Proteinaceous Matter in PM2.5 in Suburban Guiyang, Southwestern China: Decreased Importance in Long‐Range Transport and Atmospheric Degradation

Abstract

AbstractProteinaceous matter (PrM) is a substantial constituent in bioaerosols. However, the sources and atmospheric processes of PrM remain large uncertainties. The characterizations, sources, and potential atmospheric processes of free amino acids (FAAs) and combined amino acids (CAAs) were investigated via a set of 1‐year fine particle (PM2.5) samples collected in suburban Guiyang (a hilly basin area in Southwest China). The annual average concentrations of FAAs and CAAs were 156.31 ± 41.52 and 315.36 ± 147.66 ng m−3, respectively. The dominant FAA and CAA species were proline, which was different from previous observations with glycine as a major species. The results indicated that the sources or atmospheric processes of aerosol PrM at this study site were different from previous observations in the urban and suburban areas. The analysis of AA‐nitrogen isotope compositions and air mass back trajectories suggested that the abundances of aerosol FAAs and CAAs were highly controlled by primary sources (particularly plants) with less impact from long‐range transport. Furthermore, the contributions of PrM degradation by ozone‐ and hydroxyl radical‐related processes to total FAAs were found to be minor. The overall results suggested that the long‐range transport and atmospheric degradation of PrM were insignificant factors affecting aerosol PrM abundance in this suburban area with the weak atmospheric oxidation capacity, high cloud cover rate, and frequent precipitation. Thus, the findings improve our understanding of the sources and atmospheric processes of aerosol PrM.