• 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 Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.347-358
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• 2013

The aerosol number concentration have measured with an aerodynamic particle sizer spectrometer(APS) at Gosan in Jeju Island, which is known as background area in Korea, from March 2010 to February 2011. The obtained results of asian dust events and non-asian dust period have been compared. The results show that the entire averaged aerosol number concentration from APS measurement during asian dust events and non-asian dust period are about 341 particles/$cm^3$ and 240 particles/$cm^3$, respectively. During asian dust events, the number concentration in small size ranges(${\leq}0.4{\mu}m$) are similar to non-asian dust period, however, those in large size ranges(${\geq}0.7{\mu}m$) are very higher than non-asian dust period. The contributions of the size resolved number concentration(23 channel in $0.25{\sim}10.0{\mu}m$) to total number concentration in that range are dramatically decreased with increased particle size. The contributions of smaller size ranges(${\leq}0.4{\mu}m$) during asian dust events are very low compared with non-asian dust period, on the other hand, those of larger size ranges(${\geq}0.4{\mu}m$) are higher than non-asian dust period. The number concentration in each size range are strongly correlated with the concentration in adjacent size range. And the total aerosol number concentration are depended on the number concentration in range of smaller than $0.58{\mu}m$ during non-asian dust period and asian dust events. On the other hand, $PM_{10}$ mass concentration has mainly affected with the number concentration in range of smaller than $1.0{\mu}m$ during non-asian dust period, however, during asian dust events, the mass concentration has mainly affected with the number concentration in range of $0.65{\sim}3.0{\mu}m$.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.491-498
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• 2017

Objective: Bacterial abundance and community compositions have been examined in Asian dust events, clarifying their impacts on public health. This study aims to determine the bacterial community compositions and viable bacteria in Asian dust particles in the Asian dust or non-Asian dust event of March 2016. Methods: The dust samples were collected using the high volume air sampler or high volume cascade impactor, and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified using PCR, followed by pyrosequencing. Bacterial diversity index, richness estimate and community composition in the particles were analyzed from the sequencing data using Mothur software. Results: The results showed that the diversity and richness during Asian dust events were higher than them in non-Asian dust events. The total bacterial community analysis showed that at the phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant of Asian dust events and non-Asian dust events. In addition, the bacterial colony counts were higher during Asian dust event, comparing with non-Asian dust event. Conclusions: This study showed that bacterial community and richness of Asian dust samples was more complex and higher than non-Asian dust samples in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, which could affect public health and environment. Thus, the continuous monitoring of Asian dust could be an alternative for managing airborne bacteria.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2023

Background: There is little information about the airborne hazardous agents released during the heat treatment when manufacturing a welding material. This study aimed to evaluate the airborne hazardous agents generated at welding material manufacturing sites through area sampling. Methods: concentration of airborne particles was measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer and optical particle sizer. Total suspended particles (TSP) and respirable dust samples were collected on polyvinyl chloride filters and weighed to measure the mass concentrations. Volatile organic compounds and heavy metals were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, respectively. Results: The average mass concentration of TSP was 683.1±677.4 ㎍/m³, with respirable dust accounting for 38.6% of the TSP. The average concentration of the airborne particles less than 10 ㎛ in diameter was 11.2-22.8×10⁴ particles/cm³, and the average number of the particles with a diameter of 10-100 nm was approximately 78-86% of the total measured particles (<10 ㎛). In the case of volatile organic compounds, the heat treatment process concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during combustion than during cooling. The airborne heavy metal concentrations differed depending on the materials used for heat treatment. The content of heavy metals in the airborne particles was approximately 32.6%. Conclusions: Nanoparticle exposure increased as the number of particles in the air around the heat treatment process increases, and the ratio of heavy metals in dust generated after the heat treatment process is high, which may adversely affect workers' health.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.207-222
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• 2018

In this study, light absorption of carbonaceous species in $PM_{2.5}$ was investigated using a dual-spot 7-wavelength Aethalometer(model AE33) with 1-min time interval between January 01 and September 30, 2017 at an urban site of Gwangju. During the study period, two Asian dust (AD) events occurred in April (AD I) and May (AD II), respectively, during which light absorption in total suspended particles was observed. Black carbon (BC) was the dominant light absorbing aerosol component at all wavelengths over the study period. Light absorption coefficients by aerosol particles were found to have 2.7~3.3 times higher at 370 nm than at 880 nm. This would be attributed to light absorbing organic aerosols, which is called brown carbon (BrC), as well as BC as absorbing agents of aerosol particles. Monthly average absorption ${{\AA}}ngstr{\ddot{o}}m$ exponent ($AAE_{370-950nm}$) calculated over wavelength range of 370~950 nm ranged from 1.10 to 1.35, which was lower than the $AAE_{370-520nm}$ values ranging from 1.19~1.68 that was enhanced due to the presence of BrC. The estimated $AAE_{370-660nm}$ of BrC ranged from 2.2 to 7.5 with an average of 4.22, which was fairly consistent to the values reported by previous studies. The BrC absorption at 370 nm contributed 10.4~28.4% to the total aerosol absorption, with higher contribution in winter and spring and lower in summer. Average $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $108{\pm}36$ and $24{\pm}14{\mu}g/m^3$ during AD I, respectively, and $164{\pm}66$ and $43{\pm}26{\mu}g/m^3$ during AD II, respectively, implying the greater contribution of local pollution and/or regional pollution to $PM_{2.5}$ during the AD II. BC concentration and aerosol light absorption at 370 nm were relatively high in AD II, compared to those in AD I. Strong spectral dependence of aerosol light absorption was clearly found during the two AD events. $AAE_{370-660nm}$ of both light absorbing organic aerosols and dust particles during the AD I and II was $4.8{\pm}0.5$ and $6.2{\pm}0.7$, respectively. Higher AAE value during the AD II could be attributed to mixed enhanced urban pollution and dust aerosols. Absorption contribution by the light absorbing organic and dust aerosols estimated at 370 nm to the total light absorption was approximately 19% before and after the AD events, but it increased to 32.9~35.0% during the AD events. In conclusion, results from this study support enhancement of the aerosol light absorption due to Asian dust particles observed at the site.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.45.2-45.2
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• 2015

