• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2019

The public's concern on ambient $PM_{2.5}$ has been increasing in Korea. We have estimated (1) the annual and monthly mean $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, (2) the frequency by the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration interval, and (3) the high concentration occurrence duration time between 2015 and 2018 at 16 administration regions. We found that there have been differences in all three above parameters' trends among the studied 16 regions in Korea. Still, Jeonbuk showed the highest rank in all three parameters' trends. In Jeonbuk, the average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the sum of the frequency fraction when the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration being over $75{\mu}g/m^3$ between 2016 and 2018 was $28.4{\mu}g/m^3$ and 9.0%, respectively. And the days when the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration is over $50{\mu}g/m^3$ between 2015 and 2018 were 149. Chungbuk was the only region with the increasing trend of $PM_{2.5}$ concentration between 2016 and 2018. And in Seoul and Gyeonggi, the average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations decreased whereas the high concentration frequency fraction increased between 2016 and 2018. Also, it is found that there have been differences in the trends of the frequency by the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration interval and the high concentration occurrence duration time between $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.327-340
• /
• 2007

The $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ aerosols were collected at Busan from March to May, 2005, and the concentrations of some metallic elements were analysed to study their characteristics. The mean concentration of $PM_{10}$ was $66.5{\pm}23.0{\mu}g/m^3$ with a range of 22.2 to $118.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The mean concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was $46.1{\pm}17.2{\mu}g/m^3$ with a range of 9.7 to $83.3{\mu}g/m^3$. The ratio of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ was 0.69 at Busan. The distribution of metallic elements for $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were Cd${\ldots}$ ${\ldots}$ $PM_{10}$ were $94.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $63.7{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. And The mean mass concentrations of Asian dust and non Asian dust in $PM_{2.5}$ were $56.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $45.1{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The mean values of crustal enrichment factors for five elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, V and Zn) were all higher than 10, possibly suggesting the influence of anthropogenic sources. The soil contribution ratios for $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were 20.5% and 19.4, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.875-882
• /
• 2015

In 2013, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans, with the particulate matter component of air pollution most closely associated with sufficient evidence of increased cancer incidence by exposure to particulate matter component of air pollution. Motor vehicles are one of a major emission sources of fine particle ($PM_{2.5}$) in urban areas. A large number of epidemiological studies have reported a positive association of morbidity or mortality with distance from the roadside. We conducted this study to assess the association of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations measured at roadside hotspots with those at adjacent residential sites using real-time $PM_{2.5}$ monitors. We conducted real-time $PM_{2.5}$ measurements for rush hour periods (08:00~10:00 and 18:00~20:00) at 9 roadside air monitoring Hotspot sites in metropolitan Seoul over 3 weeks from October 1 to 21, 2013. Simultaneous measurements were conducted in residential sites within a 100 m radius from each roadside air monitoring site. A SidePak AM510 was used for the real-time $PM_{2.5}$ measurements. Medians of roadside $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations ranged from $9.8{\mu}g/m^3$ to $38.3{\mu}g/m^3$, while corresponding median values at adjacent residential sites ranged from $4.4{\mu}g/m^3$ to $37.3{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations of residential sites were 0.97 times of hotspot roadside sites. Distributions of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in roadside and residential areas were also very similar. Real-time $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations at residential sites, (100 m adjacent), showed similar levels to those at roadside sites. Increasing the distance between roadside and residential sites, if needed, should be considered to protect urban resident populations from $PM_{2.5}$ emitted by traffic related sources.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.657-664
• /
• 2021

