High Ambrosia pollen concentrations in Poland rather rarely come from the local sources. The aim of this study was to define the temporal and spatial differences of the high Ambrosia pollen concentrations by creating models for the pollen transport from the distant sources. This study was thought to determine the direction of the air masses inflow into Poland, carrying Ambrosia pollen, from areas of the bordering countries with the pollen concentrations higher than iSTOTEN_n Poland. Pollen and meteorological datasets at 8 monitoring sites in Poland, and daily pollen concentrations at 11 sites in the Czech Republic, 5 sites in Slovakia and 3 sites in Ukraine were analysed recently. Days with concentrations >= 10 Pollen/m(3) and concurrent meteorological situations were analysed in great deal. The HYSPLIT model was applied to compute backward trajectories up to 4 days backward (96 h) and at three altitudes: 20, 500 and 1000 m above ground level (a.g.l.). High pollen concentrations occur most frequently when the air masses inflow into Poland from southerly (S, SE, SW, 44%) and easterly (E, 6%) directions and in no advection situations (25%). In years with the highest frequency of days over 10 Pollen/m3, the prevailing directions of the pollen influx into Poland were from the South (2004-2006, 2008, 2011) but in one year (2014) from the East. Trajectories for the studied period show that air masses come most frequently from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Sometimes, the Ambrosia pollen transport happens from Ukraine. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aerobiological monitoring enables the definition of seasonal fungal spore concentrations and also intradiurnal time when the highest concentrations of spores could cause or increase allergy symptoms. These data are useful to estimate symptoms of disease, duration of infection and how advanced the illness is in people suffering from fungal allergens. The aim of the study was to compare the concentrations of fungal spores (Alternaria, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Didymella, Ganoderma) during dry and rainy periods and to analyse their intradiurnal changes. Average daily spore concentrations in dry and rainy periods were compared, using z test, separately for each taxon, season and for a combined 3-year period. Intradiurnal periodicity of fungal spore concentrations was analysed on the basis of three complementary diagrams. These spore concentrations were presented using three curves for all, dry and rainy days in 1997–1999 (April–November). The spore percentage in particular hours was normalized in relation to the daily spore sum accepted as 100%. Two further diagrams enabled the more precise analysis of the highest concentrations in dry days. Daily Botrytis and Cladosporium spore concentrations did not show significant differences between dry and rainy periods. In the case of Didymella and Ganoderma spore concentrations, there were no significant differences between both weather types in the single years, although there was a significant difference when a 3-year period was considered. The differences between daily concentrations of Alternaria spores in dry and rainy periods occurred in 1997 and in a 3-year period. Intradiurnal periodicity of spore concentrations was different for ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ fungal spores. Dry spores are released from the spore-producing parts of the fungus under conditions of decreasing humidity and increasing airflow. Examples of dry spores are those from Alternaria, Cladosporium and Botrytis. Wet spores, such as those from many Ascomycetes (Didymella) and Basidiomycetes (Ganoderma), are released into the atmosphere by processes related to humidity conditions or rain. The highest concentrations of ‘dry’ spores were observed early in the afternoon, while highest values of ‘wet’ spore concentrations occurred in the predawn hours. Statistically non-significant differences between daily spore concentrations in dry and rainy periods of single seasons were found except for Alternaria. Statistically significant differences could occur when the studied period was longer than one season (Alternaria, Didymella, Ganoderma). The highest concentrations of Alternaria, Botrytis and Cladosporium spores were recorded at noon and early in the afternoon. Concentrations of Didymella and Ganoderma spores were highest in the predawn hours.

The aim of the study was to compare phenological observations of pollen seasons of selected early spring trees. Special attention was paid to meteorological conditions which favored or did not favor tree flowering and pollen release. For this reason, we used phenological observation, pollen counts, and meteorological data in five sites in the center of Kraków in the period 2009–2011. Phenological phases (5) of four tree species: Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Corylus avellana, and Betula pendula, were analyzed. It was found that in case of A. glutinosa the pollen season often preceded the flowering period, while for A. incana those two phenomena were more correlated. As regards Corylus avellana, the beginning of the pollen season and phenological phases was simultaneous. However, pollen grains occurred in the air longer, even by a dozen or so days. The phenological phases and pollen seasons of Alnus and Corylus were dependent on meteorological conditions. To give the definition of the relationship between pollen concentration and weather conditions, Spearman rank correlation analysis was applied. High Alnus and Corylus pollen concentrations were found on sunny days with a maximum temperature over 10°C and no precipitation, and when the snow cover was gone. In case of Betula, the phenological phases of the full pollination period usually coincided with the periods of high pollen concentrations. However, Betula pollen sometimes appears earlier and stays in the air longer than the flowering period of local trees in the nearest vicinity. This situation indicates long-distance transport or secondary deposition.

