• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2012

A comparison of analytical approaches for Levoglucosan ($C_6H_{10}O_5$, commonly formed from the pyrolysis of carbohydrates such as cellulose) and used for a molecular marker in biomass burning is made between the four different analytical systems. 1) Spectrothermography technique as the evaluation of thermograms of carbon using Elemental Carbon & Organic Carbon Analyzer, 2) mass spectrometry technique using Gas Chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), 3) Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) for the identification of the particle size distribution and chemical composition, and 4) two dimensional Gas Chromatography with Time of Flight mass spectrometry (GC${\times}$GC-TOFMS) for defining the signature of Levoglucosan in terms of chemical analytical process. First, a Spectrothermography, which is defined as the graphical representation of the carbon, can be measured as a function of temperature during the thermal separation process and spectrothermographic analysis. GC/MS can detect mass fragment ions of Levoglucosan characterized by its base peak at m/z 60, 73 in mass fragment-grams by methylation and m/z 217, 204 by trimethylsilylderivatives (TMS-derivatives). AMS can be used to analyze the base peak at m/z 60.021, 73.029 in mass fragment-grams with a multiple-peak Gaussian curve fit algorithm. In the analysis of TMS derivatives by GC${\times}$GC-TOFMS, it can detect m/z 73 as the base ion for the identification of Levoglucosan. It can also observe m/z 217 and 204 with existence of m/z 333. Although the ratios of m/z 217 and m/z 204 to the base ion (m/z 73) in the mass spectrum of GC${\times}$GC-TOFMS lower than those of GC/MS, Levoglucosan can be separated and characterized from D (-) +Ribose in the mixture of sugar compounds. At last, the environmental significance of Levoglucosan will be discussed with respect to the health effect to offer important opportunities for clinical and potential epidemiological research for reducing incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.124-138
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• 2017

Physico-chemical measurement of non-refractory submicron particles($NR-PM_1$) was conducted in Baengnyeong Island, Korea using Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) from 2012 to 2014. Organics and ammoniated sulfate were dominant species in $NR-PM_1$. The organics was found to have similar fractions(approximate 40%) of $NR-PM_1$ during the summer and winter, while the sulfate fractions of $NR-PM_1$ were calculated to be approximately 47% and 31% for the summer and winter, respectively, suggesting the possibility that particles provide non-acidic surfaces for condensation of nitric acid in the winter. The nitrate fractions of approximate 4% and 20% of $NR-PM_1$ were observed in August (summer) and November (winter), respectively, resulting that the relatively low concentration of sulfate in $NR-PM_1$ provided a non-acidic surface for nitric acid condensation and formation of particulate ammoniated nitrate is favored thermodynamically in winter. The new particle formation (NPF) event and particle growth rate were analyzed for each month in 2014 using Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer(SMPS). The Percent of NPF events was the highest in winter, but NPF event was not observed during summer due to relatively high temperature and frequent rainfall. The average particle growth rate was 3.5 nm/h and the highest particle growth rate was 5.5 nm/h in May. We observed the long-range transport of the anthropogenic sulfate from the East Asia during the intensive monitoring period of November between Qingdao and Baengnyeong Island in 2013. The relatively high concentrations of m/z 60 measured in HR-ToF-AMS was observed in May and June at Baengnyeong Island, suggesting the possibility of the influence of biomass burning from the East Asia to the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.711-722
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• 2011

This study is aimed to estimate the $PM_{2.5}$ source apportionment at Seoul intensive monitoring site located in Seoul metropolitan area. Time-resolved chemical compositions of $PM_{2.5}$ are measured in real time using ambient ion monitor, semi-continuous carbon monitor, and on-line XRF at Seoul intensive monitoring site in 2010. The mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was simultaneously monitored with eight ionic species (${SO_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, $Cl^-$, $NH_4{^+}$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$), two carbonaceous species (OC and EC), and fourteen elements (Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Pb) in 1-hr interval. The data sets were then analyzed using EPA PMF version 3 to identify sources and contributions to $PM_{2.5}$ mass. EPA PMF modeling identified eight PM2.5 sources, including soil dust, secondary sulfate, secondary nitrate, motor vehicle, coal combustion, oil combustion, biomass burning, and municipal incineration. This study found that the average $PM_{2.5}$ mass was apportioned to anthropogenic sources such as motor vehicle, fuel combustion, and biomass burning (61%) and secondary aerosols, including sulfate and nitrate (38%).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.590-603
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• 2006

