Abstract
The incidence of airborne pollen occurring as aeroallergens of varied levels at different periods of the year has generated some public health concern globally. The present study was conducted in order to examine the monthly depositional rate of airborne pollen and fern spores, as well as the impact of meteorological parameters and local plants on pollen distribution at two study sites in Kaduna and Sokoto States of North Western Nigeria. The study spanned a period of one year, during which a modified Tauber pollen sampler was employed in the collection of atmospheric pollen and fern spores; local plants were also enumerated. Residual solution was collected monthly, subjected to acetolysis and the treated residues were viewed for microscopic studies. The results reveal monthly distribution of airborne pollen and fern spore types at the study sites during the sampling period. Dominant pollen types in Kaduna State were those of Alchornea laxiflora, Pinus caribaea, Terminalia sp., Sapotaceae and Poaceae family. Pollen of Syzygium guineense, Alchornea sp., Sapotaceae and Poaceae dominated in Sokoto State. Spores of Pteris sp., Nephrolepis sp. and a trilete fern were also recovered at both locations. Some local plants in the immediate vegetation contributed to the aeroflora of these locations. No significant correlation was recorded between monthly total pollen concentrations and mean monthly meteorological parameters of the locations. It is imperative to investigate the allergenicity of these dominant pollen types, so as to aid pollen hypersensitive individuals in adopting appropriate prophylactic measures.
Highlights
The study of pollen grains, fungal spores, insect debris, dust mites and organic dust, dispersed into the atmosphere as particles of biological origin is referred to as aerobiology (Singh and Kumar, 2004)
Information about the type and abundance of airborne pollen grains at a given time in an area could be obtained through the concept of aeropalynology
In Nigeria, some aeropalynological work have been recently conducted in various parts of the country and these include investigating dominant pollen and fern spore types (Adekanmbi and Ogundipe, 2010; Adeonipekun, 2012; Abdulrahman et al, 2015; Ajikah et al, 2015, 2017; Adekanmbi et al, 2017), examining correlations between pollen data and meteorological parameters (Ezike et al, 2016; Ajikah et al, 2017; Alebiosu et al, 2017); relationships between airborne pollen load and medical data (Adeniyi et al, 2014); inferences on their health risk periods (Adeniyi et al, 2014; Ezike et al, 2016; Alebiosu et al, 2017)
Summary
The study of pollen grains, fungal spores, insect debris, dust mites and organic dust, dispersed into the atmosphere as particles of biological origin is referred to as aerobiology (Singh and Kumar, 2004). Information about the type and abundance of airborne pollen grains at a given time in an area could be obtained through the concept of aeropalynology. Essien and Aina (2014) quoted Singh and Rawat (2000), stating that most pollen grains found as allergens are wind-pollinated, characteristic of a light-weight and may be dispersed to considerable distances. They further cited that this feature makes them inhaled by humans, penetrating into the nasal mucosa
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