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In this paper, differences in the pollen levels detected in two parts of Salamanca (a city in central-western Spain) have been revealed using two volumetric samplers. One sampler was located in the city centre and the other in a semi-natural zone. The two sampling devices were separated by a distance of 1.4 km. During the two-year study period, the most abundant allergenic pollen type was Poaceae, with peak values being detected in May. Maximum values were registered between April and June. The values obtained in both zones with regard to pollen seasonality were similar during the peak day, but the abundance of pollen grains detected in the semi-urban was higher, except for Olea pollen type. The atmospheric pollen season was similar in duration, except for some types belonging to the genera Plantago and Urticaceae, which showed divergent values most probably due to the influence of climatic conditions. The meteorological parameter most significantly correlated to pollen concentration was temperature, being negative for winter species and positive for plants preferring warmer climates. In addition, rainfall showed a negative correlation in most cases due to the influence of precipitation on the behaviour of atmospheric airborne pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae pollen represents an allergenic risk for pollen-sensitive people. The aim of this study was to describe the Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae pollen dynamics in the atmosphere of Salamanca (midwest Spain) during the years 2000-2007. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method using a Burkard spore trap located in the urban centre at the height of 20 m above ground level. This pollen type was mainly detected in the atmosphere between late spring and late summer, with an Atmospheric Pollen Season (APS) registered between late May and early October and maximum concentrations detected in August. The intradiurnal pattern, calculated by means of 3 different methods, reached a higher hourly concentration percentage in the second half of the day. The correlations obtained between daily pollen counts and different meteorological parameters showed that the airborne presence of this pollen type is associated positively with temperature and negatively with rainfall and relative humidity. In terms of the known threshold (10-15 pollen/m3), Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae pollen concentrations were found to exceed this threshold on 1 day in the years 2002, 2005, and 2007, and on 12 days in 2006. The results can be utilised to prevent symptoms of allergic reactions to this pollen type and to improve quality of life during seasonal allergic diseases in Chenopodiaceae pollen-sensitive people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Temporal variation of airborne bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) spores concentration in Salamanca during 10 years from January 1998 to December 2007 were studied by using a Burkard spore trap, and correlations with some meteorological parameters were analyzed. The number of spores that were counted was very low, due probably to the distance between the spore trap and the main bracken populations which were located 70 km away from the city. Long-range transport caused by winds coming from the Second Quadrant (IIQ) is supposed to be responsible for the appearance of bracken spores in Salamanca. The season period from August to late October shows the most intense spore dispersal process, with an early morning distribution along the day. Years 2002 and 2007 with a low quantity of airborne spores were also characterized by low mean temperatures, always under 18°C from May to June. Daily spore concentration shows positive correlation with temperature and sun hours but negative with IVQ winds and with relative humidity. No correlation between daily spore concentration and rainfall was found. Also, a positive correlation between number of spores and IIQ winds was observed during the main spore season (MSS) and prepeak period (PRE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]