Pollen content of the atmosphere of Malaga: years 1992 and 1993

Abstract

During 1992 and 1993 we have analysed the pollen content in the atmosphere of Malaga (southern Spain). The sampling was carried out with the aid of a Burkard spore-trap located on the roof of the Faculty of Medicine, Malaga University, about 15 m above ground level. The pollen data, expressed in grains per cubic metre of air, were obtained by counting four lengths of the slide with a 40X objective (0,45 mm field). During these years, we have observed that about 85% of total pollen was collected from February to June, with a maximum peak in May, while lowest monthly concentration was detected during January and from August to December. Along this period, the most important taxa in the atmosphere of Malaga were Cupressaceae and Olea europaea followed by Quercus, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Poaceae, Plantago, Urticaceae and Pinus, by importance order. So, the different peaks which occur along the year are fundamentally due to Cupressaceae in February; Cupressaceae, Pinus and Platanus in March; Quercus in April; Olea, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae and Poaceae in May and Casuarina in October.