Aeropalynological aspects in the detection of the quality of air in Bratislava

Abstract

This work is focused on mapping the aeropalynologic situation in the Bratislavan atmosphere. Volumetric pollen and pollen abortivity analyses were used for this purpose. The research comprised comparison of two pollen stations in this city between 2007 and 2011. Twice the number of pollen grains was measured at the U.V.Z. station compared to the D.B. station. Results showed that (1) the highest pollen totals for the period were recorded in the Urticaceae family, (2) April was the month with the highest pollen yield, and (3) species of the Urticaceae family had the longest pollen season of all studied taxa. The detected differences may have been due to various factors including; the very different habitats in the vicinity of the stations, slightly different climatic conditions, different evaluation methods and human factors. The ecogenotoxicity and mutagenicity of air at these selected city locations was evaluated and compared, and the effectiveness of our methods were verified by Betula pendula Roth . and Pinus sylvestris L . indicator species.

Effects of air temperature, humidity and air pollution on fertility of birch pollen in urban environments

“…The response of plants to environmental stress is genetically determined and reflects the competitiveness, adaptive capabilities and resistance to adverse effects of natural and anthropogenic factors in various species. Over the past decades, palynological methods have been actively introduced into the practice of bio-indicator assessments of various territories (Tret'yakova and Noskova, 2004;Mišík et al, 2007;Gottardini et al, 2008;Dušička et al, 2013;Cuinica et al, 2014;Khlebova and Bychkova, 2016). Available literature is devoted to various aspects of the development of pollen grains.…”