Aerobiology of Grass Pollen in the City Atmosphere of Melbourne: Quantitative Analysis of Seasonal and Diurnal Changes

Abstract

Quantitative data on the seasonal and diurnal incidence of grass pollen in the atmosphere of Melbourne have been obtained by using two Burkard spore traps sited 11 km apart. Grass pollen concentrations are compared with pollen of other plants and fungal spores over two pollen seasons, 1975-76 and 1976-77. At the height of the 1975-76 pollen season, grass pollen concentrations were greatest at night, while at the end of the same season the peak occurred in the late afternoon as has been reported for several European cities. The aerobiological patterns are compared with the time of pollen release in the field from plants of ryegrass (Lolium perenne).