title: Comparative analysis of pollen counts of Corylus, Alnus and Betula in Szczecin, Warsaw and Lublin (2000-2001).
abstract: The aim of the study was to compare the airborne concentrations of allergenic pollen produced by three early flowering tree taxa (Corylus, Alnus, Betula) in the cities of Warsaw (central Poland), Lublin (eastern Poland) and Szczecin (western Poland) during the years 2000-2001. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method. Pollen seasons were defined as the periods in which 95% of the total catch occurred. The highest concentration and annual pollen count of Corylus was measured in Lublin in both seasons, while the highest annual pollen counts of Alnus and Betula were noted in Warsaw, where the annual pollen count of Betula in 2001 was four times higher than in 2000 and equalled 5,376 grains in m3 per 24 h. Significant differences in the pollen count of the examined taxa were observed between two seasons: the pollen count of Corylus was higher in 2000 than in 2001, while for Alnus and Betula the opposite was the case. The longest pollen seasons were observed at low annual pollen counts for the pollen of Corylus. Results of the study reveal significant differences between the seasons and the cities. The differences concern the dates of the appearance of pollen grains in the air, the duration of the presence of sporomorphs and the maximum concentrations in particular seasons. The pollen counts of alder, birch and hazel trees are determined by the weather, diversity of local flora and specific rhythm of pollination of particular taxa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Agricultural University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weryszko-Chmielewska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puc
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rapiejko
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D029661:Alnus; D029662:Betula; D029401:Betulaceae; D011044:Poland; D011058:Pollen / Q000254:growth & development*; D012621:Seasons; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens