• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2001

To evaluate the influence of meteorological conditions on the performance of DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) system, we analyzed the concentrations of three criteria pollutants and relevant environmental parameters measured during 14 month periods between Jun. 1999 and Oct. 2000. According to our study, the performance of DOAS can be sensitively influenced via various manners (such as among different chemicals and/or between different time periods). It turns out that O$_3$ exhibits most frequently the weakest agreement between two systems. When comparison was made among different meteorological parameters, the strongest variability was seen from such ones as windspeed, wind direction, and irradiance. In addition, the absolute differences in measured concentrations between two systems were compared against various environmental parameters by means of linear regression analysis. Results of this analysis indicated that the differences between the two tend to decrease with the increase of such parameters as windspeed. It is thus concluded on the basis of our study that the simultaneous evaluation of meteorological data should be an essential step toward the accurate assessment of pollutant concentration data obtained by DOAS measurement system.

• Atmosphere
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.639-657
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• 2015

There is an increasing need to improve the air quality over South Korea to protect public health from local and remote anthropogenic pollutant emissions that are in an increasing trend. Here, we evaluate the performance of the WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting-Chemistry) model in simulating near-surface air quality of major Korean cities, and investigate the impacts of time-varying chemical initial and lateral boundary conditions (IC/BCs) on the air quality simulation using a chemical downscaling technique. The model domain was configured over the East Asian region and anthropogenic MICS-Asia 2010 emissions and biogenic MEGAN-2 emissions were applied with RACM gaseous chemistry and MADE/SORGAM aerosol mechanism. Two simulations were conducted for a 30-days period on April 2010 with chemical IC/BCs from the WRF-Chem default chemical species profiles ('WRF experiment') and the MOZART-4 (Model for OZone And Related chemical Tracers version 4) ('WRF_MOZART experiment'), respectively. The WRF_MOZART experiment has showed a better performance to predict near-surface CO, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, and $O_3$ mixing ratios at 7 major Korean cities than the WRF experiment, showing lower mean bias error (MBE) and higher index of agreement (IOA). The quantitative impacts of the chemical IC/BCs have depended on atmospheric residence time of the pollutants as well as the relative difference of chemical mixing ratios between the WRF and WRF_MOZART experiments at the lateral boundaries. Specifically, the WRF_MOZART experiment has reduced MBE in CO and O3 mixing ratios by 60~80 ppb and 5~10 ppb over South Korea than those in the WRF-Chem default simulation, while it has a marginal impact on $NO_2$ and $SO_2$ mixing ratios. Without using MOZART-4 chemical IC, the WRF simulation has required approximately 6-days chemical spin-up time for the East Asian model domain. Overall, the results indicate that realistic chemical IC/BCs are prerequisite in the WRF-Chem simulation to improve a forecast skill of local air quality over South Korea, even in case the model domain is sufficiently large to represent anthropogenic emissions from China, Japan, and South Korea.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.177-190
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• 2013

