近日，中国科大极地环境研究室教授谢周清课题组发现，生物质燃烧影响城市PM10的蛋白质含量，研究成果近日在线发表在英国《大气环境》（Atmospheric Environment）期刊上。
空气中存在许多液态或固态微粒悬浮物，被称为气溶胶，直径在10微米以下的可吸入颗粒物叫PM10。其中，生物气溶胶是当前全球变化和公共健康关注的研究热点之一，其浓度一般用大气中总蛋白质含量来表示。由于汽车尾气能改变一些生物气溶胶的化学结构，使其成为能导致严重过敏反应的过敏原，这被认为是近年来城市中哮喘等过敏性疾病发病率升高的一种可能原因。
谢周清课题组对2008年6月至2009年2月在合肥市采集的PM10进行了总蛋白质以及微量元素和水溶性离子成分的分析研究，发现城区PM10中总蛋白质的含量范围在每立方米2.08～36.71微克，平均值为每立方米11.42微克，明显高于目前世界上3个地区公布的数据——美国北卡罗莱纳州、洛杉矶和人口密度较大的墨西哥城的含量分别为每立方米0～0.2微克、1.0～5.8微克、0～2.54微克。
论文第一作者康辉博士介绍，合肥城区大气中蛋白质含量呈明显的季节变化：夏季最低，每立方米2.08微克；从夏季到秋季含量逐渐增加，11月达到峰值，每立方米36.71微克。PM10中蛋白质的浓度与采样期间的降雨量呈相反的变化趋势，且秋冬季多雾天蛋白质的浓度和大气污染指数都呈现高值。
除气象因素外，PM10中蛋白质浓度的变化与空气污染指数和平均可见度分别呈显著的正相关和反相关关系。通过进一步对2008年9月到2009年1月期间出现高含量蛋白质的原因进行探讨，研究人员发现，PM10总蛋白含量与代表生物质燃烧影响的水溶性钾离子以及代表人为污染影响的硝酸根显著相关。9～11月是合肥地区的农作物收获季节，除动植物和人为排放影响外，生物质燃烧可能是PM10蛋白质含量增大的重要原因。
审稿人认为“这是一项迫切需要的研究工作”，并指出“这份数据独一无二，对评估城市大气污染有重要价值，特别是为理解人体健康的风险评估作出了贡献”。（生物谷Bioon.com）
doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.03.003
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Ambient protein concentration in PM10 in Hefei, central China
Hui Kang, Zhouqing Xie, , Qihou Hu
The total protein associated with bioaerosol particulate matter (PM) is generally measured as an all-inclusive indicator of airborne biological material, which may enhance the effects of allergens, allergic and asthmatic responses. To investigate the level and seasonal variations of biological loading, PM10 were collected in a metropolitan area of Hefei, central China from June 2008 to February 2009 and analyzed for total protein mass, trace elements, and water-soluble ions. The protein concentration in PM10 ranged from 2.08 to 36.71 μg m?3 with an average of 11.42 μg m?3. This was the highest value reported so far in the literature. The total protein was found to have a significant correlation with the air pollution index (API) and mean visibility (VV), indicating the potential influence of anthropogenic sources and/or crustal sources. The protein content displayed an obvious seasonal variation with respect to weather conditions. In the rainy season the level of protein was low, while in the dry season and foggy weather the level of protein was relatively high. A correlation analysis revealed that the relationship between total protein concentration and water-soluble ions K+ and in PM10 during the dry season is 0.92 and 0.66 (P < 0.05), respectively, suggesting that anthropogenic pollution and biomass burning are main contributors during this period.
