Abstract
Atmospheric fine particles $(PM_{2.5})$ were collected at the background sites, Kangwha, Taean, and Kosan and characterized to understand their behaviors at the sites. Daily samples of $PM_{2.5}$ mass were measured and ionic species, carbonaceous species, and gaseous species were analyzed. Four-day backward trajectory analysis was also carried out. The mean concentrations of anthropogenic species were highest at Kangwha among three sites, while contributions from sea salts wree highest at Taean during the measurement period due to higher wind speed at Taean. Major chemical components in fine particles were sulfate, organic carbon, nitrate, and ammoniu. Most of the non-sea-salt (nss) sulfates in $PM_{2.5}$ might be present as ammonium sulfates at these sites. Most air parcels arriving at Kangwha and Taean were from northern China. Therefore, both sites were thought to be affected by the same air parcel. At Kosan, during the measurement period, air parcels were from either northern China or sourthern China. The nss sulfate concentration in the air parcels from southern China was higher, while the nss calcium, nitrate, and ammonium concentrations were higher when the air parcels were from northern China.