Meteorological factors and airborne Rumex L. pollen concentration in Lublin

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyse the Rumex pollen season dynamics in Lublin in 2001-2010 and to find relationships between season parameters and meteorological conditions. This study was carried out by the volumetric method using a Lanzoni VPPS 2000 trap. The start and end dates of each season were determined based on the 98% method. The effects of meteorological factors on the Rumex pollen seasons were analysed by employing Spearman’s correlation test. On average, the sorrel pollen season started on 13 May (±7 days), ended on 7 September (±6 days), and lasted nearly four months (±9 days). The highest pollen concentrations were recorded in June and July. A significantly negative correlation was found between season duration and Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI). During shorter pollen seasons, higher pollen counts were recorded. In all study years, the seasons were right-skewed. The pollen concentration was most strongly correlated with humidity and mean air temperature. The season parameters (onset, end, peak date, peak value, SPI value) were primarily dependent on air temperature before and during the pollen season.