Showing papers in "Grana in 1991"

A model to predict the beginning of the pollen season

Abstract: In order to predict the beginning of the pollen season, a model comprising the Utah phenoclimatography Chill Unit (CU) and ASYMCUR-Growing Degree Hour (GDH) submodels were used to predict the first bloom in Alnus, Ulmus and Betula. The model relates environmental temperatures to rest completion and bud development. As phenologic parameter 14 years of pollen counts were used. The observed dates for the beginning of the pollen seasons were defined from the pollen counts and compared with the model prediction. The CU and GDH submodels were used as: 1. A fixed day model, using only the GDH model with 1st January as fixed initiation point. 2. A CU/GDH model, with a fixed sum of Chill Unit requirement as initiation point for the subsequent GDH accumulation. 3. A dynamic CU/GDH model, based on a dynamic relationship between CU and GDH. It is concluded that the CU and GDH relationships defined for fruit trees are generally applicable, and give a reasonable description of the growth processes of other tre...

The origin of life on Earth

Abstract: Terrestrial life can be schematically described as organic molecules organized in liquid water. According to Oparin's hypothesis, organic building blocks required for early life were produced from simple organic molecules formed in a primitive reducing atmosphere. Precursors of lipids, nucleic acids and enzymes obtained in the laboratory under simulating conditions are reviewed. Geochemists favor now a less reducing atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide. In such an atmosphere, very few building blocks are formed under prebiotic conditions. Import of extraterrestrial organic molecules may represent an alternative supply. Experimental support for such an alternative scenario is examined in comets, cosmic dust, meteorites and micrometeorites. Even the prebiotic broth receives today severe criticism for being implausible. In contrast to the classical scenario, a chemoautotrophic origin of life is discussed. Finally, interesting information related to early terrestrial life may be gained from Mars ex...

Evidence of long-distance transport of betula pollen

Abstract: In April the eastern parts of Fennoscandia are frequently influenced by south to southeastern winds. These air-masses can bring with them large quantities of Betula pollen several weeks before the local flowering season begins. The pollen is transported with air-masses at a high level and then taken down by turbulent transport or washout. The number of pollen grains can be so high that sensitive persons exhibit allergic symptoms. Three localities from Sweden and six from Finland have been selected and numerical air-parcel trajectories have been calculated in order to determine the Betula pollen source. The results indicate that the distant pollen source areas can be identified, and that the travelling times for pollen grains transported in April 1989 were mostly in the range of 9 to 20 hours.

Theoretical daily variation patterns of airborne pollen in the southwest of spain

Abstract: In this work we establish theoretical daily pollen variation grains for the 24 taxa most frequently occurring in the atmosphere of Cordoba (Spain) during three consecutive years, namely Alnus glutinosa, Broussonetia papyrifera, Casuarina equisetifolia, Chenopodiaceae, Amaranthaceae, Cupressaceae, Cyperaceae, Ericaceae, Fraxinus, Gramineae, Mercurialis, Morus, Myrtaceae, Olea europaea, Palmae, Pinaceae, Pistacia, Plantago, Platanus hybrida, Populus, Quercus, Rumex, Typha domingensis, Ulmus minor and Urticaceae. Sampling was carried out using a Burkard spore-trap and the data collected were used to establish theoretical patterns of daily variation represented by an ideal day with accounts for the daily behaviour of each taxon. The application of centred-data analysis (CDA) allowed two groups of taxa to be established, namely (a) those with a homogeneous variation pattern and small differences between the times of maximum and minimum occurrence, and (b) those with a heterogeneous variation pattern a...

Allergenic pollen in europe

Abstract: Even if they represent only a small proportion of the airborne particles present in the atmosphere, pollen grains can be causative agents of allergic responses in susceptible humans, and pollinosis (oculorhinitis and/or asthma) is now a public health problem. A characteristic feature of pollen sensitivity is its seasonal pattern of occurrence usually at the time when the pollen or other allergenic plant debris show a heavier atmospheric concentration. The air presence of allergenic pollen varies according to the climate, geography and vegetation. Europe, extending from the Atlantic to the Urals, offers a great diversity of climate and vegetation and consequently of the pollen seasons with different pollen calendars from one area to another. As a result of free mobility among citizens, people who travel for work or for leisure need to have reliable information about the likelihood of seasonal allergies when they visit another country. For this reason, knowledge of the atmospheric pollen concentrat...

