• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.233-244
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of concentration of indoor air pollutants, such as $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$, measured by tele-monitoring system in a Seoul Metropolitan underground railway station from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012. The annual average concentration of indoor air pollutants actually varied over a wide range and was found to exhibit marked variation with time and measurement sites (tunnel inlet, platform, and concourse). After installing platform screen doors, the average $PM_{10}$ concentration on platform and concourse was decreased by 43.8% and 31.2%, respectively during the study periods. The relationship between the concentration of $PM_{10}$ and meteorological parameters (relative humidity and rainfall) or the Asian dust events was regarded as statistically significant. The correlations between the number of boarding/alighting passengers and $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$ were calculated. A p-value of less than 0.01 was regarded as significant except $NO_2$. The I/O ratio of $PM_{10}$ concentration was elevated after a congested time (about 08:00 am). The average I/O ratios of $NO_2$ were observed in concourse and platform on 03:00 am with $1.76{\pm}0.91$ and $1.50{\pm}0.51$, respectively. The average daily variation of standard excess rate of $PM_{10}$ and $NO_2$ concentration in concourse and platform was investigated. The highest standard excess rate was observed on 21:00 (09:00 pm).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.216-232
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• 2016

In present, the Seoul City is undergoing traffic congestion problems caused by rapid urbanization and population growth. Thus the City government has reorganized the mass transportation system since 2004 and the subway has become a very important means for public transit. Since the subway system is typically a closed environment, the indoor air quality issues have often raised by the public. Especially since a huge amount of PM (particulate matter) is emitted from ground tunnels passing through the subway train, it is now necessary to assess the characteristics and behaviors of fine PM inside the tunnel. In this study, the concentration patterns of $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ in the Seoul subway line-2 were analyzed by real-time measurement during winter (Jan 13, 2015) and summer (Aug 7, 2015). The line-2 consisting of 51 stations is the most busy circular line in Seoul having the railway of 60.2 km length. The the one-day average $PM_{10}$ concentrations were $148{\mu}g/m^3$ in winter and $66.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in summer and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $118{\mu}g/m^3$ and $58.5{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio in the underground tunnel was lower than the outdoor ratio and also the ratio in summer is higher than in winter. Further the study examined structural types of underground subsections to explain the patterns of elevated PM concentrations in the line-2. The subsections showing high PM concentration have longer track, shorter curvature radius, and farther from the outdoor stations. We also estimated the outdoor PM concentrations near each station by a spatial statistical analysis using the $PM_{10}$ data obtained from the 40 Seoul Monitoring Sites, and further we calculated $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ and $PM_1/PM_{10}$ mass ratios near the outdoor subway stations by using our observed outdoor $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ data. Finally, we could develop pollution maps for outdoor $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ near the line-2 by using the kriging method in spatial analysis. This methodology may help to utilize existing $PM_{10}$ database when managing and control fine particle problems in Korea.