◽

Laboratory Procedure ◽

Pollen Types ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Average Loss ◽

Natural Archive

ABSTRACTMicrofossil records from ice archives allow vegetation, fire and land-use activity reconstructions on broad spatial scales. Samples typically contain low microfossil concentrations. Therefore, large ice volumes are often needed for palynology. Hence, it is crucial to extract maximum microfossil numbers through appropriate physical-chemical treatments. We compare six methods covering the main water reduction procedures: evaporation, filtration and centrifugation with snow samples. Adding a known number of Lycopodium marker spores prior to sample treatment and a second marker (Eucalyptus) after laboratory processing allows a quantitative microfossil loss assessment during pollen extraction. We applied the best-performing method (average loss of 22%) to high-alpine firn cores from Colle Gnifetti glacier for validation with a natural archive containing extremely low microfossil concentrations. We conclude that samples processed with different microfossil extraction protocols may give different results for pollen concentrations, percentages and ratios between different pollen types, especially if vesiculate conifer pollen is an important pollen assemblage component. We recommend a new evaporation-based method which delivers the smallest and least variable losses among the tested approaches. Since microfossil losses are inevitable during laboratory procedure, adding markers prior to sample processing is mandatory to achieve reliable microfossil concentration and influx estimates.

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The late flowering of invasive species contributes to the increase of Artemisia allergenic pollen in autumn: an analysis of 25 years of aerobiological data (1995–2019) in Trentino-Alto Adige (Northern Italy)

Aerobiologia ◽

10.1007/s10453-020-09663-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 669-682 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antonella Cristofori ◽

Edith Bucher ◽

Michele Rossi ◽

Fabiana Cristofolini ◽

Veronika Kofler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Airborne Pollen ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Late Summer ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Allergenic Pollen ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Negative Impacts

AbstractArtemisia pollen is an important aeroallergen in late summer, especially in central and eastern Europe where distinct anemophilous Artemisia spp. produce high amounts of pollen grains. The study aims at: (i) analyzing the temporal pattern of and changes in the Artemisia spp. pollen season; (ii) identifying the Artemisia species responsible for the local airborne pollen load.Daily pollen concentration of Artemisia spp. was analyzed at two sites (BZ and SM) in Trentino-Alto Adige, North Italy, from 1995 to 2019.The analysis of airborne Artemisia pollen concentrations evidences the presence of a bimodal curve, with two peaks, in August and September, respectively. The magnitude of peak concentrations varies across the studied time span for both sites: the maximum concentration at the September peak increases significantly for both the BZ (p < 0.05) and SM (p < 0.001) site. The first peak in the pollen calendar is attributable to native Artemisia species, with A. vulgaris as the most abundant; the second peak is mostly represented by the invasive species A. annua and A. verlotiorum (in constant proportion along the years), which are causing a considerable increase in pollen concentration in the late pollen season in recent years.. The spread of these species can affect human health, increasing the length and severity of allergenic pollen exposure in autumn, as well as plant biodiversity in both natural and cultivated areas, with negative impacts on, e.g., Natura 2000 protected sites and crops.

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Integrating Phenological, Aerobiological and Weather Data to Study the Local and Regional Flowering Dynamics of Four Grapevine Cultivars

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10020185 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 185

Author(s):

María Fernández-González ◽

Helena Ribeiro ◽

Alba Piña-Rey ◽

Ilda Abreu ◽

F. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo

Keyword(s):

Airborne Pollen ◽

Weather Data ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Peak Period ◽

Hirst Sampler ◽

Main Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Integral Spin ◽

Bioclimatic Conditions

Phenological, aerobiological, and weather data are useful tools to study local and regional flowering dynamics in crops with economic importance. The present study focuses on four autochthonous grapevine cultivars, namely, ‘Treixadura’, ‘Godello’, ‘Loureira’, and ‘Albariño’ (Vitis vinifera L.), which belong to the Designation of Origin Ribeiro area (located in northwestern Spain) from 2015–2019. The aims of the work were to (1) compare the airborne pollen concentration in the vineyard collected by two different traps, (2) analyze the influence of the main meteorological variables on cultivar phenology and pollen concentration, and (3) test the contribution of the air masses on pollen concentrations in the vineyard. Phenological development has been assessed twice weekly, according to the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. Airborne pollen concentrations were monitored by using two traps during stage 6 (flowering), namely, a Hirst volumetric sampler and a Cour passive trap. The bioclimatic conditions affected the duration of flowering, ranging from 11 and 24 days. The highest seasonal pollen integral (SPIn) was registered in 2016 for the Hirst sampler, with 302 pollen, and in 2019 for the Cour trap, with 1,797,765 pollen/m2/day. The main variables affecting pollen concentrations were average temperature during the main pollen season, as well as, temperatures and dew points during the pre-peak period. The relationship between pollen data registered by both traps and the obtained harvest indicate that the Hirst trap may be more suitable for predicting a local production and that the Cour sampler is more appropriate for forecasting regional productions.

