Airborne biogenic particles in the snow of the cities of the Russian Far East as potential allergic compounds.

Kirill S Golokhvast

doi:10.1155/2014/141378

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of airborne biogenic particles (1 mkm–1 mm) found in the snow in several cities of the Russian Far East during 2010–2013. The most common was vegetational terraneous detritus (fragments of tree and grass leaves) followed by animal hair, small insects and their fragments, microorganisms of aeroplankton, and equivocal biological garbage. Specific components were found in samples from locations close to bodies of water such as fragments of algae and mollusc shells and, marine invertebrates (needles of sea urchins and shell debris of arthropods). In most locations across the Far East (Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk, and Ussuriysk), the content of biogenic particles collected in the winter did not exceed 10% of the total particulate matter, with the exception of Birobidzhan and the nature reserve Bastak, where it made up to 20%. Most of all biogenic compounds should be allergic: hair, fragments of tree and grass leaves, insects, and microorganisms.

Highlights

Suspended particulate matter in air as abiotic factor has not been studied until recently
This paper considers a material research of biogenous particles in air suspensions found in snow samples from the urban areas in the Russian Far East to provide information about potential allergic features
The biogenous particles found in the analyzed samples were classified as follows: vegetational terraneous detritus, animal hair, small insects and their fragments, aeroplankton, and equivocal biological garbage

Summary

Introduction

Suspended particulate matter in air as abiotic factor has not been studied until recently. Its formation is a complex and multifaceted process that generally depends on soil erosion, volcanic activity, fire, and global air-mass circulation. In addition to quantifying air pollution (commonly measured by weight), which is occasionally the only criterion, particle size and composition in suspended material are critical for air monitoring. Since the planetesimal occurrence that eventually became the Earth, air suspensions included predominantly materials other than organic (mineral and rock particles) and low-molecular organic compounds drawn by meteorites and asteroids. Over the course of time, or more precisely, since the appearance of life on Earth and accumulation of large biomaterial deposits, air suspensions became enriched with residues of complex polymer organic matter, which was constantly changing, being a dynamic system

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