• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.701-712
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to determine concentrations and compositions of $PM_{2.5}$ and their characteristic variations at Ieodo Ocean Research Station in the East China Sea and to examine the influence of air pollutants transported from Asia continents. $O_3$ and meteorological parameters were measured since June 2003 and $PM_{2.5}$ filter samples were collected from June 2004 to June 2008. In total, 244 samples were analyzed for water soluble ions and carbonaceous compounds. The mean mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ and $O_3$ were $21.8{\pm}14.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $51.6{\pm}16.1$ ppb, respectively. The average concentrations (mass fractions) of sulfate and ammonium were $6.26{\mu}g/m^3$ (28.74%) and $1.59{\mu}g/m^3$ (7.31%), respectively. Nitrate was considered to be lost through evaporation due to long stay at the station. The mean concentrations of EC and OC were $1.01{\mu}g/m^3$ and $2.34{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, from June 2006 to June 2008. The average OC/EC ratio was 2.31. The organic matter converted from OC by multiplying 2.1 and elemental carbon constituted 22.60% and 4.66% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.269-286
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• 2015

24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were performed between December 2013 and October 2014 at an urban site in Gwangju and the collected samples were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic species, and elemental species. Objectives of this study were to identify $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episodes, to characterize their chemical components, and to examine their probable origins. Over the course of the study period, average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was $37.7{\pm}23.6$ $(6.0{\sim}121.5){\mu}g/m^3$. Concentrations of secondary ionic species; $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ was on average $5.54{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.28~ 20.86), $7.60{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.45~ 33.53), and $9.05{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.50~ 34.98), accounting for 13.7% (4.6~ 22.7), 18.6% (2.9~ 44.8), and 22.9% (4.9~ 55.1) of the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration, respectively. Average OC and EC concentrations were $5.22{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.54{\mu}g/m^3$, taking possession of 4.6 and 22.2% (as organic mass) of the $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. Frequencies at which 24-hr averaged $PM_{2.5}$ exceeded a 24-hr averaged Korean $PM_{2.5}$ standard of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ (termed as an "episode" in this study) were 30, accounting for 21.3% of total 141 measurements. These pollution episodes were mostly associated with haze phenomenon and weak surface wind speed. It is suggested that secondary formation of aerosol was one important formation mechanism of the episodes. The episodes were associated with enhancements of organic mass, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in winter, of $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in spring, and of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in summer. Potential source contribution function results indicate also that $PM_{2.5}$ episodes were likely attributed to local and regional haze pollution transported from northeastern China in winter, to atmospheric processing of local emissions rather than long-range transport of air pollutants in spring, and to the $SO_4{^{2-}}$ driven by photochemistry of $SO_2$ in summer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2014

Since the emergence of domestically produced automobiles in 1964, the number of automobiles in circulation in South Korea has increased constantly. With this rapidly increasing number of automobiles, automobile-induced environmental pollution has become an issue of great concern, especially with regard to air pollution. Of the carbon composites contained in automobile exhaust gas, PAHs are known to be carcinogenic and highly deleterious to humans and thus need to be urgently mitigated. To address this issue of PAHs, this study was conducted to estimate qualitative of particulate PAHs contained in carbon composites in automobile exhaust gas, by capturing all particulate matter discharged from the latter. To allow for differentiated analyses, the automobiles investigated were divided into 4 groups: gasoline vehicle, motocycle, diesel vehicle, and LPG vehicle. Samples were analyzed using two methods. First, in-depth analysis was performed on organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) composites with analysis parameters, using the Thermal Optical Transmittance Method (NIOSH 5040). Second, for the examination of particulate PAHs, GC/MSD was used to analyze the 16 PAH species specified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analyses yielded the findings that diesel vehicles had the highest mass concentration ($2,007{\mu}g/m^3$), followed by motocycle ($1,066{\mu}g/m^3$), LPG vehicle ($392{\mu}g/m^3$), and gasoline vehicles ($270{\mu}g/m^3$). The highest carbon concentrations in total particulate matter by vehicle weight were produced from LPG vehicle (79.8%), followed by gasoline vehicle (77.4%), motocycle (69.8%), and diesel vehicle (59.1%).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2017