The influence of air temperature on the starting dates of the pollen season of alnus and populus

Abstract: In this work we have studied the influence of air temperature on the starting dates of Alnus and Populus pollination in two different climatic regions in Europe: central Italy and The Netherlands. The start of the Alnus pollen season varied between 27th January and 16th February in the Italian stations while in The Netherlands it showed an average delay of about one month. For Populus the beginning of the pollen season was delayed on an average 15 days at Dutch places compared to central Italy. In the former it varied between 14th March and 21st April while in the latter between 28th February and 24th March. Significant correlations exist between the beginning of pollination for these taxa and temperature conditions in the preceding periods. The highest correlations found were with daily mean decade temperature for three decades before the average starting dates of the pollen season. These correlations were better for The Netherlands than for central Italy perhaps because the temperature in Holla...

Fluctuations and trends in airborne concentrations of some abundant pollen types, monitored at Vienna, Leiden, and Brussels

Abstract: The annual sums of daily airborne pollen concentrations fluctuate from year to year. It has been suggested that for some taxa there is a regular or alternating pattern in these fluctuations. On the other hand, environmental changes may lead to decreasing or increasing trends in airborne pollen concentrations. These two phenomena can only be studied reliably on the basis of long-term volumetric observations of abundantly occurring pollen types. For this study two arboreal (Betula and Quercus) and two herbaceous (Poaceae and Urtica) types were chosen. For some of these pollen types a weak but significant trend is observed. For the arboreal types (Quercus and Betula) there appears to be a rather constant biennial fluctuating rhythm.

Fruits from the mid-cretaceous of north america with pollen grains of the clavatipollenites type

Abstract: Small fruits with clumps of monocolpate, reticulate pollen grains of the Clavatipollenites type adhering to the stigmatic surface have been recovered from mid-Cretaceous (early Cenomanian) Potomac Group sediments of eastern North America. They provide the first megafossil evidence of this important early angiosperm pollen genus. The fruits are described as Couperites mauldinensis gen.et sp. nov. They are unicarpellate and unilocular containing a single, anatropous and pendulous seed. The fruit wall is thin with distinct, tubercular protrusions enclosing spherical resin bodies. The seed wall is apparently composed of two distinct tissues, indicating that the seed was probably derived from a bitegmic ovule. The outer tissue consists of one layer of cuboid palisade cells, the inner tissue consists of longitudinally elongated cells. Fruit and seed characters indicate that Couperites is more closely related to Chloranthaceae than to any other magnoliid family, and support the systematic affinity sugge...

Diurnal variation of pollen concentration in the air of north-central london

Abstract: Pollen concentrations recorded during three years sampling in north-central London have shown distinctive diurnal variations. This paper identifies these patterns for three pollen taxa and attempts to account for the variations observed. The diurnal variations identified are interpreted in relation to meteorological conditions, pollen source area and phenological patterns of pollen release. A hypothesis of pollen dispersal to the sampling site is suggested.

Seasonal variation of outdoor airborne viable microfungi in Copenhagen, Denmark

Abstract: Registration of viable microfungi in the Copenhagen outdoor air has been done since 1978 as a routine procedure for a service of the allergic patients. Of the thirty-four genera of moulds and yeasts recorded Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Aspergillus represent 84.1% of the total viable flora. During the years the registrations have served as an actual information to allergic patients concerning the outdoor load of potential microfungal allergens. However, this long-term recordings may also serve as a database for comparison with actual measurement from the air over potential risk-areas such as open-air compost-plants or open air waste deposits with accumulation of organic debris. In many cases there will be a need for documentation of presence or absence of an additional microbial load.

