• Atmosphere
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.469-477
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• 2018

We performed the comparison of observed $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ at both the Yonsei University and the AIRKOREA site in the same Seodaemun-gu district, Seoul from March to December 2016. Generally, the moderate correlations between two sites were found for both $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$, but monthly difference was somewhat occurred, implying that the measurement situation is not equally maintained even in a closely located area. Particularly correlations became weaker in June and July, which seems the impact of rainy conditions. Correlations between two stations were higher for $PM_{10}$ compared to $PM_{2.5}$, probably indicating the spatially larger difference of fine mode particle. Monthly mean variation was similar between two sites showing a maximum in March and minimum in August. Diurnal variation was somewhat different: morning peak at Yonsei University but evening peak at the Seodaemun-gu AIRKOREA site, reflecting the difference of local air condition. We also compared the extent of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ according to the local wind speed and direction. In general, the level of particulate matter was high when the wind is blowing from the northwestern area with low wind speed, meaning the high accumulation effect of transported air particles. Findings of this study can be usefully considered for the investigation about the discrepancy of aerosol measurement in a local scale.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.251-259
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• 2024

Fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5 with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, poses significant health and economic risks. This study focuses on the Seoul region of South Korea, aiming to analyze PM2.5 data and trends from 2017 to 2022 and develop a mid-term prediction model for PM2.5 concentrations. Utilizing collected and produced air quality and weather data, reanalysis data, and numerical model prediction data, this research proposes an ensemble evaluation method capable of adapting to trend changes. The ensemble method proposed in this study demonstrated superior performance in predicting PM2.5 concentrations, outperforming existing models by an average F1 Score of approximately 42.16% in 2019, 58.92% in 2021, and 34.79% in 2022 for future 3 to 6-day predictions. The model maintains performance under changing environmental conditions, offering stable predictions and presenting a mid-term prediction model that extends beyond the capabilities of existing deep learning-based short-term PM2.5 forecasts.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.6_3
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• pp.1653-1667
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• 2020

In this study, we coupled a computation fluid dynamics (CFD) model to the local data assimilation and prediction system (LDAPS), a current operational numerical weather prediction model of the Korea Meteorological Administration. We investigated the characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) distributions in a building-congested district. To analyze the effects of road emission on the PM2.5 concentrations, we calculated road emissions based on the monthly, daily, and hourly emission factors and the total amount of PM2.5 emissions established from the Clean Air Policy Support System (CAPSS) of the Ministry of Environment. We validated the simulated PM2.5 concentrations against those measured at the PKNU-AQ Sensor stations. In the cases of no road emission, the LDAPS-CFD model underestimated the PM2.5 concentrations measured at the PKNU-AQ Sensor stations. The LDAPS-CFD model improved the PM2.5 concentration predictions by considering road emission. At 07 and 19 LST on 22 June 2020, the southerly wind was dominant at the target area. The PM2.5 distribution at 07 LST were similar to that at 19 LST. The simulated PM2.5 concentrations were significantly affected by the road emissions at the roadside but not significantly at the building roof. In the road-emission case, the PM2.5 concentration was high at the north (wind speeds were weak) and west roads (a long street canyon). The PM2.5 concentration was low in the east road where the building density was relatively low.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.61-75
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• 2018

