The impact of weather conditions on hazel pollen concentration in Sosnowiec (Poland) in 1997–2019

Abstract

The goal of this study was to compare hazel pollen seasons in Sosnowiec in 1997–2019 and to analyse the impact of weather conditions on these seasons. The measurements were conducted using a volumetric method with a Burkard spore trap. The duration of pollen seasons was determined using the 98% method. SPI (Seasonal Pollen Index) was calculated as the sum of daily pollen concentrations in a given season. The measurements showed that high temperatures in January and February had an impact on the beginning of the hazel pollen season. They revealed that there are positive correlations with temperatures and sunshine hours long before the season, i.e. 210–180 days before. The daily hazel pollen concentration in Sosnowiec showed a positive and statistically significant correlation with air temperature, sunshine hours, and average and maximum wind speed. Negative correlation was demonstrated for snow cover depth and relative humidity of the air. Daily concentration levels depend also on the type of weather front as well as direction of air mass flow and its type. Variance analysis showed that the highest concentrations of hazel pollen grains were recorded when warm air moves from the south and south–western direction, whereas the lowest ones were noted for air moving from the east, south–east, north and north–east directions. Atmospheric precipitation, snow cover depth, and average, maximum, minimum and near-the-ground temperatures in the season also had an impact on the SPI of hazel pollen grains. High positive correlation coefficients were also observed in the case of thermal conditions, sunshine hours, relative humidity and precipitation from July to September in the year preceding a given pollen season. The duration of the hazel pollen season depends on precipitation, snow cover depth and temperature during a given season.

The course of birch pollen seasons in Sosnowiec (Southern Poland) in 1997–2020 in relation to meteorological conditions

“…Previous studies conducted in Sosnowiec for other tree taxa indicated similar correlations (Da ˛browska-Zapart & Niedz ´wiedz ´, 2020; Da ˛browska-Zapart et al, 2018). The significant correlations between weather conditions and the birch pollen concentration have been observed by other researchers as well (Grewling et al, 2012;Nowosad et al 2015;Puc et al, 2015;Tseng et al, 2018;Kubik-Komar et al, 2019;Sauliene et al, 2019).…”

Aerobiology in Poland: Achievements and challenges

“…For instance, it has been shown that high air temperature before flowering causes an earlier start of pollen seasons for such plants as hazel (Corylus sp.) (Dąbrowska-Zapart & Niedźwiedź, 2020;Grewling et al, 2014b;Malkiewicz et al, 2016), alder (Alnus sp.) (Dąbrowska-Zapart et al, 2018), birch (Betula sp.)…”

“…e impact of meteorological conditions on daily pollen concentration is very complex as many factors may act differently on airborne pollen level. In general, it has been however shown that an increase in daily air temperature oen correlates positively with higher concentrations of airborne pollen grains in most allergenic taxa (Borycka & Kasprzyk, 2014;Dąbrowska-Zapart et al, 2018;Dąbrowska-Zapart & Niedźwiedź, 2020;Grewling et al, 2019b;Kubik-Komar et al, 2018;Weryszko-Chmielewska et al, 2006). On the other hand, rainfall (recorded during the pollen season) oen decreases pollen concentrations in the air, potentially due to the "washout" effect.…”