It is obvious that there are plentiful of dust particles in the interplanetary spaces of the Solar System (IDPs), based on micrometeor craters, zodiacal light and direct measurements on the spacecraft. Because of photon drag and planetary perturbations, these particles are continuously falling to the Sun or planets, therefore continuous source of the IDPs are required. We studied the fractional contribution of each type of solar system objects to the IDPs complex through the optical properties of the potential dust sources and the zodiacal light. We found that more than 90% of the IDPs are originated from cometary nuclei. This result is discussed through the comparison with the dynamic simulation, micrometeors mineralogy and near-infrared spectrum of the zodiacal light. In addition, we introduce our new project on the numerical simulation for the dust particles ejected from the cometary nuclei, to verify the conclusion of dominant cometary contribution and its detailed consequences.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.64.1-64.1
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• 2019

Thermal fracture and cracking near the perihelion are found to be a possible mechanism to produce the dust trail of the near-Earth asteroid, (3200) Phaethon (Jewitt and Li, 2013, ApJ 771, L36). It is, however, not well understood how the debris particles were escalated from the regolith against the asteroid's gravity. Thus, the scenario that these debris particles are responsible for the detected activities (Li and Jewitt, 2013, ApJ, 145, 154), is not complete yet. Here, we hypothesize that the thermal radiation pressure around the perihelion passage would exert substantial force outwards from the regolith on dust grains, and they can be lifted up and contributes the dust tail formation with further help of solar radiation pressure. Our modeling indicates that particles with sizes of roughly ~1-10 micron can be ejected from Phaethon by the mechanism, while a detailed model of gravitational field is required for accurate estimation of the particle size range. Our idea is not necessarily limited to Phaethon case, but is applicable to any atmosphereless bodies.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.297-304
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• 2024

PM (Particulate Matters) was collected from a bag filter dust collector at an aluminum foundries, and its physicochemical properties were investigated using particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The median volume diameter of the particles passing through the pretreatment dust collector of the cyclone was approximately 10 ㎛. The cyclone pretreatment dust collector was shown to significantly reduce the throughput of large particles with a particle size of 100 ㎛ or more. The chemical composition of the particles showed a high Al content, and trace amounts of Mg, Si, and Zn were detected.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.44.2-44.2
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• 2019

Comets, one of the least-altered leftovers from the nascent solar system, have probably preserved the primitive structure inside, whereas their surfaces become modified from the initial states after repetitive orbital revolutions around the Sun. Resurfacing makes the surface drier and more consolidated than the bulk nuclei, creating inert refractory dust layer ("dust mantle"). Near-infrared (NIR; 1.25-2.25 m) polarimetry is theoretically expected to maximize contrast of the porosity between inner fresh and evolved dust particles, by harboring more dust constituents in the single wavelength than the optical; thus, intensifies electromagnetic interaction in dust aggregates. Despite such an advantage, only a few studies have been made in this approach mainly due to the limited accessibility of available facilities. Herein, we present our new multi-band NIR polarimetric study of near-Earth object 252P/LINEAR over 12 days near perihelion, together with the results of optical (0.48-0.80m) imaging observations and backward dynamical simulation of the comet. Based on the results, we will characterize the dust properties of the comet and discuss the possible environmental (temperature and UV radiation) effects that could produce the observed phenomena.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2012

Asian dust storms originating in the arid desert of China and Mongolia usually occur from late winter through spring, and more than one million tons of dust per year is transported to the Korean Peninsula by the prevalent westerly winds. We supposed that these dust particles could include bioaerosols and act as carriers of microorganisms. In order to clarify the dynamics of microorganisms moving with these particles, the concentration and composition of microorganisms associated with settled particles were compared between samples collected during Asian dust events and those under non-dust periods. From February to April 2008, settled dust particles were collected at one location in Ulsan using rainfall meter of 200 mm diameter. During this period, there was one Asian dust event in Ulsan. The bacterial concentrations were higher in samples collected during Asian dust event than those under non-dust period, whereas fungal concentrations were rather similar regardless of the Asian dust event. We analyzed 16S rRNA gene sequences of 45 bacterial isolates obtained from the settled particle samples. These isolates belonged to either genus Bacillus or genus Streptococcus and were tentatively identified as B. amyloliquefaciens, B. aryabhattai, B. atrophaeus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. methylotrophicus, B. pumilus, B. sonorensis, B. subtlis, B. vallismortis, S. epidermidis, and S. succinus. In cases of fungal isolates, genera such as Mucor, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus were tentatively identified from samples collected at both Asian dust and non-Asian dust periods. It appears that endospore-forming bacteria such as Bacillus sp. rather than fungal spores are more likely to be associated with Asian dust particles.