42 research outputs found

    Preliminary study of the atmospheric pollen in "Sierra de las Nieves" Natural Park (Southern Spain)

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    ‘Sierra de las Nieves’ is a Natural Park and a Biosphere Reserve located in the south of Spain. This protected area has a high diversity of ecosystems with abundant endangered species which have led it to be in ways to become a National Park. Some of those species have anemophilous pollination strategies. Since 1991, the Aerobiology research team of the University of Malaga has been sampling and studying airborne pollen in different cities of Malaga province. Nevertheless, a pollen trap has never been installed inside a Natural Park for a continuous sampling process. The objectives of this study were to determinate the atmospheric pollen behaviour of the main taxa registered during winter and spring months in this protected area, as well as compare the results with the data obtained in urban stations during the same period searching for significant differences. The pollen samplings were made by means of a Hirst-type volumetric pollen trap inside the protected area of the Natural Park. The samples obtained were mounted and counted according to the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA). The high vegetal diversity of ‘Sierra de las Nieves’ are reflected in the pollen counts. Significant differences between the sampligs obtained at ‘Sierra de las Nieves’, Malaga and the neraby city of Ronda stations were found regarding to the daily pollen concentration. The qualitative and quantitative differences can be explained by the different land use, altitude, climatic characteristics and by the distance between aerobiological stations and pollen emission sources. There is an important influence of wind dymanic and others meteorological factors.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

    Evolución del contenido polínico de la atmósfera de Málaga a lo largo del año 2013

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    Resumen del comportamiento de las partículas aerovagantes (polen) en la atmósfera de Málaga durante el año 2013Continuando con los estudios aerobiológicos realizados en años anteriores, en este trabajo se presenta los resultados obtenidos durante el año 2013 en la ciudad de Málaga. Se analiza el comportamiento seguido por los principales tipos polínicos así como por el polen total. La estación aerobiológica de Málaga continuó siendo la más meridional de Europa durante este año de estudio, estando el punto de muestreo ubicado en el mismo lugar desde que se iniciara el muestreo en Mayo de 1991 (Campus Universitario de Teatinos, aproximadamente 1 km al oeste de la ciudad). Climatológicamente, según datos de la estación meteorológica del Aeropuerto de Málaga (5 Km al oeste del Campus de Teatinos) la temperatura media anual en el 2013 fue similar a la media de los últimos años (18,5ºC). Pluviométricamente, se registraron valores inferiores a la media (434,8 mm). En el año 2013 se registró un índice polínico anual de 27.648 granos de polen. Los ocho tipos polínicos que mayor incidencia tuvieron en la atmósfera de Málaga durante este año de estudio fueron los mismos que en años anteriores, aunque variaron ligeramente en el orden de abundancia: Olea, Quercus, Cupressaceae, Poaceae, Plantago, Urticaceae, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae y Pinus. Los tres primeros puestos lo ocuparon pólenes de especies arbóreas (Olea, Cupressaceae y Quercus) y los cuatro siguientes polen de especies herbáceas (Poaceae, Plantago, Urticaceae y Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae). El conjunto de polen de Olea, Quercus y Cupresaceae constituyeron aproximadamente el 67,7% anual, y el conjunto del de estas herbáceas el 22%, aproximadamente, estando representado el resto por diversos tipos polínicos menos abundante, hasta completar un total de 35. En la curva de evolución de las concentraciones semanales de polen total a lo largo del año de estudio podemos observar que los picos se produjeron fueron debidos fundamentalmente al polen de Cupressaceae (marzo) al polen de Quercus a finales de abril y principios de mayo, y a Poaceae y Olea en mayo.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

    Backward air trajectory models for detecting pollen airborne sources of Castanea in Ronda (South Spain)

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    Ronda is located in a rural area close to the natural Parks Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves, surrounded by crops, natural and seminatural vegetation. The Genal Valley, which is located at the southwest of Ronda, is the biggest Castanea sativa Mill. crop area in Andalusia (South Spain) but there are also others C. sativa crops in different areas close to Ronda. This increases the Castanea atmospheric pollen levels in Ronda, the highest of Malaga province. Castanea pollen has been cited by different authors as potentially allergenic. The objective of this preliminary study was to determine the main sources of Castanea pollen detected in Ronda during the period in which the highest concentrations were detected along the year 2017. The pollen samplings were made by means of a Hirst-type volumetric pollen trap. The samples obtained were mounted and counted according to the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA). Backward air trajectories were calculated according to HYSPLIT 4 model. Models were run five times a day by using R software for the whole month of June 2017. Due to the wind dynamics in Ronda, the main source of Castanea airborne pollen was not the expected (the Genal Valley). The dominant winds in June 2017 came from the southeast of Ronda and brought Castanea pollen from the crops of two nearby localities, Istan and Ojen, which are widely smaller than those situated in the Genal Valley. Therefore, due to the high pollen production of these crops, predictive models for the Castanea airborne pollen in Ronda should be done in future researches in order to prevent allergic diseases in the population. Additionally, by studing air trajectory models, the cross pollination between Castanea populations in the area can be estimated.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

