Atmospheric pollen concentrations in Antalya, South Turkey

Abstract

Airborne pollen distribution in Antalya was measured volumetrically during 2 consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. A total of 30,497 pollen grains/m(3) belonging to 44 taxa were recorded annually during the study period. Among the taxa recorded, 27 belonged to arboreal (88.29 %) and 17 to non-arboreal taxa (11.53 %). Seven plant taxa taken as predominant pollen types with the greatest influence in the atmosphere, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (38.33 %), Pinus (24.18 %), Olea europaea (6.86 %), Morus (5.17 %), Poaceae (4.88 %), Platanus (4.66 %) and Quercus (4.58 %), showed maximum pollen distribution in the atmosphere. The season of maximum pollen concentration was from February to May, with a high prevalence of arboreal pollen grains.