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Oak pollen concentration in the air of selected Polish cities in 2020

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.1643311220.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 15-20

Author(s):

Anna Rapiejko ◽

Małgorzata Malkiewicz ◽

Monika Ziemianin ◽

Aneta Sulborska ◽

Kazimiera Chłopek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Volumetric Method ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Total Catch ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Oak Pollen ◽

Annual Total ◽

High Concentrations

The study aims to compare the oak pollen season in selected Polish cities; Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Katowice, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Szczecin, Warsaw, and Wroclaw in 2020. Measurements were made using the volumetric method, with a Hirst-type sampler. Oak pollen season, defined as the period with 98% of the annual total catch, started between 14 (in Opole) and 25 April (in Lublin). The season ended on 1 June at the latest; in Sosnowiec, Bydgoszcz, Olsztyn, and Bialystok. It lasted from 30 to 47 days (37 days on average). The maximum daily oak pollen concentrations were observed between 24 April and 11 May. The highest annual sum of oak pollen grains (SPI) was recorded in Lublin, while the lowest in Bialystok. The highest concentrations of 596 oak pollen grains/m3 were noted in Lublin on 28 April. The longest exposure to high concentrations of oak pollen (>91 grains/m3), lasting 12-13 days, was recorded in Lublin, Opole, and Wroclaw.

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The Relationship between Metrological Parameters and Total Airborne Pollen Concentration in Atmosphere of Khartoum City During 2018

Journal of The Faculty of Science and Technology ◽

10.52981/jfst.vi7.961 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 93-109

Author(s):

Ejlal Sanad Mohammed Motwaly ◽

A.G. Elfadil ◽

Ahmed Mudawi Musa

Keyword(s):

Relative Humidity ◽

Meteorological Parameters ◽

Airborne Pollen ◽

Maximum Temperature ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Spore Trap ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

The Relationship ◽

Metrological Parameters ◽

Airborne Pollen Concentration

This study is aimed to find out the effect and relationship between metrological parameters and total airborne pollen concentration in atmosphere in Khartoum city (Sudan). For that purpose, one-year data during 2018 of Total Airborne Pollen Concentration (TAPC) and meteorological parameters is utilized. Pollen concentration in the atmosphere was measured using Non-volumetric air sampler (Vertical cylinder spore trap). The descriptive statistic of TAPC and metrological parameters were presented. The result showed TAPC in 2018 reached to their maximum in August (37.5/m³), and the minimum in June (14/ m³). Analysis of the relationship between TAPC and meteorological parameters showed that variations in the pollen concentrations were mainly affected by maximum temperature. In addition, there were substantial differences in these relationships in different seasons. In Autumn, they were affected by the rain falls, maximum temperature and relative humidity; in summer, they were affected by maximum temperature; and in winter, they were affected by maximum temperature and relative humidity. Temperature, rain falls and relative humidity promote plant growth and blooming. As well as the results show wind direction was significant on seasonally TAPC especially in Autumn. The results found significant effects between the meteorological on TAPC, were it is showed 72 % are affecting on TAPC refer to meteorological parameters and 28 % refer to another factors.

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Seasonal variation in diurnal atmospheric grass pollen concentration profiles

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-10-14627-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 14627-14656 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. G. Peel ◽

P. V. &Oslash;rby ◽

C. A. Skj&oslash;th ◽

R. Kennedy ◽

V. Schlünssen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grass Pollen ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Meteorological Factors ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Grass Species ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Late Season ◽

Pollen Loads ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Atmospheric Pollen

Abstract. In this study, the diurnal atmospheric grass pollen concentration profile within the Danish city of Aarhus was shown to change in a systematic manner as the season progressed. Although diurnal grass pollen profiles can differ greatly from day-to-day, it is common practice to establish the time of day when peak concentrations are most likely to occur using seasonally-averaged diurnal profiles. Atmospheric pollen loads are highly dependent upon emissions, and different species of grass are known to flower and emit pollen at different times of the day and during different periods of the pollen season. Pollen concentrations are also influenced by meteorological factors – directly through those parameters that govern pollen dispersion and transport, and indirectly through the weather-driven flowering process. We found that three different profiles dominated the grass pollen season in Aarhus – a twin peak profile in the early season, a single evening profile in the mid-season, and a single midday peak in the late season. Whilst this variation could not be explained by meteorological factors, no inconsistencies were found with the theory that the variation was driven by a succession of different grass species with different diurnal flowering patterns dominating atmospheric pollen loads as the season progressed. The potential for exposure was found to be significantly greater during the late season period than during either the early or mid season periods.