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to compare the surface resistance of cassettes according to the material, and to evaluate the wall deposition of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) by electrostatic loss in the inner wall of the cassette. Methods: Surface resistance was measured for three types of cassettes(25 mm polypropylene conductive cowl, 25 mm and 37 mm clear styrene cassettes) with a surface resistance meter. Also, electrostatic wall loss was measured at different weights of CNTs depending on the cassette. CNTs were laid on a weight dish with the cassette for five minutes to provide sufficient time to attach on the wall. Wipe sampling was performed to collect CNTs deposited on the wall and elemental carbon, known as a surrogate for CNTs, was analyzed. Results: The cassette with conductive materials(18% of black carbon) showed the lowest surface resistance($<1.21{\times}10^3{\Omega}$). Cassettes made from clear polystyrene showed the relatively highest surface resistance(25 mm: $10.02{\times}10^9{\Omega}$, 37 mm: $10.59{\times}10^9{\Omega}$). This means that particles are more likely to stick to the internal wall of styrene cassettes due to electrostatic electricity. This may lead to an underestimation of the airborne concentration of CNTs. The experiment showed that EC was not detected when using a 25 mm conductive cowl cassette, while EC was detected at the internal wall of 25 mm and 37 mm polystyrene cassettes. Conclusions: This study confirms that cassettes with a conductive cowl have low surface resistance and are more appropriate for CNT sampling. In addition, this finding could be applied for other types of particulate, especially regarding electrostatic charge and sampling.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.113-128
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• 2019

The concentration and coating thickness of black carbon (BC) were measured along with fine dust in the fall of 2018, at the Seoul Metropolitan Area Intensive Monitoring Station (SIMS). In fall, the concentration of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ was $23{\pm}12.6{\mu}g/m^3$ and $12{\pm}5.8{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, lower than that in other seasons. The BC level, measured using an Aethalometer, was $0.73{\pm}0.43{\mu}g/m^3$, while the levels of elemental carbon (EC) and refractory-BC (rBC), measured by semi-continuous carbon analyzer (SOCEC) and single particle soot photometer (SP2), were $0.34{\pm}0.18{\mu}g/m^3$ and $0.32{\pm}0.18{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. As such, the concentration level differed according to the measurement method, but its time-series distribution and diurnal variation showed the same trends. The BC concentration at SIMS was primarily affected by automobiles with higher levels of BC during morning and evening commuting times due to increased traffic congestion. rBC, measured by SP2, had a peak concentration and coating thickness of 84 nm and 43 nm, respectively. Notably, the coating thickness had an inverse relationship with particle size.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.239-254
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• 2015

Little information on HUmic-Like Substances (HULIS) in ambient particulate matter has been reported yet in Korea. HULIS makes up a significant fraction of the water-soluble organic mass in the atmospheric aerosols and influence their water uptake properties. In this study 24-hr $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected between December 2013 and October 2014 at an urban site in Gwangju and analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble OC (WSOC), HULIS, and ionic species, to investigate possible sources and formation processes of HULIS. HULIS was separated using solid phase extraction method and quantified by total organic carbon analyzer. During the study period, HULIS concentration ranged from 0.19 to $5.65{\mu}gC/m^3$ with an average of $1.83{\pm}1.22{\mu}gC/m^3$, accounting for on average 45% of the WSOC (12~ 73%), with higher in cold season than in warm season. Strong correlation of WSOC with HULIS ($R^2=0.91$) indicates their similar chemical characteristics. On the basis of the relationships between HULIS and a variety of chemical species (EC, $K^+$, $NO_3{^-}$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, and oxalate), it was postulated that HULIS observed during summer and winter were likely attributed to secondary formation and primary emissions from biomass burning (BB) and traffics. Stronger correlation of HULIS with $K^+$, which is a BB tracer, in winter ($R^2=0.81$) than in summer ($R^2=0.66$), suggests more significant contribution of BB emissions in winter to the observed HULIS. It is interesting to note that BB emissions may also have an influence on the HULIS in summer, but further study using levoglucosan that is a unique organic marker of BB emissions is required during summer. Higher correlation between HULIS and oxalate, which is mainly formed through cloud processing and/or photochemical oxidation processes, was found in the summer ($R^2=0.76$) than in the winter ($R^2=0.63$), reflecting a high fraction of secondary organic aerosol in the summer.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.234-243
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• 2012

