• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.165-192
• /
• 2022

The microbial metagenome characteristics of bioaerosols and particulate matter (PM) in the outdoor atmospheric environment and the effects of climate and environmental factors on the metagenome were analyzed. The concentrations of bacteria and fungi in bioaerosols and PM were determined by sampling different regions with different environmental properties. A variety of culture-independent methods were used to analyze the microbial metagenome in aerosols and PM samples. In addition, the effects of meteorological and environmental factors on the diversity and metagenomes of bacteria and fungi were investigated. The survival, growth, and dispersal of the microorganisms in the atmosphere were markedly affected by local weather conditions and the air pollutant concentration. The concentration of airborne microorganisms increased as the temperature increased, but their concentration decreased in summer, due to the effects of high temperatures and strong ultraviolet rays. Humidity and microbial concentration were positively correlated, but when the humidity was too high, the dispersion of airborne microorganisms was inhibited. These comprehensive data on the microbial metagenome in bioaerosols and PM may be used to understand the roles and functions of microorganisms in the atmosphere, and to develop strategies and abatement techniques to address the environmental and public health problems caused by these microorganisms.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.81 no.3
• /
• pp.224-233
• /
• 1992

This report succeds the previous paper, the source of materials and statistical designs used were not altered. Under the hypothesis of maleffect of atmospheric pollutions emitted mainly by traffic automobiles on 20-year-old, Prunus yedoensis roadside trees planted along national road between Cheonju abd Kunsan, chlorophyll a and b contents, magnesium and sodium contents of leaves were analysed on September 15. Besides control sites considered to be a pollution free district, 20 polluted road-side sites, 10 on left roadside and 10 on right roadside, oppositely faced in pairs were selected. The leaves collected from 5 trees at each sampling site were bulked to eliminate the individual tree variation. Chlorophyll were extracted by Mackinney and Arnon method. The results obtained are as follows : 1. The planting belt width between road shoulder and paved road face edge for cherry trees, 160~170cm, was considered too narrow for the growing space. 2. On an average, the total chlorophyll content between Cheonju and Iri($8.60{\sim}9.31ml/cm^2$) was lower than that for between Iri and Kunsan($9.24{\sim}10.74ml/cm^2$). 3. The chlorophyll b content showed the difference, higher on right roadside and lower on left side. However this difference could be confirmed by matched pair T-test at 10% level. 4. Without exception, the chlorophyll contents of control sites were higher than those of road-side trees, implying the maleffect of atmospheric pollutants on cherry tree growth. 5. On the contrary, magnesium and sodium contents of the leaves of road-side trees were higher than that of control site trees.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.380-391
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess airborne particulate matter pollution and its effect on health of residents living near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its vicinities. Also, this study measured and analyzed the concentration of TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metals which influences on the environmental and respiratory disease in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex, Daegu, Korea. Methods: In this study, we analyzed various environmental pollutants such as particulate matter and heavy metals from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex that adversely affected local residents's health. In particular, we verified the concentration distribution and characteristics of exposure for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ among particulate matters, and heavy metals(Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Zn, and Mg). In that regard, the official test method on air pollution in Korea for analysis of particulate matter and heavy metal in atmosphere were conducted. The large capacity air sampling method by the official test method on air pollution in Korea were applied for sampling of heavy metals in atmosphere. In addition, we evaluated the concentration of seasonal environmental pollutants for each point of residence in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and surrounding area. The sampling measured periods for air pollutants were from August 11, 2013 to February 21, 2014. Furthermore, we measured and analyzed the seasonal concentrations(summer, autumn and winter). Results: The average concentration for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ by direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.7, 1.4 and 1.9 times higher than reference region. In analysis results of seasonal concentrations for particulate matter in four direct influence and reference area, concentration levels for winter were generally somewhat higher than concentrations for summer and autumn. The average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were $0.0008{\pm}0.0004{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0141{\pm}0.0163{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0248{\pm}0.0059{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0026{\pm}0.0011{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0272{\pm}0.0084{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.4855{\pm}0.1862{\mu}g/Sm^3$, and $0.3068{\pm}0.0631{\mu}g/Sm^3$, respectively. In particularly, the average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.9, 3.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.4, 2.6, and 1.2 times higher than reference area, respectively. The continuous monitoring and management were required for some heavy metals such as Cr and Ni. Moreover, the average concentration in winter for particulate matter in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were generally higher than concentrations in summer and autumn. Also, average concentrations for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were from 1.5 to 2.0 times, 1.2 to 1.8 times, and 1.1 to 2.3 times higher than reference area, respectively. In results for seasonal atmospheric environment, TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metal concentrations in direct influence area were higher than reference area. Especially, the concentrations in C station were a high level in comparison with other area. Conclusions: In the results, some particulate matters and heavy metals were relatively high concentration, in order to understand the environmental pollution level and health effect in surrounding area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex. The concentration of some heavy metals emitted from direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than reference area. In particular, average concentration for heavy metals in this study were higher than average concentrations in air quality monitoring station for heavy metal for 7 years in Deagu metropolitan region. Especially, the residents near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex may be exposed to the pollutants(TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metals, etc) emitted from the factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.665-676
• /
• 2003