Exotic sporomorpha as indicators of potential immigrant colonists in Antarctica

Abstract: A brief account is given documenting the development of aerobiological research in the Antarctic. The results of the British Antarctic Survey's contribution to an international programme on long-distance dispersal of aeroplankton over the Southern Ocean are presented. This was achieved by collecting airspora deposited in Tauber traps and in surface snow at sites on South Georgia (sub-Antarctic) and Signy Island (maritime Antarctic). Although only a small number of the samples were analysed, the results provided ample evidence of a continuous immigration of exotic sporomorpha of southern South American provenance. The cause of this rain of biological material is attributed to the not infrequent easterly tracking storm events generated over the south-east Pacific Ocean. As they gain momentum over southern South America they become seeded with pollen and spores, and possibly by larger organelles such as invertebrates and seeds. These high winds may be deflected southwards by a blocking anticyclone o...

Allergic symptoms caused by long-distance transported birch pollen

Abstract: Birch pollen allergy is very common in northern Sweden, and the local flowering season never starts before the middle part of May. In the last week of April 1989 patients with birch pollen allergy developed typical symptoms requiring treatment. This pattern was confirmed in a group of patients who registered their symptoms in diaries, while contemporaneous pollen measurements demonstrated high amounts of birch pollen in the air. At that time in the northern part of Sweden, however, no birches were flowering. Meteorological data indicated that strong winds from the south-east during the period transported birch pollen from the Baltic states. Similar weather conditions in 1982, 1984 and in 1990 have also resulted in high amounts of birch pollen in the air long before the local flowering season. It is concluded that long distance transport of pollen may result in clinically significant allergy problems before, and even after the normal local season.

Spatial variation of pollen deposition in north london

Abstract: Pollen data from a monitoring network of 14 impact samplers in Islington, North London are used to investigate spatial variations in the abundance of Gramineae, Betula and Platanus pollen deposition. Weekly accumulative pollen counts were collected from January through to October over two consecutive years. Differences in deposition between sites are examined in relation to topography, local sources, and climatic variables.

Aerobiology and colonization in Antarctica — the BIOTAS Programme

Abstract: Little is known about the aerial transport of microbes, plants and animals into and between Antarctic terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Isolation by the circumpolar Southern Ocean restricts propagules to three main groups: 1) those capable of prolonged survival in the air, 2) those carried by animal vectors, especially Man, and 3) those of marine origin. Diverse ice-free areas available for colonization include: isolated islands with receding ice sheets (e.g., Signy Island), maritime geothermal areas (e.g., Deception Island), and high altitude gcothermal areas on continental volcanoes (e.g., Mt. Erebus). Propagule abundance and diversity are low in Antarctica. Chance affects colonization success because the potential and viability of a propagule must match a favourable habitat for settlement, with adequate time for establishment before conditions become unfavourable. Aerobiological studies of the whole Antarctic region require international co-operation. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic R...

Importance of Pollen Grain Volumes for Calculating Bee Diets

Abstract: Pollen grains harvested by bees differ greatly in volume, thus pollen grains contribute differentially to larval and imaginal nutritional ecology, and ultimately to bee fitness. Simple proportions are inadequate when disentangling the importance of various pollen taxa found on foraging bees, their scopal loads or in their nest provisions. Disparate volumes of pollen grains are an essential feature to be considered in any foraging or dietary study. To document the importance of pollen volume on diet we mixed equal amounts (by weight) of ten morphologically diverse pollen taxa commonly collected by honey bees in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. These taxa were: Cereus giganteus, Ephedra trifurca, Fouquieria splendens, Helianthus annuus, Prosopis juliflora, and Simmondsia chinensis. Additionally, a small grain, Solanum rostratum, and two large grains, Cucurbita foetidissima and Opuntia phaeacantha, rarely harvested by honey bees, were included in the mixture. The mixture was inoculated with calibrated...

