Open AccessBirch pollen grains in the air of Szczecin in 2000-2004
Author(s) -
Małgorzata Puc
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta agrobotanica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.4
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2300-357X
pISSN - 0065-0951
DOI - 10.5586/aa.2006.034
Subject(s) - pollen , relative humidity , air temperature , wind speed , horticulture , positive correlation , humidity , zoology , environmental science , botany , atmospheric sciences , biology , meteorology , geography , physics , medicine
Betula pollen is a common cause of pollinosis in northern and central Europe. The aim of the study was to characterize the birch pollen seasons in Szczecin in 2000 - 2004 and diurnal periodicity of pollen in the air. Measurements were performed using the volumetric method. The analysed meteorological parameters were the maximum temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed. The beginning and end of a season were established by the 95% method. During five studied years the highest concentration of birch pollen in the air was noted in 2003, with the pollen season starting in the middle of April and lasting till the 11th of May. The highest pollen count of 5736 grains per 1m3 was observed in the end of April. Two peaks of the of birch pollen grains per 1m3 were observed daily. The highest concentration was noted between 2-4 p.m. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the birch pollen concentration and air temperature and wind speed. A negative correlation was found in case of the relative humidity. Besides the individual rhythm of pollination, the meteorological conditions are the most important factors influencing the birch pollen concentration in the air