Recent sediments from the coastal environment of Lagos East, Nigeria, were used to make a palynological reconstruction of the vegetation of the study area and to draw inferences about its palaeoclimate. A total of 8456 palynomorphs were recovered, dominated by pollen grains of Poaceae (13.96%), Cyperaceae (6.23%), Alchornea cordifolia Müll-Arg (8.36%) and Elaeis guineensis Jacq (2.41%). Others were Cyclosorus afer Ching (2.18%), Rhizophora sp. (0.45%), Nephrolepis sp. (1.03%), Celtis sp. (0.25%) and Pteris sp. (0.13%). The composition of the recovered palynomorphs suggests that the past vegetation was predominantly a mosaic of freshwater swamp, with open to dry climate, as indicated by the records of Cyperaceae, Alchornea cordifolia, Elaeis guineensis, Arecaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae and Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae. Radiocarbon dates obtained from two depths (surface and deepest) indicate that the sediments were deposited around the last 103.8 ± 0.4 pMC (percentage Modern Carbon) and 111.9 ± 0.4 pMC, hence in the late Holocene. The study identified fluctuations between wet and dry climatic conditions in the Holocene of this area.
Background: Aeropalynology is a branch of palynology that studies the content of atmospheric pollen grains and spores. The amount, concentration, and distribution of these aerospora are influenced by the seasonal flowering of parent plants and variations in climatic conditions as well as local and regional variabilities. Atmospheric pollen grains and spores are diverse and have been identified as major biological particles that trigger immune cells to release inflammatory chemical mediators, inducing respiratory-linked and allergic conditions, such as polli-nosis, among susceptible individuals. Objective: The burden of these allergic conditions on patients, families, healthcare systems, and governments has risen globally, thereby affecting developing countries, including Nigeria, wherein the financial and infrastructural institutions are not effective enough to mitigate these challenges. Avoidance of allergenic aerospora is an effective mode of addressing pollinosis with its associated conditions. However, there is a need to ascertain the atmospheric quantity, diversity, and pattern of occurrence of allergenic pollen/spores. Results: In this paper, we reviewed published articles on aeropalynology in Nigeria with atten-tion to the design and duration of the study and the used equipment. We further investigated whether identification and quantification of allergy-causing palynomorphs was part of published articles’ foci. Conclusion: The availability of such data/information is crucial for reducing epidemiological uncertainties, enhancing the diagnosis of allergic conditions, and securing a robust set of mitigation strategies and/or effective treatment of these conditions in Nigeria.
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