Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Nicosia (Cyprus)

Abstract

Airborne pollen distribution in the city of Nicosia (Cyprus) was measured volumetrically during two consecutive years 2007-2008 on weekly basis using Lanzoni trap (Lanzoni VPPS 2000). A total of 7,880 pollen grains/m(3) belonging to 44 taxa, in 2007 were 3,593 pollen grains/m(3) and in 2008 it was 4,287 pollen grains/m(3), were determined. Out of these, 25 belonged to the arboreal and 19 to the non-arboreal taxa. At the end of 2 years, total pollen counts were 78.76% arboreal, 19.32% non-arboreal, and 1.92% unidentified taxa. The number of pollen in the arboreal plants followed the trend as Pinaceae (29.96%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (18.33%), Olea europaea L. (6.92%), and Quercus spp. (4.92%), and for non-arboreal representatives, these were Poaceae (8.46%), Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae (2.61%), Plantago spp. (1.69%), and Parietaria spp. (1.51%). The distribution of pollen in the atmosphere of Nicosia followed the trend as March, April, May, and June.