In this study, neural network models (NNMs) were examined as alternatives to dispersion models in predicting the short-term $SO_2$ concentrations in a coastal area because the performances of dispersion models in coastal areas have been found to be unsatisfactory. The NNMs were constructed for various combinations of averaging time and prediction time in advance by using the historical data of meteorological parameters and $SO_2$ concentrations in 2002 in the coastal area of Boryeung, Korea. The NNMs were able to make much more accurate predictions of 1 hr $SO_2$ concentrations at ground level in the morning in coastal area than the atmospheric dispersion models such as fumigation models, ADMS3 and ISCST3 for identical conditions of atmospheric stability, area, and weather. Even when predictions of 24-h $SO_2$ concentrations were made 24 hours in advance, the predictions and measurements were in good accordance(correlation coefficient=0.65 for n=216). This accordance level could be improved by appropriate expansion of training parameters. Thus it may be concluded that the NNMs can be successfully used to predict short-term ground level concentrations averaged over time less than 24 hours even in complex terrain. The prediction performance of ANN models tends to improve as the prediction lagging time approaches the concentration averaging time, but to become worse as the lagging time departs from the averaging time.

We have examined seasonal and annual means of clear-sky solar noon and daily erythemal ultraviolet-B irradiances measured in Anmyeon. The intensity of the EUV-B irradiance is mainly dependent on solar zenith angle (SZA) and total ozone amounts on clear day conditions. The daily maximum occurs near solar noon time and the highest monthly accumulated EUV-B is seen in July in Anmyeon. The maximum daily variation occurs in June and July due to precipitation and clouds. The 7-year trend of EUV-B irradiance shows that it is slightly increasing. Additionally, we could confirm that aerosol effects such as Asian Dust decreases the EUV-B irradiance reaching the ground surface by 35% to 60%. For more than 45% of the summer days, EUV-B irradiacne was high enough that the UV index registered higher than category Extremely High. This information will be very important for evaluation of the UV index for prevention of both skin cancer and ecosystem damages as well as to understand UV climatology over the Korean Peninsula.

This work investigated the methodology to simultaneously optimize the ozone and relative humidity composition for the $NO_x$ degradation using soil biofilter. Experiments were made as a function of inlet ozone concentration ($0{\sim}1,770\;ppb$) and relative humidity ($38{\sim}81%$). Factorial design ($2^2+3$) and response surface methodology by central composite designs were used to examine the role of two factors and optimal response condition on $NO_x$ degradation. It was found that a second-order response surface model can properly interpret the experimental data with an $R^2$-value of 0.9730 and F-value of 71.83, based on which the maximum $NO_x$ degradation was predicted up to 92.8% within our experimental conditions.

The objective of this study is to evaluate and improve the capability of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in simulating fog and visibility in local airports over Korea. The WRF model system is statistically evaluated for the 48-fog cases over Korea from 2003 to 2006. Based on the 4-yr evaluations, attempts are made to improve the simulation skill of fog and visibility over Korea by revising the statistical coefficients in the visibility algorithms of the WRF model. A comparison of four existing visibility algorithms in the WRF model shows that uncertainties in the visibility algorithms include additional degree of freedom in accuracy of numerical fog forecasts over Korea. A revised statistical algorithm using a linear-regression between the observed visibility and simulated hydrometeors and humidity near the surface exhibits overall improvement in the visibility forecasts.