• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.205-220
• /
• 2023

In this study, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on PM_2.5 mass and its five chemical components (NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, OC, EC) in Busan was evaluated, and compared with that of Seoul. The study period over the recent three years was sub-divided into two periods: Pre-COVID (2018~2019) and COVID (2020) periods, and the differences in observed annual and monthly variations between the two periods were explored here. The results indicated that annual mean PM_2.5 mass concentrations decreased during the COVID period by 16% in Seoul and 29% in Busan, and the satellite-observed annual average of aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the Korean Peninsula also decreased by approximately more than 10% compared with that of the Pre-COVID period. All of the five chemical components decreased but no particular changes were found in their fractions occupied during the COVID period. However, over the Lock-down period (2020-March), the sulfate fraction decreased in Seoul, mostly reflecting the recent Chinese trends of aerosol characteristics, whereas the nitrate fraction considerably decreased in Busan, which was attributable to the local emission changes and their variabilities in Busan. Other meteorological characteristics such as higher frequencies of easterly winds in the Busan area during the COVID period were also discussed in comparison with those in the Seoul area.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
• /
• v.2
• /
• pp.235-240
• /
• 2006

Ionospheric scintillation induces a rapid change in the amplitude and phase of radio wave signals. This is due to irregularities of electron density in the F-region of the ionosphere. It reduces the accuracy of both pseudorange and carrier phase measurements in GPS/satellite based Augmentation system (SBAS) receivers, and can cause loss of lock on the satellite signal. Scintillation is not as strong at mid-latitude regions such that positioning is not affected as much. Severe effects of scintillation occur mainly in a band approximately 20 degrees on either side of the magnetic equator and sometimes in the polar and auroral regions. Most scintillation occurs for a few hours after sunset during the peak years of the solar cycle. This paper focuses on estimation of the effects of ionospheric scintillation on GPS and SBAS signals using a software receiver. Software receivers have the advantage of flexibility over conventional receivers in examining performance. PC based receivers are especially effective in studying errors such as multipath and ionospheric scintillation. This is because it is possible to analyze IF signal data stored in host PC by the various processing algorithms. A L1 C/A software GPS receiver was developed consisting of a RF front-end module and a signal processing program on the PC. The RF front-end module consists of a down converter and a general purpose device for acquiring data. The signal processing program written in MATLAB implements signal acquisition, tracking, and pseudorange measurements. The receiver achieves standalone positioning with accuracy between 5 and 10 meters in 2drms. Typical phase locked loop (PLL) designs of GPS/SBAS receivers enable them to handle moderate amounts of scintillation. So the effects of ionospheric scintillation was estimated on the performance of GPS L1 C/A and SBAS receivers in terms of degradation of PLL accuracy considering the effect of various noise sources such as thermal noise jitter, ionospheric phase jitter and dynamic stress error.