• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.251-263
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• 2013

The surface ozone concentrations changes were investigated in response to climate change over the Korean peninsula for summertime using the global-regional one way coupled Integrated Climate and Air quality Modeling System (ICAMS). The future simulations were conducted under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2 and B1 scenarios. The modeling system was applied for four 10-year simulations: 1996~2005 as a present-day case, 2016~2025, 2046~2055, and 2091~2100 as future cases. The results in this study showed that the mean surface ozone concentrations increased up to 0.5~3.3 ppb under the A2, but decreased by 0.1~10.9 ppb under the B1 for the future, respectively. However, its increases were lower than an increase of the average daily maximum 8-hour (DM8H) surface ozone concentrations which was projected to increase by 2.8~6.5 ppb under the A2. The DM8H surface ozone concentrations seem to be therefore far more affected by the climate and emissions changes than mean values. The probability of exceeding 60 ppb was projected to increase by 6~19% under the A2. In the case of B1, its changes were presented with an increase of 2.9% in the 2020s but no occurrence in the 2100s due to the effect of the reduced emissions. Future projection on surface ozone concentrations was generally shown to have almost the similar trend as the emissions of $NO_x$ and NMVOC.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2012

We studied the effects of elevated ozone ([$O_3$]) and $CO_2$ concentrations ([$CO_2$]) on the growth and photosynthesis of the hybrid larch $F_1(F_1)$ and on its parents (the Dahurian larch and Japanese larch). $F_1$ is a promising species for timber production in northeast Asia. Seedlings of the three species were grown in 16 open top chambers and were exposed to two levels of $O_3$ (<10 ppb and 60 ppb for 7 h per day) in combination with two levels of $CO_2$ (ambient and 600 ppm for daytime) over an entire growing season. Ozone reduced the growth as measured by height and diameter, and reduced the needle dry mass and net photosynthetic rate of $F_1$, but had almost no effect on the Dahurian larch or Japanese larch. There was a significant increase in whole-plant dry mass induced by elevated [$CO_2$] in $F_1$ but not in the other two species. Photosynthetic acclimation to elevated [$CO_2$] was observed in all species. The net photosynthetic rate measured at the growing [$CO_2$] (i.e. 380 ppm for ambient treatment and 600 ppm for elevated $CO_2$ treatment) was nevertheless greater in the seedlings of all species grown at elevated [$CO_2$]. The high [$CO_2$] partly compensated for the reduction of stem diameter growth of $F_1$ at high [$O_3$]; no similar trend was found in the other growth and photosynthetic parameters, or in the other species.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.237-241
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• 2014

Benzene is a hazardous air pollutant, classified as carcinogenic to humans, that requires special management. Benzene exists both indoors and outdoors and the control measure of indoor benzene is different from that of outdoor benzene. The removal of indoor benzene needs to be accomplished at low temperatures (normally below $100^{\circ}C$), while outdoor benzene is usually removed at much higher temperature ($300-400^{\circ}C$) by using catalytic oxidation. This review paper summarizes the recent trend in catalytic treatment of airborne benzene, focusing on catalytic oxidation and catalytic ozone oxidation. Particular attention is paid to Mn-based catalysts for low-temperature oxidation of benzene, which are more economical than the other noble-metal catalysts. Various methods are used to generate more efficient Mn-based catalysts for benzene removal. Ozone oxidation is attracting particularly significant attention because it can remove benzene effectively below $100^{\circ}C$, even at room temperature.

• Atmosphere
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.429-438
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• 2011