    The use of cyclohexane as a new adhesive for airborne pollen sampling

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    Se estudia la adherencia del fluido de silicona, utilizando como disolvente el ciclohexano en lugar del tetracloruro de carbono, como se venía haciendo anteriormente. Se comparan los resultados entre ambos disolventes en un captador aerobiológico de tipo Hirst.Carbon Tetrachloride, used as a solvent for the silicone adhesive in airborne pollen sampling, has been recently interdicted by the Registration Evaluation Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) protocol due to its dangerous effects on environment and human health (Manibusan et al. 2007) and it will no longer be produced. Therefore, the need to find a new solvent for the silicon-coating solution is mandatory in order to continue aerobiological research. In a previous study, Thibaudon et al. (2014) concluded that there were no-significant differences between Diethyl Ether and Carbon Tetrachloride and the first can be used as solvent for capturing airborne pollen. The importance of this topic led us to investigate the efficiency of other solvents to use alternatively for the adhesive coating solution. The aim of this preliminary study is to compare the efficiency of airborne pollen grain capture on silicone fluid by using Cyclohexane solvent as an alternative to Carbon Tetrachloride, the solvent used by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA). The study was carried out in Malaga (southern Spain), from 16 February to 26 April, 2015 (10 weeks), with the aid of a 7-day Hirst type volumetric trap, located on the roof of the Faculty of Science, 15 m above ground level. For this, the drum was covered by a Melinex tape, coated with silicone adhesive containing two different solvents: one half of the tape with Carbon Tetrachloride and the other half with Cyclohexane, following the methodology previously described by Thibaudon et al. (2015). The position of the two sampling adhesives was reversed from right to left every week. The counting method consisted of 2 continuous horizontal sweeps per each half of the tape (Galán et al., 2007). The results obtained, expressed as number of pollen grains/m3, will be statistically analyzed in order to detect possible differences, if any. Finally, the results, regarding total pollen as well as the different pollen types, separately, will be presented in order to propose or not Cyclohexane as an alternative solvent to Diethyl Ether and Carbon Tetraclorhidre, more dangerous substances from a toxic point of view (Toxicology Data Network, TOXNET, http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

    Preliminary study of the airborne pollen in the atmosphere of Puerto Ayora (Galapagos Islands, Ecuador)

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    Galapagos is an archipelago of volcanic islands located 972 km west from the continental Ecuador. They were declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve due to their singular environmental value, where a third part of the native plants are endemic to this archipelago (Jaramillo et al., 2011). In spite of the numerous scientific studies carried out in Galapagos, there are not any aerobiological samplings being performed currently. The main objectives of this study were to install a pollen trap for detecting the presence of pollen in the atmosphere of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands) and qualitatively identify the different pollen types detected during the studied period. A Durham (1946) gravimetric pollen trap was modified to turn it into a passive impact pollen trap based on Pla Dalmau (1957) modifications. It was placed on the roof of the Galapagos National School (Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island) at a height of 15m above ground level. The samples were obtained by using silicone fluid as adhesive substance and glycerine gelatine as mounting mean. The pollen grains were counted in a surface of 14 x 48 mm in each sample. The pollen types were identified with the aid of the pollen guide of the Galapagos Island by Jaramillo & Trigo (2011) and the Charles Darwin Foundation pollen bank. Pollen types of endemic plants such as Darwiniothamnus sp., Passiflora foetida var. galapagensis Killip, Justicia galapagana Lindau and Castela galapageia Hook. f. were detected together with those of other native and introduced species. A high diversity of pollen types was detected, reflecting the particular vegetation of the island. This preliminary aerobiological information can be used as precedent for further studies on the pollination of native and introduced species of the Galapagos Islands, as well as for detecting possible allergic diseases in the population.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

