Atmospheric pollen and spore content in the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia

• Published in: Hoehnea 2015-03, Vol.42 (1), p.9-19
• Main Authors: Guarín, Fernando Alzate, Abril, Mario Alberto Quijano, Alvarez, Astrid, Fonnegra, Ramiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: La Niña phenomenon; Palynology; PLANT SCIENCES; Pollinosis; Tropics
• ISSN: 2236-8906; 2236-8906
• DOI: 10.1590/2236-8906-52/2013

The atmosphere of the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia was monitored with the objective of identifying airborne pollen and spores throughout a whole year. Sampling was performed between February 2010 and March 2011, coinciding with the La Niña climate phenomenon, which is characterized by a considerable increase in precipitation. Samples of airborne spores and pollen were obtained from a suction Hirst-type volumetric sampler. A total of 62 pollen and spores types were recorded during sampling, of which 30 were angiosperms, two were gymnosperms, 10 were monilophytes, and 20 were fungi. The families displaying the highest pollen counts were Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Polypodiaceae. We recorded an inverse relationship among precipitation and the quantity and diversity of pollen grains and fern spores. The angiosperm and gymnosperm taxa showed the greatest recorded grains throughout the sampling year with respect to the species mentioned herewith, which have been reported as allergenic in various aerobiological studies. Se realizó un monitoreo de la atmosfera del área urbana de Medellín, con el objetivo de identificar polen y esporas que se transportan por el aire a lo largo del año. El muestreo se realizó entre febrero de 2010 y marzo de 2011. Las muestras de polen y esporas aéreas se obtuvieron utilizando un captador volumétrico de succión tipo Hirst. En el trabajo se registraron 62 tipos polínicos y esporas, de las cuales 30 corresponden a angiospermas, dos a gimnospermas, 10 a pteridofitos y 20 a hongos. Las familias con mayor número de individuos por muestreo fueron: Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae y Polypodiaceae. Se observó una relación inversamente proporcional entre la cantidad y diversidad de granos de polen y esporas de helechos encontrados, con respecto a la precipitación a lo largo del muestreo. Los taxones de angiospermas y gimnospermas que mayor cantidad de granos aportaron en los conteos durante el año de muestreo, corresponden a especies introducidas, con reportes de alergenicidad.