• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2020

The organic carbon in the ambient particulate matter (PM) is divided into primary organic carbon (POC) and secondary organic carbon (SOC) by their formation way. To regulate PM effectively, the estimation of the amount of POC and SOC separately is one of important consideration. Since SOC cannot be measured directly, previous studies have evaluated determination of SOC by the EC tracer method. The EC tracer method is a method of estimating the SOC value from calculating the POC by determining (OC/EC)pri which is the ratio of the measured values of OC and EC from the primary combustion source. In this study, three different ways were applied to OC and EC concentrations in PM_2.5 measured at Seoul for determining (OC/EC)pri: 1) the minimum value of OC/EC ratio during the measurement period; 2) regression analysis of OC vs. EC to select the lower 5-20% OC/EC ratio; 3) determining the OC/EC ratio which has lowest correlation coefficient value (R²) between EC and SOC which is reported as minimum R squared method (MRS). Each (OC/EC)pri ratio of three ways are 0.35, 1.22, and 1.77, respectively from the 1 hourly data. We compared the (OC/EC)pri ratio from 1hourly data with 24 hourly data and revealed that (OC/EC)pri estimated from 24 hourly data had twice larger than 1hourly data due to the low time resolution of sampling. We finally confirmed that the most appropriate value of (OC/EC)pri is that calculated by a regression analysis of 1 hourly data and estimated SOC amounts at PM_2.5 of the Seoul atmosphere.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.131-140
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• 2005

To investigate secondary carbonaceous species within PM$_{10}$ and PM$_{2.5}$ in Seoul urban Metropolitan Area (SMA), Korea. atmospheric particulate matters samples were collected at two sites of SMA at UOS (The University Of Seoul station) sites and IHU (InHa University of Incheon station) during the period of 4 to 14 January and 12 to 22 May, 11 to 15 August 2004, and their characteristics were qualitatively discussed. during January and May and August of 2004. Daily average mass concentration 0.095 mg/㎥ in PM$_{10}$ and 0.053 mg/㎥ in PM$_{2.5}$ for mass respectively. were observed in SMA. The concentrations of carbonaceous species contributed 18.4% and 16.4% of PM$_{2.5}$ and PM$_{10}$ during the sampling period, respectively, of which OC accounted for 68% and 52% more of the total carbon (TC). OC and EC concentrations and their mass percentages were higher in PM$_{2.5}$ than in PM$_{10}$ which could be attributed to generation process. Organic aerosols would constitute up to 38% of PM$_{2.5}$ based on the evaluation of 1.6 for the ratio of OC to organic particulate. Secondary organic carbon (SOC) were estimated to be more than 13% and up to 68% of total OC based on the minimum OC/EC ratio of 1.06/1.11 using least square method. Comparisons of OC and EC with trace elements. As results of carbonaceous species analysis, the dominant factor in view of fine particle (PM$_{10}$/PM$_{2.5}$) is primary emission source such as mobile, fossil fuel combustion etc. during winter time in SMA. But in summer periods, remarkable fine particle increasing factor was secondary organic carbon dependent to photochemical reaction. reaction.n. reaction.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.578-592
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• 2015

To investigate characteristics and seasonal variations of carbonaceous species for $PM_{2.5}$ in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea, we measured organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) from January 2014 to December 2014 using a semi-continuous OC/EC Analyzer (Model-4, Sunset Lab.). Mean concentrations of OC and EC were estimated $4.1{\pm}2.7{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.6{\pm}1.0{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The annual averaged OC/EC ratio was $2.9{\pm}2.7$. Concentrations of OC and EC comprised 13% and 5% of $PM_{2.5}$ and the mass fraction of both was the highest in fall. OC and EC showed similar trend in seasonal variations. Concentrations of those showed a clear seasonal variation with the highest in winter and the lowest in summer. The correlations between the two were the best during the winter ($r^2=0.88$). As results of carbonaceous species analysis, the dominant factor in view of fine particle ($PM_{2.5}$) is primary emission source such as mobile, fossil fuel combustion during commute time(08:00~10:00 or 17:00~21:00) and winter season. Continuous monitoring of atmospheric carbonaceous species is essential to provide the science-based data to policy-maker establishing the air quality improvement policy.