• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.384-395
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• 2012

This study was performed to develop the source profiles for fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) emitted from the biomass burning. The multi-method research strategy included a usage of combustion devices such as field burning, fireplace, and residential wood burning to burn rice straw, fallen leaves, pine tree, and oak tree. The data were collected from multiple sources and measured water-soluble ions, elements, elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC). From this study, it turned out that OC (34~67%) and EC (1.2~39%) are the major components emitted from biomass burning. In the case of burning rice straw at field burning, OC (66.6%) was the most abundant species, followed by EC (4.3%), $Cl^-$ (3.6%), Cl (2.1%), and $SO^{2-}_4$(1.9%). Burning rice straw, fallen leaves, pine tree, and oak tree at fireplace, the amount of OC was 58.5%, 52.7%, 52.5%, and 61.2%, and that of EC was 1.2%, 18.4%, 36.5%, and 2.7%, respectively. The ratio of OC for the burning of pine tree and oak tree from the residential wood burning device was 56.9% and 34.3%, and that of EC was 25% and 38.6%, respectively. Applying the measured data with respect to the proportion of components emitted from biomass burning to reference model, it turned out that self-diagnosed result was appropriate level, and the result based on the model is in highly corresponding to actual timing of biomass burning.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

The effectiveness of the government regulation on tail-pipe emission for diesel vehicles issued in 2003 in Tokyo was evaluated in this study. Variations in annual average concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs associated with airborne particulate matter were investigated in connection with the variation in airborne elemental carbon (EC) concentration in downtown Tokyo, Japan in 2006-2007 and in 1997-1998. The annual average concentrations of EC, seven different PAHs, and 1-nitropyrene were found to have decreased significantly from 1997-1998 to 2006-2007. The most prominent decrease in atmospheric concentration was observed for 1-nitropyrene, which is a representative nitro-PAH originating from diesel vehicles. This indicated that the government control has worked to considerably reduce both atmospheric mutagens and airborne particulate matter. In contrast, the concentrations of two nitro-PAHs, 2-nitrofluoranthene and 2-nitropyrene, remained the same. These nitro-PAHs are known to be formed by atmospheric nitration of their parent PAHs, and this result suggested factors other than the concentration of parent PAHs and $NO_2$ affects the degree of atmospheric formation of nitro-PAHs.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.392-402
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• 2010

Black carbon (BC) concentrations were measured with an aethalometer (AE-16, 880 nm) at time interval of 5-min at an urban site of Gwangju over a year 2008. 24-hr filter-based integrated measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ particles were also made at the same site during the winter and summer intensive periods to test any optical loading bias in the raw BC data measured by aethalometer. BC concentration was higher in winter than in summer, possibly due to increase in emissions from energy consumption and poor dispersion with reduction of boundary layer in winter. Also temporal cycles of BC indicate that short-term transient spikes were common, occurring primarily during the rush-hour periods. A similar feature was also observed in diurnal concentration cycle of CO, mainly emitted from motor vehicles. When both low wind speed and weather patterns such as mist, haze and etc were combined, high BC concentrations frequently occurred. The amount of optical loading effect described by the "k" factor showed the seasonal variation, ranging from 0.0003 to 0.0036. This implies that optical loading effect is not seen at all times. From the comparison between the filter-based elemental carbon (EC) and aethalometer BC data, it was found that the loading compensated BC values were more reasonable than the raw BC ones reported from the aethalometer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.567-580
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• 2010

Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations were determined for $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{1.0}$ aerosols particles collected at Gosan Superstation on Jeju Island from August 2007 to September 2008. Aerosols were collected on quartz filters for 24 hours and then OC and EC were analyzed by TOR/IMPROVED method. Mean concentrations of OC and EC were $4.66\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.69\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{10}$, $3.95\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.69\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$, and $3.16\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.42\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{1.0}$, respectively. The concentrations of OC and EC comprised 16.4% and 6.0% of $PM_{10}$, 22.9% and 9.8% of $PM_{2.5}$, and 23.0% and 10.0% of $PM_{1.0}$. OC and EC showed a clear seasonal variation with the highest in winter and the lowest in summer. The correlations between the two were also the best during the winter ($R^2$=0.87, 0.94, and 0.95 for $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{1.0}$). The ratio of OC/EC exhibited the maximum (7.24) during an Asian dust event due to an increase of OC, which was possibly derived from soil. The mass fraction of both OC and EC was the highest in fall. When OC and EC concentrations were highly elevated, EC1 (the first EC fraction determined at $550^{\circ}C$) and pyrolyzed OC (POC) were dominant subcomponents in winter and OC3 (the third OC fraction determined at $450^{\circ}C$) and POC in spring.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.482-492
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• 2015