The climatology of surface UV radiation for Seoul, presented in Cho et al. (1998; 2001), has been updated using measurement of surface erythemal ultraviolet (EUV) and total ultraviolet (TUV) irradiance (wavelength 286.5~363.0 nm) by a Brewer Spectrophotometer (MK-IV) for the period 2004~2010. The analysis was also carried out together with the broadband total (global) solar irradiance (TR ; 305~2800 nm) and cloud amount to compare with the UV variations, measured by Seoul meteorological station of Korean Meteorological Agency located near the present study site. Under all-sky conditions, the day-to-day variability of EUV exhibits annual mean of 98% in increase and 31% in decrease. It has been also shown that the EUV variability is 17 times as high as the total ozone in positive change, whereas this is 6 times higher in negative change. Thus, the day to day variability is dominantly caused rather by the daily synoptic situations than by the ozone variability. Annual mean value of daily EUV and TUV shows $1.62kJm^{-2}$ and $0.63MJm^{-2}$ respectively, whereas mean value of TR is $12.4MJm^{-2}$ ($143.1Wm^{-2}$). The yearly maximum in noon-time UV Index (UVI) varies between 9 and 11 depending on time of year. The highest UVI shows 11 on 20 July, 2008 during the period 2004~2010, but for the period 1994~2000, the index of 12 was recorded on 13 July, 1994 (Cho et al., 2001). A 40% of daily maximum UVI belongs to "low (UVI < 2)", whereas the UVI less than 5% of the maximum show "very high (8 < UVI < 10)". On average, the maximum UVI exceeded 8 on 9 days per year. The values of Tropospheric Emission Monitoring Internet Service (TEMIS) EUV and UVI under cloud-free conditions are 1.8 times and 1.5 times, respectively, higher than the all-sky measurements by the Brewer. The trend analysis in fractional deviation of monthly UV from the reference value shows a decrease of -0.83% and -0.90% $decade^{-1}$ in the EUV and TUV, respectively, whereas the TR trend is near zero (+0.11% $decade^{-1}$). The trend is statistically significant except for TR trend (p = 0.279). It is possible that the recent UV decrease is mainly associated with increase in total ozone, but the trend in TR can be attributed to the other parameters such as clouds except the ozone. Certainly, the cloud effects suggest that the reason for the differences between UV and TR trends can be explained. In order to estimate cloud effects, the EUV, TUV and TR irradiances have been also evaluated for clear skies (cloud cover < 25%) and cloudy skies (cloud cover ${\geq}$ 75%). Annual mean values show that EUV, TUV and TR are $2.15kJm^{-2}$, $0.83MJm^{-2}$, and $17.9MJm^{-2}$ for clear skies, and $1.24kJm^{-2}$, $0.46MJm^{-2}$, and $7.2MJm^{-2}$ for cloudy skies, respectively. As results, the transmission of radiation through clouds under cloudy-sky conditions is observed to be 58%, 55% and 40% for EUV, TUV and TR, respectively. Consequently, it is clear that the cloud effects on EUV and TUV are 18% and 15%, respectively lower than the effects on TR under cloudy-sky conditions. Clouds under all-sky conditions (average of cloud cover is 5 tenths) reduced the EUV and TUV to about 25% of the clear-sky (cloud cover < 25%) values, whereas for TR, this was 31%. As a result, it is noted that the UV radiation is attenuated less than TR by clouds under all weather conditions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 1999

Objectives: To examine the relationship between air pollution exposure and mortality in Seoul for the years of 1991-1995, Methods: Daily counts of death were analyzed by general additive Poisson model, with adjustment for effects of secular trend, seasonal factor, day of the week, heat wave, temperature, and humidity. Pollution variables were ozone, nitrogen dioxide, total suspended particles(TSP), and sulfur dioxide. Results: Daily death counts were associated with ozone(1 day before), nitrogen dioxide(1 day before), TSP(2 days before), sulfur dioxide(2 days before). The association with ozone was most statisfically significant and independent of other air pollutants. Increase of 100 ppb in ozone was associated with 0%(95% Cl= 2%-10%) increase in the daily number of death, This effect was greater in persons aged 65 and older. The relative risks of death from respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease were greater than for all-cause mortality in each pollutant. After ozone level exceeds 25 ppb, the dose-response relationship between mortality and ozone was almost linear. However, the effect of TSP, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide on mortality might be confounded with each other. Conclusion: Daily variations in air pollution within the range currently occurring in Seoul might have an adverse effect on daily mortality.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.56-75
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• 2018

Korean Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) have been established since the late 2001 to monitor ambient air concentrations of VOC species, which would enhance understanding photo-chemical formation of ozone and subsequently contribute to developing efficient ozone control strategies. The present study aims at identifying major VOC species and examining their trends by analyzing PAMS monitoring data collected from the year 2006 to 2016. All the 18 PAMS sites operated by the Ministry of Environment were included in the study. PAMS monitored the 56 target VOC species, which are classified into four groups, alkenes, lower alkanes ($C{\leq}3$), higher alkanes ($C{\geq}4$), aromatics. The higher alkanes and aromatics dominated over the lower alkanes and alkenes in the type 2 and 3 PAMS sites except Joongheung site. N-butane was a major alkane species, toluene was a major aromatic species and most of VOCs showed decreasing trends in these sites. On the other hand, only the alkenes showed decreasing trends at the Joongheung site in Yeosu. Major sources of abundant species such as ethane, propane, n-butane, toluene were estimated by analyzing seasonal variations, correlation with other VOC species, and emission profiles. A major source of n-butane was identified as LPG cars, while major sources of toluene varied considerably from one site to another. The lower alkanes were composed of ethane and propane, both of which showed a strong seasonal variation, low in the summer and high in the winter, indicating that a major source might be the heating by gaseous fuels. Ozone formation potentials of VOC species were evaluated by applying MIR and POCP to the measured VOC species concentrations. Toluene contributed the most to total ozone forming potentials followed by m,p-xylene for all the type 2 and 3 PAMS sites except for two sites in Yeosu-Gwangyang. Ethylene and propylene were the first and second contributors to total ozone forming potentials at Joongheung site in Yeosu.

