• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.577-588
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• 1998

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are products of incomplete combustion and, in urban area atmosphere, are mainly traffic or heating in origin. Size-segregated aerosol samples were collected on the Eixth story of Shinchon on the Yonsei campus, using a high-volume cascade impactor, between August 1994 and September 1995. Ten PAHs were analyzed by GC/MSD. The size distribution of PAH-containing particulates followed approximately a log-normal relationship with the majority of PAH content associated with particles below 3.0mm. PAHs concentration in submicron particles increased during the winter months. The Mass Median Diameter (MMD) value of annual particulates in the heavy traffic area of Shinchon shows about 1.6 pm. The MMD values of air particulate in winter were the lowest values and similar to that in summer, while MMD values of seasonal PAHs were generally lower than 1.0 pm. Among the PAHs, MMD values of PAHs with the more than 5 benzen ring were averagely lower than those with 4 benzin rings. Especially MMD's of dibenzo (a, h) anthracene in winter was clearly lower than in summer. This reason may be caused by fuels used for heating. In this area, 50∼80% PAHs mass was particles smaller than 1.0mm aerodynamic diameter in size range, and the MMD values of PAHs lower than those of other country's area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

A large fraction of urban $PM_{10}$ concentrations is due to non-exhaust traffic emissions including road dust, tire wear particles, and brake lining particles. Although potential health and environmental impacts associated with tire wear debris have increased, few environmentally and biologically relevant studies of actual tire wear debris have been conducted. Tire wear particles (TWP) are released from the tire tread as a result of the interaction between the tire and the pavement. Roadway particles (RP), meanwhile, are particles on roads composed of a mixture of elements from tires, pavements, fuels, brakes, and environmental dust. The main objective of present study is to identify the contribution of tires to the generation of RP and to assess the potential environmental and health impacts of this contribution. First, a mobile measurement system was constructed and used to measure the RP on asphalt roads according to vehicle speed. The equipment of the mobile system provides $PM_{10}$ concentrations by Dusttrak DRX and number density & size distribution measurements of fine and ultra-fine particles by a fast mobility particle sizer (FMPS) and an aerosol particle sizer (APS). When traveling on an asphalt road at constant speed, there is a clear tendency for $PM_{10}$ concentration to increase slightly in accordance with an increase in the vehicle speed. It was also found that considerable brake wear particles and particles from tire/road interface were generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle. As a result, the $PM_{10}$ concentration and particle number of ultra-fine particles were measured to be very high.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.627-641
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• 2006

Atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were measured to investigate their levels and water-soluble ions(${SO_4}^{2-},\;{NO_3}^-,\;{NO_2}^-,\;Cl^-,\;{NH_4}^+,\;Na^+,\;Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;and\;K^+$) in Daegu between February 17 and April 18, 2006. Four Asian dust episodes during the period were examined for the influence of Asian dust on the particulate properties. Daily $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$ concentrations ranged between $10.83{\sim}136.76{\mu}g/m^3$ with a mean of $38.43{\mu}g/m^3$ and $16.13{\sim}409.13{\mu}g/m^3$ with a mean of $79.98{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. For all measured ions the mean fractions of $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$ were 51.8% and 28.9% being lowered to 30.7% and 9.4%, respectively, during the dust episodes. Secondary ions (i.e., non-sea salt ${SO_4}^{2-},\;{NO_3}^-,\;and\;{NH_4}^+$) contributed 44.3% and 14.8% to $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$, respectively, with a decreased contribution during the episodes. The average equivalent ratio of ${NH_4}^+$ to the sum of ${SO_4}^{2-}\;and\;{NO_3}^-$ was 0.99 and 0.89 for $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$, respectively, indicating high source strength of $NH_3$ and its dominance in the neutralization of the acidic ions. Correlations and charge balance between ions suggest that neutralization of the acidic ions results in substantial depletions of carbonate both in $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$ and chloride only in $PM_{2.5}$.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.820-824
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• 2008

