• Title/Summary/Keyword: Ambient air quality

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Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Particulate Matter Using AOD Data from MODIS and Surface Measurements in the Ambient Air of Colombia

  • Luna, Marco Andres Guevara;Luna, Fredy Alejandro Guevara;Espinosa, Juan Felipe Mendez;Ceron, Luis Carlos Belalcazar
    • Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.165-177
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    • 2018
  • Particulate matter (PM) measurements are important in air quality, public health, epidemiological studies and decision making for short and long-term policies implementation. However, only few cities in the word have advance air quality-monitoring networks able to provide reliable information of PM leaves in the ambient air, trends and extent of the pollution. In Colombia, only major cities measure PM concentrations. Available measurements from Bogota, Medellin and Bucaramanga show that PM concentration are well above World Health Organization guidelines, but up to now levels and trends of PM in other cities and regions of the country are not well known. Satellite measurements serve as an alternative approach to study air quality in regions were surface measurements are not available. The aim of this study is to perform a spatial and temporal assessment of PM in the ambient air of Colombia. We used Aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieved by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite of NASA and surface measurements from the air quality networks of Bogota, Medellin and Bucaramanga. In a first step, we estimated the correlation between MODIS-AOD and monthly average surface measurements (2000 to 2015) from these three cities, obtaining correlation coefficient R values over 0.4 for the cities under study. After, we used AOD and $PM_{10}$ measurements to study the temporal evolution of PM in different cities and regions. Finally, we used AOD measurements to identify cities and regions with the highest AOD levels in Colombia. All the methods presented in this paper may serve as an example for other countries or regions to identify and prioritize locations that require the implementation of more accurate air quality measurements.

Study of the Air Quality Mapping Using GIS (GIS를 활용한 대기오염분포도 작성에 관한 연구)

  • 최병길;라영우
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry, and Cartography Conference
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    • 2003.04a
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    • pp.415-420
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    • 2003
  • GIS technique was applied to the analysis of ambient air quality information. For this study, the air quality information was imported with the geographical information in Capital Area. This study well proves that GIS technique has a great deal of potential to analyze those air quality information, to produce useful information, and to ease the efforts for air quality improvement. Concerning about the data interpolation, the discrepancy caused by applying different method was ignorable, although Kriging method is further developed.

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Chemical Characteristics of Ambient Aerosol during Asian Dusts and High PM Episodes at Seoul Intensive Monitoring Site in 2009 (2009년 서울지역 황사 및 고농도 미세먼지 사례 시 미세먼지의 화학성분 특성)

  • Park, Seung-Myung;Moon, Kwang-Joo;Park, Jong-Sung;Kim, Hyun-Jae;Ahn, Jun-Yong;Kim, Jeong-Soo
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.282-293
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    • 2012
  • This study aimed to show the chemical characteristics of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ during Asian dust (AD) events and high PM episodes observed in Seoul. Time-resolved chemical composition of $PM_{10}$ or $PM_{2.5}$ was monitored in 1 hour interval using ambient ion monitor, semi-continuous carbon monitor, and on-line XRF spectrometer at Seoul intensive monitoring site in 2009. Considering that AD events were classified into three different cases according to the source area and pathway, the concentrations of ammonium-sulfate and trace metal components were relatively high when the AD were occurred in Gobi and inner-mongolia and transported across the Bohai bay. In addition, the influence of alkaline dust, which carried from saline land located in the northeastern China, was observed when the AD was originated from Gobi, inner-mongolia, and Manchuria. Except AD events, the high PM episodes observed in Seoul were impacted by various anthropogenic sources such as biomass burning, motor vehicle, oil combustion and road dust.