• Atmosphere
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.355-366
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• 2010

The tropopause pressure in the Arctic region is calculated by the conventional thermal and dynamical methods using 30-year reanalysis data. The tropopause pressures determined thermally and dynamically both show semiannual cycles with one peak in April and May, and another in October, contrary to the tropopause temperatures. Although tropopause levels are higher both in January and July, the level of the tropopause in January seems to be associated with the stratospheric temperatures while that of July seems to be associated with the tropospheric temperatures. During the 30-year period the most significant trend appears in April, and it is shown that the altitude of the Arctic tropopause has been rising. Although a potential reason for this trend is stratospheric cooling due to ozone depletion, significant tropospheric warming in April is considered to be another reason.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.E2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2008

We have examined seasonal and annual means of clear-sky solar noon and daily erythemal ultraviolet-B irradiances measured in Anmyeon. The intensity of the EUV-B irradiance is mainly dependent on solar zenith angle (SZA) and total ozone amounts on clear day conditions. The daily maximum occurs near solar noon time and the highest monthly accumulated EUV-B is seen in July in Anmyeon. The maximum daily variation occurs in June and July due to precipitation and clouds. The 7-year trend of EUV-B irradiance shows that it is slightly increasing. Additionally, we could confirm that aerosol effects such as Asian Dust decreases the EUV-B irradiance reaching the ground surface by 35% to 60%. For more than 45% of the summer days, EUV-B irradiacne was high enough that the UV index registered higher than category Extremely High. This information will be very important for evaluation of the UV index for prevention of both skin cancer and ecosystem damages as well as to understand UV climatology over the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.369-377
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• 2013

The trends of the criteria air pollutants' concentrations over Seoul are reviewed, relative contributions of major sources are discussd, and directions for future air quality management are suggested. It was shown that the yearly average concentrations of the criteria air pollutants except nitrogen dioxide and ozone have decreased significantly over the last three decades. Though the concentration of nitrogen dioxide has not decreased, the concentration of $NO_x$ has decreased significantly. The major reason for the reduction of the criteria air pollutants has been strict government regulations such as establishment of strict emission standards and switch to cleaner fuels. However, it is not clear the major reason (s) for the reduction of the $PM_{10}$ concentration. It is suggested that to further reduce the concentrations of secondary air pollutants such as ozone and $PM_{2.5}$, understanding the major chemical pathways for them is essential. In addition, influence from outside Seoul should be quantified and effectively controlled.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.642-652
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• 2006

In order to understand the characteristics of surface ozone concentration and high $O_3$ concentration days, regional data from seven air quality monitoring stations which were operated by local governments were analyzed Regional characteristics of $O_3$ concentration were analyzed with the data of $O_3$ concentration and the characteristics of $O_3$ generation and weather conditions by the selection of the days in which the concentration was higher than 80 ppb. In the case of daily variation, the lowest $O_3$ concentration was shown in all regions from 7am to 8am and the highest around at 4 pm. The monthly variation of mean $O_3$ concentration and ${\Delta}O_3$ values revealed a reducing pattern in July and August following the peak in June, and again a gradual increasing trend in September and October. The result shows that the amount of ozone is dependent on photochemical reaction. The days of $O_3$ generated more than 80 ppb in the region of Gwangyang-bay were 544 days(1,760 hrs). The frequency of occurrence in the region revealed a strong pattern with the order of Samil-dong, Jinsang, and Gwangmu-dong stations in the Gwangyang region. However, Tein-dong, which is the nearest station to air pollution material generation source, showed the lowest frequency in the study area. Consequently, the meteorological parameters which can easily generate the high concentration of $O_3$ in the region of Gwangyang-bay are characterized as follows; atmospheric temperature which is higher than $19^{\circ}C$, relative humidity with the range of $60{\sim}85%$, the less average wind velocity than 5 m/s, cloud cover which is less than 5/10, and the more duration of sunshine than 8 hours.