Airborne ragweed pollen concentration in north-eastern Croatia and its relationship with meteorological parameters

Abstract

Airborne ragweed pollen concentration in the north-eastern part of Croatia was investigated in relation to some meteorological factors. Data was obtained for three consecutive years (2001, 2002 and 2003) using volumetric method (Burkard trap). The correlation between the concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere and maximum, minimum and mean daily temperature, daily temperature range, sunshine hours, relative humidity and precipitation from daily monitoring was studied. The critical ragweed pollen season appears from 33rd to 38th week, with its peak at the beginning of September each year. Statistically significant correlation between the ragweed pollen count and selected meteorological variables were found in some study years, but only a correlation with the mean air temperature and ragweed pollen presence in the air was significant over time.