AEROPALYNOLOGYCAL ANALYSIS OF ALLERGEN ATMOSPHERIC POLLENS IN KASTAMONU, TURKEY
Çeter T, Pınar N, Altuner EM, Güney K, Yildiz A, Asci B.
ConferencesJournal Paper
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Background: Although pollens are seasonal allergens, they are found in the atmosphere most of the year due to the difference in the pollinization periods of plants. The pollen concentration in the atmosphere changes according to the meteorological factors and the vegetation of the area. Knowledge of concentrations of airborne pollens is especially important for allergists and allergy patients.
Methods: A 7-day recording Burkard volumetric pollen and spores trap was used for pollen sampling. The trap was placed on the 7m high roof of the building in the centre of Kastamonu Turkey. Pollens were trapped onto a melinex adhesive tape and sampled according to the standard preparation procedures. The daily concentration of pollens was identified using a light microscope. The pollen counts were then converted to the amount of pollens in a cubic meter of air sampled per day.
Results: Atmospheric pollen studies were carried out between 2006-2007 in Kastamonu. A total of 293.427 pollen/m3 belonging to 51 taxa were observed during the study. In 2006, 43 taxa were identified and 154.721 pollen/m3 counted belonging to this taxa. While a total of 138,706 pollen/ m3 belonging to 46 taxa were counted in 2007. These taxa are; Arboreal taxa; Acer, Aesculus, Ailanthus, Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Castanea, Corylus, Cup./Taxaceae, Ericaceae, Fabaceae, Fagus, Fraxinus, Ilex, Juglans, Laurus, Maclura, Morus, Oleaceae, Ostrya, Pinaceae, Platanus, Populus, Quercus, Rosaceae, Salix, Sophora, Tilia, Tsuga and Ulmus Nonarboreal taxa; Apiaceae, Artemisia, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Carex, Caryophylaceae, Centaurea, Chenopodiaceae, Brassicaceae, Galium, Iridaceae, Humulus, Labiatae, Malvaceae, Papaver, Plantago, Primula, Rumex, Typha, Urticaceae and Gramineae respectively. As a result of the study, it is identified that 90,23% of the total pollen concentration were the pollens of arboreal taxa, where 4,41% were pollens of nonarboreal taxa and 5,35% for the Gramineae.
Conclusion: In two years study, March-August period was identifi ed as the pollination season for Kastamonu. The highest pollen concentration was observed in May for both two years. Increase of the mean temperature raises the pollen concentration, where increase in total precipitation decreases the pollen concentration
