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Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Nicosia (Cyprus)

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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/m3 belonging to 44 taxa, in 2007 were 3,593 pollen grains/m3 and in 2008 it was 4,287 pollen grains/m3, 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Sciences, Near East University, 33010, Nicosia, Cyprus

    S. Gucel

  2. Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

    A. Guvensen & M. Ozturk

  3. Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey

    A. Celik

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  1. S. Gucel
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  2. A. Guvensen
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  3. M. Ozturk
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  4. A. Celik
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Correspondence to S. Gucel.

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Gucel, S., Guvensen, A., Ozturk, M. et al. Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Nicosia (Cyprus). Environ Monit Assess 185, 157–169 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2540-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2540-1

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