• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.861-869
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• 2010

The present study aims to evaluate the characteristics of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution in roadside and residential areas of two Korean metropolitan cities (Seoul and Incheon) and a background area (Seokmolee). This purpose was established by analyzing temporal and spacial concentration distribution of total and 7 individual PAHs, which were extracted from ambient particulate matters, and by utilizing a multivariate statistical method (principal component analysis, PCA) for the qualitative determination of potential PAH sources. Target PAHs included benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), chrysene (Chr), dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DahA), and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IcdP). For all surveyed sites, the concentrations of total PAHs were higher in winter season than in other seasons. However, the concentrations of individual PAHs varied with surveyed sites. In both residential and roadside sites of Seoul and Incheon, BbF revealed the highest atmospheric levels. For all 7 target PAHs, the ambient concentrations were higher in Seoul and Incheon than in a background area (Seokmolee). In both residential and roadside areas, the concentrations of 4 target PAHs (BaA, BbF, BkF, DahA) were higher in Incheon than in Seoul. However, both the residential and roadside Chr concentrations were comparable in Seoul and Incheon. In addition, the residential IcdP concentrations were higher in Incheon than in Seoul, whereas the roadside concentrations were higher in Seoul. The roadside and residential BaP concentrations exhibited the reverse result to the IcdP concentrations. An PCA analysis suggested that atmospheric PAHs in both residential and roadside areas would be due to combined effects of several potential sources such as gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles, coal/oil combustion, and waste incineration.

• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.367-385
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• 2023

The variabilities of precipitation and particulate matters (i.e., PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and the scavenging efficiency of PMs by precipitation were quantified using long-term measurements in Seoul, Korea. The 21 years (2001~2021) measurements of precipitation and PM₁₀ mass concentrations, and the 7 years (2015~2021) of PM_2.5 mass concentrations were used. Statistical analysis was performed for each period (i.e., year, season, and month) to identify the long-term variabilities of PMs and precipitation. PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 decreased annually and the decreasing rate of PM₁₀ was greater than PM_2.5. The precipitation intensity did not show notable variation, whereas the annual precipitation amount showed a decreasing trend. The summer precipitation amount contributed 61.10% to the annual precipitation amount. The scavenging efficiency by precipitation was analyzed based on precipitation events separated by 2-hour time intervals between hourly precipitation data for 7 years. The scavenging efficiencies of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were quantified as a function of precipitation characteristics (i.e., precipitation intensity, amount, and duration). The calculated average scavenging efficiency of PM₁₀ (PM_2.5) was 39.59% (35.51%). PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were not always simultaneously scavenged due to precipitation events. Precipitation events that simultaneously scavenged PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 contributed 42.24% of all events, with average scavenging efficiency of 42.93% and 43.39%. The precipitation characteristics (i.e., precipitation intensity, precipitation amount, and precipitation duration) quantified in these events were 2.42 mm hr^-1, 15.44 mm, and 5.51 hours. This result corresponds to 145% (349%; 224%) of precipitation intensity (amount; duration) for the precipitation events that do not simultaneously scavenge PM₁₀ and PM_2.5.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2004

Air pollutants were measured eight times from June 1999 to June 2002 on regular ferries cruising across the Yellow Sea between Incheon in Korea and Qingdao or Tianjin in China. PM$_{10}$ and PM$_{2.5}$ were measured as particulate matters and SO$_2$, CO, and NO$_{x}$ were measured as gaseous pollutants. On each route, sampling was made, starting two hour after departure and ending two hour before arrival. Low concentrations of gaseous pollutants that were not much varied according to sampling period and location revealed that atmosphere over the sea was not directly affected by anthropogenic emissions. However, concentrations of fine particles were generally higher than those measured at Deokjeok Island, 50km west of the western seashore, at similar periods. It was believed that considerable influence of China in the form of secondary pollutants was exerted over the sea.a.a.a.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 1996

