Elemental characterization of the airborne pollen surface using Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA)

Recent worldwide increase in pollinoses has been attributed to the synergy between pollen and pollutants. We used EPMA for the elemental characterization of the airborne pollen surface in order to find out what occurs to the wall of pollen grains when they are together with other atmospheric pollutants. Analyses were performed both to airborne pollen and to pollen that was collected from Acer spp., Platanus spp. and Pinus spp. trees. Airborne samples were assembled using a Hirst-type volumetric spore sampler set in the coastal city of Porto, Portugal. Airborne pollen samples showed major elemental differences when compared to the control pollen sample of the same species, namely in the amounts of Cl, Na and Mg, which very significantly increased on airborne samples, revealing an important influence of the ocean. Mineral dust also contributed to modify the pollen surface, by increasing Si contents on Acer spp. and Platanus spp. airborne pollen. Our results revealed consistent positive effects of the relative humidity and the precipitation in the increase of Cl, Na and Mg relative amounts on the pollen surface. This study shows that pollen grains have the ability to adsorb and/or absorb other materials, which may contribute to enhance pollen's harmful effects on people's health.