An aeropalynological survey in the city of Van, a high altitudinal region, East Anatolia-Turkey

Abstract

Pollen concentrations in the atmosphere of Van city has been monitored for two consecutive years (2010-2011). This was the first detailed aeropalynological study for the elevated East Anatolia Region of Turkey. The sampling was performed by Hirst-type volumetric sampler, and pollen grains of 35 taxa were identified. The main pollen producers of the pollen flora were recorded as: Poaceae (20.94 %), Cupressaceae (10.53 %), Fraxinus (8.56 %), Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae (7.77 %), Populus (7.75 %), Quercus (6.70 %), Platanus (6.68 %), Morus (5.57 %), Plantago (3.03 %). The pollen spectrum reflected the floristic diversity of the region, and the highest pollen concentration was recorded in April. There were a great percentage of allergenic taxa found in the city atmosphere, otherwise many of them scored under threshold values for risk of pollinosis. Statistical analyses were performed for correlating daily pollen concentrations of dominated pollen types concurrent with the data of meteorological parameters in MPS periods and number of significant correlations found. In addition, comparing 2-year data in terms of pollen concentrations and meteorological factors in MPS durations, many variables were found explanatory and concordant with the data. MPS starting dates of many plant taxa were found nearly a month later compared with western sites and lower altitudes of the country as well as Mediterranean countries; this case is mostly thought the ecological factors of the study area which directly affects the plant growth about the timing.