scholarly journals Flowering and airborne pollen - a novel statistical approach

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idalia Kasprzyk ◽  
Adam Walanus

The time pattern of flowering significantly affects the pollen season, its beginning, length and the concentration of pollen grains in air. The forecasting models used in aerobiological studies were chiefly based on the elements of weather conditions; however, recently the phenology of pollen shedding has been taken into consideration in these models more and more frequently. The aim of the presented investigations was to determine to what extent the flowering and the occurrence of allergenic pollen grains in air coincided in time. The investigation was carried out in Rzeszów (SE Poland) in the years 2003-2004. The flowering of 19 allergenic plant species was observed and seven phenophases were distinguished. Aerobiological monitoring was based on the volumetric method. In the case of most herbaceous plants, the flowering period overlapped the pollen season, high concentrations of pollen being recorded throughout several phenophases. In general, the pollen of trees occurred during very short periods, frequently during one phenophase, while the investigated phenomena were missing each other. The most intensive growth of inflorescences of alder, hazel and birch was observed at the beginning of full fl owering or towards the end of full flowering.

1966 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Derrick

The incidence, on exposed slides, of pollen grains and spores from the atmosphere of Melbourne is recorded. Observations over 4½ years show that 30 types of pollen appear regularly each year and few of these are in great abundance. The highest concentration of pollen is in the period August-December and the lowest concentration in the period Aprii-May. In eariy spring, pollen grains from conifers and deciduous trees are most numerous, and in later spring and summer those from grasses and plantains predominate. Variations in weather conditions produce variations in the duration and concentration of the pollen cloud, both annually and within the season. High concentrations of fungal spores, at times exceeding those of pollen grains, occur during late spring and early summer, but follow a less clearly defined seasonal pattern than the pollen cloud. Pollen normally transferred by insects may at times become airborne in significant concentration. Grass pollen, because of its presence in the air over a long period and its high concentration during the Melbourne pollinosis season, must be considered important in relation to seasonal allergy. Other types of pollen and fungal spores, which are in high concentration for a shorter period or in less quantity for a long period, may also contribute to allergic symptoms.


Aerobiologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Cristofori ◽  
Edith Bucher ◽  
Michele Rossi ◽  
Fabiana Cristofolini ◽  
Veronika Kofler ◽  
...  

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Sikora ◽  
Marina Valek ◽  
Zdenka Šušić ◽  
Vera Santo ◽  
Dario Brdarić

The forests of north-eastern Croatia, as well as various plants and trees in the parks and streets of the Osijek-Baranja County, produce large amounts of pollen during the pollen season, which can cause allergy symptoms in pollen sensitive individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the most frequent types of pollen in this area and estimate possible health risks, especially the risk of allergy. In 2009 and 2010, the staff of the Health Ecology Department of the Osijek Public Health Institute monitored tree pollen concentrations in four cities from the Osijek - Baranja County (Osijek, Našice, Đakovo and Beli Manastir) using a Burkard volumetric instrument. The results were affected by weather conditions. Windy and sunny days facilitated the transfer of pollen, whereas during rainy days, the concentration of pollen grains decreased. High pollen concentrations of Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae and Aceraceae could be the cause for symptoms of pollen allergy. In 2009, conifers, birch and poplar pollen were dominant at all monitoring stations with 5000 pollen grains (PG), 3188 PG and 3113 PG respectively. The highest number of pollen grains was recorded at measuring site Osijek. The variations in airborne pollen concentration between pollen seasons were recorded at all monitoring stations. The most obvious variations were recorded at measuring site Osijek. The usual pollination period lasts two to three months, which means that most pollen grains remain present from February to early June. However, the Cupressaceae / Taxaceae pollination periods last the longest and their pollen grains remain present until the end of summer. The risk of allergy was determined at four monitored measuring stations and the obtained data confirmed that the largest number of days with a high health risk was at the Đakovo measuring station for a species of birch. The research information aims to help allergologists and individuals allergic to plant pollen develop preventive measures and proper treatment therapies.


Alergoprofil ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Anna Rapiejko ◽  
Małgorzata Malkiewicz ◽  
Monika Ziemianin ◽  
Aneta Sulborska ◽  
Kazimiera Chłopek ◽  
...  

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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Dąbrowska

The start and rate of florescence of <i>Alnus</i>, <i>Corylus</i> and <i>Betula</i> are dependent on meteorological conditions. In the present paper we have analysed the effect of mean, maximum and minimum temperature, relative air humidity and precipitation on the onset of the pollen season as well as on its length and annual count of pollen grains in alder, hazel and birch. The measurement of pollen fall was done by the gravimetric methods with the use of Durham sampler. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the determined characteristics of the pollen season and weather conditions. In the six-year research period 2001-2006 it was observed that low temperatures in January produced a delayed start of the pollen season in alder, hazel and birch. The beginning of flowering in these taxa was also influenced by thermal conditions prevailing directly before the season (ca. 10 days). The pollen season of the trees in question tended to be prolonged alongside with the increase in relative air humidity, but it was shortened due to higher temperatures. The volume of alder and hazel pollen release increased together with the rise in relative air humidity and precipitation. The annual counts of birch pollen increased along with rising temperature and decreasing relative air humidity and precipitation in the season.


2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-208
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Dąbrowska ◽  
Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko ◽  
Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽  
Ryszard Sawicki

Abstract All lindens provide Apidae insects with nectar, pollen, and honeydew. Lindens are important melliferous trees in Poland. The first purpose of the study was to carry out phenological observations of the flowering in ten linden taxa. The second aim was to analyse the content of linden pollen grains in the air of Lublin. A correlation between the parameters of the pollen season and meteorological factors was also determined. This study was conducted in the city of Lublin located in the central-eastern part of Poland. The flowering phenophases were analysed, using the method developed by Łukasiewicz, during the growing seasons of 2012-2015. Aerobiological monitoring, which was based on the volumetric method, was carried out over the 2001-2014 time period. As shown in the study, the flowering period of all the analysed linden taxa lasted 7 weeks, on average, from June 7 to July 24. The average length of the flowering period of the investigated taxa and hybrids was in the range of 12-17 days. Their flowering periods overlapped. The atmospheric pollen season lasted, on average, from mid-June to the second 10-day period of July. The highest concentration of airborne pollen was noted at the end of June. The pollen season pattern was significantly affected by temperature and relative air humidity as well as by rainfall in May and June. The investigations indicate a 9-day acceleration of the pollen season, which may be associated with global warming.


2013 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko ◽  
Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽  
Kateryna Voloshchuk ◽  
Aneta Sulborska ◽  
Nataliya Kalinovych ◽  
...  

In Europe <em>Ambrosia </em>is included in invasive species. Its pollen contains very strong allergens that can be the cause of pollinosis at the turn of summer and autumn. The aim of the present study was to compare <em>Ambrosia </em>pollen concentrations in the air of Lublin and Lviv and to analyse the effect of weather conditions on <em>Ambrosia </em>pollen content in the air. The study was carried out in 2011 and 2012. In Lublin the volumetric method was applied using a Lanzoni VPPS 2000 trap, whereas in Lviv the gravimetric method was applied using a Durham trap. To make the results comparable, the data obtained by the gravimetric method were properly counted and expressed as the number of pollen grains per 1 m<sup>3 </sup>of air. This research shows that the <em>Ambrosia</em> pollen season started about a month earlier in Lviv and lasted longer than in Lublin. In Lviv ragweed pollen was recorded from the beginning of July, while in Lublin from the second week of August. The pollen season in both cities ended on different days of October. The seasonal peaks in both years and the annual pollen count in 2011 were much higher in Lublin than in Lviv. In both cities air temperature was the most important meteorological factor affecting pollen concentrations. During the pollen season in Lublin, the wind was predominantly from NE and E directions, whereas in Lviv from N and SE.


Author(s):  
Franziska Kolek ◽  
Maria Plaza ◽  
Vivien Leier-Wirtz ◽  
Arne Friedmann ◽  
Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann ◽  
...  

Flowering and pollen seasons are sensitive to environmental variability and are considered climate change indicators. However, it has not been concluded to what extent flowering phenology is indeed reflected in airborne pollen season locally. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the commonly represented in temperate climates and with highly allergenic pollen Betula pendula Roth, the responsiveness of flowering to different environmental regimes and also to check for commensurate changes in the respective pollen seasons. The region of Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, was initially screened for birch trees, which were geolocated at a radius of 25 km. Random trees across the city were then investigated during three full flowering years, 2015–2017. Flowering observations were made 3–7 times a week, from flower differentiation to flower desiccation, in a total of 43 plant individuals. Data were regressed against meteorological parameters and air pollutant levels in an attempt to identify the driving factors of flowering onset and offset. Flowering dates were compared with dates of the related airborne pollen seasons per taxon; airborne pollen monitoring took place daily using a Hirst-type volumetric sampler. The salient finding was that flowering occurred earlier during warmer years; it also started earlier at locations with higher urbanity, and peaked and ended earlier at sites with higher NO2 concentrations. Airborne pollen season of Betula spp. frequently did not coincide locally with the flowering period of Betula pendula: while flowering and pollen season were synchronized particularly in their onset, local flowering phenology alone could explain only 57.3% of the pollen season variability. This raises questions about the relationship between flowering times and airborne pollen seasons and on the rather underestimated role of the long-distance transport of pollen.


2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Myszkowska ◽  
Bartosz Jenner ◽  
Katarzyna Cywa ◽  
Monika Kuropatwa ◽  
Danuta Stępalska ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics of pollen seasons of selected tree and shrub taxa among measurement sites in Kraków and its neighbourhood. The study was performed in Kraków and Piotrkowice Małe in 2002, as well as in Kraków and Giebułtów in 2006. During the study the volumetric method was applied and pollen grains were counted along four horizontal lines. The lowest percentage of <i>Corylus</i> pollen and the highest percentage of <i>Betula</i> pollen were found in the analysed sites. The differences among start dates in various measurement sites in a given year were inconsiderable. Statistically signifi cant differences of SPI values for the majority of taxa were found between measurement sites and between seasons for Kraków. The pollen season dynamics showed one (<i>Betula</i>, <i>Pinaceae</i>) or more maximum values (<i>Corylus</i>, <i>Populus</i>, <i>Fraxinus</i>, <i>Salix</i>). The occurrence of many peaks could be explained by the appearance of several species within one genus in the studied area or by various weather conditions. In 2002 maximum pollen concentrations were recorded earlier than in 2006. The differences in these dates could be explained better by cumulative temperature >5℃ than >0℃.


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