Size-and time-resolved aerosol samples were collected using an eight-stage Davis rotating unit for monitoring (DRUM) sampler from 23 March to 29 April 2001 at Gosan, Jeju Island, Korea, which is one of the super sites of Asia-Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment(ACE-Asia). These samples were analyzed using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence for 3-hr average concentrations of 19 elements including Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, and Pb. The size-resolved data sets were then analyzed using the positive matrix factorization(PMF) technique to identify possible sources and estimate their contributions to particulate matter mass. PMF analysis uses the uncertainty of the measured data to provide an optimal weighting. Twelve sources were resolved in eight size ranges($0.09{\sim}12{\mu}m$) and included continental soil, local soil, sea salt, biomass/biofuel burning, coal combustion, oil combustion, municipal incineration, nonferrous metal source, ferrous metal source, gasoline vehicle, diesel vehicle, and volcanic emission. The PMF result of size-resolved source contributions showed that natural sources represented by local soil, sea salt, continental soil, and volcanic emission contributed about 79% to the predicted primary particulate matter(PM) mass in the coarse size range ($1.15{\sim}12{\mu}m$) while anthropogenic sources such as coal combustion and biomass/biofuel burning contributed about 58% in the fine size range($0.56{\sim}2.5{\mu}m$). The diesel vehicle source contributed mostly in ultra-fine size range($0.09{\sim}0.56{\mu}m$) and was responsible for about 56% of the primary PM mass.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2008

An algorithm was developed to retrieve both cloud optical thickness and effective particle radius considered the aerosol effect on clouds. This study apply the algorithm of Nakajima and Nakajima (1995) that is used to retrieve cloud optical thickness and effective particle radius from visible, near infrared satellite spectral measurements. To retrieve cloud properties, Look-up table (LUT) was made under different atmospheric conditions by using a radiative transfer model. Especially the vertical distribution of aerosol is based on a tropospheric aerosol profile in radiative transfer model. In the case study, we selected the extensive forest fire occurred in Russia in May 2003. The aerosol released from this fire may be transported to Korea. Cloud properties obtained from these distinct atmospheric situations are analysed in terms of their possible changes due to the interactions of the clouds with the aerosol particle plumes. Cloud properties over the East sea at this time was retrieved using new algorithm. The algorithm is applied to measurements from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) onboard the Terra spacecrafts. As a result, cloud effective particle radius was decreased and cloud optical thickness was increased during aerosol event. Specially, cloud effective particle radius is hardly greater than $20{\mu}m$ when aerosol particles were present over the East Sea. Clouds developing in the aerosol event tend to have more numerous but smaller droplets.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.135-144
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• 2018

Based on a two-year measurement data, major sources for the ambient carbonaceous aerosols at the Anmyeon Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station were identified by using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model. The particulate matter less than or equal to $2.5{\mu}m$ in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) aerosols were sampled between June 2015 to May 2017 and carbonaceous species including ~80 organic compounds were analyzed. When the number of factors was 5 or 6, the performance evaluation parameters showed the best results, With 6 factor case, the characteristics of transported factors were clearer. The 6 factors were identified with various analyses including chemical characteristics and air parcel movement analysis. The 6 factors with their relative contributions were (1) anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols (SOA) (10.3%), (2) biogenic sources (24.8%), (3) local biomass burning (26.4%), (4) transported biomass burning (7.3%), (5) combustion related sources (12.0%), and (6) transported sources (19.2%). The air parcel movement analysis result and seasonal variation of the contribution of these factors also supported the identification of these factors. Thus, the Anmyeon Island GAW station has been affected by both regional and local sources for the carbonaceous aerosols.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.263-277
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• 2011

