• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2006

Tropospheric aerosols are highly variant in time and space due to non-uniform source distribution and strong influence of meteorological conditions. Backscatter lidar measurement is useful to understand vertical distribution of aerosol. However, the backscatter lidar equation is undetermined due to its dependence on the two unknowns, extinction and backscattering coefficient. This dependence necessitates the exact value of the ratio between two parameters, that is, the lidar ratio. Also, Iidar ratio itself is useful optical parameter to understand properties of aerosols. Tropospheric aerosols were observed to understand variance of lidar ratio at Anmyeon island ($36.32^{/circ}N$, $126.19^{/circ}E$), Korea using a multi-wavelength raman lidar system developed by the Advanced Environmental Monitoring Research Center (ADEMRC), Gwangju Institute Science and Technology (GIST), Korea during measurement periods; March 15$\sim$April $16^{th}$, 2004 and May 24$\sim$ $8^{th}$ 2005. Extinction coefficient, backscattering coefficient, and lidar ratio were measured at 355 and 532 nm by the Raman method. Different types of aerosol layers were distinguished by the differences in the optical properties such as Angstrom exponent, and lidar ratio. The average value of lidar ratio during two observation periods was found to be $50.85\pm4.88$ sr at 355 nm and $52.43\pm15.15$ sr at 532 nm at 2004 and $57.94\pm10.29$ sr at 355 nm and $82.24\pm15.90$ sr at 532 nm at 2005. We conduct hysplit back-trajectory to know the pathway of airmass during the observation periods. We also calculate lidar ratio of different type of aerosol, urban, maritime, dust, continental aerosols using OPAC (Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds), Remote sensing of atmospheric aerosol using a multi-wavelengh lidar system with Raman channels is quite and powerful tool to characterize the optical propertises of troposheric aerosols.

• Atmosphere
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 2017

Korea has recently suffered from severe hazes, largely being long-range transported from China but frequently mixed with domestic pollution. It is important to identify the origin of the frequently-occurring hazes, which is however hard to clearly determine in a quantitative term. In this regard, we suggest a possible classification procedure of various hazes into long-range transported haze (LH), Yellow Sand (YS), and urban haze (UH), based on mass loading of fine particles, time lag of PM mass concentrations between two sites aligned with dominant wind direction, backward trajectory of air mass, and the mass ratio of PM2.5 to PM10. The analysis sites are Seoul (SL) and Baengnyeongdo (BN), which are distant about 200 km from each other in the west to east direction. Aerosol concentrations at BN are overall lower than those of SL, indicative of BN being a background site for SL. We found distinct time lag of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations between BN and SL in case of both LH and YS, but the intensity of YS being stronger than LH. Time scale (e-folding time scale) of LH appears to be longer and more variable than YS, which implies that LH covers much larger spatial scale. In addition, we found linear and significant correlations between ${\tau}_a$ obtained from sunphotometer and ${\tau}_{cal}$ calculated from surface aerosol scattering coefficient for LH episodes, relative to few correlation between those for YS, which might be associated with transported height of YS being much higher than LH. Therefore surface PM concentrations for the YS period are thought to be not representative for vertical integrated amount of aerosol loadings, probably by virtue of decoupled structure of aerosol vertical distribution. Improvement of various hazes classification based on the current result would provide the public as well as researchers with more accurate information of LH, UH, and YS, in terms of temporal scale, size, vertical distribution of aerosols, etc.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.38-55
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• 2013

This study has been performed to select several indicators of long-range transport process that can be applied to the Northeast Asia. We first classified high air pollution days into long-range transport (LRT) dominant cases and the local emission dominant (LED) cases based on the synoptic meteorological variables including vorticity and geostrophic wind speed/direction at a geopotential level of 850 hPa. LRT cases were further categorized into two types: LRT-I type with air mass pathways from northern China and/or Mongolia, and LRT-II type from central and southern China. In each categorized case, we examined the difference of both measured aerosol optical properties of AERONET at two sites in western Korea, and the simulated characteristics of LRT process by MM5-CMAQ model. We contrasted LRT case with LED case, and then generated the LRT indicators applicable to Northeast Asia. The results showed that fine and coarse modes of LRT-II were relatively smaller than LED and LRT-I cases, respectively. Aerosol size distribution showed significantly higher concentration of fine-mode particle (mainly smoke or urban aerosols) in LED case in comparison with that of LRT groups (LRT-I, II), suggesting the amplitudes fine modes of LRT relative to LED as a possible LRT indicator. From the results of MM5-CMAQ modeling, we concluded that the conversion ratios for sulfur ($F_s$) were the most effective indicators of LRT cases, and the ratio of VOC to NOx and NOx to CO were found to be the second most effective indicators of LED case.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.7-21
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• 2013

