Kimberley
The clock stopped on day 5 so the results were adjusted. Fungal spore loads were uneven, ranging from very low to low according to weather patterns. Pollen levels were low but included grass and the trees: cypress, pine and white stinkwood. Of the weeds, only daisy pollen was detected.
Gqeberha
The clock stopped on 8 Nov. It has been replaced. Fire covering an extensive area close to the spore trap caused large quantities of particulate matter to obscure the catch but despite the fire, a significant Alternaria level was seen and ascospores increased. Pollen levels were low in a week of fire, rain and gusting wind but included low grasses and tree (pine) and weed (euphorbia) pollen.
Cape Town
The spore trap is without power until a circuit breaker is replaced. The values have been calculated from archived data and current weather patterns. Alternaria is likely to be reaching significant levels during November.
Bloemfontein
Pollen counts were low to moderate and consisted of grasses and the tree pollen: acacia, buddleia, olive, white stinkwood, eucalyptus, bush willow and rhus/searsia. Very low levels of weed pollen included the following: Goosefoot and daisy. Fungal spore levels were low.
Pretoria
Tree pollen levels increased due to a surge in tree counts as mulberry and eucalyptus pollen increased. Oak, acacia, ash, birch, bush willow, pine, rhus/searsia, pine, white stinkwood and yellowwood pollen was also detected in the atmosphere. Weed pollen; goosefoot, daisy, euphorbia and caryophyllaceae, of the carnation family was seen. Mould concentrations were low.
Johannesburg
Low pollen levels were seen during this sampling week. Grass pollen was very low. Tree pollen was low and consisted of birch, bush willow, eucalyptus, pine, yellowwood and oak. Mould levels were consistently low.
Durban
The clock stopped after 5 days but extremely high mean daily mould counts were seen on each recorded day of this sampling week as very high ascospore levels were detected. Significant Cladosporium levels were seen on some days. The daily average mould count was >47 000 spores/cu M. Low pollen levels included grasses and the tree pollen: cypress, mulberry and eucalyptus. In the weed category, only English Plantain was seen.