In this study, we investigated the relationships between the air quality (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃) concentrations and local geographical characteristics (terrain heights, building area ratios, population density in 9 km × 9 km gridded subareas) in the Seoul metropolitan area. To analyze the terrain heights and building area ratios, we used the geographic information system data provided by the NGII (National Geographic Information Institute). Also, we used the administrative districts and population provided by KOSIS (Korean Statistical Information Service) to estimate population densities. We analyzed the PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and O₃ concentrations measured at the 146 AQMSs (air quality monitoring system) within the Seoul metropolitan area. The analysis period is from January 2010 to December 2020, and the monthly concentrations were calculated by averaging the hourly concentrations. The terrain is high in the northern and eastern parts of Gyeonggi-do and low near the west coastline. The distributions of building area ratios and population densities were similar to each other. During the analysis period, the monthly PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations at 146 AQMSs were high from January to March. The O₃ concentrations were high from April to June. The population densities were negatively correlated with PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and O₃ concentrations (weakly with PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ but strongly with O₃). On the other hand, the AQMS heights showed no significant correlation with the pollutant concentrations, implying that further studies on the relationship between terrain heights and pollutant concentrations should be accompanied.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The changes in atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were extensively studied in one metropolitan city (Incheon), two small and medium sized cities (Gunsan, Cheonan), and a rural area (Gosan in Jeju). The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Pb) and the component features of $PM_{2.5}$ were determined for these areas. Methods: This study sampled $PM_{2.5}$ at the designated locations in the metropolitan (Incheon), small and medium sized cities (Gunsan in Jeonbuk and Cheonan in Chungnam), and rural area (Gosan in Jeju) to investigate concentrations with a sampling device (Sequential sampler, APM Eng., Korea). Sampling was undertaken over months, from June 26 to November 26, 2009. Sampling was conducted a total of 44 times, with routine sampling at intervals of six days (24 total times) and intensive sampling (20 total times) during the summer and fall. Mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was evaluated and the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Pb) were analyzed. Results: The geometric average of concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ per district was $35.289{\mu}g/m^3$ for Cheonan, $29.955{\mu}g/m^3$ for Incheon, $24.119{\mu}g/m^3$ for Gunsan, and $18.773{\mu}g/m^3$ for Jeju, respectively. The average concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ in Cheonan was the highest. The seasonal concentration distributions per district showed Cheonan $33.387{\mu}g/m^3$, Incheon at $31.550{\mu}g/m^3$, Gunsan $22.900{\mu}g/m^3$, and Jeju $18.900{\mu}g/m^3$ in the summer. For the autumn, the concentrations were $36.873{\mu}g/m^3$ in Cheonan, $28.625{\mu}g/m^3$ in Incheon, $25.227{\mu}g/m^3$ in Gunsan, and $18.667{\mu}g/m^3$ in Jeju. According to the collected data, the concentration showed a tendency to rise during the autumn in all of these regions with the exception of Incheon. For heavy metal distribution per district, Fe showed an elevated concentration during the summer while high concentrations of Pb and Zn occurred during the autumn. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that atmospheric factors affected the concentrations of heavy metals. The results of this study could be used as foundational data for setting environmental air standards focusing on a $PM_{2.5}$ receptor.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.777-784
• /
• 2015

This study investigates weekday/weekend characteristics of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and metallic elements in Busan in the springtime of 2013. $PM_{10}$ concentration on weekday/weekend were 77.54 and $67.28{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. And $PM_{2.5}$ concentration on weekday/weekend were 57.81 and $43.83{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Also, $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ concentration ratio on weekdays/weekend was 0.75 and 0.65, respectively. The contribution rates of Na to total metallic elements in $PM_{10}$ on weekday/weekend were 38.3% and 38.9%, respectively. It would be useful in control effectively with management of urban fine particle to understand characteristics of fine particle concentration on weekday/weekend.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2008

For estimating the ovulation time in Miniature Schnauzer dogs during the estrous cycle, radioimmunoassay of plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone concentrations was conducted on blood samples in 21 pregnant and 13 non pregnant dogs. When Day 0 was that plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml, on Day 64, parturition day, progesterone declined below 1.0 ng/ml with $0.92\;{\pm}\;0.29\;ng/ml$ and when Day 0 was that plasma progesterone concentrations declined below 1.0 ng/ml, on Day -64, progesterone increased above 4.0 ng/ml with $4.56\;{\pm}\;0.87\;ng/ml$. Gestational length was $63.71\;{\pm}\;1.35$ (Mean${\pm}$S.D.) days from plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml and was $66.29\;{\pm}\;1.98$ days from first male acceptance. The plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations reached maximum value with $28.20\;{\pm}\;2.86\;pg/ml$ on Day .2, and plasma progesterone concentrations reached $5.90\;{\pm}\;0.36 ng/ml, 5.18\;{\pm}\;0.32 ng/ml on Day 0, and the maximum of 61.58\;{\pm}\;10.47 ng/ml on Day 19 and 56.05\;{\pm}\;8.86\;ng/ml$ on Day 16 in pregnant and non pregnant dogs, respectively. Afterward, plasma progesterone concentrations declined below 1.0 ng/ml on Day 64 with $0.92\;{\pm}\;0.29\;ng/ml$ in pregnant cycles and on Day 58 with $0.95\;{\pm}\;0.63\;ng/ml$ in non pregnant dogs. No difference were found pregnant and non pregnant dogs in plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone concentrations (p<0.01). Based on first male acceptance (Day 0), the maximum of plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations ($29.31\;{\pm}\;3.61\;pg/ml$) occurred on Day -1 and plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml on Day 2 in pregnant ($5.37\;{\pm}\;0.76\;ng/ml$) and non pregnant ($4.25\;{\pm}\;0.80\;ng/ml$) dogs. These results suggest that in Miniature Schnauzers, the ovulation occurred when plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml, 3 days after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ peak and 2 days after first male acceptance.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.595-605
• /
• 2012

Fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) were collected and analyzed from April 2010 through January 2011 in Chungju to investigate the characteristics of $PM_{2.5}$ and its ionic species. The annual mean concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ in the particulate phase were 40.84, 7.61, 7.14 and $3.74{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were higher in fall and spring than in winter and summer. The elevated concentrations episodes are the main factor that enhanced the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in the fall. Among the major ionic species ${SO_4}^{2-}$ showed the highest concentration, followed by $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3^-$ exhibited higher concentrations during the winter, but ${SO_4}^{2-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ were not showed seasonal variation. The high correlations were found among $PM_{2.5}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ during all seasons except for spring. The evaluation of backward trajectories and meteorological records show that the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration levels occurred during W-NW weather conditions, which influenced by the emission sources of China area. The low pollution levels generally occurred during E-S weather conditions, which influenced by the East Sea and south of the Yellow Sea. The elevated $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentrations arouse the concentration of $NO_3{^-}$, but no effects on ${SO_4}^{2-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2017

In order to characterize atmospheric aerosols in Chungcheong area, black carbon concentration, which is known to be closely related to global warming, was measured and compared with $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations and various meteorological parameters such as wind velocity and wind direction. Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP), a filter-based equipment, was used for the black carbon measurement, and the $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, wind velocity and wind direction were provided by the local monitoring stations. Black carbon concentration was monitored to be high in spring and winter but low in fall. $PM_{10}$ concentration was observed to be high when westerly wind was strong.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.743-753
• /
• 2014

The number concentrations and the water soluble ionic concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ have measured at Gosan site in Jeju, Korea, from March 2010 to December 2010, to clarify their characteristics. $PM_{2.5}$ number concentrations vary from 22.57 to $975.65particles/cm^3$ with an average value of $240.41particles/cm^3$, which have been recorded evidently high in spring season as compared with those in other season. And the concentrations in small size ranges are greatly higher than those in large size ranges, so the number concentration in the size range $0.25{\sim}0.45{\mu}m$ has more than 94% of the total number concentration of $PM_{2.5}$. The major ionic components in $PM_{2.5}$ are $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NH_4{^+}$ and $NO_3{^-}$, which are mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, on the other hand, the concentrations of $Cl^-$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ are recorded relatively lower levels. The concentrations of the major ionic components are very high in spring season, but the concentration levels of the other components are recorded significantly high in winter season. On the other hand, in summer season, the lowest concentration levels are observed for overall components as well as the sum of them. The concentration ratios of nss-$SO{_4}^{2-}/SO{_4}^{2-}$ and nss-$Ca^{2+}/Ca^{2+}$ are 98.1% and 88.9%. And the concentration ratio of $SO{_4}^{2-}/NO_3{^-}$(3.64) is greatly higher than the value in urban area due to no large $NO_x$ emission sources in the measurement. In addition, the correlation and the factor analysis for the number and the ionic concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ are performed to identify their sources. From the Pearson correlation analysis and the factor analysis, it can be suggested that the smaller parts(< $0.5{\mu}m$) of $PM_{2.5}$ is contributed by anthropogenic sources, but the sources of the remaining larger parts of $PM_{2.5}$ are not able to be specified sources in this study.