• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.675-688
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• 2007

To characterize organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) contents, daily $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were performed in August 2006 (summer) and Jan $11{\sim}Feb$ 12 2007 (winter) at an urban site of Gwangju. Daily size-segregated aerosol samples were also collected for WSOC analysis. No clear seasonal variations in EC and WSOC concentrations were observed, while seasonal differences in OC concentration, and OC/EC and WSOC/EC ratios were shown. The WSOC/OC ratio showed higher value in summer (0.56) than in winter (0.40), reflecting the greater enhancement of secondary WSOC formation at the site in summer. Secondary WSOC concentrations estimated using EC tracer method were in the range $0.0{\sim}2.1\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (average $0.42\;{\mu}g/m^3$) and $0.0{\sim}1.1\;{\mu}g/m^3\;(0.24\;{\mu}g/m^3)$, respectively, accounting for $0{\sim}51.6%$ (average 16.8%) and $0{\sim}52.5%$ (average 13.1 %) of the measured WSOC concentrations in summer and winter. Sometimes higher WSOC/OC ratio in winter than that in summer could be attributed to two reasons. One is that the stable atmospheric condition often appears in winter, and the prolonged residence time would strengthen atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds. The other is that decrease of ambient temperature in winter would enhance the condensation of volatile secondary WSOC on pre-existing aerosols. In summertime, atmospheric aerosols and WSOC concentrations showed bimodal size distributions, peaking at the size ranges $0.32{\sim}0.56\;{\mu}m$ (condensation mode) and $3.2{\sim}5.6\;{\mu}m$ (coarse mode), respectively. During the wintertime, atmospheric aerosols showed a bimodal character, while WSOC concentrations showed a unimodal pattern. Size distributions of atmospheric aerosols and WSOC with a peak in the size range $0.32{\sim}0.56\;{\mu}m$ were observed for most of the measurement periods. On January 17, however, atmospheric aerosols and WOSC exhibited size distributions with modal peaks in the size range $1.0{\sim}1.8\;{\mu}m$, suggesting that the aerosol particles collected on that day could be expected to be more aged, i.e, longer residence time, than the aerosols at other sampling periods.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.485-500
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• 2016

We examined acidity state of inorganic aerosol and oxidation state of organic aerosol by High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) at Baengnyeong Super site from Jan 2012 to Dec 2013. Additionally, we carried out the analysis for the aerosol component group of organic matter ($C_xH_y$, $C_xH_yO_1$, $C_xH_yO_z$, $C_xH_yO_zN_p$) and elemental composition to calculate H/C, O/C, N/C, OM/OC and identify the oxidation state. The aerosol chemical composition in this study is dominated by sulfate ($SO_4{^{2-}}$), nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) plays a smaller role in aerosol acidity. Ammonium ($NH_4{^+}$) was found in a formation of $(NH_4)_3H(SO_4)_2$. However, the binding formations of $NH_4NO_3$ and $NH_4Cl$ increase in the winter. $C_xH_yO_1$ indicating the oxidized state of $PM_{1.0}$ has the highest ratio of 41% while $C_xH_y$ indicating the non-oxidized state has a lower ratio of 36%, meaning that the oxidation level of $PM_{1.0}$ in Baengnyeong Island is high. The ratio between H/C and O/C was 1.33 and 0.78 respectively, showing the characteristic of LV-OOA (Low volatility-Oxygenated Organic Aerosol). Acidic and oxidized aerosols sampled during this field study were largely anthropogenic in origin from Chinese continent and photochemically aged.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.179-191
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• 1997

The concentrations of organic and elemental carbon were determined using fine particle samples collected from Kosan, Cheju Island during the summer seasons of 1994 and 1995. The daily mean concentrations of organic and elemental carbon for each measurement period were 3.74 and 0.27 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ in 1994, while those of 1995 were 2.36 and 0.10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively The concentrations of organic carbon were higher than those commonly observed from clean areas around the world, but those of elemental carbon were lower than, or comparable to, other clean areas in the world. The resulting ratios of total carbon to elemental carbon at this site were thus higher than those seen from other metropolitan and non-polluted regions abroad. In addition according to our analysis, the 1994 measurement period can be classified into two periods: enhanced (July 20 and August 1) and reduced levels (August 2 and 9) of the carbonaceous species. The observed difference between two periods may be in part accounted for by the air trajectories representing each period. During the former period, the air masses from the Asian continent and Japan were dominant, while the air masses from the North Pacific Ocean came during the latter period. OC/EC ratios at the site were calculated to predict the possible formation of secondary organic aerosol . Based on our observations, we suggest that the formation of secondary organic aerosol might be an important pathway to the production of organic carbons.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.457-468
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• 2018

