Quantitative aeropalynology in the atmosphere of Buenos Aires city, Argentina

Abstract

For the first time, a volumetric study of Buenos Aires city atmosphere was conducted using a Lanzoni collector from March 1997 through March 1998. Fifty-four pollen types were recorded of which 13 had a relative concentration of more than 1% of the yearly total. The lowest concentration of pollen grains was recorded in June, when Urtica spp., Morus spp., and Myrtaceae were low. On the other hand, the highest concentration of pollen grains was reached in September, with an increase in Fraxinus spp. The aeropalynological record may be divided into three periods: ∗AP Dominant from July to October, ∗NAP Dominant from November to March, and ∗Residual Period from April to June with low pollen concentrations. The greatest number of species was recorded in November, when 32 types were present, and the lowest number of species in June, when only 13 pollen types were recorded. In June, the pollen concentration was not dominated by any species whereas in September 85% of the pollen was derived from one species of Fraxinus. Earlier studies on the aeropalynology of Buenos Aires City were performed using Tauber and Rotorod samplers. They were comparable to this study, especially since the pollen peak was reached in September, although the main pollen producing species were different.