This study aims to verify the effect of green buffers, built as urban planning facilities on the reduction of ultra-fine particulate($PM_{2.5}$) and analyze changes in ultra-fine particles by structure, green volume and planting types of wayside green buffers, thus drawing the factors that can be used when green buffers are built to reduce ultra-fine particulate based on the results. This study selected Songpa-gu, and investigated 16 sites on 5 green buffers adjacent to two of Songpa-gu's main roads, 'Yangjaedaero' and 'Songpadaero'. This study divided all the green spaces into three different types-slope type, plain type and mounding type, and analyzed the mean green volume. As a result of measuring the concentration of $PM_{2.5}$, this study found that it was $55.5{\mu}g/m^3$ on average in winter, which was a harmful level according to the integrated environmental index provided by Seoul City, saying that levels above $50{\mu}g/m^3$ may have a harmful effect on sensitive groups of people. Particularly, the concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was $38.6{\mu}g/m^3$ on average in spring, which exceeded the mean concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ in Seoul City in 2015. The mean concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ in every investigation spot were $46.6{\mu}g/m^3$ for sidewalks, $45.5{\mu}g/m^3$ for green spaces and $42.9{\mu}g/m^3$ for residential areas, all of which were lower than $53.2{\mu}g/m^3$ for roads, regardless of the season. The concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ for residential areas was the lowest. In the stage of confirming the effect of green buffers, this study analyzed the correlation between the green volume of vegetation and the fluctuated rate of ultra-fine particles. As a result, it was found that the green coverage rate of trees and shrubs was related to the crown volume in every investigation spot but were mutually and complexly affected by each other. Therefore, this study judged that the greater the number of layers of shrubs that are made, the more effective it is in reducing the concentration of $PM_{2.5}$. As for seasonal characteristics, this study analyzed the correlation between the concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ for residential areas in winter and the green coverage rate of each green space type. As a result, this study found that there was a negative correlation showing that the higher the shrub green coverage rate is, the lower the concentration value becomes in all the slope-type, plain-type and mounding-type green spaces. This study confirmed that the number of tree rows and the number of shrub layers have negative correlations with the fluctuated concentration rate of $PM_{2.5}$. Especially, it was judged that the shrub green volume has greater effect than any other factor, and each green space type shows a negative correlation with the shrub coverage rate in winter.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2013

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis is the most popular pollinosis in Japan. It has been reported that Cryptomeria japonica pollen allergenic species are suspended as fine particles in the urban atmosphere. These allergenic fine particles are responsible for inducing asthma by breaking into the lower respiratory tract. It has also been found that pollinosis symptoms on the sufferers appear mainly at night-time by the results from epidemiological studies. However, the exact reason for these phenomena is not yet clarified. In this study, the diurnal and nocturnal behaviours of Cryptomeria japonica pollen grains and their allergenic species in the urban area of Saitama city of Kanto Plain were investigated. Airborne pollen grains and allergenic Cry j 1 concentrations in total suspended particulate matter (TSP) were investigated at two sampling sites, a heavy traffic road (roadside site) and at the balcony of the $10^{th}$ floor of the Building of Research and Project of Saitama University (general urban site). The latter sampling site where located about 300 m away from the roadside site was used as a general urban site unaffected by automobile traffic. The airborne pollen counts were measured with a real-time pollen monitor. Cry j 1 particles were collected with two high volume air samplers, and these concentrations were measured by surface plasmon resonance method with a Biacore J system. The diurnal variation of the airborne pollen counts was similar to the trends of temperature and wind speed during the day-time; whereas its tendency with wind speed trend was not observed during the night-time. Airborne pollen counts were lower with northern wind than with southern wind because the pollen comes from the mountainous areas, and the mountains in the south are closer, about half the distance to the northern mountains. It is suggested that the peaks of airborne pollen counts during night-time in the sampling site occurred by transport of pollen grains released during day-time in the mountainous forest areas, located c.a. 100 km away from the sampling site. On the roadside site the allergenic Cry j 1 concentrations were higher than at the general urban site, nevertheless pollen grains counts were lower. These results suggested that worsening of pollinosis symptoms during night-time in urban area was caused by transport of pollen grains during day-time in the mountainous forest areas. Moreover, pollen allergenic species become different morphology from pollen grain at roadside site, and the subsequent pollen grains re-suspension by automobile traffic.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2020

Particulate matters of PM_2.5, particularly focusing on 0.1~1 ㎛ decrease the efficiency of dust-collector due to the brownian-motion. This study is to verify the effect of coagulant on the particle size distributions of potassium and PM_2.5. The activated coagulant was spayed to the coal fired fluidized bed combustion boiler by the weight ratio of 1,200 : 1 = coal : coagulant, and the size distributions of captured particles at both the cyclone (FP) and electrostatic precipitator (EP) were measured. As the result of XRP analysis, the potassium content of FP increased to 13.33% (averagely from 1.65% to 1.87%) and, in EP at 17.68% (averagely from 1.65% to 2.03%). And it was confirmed by the particle size distribution analyzer and SEM image analysis that the distribution rates of PM_2.5 decreased at 89.53% on average in FP, and at 88.57% in EP. The total dust concentration (mg/㎥) confirmed by tele-monitering system (TMS) decreased during the primary test from 2.6 to 1.7~1.9 and also the secondary test from 2.9 to 1.7~1.9.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.301-311
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• 2015

