• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.182-193
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• 2017

In order to examine the variation characteristics of chemical compositions in relation to the inflow pathways of Asian dust, $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ aerosols were collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island during the Asian dust days between 2010 and 2015, and their chemical compositions were analyzed. The mean mass concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ during Asian dust days were $130.0{\pm}90.2$ and $38.2{\pm}24.7{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The composition ratios of major secondary pollutants ($nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$) were high as 53.7 % for $PM_{10-2.5}$ and 90.6 % for $PM_{2.5}$. When the Asian dusts had been transported to the Korean Peninsula via Loess Plateau of central China, the concentrations of $nss-Ca^{2+}$, $NH_4{^+}$, $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$, and $NO_3{^-}$ increased more noticeably. Whereas in case when the inflow pathways of Asian dust had been through the Bohai bay, the concentrations of the crustal species such as Al, Fe, and Ca were relatively high in coarse particles. The atmospheric aerosols were acidified largely by sulfuric and nitric acids. They were neutralized mainly by calcium carbonate in coarse particle mode passed through Manchuria area, but by ammonia in fine particle mode passed through Loess plateau and Bohai bay. Ammonium salts are assumed to exist as ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate in coarse particles, but mostly as ammonium sulfate in fine particles.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.89-102
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• 2013

24-hr $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected from January 19 through February 27, 2009 at an urban site of Gwangju and analyzed to determine the concentrations of organic and elemental carbon(OC and EC), water-soluble OC(WSOC), eight ionic species($Na^+$, $NH^{4+}$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, ${NO_3}^-$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$), and 22 elemental species. Haze phenomena was observed during approximately 29%(10 times) of the whole sampling period(35 days), resulting in highly elevated concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and its chemical components. An Asian dust event was also observed, during which $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was 64.5 ${\mu}g/m^2$. Crustal materials during Asian dust event contributed 26.6% to the $PM_{2.5}$, while lowest contribution(5.1%) was from the haze events. OC/EC and WSOC/OC ratios were found to be higher during haze days than during other sampling days, reflecting an enhanced secondary organic aerosol production under the haze conditions. For an Asian dust event, enhanced concentrations of OC and secondary inorganic components were also found, suggesting the further atmospheric processing of precursor gases during transport of air mass to the sampling site. Correlations among WSOC, EC, ${NO_3}^-$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, and primary and secondary OC fractions, which were predicted from EC tracer method, suggests that the observed WSOC could be formed from similar formation processes as those of secondary organic aerosol, ${NO_3}^-$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$. Results from principal component analysis indicate also that the observed WSOC was strongly associated with formation routes of the secondary organic and inorganic aerosols.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2018

Objectives: In Mongolian housing, they use coal as a fuel for indoor heating and cooking. The combustion of coal releases particulate matter, which can affect indoor air quality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the concentrations of indoor $PM_{2.5}$ in winter time dwellings in ger town. Methods: In this study, indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, temperature and humidity in houses were measured by a real-time PM monitor, while the time activity patterns of the residents were also observed. Results: The correlation between factors that may affect the indoor air quality was analyzed.The indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $178.4{\pm}152.7{\mu}g/m^3$ (n=37). Five types of indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations have been classified, which were associated with indoor activity. The stove type, fuel types and indoor activities such as cleaning, cooking and opening the stoves were not significantly associated with indoor $PM_{2.5}$ levels. Conclusions: Further study is needed to determine the effect of stove type through 24hours of indoor air quality monitoring.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2017

Average concentration of PM in Seoul metropolitan area satisfied the Korean air quality standard in 2010. Furthermore, concentration of PM in all boroughs across Seoul met the air environment standard in 2012. $PM_{10}$ concentration was relatively higher in center of Seoul in comparison to the rest, while $PM_{2.5}$ concentration showed exactly the contrary result. We analyzed the effect that PM emissions from vehicles would have on PM concentrations across Seoul. The results showed that average annual PM concentration recently decreased in Seoul although the number of vehicles registered annually continued its upward trend. By contrast, average fine dust concentrations in Seoul showed a decline which suggested that correlation between annual average PM concentrations and number of registered vehicles remained low. However, year-on-year vehicle registration rate recently showed a declining tendency in the same way as the trend of changes in average PM concentrations. Particularly, the upward trend in annual average PM concentrations in 2002 and 2007 was consistent with the increase in vehicle registration rate, suggesting that vehicle registration rate was closely associated with changes in PM concentrations.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2008

