Estudio comparativo de la concentración de polen y esporas de alternaria en el aire de tres ciudades de Extremadura

Abstract

Air contains biological particles (pollen and Spores) which causes allergies in humans. Pollen grains, spores of �Alternaria� and sporangia of �Peronospora� concentrations were studied in air of Don Benito, Plasencia and Zafra (Extremadura), from February 2011 to March 2014, and Hirst traps were used. Pollen sources which surrounded to traps and Meteorology influence are critical points for a correct interpretation of results in Aerobiology. Maps of Ornamental trees in streets, parks and gardens were realized for each city, and differences in land uses were analyzed using GIS. An aerobiological calendar was realized. Daily and hourly data distribution and their correlations with meteorological parameters were analyzed statistically for the twenty main pollen types, �Alternaria� and �Peronospora�. Hourly data and their correlations with Meteorology were analyzed for the five most abundant pollen types, �Alternaria� and �Peronospora�. 57 pollen types were identified, with average concentrations of 102 grains/m3 in Don Benito, 93 grains/m3 in Plasencia and 99 grains/m3 in Zafra. The most abundant pollen types are: �Quercus�, �Poaceae�, �Olea europaea�, �Platanus� and �Cupressaceae�. Airborne pollen levels showed the highest values in May, and the lowest were recorded in November. Hourly distribution showed concentration peaks between 13:00 and 16:00 hours in Don Benito and Zafra, and from 10:00 to 13:00 hours in Plasencia. We can conclude that concentrations of pollen, spores and sporangia are related with pollen sources nearby to traps, non homogeneous distribution of land uses in the cities and meteorological parameters influence.