Ground-based measurements were conducted from January 6 to 12 of 2015 for understanding characteristics of nitrogen containing carbonaceous aerosols as 16 amino acids at the Mokpo National University, Korea. The detailed amino acid components such as Cystine ($(SCH_2CH(NH_2)CO_2H)_2$) and Methionine ($C_5H_{11}NO_2S$) and their sources were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD) for behavior of secondary products in particulate matter. In addition, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) based on the carbonaceous thermal distribution (CTD), which provides detailed carbon signature characteristics relative to analytical temperature, and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) by total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer were used to understand the carbon compound behaviors. The backward trajectories were discussed for originations of carbonaceous aerosols as well. Different airmasses were classified with the amino acids and OC thermal signatures. The results can provide to understand the aging process influenced by the long-range transport from East Sea area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.675-688
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• 2007

To characterize organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) contents, daily $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were performed in August 2006 (summer) and Jan $11{\sim}Feb$ 12 2007 (winter) at an urban site of Gwangju. Daily size-segregated aerosol samples were also collected for WSOC analysis. No clear seasonal variations in EC and WSOC concentrations were observed, while seasonal differences in OC concentration, and OC/EC and WSOC/EC ratios were shown. The WSOC/OC ratio showed higher value in summer (0.56) than in winter (0.40), reflecting the greater enhancement of secondary WSOC formation at the site in summer. Secondary WSOC concentrations estimated using EC tracer method were in the range $0.0{\sim}2.1\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (average $0.42\;{\mu}g/m^3$) and $0.0{\sim}1.1\;{\mu}g/m^3\;(0.24\;{\mu}g/m^3)$, respectively, accounting for $0{\sim}51.6%$ (average 16.8%) and $0{\sim}52.5%$ (average 13.1 %) of the measured WSOC concentrations in summer and winter. Sometimes higher WSOC/OC ratio in winter than that in summer could be attributed to two reasons. One is that the stable atmospheric condition often appears in winter, and the prolonged residence time would strengthen atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds. The other is that decrease of ambient temperature in winter would enhance the condensation of volatile secondary WSOC on pre-existing aerosols. In summertime, atmospheric aerosols and WSOC concentrations showed bimodal size distributions, peaking at the size ranges $0.32{\sim}0.56\;{\mu}m$ (condensation mode) and $3.2{\sim}5.6\;{\mu}m$ (coarse mode), respectively. During the wintertime, atmospheric aerosols showed a bimodal character, while WSOC concentrations showed a unimodal pattern. Size distributions of atmospheric aerosols and WSOC with a peak in the size range $0.32{\sim}0.56\;{\mu}m$ were observed for most of the measurement periods. On January 17, however, atmospheric aerosols and WOSC exhibited size distributions with modal peaks in the size range $1.0{\sim}1.8\;{\mu}m$, suggesting that the aerosol particles collected on that day could be expected to be more aged, i.e, longer residence time, than the aerosols at other sampling periods.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.64-74
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• 2017

In this study, we have analyzed relationship between the measured Water Soluble Organic Carbon (WSOC) concentrations and the estimated aerosol water content of $PM_{10}$ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to $10{\mu}m$) for the period between September 2006 and August 2007 at Seoul, Korea. Water content of $PM_{10}$ was estimated by using a gas/particle equilibrium model, Simulating composition of Atmospheric Particles at Equilibrium 2 (SCAPE2). The WSOC concentrations showed low correlation with Elemental Carbon (EC), but Water Insoluble Organic Carbon (WISOC) were highly correlated with EC. It seemed that hydrophilic groups were produced by secondary formation rather than primary formation. As with the previous studies, WSOC showed good correlation with secondary ions ($NO_3{^-}$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NH_4{^+}$), especially WSOC was highly correlated with $NO_3{^-}$ that is a secondary ion formed by photochemical oxidation from more local sources than $SO_4{^{2-}}$. No apparent correlation between the measured WSOC and estimated water content was observed. However, WSOC showed good correlation with estimated water content when it was assumed that relative humidity was higher than the deliquescence relative humidity of the system. In conclusion, WSOC is correlated with water content by hygroscopic ions and it is expected that nitrate play an important role among the water content and WSOC.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.461-476
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• 2014