The Asteraceae family is one of the largest families, comprising 67 genera and 264 species in Poland. However, only a few genera, including Artemisia and Ambrosia are potential allergenic sources. The aim of the study was to estimate how often and to what degree Artemisia and Ambrosia pollen seasons co-occur intensifying human health risk, and how synoptic situations influence frequency of days with high pollen concentrations of both taxa. Artemisia and Ambrosia pollen data were collected, using the volumetric method, at 8 sites in Poland. Daily concentrations of Artemisia pollen equal to 30 grains or more and Ambrosia pollen equal to 10 grains or more were accepted as high values. Concentrations of more than 10 pollen grains were defined as high in the case of Ambrosia because its allergenicity is considered higher. High concentrations were confronted with synoptic situations. Analysis was performed on the basis of two calendars on circulation types of atmosphere in Poland (Niedźwiedź, 2006, 2015). Co-occurrence of Artemisia and Ambrosia pollen seasons is being found most often, when Ambrosia pollen season starts in the first half of August. If it happens in the last 10 days of August high pollen concentrations of Artemisia and Ambrosia do not occur at the same days. At three sites (Sosnowiec, Rzeszów, Lublin) high Ambrosia pollen concentrations during the Artemisia pollen season appear more often than in other sites under question. The high Artemisia pollen concentrations occur, when continental or polar maritime old air masses inflow into Poland. The impact of air masses on high Ambrosia pollen concentrations depends on site localizations. It is likely, that in the south-eastern part of Poland high Ambrosia pollen concentrations result from the pollen transport from east-south-south-westerly directions and the local sources. Co-occurrence of both taxa pollen seasons depends on the air masses inflow and appears more often in a south-eastern part of Poland.

Alternaria and Cladosporium spores belong to the most frequent and allergenic particles in bioaerosol in the temperate climate. The investigation of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations was performed in two cities in Poland, Szczecin and Cracow, in 2004-2013. The meteorological parameters taken to assess their impact on fungal spores were average, maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity and average wind velocity. In order to reveal whether changes in dynamics of spore seasons are driven by meteorological conditions, ordination methods were applied. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to explore redundancy among the predictors (meteorological parameters). Prior to ordination analyses, the data were log(x)-transformed. Concentrations of Alternaria and Cladosporium spores were significantly higher in Szczecin comparing to Cracow, but it was also observed the decreasing trend in the spore concentrations in Szczecin. As regards temperature, it was higher in Cracow and was still increasing in the studied years. Relative humidity and wind velocity were significantly lower in Cracow. In Szczecin meteorological conditions did not explain changes in spore season characteristics (insignificant redundancy analysis models), while in Cracow's redundancy analysis models indicated that spore season parameters were in over 40 % determined by meteorological conditions, mainly air temperature and wind velocity. If they increase, the peak value, total number of spores and their average concentrations in a season will also increase.

The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics of pollen seasons of selected tree and shrub taxa among measurement sites in Kraków and its neighbourhood. The study was performed in Kraków and Piotrkowice Małe in 2002, as well as in Kraków and Giebułtów in 2006. During the study the volumetric method was applied and pollen grains were counted along four horizontal lines. The lowest percentage of Corylus pollen and the highest percentage of Betula pollen were found in the analysed sites. The differences among start dates in various measurement sites in a given year were inconsiderable. Statistically signifi cant differences of SPI values for the majority of taxa were found between measurement sites and between seasons for Kraków. The pollen season dynamics showed one (Betula, Pinaceae) or more maximum values (Corylus, Populus, Fraxinus, Salix). The occurrence of many peaks could be explained by the appearance of several species within one genus in the studied area or by various weather conditions. In 2002 maximum pollen concentrations were recorded earlier than in 2006. The differences in these dates could be explained better by cumulative temperature >5℃ than >0℃.

The aim of the study was to estimate the spore counts of Alternaria and Cladosporium using the single longitudinal traverse and twelve transverse traverses methods. Both the single and twelve traverses methods generally showed similar average daily concentration fluctuations of the two studied spore types on the same days, although the single traverse method usually presented higher spore concentrations. However, analysing the distribution of concentrations obtained using both methods, there were days when the single or twelve traverses method showed a rise or fall in concentration which was not reflected by the other method. In case of Cladosporium higher daily concentrations obtained using the twelve traverses method occurred more frequently in the months of the highest spore concentrations. The higher concentrations of Alternaria spores obtained using this method occurred more frequently in the months of the lowest concentrations. Analysis of correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient r) between those variables (number of days with higher concentration and monthly concentration) showed that the correlation was significant for Cladosporium and not significant for Alternaria, for both at the significance level α= 0.05. The results of the Wilcoxon's Paired Sample Test indicated that for both taxa the average daily concentrations obtained using the 1 traverse method were significantly higher than those obtained using the 12 traverses method.

The seasonal concentrations of pollen and spores of selected fungi taxa in the area of the Main Square Market in Cracow, in 2011 were analysed using the volumetric method of sampling in order to compare these concentrations with results obtained in the continuous monitoring. The highest percentages of pollen in total pollen were noted for Urtica, Pinus and Poaceae. The fungal spore concentrations, with dominant contribution of Cladosporium spores, were relatively higher in comparison with pollen grains. The U Mann-Whitney test indicated that the differences between total pollen in both sites were not statistically significant for most of the taxa, on the contrary to fungal spores. The highest total pollen was reached in the second decade of May and the third decade of August in both study sites. The pollen and fungal spore season characteristics indicate similar pollen season duration for most taxa in both study sites, except at Rumex. Herb pollen seasons are clearly longer than tree pollen seasons and show periods of different concentrations. The statistically significant differences in pollen season dynamics were found for Plantago, Rumex and Urtica in both study sites. The period of high Alternaria spore concentrations coincided with high concentrations of Artemisia, however the time of high Cladosporium spore concentrations was related to relatively high concentrations of Poaceae and Urtica pollen.

The aim of the study was to evaluate pollen seasons of selected taxa with particular reference to allergic taxa such as birch (Betula sp.), grasses (Poaceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.) in Cracow in 2003 and 2004 (project number 3 PO5D 034 24 funded by the State Committee for Scientific Research). Pollen concentrations obtained using the stationary Burkard trap and personal Partrap FA 52 were compared. The volumetric method was used in the study. Average daily concentrations (pollen grains × m-3) were obtained by counting pollen grains every hour along 4 longitudinal transects and applying an appropriate conversion factor. Duration of the pollen season was determined using the 95% method. Variations in annual totals of pollen grains (birch and mugwort), in start dates (especially for grasses) and in the season duration (birch and grasses) were found. The comparison of pollen concentrations obtained using the stationary and personal traps at the same place showed non statistically significant correlation for all the studied taxa and statistically significant correlations for birch, mugwort and grasses (Spearman rank correlation). However, the statistically significant differences between the concentrations obtained using Burkard and Partrap carried by patients (Wilcoxon's test) were noted. Very low concentrations of pollen grains measured indoor (work, flats) and the influence of the local plants growing in separate place (courtyard of the Allergology Department) on the pollen concentration were found.

The concentration of airborne Didymella spores has been investigated at two monitoring sites situated along the west–south transect in Poland (Szczecin, Kraków), i.e. from a height of 100 to 219 m, respectively, above sea level. The aerobiological monitoring of fungal spores was performed by means of two Lanzoni volumetric spore traps. The high Didymella spore numbers were observed at both cities in June, July and August. Statistically significant correlations have been found mainly between the Didymella spore concentrations in the air and the minimum air temperature and relative air humidity. The spore count of Didymella is determined by the diversity of local flora and weather conditions, especially by the relative air humidity. The identification of factors that influence and shape spore concentrations may significantly improve the current methods of allergy prevention.

The dynamics of 15 taxa pollen seasons in Kraków, in 1991–2008 was monitored using a Burkard volumetric spore trap of the Hirst design. The highest daily pollen concentrations were achieved in the first half of May, and they were caused mainly by Betula and Pinus pollen. The second period of the high concentrations took place from the middle of July to the end of August (mainly Urtica pollen). Tree pollen seasons were shorter (18–24 days) in comparison with the most herbaceous pollen seasons (73–89 days), except at Artemisia and Ambrosia seasons (30 and 24 days, respectively). The season phases (percentyles) of the spring and late-summer taxa were the most variable in the consecutive years. The highest annual sums were noted for Urtica , Poaceae (herbaceous pollen seasons) and for Betula , Pinus , Alnus (tree pollen seasons), and the highest variability of annual totals was stated for Urtica , Populus , Fraxinus and the lowest for Ambrosia , Corylus , Poaceae. For the plants that pollinate in the middle of the pollen season ( Quercus, Pinus and Rumex ), the date of the season start seems not to be related to the season end, while for late pollen seasons, especially for Ambrosia and Artemisia , the statistically negative correlation between the start and the end season dates was found. Additionally, for the most studied taxa, the increase in annual pollen totals was observed. The presented results could be useful for the allergological practice and general botanical knowledge.

