Measurement report: Hydrolyzed amino acids in fine and coarse atmospheric aerosol in Nanchang, China: concentrations, compositions, sources and possible bacterial degradation state

Amino acids (AAs) are relevant for nitrogen cycles, climate change and public health. Their size distribution may help to uncover the source, transformation and fate of protein in the atmosphere. This paper explores the use of compound-specific delta N-15 patterns of hydrolyzed amino acid (HAA), delta N-15 values of total hydrolyzed amino acid (delta N-15(THAA)), degradation index (DI) and the variance within trophic AAs (Sigma(V)) as markers to examine the sources and processing history of different sizes of particle in the atmosphere. Two weeks of daily aerosol samples from five sampling sites in the Nanchang area (Jiangxi Province, China) and samples of main emission sources of AAs in aerosols (biomass burning, soil and plants) were collected (Zhu et al., 2020). Here, we measured the concentrations and delta N-15 values of each HAA in two size-segregated aerosol particles (> 2.5 mu m and PM2.5). Our results showed that the average concentrations of THAA in fine particles was nearly 6 times higher than that in coarse particles (p < 0.01) and composition profiles of fine and coarse particles were quite different from each other. The delta N-15 values of hydrolyzed glycine and THAA in both fine and coarse particles were typically in the range of those from biomass burning, soil and plant sources. Moreover, the average difference in the delta N-15(THAA) value between fine and coarse particles was smaller than 1.5 parts per thousand. These results suggested that the sources of atmospheric HAAs for fine and coarse particles might be similar. Meanwhile, compared to fine particles, significantly lower DI values (p < 0.05), scattered delta N-15 distribution in trophic AA and higher Sigma(V) values (p < 0.05) were observed in coarse particles. But the difference in delta N-15 values of source AA (glycine, serine, phenylalanine and lysine) and THAA between coarse particles and fine particles was relatively small. It is likely that AAs in coarse particles have advanced bacterial degradation states compared to fine particles. Besides that, the significant increase in DI values and a decrease in Sigma(V) values for coarse particles were observed on days on which precipitation fell (p < 0.05). This implies that fresh AAs in coarse particles were likely released following the precipitation.

Automated summary

This study investigated the sources and processing history of different sizes of particles in the atmosphere using compound-specific delta N-15 patterns, delta N-15 values, DI, and Σ(V). Results showed that the average concentrations of THAA in fine particles were significantly higher than that in coarse particles, with composition profiles differing between the two. Additionally, the delta N-15 values of hydrolyzed glycine and THAA in both fine and coarse particles were consistent with those from biomass burning, soil, and plant sources.