The ambient atmosphere is dominated with pollen and spores, which trigger allergic reactions and diseases and impact negatively on human health. A survey of pollen and fungal spores constituents of the atmosphere of Garki, Abuja (North-Central Nigeria) was carried out for 1 year (June 1, 2011–May 31, 2012). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and abundance of pollen and fungal spores in the atmosphere and their relationship with meteorological parameters. Airborne samples were trapped using modified Tauber-like pollen trap, and the recipient solutions were subjected to acetolysis. Results revealed the abundance of fungal spores, pollen, fern spores, algal cysts and diatoms in decreasing order of dominance. The atmosphere was qualitatively and quantitatively dominated by pollen during the period of late rainy/harmattan season than the rainy season. Numerous fungal spores were trapped throughout the sampling periods among which Alternaria spp., Fusarium spp., Cladosporium spp. and Curvularia spp. dominated. These fungi have been implicated in allergic diseases and are dermatophytic, causing diverse skin diseases. Other pathogenic fungi found in the studied aeroflora were Dreschlera spp., Helminthosporium spp., Torula spp., Pithomyces spp., Tetraploa spp., Nigrospora ssp., Spadicoides spp., Puccinia spp. and Erysiphe graminis. Total pollen and fungal spores counts do not show significant correlation with meteorological parameters.

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Aeropalynological studies were conducted in four selected sites at the University of Lagos campus, in the months of February, March, April and May of 2007. One pollen-collecting bucket containing 50 ml glycerol, 10 ml formaldehyde and 5 ml phenol, per site, was placed at each sampling site, namely the Botanical Garden, Lagoon Front, Engineering Department and Computer Center. The mixtures which attracted aerospore from the atmosphere were acetolysed, observed under the microscope and photomicrographs of palynomorphs were taken. The abundance of recovered pollen ranges from 64, in February to 132, in May. Recovered palynological assemblage from chemical engineering sampling point had the highest in February, Lagoon Front location had the highest in March, Computer Centre location had the highest in April and Lagoon Front had highest number of palynomorphs during May. A total of 393 palynomorphs were counted at all, belonging to 22 families. Poaceae were abundant representing 26.33% of the total pollen, Asteraceae represents 12.72%, Mimosaceae (8.89%), Ferns spores (8.64%), Arecaceae (5.85%) and Euphorbiacae (5.34%) among others. The palynomorphs abundance and diversity hits the peak in May which corresponds to the wettest month of the sampled period.

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