Seasonal and intradiurnal variation of airborne pollen concentrations in Bodrum, SW Turkey.

An aeropalynological study was performed in Bodrum, the famous tourism center in southwestern Turkey with a Hirst-type volumetric 7-day pollen and spore trap for 2 years (2007-2008). In Bodrum, 25,099 pollen grains as a mean value belonging to 41 taxa were recorded annually during the study period, and pollen grains from woody plant taxa had the largest atmospheric contribution of 86.99% and 24 taxa. However, 17 herbaceous plant taxa constituted 12.82% of the annual total pollen count, and 0.19% were unidentified. An average annual pollen index of 22.66% was recorded in March, despite differences from year to year. The highest pollen variability of 34 taxa was recorded in April and May. Predominant pollen types belonged to Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (42.73%), Quercus (15.95%), Pinus (9.78%), Olea europaea (9.04%), Poaceae (5.50%), Betula (1.82%), Pistacia (1.74%), Morus (1.72%), Urticaceae (1.46%), and Plantago (1.28%) and generated 91.03 of the annual total. In total, 32.59% of the mean annual total pollen index was recorded in the morning, and less pollen was recorded in the evening (18.71%). Maximum pollen concentration was recorded between 11:00 and 12:00 a.m.

Airborne pollen in European and Asian parts of Istanbul.

Pollen concentrations in the atmosphere of Istanbul, a city located between two continents, has been monitored for 1 year as part of a larger research program. The sampling sites were located in two different continents: the Asian part (AS) and the European part (EP). The sampling was performed in AS and EP of the city by using Hirst type volumetric method, and pollen grains of 58 and 62 taxa were identified in the two parts, respectively. The pollen spectrum reflected the floristic diversity of the region. The main pollen producers at the sites were characterized by some allergenic pollen and were identified as Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Urticaceae, Pistacia sp., Quercus sp., Platanus sp., Fraxinus sp., and Xanthium sp. These pollen types contributed to the total pollen sum with a percentage of more than 80% at both monitoring sites. The highest amount of pollen grains was recorded in April. The greatest number of species was recorded in May, when 42 types (AS) and 44 types (EP) were present.

An aerobiological study on pollen grains in the atmosphere of North-West Turkey.

A continuous aerobiological survey of the atmosphere of Bursa was carried out from 1st January 2003 to 31st December 2004 by means of the volumetric method using a Lanzoni trap. During 2 years, a total of 57,124 pollen grains/m(3), which belonged to 66 taxa and 869 unidentified pollen grains, were recorded. In the region investigated, Pinus sp., Olea sp., Platanus sp., Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Quercus sp., Poaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae, and Castanea sp. were responsible for the greatest amounts of pollen. During the study period, the pollen concentration reached the highest level in May. A correlation analyses was made between the daily fluctuations of the main pollen types and meteorological parameters.

Aerobiological investigation in Bitlis, Turkey.

A continuous aeropalynological survey of the atmosphere of Bitlis was carried out from January 2001 to December 2002 by means of the gravimetric method using Durham apparatus. Weekly pollen grains in per cm(2) were calculated. During two years, a total of 3,323 pollen grains/cm(2) which belong to 46 taxa, 21 of total belong to arboreal (AP) and 25 of total non-arboreal (NAP) plants, and unidentified pollen grains were recorded. In 2001, 1,833 pollen grains and in 2002, 1,490 pollen grains were recorded. Total pollen grains consist of 39.39 % AP, 59.28 % NAP plants and 1.32 % unidentified pollen grains. Gramineae, Urticaceae, Juglans spp., Quercus spp., Umbellifereae, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Fraxinus spp., Salix spp., Plantago spp., Pinus spp., Rumex spp., Moraceae and Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae were responsible for the greatest amounts of pollens in the investigated region. 58.38 % of total pollen grains were appeared during May and June.

Airborne pollen grains in Bursa, Turkey, 1999-2000,.

In this study, pollen grains were sampled by using a Lanzoni trap (Lanzoni VPPS 2000) in atmosphere of Bursa in 1999 and 2000. During two years. a total of 13,991 pollen grains/m3 which belonged to 59 taxa and unidentified pollen grains were recorded. A total of 7.768 pollen grains were identified in 1999 and a total of 6.223 in 2000. From these taxa, 36 belong to arboreal and 23 taxa to non-arboreal plants. Total pollen grains consist of 78.61% arboreal. 20.37% non-arboreal plants and 1.03% unidentified pollen grains. In the region investigated, Pinus sp., Olea sp., Platanus sp., Gramineae, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Quercus sp., Acer sp.. Morus sp. Xanthium sp., Castanea sp., Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Corvlus sp., Artemisia sp., Urtica sp.and Fraxinus sp. were responsible for the greatest amounts of pollen. During the study period the pollen concentration reached its highest level in April.

Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Balikesir, Turkey, 1996-1997.

In this study, pollen grains were identified by use of Durham sampler in the atmosphere of Balikesir in 1996 and 1997. During these two years, a total of 17,256 pollen grains per cm(2) were recorded. A total of 8,576 pollen grains per cm(2) were identified in 1996 and a total of 8,680 pollen grains per cm(2) in 1997. Pollen fall in the years 1996-1997 comprised grains belonging to 50 taxa and unidentified pollen grains. Of these 50 taxa, 30 belonged to arboreal and 20 to non-arboreal plants. Total pollen grains consisted of 70.92% grains from arboreal plants, 24.87% grains from non-arboreal plants and 4.21% unidentified pollen grains. In the region investigated, Pinus spp., Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Gramineae, Platanus spp., Quercus spp., Olea spp., Salix spp., Urticaceae, Moraceae, Plantago spp., Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Ailanthus spp., Juglans spp., Carpinus spp. and Rosaceae released the greatest amounts of pollens. During the study period, the pollen fall reached its highest level in May.