Characteristics of the aeropollen dynamics at several localities in Spain

Abstract: In the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands there are several bioclimatic regions which result in many different and fragmentary landscapes. Results obtained from monitoring 18 localities in Spain allow an outline of the aeropollen dynamics of some of these environments. The major pollen types are: I. trees: Pinus, Qvercus, Olea, Cupressaceae, 2. shrubs: Corylus, Pislacia and 3. herbs: Poaccae, Urticaceae, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Plantago and Asteraceae. In some locations Alnus, Artemisia, Buxus, Betula, Castanea, Eucalyptus, Populus, Ulmus, and Ephedra also have to be considered. Quantitatively, pollen from trees predominates over that from herbs and shrubs, although at some localities this trend varies. The first pollen grains found in the weekly atmospheric analyses are from trees (winter). In spring tree pollen grains share the atmosphere with herb pollen. For this reason it is usual to find peak values of pollen content in the atmosphere during this part of the year, while winter and...

Comparisons of moss polster and pollen trap data: a pilot study

Abstract: Modern pollen-vegetation relationships have been explored in recent years through analysis of either pollen trap (= absolute results) or moss polster contents (= relative results). In the past few attempts were made to compare data from these two sources. It was the aim of the present study to achieve this comparison through more exact sampling of moss polsters. A pilot study was carried at Morton Lochs, Fife, Scotland where pollen traps have been sampled continuously for ten years. Moss samples were collected from cushions adjacent to two of the pollen traps during May 1985, 1986 and 1987. Moss polsters were sampled usingan equivalent surface cross-section area to that of the traps. In comparing the pollen results from the two sources some similarities can be identified, but in general there are more inconsistencies. These may be traced to difficulties in the precision of moss sampling, variable rates of moss growth and local deposition factors. It is considered that further study, in which thes...

Aggregation of spores and its effect on aerodynamic behaviour

Abstract: Spores of fungi and actinomycetes are often aggregated, greatly affecting their aerodynamic behaviour with significance for both plant pathology and medicine. However, apart from experimental work with inorganic particles relative to industrial hygiene and lung deposition, the effects of aggregation on aerodynamic behaviour have been little studied. The available information is reviewed and methods are suggested for the study of microbial aggregates.

Identification and concentration of airborne basidiospores

Abstract: Although clinical investigations have shown that basidiospores are allergenic, very little information exists on the airborne concentration or identification of these spores. The atmosphere in Tulsa, Oklahoma has been monitored for the presence of basidiospores using Burkard Volumetric Spore Traps. The concentration of total basidiospores shows that they are a significant component of the Tulsa atmosphere during certain periods. Overall spores of 18 genera have been identified from the atmosphere; the morphology of these spores is described. Field studies have shown that fruiting bodies of all these genera are common within the city. In addition other basidiospores present in the atmosphere include those identifiable only to the family level as well as many morphologically indistinct hyaline basidiospores.

Transect for aerobiological studies from Antarctica to Poland

Abstract: While returning from the 13th Polish Scientific Expedition to Antarctica, one of the authors (M.O.) collected airborne biological samples along the transect from the South Shetland Islands to Gdynia on the Baltic Seacoast of Poland. The journey aboard the Polish ship ORP “Heweliusz”, lasted from 4 March until 13 April 1990. During this period, two samples a day, exposed 12 h each, were collected in Petri dishes. The authors made preliminary identifications of plant and animal fragments in the samples. The most important finding was the presence of propagules of lichens (fragments of thallus, isidia soredia) in all samples. The relatively small number of pollen grains in samples could be accounted for by the season of collection when few pollen grains are airborne.

Annual variations of air-borne pollen in the Coastal Plain of Israel

Abstract: A survey of airborne pollen was conducted during 1984 in the coastal plain of Israel. The flora of that area is continuously changing due to urbanization and agriculture, thus affecting the airborne pollen spectrum. Significant pollen counts were monitored throughout the year, with a seasonal peak during spring. Meteorological parameters, such as wind velocity, wind direction and temperature affected pollen content of the air. Under certain conditions, even pollen of insect-pollinated plant species was found in the air. The most conspicuous among the airborne pollen were olive, cypress and pine trees as well as pollen grains from the Poaceae, Amaranthaccae, Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Urticaccae. Results indicate that most of the airborne pollen grains were of local origin and from cultivated trees. Thus, it is possible to reduce airborne pollen contaminants around human habitations by selection of the proper non-allergenic ornamental plants.