Air pollution trends in Japan between 1970 and 2012 were analyzed, and the impact of air pollution countermeasures was evaluated. Concentrations of CO decreased from 1970 to 2012, and in 2012, the Japanese environmental quality standard (EQS) for CO was satisfied. Concentrations of $SO_2$ dropped markedly in the 1970s, owing to use of desulfurization technologies and low-sulfur heavy oil. Major reductions in the sulfur content of diesel fuel in the 1990s resulted in further decreases of $SO_2$ levels. In 2012, the EQS for $SO_2$ was satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations. Concentrations of $NO_2$ decreased from 1970 to 1985, but increased from 1985 to 1995. After 1995, $NO_2$ concentrations decreased, especially after 2006. In 2012, the EQS for $NO_2$ was satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations, except those alongside roads. The annual mean for the daily maximum concentrations of photochemical oxidants (OX) increased from 1980 to 2010, but after 2006, the $98^{th}$ percentile values of the OX concentrations decreased. In 2012, the EQS for OX was not satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations. Non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) concentrations generally decreased from 1976 to 2012. In 2011, NMHC concentrations near roads and in the general environment were nearly the same. The concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) generally decreased. In 2011, the EQS for SPM was satisfied at 69.2% of ambient air monitoring stations, and 72.9% of roadside air-monitoring stations. Impacts from mineral dust from continental Asia were especially pronounced in the western part of Japan in spring, and year-round variation was large. The concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ generally decreased, but the EQS for $PM_{2.5}$ is still not satisfied. The air pollution trends were closely synchronized with promulgation of regulations designed to limit pollutant emissions. Trans-boundary OX and $PM_{2.5}$ has become a big issue which contains global warming chemical species such as ozone and black carbon (so called SLCP: Short Lived Climate Pollutants). Cobeneficial reduction approach for these pollutants will be important to improve both in regional and global atmospheric environmental conditions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.2 s.107
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• pp.213-226
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to analyze the pattern of eutrophication of Korean reservoir with Chl. a concentration and morpho-physical parameters, and to valuate water quality characteristics of the classified types. The collected data from 486 reservoirs were classified as four types, with the Chl- a concentration (25 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) and the ratio of water storage/surface area (mean depth, 7.5 m). According to OECD criteria and trophic state index based on Chl-a concentration, 34.3 and 72.8% of selected reservoirs appeared to be eutrophic, respectively. Characteristics of TYPE ll reservoirs generally showed high Chl-a concentration, relatively old age, small DA/LA ratio, short Hydraulic retention time, large paddy field and field to watershed ratio, and high pollutant loading compared to other types of reservoirs. The difference of TP concentration was greater than that of TN concentration in reservoir water among classified four types. Based on TN/TP ratio (by weight), phosphorus was limiting nutrient in all types and more closely related with Chl- a concentration than nitrogen. Significant decrease of Chl- a concentration with increase of TN/TP ratio observed only in reservoirs with Chl-a concentration > 25${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Although drainage area is believed to be a factor that is related to the generation load of pollutants in the watershed, it did not show any significant relationship with water quality parameters. Morphometric characteristics such as depth and age of reservoir as well as type of land use patterns in the watershed was among important parameters for the assessment of water quality characteristics in Korean reservoirs.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.35-42
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• 2007

The paved areas such as parking lots and roads are stormwater intensive landuses since they are impervious and have high pollutant mass emissions from vehicular activity. Vehicle emissions include different pollutants such as heavy metals, oil and grease, particulates from sources such as fuels, brake pad wear and tire wear. Especially, the released heavy metals can be easily absorbed on the surface area of small particulate materials because of its ionic strength. Therefore, by constructing the sedimental tank in structural BMPs as a pre-treatment facility, the particles and heavy metals both can be removed from the runoff at an instant. To understand the physico-chemical characteristics of sediments from sedimentation tank, one-year study at an infiltration trench and filtration system was conducted to quantify the metal mass absorbed on sediments with various particle sizes. The structural BMPs for this study are located in Yongin City, Kyunggido. The research results show that Cu, Zn and Pb are dominant metal compounds in the sediments. Also the metal concentrations are highest at the ranges of $425-850{\mu}m$ particle sizes. The results will provide the basic physico-chemical information of sediments to treat it as solid wastes and to determine the design criteria of sedimentation tank in structural BMPs.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2008

In order to recommend criteria for the administration law on indoor air quality, this study was conducted to examine the distribution and the concentration of indoor air pollutants ($PM_{10},\;CO_2$, CO, HCHO, TBC, $NO_2$, Rn, VOCs, asbestos, $O_3$) in public facilities in the Chung-Nam area. The concentrations of indoor air pollutants were obtained from sixty seven public facilities such as a cinema, an office, a restaurant, a theater and an academy. This study was performed from August to December, 2005. The results of this study showed that the concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as $PM_{10},\;CO_2$, CO, HCHO, TBC, Rn and $O_3$ were less than the recommended limits. However, the average concentration of VOCs was $521.73{\mu}g/m^3$ (GM : $221.69{\mu}g/m^3$), which was higher than the recommended limit of $400{\mu}g/m^3$. Moreover, the average concentration of $NO_2$ was 345.66ppb (GM : 69.95ppb), which was higher than the recommended limit of 50 ppb. The correlation between the concentrations of indoor air pollutants and the type of facilities with respect to $CO_2$, TBC and Rn was statistically low (p<0.05). However, the correlation was high in terms of the CO and $O_3$ concentrations (p<0.01). No relationship between the indoor air pollutants and the type of facilities was observed for $PM_{10}$, VOCs and $NO_2$. The year of construction was compared to the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. Specifically, when the construction date was less than 3 years, the HCHO, VOCs and TBC concentrations were $44.75{\mu}g/m^3,\;555.07{\mu}g/m^3$ and $337.79CFU/m^3$, respectively. These concentrations were $120{\mu}g/m^3$ and $211.84CFU/m^3$ higher for VOCs and TBC than the concentrations obtained from the facilities more than 3 years. However, the concentration of HCHO was similar between the facilities older and younger than 3 years of age. Year, temperature, humidity and indoor air pollutant correlation analyses showed that temperature and humidity, temperature and TBC, temperature and $O_3,\;PM_{10}$ and $NO_2$, HCHO and VOCs, $CO_2$ and Rn had positive relationships. However temperature and Rn, humidity and $CO_2,\;CO_2$ and $O_3,\;O_3$ and Rn had negative relationships. Accordingly, it will be necessary to manage the factors affecting indoor air quality so that the residents can have a more comfortable and healthier living environment. Ultimately, the results of this study are expected to be utilized as baseline data.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.17-28
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• 2008