Twelve-hour size-resolved atmospheric aerosols were measured to determine size distributions of water-soluble organic carbon(WSOC) during daytime and nighttime, and to investigate sources and formation pathways of WSOC in individual particle size classes. Mass, WSOC, ${NO_3}^-$, $K^+$, and $Cl^-$ at day and night showed mostly bimodal size distributions, peaking at the size range of $0.32-0.55{\mu}m$(condensation mode) and $3.1-6.2{\mu}m$(coarse mode), respectively, with a predominant condensation mode and a minor coarse mode. While ${NH_4}^+$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ showed unimodal size distributions which peaked between 0.32 and $0.55{\mu}m$. WSOC was enriched into nuclei mode particles(< $0.1{\mu}m$) based on the WSOC-to-mass and WSOC-to-water soluble species ratios. The sources and formation mechanisms of WSOC were inferred in reference to the size distribution characteristics of inorganic species(${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${NO_3}^-$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Na^+$, and $Cl^-$) and carbon monoxide. Nuclei mode WSOC was likely associated with primary combustion sources during daytime and nighttime. Among significant sources contributing to the condensation mode WSOC were homogeneous gas-phase oxidation of VOCs, primary combustion emissions, and fresh(or slightly aged) biomass burning aerosols. The droplet mode WSOC could be attributed to aqueous oxidation of VOCs in clouds, cloud-processed biomass burning aerosols, and small contributions from primary combustion sources. From the correlations between WSOC and soil-related particles, and between WSOC and sea-salt particles, it is suggested that the coarse mode WSOC during daytime is likely to condense on the soil-related particles($K^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$), while the WSOC in the coarse fraction during nighttime is likely associated with the sea-salt particles($Na^+$).

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2012

Air pollution levels of gases and aerosol particles inside the Jeongneung and Hongjimun tunnels of the Naebu express way in Seoul were investigated through on-road measurement using a mobile emission laboratory (MEL) on February 8, 2011. The concentrations of $NO_x$, $CO_2$, number concentration of particles ranging 21-560 nm, and surface area of particles deposited on a human lung almost linearly increased with increasing distance from the tunnel entrance, and decreased rapidly before the tunnel exit. This trend was observed regardless of tunnel length and driving directions, which thought to be caused by semi-transverse ventilation facilities of the tunnels. The concentration increments per 1-m distance for $NO_x$, $CO_2$, deposited particle surface area, and number of particles ranging 21-560 nm were 0.61~0.80 ppb, 0.16~0.21 ppm, $0.20{\sim}0.29{\mu}m^2/cm^3$, and 117~192 particles/$cm^3$, respectively. Average pollution levels inside the two tunnels for $CO_2$, deposited particle surface area, and number of particles >5.6 nm ranged 681~748 ppm, $246{\sim}381{\mu}m^2/cm^3$, and $2.4{\sim}6.7{\times}10^5$ particles/$cm^3$, respectively. In case of $NO_x$, the maximum concentration exceeded 1 ppm. These pollution levels inside the tunnels are much higher than those at urban background sites. This result can be utilized as basic data to evaluate the effectiveness of present ventilation system for reducing the pollution level caused by vehicles inside the tunnels.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.543-557
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• 2021

Because aerosols have different spectral characteristics according to the size and composition of the particle and to the satellite sensors, a comparative analysis of aerosol products from various satellite sensors is required. In South Korea, however, a comprehensive study for the comparison of various official satellite AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) products for a long period is not easily found. In this paper, we aimed to assess the performance of the AOD products from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite), Himawari-8, and Sentinel-3 by referring to the AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) sun photometer observations for the period between January 2015 and December 2019. Seasonal and geographical characteristics of the accuracy of satellite AOD were also analyzed. The MODIS products, which were accumulated for a long time and optimized by the new MAIAC (Multiangle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction) algorithm, showed the best accuracy (CC=0.836) and were followed by the products from VIIRS and Himawari-8. On the other hand, Sentinel-3 AOD did not appear to have a good quality because it was recently launched and not sufficiently optimized yet, according to ESA (European Space Agency). The AOD of MODIS, VIIRS, and Himawari-8 did not show a significant difference in accuracy according to season and to urban vs. non-urban regions, but the mixed pixel problem was partly found in a few coastal regions. Because AOD is an essential component for atmospheric correction, the result of this study can be a reference to the future work for the atmospheric correction for the Korean CAS (Compact Advanced Satellite) series.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.129-144
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• 2023

The PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 samples were collected synchronously using a single channel particulate sampler equipped with PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 cyclones, respectively, and seasonal mass concentration and chemical composition of PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 were quantified in Seoul and Gwangju in 2021-2022. The mass concentrations of PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 were 17±11 and 22±14 ㎍/m³ in Seoul, and 16±9 and 19±12 ㎍/m³ in Gwangju, respectively. The average ratios of PM_1.0/PM_2.5 were 83±16% in Seoul and 83±7% in Gwangju. The chemical compositions of PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 were similar at both sites with OC component being the most dominant, and NO₃^- increasing from summer to winter, while, the difference of chemical distribution at the two sites was most distinct in the autumn. Gwangju showed a higher proportion of OC and a lower proportion of NO₃^- compared to Seoul during the autumn. Both sites appear to reflect their urban characteristics, with Gwangju also reflecting the impact of biomass combustion as a part of rural activities.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 1985

The effect on the particulate matters in the atmosphere was investigated in Seoul area from March, 1984 to Aprill, 1985. Aerosols were collected by filters on nine stages Andrsen Air Sampler, and size distribution and total concentration of the aerosols, Fe and Pb were measured. In spring with Yellow Sand the concentration of particles in aerosols was 185.55$\mug/m^3$ and CP/TA was 65.9%. But in spring without Yellow Sand those of particles was 135.45$\mug/m^3$ and CP/TA was 58.6%. Accordingly the concentration of coarse particles with Yellow Sand was higher than without them in Spring. Above results indicate that in Seoul Area the main source of air pollution originated from natural burdens, especially from soil. The concentration of Pb was similarly valued through both seasons in Seoul area but fine particles valued above coarse particles. On the other hand, in urban area, the natural and anthropogenic sources have influenced on the concentration of Pb. With referred to particle size distribution for Fe, the concentration of coarse particles was 0.168$\etag/m^3$ (CP/TA: 74.3%) in Spring with Yellow Sand, 0.096$\mug/m^3$ (CP/TA: 71.6%) without Yellow Sand and 0.083$\mug/m^3$ (CP/TA: 67.4%) in winter, respectively. Compared with fine particles, all of them were higher. It indicated that the origin of coarse particles in urban air was not related to anthropogenic source. The concentration of Fe was influenced by Yellow Sand and contributed to air pollution.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.5_1
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• pp.1029-1042
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• 2021

As part of the next-generation Compact Advanced Satellite 500 (CAS500) project, CAS500-4 is scheduled to be launched in 2025 focusing on the remote sensing of agriculture and forestry. To obtain quantitative information on vegetation from satellite images, it is necessary to acquire surface reflectance through atmospheric correction. Thus, it is essential to develop an atmospheric correction method suitable for CAS500-4. Since the absorption and scattering characteristics in the atmosphere vary depending on the wavelength, it is needed to analyze the sensitivity of atmospheric correction parameters such as aerosol optical depth (AOD) and water vapor (WV) considering the wavelengths of CAS500-4. In addition, as CAS500-4 has only five channels (blue, green, red, red edge, and near-infrared), making it difficult to directly calculate key parameters for atmospheric correction, external parameter data should be used. Therefore, thisstudy performed a sensitivity analysis of the key parameters (AOD, WV, and O₃) using the simulated images based on Sentinel-2 satellite data, which has similar wavelength specifications to CAS500-4, and examined the possibility of using the products of GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK2A) as atmospheric parameters. The sensitivity analysisshowed that AOD wasthe most important parameter with greater sensitivity in visible channels than in the near-infrared region. In particular, since AOD change of 20% causes about a 100% error rate in the blue channel surface reflectance in forests, a highly reliable AOD is needed to obtain accurate surface reflectance. The atmospherically corrected surface reflectance based on the GK2A AOD and WV was compared with the Sentinel-2 L2A reflectance data through the separability index of the known land cover pixels. The result showed that two corrected surface reflectance had similar Seperability index (SI) values, the atmospheric corrected surface reflectance based on the GK2A AOD showed higher SI than the Sentinel-2 L2A reflectance data in short-wavelength channels. Thus, it is judged that the parameters provided by GK2A can be fully utilized for atmospheric correction of the CAS500-4. The research findings will provide a basis for atmospheric correction of the CAS500-4 in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 1993

A simple and direct method is developed for the determination of light Elements in atmospheric particulates by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Calibration standards for the light elements such as Al, Mg, K, Ca, etc are prepared by filtering real atmospheric particulates over variable time and subsequently standardizing them by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS) or Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry(AAS) analysis. The validity of this calibration method is tested by analyzing more than 100 aerosol samples, collected at urban(Seoul) and rural(Padori) sites over a two year period with this method and then comparing them with those by other accuracy proven methods such as AAS or ICP-MS: for all metals tested the results showed reasonably good agreements (R $\geq$ 0.95).