Continuous Water-Soluble Organic Carbons (WSOC) by the Particle Into Liquid Sampler - Total Organic Carbon (PILS-TOC) analyzer were measured at the Seoul intensive monitoring site from June 17 through July 5 in 2014. In addition, the 24 hour integrated PM2.5 collected by Teflon and Quartz filters were analyzed for water soluble ions by Ion chromatography (IC), WSOC by TOC from water extracts, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) by carbon analyzer using the thermal optical transmittance (TOT) method, and mass fragment ions (m/z) related to alkanes and PAHs (Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer-Thermal Desorption (GC/MS-TD). Based on the statistical analysis, four different Carbonaceous Thermal Distributions (CTDs) from OCEC thermal-gram were identified. This study discusses the primary and secondary sources of WSOC based on the Classified CTD, organic mass fragments, and diurnal patterns of WSOC. The results provide knowledge regarding the origins of WSOC and their behaviors.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this case study is to assess workers' exposure to carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and characterize particles aerosolized during the process of producing CNT-enabled polytetrafuoroethylene(PTFE) composites at a worksite in Korea. Methods: Personal breathing zone and area samples were collected for determining respirable concentrations of elemental carbon(EC) using NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Method 5040. Personal exposure to nano-sized particles was measured as the number concentration and mean diameter using personal ultrafine particle monitors. The number concentration by particle size was measured using optical particle sizers(OPS) and scanning mobility particle sizers(SMPS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) area samples were collected on TEM grids and analyzed to characterize the size, morphology, and chemistry of the particles. Results: Respirable EC concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.24 ㎍/㎥, which were below 23% of the exposure limit recommended by NIOSH and lower than background concentrations. Number concentrations by particle size measured using OPS and SMPS were not noticeably elevated during CNT-PTFE composite work. Instant increase of number concentrations of nano-sized particles was observed during manual sanding of CNT-PTFE composites. Both number concentrations and mean diameters did not show a statistically significant difference between workers handing CNT-added and not-added materials. TEM analyses revealed the emission of free-standing CNTs and CNT-PTFE aggregate particles from the powder supply task and composite particles embedded with CNTs from the computer numerical control(CNC) machining task with more than tens of micrometers in diameter. No free-standing CNT particles were observed from the CNC machining task. Conclusions: Significant worker exposure to respirable CNTs was not found, but the aerosolization of CNTs and CNT-embedded composite particles were observed during handing of CNT-PTFE powders and CNC machining of CNT-PTFE composites. Considering the limited knowledge on the toxicity of CNTs and CNT composite particles to date, it seems prudent to take a precautionary approach for the protection of workers' health.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2012

To perform quick measurements of black carbon (BC) particles deposited on foliar surfaces of forest tree species, we investigated an optical method for measuring the amount of BC extracted from foliar surfaces and collected on quartz fiber filters. The seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to submicron BC particles for one growing season (1 June to 7 December 2009). At the end of the growing season, the leaves or needles of the seedlings were harvested and washed with deionized water followed by washing with chloroform to extract the BC particles deposited on the foliar surfaces. The extracted BC particles were collected on a quartz fiber filter. The absorption spectrum of the filters was measured by spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere. To obtain the relationship between the absorbance of the filter and the amount of BC particles on the filter, the amount of BC particles on the filter was determined as that of elemental carbon (EC) measured by a thermal optical method. At wavelengths below 450 nm, the absorption spectrum of the filter showed absorption by biological substances, such as epicuticular wax, resulting in the low coefficient of determination ($R^2$) in the relationship between the amount of EC on the filter ($M_{EC}$, ${\mu}g\;C\;cm^{-2}$ filter area) and the absorbance of the filter. The intercept of the regression line between $M_{EC}$ and the absorbance of the filter at 580 nm ($A_{580}$) was closest to 0. There was a significant linear relationship between the $A_{580}$ and $M_{EC}$ ($R^2$=0.917, p<0.001), suggesting that the amount of BC particles collected on the filter can be predicted from the absorbance. This optical method might serve as a simple, fast and cost-effective technique for measuring the amount of BC on foliar surfaces.