One year of airborne pollen sampling in Mar del Plata (Argentina)

A continuous aeropalynological survey of the atmosphere of Mar del Plata was carried out from December 1992 to November 1993 using a Burkard volumetric spore trap. Ten‐day averages were calculated for 28 relevant taxa, selected on the basis of their relative high concentration in the air. The total annual concentration (Cupressaceae pollen excluded) was 84,445 grains/m3, with 42% of total appearing during September and October. The pollen spectrum largely reflects urban anemopyilous vegetation, which is characterised by naturally occuring herbs and by ornamental shrub and tree species. A qualitative analysis shows two major pollen seasons related to the atmospheric dominance of either arboreal or non arboreal pollen.