The objective of this study was to investigate whether δ
C values can be used to identify pollen specie in the atmosphere. A Burkard 7-day recording volumetric spore trap was used to collected pollens in the atmosphere in Tainan City, Taiwan, from January 2 to December 28, 2006, and a light microscope was used to identify the pollen species and concentrations. A Burkard cyclone sampler was used to collect particulate matter and an elemental analyzer with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer was used to analyze the δ
C values. Our data showed that the predominate pollen specie in the atmosphere was Broussonetia papyrifera pollen and that the annual average concentration was 27 grains/m
(pollen season, 36; nonpollen season, 9 grains/m
). The average δ
C value was - 26.19‰ for particulate matter in the atmosphere (pollen season, - 26.00‰; nonpollen season, - 26.28‰). No significant association was observed between δ
C values and Broussonetia papyrifera pollen concentrations. However, the δ
C value in the atmosphere was associated with the levels of Broussonetia papyrifera pollen among the samples with a diameter of particulate matter smaller than 10 μm at a level lower than 40 μg/m
. In addition, the relative contribution of Broussonetia papyrifera pollen to the carbon in the atmosphere using a two end-member mixing models was found to be associated with the Broussonetia papyrifera pollen concentration. In summary, our study suggested that δ
C values can be applied in the assessment of Broussonetia papyrifera pollen specie under specific conditions in the atmosphere.
- Application of a stable carbon isotope for identifying Broussonetia papyrifera pollen
- Chien-Cheng Jung - National Cheng Kung UniversityChuan-Pin Lee - National Cheng Kung UniversityWen-Chi Wang - National Cheng Kung UniversityMing-Chee Wu - National Cheng Kung UniversityHuey-Jen Su - National Cheng Kung University
- Journal article
- 01/09/2019
- Environmental science and pollution research international, Vol.26(26), pp.27353-27361
- English