Total suspended particulate matters (TSP) were collected based on a size segregation method by a cascade impactor for 6 consecutive years (form Dec. 1989 to sep. 1994) in the Kyung Hee University-Suwon Campus, and 6 trace metals (Ca, Si, Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn) were determined by an x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Total number of samples collected during the study are 118 sets and each set of sample comsists of 9 filters. The levels of TSP and 6 trace metals were then used to examine seasonal and annual variations with respects to their size distributions. For statistical analyses, raw data were initially transformed by both logarithmic and root transformating to approximately normalize them, and then size distribution functions for each trace element were separately developed season-to-season by a regression analysis in order to obtain maximum amount of physical information, Subsequently, each developed model was verified by comparing with supervised data collected on 1994. The result showed that each prediction model was in good agreement except the fall, partly due to lack of the data collected on fall, 1994.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.537-546
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• 2013

In the Seoul Metropolitan Area(SMA) photochemical air pollutants, nitrogenic compound and particulate matters have increased substantially due to mobile sources, power plants and so on. Therefore 'Special Act on Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement' was enacted on 2003 in order to improve air quality in the SMA. According to the Special Act, Central and local government have developed the state implementation plan(SIP) to reduce air pollutant emissions from various local sources. One of the key elements of the SIP development is the air quality modeling since modeling results can be used to establish emissions control strategies as well as to demonstrate attainment of air quality goals for ozone, particulate matter, and so on. Air quality modeling, therefore, can be usefully utilized to investigate the effects of government's efforts according to control strategies or measures. Using the air quality model, we can determine whether the implementation plan should be revised or not. A number of questions, however, has been raised concerning accuracy, consistency and transparency of modeling results because if we do not trust modeling results, all the measures dependent on modeling becomes in vain. So, without dealing with these questions, we can not guarantee the reliability and utilizability of air quality modeling results. In this study, we tried to establish standard methodology for air quality modeling in order to ensure consistency and transparency of modeling results used in the development and evaluation of national air policy. For this purpose, we established air quality modeling guideline to provide or recommend modeling procedures, vertical and horizontal domains, input data of meteorological and air quality modeling and so on.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.719-731
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• 2003

In order to maintain and manage ambient air quality, it is necessary to identify sources and to apportion its sources for ambient particulate matters. The receptor methods were one of the statistical methods to achieve reasonable air pollution strategies. Also, receptor methods, a field of chemometrics, is based on manifold applied statistics and is a statistical methodology that analyzes the physicochemical properties of gaseous and particulate pollutant on various atmospheric receptors, identifies the sources of air pollutants, and quantifies the apportionment of the sources to the receptors. The objective of this study was 1) after obtaining results from the PMF modeling, the existing sources of air at the study area were qualitatively identified and the contributions of each source were quantitatively estimated as well. 2) finally efficient air pollution management and control strategies of each source were suggested. The PMF model was intensively applied to estimate the quantitative contribution of air pollution sources based on the chemical information (128 samples and 25 chemical species). Through a case study of the PMF modeling for the PM-10 aerosols, the total of 11 factors were determined. The multiple linear regression analysis between the observed PM-10 mass concentration and the estimated G matrix had been performed following the FPEAK test. Finally the regression analysis provided quantitative source contributions (scaled G matrix) and source profiles (scaled F matrix). The results of the PMF modeling showed that the sources were apportioned by secondary aerosol related source 28.8 ％, soil related source 16.8％, waste incineration source 11.5%, field burning source 11.0%, fossil fuel combustion source 10%, industry related source 8.3％, motor vehicle source 7.9%, oil/coal combustion source 4.4％, non-ferrous metal source 0.3％. and aged sea- salt source 0.2％, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.131-140
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• 2005

To investigate secondary carbonaceous species within PM$_{10}$ and PM$_{2.5}$ in Seoul urban Metropolitan Area (SMA), Korea. atmospheric particulate matters samples were collected at two sites of SMA at UOS (The University Of Seoul station) sites and IHU (InHa University of Incheon station) during the period of 4 to 14 January and 12 to 22 May, 11 to 15 August 2004, and their characteristics were qualitatively discussed. during January and May and August of 2004. Daily average mass concentration 0.095 mg/㎥ in PM$_{10}$ and 0.053 mg/㎥ in PM$_{2.5}$ for mass respectively. were observed in SMA. The concentrations of carbonaceous species contributed 18.4% and 16.4% of PM$_{2.5}$ and PM$_{10}$ during the sampling period, respectively, of which OC accounted for 68% and 52% more of the total carbon (TC). OC and EC concentrations and their mass percentages were higher in PM$_{2.5}$ than in PM$_{10}$ which could be attributed to generation process. Organic aerosols would constitute up to 38% of PM$_{2.5}$ based on the evaluation of 1.6 for the ratio of OC to organic particulate. Secondary organic carbon (SOC) were estimated to be more than 13% and up to 68% of total OC based on the minimum OC/EC ratio of 1.06/1.11 using least square method. Comparisons of OC and EC with trace elements. As results of carbonaceous species analysis, the dominant factor in view of fine particle (PM$_{10}$/PM$_{2.5}$) is primary emission source such as mobile, fossil fuel combustion etc. during winter time in SMA. But in summer periods, remarkable fine particle increasing factor was secondary organic carbon dependent to photochemical reaction. reaction.n. reaction.

