Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt

TL;DR

This study analyzed airborne pollen in Siirt, southeastern Türkiye, over two years to understand its seasonal patterns and how weather affects pollen levels, aiding allergy risk prediction.

Contribution

This is the first detailed aerobiological study of pollen in Siirt, providing a baseline for allergy forecasting and ecological monitoring in the region.

Findings

Tree pollen (Pinaceae, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae) was most abundant in spring, especially April.

Temperature, humidity, and precipitation significantly influenced pollen concentrations.

Pollen levels dropped to the lowest in December, with Poaceae dominating in summer.

Abstract

Pollen is a fine powder released by plants that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. Understanding how pollen changes throughout the year helps scientists to predict allergy seasons and protect public health. In this study, we collected daily pollen samples from the air in Siirt, a city in southeastern Türkiye, over two years. We recorded how much pollen was present, what types of plants it came from, and how it changed with the weather. Most of the pollen came from trees, like Pinaceae and Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, and it was most common in spring, especially in April. Poaceae pollen also lasted longer and was more common during summer. We found that temperature, rain, and humidity strongly affected how much pollen was in the air. These results show that both plants in the area and changing weather conditions influence pollen levels. This research provides the first detailed look at pollen in Siirt and will help to create local pollen calendars. These calendars are useful for doctors, allergy sufferers, and decision-makers for an understanding of when allergy risks are highest and how to plan for them.

This study investigates the composition, abundance, and seasonal variability of airborne pollen in Siirt, a transitional region between the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical zones in southeastern Türkiye. The main objective was to assess pollen diversity and its relationship with meteorological parameters over a two-year period (2022–2023). Airborne pollen was collected using a Hirst-type volumetric pollen and spore trap; a total of 18,666 pollen grains/m3 belonging to 37 taxa were identified. Of these, 70.67% originated from woody taxa and 29.33% from herbaceous taxa. Peak concentrations occurred in April, with the lowest levels in December. The dominant taxa, all exceeding 1% of the total, were Pinaceae (31.00%); Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (27.79%); Poaceae (18.42%); Moraceae (4.23%); Amaranthaceae (2.42%); Urticaceae (2.13%); Quercus (1.55%); Fabaceae (1.29%); and Rumex (1.02%). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between daily pollen concentrations and meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed. These findings highlight that both climatic conditions and the surrounding vegetation, shaped by regional land cover, play a crucial role in determining pollen dynamics. In conclusion, this study provides the first aerobiological baseline for Siirt and contributes valuable data for allergy-risk forecasting and long-term ecological monitoring in southeastern Türkiye.

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