Electret filter media are used in general ventilation filters, disposable respirators, vehicle cabin filters, vacuum cleaners and room air cleaners. There are basic mechanisms of interception, inertial impaction, diffusion, gravitational settling, electrostatic attraction by which an aerosol particle can be deposited onto a fiber in a filter. The ability of fine particle removal strongly depends on the electrostatic forces between particles and polarized fibers. Thus, the stability of the fiber polarization is a major factor in the reliability of electret filters. In this study, the electret filter is made by electrospinning process using Polystyrene which is dissolved by 5 : 5 of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Dimethylformamide (DMF). Also the electrical properties and the filtration performances of electrospun filter media are Quantitatively investigated. Electrical properties of electrospun filters have been studied on surface charge potential and surface charge density. Also the filtration performance of the electret filters are evaluated on collection efficiency. The surface charge potential and the surface charge density of electrospun PS filters are increased with increasing applied voltage and saturated at 30 kV of applied voltage. Also collection efficiency of electro spun filters is increased with increasing surface charge potential and surface charge density. But the surface charge potential is decreased by natural decay and it causes deterioration of particle collection efficiency.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.727-734
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• 2018

In this study, real-time absorption coefficients of carbonaceous species in $PM_{2.5}$ was observed using a dual-spot 7-wavelength Aethalometer between November 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 at an urban site of Gwangju. In addition, 24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ samples were simultaneously collected at the same site and analyzed for organic carbon and elemental carbon (OC and EC) using the thermal-optical transmittance protocol. A main objective of this study was to estimate mass absorption cross section (MAC) values of black carbon (BC) particles at the study site using the linear regression between aethalometer-based absorption coefficient and filter-based EC concentration. BC particles observed at 880 nm is mainly emitted from combustion of fossil fuels, and their concentration is typically reported as equivalent BC concentration (eBC). eBC concentration calculated using MAC value of $7.77m^2/g$ at wavelength of 880 nm, which was proposed by a manufacturer, ranged from 0.3 to $7.4{\mu}g/m^3$ with an average value of $1.9{\pm}1.2{\mu}g/m^3$, accounting for 7.3% (1.5~20.9%) of $PM_{2.5}$. The relationship between aerosol absorption coefficients at 880 nm and EC concentrations provided BC MAC value of $15.2m^2/g$, ranging from 11.4 to $16.2m^2/g$. The eBC concentrations calculated using the estimated MAC of $15.2m^2/g$ were significantly lower than those reported originally from aethalometer, and ranged from 0.2 to $3.8{\mu}g/m^3$, with an average of $1.0{\pm}0.6{\mu}g/m^3$, accounting for 3.7% of $PM_{2.5}$ (0.8~10.7%). Result from this study suggests that if the MAC value recommended by the manufacturer is applied to calculate the equivalent BC concentration and radiative forcing due to BC absorption, they would result in significant errors, implying investigation of an unique MAC value of BC particles at a study site.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.371-382
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• 2010

TSP and PM2.5 atmospheric aerosols have been collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island, and their compositions were analyzed to understand the pollution characteristics. The composition ratios of nss (non-sea salt)-$SO_4^{2-}$ and $NH_4^+$ were higher in Gosan site than those in other Korean background and urban sites. However the composition ratio of $NO_3^-$ was conversely lower in Gosan site. From the study of aerosol components according to particle sizes, the anthropogenic nss-$SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$ and $NH_4^+$ components were mostly existed in the fine particles. But the nss-$Ca^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $Cl^-$ and $Mg^{2+}$ originated from soil and marine sources were distributed relatively in the coarse particles. In the seasonal comparison, the concentrations of nss-$Ca^{2+}$, Al, Fe, Ca and $NO_3^-$ increased in spring season, and nss-$SO_4^{2-}$ showed higher concentration in summer and spring seasons. Based on the factor analysis, the atmospheric aerosols in Gosan site have been found to be influenced largely by anthropogenic sources, and next by marine and soil sources. The backward trajectory analyses showed that the concentrations of nss-$SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, Pb and nss-$Ca^{2+}$ increased when the air mass moved from Chinese continent to Jeju area. On the other hand, their concentrations decreased when the air mass moved in from the North Pacific Ocean.

• 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.27 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2011

