• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.283-299
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• 2017

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence (FL) detection was developed for simultaneously analyzing 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 18 nitro-derivatives of PAHs (NPAHs). The two-dimensional HPLC system consists of an on-line clean-up and reduction for NPAHs in the 1st dimension, and separation of the PAHs and the reduced NPAHs and their FL detection in the 2nd dimension after column-switching. To identify an ideal clean-up column for removing sample matrix that may interfere with detection of the analytes, the characteristics of 8 reversed-phase columns were evaluated. The nitrophenylethyl (NPE)-bonded silica column was selected because of its shorter elution band and larger retention factors of the analytes due to strong dipole-dipole interactions. The amino-substituted PAHs (reduced NPAHs), PAHs and deuterated internal standards were separated on polymeric octadecyl-bonded silica (ODS) columns and by dual-channel detection within 120 min including clean-up and reduction steps. The limits of detection were 0.1-9.2 pg per injection for PAHs and 0.1-140 pg per injection for NPAHs. For validation, the method was applied to analyze crude extracts of fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) samples and achieved good analytical precision and accuracy. Moreover, the standard reference material (SRM1649b, urban dust) was analyzed by this method and the observed concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs were similar to those in previous reports. Thus, the method developed here-in has the potential to become a standard HPLC-based method, especially for NPAHs.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.633-645
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• 2008

In order to investigate the variations and corelation among $PM_{10},\;PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_1$ concentrations, the hourly concentrations of each particle sizes of 300nm to $20{\mu}m$ at a city, Gangneung in the eastern mountainous coast of Korean peninsula have been measured by GRIMM aerosol sampler-1107 from March 7 to 17, 2004. Before the influence of the Yellow Dust event from China toward the city, $PM_{10},\;PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_1$, concentrations near the ground of the city were very low less than $35.97{\mu}g/m^3,\;22.33{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;16.77{\mu}g/m^3$, with little variations. Under the partial influence of the dust transport from the China on March 9, they increased to $87.08{\mu}g/m^3,\;56.55{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;51.62{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{10}$ concentration was 1.5 times higher than $PM_{2.5}$ and 1.85 times higher than $PM_1$. Ratio of $(PM_{10}-PM_{2.5})/PM_{2.5}$ had a maximum value of 1.49 with an averaged 0.5 and one of $(PM_{2.5}-PM_1)/PM_1$ had a maximum value of 0.4 with an averaged 0.25. $PM_{10}\;and\;PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were largely influenced by particles smaller than $2.5{\mu}m\;and\;1{\mu}m$ particle sizes, respectively. During the dust event from the afternoon of March 10 until 1200 LST, March 14, $PM_{10},\;PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_1$ concentrations reached $343.53{\mu}g/m^3,\;105{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;60{\mu}g/m^3$, indicating the $PM_{10}$ concentration being 3.3 times higher than $PM_{2.5}$ and 5.97 times higher than $PM_1$. Ratio of $(PM_{10}-PM_{2.5})/PM_{2.5}$ had a maximum value of 7.82 with an averaged 3.5 and one of $(PM_{2.5}-PM_1)/PM_1$, had a maximum value of 2.8 with an averaged 1.5, showing $PM_{10}\;and\;PM_{2.5}$ concentrations largely influenced by particles greater than $2.5{\mu}m\;and\;1{\mu}m$ particle sizes, respectively. After the dust event, the most of PM concentrations became below $100{\mu}g/m^3$, except of 0900LST, March 15, showing the gradual decrease of their concentrations. Ratio of $(PM_{10}-PM_{2.5})/PM_{2.5}$ had a maximum value of 3.75 with an averaged 1.6 and one of $(PM_{2.5}-PM_1)/PM_1$ had a maximum value of 1.5 with an averaged 0.8, showing the $PM_{10}$ concentration largely influenced by corse particles than $2.5{\mu}m$ and the $PM_{2.5}$ by fine particles smaller than $1{\mu}m$, respectively. Before the dust event, correlation coefficients between $PM_{10},\;PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_1$, were 0.89, 0.99 and 0.82, respectively, and during the dust event, the coefficients were 0.71, 0.94 and 0.44. After the dust event, the coefficients were 0.90, 0.99 and 0.85. For whole period, the coefficients were 0.54, 0.95 and 0.28, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.209-222
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• 2015

Fine and coarse PM had been collected by LVCI (low volume cascade impactor) and HVAS (high volume air sampler) during January 1989 to April 2012 at Kyung Hee University, Global Campus located on the boarder of Yongin and Suwon. The database of PM mass concentration was constructed and then intensively and extensively investigated to understand monthly, seasonal, and annual patterns of each PM behavior. Especially the study separated all the PM data into the 5 Period Zones, which were classified on the basis of social, political, and environmental issues that might be influencing local ambient air quality during the monitoring period. The overall $PM_{10}$ level had been continuously decreased until 2005 and after then was staggering due to rapidly increasing $PM_{2.5}$ level in $PM_{10}$. The annual average of $PM_{2.5}$ concentration varied from $34.3{\mu}g/m^3$ to $59.0{\mu}g/m^3$, which were much higher than the 2015 ambient air quality standard. The $PM_{2.5}$ level was strongly associated with haze events, while both $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ levels were associated with Yellow storm events. Daily concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ were ranged $13.1{\sim}212.9{\mu}g/m^3$ in haze days and $33.6{\sim}124.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in Asian dust days. The study also intensively investigated annual and seasonal patterns of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratios.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2023

