Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Aeropalynological spectrum of Hatay, Turkey, the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Aerobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An aeropalynological study during the years 2014–2015 was performed in Hatay, which is a unique sociocultural and phytogeographical area located on the border of Turkey and Syria on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. The sampling was performed by a Hirst-type volumetric sampler (Lanzoni VPPS 2000), and pollen grains of 54 taxa were identified, of which 83.21% of the annual sum belonged to woody taxa. The highest pollen concentration was recorded in February, of which a large amount came from the Cupressaceae/Taxaceae families. The diversity of the pollen reflected the vegetation of the area and plantations of the city center, but pollen grains from Euro-Siberian elements specific to Mount Amanos could not be recorded. Pollen types found at more than 3% of the annual pollen index and considered dominant pollen types were as follows: Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (50.86%), Olea europaea (12.67%), Moraceae (7.20%), Poaceae (5.99%), Quercus (5.35%), Urticaceae (3.79%) and Pinus (3.70%); almost all dominant pollen types in the city atmosphere were previously stated to be allergic. The main pollen season starting dates of common pollen types found were one or two weeks earlier than those of the surroundings. Many statistically significant correlations were found between daily pollen concentrations and daily meteorological parameters, e.g., Cupressaceae/Taxaceae Poaceae and Urticaceae pollen correlated negatively with mean temperature in both years, and in the hindermost two families daily pollen amounts significantly correlated with wind speed in the second year. Daily Olea europaea pollen concentration showed a significant negative correlation with the amount of total daily rainfall in the second year.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu-Dieyeh, M. H., & Ratrout, Y. S. (2012). Seasonal variation of airborne pollen grains in the atmosphere of Zarqa area, Jordan. Aerobiologia, 28, 527–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akman, Y. (1973). Apercu preliminaire Sur Les conditions Phytosocioloqiques de la Chaine de L’Amanous dans la Region du Hatay (I-II-III). Com de la Fac-Des Sicid’Ank. Serie C, Tome 17.

  • Altintas, D. U., Karakoc, D. G., Yilmaz, M., Pinar, M., Kendirli, S. G., & Cakan, H. (2004). Relationship between pollen counts and weather variables in east-mediterranean coast of Turkey. Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 11(1), 87–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, T. B. (1991). A model to predict the beginning of the pollen season. Grana, 30, 269–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballero, M., & Maxia, A. (2003). Pollen spectrum variations in the atmosphere of Cagliari, Italy. Aerobiologia, 19, 251–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benito Rica, V., & Soto Torres, J. (2001). Pollinosis and pollen aerobiology in the atmosphere of Santander. Allergologíae Immunolología Clínica, 16, 84–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bicakci, A. (2006). Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Sakarya, Turkey. Biologia, 61(4), 457–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bicakci, A., Tosunoglu, A., Altunoglu, M. K., Celenk, S., Erkan, P., Canitez, Y., et al. (2010). Allergenic Cupressaceae (Cypress family) pollen concentrations in Turkey. Asthma Allergy Immunology, 8, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bicakci, A., Tosunoglu, A., Altunoglu, M. K., Saatcioglu, G., Keser, A. M., & Ozgokce, F. (2017). An aeropalynological survey in the city of Van, a high altitudinal region, East Anatolia-Turkey. Aerobiologia, 33, 93–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bilisik, A., Yenigun, A., Bicakci, A., Eliacik, K., Canitez, Y., Malyer, H., et al. (2008). An observation study of airborne pollen fall in Didim (S-W Turkey); in years 2004–2005. Aerobiologia, 24, 61–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charpin, J., Surinyach, R., & Frankland, A. W. (1974). Atlas of European allergenic pollens. Paris: Sandos Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corden, J. M., & Millington, W. M. (1991). A study of Gramineae and Urticaceae pollen in the Derby area. Aerobiology, 7, 100–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G. (2001). Allergenic pollen. In G. D’Amato, S. Bonini, J. Bousquet, S. Durham, & T. A. E. Platts-Mills (Eds.), Pollinosis 2000. Global approach (pp. 69–76). Naples: JGC Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G., Cecchi, L., Bonini, S., Nunes, C., Annesi-Maesano, I., Behrendt, H., et al. (2007). Allergenic pollen and pollen allergy in Europe. Allergy, 62, 976–990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G., Cecchi, L., D’Amato, M., & Liccardi, G. (2010). Urban air pollution and climate change as environmental risk factors of respiratory allergy, an update. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology, 20, 95–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G., Spieksma, F. T. M., & Bonini, S. (1991). Allergenic pollen and pollinosis in Europe. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, P. H. (1971). Distribution patterns in Anatolia with particular reference to endemism. In P. H. Davis, et al. (Eds.), Plant life of south west Asia (pp. 15–27). Edinburgh: Botanical Society of Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Díaz de La Guardia, C., Alba, F., Girón, F., & Sabariego, S. (1998). An aerobiological study of Urticaceae pollen in the city of Granada (S. Spain): Correlation with meteorological parameters. Grana, 37(5), 298–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Docampo, S., Recio, M., Trigo, M. M., Melgar, M., & Cabezudo, B. (2007). Risk of pollen allergy in Nerja (southern Spain): a pollen calendar. Aerobiologia, 23, 189–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekim, T., & Güner, A. (1986). The anatolian diagonal: Fact or fiction? Proceedings of the royal society of Edinburgh, 89-B, 69–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Committee for Standardization. (2015). Technical Specification CEN/TS 16868:2015. Ambient air. Sampling and analysis of airborne pollen grains and fungal spores for allergy networks. Volumetric Hirst method. Retrieved from http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030314080.

