• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2010

An orchestrated attempt was made to analyze samples of bulk and individual particulate matters (PM) collected at the Gosan ground-based station on the west coast of Jeju, Korea. A two-stage filter pack sampler was operated to collect particles in both large (> $1.2\;{\mu}m$) and small size fractions (< $1.2\;{\mu}m$) between the Asian dust (hereafter called "AD") storm event and non-Asian dust period. Elemental components in bulk and individual particles were determined by PIXE and synchrotron XRF analysis systems, respectively. To assess the transport pathways of air parcels and to determine the spatial distribution of PM, the backward trajectories of the Meteorological Data Explorer (Center for Global Environmental Research, 2010) and the NOAA's HYSPLIT dispersion-trajectory models were applied. In line with general expectations, Si and other crustal elements in large size particles showed considerably higher mass loading on AD days in comparison with non-AD days. Computation of the crustal enrichment factors [(Z/Si)$_{particle}$/(Z/Si)$_{desert}$ sand] of elements in large size particles (> $1.2\;{\mu}m$) allowed us to estimate the source profile and chemical aging of AD particles as well as to classify the soil-origin elements. On the basis of a single particle analysis, individual AD particles are classified into three distinct groups (neutralized mineral particles, S-rich mineral particles, and imperfectly neutralized particles).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.E
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• pp.29-38
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• 2000

For the detailed characterization of atmospheric aerosol, the analysis of single particle is highly valuable. In this study, to investigate the characteristics of single Asian dust storm particles, scanning electron microscope(SEM) coupled with and energy dispersive X-ray microanalyzer(EDX) and micro-PIXE were applied. Sampling was performed at Kyoto University located in Kyoto, Japan, in spring of 1999. Mass concentration during Asian dust storm events was higher roughly 3∼5 times than measured in the season of the highest concentration. Single particles were generally sharp-edged and irregular in shape and contained mostly crustal elements. Significant amount of S in coarse fraction was detected in individual particles. A large particles in coarse fraction existed as the mixture of soil components and S. A good agreement between the result of SEM-EDX analysis and that iof micro-PIXE analysis was obtained in this study.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2014

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the chemical characteristics of Asian dust (hereafter called "AD") particles with the aid of the most advanced micro-PIXE (Particle-induced X-ray emission) analytical technique. To this end, size-selected particles were sampled on a rural peninsula of Korea (Byunsan, 35.37N; 126.27E) during AD and non-AD periods in 2004. The coarse particle (> $2{\mu}m$) number density during an AD event were 170 times higher than those of the non-AD counterpart. The average net-count of silica in individual particles collected on AD event was roughly 11 times higher than that of non-AD counterpart. The X-ray net-counts of trace elements (Zn, Co, Mn, and V) were also considerably high in AD relative to the non-AD day. Particle classification based on the inter ratio analysis of elemental net-count suggests that a large portion of the coarse particles collected during AD event underwent chemical transformation to a certain degree. The visual interpretation of micro-PIXE elemental maps and elemental localization data in and/or on individual AD particles clarified the internal mixture of AD particles with sea-salt and artificial metallic particles.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2016

A change in chemical compositions of Asian dust (AD) particles can dramatically alter their optical properties, cloud-forming properties, and health effects. The present study was undertaken to evaluate this aging of AD particles by means of two complementary methods (i.e., the traditional spot test and the most advanced micro-PIXE analytical technique) for single particle analysis. Size-classified particles were sampled at the rural peninsula of Korea (Byunsan, 35.37N; 126.27E) during AD event and non-AD period in 2004. Sulfate was principally enriched on the particles in the size range of $7.65-10.85{\mu}m$ collected during AD event. The average number fraction of coarse particles ($>2.05{\mu}m$) containing chloride was 16.2% during AD event. Relatively low particles containing nitrate compared to those containing sulfate and chloride were found in AD event. Micro-PIXE elemental maps indicated that a large number of AD particles were internally mixed with man-made zinc. The highest peaks of EC and OC concentrations were appeared at $0.01-0.43{\mu}m$ particle aerodynamic diameter. High EC concentration in $PM_1$ was might be caused by the Saemangeum Seawall Project that was being conducted during our field measurement.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.255-271
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• 2011

ACE-Asia (Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment) in spring 2001 was a turning point to trigger international research interest on Asian dust (AD). This basically arose from the lack of research on AD, the important natural phenomenon to characterize the Northeast Asia. In contrast, health risk related to AD has been the primary concern in Korea. Although due in part to severe AD events of 2001~2002, research and mitigation measures on AD in Korea are typically based on the assumption that AD events are increasing in frequency and severity. However, contrary to the trend in Korea, the number of AD days and emission amounts of AD in China have decreased since 1980s. This paper reviews the impacts of AD on ambient air quality and variations in toxic substances during the AD event, reflecting the concern in Korea. While a great amount of dust particles flow into Korea during the AD event, a considerable amount of dust particles are locally generated as well. Since dust particles are mixed with toxic substances as they pass over polluted areas, the levels of toxic substances become lower in dust particles that do not pass over polluted areas. Broadening the research scope on AD is warranted to understand the AD as an important natural phenomenon, irrespective of its associated health risk.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.1642-1647
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• 2009