To improve understanding of the physico-chemical characteristics of aerosols in the national park and comparing the air pollution between national park and the urban area nearby national park, the aerosol characterization study was conducted in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, from July through September 2017. Semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ using PILS (Particle Into Liquid System) coupled with IC (Ion Chromatography) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analyzer allowed quantification of concentrations of major ionic species($Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, $Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg{^{2+}}$ and $Ca{^{2+}}$) and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) with 30-minute time resolution. The total mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was measured by T640 (Teledyne) with 5-minute time resolution. The black carbon (BC) and ozone were measured with a minute time resolution. The timeline of aerosol chemical compositions reveals a strong influence from urban area (Seoul) at the site in Bukhansan National Park. Inorganic aerosol composition was observed to be dominated by ammoniated sulfate at most times with ranging from $0.1{\sim}32.6{\mu}g/m^3$ (6.5~76.1% of total mass of $PM_{2.5}$). The concentration of ammonium nitrate, a potential indicator of the presence of local source, ranged from below detection limits to $20{\mu}g/m^3$ and was observed to be highest during times of maximum local urban (Seoul) impact. The total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be 10~23% lower than the total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in urban area (Gireum-dong and Bulgwang-dong, Seoul). In general, ozone concentration in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be similar or higher than urban sites in Seoul, suggesting additional biogenic VOCs with $NO_x$ from vehicle emission were to be precursors for ozone formation in Bukhansan National Park.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.300-312
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• 2017

To improve the understanding of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from the photo-oxidation of anthropogenic and biogenic precursors at the regional background station on Baengnyeong Island, Korea, gas phase and aerosol chemistries were investigated using the Proton Transfer Reaction Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) and the Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS), respectively. HR-ToF-AMS measured fine particles ($PM_1$; diameter of particle matter less than $1{\mu}m$) at a 6-minute time resolution from February to November 2012, while PTR-ToF-MS was deployed during an intensive period from September 21 to 29, 2012. The one-minute time-resolution and high mass resolution (up to $4000m{\Delta}m^{-1}$) data from the PTR-ToF-MS provided the basis for calculations of the concentrations of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) including oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs). The dominant BVOCs from the site are isoprene (0.23 ppb), dimethyl sulphide (DMS, 0.20 ppb), and monoterpenes (0.38 ppb). Toluene (0.45 ppb) and benzene (0.32 ppb) accounted for the majority of anthropogenic VOCs (AVOCs). OVOCs including acetone (3.98 ppb), acetaldehyde (2.67 ppb), acetic acid (1.68 ppb), and formic acid (2.24 ppb) were measured. The OVOCs comprise approximately 75% of total measured VOCs, suggesting the occurrence of strong oxidation processes and/or long-range transported at the site. A strong photochemical aging and oxidation of the atmospheric pollutants were also observed in aerosol measured by HR-ToF-AMS, whereby a high $f_{44}:f_{43}$ value is shown for organic aerosols (OAs); however, relatively low $f_{44}:f_{43}$ values were observed when high concentrations of BVOCs and AVOCs were available, providing evidence of the formation of SOA from VOC precursors at the site. Overall, the results of this study revealed several different SOA formation mechanisms, and new particle formation and particle growth events were identified using the powerful tools scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), PTR-ToF-MS, and HR-ToF-AMS.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.232-236
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• 2010

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 1996

Characteristics of visual air quality in Seoul have been investigated between June 13 and 21, 1994. Optical properties (extinction coefficient and particle scattering coefficient), meteorological parameters (relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and cloud cover), particle characteristics (mass size distribution, components) were measured and analyzed. During measurement periods, northwest wind with less than 2m/sec of wind speed deteriorates visibility. Effects of relative humidity are though to be not a direct factor which influence to visibility through the size change due to hygroscopic species in aerosol. During the smoggy period both the aerosol mass concentration and fine particle fraction of the size distribution are increased compared to the clear period. Sulfate, organic carbon, and elemental carbon in aerosol are the major species in determining the occurrence and severity of a smog in Seoul.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.411-422
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• 2012