  • Fornaciari, M., Bricchi, E., Greco, F., Fascini, D., Giannoni, C., Frenguelli, G., et al. (1992). Daily variations of Urticaceae pollen count and influence of meteoclimatic parameters in East Perugia during 1989. Aerobiology, 8, 407–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galán, C., Cariñanos, P., Alcázar, P. & Dominguez-Vilches, E. (2007). Spanish aerobiology network (REA) management and quality manual. Servicio de Publicaciones Universidad de Córdoba. ISBN 978-84-690-6353-8.

  • García-Ortega, P., Martínez, J., Martínez, A., Palacios, R., Belmonte, J., & Richart, C. (1992). Mercurialis annua pollen: a new source of allergic sensitization and respiratory disease. Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology, 89, 987–993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giner, M. M., Garcia, J. S. C., & Camacho, C. N. (2002). Seasonal fluctuations of the airborne pollen spectrum in Murcia (SE Spain). Aerobiologia, 18, 141–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gioulekas, D., Balafoutis, C., Damialis, A., Papakosta, D., Gioulekas, G., & Patakas, D. (2004). Fifteen-year records of airborne allergenic pollen and meteorological parameters in Thessaloniki, Greece. International Journal of Biometeorology, 48, 128–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Minero, F. J., & Candau, P. (1996). Prediction of the beginning of the olive full pollen season in South-West Spain. Aerobiologia, 12, 91–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gucel, S., Guvensen, A., Ozturk, M., & Celik, A. (2013). Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Nicosia (Cyprus). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 185, 157–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hidalgo, P. J., Galán, C., & Domínguez, E. (2003). Male phenology of three species of Cupressus: Correlation with airborne pollen. Trees, 17, 336–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keynan, N., Waisel, Y., Shomer-Ilan, A., Goren, A., & Brener, S. (1991). Annual variations of airborne pollen in the Coastal Plain of Israel. Grana, 30, 477–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keynan, N., Waisel, Y., Shomer-Ilan, A., & Tamir, R. (1989). Forecasting pollen pollution: Correlation with floral development. Annals of Allergy, 63, 417–420.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kovats, R. S., Menne, B., Ahern, M. J., & Patz, J. A. (2003). National assessments of health impacts of climate change: A review. In A. J. McMichael, D. H. Campbell-Lendrum, C. F. Corvalán, K. L. Ebi, A. K. Githeko, J. D. Scheraga, & A. Woodward (Eds.), Climate change and human health: Risks and responses, chap 9 (pp. 59–62). Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandal, J., Chakraborty, P., Roy, I., Chatterjee, S., & Gupta-Bhattacharya, S. (2008). Prevalence of allergenic pollen grains in the aerosol of the city of Calcutta, India: a two year study. Aerobiologia, 24, 151–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panzani, R. C., Falagiani, P., Chiapella, M., & Augeri, G. (1993). Respiratory allergy to the pollen of Mercurialis annua (Euphorbiaceae). Annals of Allergy, 70, 249–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papa, G., Romano, A., Quaratino, D., Di Fonso, M., Viola, M., Artesani, M. C., et al. (2001). Prevalence of sensitization to Cupressus sempervirens: a 4 year retrospective study. The Science of the Total Enviroment, 270, 83–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peternel, R., Čulig, J., Mitić, B., Vukušić, I., & Sŏstar, Z. (2003). Analysis of airborne pollen concentrations in Zagreb, Croatia, 2002. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 10, 107–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puljak, T., Mamić, M., Mitić, B., Hrga, I., & Hruševar, D. (2016). First aerobiological study in Mediterranean part of Croatia (Dalmatia): pollen spectrum and seasonal dynamics in the air of Split. Aerobiologia, 32, 709–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, H., & Abreu, I. (2014). A 10-year survey of allergenic airborne pollen in the city of Porto (Portugal). 