Changes in aerosol characteristics during 2006 ${\sim}$2008 Asian dust events in Cheoan were investigated by measuring mass, ion and elemental concentrations of fine and coarse particles. The average mass concentrations of daily TSP, PM10, PM2.5 were 214.9, 160.3, and 95.9${\mu}\;g/m^3$during Asian dust events, which were 3.08, 2.58, and 1.95 times higher than Non-asian dust events. The maximum concentrations of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 were 850.1, 534.4, and 233.3${\mu}\;g/m^3$, which were 12.19, 8.60, and 4.76 times higher, respectively. Increases in ion concentrations were not significant during Asian dust events, but elemental concentrations including soil components such as Fe, Al, Ti increased by 17.1 and 43.4 times for fine and coarse particles, respectively. The results clearly indicate that metallic components from soil constituents were the major components in Asian dusts sampled at Cheonan.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2010

Mass and ion concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were measured in Yongin, downwind of the Seoul metropolitan area. Twenty-four hour average samples were collected daily for a month or so in spring and fall of both 2007 and 2008. Asian dust occurred twice in each period except in the fall of 2007. During the Asian dust period, nitrate in fine particles decreased since large amount of cations in coarse particles of Asian dust absorbed it. In spring 2008, sulfate as well as ammonium also increased in coarse particles. In spite of occasional Asian dust events, the influence of secondary formation was dominant over the period. Excessive ammonium over sulfate was enough to neutralize nitrate as well. High correlation coefficients between $K^+$ and sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium indicate a close relationship between secondary formation and biomass burning. Biomass burning and open burning are considered to be important sources of chloride.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2010

By the application of novel double detector system of micro-PIXE that can detect light elements (Z<14), we made an attempt to provide a thorough discussion on the aging processes of Asian dust (hereafter called "AD") particle by reaction with sea-slat. The elemental spectra and maps obtained from the microbeam radiation of micro-PIXE to individual AD particles were useful for fractionating AD particles into both internally and externally mixed particles. A spatial distribution of elements in a minute domain of single particle obtained by scanning the microbeam irradiation enabled us not only to estimate the chemical mixing state of individual AD particles but also to presume their aging processes in both ambient air and cloud. By calculating the normalized micro-PIXE net count of elements, it was possible to classify individual AD particles into three distinct groups (i.e., (1) Aging type 1: AD particle coated by the gaseous Cl evaporated by the reaction between artificial acids and sea salt; (2) Aging type 2: AD particle mixed with sea salt but no additional reaction with artificial acids; and (3) Non-aged type) A relatively high transformation rate (63.3-75.9%) was shown in large particles (greater than $5.1\;{\mu}m$ in diameter).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.411-422
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• 2012

Ground-based in-situ measurements of aerosol optical properties at Gosan climate observatory have been analyzed to investigate the optical contribution of Asian dust and polluted particles on light absorption in springtime 2011. During the Asian dust episode, the contribution of Asian dust particle to aerosol absorption coefficient estimated about 45% at 370 nm and about 23% at 520 nm. Especially, black carbon in dust plume contributes about 48% to aerosol light absorption at 520 nm since the airmass are transported from the Gobi and inner Mongolia deserts, and this airmass comes across the northeastern coast of China, near the Shandong Peninsula. In pollution case, the contributions of dust particle and black carbon to aerosol absorption coefficient estimated about 41% and 11% at 370 nm, respectively. However, pollution case shows the highest light absorption of 48% for brown carbon at 370 nm, which indicates the significantly high mass concentration of organic carbon ($6.3{\pm}2.2{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$) in pollution plume can contribute to the increase of light absorption at near-UV spectral region.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.325-337
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• 2013

The size-fractionated aerosol samples have been collected at Gosan Site of Jeju Island during the spring season of 2010, in order to examine the chemical composition characteristics of the Asian Dust and Non-Asian Dust particles. The concentrations of ${HCO_3}^-$, Al, and nss-$Ca^{2+}$ in $PM_{10}$ had tremendously increased during the heavy Asian Dust (March 20, 2010). The concentration ratios of Asian Dust to Non-Asian Dust for the soil species (nss-$Ca^{2+}$, ${HCO_3}^-$, Al, Fe, Ti, Mn) were 12.2~30.7, meanwhile those for the anthropogenic species (nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${NH_4}^+$, ${NO_3}^-$, $K^+$, Zn, Pb, and Cu) were 2.9~7.8. During the heavy Asian Dust event, the concentration increase of ${NO_3}^-$ in $PM_{2.5}$ were much more apparent than those of nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ and ${NH_4}^+$, and the soil species (nss-$Ca^{2+}$ and ${HCO_3}^-$) showed much higher concentration increase. The neutralization factor of $NH_3$ was higher than that of $CaCO_3$. However, the neutralization factor of $CaCO_3$ in $PM_{10}$ was exceptionally high during the heavy Asian Dust, showing the evidence of heavy migration of soil particles. From the study for size fractionated particles, it was found that nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ and ${NH_4}^+$ were mostly distributed in fine particle mode, on the other hand, ${NO_3}^-$ existed evenly in both fine and coarse particle modes, and the soil species (nss-$Ca^{2+}$, Al, Fe, etc.) were mainly in the latter mode. During the heavy Asian Dust, in particular, the concentrations of ${NH_4}^+$, nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$, $K^+$, Zn, and Pb had increased in coarse particle mode as well.