To investigate the chemical characteristics of PM$\_$2.5/ in Seoul, Korea, atmospheric particulate matters were collected using a PM$\_$10/ dichotomous sampler including PM$\_$10/ and PM$\_$2.5/ inlet during the period of October 2000 to September 2001. The Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectromety (ICP-MS), ion Chromatography (IC) methods were used to determine the concentration of both metal and ionic species. A statistical analysis was performed for the heavy metals data set using a principal component analysis (PCA) to derived important factors inherent in the interactions among the variables. The mean concentrations of ambient PM$\_$2.5/ and PM/sub10/ were 24.47 and 45.27 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. PM$\_$2.5/ masses also showed temporal variations both yearly and seasonally. The ratios of PM$\_$2.5/PM$\_$10/ was 0.54, which similar to the value of 0.60 in North America. Soil-related chemical components (such as Al, Ca, Fe, Si, and Mn) were abundant in PM$\_$10/, while anthropogenic components (such as As, Cd, Cr, V, Zn and Pb) were abundant in PM2s. Total water soluble ions constituted 30∼50 % of PM$\_$2.5/ mass, and sulfate, nitrate and ammonium were main components in water soluble ions. Reactive farms of NH$_4$$\^$+/were considered as NH$_4$NO$_3$ and (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$ during the sampling periods. In the results of PCA for PM$\_$2.5/, we identified three principal components. Major contribution to PM$\_$2.5/ seemed to be soil, oil combustion, unidentified source. Further study, the detailed interpretation of these data will need efforts in order to identify emission sources.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.1 s.110
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2005

The environmental change of Yong-nup in Mt. Dae-Am, which is located at the northern part of Kangwon-Do, Korea, was assesed with peat sedimentary carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The surface layer of the peat (0 ${\sim}$ 5 cm) was 190 year BP, and the middle layers (30 ${\sim}$ 35 cm and 50 ${\sim}$ 55 cm) were 870 year BP and 1900 year BP, respectively. Bulk sedimentation rate was estimated to be about 0.4 mm $year^{-1}$ for 0 cm to 30 cm and 0.15 mm $year^{-1}$ for 35 cm to 50 cm. The $^{14}C$ age of the bottom sediment (75 ${\sim}$ 80 cm) collected and measured in this study was about 1900 year BP, although it was measured that the $^{14}C$ of the lowest bottom sediment in Yong-nup was 4105 ${\pm}$ 175 year BP (GX-23200). Since the $^{14}C$ ages for 50 ${\sim}$ 55 cm and 75 ${\sim}$ 80 cm layers were almost the same as 1890 ${\pm}$ 80 fear BP (NUTA 5364) and 1850 ${\pm}$ 90 year BP (NUTA 5462), respectively, we have estimated that the deep layers (55 ${\sim}$ 80 cm) in the high moor were the original forest soil. The low organic C and N contents in the deeper layers supported the inference. The sediment of 50 ${\sim}$ 55 cm layer contains much sandy material and showed very low organic content, suggesting the erosion (flooding) from the surrounding area. In this context, the Yong-nup, high moor, of Mt. Dae-Am, might have developed to the sampling site at about 1900 year BP. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of organic carbon and the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of total nitrogen in the peat sediments fluctuated with the depths. The profile of ${\delta}^{13}C$ may indicate that the Yong-nup of Mt. Dae-Am have experienced the dry-wet and cool-warm period cycles during the development of the high moor. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ may indicate that the nitrogen cycling in the Yong-nup have changed from the closed (regeneration depending) system to the open (rain $NO_3\;^-$ and $N_2$ fixation depending) system during the development of the high moor.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2013

Recently Korea considers the source of biomass burning emissions reflecting national characteristic, so that includes the inventory of emission source but preceding research is rarely implemented in Korea. Therefore, a study on characteristics of greenhouse gas emissions from biomass burning is necessary and it also makes the source management effectively when the climate-atmospheric management system takes effect. In this study, using the manufactured charcoal kiln and the number of experiment was three times to get a reliable experiment result. The sampling time was decided by changing degree in charcoal kiln and charcoal manufacturing process. The results of calculation greenhouse gas emission factor from charcoal kiln were $668g\;CO_2/kg$, $20g\;CH_4/kg$, $0.01g\;N_2O/kg$. Using the emission factor developed in this study, estimate the emissions from charcoal kiln in Korea. The results of calculation were $46,040ton\;CO_2/yr$, $1,378ton\;CH_4/yr$, $0.69ton\;N_2O/yr$ and greenhouse gas emissions applying GWP are as follows. $CH_4$ emissions was $28,947ton\;CO_2eq./yr$, $N_2O$ emissions was $214ton\;CO_2eq./yr$. As a results, Gross emissions of charcoal kiln in Korea was $75,201ton\;CO_2eq./yr$, but the oak used in this study is included to the biomass so emissions of $CO_2$ are excluded. Therefore the net emissions of charcoal kiln in Korea was $29,161ton\;CO_2eq./yr$.