Diurnal Variation of Non-Arboreal Pollen in the Air in Finland

Abstract

This study was carried out in Jyväskylä and Turku, in central and southern Finland, with Burkard spore traps. The average diurnal variation of all non-arboreal pollen types found in sufficient quantities is presented. A high concentration of Artemisia pollen lasting 4–8 hours was found mainly in the morning. The highest concentrations of Brassicaceae, Calluna, Cyperaceae and Rosaceae occurred during the daylight hours, often with no definite peaks. The peak occurrence of Chenopodiaceae, Compositae and Plantago pollen was around 12.00 and of Rumex from 06.00 to 10.00. The diurnal variation of Poaceae pollen varies considerably depending on the species flowering at the time. Peaks occurred mostly in the morning or in the afternoon. The high occurrence period for Urtica pollen was during the midday and in the afternoon.

Key Words:

• pollen
• diurnal variation