Lower planetary boundary layer profiles of atmospheric conifer pollen above a seed orchard in northern Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Atmospheric concentration profiles of pollen from jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were measured up to 300 m above ground level at the edge of a seed orchard in northern Ontario, Canada. Large amounts of pollen were found up to 300 m showing the occurrence of meso-scale transport of coniferous pollen and also possible long distance transport. The profile shapes were found to be a function of source characteristics and meteorological conditions. Changes in profile shape were in general agreement to those found in previous work. If meso- or synoptic-scale transport of conifer pollen occurs, then the use of isolation zones would not be useful to stop this component of the contaminant pollen cloud entering a seed orchard, especially if pollen longevity in the atmosphere is long. However, further work is required to determine if this component of the contamination pollen cloud is large and whether or not the pollen is viable.