Atmospheric particulate matter deposition on birch catkins and pollen grains before pollination

Birch is the most allergenic tree species in Northern and Central Europe. Airborne birch pollen concentrations are observed to be on rise for several decades. Health hazard due grains (BPGs) can worsen particulate air pollution. The prevalence of intimate mixture BPGs with atmospheric matter (APM) at single grain level still unraveled. In this study, APM transfer mechanisms catkins prior pollination were investigated an urban-industrial a peri-urban site France. surface was heavily polluted micrometer-sized particles. Conversely, relatively unpolluted average 0.1 particle.BPG−1. Differences chemical composition adhered particles as function sampling sites. contrast, no significant difference found terms between two Comparison number deposited per according whether they harvested from or collected while airborne suggests that pollution occurs preferentially after shedding, either by impaction coagulation other suspended settling dust-contaminated surfaces followed resuspension.