• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2020

It is known that different plant species have ability to deposit different amounts of particulate matter (PM) on their leaves and plants can absorb heavy metals in PM through their leaves. Heavy metals in PM can have toxic effect on human body and plants. Therefore, PM on different roadside trees at Chungbuk national University including box tree (Buxus koreana), yew (Taxus cuspidate), royal azalea (Rhododendron yedoense), and retusa fringetree (Chionanthus retusa) was quantified based on particle size (PM_>10 and PM_2.5-10). The metal concentration in PM accumulated on leaves was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. In this study, the mass of PM_>10 deposited on the surface of the tree leaves ranged from 6.11 to 32.7 ㎍/㎠, while the mass of PM_2.5-10 ranged from 0 to 14.8 ㎍/㎠. The royal azaleas with grooves and hair on the leaf surface retained PM particles for longer time, while the yews and box trees with wax on leaf surfaces accumulated more PM. The PM contained elements in crustal material such as Al, Ca, Mg, and Fe and heavy metals including Cu, Pb and Zn. The concentration of elements in crustal material was higher in the coarser size, while heavy metal concentration was relatively higher in the finer size fraction. The Mn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations of leaves and PM_2.5-10 were significantly correlated indicating that PM was taken up through tree leaves.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.445-450
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• 2012

From 2015, PM2.5 standards will be added to Korean national ambient air quality standards. To characterize PM2.5 levels in Cheonan, annual PM2.5 concentrations along with PM10 concentrations were investigated between February 2010 and January 2011 using a dust monitor. The annual PM2.5 concentration was $40.45{\mu}g/m^3$ and over the standards($25{\mu}g/m^3$). The daily average PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 2.43 to $178.84{\mu}g/m^3$, and 26% days exceeded the daily PM2.5 standard($50{\mu}g/m^3$). During the same periods, only 11% days exceeded the daily PM10 standard, showing that PM2.5 were more concerning levels than PM10. Seasonal variations showed the highest concentrations in spring and winter, and lowest concentration in summer due to heavy rain fall. Changes in PM2.5 concentrations during the day were remarkable and showed the highest concentrations in commuting periods. The results indicated that the concentrations of PM2.5 in Cheonan were at the concerning level, and mainly from the mobile sources.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.435-447
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• 2016

Anthropogenic emissions of $PM_{2.5}$ in Chuncheon are considered to be low according to the national emissions inventory; however, the atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations have been reported to be higher than or at least similar to those measured in metropolitan (e.g. Seoul) and/or in industrial cities (e.g. Incheon, Ulsan). In this study, the concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and its ionic and carbonaceous compounds were measured from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2014 in Chuncheon, Korea to identify the characteristics of high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration event. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was $34.6{\mu}g/m^3$, exceeding the annual air quality standard ($25{\mu}g/m^3$). The most abundant compound was organic carbon (OC), comprising 26% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, followed by $SO_4{^{2-}}$. Among 14 high concentration events, three events showed clearly enhanced contributions of OC, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ to $PM_{2.5}$ under the fog events. One event observed in summer showed high concentration of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ while the high wind speeds and the low $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratios were observed for the two high concentration events. These results indicate that the secondary aerosol formation under the fog events and high atmospheric temperature as well as the regional and/or the long-range transport were important on enhancing $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in Chuncheon. Cluster analysis based on back trajectories also suggested the significant impacts of regional transport from China and metropolitan areas of Korea on $PM_{2.5}$ in Chuncheon.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.573-584
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• 2021

To analyze the effects of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 on daily mortality cases, the relations of death counts from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases with PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were applied to the generalized additive model (GAM) in this study. From the coefficients of the GAM model, the excessive mortality risks due to an increase of 10 ㎍/m³ in daily mean PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 for each cause were calculated. The excessive risks of deaths from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases were 0.64%, 1.69%, and 1.16%, respectively, owing to PM₁₀ increase and 0.42%, 2.80%, and 0.91%, respectively, owing to PM_2.5 increase. Our result showed that particulate matter posed a greater risk of death from respiratory diseases and is consistent with the cases in Europe and China. The regional distribution of excessive risk of death is 0.24%-0.81%, 0.34%-2.6%, and 0.62%-1.94% from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively, owing to PM₁₀ increase, and 0.14%-1.02%, 1.07%-3.92%, and 0.22%-1.73% from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively, owing to PM_2.5 increase. Our results represented a different aspect from the regional concentration distributions. Thus, we saw that the concentration distributions of air pollutants differ from the affected areas and identified the need for a policy to reduce damage rather than reduce concentrations.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2013