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Seasonal variation in diurnal atmospheric grass pollen concentration profiles

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-11-821-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 821-832 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

R. G. Peel ◽

P. V. Ørby ◽

C. A. Skjøth ◽

R. Kennedy ◽

V. Schlünssen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grass Pollen ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Meteorological Factors ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Grass Species ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Late Season ◽

Pollen Loads ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Atmospheric Pollen

Abstract. In this study, the diurnal atmospheric grass pollen concentration profile within the Danish city of Aarhus was shown to change in a systematic manner as the pollen season progressed. Although diurnal grass pollen profiles can differ greatly from day-to-day, it is common practice to establish the time of day when peak concentrations are most likely to occur using seasonally averaged diurnal profiles. Atmospheric pollen loads are highly dependent upon emissions, and different species of grass are known to flower and emit pollen at different times of the day and during different periods of the pollen season. Pollen concentrations are also influenced by meteorological factors – directly through those parameters that govern pollen dispersion and transport, and indirectly through the weather-driven flowering process. We found that three different profiles dominated the grass pollen season in Aarhus – a twin peak profile during the early season, a single evening profile during the middle of the season, and a single midday peak during the late season. Whilst this variation could not be explained by meteorological factors, no inconsistencies were found with the theory that it was driven by a succession of different grass species with different diurnal flowering patterns dominating atmospheric pollen loads as the season progressed. The potential for exposure was found to be significantly greater during the late-season period than during either the early- or mid-season periods.

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Ice-core dating and chemistry by direct-current electrical conductivity

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/s0022143000002215 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 38 (130) ◽

pp. 325-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kenorick Taylor ◽

Richard Alley ◽

Joe Fiacco ◽

Pieter Grootes ◽

Gregg Lamorey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Ice Core ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Ice Cores ◽

Quantitative Comparison ◽

Quantitative Interpretation ◽

Conductivity Measurements ◽

Temperature Variations ◽

The Core ◽

Ice Core Dating

AbstractAlthough quantitative interpretation of the low-frequency electrical conductivity of ice cores from central Greenland is complicated by temperature variations of the measured core, annual layers can be recognized in sections of the core that are not impacted by non-seasonal features. Ambiguities in counting of annual layers can be minimized by comparing the electrical conductivity measurements to measurements of dust concentration and visual stratigraphy. A non-linear relationship between applied voltage and the current measured across two electrodes complicates the quantitative comparison of measurements made with different equipment, but does not affect the overall shape of the observed features.

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Seasonal changes in plant pollen concentrations over recent years in Vinnytsya, Central Ukraine

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.1731 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victoria Rodinkova ◽

Lilia Kremenska ◽

Olena Palamarchuk ◽

Iryna Motruk ◽

Elena Alexandrova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Peak Shift ◽

Hay Fever ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Heat Accumulation ◽

Spore Trap ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Temperature Regimen ◽

Plant Pollen ◽

Seasonal Pollen

The control of plant pollen season patterns is especially important in the expectation of climate change, as the timing of potential varying pollen seasons affects the human population. An ever-increasing number of people suffer from hay fever symptoms with varying severity during the pollen season. This paper presents data on the seasonal variations of pollen concentration and the factors which are the likely causes of these variations in Vinnytsya, a city in Central Ukraine, in order to establish the apparent pattern of this variation and so improve the efficiency of hay fever control in Ukraine.Pollen counts were obtained by gravimetric and volumetric methods employing a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap.Alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula) peaks of pollen release occurred approximately 1 month earlier than was observed at the end of the twentieth century. This was due to the seasonal heat accumulation related to the appropriate temperature regimen registered in January and February prior to the growing season. Other trees – including poplar (Populus), maple (Acer), walnut (Juglans), common hazel (Corylus) – did not show distinct changes in pollen season pattern over the past decades.Mean daily temperature seems to be the leading factor promoting early season onset and a seasonal pollen peak shift of the grass and herb flora such as ragweed (Ambrosia). The shift of the ragweed seasonal pollen maximum towards later in the season correlated with higher temperatures during September. Our study has shown that droughts may also significantly decrease the ragweed pollen concentration.

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