Background: Since 2019, the Ministry of Environment has implemented a seasonal fine dust management system from December to March, targeting high PM_2.5 levels with the aim of reducing PM_2.5 concentrations and protecting public health. The focus of improving the seasonal management system lies in the atmospheric PM_2.5 levels. Considering the primary goal of protecting public health, it is necessary to analyze the policy effects from an exposure perspective rather than a concentration-based approach. Objectives: This study aims to quantitatively assess the improvement of indoor PM_2.5 levels and the health impacts of the seasonal management system by comparing the periods before and during its implementation in residential environments. Methods: PM_2.5 concentrations within residential environments in a metropolitan area were measured using an optical particle counter (IAQ-C7, K-weather, Ltd, Korea) at one-minute intervals during the pre-implementation period (November 21~25, 2022) and during the implementation period (December 19~23, 2022). Based on the measured PM_2.5 concentrations, a quantitative evaluation of cancer and mortality risks was conducted according to age and gender. Results: The results of comparing indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations before and during the implementation of the seasonal management system showed a decrease of approximately 56.6% and 47.9%, respectively. Health risk assessments revealed that both the safety-limit-based and safety-target-based Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the threshold of 0.1 for children under 19 years of age, both before and after the implementation. The mortality risk decreased by approximately 47.9% after the implementation, with children aged 0-9 showing the highest mortality risk at 0.9%. Conclusions: The findings of this study confirmed the positive health impacts of the seasonal management system across all age groups, particularly children under 19 who are more vulnerable to fine dust exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.272-285
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• 2020

We investigated statistical evaluation parameters for 3D meteorological and air quality models and selected several quantitative indicator references, and summarized the reference values of the statistical parameters for domestic air quality modeling researcher. The finally selected 9 statistical parameters are MB (Mean Bias), ME (Mean Error), MNB (Mean Normalized Bias Error), MNE (Mean Absolute Gross Error), RMSE (Root Mean Square Error), IOA (Index of Agreement), R (Correlation Coefficient), FE (Fractional Error), FB (Fractional Bias), and the associated reference values are summarized. The results showed that MB and ME have been widely used in evaluating the meteorological model output, and NMB and NME are most frequently used for air quality model results. In addition, discussed are the presentation diagrams such as Soccer Plot, Taylor diagram, and Q-Q (Quantile-Quantile) diagram. The current results from our study is expected to be effectively used as the statistical evaluation parameters suitable for situation in Korea considering various characteristics such as including the mountainous surface areas.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.213-222
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• 2014

The atmospheric aerosols of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island during 2012- 2013. Their ionic and elemental species were analyzed in order to examine the composition variation of the haze aerosols in accordance with the pathway of air mass. The concentrations of $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ increased 2.1~3.7 times in coarse particle and 3.1~6.5 times in fine particle modes, respectively, showing especially high $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations in fine particles during the haze days. The concentrations of S, Zn, Pb and K increased 3.0~5.6 times in coarse particles and 3.2~7.7 times in fine particles during the haze days, on the other hand Al, Fe, and Ca concentrations were high only in coarse particles. Due to the back trajectory analysis, the concentrations of $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ for haze days were high when the inflow pathway of air mass was from China, especially a high increase of $NO_3{^-}$ as through the south of China. The $NO_3{^-}/nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$ concentration ratio was relatively high in coarse mode as air mass inflow from China, but in fine mode it was high as air mass passing through the Korean peninsula.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.536-539
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• 2018

In this paper, we propose a system that analyzes environment information by using deep learning and then provides a suitable environment for users by predicting environmental information change. As the level of living improves, interest in improving the quality of life is increasing. In particular, as the air quality deteriorated due to the recent occurrence of dust, smog, fine dust, and ultrafine dust, the indoor air quality as well as the outdoor air became a serious problem. The increase of indoor pollution due to the lack of ventilation and the use of chemicals is a serious problem for modern people who have a lot of indoor living. In order to solve this indoor air pollution, a system has been proposed that measures the state of air quality through sensors and maintains proper temperature and humidity. However, existing system has a difficulty to apply most of the atmospheric environment information to various users depending on sensors only. The system proposed in this paper predicts the indoor environment by analyzing the indoor pollution information collected through the sensor using the deep learning. Then, the predicted indoor environment is modeled and learned in this system, and the environment suitable for the user is suggested. Afterwards, the system receives feedback from the user and repeats the process of re-learning the proposed environment so that it can create the optimal environment for the user.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.543-553
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• 2010

