Determination of atmospheric pollen grains in Orhangazi (Bursa) district

Pollen allergy is a common disorder and may result with diseases like allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma in susceptible individuals. Atmospheric pollen of wind-pollinated plants are also very important in terms of human health. The purpose of this study was to determine the pollen types, densities and the pollen seasons of main pollen producers in Orhangazi (Bursa) area. Pollen quantities and diversity in the study carried out by the gravimetric method using the Durham instrument were investigated in the Orhangazi district atmosphere for a period of one year between 1 January - 31 December 2020. During one year, the slides were changed once a week and 53 taxa were detected after examination by light microscopy. Of these, 30 of them are belong to woody plants, and 23 of them are from herbaceous plants. . In the research process 12 224 pollen grains were detected in cm2 area; 81. 71% ( 9 988 pollen grains) of these belong to woody plants, 18. 29% (2 236 pollen grains)belong to herbaceous plants. The highest amount of pollen was seen in April while the lowest amount of pollen was recorded in November. The plant taxa that pollen grains found dominant in the atmosphere were determined as Pinus, Quercus, Platanus, Olea, Fraxinus, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Gramineae, Plantago, Fagus, Urticaceae, Juglans, Carpinus, Morus, Mercurialis, Betula and Amaranthaceae.