Seasonal associations of airborne pollen and fungal spores in La Plata (Argentina)

NITIU, D.S; MALLO, A.C

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 9Th. International Congress on Aerobiology.; 2010

International Association Aerobiology

The purpose of this study was to investigate the synchrony and variation in selected pollen of Platanus, Fraxinus and Ambrosia and the spores of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus/Penicillium. These bioaerosols are de major contributors to the aerobiological record of La Plata city. Daily monitoring was carried out with a volumetric sampler Lanzoni VPPS 2000 located in the city centre of La Plata during one year. The Main Polination Period (MPP) and Principal Sporulation Period (PSP) were established for all bioaerosols. Total annual pollen concentration was 36985.62 grains. The whole selected pollen types represent 56.44% to the total. Among them, Platanus provide 30.94%, Fraxinus 24.34% and Ambrosia 1.16%. Total spores concentration was 170640.87 spores. Chosen spore types represented 51.14 % of the annual record. Cladosporium contributed with 43.27%, Alternaria 3.96% and Aspergillus/Penicillium 3.91%. There is a marked seasonal diversity pattern given by two associations of pollen and spores defined by the synchrony of maximum concentration periods. The first association is integrate by pollen of Platanus and Fraxinus, with a simultaneous MPP between September and October and maximum concentrations on September 17th and 30th respectively. The fungal component is Aspergillus/Penicillium whose PEP is between July to April and the peak is observed on October 30 th.             The second association involves pollen of Ambrosia, featuring a MPP between January to March with a main peak on 12th of last month. Alternaria and Cladosporium have its PSP during August to April with their maximum peaks on February 16th and 17th respectively.                This study revealed a spring association with arboreal pollen of Platanus and Fraxinus and Aspergillus/Penicillium conidia and an aestival association with herbaceous pollen of Ambrosia together with Alternaria and Cladosporium spores.  Pollen grains and fungal spores integrate the biological system of the atmosphere and show characteristic temporary - space patterns. This combined study of pollen and spores provided the first data about seasonal composition and variation of the major pollen and spores in the atmosphere of La Plata city.