Ground-based in-situ measurements of aerosol optical properties at Gosan climate observatory have been analyzed to investigate the optical contribution of Asian dust and polluted particles on light absorption in springtime 2011. During the Asian dust episode, the contribution of Asian dust particle to aerosol absorption coefficient estimated about 45% at 370 nm and about 23% at 520 nm. Especially, black carbon in dust plume contributes about 48% to aerosol light absorption at 520 nm since the airmass are transported from the Gobi and inner Mongolia deserts, and this airmass comes across the northeastern coast of China, near the Shandong Peninsula. In pollution case, the contributions of dust particle and black carbon to aerosol absorption coefficient estimated about 41% and 11% at 370 nm, respectively. However, pollution case shows the highest light absorption of 48% for brown carbon at 370 nm, which indicates the significantly high mass concentration of organic carbon ($6.3{\pm}2.2{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$) in pollution plume can contribute to the increase of light absorption at near-UV spectral region.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2015

In the past several decades, biofuels have emerged as candidates to help mitigate the issues of global warming, fossil fuel depletion and, in some cases, atmospheric pollution. To date, the only biofuels that have achieved any significant penetration in the global transportation sector are ethanol and biodiesel. The global consumption of biodiesel was rapidly increased from 2005. The goal of this study was to examine the chemical composition on particulate pollutant emissions from a diesel engine operating on several different biodiesels. Tests were performed on non-road diesel engine. Experiments were performed on 5 different fuel blends at 2 different engine loading conditions (50% and 75%). 5 different fuel blends were ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD, 100%), soy biodiesel (Blend 20% and Blend 100%) and canola biodiesel (Blend 20% and Blend 100%). The chemical properties of particulate pollutants were characterized using an Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). Organic matter and nitrate were generally the most abundant aerosol components and exhibited maximum concentration of $1207{\mu}g/m^3$ and $30{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. On average, the oxidized fragment families ($C_xH_yO_1{^+}$, and $C_xH_yO_z{^+}$) account for ~13% of the three family sum, while ~87% comes from the $C_xH_y{^+}$ family. The two peaks of $C_2H_3O_2$ (m/z 59.01) and $C_3H_7O$ (m/z 59.04) located at approximately m/z 59 could be used to identify atmospheric particulate matter directly to biodiesel exhaust, as distinguished from that created by petroleum diesel in the AMS data.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.28-40
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• 2015

To investigate the seasonal variations of carbonaceous aerosol in Daejeon, OC (organic carbon), EC (elemental carbon) and WSOC (water soluble organic carbon) in $PM_{2.5}$ samples collected from March 2012 to February 2013 were analyzed. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were estimated by the sum of organic matter ($1.6{\times}OC$), EC, water-soluble ions ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^{+}}$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^{-}}$). The estimated $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were relatively higher in winter ($29.50{\pm}12.04{\mu}g/m^3$) than those in summer ($13.72{\pm}6.92{\mu}g/m^3$). Carbonaceous aerosol ($1.6{\times}OC+EC$) was a significant portion (34~47%) of $PM_{2.5}$ in all season. The seasonally averaged OC and WSOC concentrations were relatively higher in winter ($6.57{\times}3.48{\mu}gC/m^3$ and $4.07{\pm}2.53{\mu}gC/m^3$ respectively), than those in summer ($3.07{\pm}0.8{\mu}gC/m^3$, $1.77{\pm}0.68{\mu}gC/m^3$, respectively). OC was correlated well with WSOC in all season, indicating that they have similar emission sources or formation processes. In summer, both OC and WSOC were weakly correlated with EC and also poorly correlated with a well-known biomass burning tracer, levoglucosan, while WSOC is highly correlated with SOC (secondary organic carbon) and $O_3$. The results suggest that carbonaceous aerosol in summer was highly influenced by secondary formation rather than primary emissions. In contrast, both OC and WSOC in winter were strongly correlated with EC and levoglucosan, indicating that carbonaceous aerosol in winter was closely related to primary source such as biomass burning. The contribution of biomass burning to $PM_{2.5}$ OC and EC, which was estimated using the levoglucosan to OC and EC ratios of potential biomass burning sources, was about $70{\pm}15%$ and $31{\pm}10%$, respectively, in winter. Results from this study clearly show that $PM_{2.5}$ OC has seasonally different chemical characteristics and origins.