The objective of this study is to provide the research data on the actual concentrations of $PM_{10},\;PM_{2.5},\;PM_1\;and\;CO_2$ in Seoul subway carriages. Mean concentrations of $PM_{10},\;PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_1,\;and\;CO_2$ in subway carriages were investigated at levels of $215.1{\pm}101.4{\mu}g/m^3,\;86.9{\pm}38.6{\mu}g/m^3,\;27.0{\pm}11.4{\mu}g/m^3,\;and\;1,588{\pm}714ppm$, respectively. The mean concentrations in subway carriages were higher when the train ran on an underground track rather than on an above ground track. The measured concentration of particulate matter varied with the time of day and was highest in the morning, followed by noon and evening while the $CO_2$ concentration was highest in the morning, followed by evening and noon. In relation to correlation among the pollutants: the correlation between $PM_{10}\;and\;PM_{2.5}$ was 0.92, and that between $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_1$ was 0.94. The inclusion rate of $PM_{2.5}\;to\;PM_{10}$ was $41{\pm}7%$ and that of $PM_1\;to\;PM_{2.5}\;was\;32{\pm}4%$. In addition, the $CO_2$ concentration had a positive relation with the number of people in a carriage, whereas the concentration of $PM_{10}$ had negative correlation to the number of people. In relation to these two pollutants we calculated using a regression equation (34.06+0.04$CO_2$(ppm)-0.09 PM10$({\mu}g/m^3)$($R^2$=0.30, p<0.01, n=707), that a maximum number of 61 persons would ensure that each pollutant is maintained below the criteria level, applicable to subway stations.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2011

[ $PM_{10}$ ]measurements were made at two coastal sites, i.e., Taean and Gangneung, for summer to examine the characterization of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and inorganic ionic species, and to investigate their difference between the sites. The fractions of three major inorganic water-soluble components ($NO_3^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, and $NH_4^+$) at Taean and Gangneung sites were 30.6% (16.2~62.0%) and 25.6% (13.0~52.5%) of the $PM_{10}$, respectively. $SO_4^{2-}$ is the most dominant species of water-soluble ions at both sites, accounting for up to 20.5% (9.1~44.9%) and 16.3% (5.5~34.2%) of their respective PM10 mass concentrations. Using the paired T-test, $PM_{10}$ (p<0.01), $NO_3^-$ (p<0.05), $SO_4^{2-}$ (p<0.01), $NH_4^+$ (p<0.001), and WSOC (p<0.05) concentrations exhibited strong fluctuations on a daily basis between Taean and Gangneung sites. Relationship between the concentrations of $SO_x$ ($SO_4^{2-}+SO_2$) and CO indicates that the slopes of $SO_x$ /CO were 0.007 and 0.019 in the Taean and Gangneung sites, respectively. The smaller $SO_x$/CO slope in the Taean site could be related to the aged air with wet scavenging of $SO_x$ during transport. The correlation between the concentrations of CO and WSOC suggests that WSOC observed in the Gangneung ($R^2$=0.82) be transported from combustion-related sources, while the WSOC at the Taean site could be formed through atmospheric processing of primary volatile organic species during transport.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives: Personal exposure to air pollution is affected by contact over time and by location. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between personal exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ and the time-activity patterns of the elderly in urban and rural areas. Methods: A total of 44 elderly participants were recruited for a 24-hour $PM_{2.5}$ personal exposure measurement. Twenty-four were from Seoul (urban area) and 20 were from Asan (rural area). Energy expenditure and spatiotemporal positioning were monitored through $PM_{2.5}$ measurement. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between $PM_{2.5}$ and time-activity pattern. Results: Daily average $PM_{2.5}$ personal exposures were $19.1{\pm}9.7{\mu}g/m^3$ in Seoul and $29.1{\pm}16.9{\mu}g/m^3$ in Asan. Although outdoor exposure was higher in Seoul than in Asan, residential indoor exposure was higher in Asan than in Seoul. Higher $PM_{2.5}$ personal exposure in Asan could be explained by longer time in residential indoor environments and higher indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations. Seoul elderly had higher energy expenditure, which may be due to the use of mass transportation. Conclusion: Personal exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ was higher among Asan elderly than Seoul elderly because of high residential indoor concentrations and longer residential time. Lack of energy spent and higher personal exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ might have led to higher risk among the Asan elderly.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.682-692
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• 2008

Fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) were collected and analyzed from November 2005 through August 2007 in Chuncheon, Korea to investigate the characteristics of $PM_{2.5}$ and its ionic constituents. The average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration during the study period was $39{\mu}g/m^3$, which is almost two times higher than the annual US NAAQS $PM_{2.5}$ standard of $15{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were higher in spring and winter than in summer and fall. During spring, Asian Dust events dramatically enhanced $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, and long-range transport of $PM_{2.5}$ emitted in industrial area of China often occurred during winter based on trajectory analysis. Contribution of $PM_{2.5}$ to $PM_{10}$ concentrations ranged from $72{\mu}g/m^3$ during Asian Dust events to $457{\mu}g/m^3$, indicating that a large portion of $PM_{2.5{\sim}10}$ was transported from China during Asian Dust events. Among the major ionic constituents ${SO_4}^{2-}$ showed the highest concentration, followed by ${NH_4}^+$, ${NO_3}^-$ and ${NO_2}^-$. Chuncheon appeared to be ${NH_4}^+$ rich environment, indicating that $(NH_4)_{2}SO_4$ and ${NH_4}{NO_3}$ were the predominant forms of ${NO_3}^-$ and ${SO_4}^2$ in $PM_{2.5}$. Haze has frequently occurred in Chuncheon since So-Yang dam was constructed in 1973. Haze events were observed on 23 days during sampling period, and the average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was approximately 1.6 times higher during haze events than during non-haze events. This result suggests that haze enhances the secondary aerosol formation because the aerosol spontaneously absorbs water to form a saturated salt solution, deriving a significant increase in the mass of the particle.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.251-259
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• 2024

Fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5 with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, poses significant health and economic risks. This study focuses on the Seoul region of South Korea, aiming to analyze PM2.5 data and trends from 2017 to 2022 and develop a mid-term prediction model for PM2.5 concentrations. Utilizing collected and produced air quality and weather data, reanalysis data, and numerical model prediction data, this research proposes an ensemble evaluation method capable of adapting to trend changes. The ensemble method proposed in this study demonstrated superior performance in predicting PM2.5 concentrations, outperforming existing models by an average F1 Score of approximately 42.16% in 2019, 58.92% in 2021, and 34.79% in 2022 for future 3 to 6-day predictions. The model maintains performance under changing environmental conditions, offering stable predictions and presenting a mid-term prediction model that extends beyond the capabilities of existing deep learning-based short-term PM2.5 forecasts.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2016

Particle-phase concentrations were measured at 10, 80, and 200 m from the roadside of a national highway near Seoul in January and May 2008. The highway has two lanes each way, with an average hourly traffic volume of 1,070 vehicles. In January 2008, $PM_{10}$ concentrations decreased from 10 to 80 m but increased at 200 m. Black carbon (BC) decreased only slightly with distance due to the influence of biomass burning and open burning from the surrounding areas. In May 2008, the effect of secondary formation on both $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ was significant due to high temperatures compared with January. Because on-road emissions had little effect on secondary formation for a short time, variations in $PM_{10}$ concentrations became smaller, and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations increased with distance. The effects of fugitive dust on PM concentrations were greater in May than in January when the mean temperature was below freezing. In the composition variations, the amounts of primary ions, organic carbon (OC), and BC were larger in January, while those of secondary ions and others were larger in $PM_{10}$, as well as $PM_{2.5}$ in May.