Analysis of atmospheric pollen of Erfelek (Sinop) district

This research was prepared to determine the atmospheric pollen of Sinop Province Erfelek district between May 2022 and June 2024 using the volumetric method with the Burkard tool. Atmospheric pollen of Erfelek district was collected weekly with the tape system placed on the Burkard vehicle, these tapes were prepared and determined as cm3 area units each week, weekly and monthly periods, and the data were turned into graphs and tables. In this two-years study, a total of 43238 pollen/m3 belonging to 30 taxa were counted, 21 taxa belonging to arboreal taxa and 9 taxa belonging to non arboreal taxa. Of the analyzed pollens, 36027 pollen/m3 (83,2%) belong to arboreal taxa, 3688 pollen/m3 (8,5%) belong to the Poaceae family, and 3523 pollen/m3 (8,3%) belong to non arboreal taxa. According to the two-year average pollen density, the dominant arboreal taxa in the atmosphere are; Pinaceae (18,6%), Carpinus sp. (15,3%) Morus sp. (10,2%), Alnus sp. (9,8%), Castanea sativa (6,1%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (5,5%), Quercus sp. (5,5%), non arboreal taxa are Poaceae (8,5%), Xanthium sp. (4,5%), Asteraceae (1,09%). The highest pollen density was recorded in June in 2022 and 2023, and in April in 2024. As a result of the analysis, the effect of meteorological conditions such as average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and wind speed on the total pollen count was determined. With this aeropalinological study conducted in Erfelek district, it was aimed to investigate the number and appearance of pollen formed by the surrounding plants, the effects of climate change on the type and number of pollen, and also to help in the diagnosis of allergic diseases caused by pollen during pollination periods and related on treatments.