Studies on the impact of local and trans-boundary pollen concentrations of Anemophylous plants in Malta

Abstract

An aeropalynological study was carried out in the atmosphere of the islands of Malta and Gozo (central Mediterranean) during a period of 6 years (1998-2002, 2007), using a Hirst type volumetric pollen trap. An annual pollen index of 6034 grains, on average, was obtained with 68% of the total pollen recorded from March to May and with Urticaceae, Cupressaceae, Amaranthaceae / Chenopodiaceae, Oleaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Plantaginaceae being the principal pollen producers in abundance order. A total of 24 pollen types that reached a 10-day mean equal to or greater than 1 grain of pollen per m³ of air is reflected in a pollen calendar. The results for different years were compared with each other and a correlation analysis was made between the daily fluctuations of the main pollen types and total pollen, and meteorological parameters (temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind direction and wind speed).