Investigation on the Validation for Designating Air Quality Control Region among Provincial Cities by the Data Measured with Air Quality Monitoring Network (대기오염 측정 자료에 의한 지방도시의 대기환경규제지역 설정에 관한 타당성 검토)

  • Yu, Mee-Seon;Yang, Sung-Bong;Woo, Kyung-Bin
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.181-190
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    • 2016
  • Regional air quality regulation is a system that allows the Minister of Environment to designate the local area as air quality control region where the concentrations of air pollutants are exceeding the environmental standards, and the local governments that administrate the regulated area have to develop and practise a plan for reducing the air pollutants. From the data observed yearly by the monitoring stations in 8 provincial cities with more than 0.5 million people was judged the compliance with air quality standards in each municipality for the period of 2003 to 2013. As the result of investigation on air pollutants concentrations of each city, it was found that there was no station that exceeds the ambient air quality standards of CO, $SO_2$ and 24-hour $NO_2$. But all municipalities exceeded the standards of 8-hour $O_3$, annual and 24-hour $PM_{10}$, and therefore 8 municipalities can be designated to be under the local air regulation. For the annual $NO_2$ were the monitoring sites necessary requirements for designation of the air quality regulation region in Cheongju, Cheonan, Daejeon and Gwangju area. Incase of 1-hour $O_3$, some of stations in Pohang, Cheongju, Cheonan and Changwon area were over the designation standards for the air quality control region.

Seasonal impact to air qualities in industrial areas of the Arabian Gulf region

  • Al-Taani, Ahmed A.;Howari, Fares M.;Nazzal, Yousef;Yousef, Ahmad
    • Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.143-149
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    • 2018
  • Air quality conditions and pollution status have been evaluated in the industrial area between Sharjah and Ajman border in UAE. Daily concentrations of $O_3$, CO, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) have been monitored from Sept. 2015 to April 2016. The monthly average concentrations of $O_3$, CO, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, TVOC were within the UAE ambient air quality standards during the survey period. However, $PM_{10}$ and TSP levels exceeded the recommended limits in Sept. 2015, Oct. 2015 and March 2016. Temporal variations in air quality parameters showed highest levels in March 2016 for $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, TVOC and TSP, whereas $O_3$, $SO_2$ and CO showed relatively low values in this month. $PM_{2.5}$ levels in ambient air were above the EPA guideline of $35{\mu}g/m^3$ in all months. $PM_{2.5}$ was the critical ambient air pollutant with Index for Pollutant ($I_p$) values varying from 103-209, indicating Air Quality Index categories of unhealthy for sensitive groups (62.5%) to unhealthy (25%) to very unhealthy (12.5%). The $I_p$ average values of $PM_{2.5}$ decreased from Sept. 2015 to reach lowest value in Dec. 2015 before increasing gradually, peaking in March 2016. These results suggest the potential health risks associated with $PM_{2.5}$ is low in winter, where the prevailing meteorological conditions of lower temperatures, higher humidity, higher wind speed reduced particulate matter. The results revealed the industrial area is impacted by anthropogenic and natural sources of particulate matter.

A Study on the Distribution Characteristics of Sulfur Compounds in Ambient air using Continuous Monitoring Method in Incheon Area

  • Seo, Seok-Jun;Lim, Yong-Jae;Hong, You-deok;Park, Geon-Young
    • Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.128-134
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    • 2015
  • This paper focuses on the applicability of a continuous monitoring method on trace sulfur compounds in the ambient air by TD and GC/PFPD. The target compounds for monitoring include H2S(hydrogen sulfide), Methyl mercaptan, Dimethyl Sulfide, and Dimethyl disulfide. The result of QA/QC on monitoring instruments satisfies all the standards of Odor Measurement and Analysis Method, showing that the reproductivity of the compounds by concentration is within 10%, linearity is above 0.98 of a correlation efficient, method detection limit is 0.16 ppb by MM standard, and recovery rate is over 70%. Monitoring was conducted for two years from March 2006 to February 2008. As a result of the monitoring, the average concentration of H2S was 0.08 ppb, with the maximum concentration at 16.15 ppb. The result indicates that it is reasonable to do continuous monitoring as there appears a spontaneous event of high concentration by the condition of the site during monitoring odor-causing substances. Therefore, it is suggested that the continuous monitoring method used in this paper is appropriate to identify the characteristics of sudden occurrence and concentration variations of sulfur compounds.