Objectives: Operators of overhead traveling crane in a ship assembly factory perform work to transmit large vessel blocks to an appropriate working process. Hazardous matters such as metal dusts, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, loud noise and fine particles are generated by variable working activities in the factory. The operators could be exposed to the hazardous matters during the work. In particular, welding fumes comprised of ultra fine particles and heavy metals is extremely hazardous for humans when exposing a pulmonary through respiratory pathway. Occupational lung diseases related to welding fumes are increasingly on an upward tendency. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess properly unknown occupational exposure to the welding fumes among the operators. Methods: This study intended to clearly determine an equivalence check whether or not chemical constituents and composition of the dusts, which existed in the driver's cab, matched up with generally known welding fumes. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamics program(CFD) was used to identify a ventilation assessment in respect of a contamination distribution of welding fumes in the air. The operators were investigated to assess personal exposure levels of welding fumes and respirable particulate. Results: The dust in an operation room were the same constituents and composition as welding fumes. Welding fumes, which caused by the welding in a floor of the factory, arose with an ascending air current up to a roof and then stayed for a long time. They were considered to be exposed to the welding fumes in the operation room. The personal exposure levels of welding fumes and respirable particulate were 0.159(n=8, range=0.073-0.410) $mg/m^3$ and 0.138(n=8, range=0.087-0.178) $mg/m^3$, respectively. They were lower than a threshold limit value level($5mg/m^3$) of welding fumes. Conclusions: These findings indicate that an occupational exposure to welding fumes can exist among the operators. Consequently, we need to be keeping the operators under a constant assessment in the operator process of overhead traveling crane.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.610-616
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• 2020

Recently, the application of a photocatalyst to road structures is being attempted to solve environmental problems caused by fine particulate matter and automobile exhaust. The purpose of this study was to develop a release agent with GST (low-cost, high-performance photocatalyst produced from wastewater sludge). For this, the method of mixing and dispersing GST with the release agent was used first, and the removal performance of nitrogen oxide (NOx) was then checked. The best performance without a precipitation reaction was achieved using a stabilizing agent at 20 % in an outdoor exposure test for four weeks. The NO and NOx removal rate of the specimen demolded by applying the GST release agent developed in this study showed excellent effects of 200 to 400 % compared to the Plain material. To increase the performance of the GST release agent, it is necessary to improve the dispersibility of GST in the release agent and increase the amount of the nano-sized photocatalyst. In addition, the use of GST release agent in road structures and exposed concrete is expected to increase the NOx removal efficiency.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.408-421
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• 2007

The concentration characteristics of atmospheric particle matters (PM) including $PM_{2.5},\;PM_{10}$, and TSP were evaluated through the measurement data of PM_{2.5}$ (fine particulate), PM_{10-2.5}$ (coarse particulate), and PM_{over-10}$ collected using a MCI (multi-nozzle cascade impactor) sampler of a three-stage filter pack in spring of 2006 in Iksan area. During the sampling period of 10-15 March and 24 days from 8 April to 2 May, 32 samples for PM of each size fractions were collected, and then measured for PM mass concentrations and water-soluble inorganic ion species. Average concentrations of $PM_{2.5},\;PM_{10}$, TSP were $57.9{\pm}44.1mg/m^3$, $96.6{\pm}89.1mg/m^3$, and $114.8{\pm}99.7mg/m^3$, respectively. Water-soluble inorganic ion fractions to PM mass were found to be 36.5%, 18.0%, and 11.1% for $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10-2.5}$ and $PM_{over-10}$, respectively. By showing the high concentrations of PM samples during Asian dust events, those three fractions of PM were distinguished between the samples of Asian dust event and the samples of no event. However, the increase of PM concentrations observed during Asian dust events showed a different pattern for some Asian dust events. The differences of those three fractions in the size distribution may depend on differences on place of occurrence of Asian dust storm and course of transport from China continent to Iksan area in Korea. However, the extent of PM mass contribution during Asian dust events was generally dominated by the coarse particles rather than the fine fraction of PM. The variations of water-soluble inorganic ion species concentration in those three PM fractions between the samples of Asian dust event and the samples of no event were also discussed in this study.

• 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.