    Análisis del contenido aeropolínico estival en la provincia de Málaga

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    Análisis del contenido aeropolínico estival en la provincia de Málaga. En el presente trabajo se realiza un estudio del contenido polínico de la atmósfera de la provincia de Málaga durante el periodo estival (Julio-Septiembre) tomando los registros obtenidos durante los últimos años en varias localidades de la provincia: Málaga (1992-1999), Estepona (1995-1997), Antequera (1998-1999) y Nerja (2000). En general, durante estos tres meses se recoge sólo entre el 3 y el 6% del polen anual, estando el espectro aeropolínico estival de Málaga representado básicamente por 14 tipos polínicos: Eucalyptus, Castanea, Parkinsonia, Cannabis, Apiaceae, Ligustrum, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Palmae, Compositae, Artemisia, Typha, Cyperaceae, Poaceae y Urticaceae. Los tipos que alcanzan mayores concentraciones son Eucalyptus, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae y Poaceae. El resto de los taxa citados aparecen en concentraciones muy bajas. Determinados taxa presentan concentraciones más elevadas en determinadas estaciones de muestreo: Castanea y Compositae en Antequera, Palmae y Parkinsonia en Málaga, y Artemisia en Nerja. La evolución a lo largo de los tres meses muestra, en general, dos tipos de tendencia: una descendente de Julio a Agosto (presente en todos los tipos polínicos estudiados, excepto en Artemisia y Palmae, y en todas las zonas estudiadas) y otra ascendente, de Agosto a Septiembre, de pequeña intensidad, aunque muy acusada para los dos tipos anteriores y para Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae y Compositae. La mayoría de los tipos polínicos estudiados tienen sus máximos diarios en primavera, estación del año con mayor concentración polínica en el sur de Europa, excepto Eucalyptus, Castanea, Parkinsonia y Cannabis, que generalmente lo tienen en verano, y que alcanzaron máximos históricos relevantes: Eucalyptus en 1994 (112 granos/m3), Castanea en 1997 (233 granos/m3), Cannabis en 1998 (28 granos/m3)

    Atmospheric pollen dynamics in Malaga (s. Spain) during 2013-2014. Seasonal trends

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    In this work we present the atmospheric pollen results obtained in Malaga, a coastal Mediterranean city situated in southern Spain, throughout 2013 and 2014. The main objective is to compare the results obtained these years with those registered during the 21 previous years (1992-2012) and detect possible significant trends. The samplings were made with the aid of a Hirst-type volumetric pollen trap (Hirst, 1952) situated on the roof of the building of the Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos. The mounting of the samples and the pollen counting were according to the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network, the REA (Galán et al., 2007). In this work, the seasonal evolution of the different taxa, annual pollen index and features of the main pollen season (length and start, end and peak days) are studied and the results obtained in 2013 and 2014 are compared to the average values of the previous years in order to detect differences related to climate change. The annual mean temperature have been rising in 2013 and 2014 (19.1 and 19.9ºC) comparing to the average of the last 20 years (18.7ºC). The annual total rainfall have been declining in 2013 and 2014 (354.7 and 373.1 mm) comparing to the average of the last 20 years (546.2 mm). The relative humidity declined in 2014 (60.6%) compared to last 20 years (66.6%). Among the significant trends that we have observed are: increase in the annual pollen index of Quercus and Olea, decrease in the annual pollen index of Chenopodiaceae, Plantago and Cyperaceae, delay in the end and increase in the length of the main pollen season of Quercus, delay and reduction in the length of the main pollen season of Gramineae pollen.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

    Incidencia del polen de "Plantago" en la atmósfera de Málaga y su relación con los parámetros meteorológicos

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    Incidencia del polen de Plantago en la atmósfera de Málaga y su relación con los parámetros meteorológicos. En el presente trabajo se exponen los resultados obtenidos para el polen de Plantago tras el muestreo realizado durante los últimos años en la atmósfera de Málaga. Dicho muestreo se ha llevado a cabo mediante un captador volumétrico de tipo Hirst, habiéndose analizado las variaciones anuales, estacionales e intradiurnas, así como su relación con los principales parámetros meteorológicos. Las mayores concentraciones se han registrado siempre durante los meses de Abril y Mayo, y entre las 12 y 14 horas locales, habiéndose observado diferencias cuantitativas importantes en los años 1995 y 1996, debidas fundamentalmente a la desigual cantidad de precipitaciones acumuladas durante los meses anteriores al período de polinación. Las correlaciones obtenidas entre los valores diarios de concentración atmosférica de polen y los de los diferentes parámetros meteorológicos demuestran que, en Málaga, este polen se asocia positivamente siempre con la insolación y la temperatura durante el período prepico, con las precipitaciones durante el período postpico y, casi siempre, con la velocidad y dirección noroeste del viento
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