First aerobiological study in Mediterranean part of Croatia (Dalmatia): pollen spectrum and seasonal dynamics in the air of Split

• Published in: Aerobiologia 2016-12, Vol.32 (4), p.709-723
• Main Authors: Puljak, Tatjana, Mamić, Mirna, Mitić, Božena, Hrga, Ivana, Hruševar, Dario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Allergens; Allergology; Ambrosia; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biodiversity; Carpinus; Cupressaceae; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Health; Original Paper; Ostrya; Parietaria; Pinus; Plant Pathology; Platanus; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Poaceae; Pollen; Pollination; Quercus; Seasons; Temperature effects; Urtica
• ISSN: 0393-5965; 1573-3025
• DOI: 10.1007/s10453-016-9444-4

The aim of this study was to investigate aerobiological dynamics of pollen in the Mediterranean part of Croatia in the air of the city of Split. Pollen monitoring during the period from 2005 to 2013 was performed using a Hirst volumetric trap. Among the identified pollen of 50 taxa, 21 were allergenic. The average annual pollen index was 33,513. Three pollination seasons were established: early winter season dominated by tree pollen, spring–summer season dominated by herbaceous plants and summer–autumn season with lower amounts of Parietaria and Cupressaceae pollen. According to the abundance, the main taxa were: Cupressaceae, Parietaria / Urtica , Pinus , Quercus , Olea , Carpinus/Ostrya , Poaceae, Platanus and Ambrosia . The annual pollen index together with the daily maximum concentrations showed an upward trend for selected taxa during the study period. The highest monthly pollen index and the highest biodiversity were recorded in April and the lowest during the late autumn and winter months. The pollen calendar created for the city of Split confirmed Mediterranean features of the pollen spectrum. The longest pollen seasons were recorded for Cupressaceae, Parietaria / Urtica and Poaceae pollen types. The correlations between pollen concentrations and meteorological parameters were analyzed. The correlations between pollen concentrations and temperature were positive, while the humidity and the precipitation mostly showed negative influence.