This study examines the effects on fertilization rate (FR), hatching rate (HR), and normal individual rate after artificial fertilization using frozen thawed sperm according to the cryoprotectant (DMSO) concentration and the period of cryopreserved sperm of longtooth grouper, Epinephelus bruneus. Performing artificial fertilization using frozen-thawed sperm, after freezing the sperm at different DMSO concentration of 5.0%, 7.5%, 10.0% respectively, FR were (DMSO 5.0%: $99.5{\pm}0.8%$, DMSO 7.5%: $99.5{\pm}0.7%$, and DMSO 10.0%: $99.6{\pm}0.6%$). The results are not significantly different from the control fresh sperm (100%). HR also (DMSO 5.0%: $96.2{\pm}2.3%$, DMSO 7.5%: $95.3{\pm}3.6%$, 10.0%: $96.6{\pm}1.8%$) were not significantly different in each group. The normal individual rate after hatching using with control fresh sperm ($98.4%{\pm}0.5$) and DMSO concentration level of 5.0% ($97.8{\pm}0.1%$) were not significantly different. However, with 7.5% ($97.2{\pm}0.6%$) and 10.0% DMSO concentrations ($95.9{\pm}0.2%$) are lower than the normal individual rate after hatching observed in the control and 5.0% DMSO. Performing artificial fertilization using frozen-thawed sperm at different frozen period (2 days, 2 years, and 3 years), 10% DMSO FR and HR of 3 years (FR; $66.8{\pm}1.8%$, HR: $82.0{\pm}12.9%$) and 2 years (FR; $78.5{\pm}14.8%$, HR: $79.3{\pm}0.6%$) cryopreserved sperm were lower than control (FR; 100%, HR: $91.1{\pm}3.6%$) and 2 days cryopreserved sperm (FR; $99.6{\pm}0.6%$, HR: $96.6{\pm}1.8%$). These results suggest suitable DMSO concentration ranges of cryopreservation sperm for E. bruneus is 5 to 10% and with 2 to 3 years cryopreservation period, cryopreservation sperm can be useful for seed production.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2024

Background: Indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in residential houses can be affected by various factors depending on the season. This is because not only do the climate characteristics depend on the season, but the activity patterns of occupants are also different. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare factors affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in apartments and detached houses in Daegu according to seasonal changes. Methods: This study included 20 households in Daegu, South Korea. The study was conducted during the summer (from July 10 to August 10, 2023) and the autumn (from September 11 to October 9, 2023). A sensor-based instrument for PM_2.5 levels was installed in the living room of each residence, and measurements were taken continuously for 24 hours at intervals of one minute during the measurement period. Based on the air quality monitoring system data in Daegu, outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated using ordinary kriging (OK) in Python. In addition, the indoor activities of the occupants were investigated using a time-activity pattern diary. The affecting factors of indoor PM_2.5 concentration were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations of the residences during summer were 15.27±11.09 ㎍/m³ and 11.52±7.56 ㎍/m³, respectively. Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations during autumn were 13.82±9.61 ㎍/m³ and 9.57±5.50 ㎍/m³, respectively. The PM_2.5 concentrations were higher in summer compared to autumn both indoors and outdoors. The primary factor affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentration in summer was occupant activity. On the other hand, during the autumn season, the primary affecting factor was outdoor PM_2.5 concentration. Conclusions: Indoor PM_2.5 concentration in residential houses is affected by occupant activity such as the inflow of outdoor PM_2.5 concentration, cooking, and cleaning, as found in previous studies. However, it was revealed that there were differences depending on the season.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.209-222
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• 2015

Fine and coarse PM had been collected by LVCI (low volume cascade impactor) and HVAS (high volume air sampler) during January 1989 to April 2012 at Kyung Hee University, Global Campus located on the boarder of Yongin and Suwon. The database of PM mass concentration was constructed and then intensively and extensively investigated to understand monthly, seasonal, and annual patterns of each PM behavior. Especially the study separated all the PM data into the 5 Period Zones, which were classified on the basis of social, political, and environmental issues that might be influencing local ambient air quality during the monitoring period. The overall $PM_{10}$ level had been continuously decreased until 2005 and after then was staggering due to rapidly increasing $PM_{2.5}$ level in $PM_{10}$. The annual average of $PM_{2.5}$ concentration varied from $34.3{\mu}g/m^3$ to $59.0{\mu}g/m^3$, which were much higher than the 2015 ambient air quality standard. The $PM_{2.5}$ level was strongly associated with haze events, while both $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ levels were associated with Yellow storm events. Daily concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ were ranged $13.1{\sim}212.9{\mu}g/m^3$ in haze days and $33.6{\sim}124.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in Asian dust days. The study also intensively investigated annual and seasonal patterns of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratios.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.565-575
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• 2005