The relationship between the release of ascospores of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, infection and disease in sunflower plots in the United Kingdom

Abstract: In 1988 and 1989 a plot containing 668 sunflower plants (cv. Sunbred 246) was inoculated with similar amounts of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in February or March and disease development was monitored on each plant during the summer. The concentration of airborne ascospores in the plots was measured and was found to correspond to the number of apothecia. In both years ascospore production started early in June and in 1988 reached a peak in mid-July and lasted until the beginning of August. However, in 1989 ascospore production only lasted for about two weeks and airborne concentrations were small. Ascospores were released predominantly during the day, mostly around 1200 BST. Disease symptoms were not observed until July, between 25 and 40 days after ascospores were first found. Disease incidence increased roughly linearly with time until mid-August when the rate of infection declined. In 1988 the number of plants per week with new symptoms was roughly proportional to the average ascospor...

Allergenic components of isolates of cladosporium herbarum

Abstract: Six isolates of Cladosporium herbarum, IMI 49630, IMI 46932, IMI 96220, CBS 121.47, CBS 180.50 and ATCC 38810 were grown on synthetic revised tobacco medium for 28 days. Extracts of the mycelia were prepared and their biochemical and immunological properties were examined. Two isolates, IMI 49632 and CBS 180.50 did not give a significant yield of mycelial mat, and the mycelial extract of ATCC 38810 was only weakly immunoreactive. In IgE immunoblots of sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels, the remaining three extracts showed strongly reactive bands at 14, 17, 25, 35, 41,47 and 97 kDa MW and IMI 96220 had two additional bands at 53 and 71 kDa. These extracts had 8 to 10 bands in isoelectric focusing with pl values between 3.75 to 5.2, the two predominant bands being at 4.5 and 5.2. In crossed — radioimmunoelectrophoresis using human atopic sera, IMI 96220 showed one dominant and three minor allergens; IMI 49630 and CBS 121.47 had one dominant and one minor allergen. In direct ...

Aerobiology and allergenicity of pinus radiata pollen in new zealand

Abstract: An early Pinus season distinct from other airborne pollen grains is a feature of New Zealand pollen aerobiology Its significance to health is uncertain as Pinus is generally considered not a potent allergenic pollen Of proteins released by pollen of Pinus radiata upon hydration however, several IgE-binding species have been detected and incubation of human atopic IgE-rich serum with pollen extracts reduces subsequent IgE binding to ryegrass allergen RAST discs The possibility of partial cross-allergenicity between Pinus and ryegrass is raised In addition to proteins, low molecular weight compounds are also released by pine pollen Amongst these are benzoic acid and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid These substances, released in μg/g pollen quantities, are known to possess pharmacological activity and to adversely affect a low proportion of the population

Airborne pollen and spores on the Arctic island of Jan Mayen

Abstract: A survey of airspora collected on Jan Mayen, an isolated North Atlantic island (71°N, 8°30′W), using a Burkard seven-day volumetric trap from 24th April to 31th August, 1988, revealed only very small concentrations. A total of 10 different pollen types were recorded, constituting a seasonal sum of 29 pollen grains. The local pollen season was confined to July, with Oxyria digna and Salix as the most numerous pollen types recorded. Exotic pollen grains, namely Betula, Pinus and Castanea type, were recorded in three periods during June and July. Studies of back trajectories indicate North America and/or Iceland and Greenland as possible source areas for the Betula pollen. There were more diatoms than pollen in the local airspora. Fungal spores mainly occurred in late July and August. Cladosporium constituted less than 5% of the total seasonal sum of fungal spores, while basidiospores contributed nearly 12%. The highest diurnal average of Cladosporium was 27 spores m−3 air. The seasonal maximum of u...

Atmospheric concentration of pollen grains at human height

Abstract: An atmospheric survey at human height (1.5–1.8 ft) was carried out from February 1988 to January 1990, in four different ecozones of the Delhi metropolis. The samples were collected by using Burkard Personal Volumetric Sampler at weekly intervals. The sampler was operating for 15 min three times a day (07, 14, 20 hrs). Altogether, 84 pollen types were identified. Some of the dominant pollen types recorded were Poaceae (25.1%), Cheno/Amaranthaceae (14.5%) and Ricinus communis (12.3%) followed by Morus, Cannabis, Prosopis, Parthenium and Artemisia. Weekly variations were recorded for the total number of pollen of different types in different months. Two major pollen seasons 1. February — April and 2. August — October were observed, although pollen was recorded throughout the year. Significant variation in total and individual pollen concentration was recorded from different inhabited areas in the same urban locality. Any definite daily pattern in the occurrence of pollen was not recorded. The conce...

