Summary
All sampling sites in South Africa reflected the effects of the low temperatures, rain, frost and snow and pollen and mould concentrations were minimal.
Cape Town
From a waterlogged Cape Town, low concentrations of pollen and moulds were recovered. Trees detected were elm (Ulmaceae) and karee (Searsia/Rhus). No weeds were observed and grasses and moulds were very low. Small peaks were seen for the rain spore, Pleospora.
Johannesburg
The pollen and mould concentrations were very low indeed. Trees identified were cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Searsia/Rhus). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae), lily (Liliaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were scarce.
Pretoria
Concentrations of pollen and fungal spores were very low. Trees detected were palm (Arecaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Searsia/Rhus) and weeds were knotweed (Persicaria) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae).
Bloemfontein
The cold temperatures, with frost at night reduced all airspora to very low concentrations. Trees detected were bushwillow (Combretaceae), olive (Oleaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Searsia/Rhus). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and sedges.
Kimberley
The pollen strip contained large amounts of debris, including signs of grass burning, nematodes and phytoliths. Frost occurred during the sampling period. Trees detected were bushwillow (Combretaceae), palm (Arecaceae) and karee (Searsia/Rhus). Weeds were heath (Ericaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Signs of grass burning were also evident at this site. Tree, grass and weed/shrub pollen concentrations were low, as were moulds. Trees detected karee (Searsia/Rhus) and no weed pollen was seen.
Gqeberha: Extremely low pollen and fungal spore concentrations were recovered from this sampling site. Trees detected were waxberry (Morella) and weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae). No grasses were observed during this cold and bleak winter period.
Potchefstroom
This site is no longer operating.
George
This site experienced heavy rain during this sampling period and so airspora were removed from the air. Minimal concentrations of pollen and fungal spores were seen with one spike for ascospores. Trees detected were cypress (Cupressaceae) and karee (Searsia/Rhus, while weeds were heath (Ericaceae).
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
