• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.91-106
• /
• 2021

Daily PM_2.5 was collected during summer period in 2020 in Gwangju to investigate its chemical and light absorption properties. In addition, real-time light absorption coefficients were observed using a dual-spot 7-wavelength aethalometer. During the study period, SO₄^2- was the most important contributor to PM_2.5, accounting for on average 33% (10-64%) of PM_2.5. The chemical form of SO₄^2- was appeared to be combination of 70% (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 30% NH₄HSO₄. Concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis indicated that SO₄^2- particles were dominated by local pollution, rather than regional transport from China. A combination of aethalometer-based and water-extracted brown carbon (BrC) absorption indicated that light absorption of BrC due to aerosol particles was 1.6 times higher than that due to water-soluble BrC, but the opposite result was found in absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) values. Lower AAE value by aerosol BrC particles was due to the light absorption of aerosol BrC by both water-soluble and insoluble organic aerosols. The BrC light absorption was also influenced by both primary sources (e.g., traffic and biomass burning emissions) and secondary organic aerosol formation. Finally the ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of NH₄⁺, C-H groups, SO₄^2-, and HSO₄^2-. The presence of HSO₄^2- supports the result of the estimated composition ratio of inorganic sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) and bisulfate (NH₄HSO₄).

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2009

Black carbon, which is a by-product of combustion of fossil fuel and biomass burning, is the component that imposes the largest uncertainty on quantifying aerosol climate effect. The direct, indirect and semi-direct climate effects of black carbon depend on its state of the mixing with other water-soluble aerosol components. The process that transforms hydrophobic externally mixed black carbon particles into hygroscopic internally mixed ones is called "aging". In most climate models, simple parameterizations for the aging time scale are used instead of solving detailed dynamics equations on the aging process due to the computation cost. In this study, a new parameterization for the black carbon aging time scale due to condensation and coagulation is presented as a function of the concentration of hygroscopic atmospheric components and the black carbon particle size. It is shown that the black carbon aging time scale due to condensation of sulfuric acid vapors varies to a large extent depending on the sulfuric acid concentration and the black carbon particle size. This result indicates that the constant aging time scale values suggested in the literature cannot be directly applied to a global scale modeling. The aging time scale due to coagulation with internally mixed aerosol particles shows an even stronger dependency on particle size, which implies that the use of a particle-size-independent aging time scale may lead to a large error when the aging is dominated by coagulation.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2013

The study of carbonaceous aerosols in the atmosphere is critical to understand the role of aerosols in human health and climate. Using standardized thermal optical transmittance methods, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were determined using a combustion sampling system for four types of agricultural crop residues (rice straw, red pepper stems, soybean stems, and green perilla stems) and eight types of forest trees (pine stems, pine needles, ginkgo stems, ginkgo leaves, maple stems, maple leaves, cherry stems, and cherry leaves). The aerosol particles between 0.056 and $5.6{\mu}m$ in size were analyzed using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI). In the current study, the Carbonaceous Thermal Distribution (CTD) by carbon analyzer was discussed in order to understand the carbon fractions from the twelve types of biomass burning. Also, the concentration of OC, EC, WSOC, and water insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) detected in the emissions were described.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.187-197
• /
• 2013

To understand the characteristics of organic aerosol(OA) at the background atmosphere of Korea, an observation of atmospheric PM10 was conducted at a Global Atmospheric Watch(GAW) station operated by the Korean Meteorological Administration at Anmyon Island during 2010. Various organic compounds were analyzed from 26 samples by using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Water soluble organic carbon(WSOC) was also analyzed by using a total organic carbon(TOC) analyzer. Among 6 classes with 68 target compounds detected, the classes of n-alkanoic and alkenoic acids ($326.67{\pm}75.40ngm^{-3}$) and dicarboxylic acids ($323.74{\pm}361.89ngm^{-3}$) were found to be major compound classes in the atmosphere of Anmyon Island. Compared to the previous results reported for 2005 spring samples at Gosan site, the concentrations of organic compounds at Anmyon Island were 3-10 times higher than Gosan site due to the difference of location and sampling period. The concentrations of organic compounds were varied with the atmospheric conditions. Significant increase of the concentrations of dicarboxylic and carboxylic acids in the smog episode indicated that secondary oxidation of organic compounds was major factor to increase OA concentration during smog episode in the Anmyon Island. It was found that the compositions of the OA measured at Anmyon Island were dependent on the air parcel trajectories.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 2017

Chemical properties of aerosols were investigated by analyzing the inorganic water-soluble content in $PM_{2.5}$ collected in the downtown area of Jeju City in Jeju Island. Due to an increase in both the number of visiting tourists and the size of local population, the number of cars in this area is increasing, causing an increase in $PM_{2.5}$. Eight $PM_{2.5}$-bound major inorganic ions were analyzed during the summer and winter periods. The water-soluble inorganic component represents a significant fraction of $PM_{2.5}$. In particular, secondary inorganic aerosols contribute 36.2% and 47.5% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass in summer and winter, respectively. Nitrate concentrations increase for $[NH_4{^+}]/[SO_4{^{2-}}]$>1.5, and excess ammonium, which is necessary for ammonium nitrate formation, is linearly correlated with nitrate. These results are clearly observed during the winter because conditions are more conducive to the formation of ammonium nitrate. A significant negative correlation between Nitrogen Oxidation Ratio (NOR) and temperature was observed. The obtained results can be useful for a better understanding of the aerosol dynamics in the downtown area in Jeju City.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 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 Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.457-468
• /
• 2018