Recently, a real-time, pocket-sized aethalometer (microAeth$^{(R)}$ model AE51) has been developed by Magee Scientific Inc. for measuring the concentration of black carbon in the atmosphere. In this study, two aethalometers, models AE-16 and AE-51, which measure the optical absorption of carbon particles at infrared 880 nm, were operated at time interval of 5-min between January 9 and February 10, 2010 at an urban site of Gwangju, to compare the accuracy of black carbon (BC) concentrations reported from the AE-51 model and to investigate reasonable sampling time of filter media in the AE-51. The air samples in the AE-51 and AE-16 models are collected on T60 (Teflon coated glass fiber) filter media (filter spot area: 0.07 $cm^2$) and quartz fiber roll-tape filter (filter spot area: 1.67 $cm^2$), respectively. Real-time measurement results indicate that when the filters were clean, the AE-51 BC was greater than or similar to the AE-16 BC data. However as the filter spots become darker, the AE-16 BC concentrations were higher than the AE-51 BC data and the difference in the BC concentrations from two AE models becomes gradually increased. Relative error in the AE-51 and AE-16 BC concentrations showed significance difference depending on used time of the filter in the AE-51 model, weather pattern, levels of air pollution, etc, ranging from 11.5% (used time of the filter in AE-51: 1,595 min) to 52.5% (used time of the filter in AE-51: 2,085 min). When considering the used time of one filter ticket in the AE-51 model and difference (or relative error %) between AE-16 and AE-51 BC concentrations, it is recommended that the standard sampling time per one filter ticket within the AE-51 model be less than approximately 24 hr (1,440 min) under the normal weather conditions except for severe haze and mist events.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2010

Water soluble organic and inorganic species are important components in atmospheric aerosol particles and may act as cloud condensation nuclei to indirectly affect the climate. To characterize organic and elemental carbon(OC and EC), water-soluble organic carbon(WSOC) and inorganic ionic species contents, daily $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were made during the wintertime at an urban site of Gwangju. Average concentrations of WSOC, $NO_3^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NH_4^+$, which are major components in the water-soluble fraction in PM2.5, are 2.11, 5.73, 3.51 and $3.31{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, representing 12.0(2.9~23.9%), 21.0(12.9~37.6%), 11.6(2.5~25.9%) and 11.7%(3.8~18.6%) of the $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. Abundance of water soluble organic compounds ranged from 5.4 to 35.9% of total water soluble organic and inorganic components with a mean of 17.6%. Even though the sampling was performed during the winter, the average contributions of secondary OC and WSOC, as deduced from primary OC/EC(or WSOC/EC) ratio, were relatively high, accounting for 17.9%(0~44.4%) of the total OC and 11.2%(0.0~51.4%) of the total WSOC, respectively. During the sampling period, low $SO_4^{2-}/(SO_4^{2-}+SO_2$) ratio of 0.14(0.03~0.32) and relative humidity condition in the winter time suggest an possibility of impact of long-range transport and/or aqueous transformation processes such as metal catalyzed oxidation of sulfur, in-cloud processes, etc.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.419-436
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• 2002

The current paper reports on the enhancement of O$_3$, CO, NO$_2$, and aerosols during the Asian dust event that occurred over Korea on 1 May 1999. To confirm the origin and net flux of the O$_3$, CO, NO$_2$, and aerosols, the meteorological parameters of the weather conditions were investigated using Mesoscale Meteorological Model 5(MM5) and the TOMS total ozone and aerosol index, the back trajectory was identified using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model(HYSPLIT), and the ozone and ozone precursor concentrations were determined using the Urban Ashed Model(UAM). In the presence of sufficiently large concentrations of NO$\sub$x/, the oxidation of CO led to O$_3$ formation with OH, HO$_2$, NO, and NO$_2$ acting as catalysts. The sudden enhancement of O$_3$, CO, NO$_2$ and aerosols was also found to be associated with a deepening cut-off low connected with a surface cyclone and surface anticyclone located to the south of Korea during the Asian dust event. The wave pattern of the upper trough/cut-off low and total ozone level remained stationary when they came into contact with a surface cyclone during the Asian dust event. A typical example of a stratosphere-troposphere exchange(STE) of ozone was demonstrated by tropopause folding due to the jet stream. As such, the secondary maxima of ozone above 80 ppbv that occurred at night in Busan, Korea on 1 May 2001 were considered to result from vertical mixing and advection from a free troposphere-boundary layer exchange in connection with an STE in the upper troposphere. Whereas the sudden enhancement of ozone above 100 ppbv during the day was explained by the catalytic reaction of ozone precursors and transport of ozone from a slow-moving anticyclone area that included a high level of ozone and its precursors coming from China to the south of Korea. The aerosols identified in the free troposphere over Busan, Korea on 1 May 1999 originated from the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts across the Yellow River. In particular, the 1000m profile indicated that the source of the air parcels was from an anticyclone located to the south of Korea. The net flux due to the first invasion of ozone between 0000 LST and 0600 LST on 1 May 1999 agreed with the observed ground-based background concentration of ozone. From 0600 LST to 1200 LST, the net flux of the second invasion of ozone was twice as much as the day before. In this case, a change in the horizontal wind direction may have been responsible for the ozone increase.