Methods for collecting spore and pollen samples from city pavements and the palynomorph distribution in urban areas. Issue 3 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phuphumirat, Wongkot; Iadprapan, Natnaree; Mildenhall, Dallas C.
• Is Part Of: Grana. Volume 60:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: forensic palynology -- palynomorph concentrations -- pollen spectra -- pollen collection techniques -- taphonomy; Palynology -- Periodicals; 571.8452
• DOI: 10.1080/00173134.2020.1791246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-3134

Abstract

Abstract: To test the validity and reliability of methods for collecting palynological samples from paved surfaces common in urban areas, palynomorphs at three concentration levels were collected from four pavement types using seven different methods. Results showed that more spores and pollen could be recovered from smooth surfaces than from other surface types, while sterile water˗soaked cotton swabs tended to yield comparable results from almost all experiments. However, where spores and pollen occurred in high concentrations, nearly all tools produced similar palynological profiles. The forensic potentiality of palynomorphs distributed over 17 different urban locations was also investigated. A total of 99 palynomorph taxa were recovered. Each sampling site contained different palynomorph assemblages due to a vast number of taphonomic variables. These localised variations strongly support the forensic use of spores and pollen found in cities.