An exploratory analysis of seasonal and intraseasonal variations of the main airborne pollen types in Sunchales city, Argentina

Background and aims: The study of the seasonal and intra-seasonal variability of the airborne pollen concentration is of paramount importance to understand the relationships with the emitting vegetation and the atmospheric parameters that modulate pollen transport. This research aims to study these variabilities in Sunchales, a city located in the center-east of Argentina. M&M: Atmospheric monitoring was carried out with a Burkard trap during two seasons in 2012 and 2013 on the outskirts of the city. Results & Conclusions: The pollination periods of the studied pollen types show a delay in 2013 compared to the previous year, presumably related to a greater amount of cumulative heat units in 2012. However, the integral pollen for the period 2013 was 1.4 times higher than 2012, a fact that is not explained by accumulated precipitation but by the time of day when the hydrometeors occur. Binned pollen concentrations show that the highest concentrations coincide with the urban location of the tree sources while the herbaceous ones show an association with a rural origin. Regarding the intra-seasonal variability, the highest proportion of the airborne pollen variance accumulates on the synoptic-scale (80 - 60%) with periods between 3 and 10 days. During 2012 long waves predominated (> 5.5 days) while in 2013 medium waves prevailed (3.9 - 5.5 days).

Features of the fungal spectrum in the air environment in the Rostov region according to the results aeropalynologic monitoring 2019

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, there has been an epidemic growth of allergic diseases, in which fungi along with other allergens significantly play a role in their etiology. Spores of a number of micromycetes are present in the air. Aeropalynology environmental monitoring enables examination of the composition of airborne microorganisms, their dynamics, and role in the formation of allergic diseases. The Rostov region has climatic and geographical features that affect the qualitative and quantitative compositions of the fungal spectrum in the air environment. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the composition and features of the fungal spectrum of the air environment in Rostov-on-Don, to assess the dynamics of the concentration of fungal spores during the monitoring period (March to October), and to make a calendar of plant pollination and fungal spore production for this region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this longitudinal, observational, single-center study, aeroallergens were detected using a volumetric Burkard trap. Identification of plant pollen and fungal spores was performed by microscopy of colored slides obtained from a sticky tape covered with a special mixture. RESULTS: Results of aeropalynological monitoring in 2019 in the air environment of Rostov-on-Don revealed the presence of pollen taxa and fungal spores, represented by the mold fungi Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata in high increasing concentrations. Their dynamics were recorded throughout the observation period (March to October). The specific weight of fungal sensitization in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis was 11.6%. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies the regional features of the fungal spectrum of air allergens, and a calendar of dusting and sporulation was compiled for the city of Rostov-on-Don.

Effects of meteorological factors on pollen flora in the atmosphere of Sinop (Turkey)

This study was conducted for determining the plant taxa of the pollen grain in the atmosphere of the city center of Sinop (Turkey) and investigating the effects of meteorological factors on pollen concentration, by analyzing daily, weekly and monthly changes in the atmosphere. The types and amounts of pollen grain in the atmosphere were determined using Burkard trap. On the basis of the average of 2 years (2016 - 2017), the dominant trees taxa in the atmosphere were Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (32.67%), Pinaceae (15.51%), Morus sp. (5.50%), Quercus sp. (2.76%), Alnus sp. (2.24%), Corylus sp. (1.48%), Carpinus sp. (1.43%), Juglans sp. (1.43%), Fraxinus sp. (1.33%), Olea europaea (1.05%) and Poaceae (Grass) (5.29%), whereas the dominant weed taxa were Urticaceae (11.16%), Ambrosia sp. (4.31%), Amaranthaceae (3.21%), and Mercurialis sp. (2.05%). Temperature and wind speed had a positive effect on the increased amount of pollen, whereas precipitation had a negative effect on it. On the basis of the data obtained, a pollen calendar was prepared for the area.