The characteristics for the aerosol number distribution was studied during spring, 2004 in Incheon. Optical Particle Counter (OPC, HIAC/ROYCO 5230) was used in order to measure the number concentration of aerosol in the range of $0.3\~25{\mu}m.$. The obtained results were compared with $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{10}$ data during Asian dust events. The results show that the size resolved aerosol number concentration from OPC measurement has a similar tendency with $PM_{10}\;and\;PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration. During Asian dust periods, the number concentrations in large particle $(CH5\~CH8)$ increase more than small particles which diameter is less than $2.23{\mu}m(CH5)$ and the same results were shown when $PM_{10}$ was compared with $PM_{2.5}$ data compared with non-dust days, Consequently, this study shows that size resolved aerosol number concentration from OPC measurement can be used as a useful tool in comparison of mass concentration data.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.139-152
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• 2018

The urban model inter-comparison study (UMICS) was conducted in order to improve the performance of air quality models (AQMs) for simulating fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. UMICS consists of three phases: the first phase focusing on elemental carbon (UMICS1), the second phase focusing on sulfate, nitrate and ammonium (UMICS2), and the third phase focusing on organic aerosol (OA) (UMICS 3). In UMICS2/3, all the participating AQMs were the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system (CMAQ) with different configurations, and they similarly overestimated $PM_{2.5}$ nitrate concentration and underestimated $PM_{2.5}$ OA concentration. Various sensitivity analyses on CMAQ configurations, emissions and boundary concentrations, and meteorological fields were conducted in order to seek pathways for improvement of $PM_{2.5}$ simulation. The sensitivity analyses revealed that $PM_{2.5}$ nitrate concentration was highly sensitive to emissions of ammonia ($NH_3$) and dry deposition of nitric acid ($HNO_3$) and $NH_3$, and $PM_{2.5}$ OA concentration was highly sensitive to emissions of condensable organic compounds (COC). It was found that $PM_{2.5}$ simulation was substantially improved by using modified monthly profile of $NH_3$ emissions, larger dry deposition velocities of $HNO_3$ and $NH_3$, and additionally estimated COC emissions. Moreover, variability in $PM_{2.5}$ simulation was estimated from the results of all the sensitivity analyses. The variabilities on CMAQ configurations, chemical inputs (emissions and boundary concentrations), and meteorological fields were 6.1-6.5, 9.7-10.9, and 10.3-12.3%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.6_2
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• pp.1859-1867
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• 2021

This study investigated seasonal characteristics of the particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere and rainwater quality in Busan, South Korea, and evaluated the seasonal effect of PM₁₀ concentration in the atmosphere on the rainwater quality using multivariate statistical analysis. The concentration of PM in the atmosphere and meteorological observations(daily precipitation amount and rainfall intensity) are obtained from automatic weather systems (AWS) by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) from March 2020 to August 2020. Rainwater samples (n = 216, 13 rain events) were continuously collected from the beginning of the precipitation using the rainwater collecting device at Pukyong National University. The samples were analyzed for pH, EC (electrical conductivity), water-soluble cations(Na⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and NH₄⁺), and anions(Cl^-, NO₃^-, and SO₄^2-). The concentration of PM₁₀ in the atmosphere was steadily measured before and after the precipitation with a custom-built PM sensor node. The measured data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis to identify relationships between the concentration of PM₁₀ in the atmosphere and rainwater quality. In spring, the daily average concentration of PM₁₀ (34.11 ㎍/m³) and PM_2.5 (19.23 ㎍/m³) in the atmosphere were relatively high, while the value of daily precipitation amount and rainfall intensity were relatively low. In addition, the concentration of PM₁₀ in the atmosphere showed a significant positive correlation with the concentration of water-soluble ions (r = 0.99) and EC (r = 0.95) and a negative correlation with the pH (r = -0.84) of rainwater samples. In summer, the daily average concentration of PM₁₀ (27.79 ㎍/m³) and PM_2.5 (17.41 ㎍/m³) in the atmosphere were relatively low, and the maximum rainfall intensity was 81.6 mm/h, recording a large amount of rain for a long time. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant correlation between the concentration of PM₁₀ in the atmosphere and rainwater quality in summer.