• Atmosphere
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2019

A valuation of air pollution is critical for relevant policy-making for the public and research direction. This study conducted a willingness-to-pay (WTP) survey using contingent valuation method (CVM) in Seoul Korea. In detail, this study puts an emphasis on its temporal changes referred on two surveys conducted in 2014 and 2019. In reference to the previous studies in 2002, our survey indicated that the public awareness of air pollution and interests on its sources and solutions increased noticeably. Our survey showed that WTP increased significantly from 2588 to 4827 and 8240 Korean Won $month^{-1}$ in 2002, 2014, and 2019, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of respondents to pay the WTP also increased from 48% to 68% and 79% in 2002, 2014, and 2019, respectively. Our analysis based on the number of Google search on particulate matters (PMs) strongly suggests that such the noticeable increases of the public attention to air pollution is well accorded with the moment of the announcement of a standard for ultra-fine particles and the start of PM prediction in late 2013. But the Google search rate grew about 16.7 times in 2009 compared to 2014, which is much larger than the growth rate of interest and WTP between 2014 and 2019. Our results shed light on policy decision for the right person in the right place on the right time in the era of air pollution.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-35
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• 2009

The Asian dust storms which originated in the deserts of Mongolia and China transported particles to Korea and led to a high concentration of atmospheric particulate matters (PM) of more than $1000{\mu}g/m^3$ throughout the country in the spring, of 2007. Public concern, in Korea, about the possible adverse effects of these dust events has increased, as these dust storms can contain various air pollutants emitted from heavily industrialized eastern China. The objectives of this study were to understand the concentration characteristics of PM as a function of particle size between the Asian dust storm episodes and non-Asian dust period and to consider the mass size distribution of PM in the Asian dust storms and their water soluble ion species on the potential, possible effects on deposition levels in the three regions (nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and alveolar) of the human respiratory system. The size distribution of PM mass concentration during the Asian dust storms showed a peak in the coarse particle region due to the long-range transport of soil particles from the deserts of Mongolia and China, which was identified by HYSPLIT-4 model for backward trajectory analysis of air arriving in the sampling site of Iksan. During the non-Asian dust period, there were two different types in PM size distribution: bimodal distribution when low concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ were observed, while unimodal distribution having a peak in fine particle region when high concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ were showed. This unimodal distribution with high concentrations of fine particulate and secondary air pollutants such as ${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${NO_3}^-$, ${NH_4}^+$ was found to be due to the long-range transport of air pollutants from industrialized eastern China. During the Asian dust storms, the mean concentrations of PM that can be deposited in the nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and alveolar region were $128.8{\mu}g/m^3$, $216.5{\mu}g/m^3$, and $89.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. During the non-Asian dust period, the mean concentrations of PM that can be deposited in the nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and alveolar region were $8.4{\mu}g/m^3$, $9.5{\mu}g/m^3$ and $38.5{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.561-569
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• 2012

Study attempts to evaluate the environmental cost and benefit for management of particulate matters of Donghae harbor in Gangwondo. The level of fine dust suspended in the vicinity of the harbor was quite high, exceeding the national standard ($100{\mu}g/m^3$) depending on the places. The test field harbor deals with lots of limestone and coal, so that fine particulates could be generated while loading it and unloading. It was estimated that the direct handling of cargos might produce 12 tons of PM10(Particulate Matters of $10{\mu}m$) a year. In addition, heavy vehicles for transportation of various cargos including raw materials emit huge amount of diesel soots and cause to redispersion of road dust. The local government spends more than 2 billion won every year, and it contributes to reduce the atmospheric dust. According to the prediction of cost to benefit, it will present the effectiveness in 720 % maximum and at least 240 %.