Towards a methodology of forensic palynology: an investigation into pollen deposition in surface soil and on clothes in urban green spaces

• Project/Area Number: 15K12476
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Social systems engineering/Safety system
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: MIYAKE NAO 高知大学, 教育研究部自然科学系理学部門, 准教授 (60294823)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2017)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000)
• Keywords: 空中花粉 / 花粉堆積様式 / 花粉付着様式 / 都市緑地 / 土壌表層花粉 / 法花粉学（的検査） / 空中飛来花粉 / 花粉堆積モデル / 表層花粉

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pollen deposition in surface soil and on clothes was investigated in urban green spaces, Kochi City, Shikoku, southwestern Japan. Pollen deposition patterns in surface soil can be explained by planted tree and herb coverage, soil pH, and silt content in urban green spaces, though extralocal tree pollen types coming from hilly areas usually became dominant. Airborne pollen types on clothes changed seasonally, showing sharp peaks in abundance during their flowering periods, but were also relatively abundant after the periods. Pollen types through direct contact with planted trees were on clothes in clumps. The abundance for each pollen type was influenced by their flower structure and pollen morphology. They could not be completely removed through brushing off and exposing to the rain. This study provides information for establishing a methodology to interpret forensic palynological data in urban areas.

Research Products

• [Presentation] 高知大学朝倉キャンパスにおける土壌表層花粉の堆積様式 (2017)
  • Author(s): 逢坂梨加子・三宅 尚
  • Organizer: 法科学技術学会第23回学術集会
• [Presentation] 高知大学朝倉キャンパスにおける布地試料に付着した空中花粉の季節変化 (2016)
  • Author(s): 三宅 尚・木織朱音・原田 稜
  • Organizer: 日本法科学技術学会第22回学術集会
  • Place of Presentation: 中野サンプラザ（東京都・中野区）
  • Year and Date: 2016-11-10
• [Presentation] 高知市高知公園における表層花粉の堆積様式 (2016)
  • Author(s): 三宅 尚・濱井俊輔
  • Organizer: 日本花粉学会第57回大会
  • Place of Presentation: 日立シビックセンター（茨城県・日立市）
  • Year and Date: 2016-09-30
• [Presentation] 花粉と花粉学 (2016)
  • Author(s): 三宅 尚
  • Organizer: 微細天然物研究会（日本法科学技術学会）
  • Place of Presentation: 中野サンプラザ（東京都・中野区）
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 布地試料に付着させた花粉の残存様式に関する法花粉学的研究：サツキ（ツツジ科）の例 (2015)
  • Author(s): 三宅 尚・藤田雄大
  • Organizer: 日本法科学技術学会第21回学術集会
  • Place of Presentation: 柏の葉カンファレンスセンター（千葉県・柏市）
  • Year and Date: 2015-11-12