Almost five million citizens a day are using subways as a means of traffic communication in the Seoul metropolitan. As the subway system is typically a closed environment, indoor air pollution problems frequently occurs and passengers complain of mal-health impact. Especially $PM_{10}$ is well known as one of the major pollutants in subway indoor environments. The purpose of this study was to compare the indoor air quality in terms of $PM_{10}$ and to quantitatively compare its source contributions in a Seoul subway platform before and after installing platform screen doors (PSD). $PM_{10}$ samples were collected on the J station platform of Subway Line 7 in Seoul metropolitan area from Jun. 12, 2008 to Jan. 12, 2009. The samples collected on membrane filters using $PM_{10}$ mini-volume portable samplers were then analyzed for trace metals and soluble ions. A total of 18 chemical species (Ba, Mn, Cr, Cd, Si, Fe, Ni, Al, Cu, Pb, Ti, $Na^+$, $NH_4^+$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, and ${SO_4}^{2-}$) were analyzed by using an ICP-AES and an IC after performing proper pre-treatments of each sample filter. Based on the chemical information, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to identify the source of particulate matters. $PM_{10}$ for the station was characterized by three sources such as ferrous related source, soil and road dust related source, and fine secondary aerosol source. After installing PSD, the average $PM_{10}$ concentration was decreased by 20.5% during the study periods. Especially the contribution of the ferrous related source emitted during train service in a tunnel route was decreased from 59.1% to 43.8% since both platform and tunnel areas were completely blocked by screen doors. However, the contribution of the fine secondary aerosol source emitted from various outside combustion activities was increased from 14.8% to 29.9% presumably due to ill-managed ventilation system and confined platform space.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.555-569
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• 2004

Size -segregated measurements of aerosol composition using 8-stage DRUM impactor are used to determine the transport of natural and anthropogenic aerosols at Gosan site from 29 March to 30 May in 2002. Separation of ambient aerosols by DRUM impactor offers many Advantages over other standard filtration techniques. Some of the most important advantages are the ability to segregate into details by particle tire, to better preserve chemical integrity since the air stream doesn＇t pars through the deposit, to collect samples as a function of time, and to have a wide variety of impaction surfaces available to match analytical needs. Although the transport of Yellow sand is a well-known phenomenon in springtime, the result of measurement shows that not only soil dust but also anthropogenic aerosols, including sulfur, enriched trace metals such as Pb, Ni, Zn. Cu, Cr, As, Se, Br, are transported to Gosan in springtime. This study combines the size- and time-resolved aerosol composition measurements with isentropic, backward air-mass trajectories in order to identify some potential source regions of anthropogenic aerosols. As a result, during the NYS period, the average concentration of PM$_{10}$ was 46$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, Si, Al. S, Fe, Cl, K, Ca were higher than 1,000 ng/㎥ and Ti was about 100 ng/㎥. The concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu. Pb, Br, Rb, V, Cr, Ni. At, Se ranged between 1 and 70 ng/㎥. More than 50% typical soil elements, tuck as Al, Si, Fe, Cd. Ti, Cr, Cu, Br. were distributed in a coarse particle range(5.0-12${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). In other hand, anthropogenic pollutants, luck as S, N, Vi, were mainly distributed in a fine particle range (0.09-0.56${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). During the YS period, PM$_{10}$ increased about 8 times than NYS period, and main soil elements, such as Al, Si, S, K, V, Mn, Fe also doubled in coarse particle range (1.15-12${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). But Zn, As, Pb, Cu and Se, which distributed in the time aerosols (0.09-0.56${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$), were on the same level with or decreased than NYS period. Finally. except the YS Period, coarse particles (2.5-12${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) are inferred to be influenced by soil, coal combustion, waste incineration, ferrous and nonferrous sources through similar pathways with Yellow Sand. But fine particles have different sources, such as coal combustion, gasoline vehicle, biomass burning, oil or coal combustion, nonferrous and ferrous metal sources, which are transported from China, Korea peninsula and local sources.ces.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2012

Eupatilin, one of representative medical components of mugwort, can be efficiently extracted from the 'Gangwha Sajabalssuk'. The Eupatilin content may depend on environmental factors such as soil and regional climate in addition to a genetic factor and Gangwha region has a profitable environmental condition for the mugwort growth. In this study, the climatological characteristics of Gangwha was analyzed in order to find the environmental condition of mugwort containing high Eupatilin in term of atmospheric, oceanographic and land variables. The climate of Gangwha is characterized by the relatively low daily temperature and large diurnal variation with plenty of solar radiation, long sunshine duration and less cloudiness. According to our correlation analysis, the long sunshine duration and the large diurnal temperature variation are highly correlated with the Eupatilin contents. The result implies that Gangwha has the favorable conditions for the cultivation and the habitat of the high-Eupatilin concentrated mugwort. Because of the sea surrounding Gangwha Island with low salinity and moderate wind, the salt contained in sea breeze is relatively low compared to other regions. Furthermore, Gangwha has clean atmospheric environment compared to other regions because the concentrations of toxic gases harmful to crop growth such as nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), sulfite gas ($SO_2$) and fine dust (PM-10) are lower in the air. The ozone ($O_3$) concentration is moderate and within the level of natural production. It is also found that moderately coarse texture or fine loamy soils known as good for water drainage and for the growth and cultivation of the 'Gangwha-mugwort' are distributed throughout the areas around mountainous districts in Gangwha, coinciding with those of mugwort habitat.