Global atmospheric $CO_2$ distributions were simulated with a chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and compared with space-borne observations of $CO_2$ column density by GOSAT from April 2009 to January 2010. The GEOS-Chem model simulated 3-D global atmospheric $CO_2$ at $2^{\circ}{\times}2.5^{\circ}$ horizontal resolution using global $CO_2$ surface sources/sinks as well as 3-D emissions from aviation and the atmospheric oxidation of other carbon species. The seasonal cycle and spatial distribution of GEOS-Chem $CO_2$ columns were generally comparable with GOSAT columns over each continent with a systematic positive bias of ~1.0%. Data from the World Data Center for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) from twelve ground stations spanning $90^{\circ}S-82^{\circ}N$ were also compared with the modeled data for the period of 2004-2009 inclusive. The ground-based data show high correlations with the GEOS-Chem simulation ($0.66{\leq}R^2{\leq}0.99$) but the model data have a negative bias of ~1.0%, which is primarily due to the model initial conditions. Together these two comparisons can be used to infer that GOSAT $CO_2$ retrievals underestimate $CO_2$ column concentration by ~2.0%, as demonstrated in recent validation work using other methods. We further estimated individual source/sink contributions to the global atmospheric $CO_2$ budget and trends through 7 tagged $CO_2$ tracers (fossil fuels, ocean exchanges, biomass burning, biofuel burning, net terrestrial exchange, shipping, aviation, and CO oxidation) over 2004-2009. The global $CO_2$ trend over this period (2.1 ppmv/year) has been mainly driven by fossil fuel combustion and cement production (3.2 ppmv/year), reinforcing the fact that rigorous $CO_2$ reductions from human activities are necessary in order to stabilize atmospheric $CO_2$ levels.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.86-90
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• 2014

Background: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was selected as a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to explore the accumulation level in the bodies of workers at rubber smoke sheet factories in southern Thailand. Methods: Spot urine samples were taken from four groups of workers from June 2006 to November 2007. The nonexposure or control groups included habitual cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. The other two groups were workers exposed to particle-bound PAHs from rubber wood smoke and they were nonsmokers. All spot urine samples were analyzed for 1-OHP and creatinine levels. Results: The mean${\pm}$standard deviation urinary 1-OHP in the control group of habitual smokers and the nonsmokers was $0.24{\pm}0.16{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine and not-detected to $0.14{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, respectively. In the workers, the 1-OHP levels on workdays had no significant difference from the 1-OHP levels on the days off. The yearly average 1-OHP level was $0.76{\pm}0.41{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine whereas the average 1-OHP level during 10 consecutive workdays was $1.06{\pm}0.29{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The urinary 1-OHP levels of workers exposed to PAHs were high. The accumulation of 1-OHP in the body was not clear although the workers had long working hours with few days off during their working experience. Therefore, a regular day off schedule and rotation shift work during high productive RSS should be set for RSS workers.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.141-150
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• 2017

Using the NASA's Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis for aerosol optical depth (AOD) and satellite-observed carbon monoxide (CO) data, we examined the basic pattern of AOD variations over the three polar stations of Korea: Jangbogo and King Sejong stations in the Antarctica, and Dasan station in the Arctic area. AOD values at King Sejong and Dasan station show the maximum peaks in spring, which looks associated with the high amount of atmospheric CO emitted from the natural burning and the biomass burning. Jangbogo station shows the much less AOD compared to other two stations, and seems not strongly affected by the transport of airborne particles generated from mid-latitude regions. All three polar stations show the AOD increasing trend in general, indicating that the polar background air quality becomes polluted.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2015

Manually fed firewood burning appliances, i.e., stove and boiler, were tested in order to determine emission factors (EFs) of macro-pollutants, i.e., carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ammonia, particulate matters (total suspended particulate, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, black carbon) and trace pollutants (i.e., ten different volatile organic compounds). The composite pollutants EFs for the wood stove were: for TSP 15.45 g/kg, for $PM_{10}$ 6.53 g/kg, $PM_{2.5}$ 4.16 g/kg, CO 175.49 g/kg, NO 1.58 g/kg, $SO_2$ 0.15 g/kg, TVOC 48.02 g/kg, $NH_3$ 0.02 g/kg and emissions were similar to the wood boiler appliance: for TSP 12.23 g/kg, for $PM_{10}$ 5.84 g/kg, $PM_{2.5}$ 3.66 g/kg, CO 146.74 g/kg, NO 1.42 g/kg, $SO_2$ 0.15 g/kg, TVOC 47.78 g/kg, $NH_3$ 0.01 g/kg.