Pollen spectrum and the effects of weather variables on main pollen types in dikili (Turkey) atmosphere

Abstract

Atmospheric pollen grains were surveyed with the gravimetric method between 2015 and 2016 in Dikili (Turkey). Annually 6986 pollen grains, belonging to 47 plant taxa were identified; pollen grains of woody taxa consisted of 80.31% of the annual pollen index, which was found concordant and evaluated as a reflection of the dominant flora of the area. Pollen types belonging to Pinus, Quercus, Olea europaea, Poaceae, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Fraxinus, Ambrosia, Plantago, Platanus, Pistacia, and Amaranthaceae were classified as dominant pollen types for the region and the total amount for them were 91.95% of the annual pollen index. The highest pollen count in the year was recorded in the month of April. April-May months are the pollination periods and can be thought of as a risky period for sensitive individuals for the region. One of the most exciting findings of this study was about the high levels of allergenic Ambrosia pollen in the atmosphere. This was the first reported of the airborne pollen of rageweed as a dominant pollen type in Turkey. Statistical analyses revealed the effects of meteorological factors on weekly pollen concentrations of dominant pollen types, and many significant correlations were found.