• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.209-220
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• 2006

In this study, the distribution patterns of major odorous compounds in ambient air were investigated in the areas surrounding the Ban-Wall industrial complex of Ansan, Korea (Aug. 2004 to Sep. 2005). The results indicated the environmental significance of several major odorous compounds which include carbonyl compounds, reduced sulfur compounds (RSC), and volatile organic compounds (VOC). When the results were compared on a diurnal basis, the afternoon time concentration of most odorous compounds were notably higher than their morning time counterparts. It also indicated that the odor concentrations differed greatly, in terms of spatial grouping scheme of data sets, such as between industrial area and non-industrial area. The comparison of spatial patterns indicated that the concentrations of most of the compounds at the industrial area were maintained at high concentration levels, compared to the surrounding areas. The overall results of this study thus suggest that the distribution of odorous compounds in a large industrial complex can exhibit a unique pattern of their own.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.325-336
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• 2006

The presence of volatile organic compounds (VOC), produced and released from both anthropogenic and natural sources, can accelerate the degradation of air quality in the surrounding area. In this study, we investigated the emission concentrations of VOC based on a total of 115 sample analysis made from 47 companies (representing 17 types of industry) at the Ban Wall industrial complex (Jun. 2004 to Jan. 2005). Through a statistical analysis of these measurement data, we inspected the emission characteristics of VOC in relation with industrial type and processing unit. When these data were compared each other, toluene was found to record the highest value of 423 ppb followed by ethylbenzene (68.3 ppb), m, p-xylene (43.6 ppb), o-xylene (27.2 ppb), styrene (23.9 ppb), and benzene (16.4 pub). In addition, by converting these VOC concentration data into malodor intensity, we attempted to account for their distribution patterns in terms of relative contribution to the malodor formation. The results of odor intensity conversion generally indicated that the odor intensities of individual VOC do not exceed the degree of 1. When our VOC results were compared against other odorous compounds measured concurrently, the results were highly contrasting each other. Despite relative insignificance as odorous compounds, these VOCs are generally found ubiquitously and in abundant quantities in this strong source area.