Review on the Current Status and Policy on PM2.5 in China (중국 초미세먼지 현황 및 정책 동향)

  • Moon, Kwang-Joo;Cheo, Hyeok-gi;Jeon, Kwon-ho;Yang, Xiaoyang;Meng, Fan;Kim, Dai-gon;Park, Hyun-Ju;Kim, Jeong-soo
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.373-392
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    • 2018
  • The emission of air pollutants in China has increased rapidly as its economy expanded over the last decades. The Chinese government has recently acknowledged the seriousness of the resulting air pollution and is trying to improve air quality in many ways. Here, we review the air quality control and management policies in China, one of our closest neighbors, because these policies may also influence the air quality in Korea. This study examined the recent policies on $PM_{2.5}$ reduction and analyzed the variation in air quality and air pollutant emissions in China. The ambient air quality and emission standards in China have been strengthened, based on China's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan of 2013. As a result, the annual mean concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ in 2015 in 74 large Chinese cities declined by 23.6% compared with 2013 values. Coal consumption in China also has been reduced by more than 10% per year since 2013. Furthermore, the laws controlling atmospheric emissions were revised again in 2016, and an air pollution forecasting and warning system was implemented to help manage air pollution problems. At present, the Chinese government is trying to evaluate its policies on $PM_{2.5}$ and find a new paradigm to mitigate ongoing $PM_{2.5}$ pollution. In this context, a joint study between Korea and China has been initiated to investigate the characteristics and sources of ambient $PM_{2.5}$ and to identify factors contributing to the high $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in northeast China. We expect that this academic collaboration will benefit both countries in their search for new policies for $PM_{2.5}$ reduction.

Research Trends of Receptor Models in Korea and Foreign Countries and Improvement Directions for Air Quality Management (수용모델의 국내외 연구동향과 대기질 관리를 위한 발전방향)

  • Hwang, InJo;Kim, Dong-Sool
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.459-476
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    • 2013
  • Receptor models have been rapidly developed to manage the ambient air quality and to establish effective emission reduction strategies. The models are used to identify various emission sources and apportion quantitatively the ambient pollutant mass based on various measured physico-chemical properties of the air pollutants at the receptor site. Many types of receptor models have been applied to estimate source contributions since those provide fundamental information when establishing reasonable environmental policies in Korea and Foreign countries. In this paper, we will introduce the basic concept and principal of the receptor model, various types of existing models with discussing strong and weak points for each model, and performance procedure of PMF model as the most popular model in the world. Further the trends of receptor modeling studies in Korea and other countries were provided. Finally, the improvement directions of the modeling works for the national and local air quality management were suggested in this paper.

Storage Characteristics of Low Temperature Grain Warehouse using Ambient Cold Air in Winter

  • Ning, Xiao Feng;Li, He;Kang, Tae-Hwan;Han, Chung-Su
    • Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.184-191
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the storage and quality characteristics of brown rice under the low temperature warehouse conditions using ambient cold air in the winter. Methods: This new technique maintains rough rice warehouse temperature below $15^{\circ}C$ without cooling operation until the end of May. Four hundred tons of rough rice were stored in the low temperature grain warehouse, and were aerated from the top to the bottom using ambient cold air in February. The quality of rough rice was evaluated from February through October. Results: The results were as followings. Moisture contents of rough rice in the low temperature storage had decreased less than the ordinary temperature storage. Cracked rate of brown rice in the ordinary temperature storage and low temperature storage increased by 4~10.8% and 1.6~7.2%, respectively. The germination rate of rough rice under the ordinary and the low temperature warehouse decreased by 15.0~25.0% and 1.7~8.0%, respectively. The acid value of brown rice under the ordinary and the low temperature warehouse increased by 3.67~6.72 KOH mg/100g and 3.08~4.08 KOH mg/100g, respectively. Conclusions: The result indicates that low temperature storage using ambient winter air showed better maintaining germination of rice, less change of physiological activities and cracked kernel, and better maintaining of rice quality, comparing the ordinary temperature storage.