Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan
A quantitative and qualitative survey of airborne pollen was performed in the city of Karachi, and the pollen counts were correlated with different climatic conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the possible effect of meteorological factors on airborne pollen distribution in the atmosphe...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2015-02-01
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| Series: | Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/408 |
| _version_ | 1818127172700733440 |
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| author | Anjum Perveen Muneeba Khan Shaista Zeb Asif Ali Imam |
| author_facet | Anjum Perveen Muneeba Khan Shaista Zeb Asif Ali Imam |
| author_sort | Anjum Perveen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A quantitative and qualitative survey of airborne pollen was performed in the city of Karachi, and the pollen counts were correlated with different climatic conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the possible effect of meteorological factors on airborne pollen distribution in the atmosphere of Karachi city. Pollen sampling was carried out by using Burkard spore Trap for the period of August 2009 to July 2010, and a total of 2,922 pollen grains/m(3) were recorded. In this survey, 22 pollen types were recognized. The highest pollen count was contributed by Poaceae pollen type (1,242 pollen grains/m(3)) followed by Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae (948 pollen grains/m(3)), Cyperus rotundus (195 pollen grains/m(3)) and Prosopis juliflora (169 pollen grains/m(3)). Peak pollen season was in August showing a total of 709 pollen grains/m(3) and lowest pollen count was observed in January-2010. Pearson's chi-square test was performed for the possible correlation of pollen counts and climatic factors. The test revealed significant positive correlation of wind speed with pollen types of Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae; Brassica campestris; Asteraceae; and Thuja orientalis. While the correlation of "average temperature" showed significant positive value with Asteraceae and Tamarix indica pollen types. Negative correlation was observed between humidity/ precipitation and pollen types of Brassica campestris; Daucus carota; Ephedra sp.; and Tamarix indica. In the light of above updated data one could identify various aeroallergens present in the air of Karachi city. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:13:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e44e1e0b38064f2aa88f3474e989422e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1735-1502 1735-5249 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:13:08Z |
| publishDate | 2015-02-01 |
| publisher | Tehran University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology |
| spelling | doaj.art-e44e1e0b38064f2aa88f3474e989422e2022-12-22T01:16:18ZengTehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology1735-15021735-52492015-02-01141373Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, PakistanAnjum Perveen0Muneeba Khan1Shaista Zeb2Asif Ali Imam3Centre for Plant Conservation, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.Centre for Plant Conservation, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Pakistan.A quantitative and qualitative survey of airborne pollen was performed in the city of Karachi, and the pollen counts were correlated with different climatic conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the possible effect of meteorological factors on airborne pollen distribution in the atmosphere of Karachi city. Pollen sampling was carried out by using Burkard spore Trap for the period of August 2009 to July 2010, and a total of 2,922 pollen grains/m(3) were recorded. In this survey, 22 pollen types were recognized. The highest pollen count was contributed by Poaceae pollen type (1,242 pollen grains/m(3)) followed by Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae (948 pollen grains/m(3)), Cyperus rotundus (195 pollen grains/m(3)) and Prosopis juliflora (169 pollen grains/m(3)). Peak pollen season was in August showing a total of 709 pollen grains/m(3) and lowest pollen count was observed in January-2010. Pearson's chi-square test was performed for the possible correlation of pollen counts and climatic factors. The test revealed significant positive correlation of wind speed with pollen types of Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae; Brassica campestris; Asteraceae; and Thuja orientalis. While the correlation of "average temperature" showed significant positive value with Asteraceae and Tamarix indica pollen types. Negative correlation was observed between humidity/ precipitation and pollen types of Brassica campestris; Daucus carota; Ephedra sp.; and Tamarix indica. In the light of above updated data one could identify various aeroallergens present in the air of Karachi city.https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/408AirborneAllergic rhinitisConditionsKarachiPollen |
| spellingShingle | Anjum Perveen Muneeba Khan Shaista Zeb Asif Ali Imam Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Airborne Allergic rhinitis Conditions Karachi Pollen |
| title | Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan |
| title_full | Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan |
| title_short | Impact and Correlation of Environmental Conditions on Pollen Counts in Karachi, Pakistan |
| title_sort | impact and correlation of environmental conditions on pollen counts in karachi pakistan |
| topic | Airborne Allergic rhinitis Conditions Karachi Pollen |
| url | https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/408 |
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