2014. Aerobiologia, 30, 333–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, H., Cunha, M., & Abreu, I. (2003). Airborne pollen concentration in the region of Braga, Portugal, and its relationship with meteorological parameters. Aerobiologia, 19, 21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Rajo, F. J., Jato, V., & Aira, M. J. (2003). Pollen content in the atmosphere of Lugo (NW Spain) with reference to meteorological factors (1999–2001). Aerobiologia, 19, 213–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabariego, S., Cuesta, P., Fernández-González, F., & Pérez-Badia, R. (2012). Models for forecasting airborne Cupressaceae pollen levels in central Spain. International Journal of Biometeorology, 56, 253–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ščevková, J., Dušička, J., Mičieta, K., & Somorčík, J. (2015). Diurnal variation in airborne pollen concentration of six allergenic tree taxa and its relationship with meteorological parameters. Aerobiologia, 31, 457–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spieksma, F. T. M. (1991). Regional European pollen calendars. In G. D’Amato, F. T. M. Spieksma, & S. Bonini (Eds.), Allergenic Pollen and Pollinosis in Europe (pp. 49–65). Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tosunoglu, A., Altunoglu, M. K., Bicakci, A., Kilic, O., Gonca, T., Yilmazer, I., et al. (2015). Atmospheric pollen concentrations in Antalya, South Turkey. Aerobiologia, 31, 99–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tosunoglu, A., & Bicakci, A. (2015). Seasonal and intradiurnal variation of airborne pollen concentrations in Bodrum, SW Turkey. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187(4), 167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tosunoglu, A. & Bicakci, A. (2016). Winter pollination of Betula in South Anatolia—Is it fact or fiction? In 6th European Symposium on Aerobiology (Vol. 69). Lyon, France, Abstract Book.

  • Tosunoglu, A., Bicakci, A., Malyer, H., & Sapan, N. (2009). Airborne pollen fall in Koycegiz specially protected area (SW Turkey). Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 18(10), 1860–1865.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Türkmen, N., & Düzenli, A. (1998). The flora of dörtyol and erzin districts of Hatay Province in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Botany, 22, 121–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallverdu, A., Garcia-Ortega, P., Martinez, J., Martinez, A., Esteban, M. I., de Molina, M., et al. (1997). Mercurialis annua: characterization of main allergens and cross-reactivity with other species. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 112, 356–364.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vega-Maray, A. M., Valencia-Barrera, R., Fernandez-Gonzalez, D., & Fraile, R. (2003). Urticaceae pollen concentration in the atmosphere of North Western Spain. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 10(2), 249–255.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was completely funded by a Grant of the corresponding author from the Technical and Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK TBAG-212T135).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Science and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, 16059, Nilufer, Bursa, Turkey

    Aycan Tosunoglu, Hulusi Malyer & Adem Bicakci

  2. Department of Biology, Science and Arts Faculty, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Ahmet Ilcim

Authors
  1. Aycan Tosunoglu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ahmet Ilcim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hulusi Malyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adem Bicakci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aycan Tosunoglu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tosunoglu, A., Ilcim, A., Malyer, H. et al. Aeropalynological spectrum of Hatay, Turkey, the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Aerobiologia 34, 557–572 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-018-9531-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-018-9531-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation