Title Skuodo miesto viešųjų želdynų alergeniškumo tyrimas /
Translation of Title The study of the allergenicity of public green spaces in skuodas.
Authors Lukošienė, Daiva
Full Text Download
Pages 66
Abstract [eng] SUMMARY Urban public green spaces provide multiple benefits to society, improving air quality and people's mental well-being. The planning, management, and research of green spaces are crucial for creating healthier, more attractive, and sustainable urban environments. Various environmental factors can cause allergic reactions, among which pollen plays a special role. To make urban green spaces health-friendly, it is important to investigate their allergenic potential. This study aimed to assess the allergenicity of public green spaces in the city of Skuodas, identify the main sources of allergens, and evaluate the influence of meteorological conditions on pollen dispersion. The study was carried out in 2023 between April and September in the public spaces of Skuodas. Air samples were collected using the air sampler "Coriolis µ." The samples were analyzed using a light microscope with a magnification of 400 times. The electronic pollen identification website PalDat - A palynological database - was used to identify the pollen found in the samples. The data obtained during the study were loaded into Microsoft Excel for systematization, processing, and analysis. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using SPSS, version 25. The results of the study showed that birch and pine pollen accounted for the largest proportion of the total pollen collected (62% and 30%, respectively). Significantly lower amounts of pollen from other plants were found, such as mistletoe (~4%), asters (~1.6%), linden (~1%), spruce (~0.7%), alder (~0.4%), poplar (~0.2%), and oak (~0.2%). The highest pollen concentrations were found near the kindergarten, where the average concentration over the study period was around 40 pollen grains/m³. The lowest pollen concentrations were found in the residential area and in the city center (11 and 15 pollen grains/m³, respectively). The study found that pollen concentrations were significantly dependent on the plant species present in the environment (p<0.001). The analysis of the relationship between pollen content and meteorological conditions showed that higher relative humidity was associated with lower airborne pollen content of birch, alder, spruce, poplar, and asters, but higher pollen content of oak and mistletoe (p<0.05). Higher air temperatures resulted in higher pollen counts for linden and mistletoe but lower pollen counts for birch, alder, oak, and poplar (p<0.05). In contrast, higher precipitation was associated with lower pollen counts for birch and pine (p<0.05). This study is important for characterizing the allergenicity of urban green spaces and may be useful for the municipality of Skuodas in the planning and management of green spaces. The results of the study may help to reduce the impact of allergenic pollen on the inhabitants and improve their quality of life.
Dissertation Institution Vilniaus universitetas.
Type Master thesis
Language Lithuanian
Publication date 2024