• Atmosphere
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.283-304
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• 2024

This study analyzed the variability and correlation between ground-level air pollutant concentrations and the atmospheric mixing layer height using data from four types of air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, and O₃) collected at AirKorea monitoring stations nationwide over a five-year period (2018~2022), and aerosol backscatter data observed by the Vaisala CL31 to derive atmospheric mixing layer heights. The five-year trends and variability of ground-level air pollutant concentrations under seasonal and hourly conditions were examined, as well as the seasonal distribution and diurnal variation of the atmospheric mixing layer height. Five correlation coefficient methodologies were applied to analyze the correlations between ground-level air pollutants and atmospheric mixing layer height under various seasonal and hourly conditions, confirming the dilution effect of the atmospheric mixing layer height. The results showed that PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ generally had negative correlations with the atmospheric mixing layer height, while O₃ showed a strong positive correlation up to an altitude of 1,200~1,500 meters, and a negative correlation beyond that altitude. It was also shown that a single high concentration event (e.g., PM₁₀) can alter the overall correlation. The correlation can also vary depending on the characteristics of the correlation coefficient methodology, highlighting the importance of applying the appropriate methodology for each case during the analysis process.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 1994

A ground station has been established at Kosan, Cheju Island, since January of 1992 for the monitoring of background air Pollutant levels in Korea. Anthropogenic pollutant sources and meteorological conditions of Kosan were surveyed. Concentrations of SO$_2$, NO, NO$_{y}$ and $O_3$, were measured and analyzed for the period of February through December, 1992. The annual means of NO and SO$_2$, levels were very low in comparison to other urban's levels and similiar to other country's background levels. The annual mean of $O_3$, level was higher than urban's but comparable to other coastal region's. The NO concentration showed a distinct seasonal and diurnal variations. Summer peak was detected in the monthly means of NO and smooth peak around noon was found in the annual means of hourly data. Diurnal variation of the SO$_2$ concentration was barely detected but a slice increase in winter was detected. The $O_3$, concentration data, however, showed seasonal and diurnal variations similar to the urban's.an's.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.147-162
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• 2020

The main objective of this study is to estimate the levels of pollution to which the community is presently exposed and to model the regimes of local air quality. Diurnal, daily, and monthly variations of NO, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ were thoroughly investigated in three areas; namely, residential, industrial, and terminal in Ras Al-Khafji. There is obvious diurnal variation in the concentration of these pollutants that clearly follows the diurnal variation of atmospheric temperature and main anthropogenic and industrial activities. Correlation analysis showed that meteorological conditions play a vital role in shaping the pattern and transportation of air pollutants and photochemical processes affecting O₃ formation and destruction. Bivariate polar plots, an effective graphical tool that utilizes air pollutant concentrations' dependence on wind speed and wind direction, were used to identify prevailing emission sources. Non-buoyant ground-level sources like domestic heating and street transport emissions, various industrial stacks, and airport-related activities were considered dominant emission sources in observatory sites. This study offers valuable and detailed information on the status of air quality, which has considerable, quantifiable, and important public health benefits.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.434-447
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• 2016

This study analyzed mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, as measured at Tae-ahn and Gang-nae, Cheongju in central Korea over the period from 2011 to 2015. Higher mass concentrations of PM10, with the exception of dustfall cases during the period of winter and spring, reflected the influence of a prevailing westerly airflow, while the level of PM10 stayed at a low level in summer, reflecting the influence of North Pacific air mass and frequent rainfall. Accordingly, cases where a daily PM10 average of $81{\mu}gm^{-3}$ or over (exceeding the status of fine dust particles being 'a little bit bad') were often observed during the period of winter and spring, with more cases occurring in parts of Tae-ahn that are located close to the sources of pollutant emission in eastern China. Dustfall usually originated from dust storms made up of particles $2.5{\mu}m$ or over in diameter. However, anthropogenic haze displayed a high composition ratio of particulate less than $2.5{\mu}m$ in diameter. Accordingly, brightness temperature difference (BTD) values from the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) were $-0.5^{\circ}K$ or over in haze with fine particulate. PM10 mass concentrations and NOAA 19 satellite BTD for haze cases were analyzed. Though PM10 mass concentrations were found to be lower than $200{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$, the mass concentration ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was measured as higher than 0.4 and BTD was found to be distributed in the range from -0.3 to $0.5^{\circ}K$. However, the BTD of dustfall cases exceeding $190{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$, were found to be less than 0.4 and BTD was found to be distributed in the range less than $-0.7^{\circ}K$. The result of applying BTD threshold values of the large-scale transport of haze proved to fall into line with the range over which aerosols of MODIS AOD and OMI AI were distributed.