ATMOSPHERIC POLLEN OF CUPRESSACEAE IN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS, ARGENTINA

ANA CLARA DENARO; ALDO DAGUERRE; MARIA FLORENCIA NUÑEZ SADA; MARIA LAURA VAZQUEZ; MARTA MATILDE MOGLIA; SOFIA PRATICI; EDGAR CRINÓ

Mendoza

Otro; XXXIV Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2016

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Many species of the Cupressaceae family are used for ornamental purposes in cities. These plants produce a lot of pollen that can be allergenic in persons with hypersensitivity. In urban afforestation of San Luis, species of this family (genera Cupressus, Platycladus, Juniperus, Chamaecyparis, among others) are frequently cultivated. In this work the Cupressaceae pollen content is analyzed for two years of aerobiological sampling, in the atmosphere of the city of San Luis, Argentina. Pollen samples were taken with a volumetric sensor Lanzoni (VPPS 2000) and were read with an optical microscope at 400 X. In addition, a Cupressaceae tree census was conducted in 1 km2 around the sensor. One hundred and twenty-two individuals were recorded in the urban afforestation. Cupressaceae pollen type was the second most abundant in the atmosphere of San Luis, after Moraceae. The pollination period extended from July to October. The maximum concentration values were recorded in August, with a peak of 486 pollen grains/m3 of air, while from November to June it was less than 1 grain / m3 of air. The values of pollen of Cupressaceae content during August reached double the high threshold, with the consequent risk to the health of sensitive individuals. It is recommended to reduce the use of these species as ornamental in the city.