Ambient particulate matter in a central urban area of Seoul, Korea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The concentrations of PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> and PM<SUB>10</SUB> were monitored at a central urban area of Yongsan (YS), Seoul, Korea during 2013. The daily average concentrations of both PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> and PM<SUB>10</SUB> fractions, were 26.6±12.6 and 45.0±20.4μgm<SUP>−3</SUP>, respectively. The observed PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> concentration slightly exceeded the annual standard value (25μgm<SUP>−3</SUP>) set by the Korean Ministry of Environment (KMOE), while that of PM<SUB>10</SUB> was slightly lower than its guideline value (50μgm<SUP>−3</SUP>). Comparison of the monthly mean values (μgm<SUP>−3</SUP>) of both PM fractions showed maximum concentrations in January (PM<SUB>2.5</SUB>: 36.9 and PM<SUB>10</SUB>: 59.7) and minimum concentrations in September (PM<SUB>10</SUB>: 28.1) and October (PM<SUB>2.5</SUB>: 14.9). The existence of strong correlations between the concentrations of PM and some gaseous pollutants (e.g., CO, SO<SUB>2</SUB>, and NOx) indicated the commonality of contributing source processes, such as traffic and industrial emissions. The results of a back-trajectory (BT) analysis also suggests that the PM pollution in the study area is likely to have been affected by many sources such as Asian dust, volcanic emissions, and industrial activities in the surrounding countries (China, Russia, and Japan).</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Sources of ambient particulate matter are diverse enough to deteriorate air quality in urban areas. </LI> <LI> A study has been undertaken to account for the factors governing particle pollution in an urban area. </LI> <LI> Different transport routes of air masses into the area were assessed to differentiate the sources for PM. </LI> <LI> It suggests potent roles of many sources, e.g., Asian dust, volcanic emissions, and industrial activities. </LI> </UL> </P>