Annual variation of airborne pollen in the city of Vinkovci, northeastern Croatia

Abstract

Pollen concentration in the atmosphere of Vinkovci (northeastern Croatia) has been analyzed using a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap. During the year 2005, 58 pollen types were recorded with the sum of annual totals of 14,011. The pollen spectrum reflected the floristic diversity of the region. Non-arboreal pollen predominantly contributed to the total pollen sum with a percentage of 81.80%. The main pollen producers characterized by allergenic pollen were: Betula, Quercus, Fraxinus, Populus, Pinus, Urticaceae, Ambrosia, Poaceae, Plantago and Artemisia. Urticaceae was the most frequent and most abundant pollen type accounting for 46.58% of the total annual pollen, followed by Ambrosia (19.66%) and Poaceae (11.01%).