Biological health risk associated with resource recovery, sorting of recycle waste and composting

Abstract: Numbers of airborne microorganisms, fungi, Gram-negative bacteria, thermophilic microorganisms, endotoxins and dust have been monitored in resource recovery plants and composting plants. The work is still in progress, so this paper decribes only preliminary results. Only low levels (< 15 ng m−3) of endotoxins were found at all locations. Levels of microorganisms, fungi, Gram-negative bacteria and dust changed with quality of waste, activity in the plant etc. Levels of airborne microorganisms, endotoxins and dust could be considerably decreased in resource recovery plants if only waste of good quality, e.g. presorted materials, is handled. For composting plants the highest levels of airborne microorganisms were found during aeration, especially by indoor composting where levels of 8.3 × 105 CFU of mesophilic microorganisms were found.

The influence of the environment (natural and experimental) on the composition of the exine of allergenic pollen with respect to the deposition of pollutant mineral particles

Abstract: Pollen material of the two anemophilous plants of known allergic significance Dactylis glomerata (Poaceae) and Betula verrucosa (Betulaceae) was collected at several places (in Sweden and France) and exposed to natural or experimental conditions. This material was analyzed with Electron Probe X Microanalysis (EPMA) (System ORTEC 5000) attached to a Scanning Electron Microscope (Jeol JMS 35), or with EDAX, a 10000 X-Ray Analyser, Link System, connected to a SEM-microscope (Jeol JSM 820). It is clear that the environment has an effect on such a co-inductor or adjuvant of allergenicity as K. The possible presence of pollutant inorganic (mineral) particles on the pollen grain surface may play a role in the allergenic activity. Pollen, consequently, may be used as sensitive biological indicators of atmospheric pollution.

Lichen metal contents as correlates of air filter measurements

Abstract: Lichens and air-borne particulates were analysed for Pb, Zn and Cu content at sites for which air quality data and traffic flow were known. Three localities were sampled: SHU, HP and BW, which were 20, 100 and 500 km from New York City. The foliose lichen Parmelia caperata was found at all three localities, and the fruticose Cladina rangiferina at the two rural localities only. Particulates collected on air filters at each locality contained 1.7× as much Pb as Cu and 4–20× as much Pb as Zn. Lichens selectively accumulated Zn at all sites, and Pb at roadside sites, but not at forest sites. Filters had ratios of Pb/Zn twice as high as those in P. caperata, and 10× higher than C. rangiferina. Differences in lichen response to Pb, Cu and Zn suggest that when using lichen metal content to assess ecosystem impacts including effects on human health, adjustments should be made for accumulation rates of metals by the lichens used for biomonitoring.

Correlation between airborne pollen incidence, skin prick tests and serum immunoglobulins in allergic people in cracowm, poland

Abstract: Fifty patients suffering from pollen allergy were observed during the period 1988–1989. At the same airborne pollen content was examined using volumetric and gravimetric sampling methods. The mean daily symptom scores and percentages of patients with symptoms of allergy during the pollen season correlated positively with the airborne pollen content of wild Gramincae and Cerealia (Secale cereale). Skin prick test results and elevated levels of specific serum IgE confirmed the presence of allergy to these taxa in the patients observed. Allergy to tree pollen and herb pollen was confirmed in only 3 cases. Elevated levels of specific serum IgE for Dactylis glomerata, Pltleum pratense, and Secale cereale appeared in 70–80% of patients. Specific serum IgE levels correlated more with skin prick reactions (especially with late phase reactions) than with total serum IgE levels. Airborne pollen concentrations evaluated by volumetric sampling (Burckard trap) ad by a gravimetric method differ in so many deta...