Relationship between pollen counts and weather variables in the atmosphere of Mersin Province on the Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

Abstract

This study researched atmospheric pollen from Mersin Province using the volumetric method between in 2016 and 2017. The daily, weekly, monthly, and annual distribution of the pollen obtained during the study was identified. The relationship between pollen and meteorological factors was researched using Spearman?s rho analysis. During the two-year study, 32,336 pollen grains/m3 from 40 different taxa [22 trees, 1 grass (Poaceae), and 17 other weeds] were identified. Of the total pollen, 82% belonged to trees, 6.8% to grasses, 11% to other weeds, and unidentified taxa accounted for 0.2%. In the first year, 17,070 pollen grains/m3 were identified in the atmosphere and 15,266 pollen grains/m3 were identified in the second year. The pollen concentration was at its peak between March and July. Pollen grains of the following taxa, listed according to density, were discovered in the atmosphere: Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (26.49%), Pinaceae (25.61%), Olea (12.76%), Urticaceae (7.00%), Poaceae (6.77%), and Fraxinus (5.06%). According to the statistical analysis while sunshine duration, relative humidity, and wind speed usually have a positive correlation, precipitation has a negative correlation with pollen concentration.