Pollen concentrations of some plants in the air over Olszanica (Bieszczady Niskie Mountains) and Wrocław in the 2008 season

This paper presents the results of an analysis of pollen season patterns for taxa which show the strongest allergenic activity (alder, birch, grasses, and mugwort) in 2008 in the air over Wrocław and Olszanica. The study was carried out using the volumetric method (Burkard trap). The results show variation in pollen seasons between the analyzed localities. An attempt was made to find out in which of the sites in question - the urban site or the rural one - there was a greater risk of allergens of the selected plants. The results of the present study show that the alder, birch and grass pollen seasons in 2008 started and ended earlier in Wrocław, and maximum pollen concentrations were definitely lower. But the mugwort pollen season started earlier and ended much later in Olszanica, while maximum pollen concentration of this taxon was more than twice lower than in Wrocław. In 2008 in the investigated localities, the highest pollen concentrations of the plants in question occurred in the following months: alder in February, birch in April, grasses in June, while mugwort in August. In 2008 alder and birch pollen allergen risk was comparable in the investigated urban and rural environment. However, grass and mugwort pollen allergens posed a significantly greater threat in the rural environment than in Wrocław.

Mugwort (Artemisia L.), nettle (Urtica L.) and plantain (Plantago L.) pollen in the atmosphere of Wrocław in the years 2002-2004

The paper includes the results of pollen season analysis of the selected plants (mugwort, nettle, plantain) regarded as the most allergenic in Wrocław in 2002-2004. The studies were carried out using volumetric method (Burkard trap). The results show strong variation in pollen seasons. The average duration of the pollen season of <i>Artemisia</i> was 82 days. The highest pollen concentration of mugwort was recorded in 2004 (156 grains × m^-3). The start of nettle pollen seasons varied in studied period on average by 24 days, on average, but its end was almost the same. The pollen season of <i>Urtica</i> was the earliest in 2004. It started on 5^th May and lasted 136 days. The annual pollen total of <i>Plantago</i> was relatively low, on average 0.2-0.4% in annual pollen totals.

Analysis of the grass (Poaceae L.) pollen seasons in Wrocław, 2003-2010

The aim of the study was to analyse the grass pollen season dynamics in Wrocław in 2003-2010. The studies were carried out using volumetric method (Burkard trap). Special attentions was paid to differences in pollen season duration and patterns. The pollen season started on average on the 130th day of the year (±10 days) and ended on the 240^th (±11 days). Peak of pollen seasons occurred between 156^th and 185^th day of the year. The mean of SPI value was 2805 (±380). On average, 18 days (±4 days) with a grass pollen concentration of more than 50 grains × m^-3, and 2 days (±1 day) with concentration of more than 120 grains × m^-3 were recorded during the seasons analysed. Three types of pollen seasons were distinguished on the basis of cluster analysis (the non-hierarchical method of multifeature clustering - the k-means method).

The importance of the stationary and individual pollen monitoring for the diagnostic of pollen allergy

The aim of the study was to evaluate pollen seasons of selected taxa with particular reference to allergic taxa such as birch (<i>Betula</i> sp.), grasses (Poaceae), mugwort (<i>Artemisia</i> sp.) in Cracow in 2003 and 2004 (project number 3 PO5D 034 24 funded by the State Committee for Scientific Research). Pollen concentrations obtained using the stationary Burkard trap and personal Partrap FA 52 were compared. The volumetric method was used in the study. Average daily concentrations (pollen grains × m^-3) were obtained by counting pollen grains every hour along 4 longitudinal transects and applying an appropriate conversion factor. Duration of the pollen season was determined using the 95% method. Variations in annual totals of pollen grains (birch and mugwort), in start dates (especially for grasses) and in the season duration (birch and grasses) were found. The comparison of pollen concentrations obtained using the stationary and personal traps at the same place showed non statistically significant correlation for all the studied taxa and statistically significant correlations for birch, mugwort and grasses (Spearman rank correlation). However, the statistically significant differences between the concentrations obtained using Burkard and Partrap carried by patients (Wilcoxon's test) were noted. Very low concentrations of pollen grains measured indoor (work, flats) and the influence of the local plants growing in separate place (courtyard of the Allergology Department) on the pollen concentration were found.