The wintertime high loading for atmospheric pollutants is certainly expected in the Byunsan Peninsula of Korea because of a great-scale reclamation project having construction of 33 km tidal sea dike impounding an area of over 40,000 ha and long-range transport. The goal of this study is to trace the origin of this wintertime burden for ambient particulate matter (hereafter called "PM") in the Byunsan Peninsula of Korea. The size-segregated (i.e., cutoff size from 0.01 ${\mu}m$ to 4.7 ${\mu}m$) PM sampling was conducted at a ground-based site of Byunsan Peninsula located in the west coast of Korean Peninsula during the height of dike constructing. Data archived in this study are the mass concentrations of ionic, elemental, and carbonic components in size-fractioned PM. The elemental mass of individual submicrometer particles was also analyzed. The sum of 5-source (i.e., elemental carbon, organic materials, inorganic secondary pollutants, crustal matter, and sea-salts) concentrations shows the bimodal distribution (major and minor peaks formed around $D_p$, 0.65 ${\mu}m$ and $D_p$, 4.7 ${\mu}m$, respectively) by border with 0.19 ${\mu}m$ of cutoff size. The concentrations of EC in $PM_{1.1-0.01}$ in winter and spring times were 4.62 ${\mu}g\;m^{-3}$ and 3.74 ${\mu}g\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Elemental masses of submicron individual particles are classified into two groups, i.e., the major elements (Cl, Al, Si, S, and P) and the minor trace elements. Cluster analysis differentiated the elements in submicron individual particles into 4-cluster. Among them, three clusters are in agreement with the major (Al, Si, S, and P), minor (Fe, Ca, and K), and trace compositions of coal burning. Meanwhile, Cl classified as an independent cluster has different source profile which was mainly due to the Saemangeum seawall project. Some highly toxic elements (e.g., Cr, Mn, and As (and/or Pb)) were also detected in some part of submicron individual PM. As a consequence, the combination of the Saemangeum project and winter monsoon played a considerable part in the double aggravation of wintertime air pollution in the Byunsan Peninsular.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.318-329
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to develop the $PM_{2.5}$ source profiles for diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles, which contained mass abundances in terms of mass fraction of $PM_{2.5}$ of chemical species. Seven diesel-powered vehicles and nine gasoline-powered vehicles were sampled from a chassis dynamometer exhaust dilution system. The species measured were water-soluble ions, elements, elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC). From this study, the large abundances of EC (54.5%), OC (26.0%), ${SO_4}^{2-}$ (1.5%), ${NO_3}^-$ (0.8%), and S (0.6%) were observed from the diesel-powered vehicle exhaust showing that carbons were dominant species. The gasoline-powered vehicle exhaust emitted large abundances of OC (38.3%), EC (4.2%), ${SO_4}^{2-}$ (3.6%), ${NH_4}^+$ (3.5%), and ${NO_3}^-$ (3.0%). The abundances of ${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${NH_4}^+$, and ${NO_3}^-$ from gasoline vehicle were greater than those of diesel vehicle. The emissions of P, S, Ca, Fe, and Zn among trace elements for the gasoline vehicle were greater than 1% of the $PM_{2.5}$ mass unlike those for the diesel vehicle. Particularly, the fraction of Zn was five times higher from the gasoline vehicle than that from the diesel vehicle. The source profiles developed in this work were intensively examined by applying chemical mass balance model.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.642-655
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• 2013

In this study, semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), black carbon (BC), and ionic species concentrations were made for the period of April 03~13, 2012, at a South Area Supersite at Gwangju. Possible sources causing the high concentrations of major chemical species in $PM_{2.5}$ observed during a haze episode were investigated. The measurement results, along with meteorological parameters, gaseous pollutants data, air mass back trajectory analyses and PSCF (potential source contribution function) results, were used to study the haze episode. Substantial enhancements of OC, EC, BC, $K^+$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO{_3}{^-}$, $NH{_4}{^+}$, and CO concentrations were closely associated with air masses coming from regions of forest fires in southeastern China, suggesting likely an impact of the forest fires. Also the PSCF maps for EC, OC, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, and $K^+$ demonstrate further that the long-range transport of smoke plumes of forest fires detected over the southeastern China could be a possible source of haze phenomena observed at the site. Another possible source leading to haze formation was likely from photochemistry of precursor gases such as volatile organic compounds, $SO_2$, and $NO_2$, resulting in accumulation of secondary organic aerosol, $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO{_3}{^-}$. Throughout the episode, local wind directions were between 200 and $230^{\circ}C$, where two industrial areas are situated, with moderate wind speeds of 3~5 m/s, resulting in highly elevated concentration of $SO_2$ with a maximum of 15 ppb. The $SO{_4}^{2-}$ peak occurring in the afternoon hours coincided with maximum ambient temperature ($24^{\circ}C$) and ozone concentration (~100 ppb), and were driven by photochemistry of $SO_2$. As a result, the pattern of $SO{_4}^{2-}$ variations in relation to wind direction, $SO_2$ and $O_3$ concentrations, and the strong correlation between $SO_2$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ ($R^2=0.76$) suggests that in addition to the impact of smoke plumes from forest fires in the southeastern China, local $SO_2$ emissions were likely an important source of $SO{_4}^{2-}$ leading to haze formation at the site.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2017

Atmospheric nitrogen containing organic compounds(e.g. amino acids) has attracted considerable attention from the viewpoint of the oceanic biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen as well as the long range transfer. However, only a few measurements of organic nitrogen compounds have been conducted due to analytical difficulties. In this study, total of nine amino acids such as Glutamic acid, Histidine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Cystine, Valine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Lysine have been analytically determined by Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSMS). As results, Fragmentor Voltage (FV), Precursor Ion, Collision Energy, Product Ion related to individual amino acid compounds are shown. Based on the operational conditions, Lysine, Glutamine Acid, Tyrosine were analyzed during the China Oriented Smog Period. High concentrations of Lysine, Glutamine Acid, and Tyrosine are discussed with organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water soluble ions. The results can provide to understand the sources with aging process related to amino acids influenced by the long-range transport from the Yellow Sea area.