The aeropalynology of the 1 Sebkha of Oran, northwest Algeria

Abstract

The airbourne pollen in Oran city and the Sebkha of Oran, northwest Algeria, was investigated. 15 In particular, the seasonal distribution of pollen and pollen marker taxa at the Sebkha of Oran, 16 were studied between 2004 and 2006 using the Cour method. A Cour pollen collecting device 17 was installed at a meteorological station in Es Sénia airport, near Oran city. Non-arboreal (herb) 18 pollen comprising Chenopodiacaeae-Amaranthaceae, Plantago, Poaceae, Urticaceae, Asteraceae, 19 Brassicaceae, Apiaceae and Polygonaceae (Rumex) dominate the assemblages and make up 20 69.5% of the overall total. Arboreal pollen, from shrubs and trees (i.e. Oleaceae, Cupressaceae, 21 Quercus, Pinus, Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Pistacia, Arecaceae and Thymelaeaceae) was recorded 22 in substantially lower proportions (30.2%). Herb pollen is abundant in spring, less so in summer 23 and is markedly sparser during autumn and winter. Arboreal pollen is also produced abundantly 24 during spring. However, winter is significantly richer in pollen from trees and shrubs than 25 throughout the summer and autumn. Most of the main pollen taxa markers at the Sebkha of 26 Oran, i.e. Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Plantago, Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cupressaceae and 27 Urticaceae, exhibit spring pollination.