Airborne pollen grains under winter conditions

Abstract

Measurements of atmospheric pollen concentration were made during winter conditions in Stockholm in 1977–78 and 1978–79. Filters were fixed vertically and at right angle to the wind by means of a wind vane, and it was possible to convert the data to be expressed as pollen/m³ air. The filters were exposed for a period of fourteen days. The results of the analyses show, that pollen grains of various types are present in the winter atmosphere, i.e. November-February/March. The most abundant taxa were Betula, Pinus and Poaceae, and sometimes more than 25 taxa were counted during one fourteen day period. The amount of pollen/m³ air varied between about 0.1 and 15. This is probably the first study of atmospheric pollen during winter conditions.