To improve understanding of the physico-chemical characteristics of aerosols in the national park and comparing the air pollution between national park and the urban area nearby national park, the aerosol characterization study was conducted in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, from July through September 2017. Semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ using PILS (Particle Into Liquid System) coupled with IC (Ion Chromatography) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analyzer allowed quantification of concentrations of major ionic species($Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, $Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg{^{2+}}$ and $Ca{^{2+}}$) and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) with 30-minute time resolution. The total mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was measured by T640 (Teledyne) with 5-minute time resolution. The black carbon (BC) and ozone were measured with a minute time resolution. The timeline of aerosol chemical compositions reveals a strong influence from urban area (Seoul) at the site in Bukhansan National Park. Inorganic aerosol composition was observed to be dominated by ammoniated sulfate at most times with ranging from $0.1{\sim}32.6{\mu}g/m^3$ (6.5~76.1% of total mass of $PM_{2.5}$). The concentration of ammonium nitrate, a potential indicator of the presence of local source, ranged from below detection limits to $20{\mu}g/m^3$ and was observed to be highest during times of maximum local urban (Seoul) impact. The total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be 10~23% lower than the total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in urban area (Gireum-dong and Bulgwang-dong, Seoul). In general, ozone concentration in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be similar or higher than urban sites in Seoul, suggesting additional biogenic VOCs with $NO_x$ from vehicle emission were to be precursors for ozone formation in Bukhansan National Park.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.64-74
• /
• 2017

In this study, we have analyzed relationship between the measured Water Soluble Organic Carbon (WSOC) concentrations and the estimated aerosol water content of $PM_{10}$ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to $10{\mu}m$) for the period between September 2006 and August 2007 at Seoul, Korea. Water content of $PM_{10}$ was estimated by using a gas/particle equilibrium model, Simulating composition of Atmospheric Particles at Equilibrium 2 (SCAPE2). The WSOC concentrations showed low correlation with Elemental Carbon (EC), but Water Insoluble Organic Carbon (WISOC) were highly correlated with EC. It seemed that hydrophilic groups were produced by secondary formation rather than primary formation. As with the previous studies, WSOC showed good correlation with secondary ions ($NO_3{^-}$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NH_4{^+}$), especially WSOC was highly correlated with $NO_3{^-}$ that is a secondary ion formed by photochemical oxidation from more local sources than $SO_4{^{2-}}$. No apparent correlation between the measured WSOC and estimated water content was observed. However, WSOC showed good correlation with estimated water content when it was assumed that relative humidity was higher than the deliquescence relative humidity of the system. In conclusion, WSOC is correlated with water content by hygroscopic ions and it is expected that nitrate play an important role among the water content and WSOC.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.79-93
• /
• 2020

To determine the size distributions of water-soluble inorganic ionic species (WSIS) in roadside aerosols, sampling experiments were carried out in the urban roadside area of Jeju City on August 2018 and January 2019 by using the eight-stage cascade impactor sampler. The mass of roadside aerosols were partitioned at 57% in fine fraction, 36-37% in coarse fraction, and 6-7% in giant fraction, regardless of summer and winter. The mass concentrations of WSIS except for Na+ and SO42- in roadside aerosols were higher in winter than in summer. The size distributions of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl^- were characterized by bimodal types with coarse particle mode peaking around 3.3-4.7 ㎛ and 5.8-9.0 ㎛. The size distributions of NO₃^- and K⁺ shifted from a single fine mode peaking around 0.7-1.1 ㎛ in winter to bimodal and/or trimodal types with peaks around coarse mode in summer. SO₄^2- and NH₄⁺ showed a single fine mode peaking around 0.7-1.1 ㎛. The MMAD of roadside aerosols was lower than that of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl-. Based on the marine enrichment factors and the ratio values of WSIS and the corresponding value for sea water, the composition of roadside aerosols in Jeju City may be practically affected by terrestrial sources rather than marine source.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.17 no.E1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2001

The elemental characteristics of atmospheric aerosols were investigated as a function of particle size and water solubility. The aerosol particles were samples at 12 individual size ranges between 0.01 and 30㎛. Collected aerosol particles were separated into both soluble and insoluble components. The concentrations of 15 elements in both components were determined by a PIXE analysis using a 2.0 MeV-proton beam. In general, the mass size distribution of particulate matter was represented as a bimodal distribution. The maximum rations of S in July and December were 5.5 and 3.8 %, and they appeared in the size range of 0.47∼1.17㎛(stage No. 6 or 7) . The ratios of a S at non-separated size were 3.1 and 2.2 % in July and December, respectively, On the other hand, the maximum rations of Si in July and December were 7.0 and 5.4% and they appeared in the size range of 5.1∼30㎛(stage No. 0∼2). The ratios of Si at the non-separated size were 2.1 and 1.8% in July and December, respectively, The mass diameter of 12 elements ranged between 0.59㎛ of S and 3.20 of Fe. More than 90% of atmospheric aerosols consisted of the light elements such as C, N, O, H and Al. The soluble component was dominant in the smaller size range and the insoluble component in the larger size range. Large portions of Si. Ti and Fe existed in insoluble state. By contrast, S, Cl, Ca, Zn and Br were dissolved in water.