The atmospheric pollen grains in Shkoder, Albania

Atmospheric Allergens cause health problems known as pollen fever in the society. Aerobiology aims to help reduce the negative effects of allergens on health by providing information about the production, release and transport of biological particles in the atmosphere. Aerobiological studies are conducted regionally and temporally. Although the number of aerobiological studies done in Albania is very low, no aerobiological study done for Shkodra has been found in the literature. This study is an aeropalinological study conducted in the air of Shkodra for 2 years between 29 December 2017 - 29 December 2019 and aims to determine which pollen are present in the air of Shkodra city. Samples, which are obtained by Gravimetric method were examined by using Durham sampler located in Shkodra province. It was determined that the pollen in the atmosphere of Shkodra in the first year of the study belonged to 43 taxa and in the second year they belonged to 46 taxa. During the whole study, 49 different taxa were recorded. Pollen belonging to Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (%22,12), Poaceae (%12,31), Olea sp. (%8,57), Quercus sp. (%7,31), Platanus sp. (%6,86), Pinus sp. (%6,61), Humulus sp. (%5,26), Corylus sp. (%4,25), Plantago sp. (% 3,80), Corylaceae (%2,72), Fraxinus sp. (%2,07) taxa were detected to be dominant in Shkodra atmosphere within 2 years. The quantity of pollen fall on a square – centimeter in Shkoder was assigned in weekly and monthly periods with the help of slides placed on the Durham sampler. Monthly pollen calendar was prepared by considering the results to meteorologic conditions.The highest level of the total amount of pollen was observed in April.