Ambrosia is a highly allergenic, anemophilous genus of the Asteraceae family which is composed of about 40 species. We investigated a 12 year period of Ambrosia pollen occurrence to analyse annual totals, season starts, duration, peak days and the relationship between concentration and some meteorological factors. Analysis was performed on the basis of data collected in Cracow using the volumetric method in 1995–2006. Ambrosia pollen concentration showed seasonal fluctuation but no clear increasing tendency. In consecutive years the number of days with pollen increased, particularly in the category of <10 pollen grains per day. Results of applied log‐linear analysis indicated significant interaction between concentration and maximum temperature, and also significant interaction among independent variables. Ambrosia pollen has highest concentrations during the days with high values of maximum temperature (Tmax). The results of wind direction analysis showed that high pollen concentration occurred when wind blew from east (E) and east southeasterly (ESE) directions, which could have indicated long distance transport. When west (W) and west southwesterly (WSW) wind directions prevailed pollen could have been brought from local sources in the western part of Poland.

Background: Pollen monitoring is helpful in the diagnosis and evaluation of the efficacy of pollen allergy therapy. The aim of this study is to compare pollen and fungal spore counts obtained from stationary and personal traps and to detect their influence on symptom intensity in patients suffering from pollen allergy. Methods/Data base: Measurements of pollen and fungal spore counts took place in Krakow (southern Poland) during 2003 and 2004 using the volumetric method (stationary VPPS 2000, personal Partrap FA52). We investigated whether pollen/spore counts obtained from both samplers exposed to identical and different conditions are the same and whether there is a relationship between pollen/spore counts and allergy symptom intensification. Results: Providing the same conditions, the pollen/spore counts remained the same, regardless of the sampler used. However, the concentrations differed when both samplers (stationary and personal) were placed in varied conditions. These results apply to all studied taxa. A significant relationship between pollen concentrations and allergic symptom intensification in patients was found. This relationship is most clear when personal sampler reading is analyzed and a group of patients represent only those sensitive to only one allergen (r = 0.752; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The personal sampler is a comparable tool in respect to the reference stationary sampler. Personal sampler measurement allows to evaluate the influence of allergenic pollen concentrations in patient's close vicinity on allergic symptom intensity.

The aim of the study was to determine seasonal variation in concentrations of selected fungal spore types due to meteorological parameters. The presence of spores of thirteen taxa: Cladosporium, Torula, Alternaria, Botrytis, Epicoccum, Stemphylium, Ganoderma, Erysiphales, Entomophthora, Drechslera type, Didymella, Polythrincium and Pithomyces was recorded in Cracow using a Burkard trap. The majority of selected taxa belong to the anamorphic fungi group, the others to Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Zygomycetes. Fungal spores were present in the air in large numbers throughout the summer with the highest levels being reached in June, July and August although their highest concentrations differed with time. For most of the studied spore types: Botrytis, Ganoderma, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Torula, Drechslera type, Polythrincium, Stemphylium and Pithomyces the peak period was recorded in August. Didymella and Entomophthora spores reached their highest concentrations in July while concentrations of Erysiphales and Cladosporium spores were highest in June. Multiple regression analysis was performed for two seasonal periods: pre-peak and post-peak. In the pre-peak period concentrations of 10 spore types: Cladosporium, Botrytis, Epicoccum, Stemphylium, Drechslera type, Pithomyces, Didymella, Erysiphales, Ganoderma and Entomophthora were strongest influenced by minimum temperature while Alternaria, Polythrincium and Torula by maximum temperature (significance level of α=0.05). During the post-peak period the most important factor affecting variation in concentrations of Botrytis, Polythrincium, Didymella, Erysiphales, Ganoderma and Entomophthora spores was the minimum temperature. For Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum and Torula the maximum temperature appeared to be the most influential, whereas for Drechslera type, Stemphylium and Pithomyces it was sunshine. All correlations between spore concentration, minimum and maximum temperature and sunshine were significant (significance level of α=0.05), and positive although the percentage of explained variation (R2) was low.