Favorable policies for freight vehicles (i.e., trucks), such as exclusive "Truck-ways," have been proposed, and at the same time restricted policies for freight vehicles have been suggested because transportation of goods by truck aggravates traffic congestion and environmental conditions in urban areas. This study discusses the limitations of assessment processes for freight vehicle route management systems which have been carried out from limited perspectives such as physical distribution efficiency and traffic circulation. The objective of this study is to propose an assessment method of truck route management systems in urban areas which includes more varied criteria. This research modified the two existing assessment indices of physical distribution efficiency and traffic circulation. In addition two new assessment indexes are proposed: (i) exposure indices for population directly influenced by nitrous oxide, a representative pollutant, and (ii) a friction index between trips for attending elementary school and freight vehicle trips. It was found that from the perspective of physical distribution efficiency and traffic circulation, the "before" alternative is better than "after". However, from the aspect of traffic safety and environmental impacts the "after" alternative is better than "before". It is expected that the proposed evaluation method in this study would be useful when identifying reasonable policies for truck route management in urban areas.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.398-409
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• 2021

Background: The types and effects of hazardous pollutants in indoor air may vary depending on the characteristics of the sources and pollutants caused by physical and chemical properties of buildings, the influence of outdoor air, and the exposure and use characteristics of residents. Objectives: This study was conducted to provide basic data on the establish of indoor air quality management for different classes of public-use facilities by presenting the characteristics of concentration distribution of hazardous pollutants by different public-use facilities and the status of the excess proportion of exceeding standards. Methods: This study analyzed self-measurement data from public-use facilities taken from 2017 to 2019 A total of 133,525 facilities were surveyed. A total of 10 types of pollutants that have maintenance and recommended standards stipulated in the Indoor Air Quality Control Act from the Ministry of Environment were investigated. The excess proportion and the substances exceeding the criteria for each type of public-use facilities for these pollutants were investigated. Results: As a result of the analysis of the proportion of exceeding the standard for each type of public-use facility, the facilities with the highest excess proportion of the standards for each hazardous pollutant were: PM₁₀ in railway stations (8.93%), PM_2.5 in daycare centers (7.36%), CO₂ in bus terminals (2.37%), HCHO in postpartum care centers (4.11%), total airborne bacteria in daycare centers (0.69%), CO in museums (0.1%), NO₂ in postpartum care centers (1.15%), Rn in museums (0.78%), total volatile organic compounds in postpartum care centers (7.20%) and mold in daycare centers (1.44%). Conclusions: Although uncertainty may arise because this study is a result of self-measurement, it is considered that this study has significance for providing basic data on the establishment in the future of indoor air quality management measures customized for each type of public-use facility.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.166-171
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• 2003

A total of 498 agricultural reservoirs ranging from $164{\times}10^3\;m^3$ to $253{\times}10^6\;m^3$ in storage volume were investigated from 1990 to 2001 with respect to Chl-${\alpha}$, COD concentration and pollutant loading of BOD, TN, and TP. The lakes and reservoirs could be classified to 4 types using the relationships between the ratio of storage volume per water surface area(ST/WS) and Chl-${\alpha}$ concentration. It is recommended that the improvement of polluted lakes should be performed in the order of integrated consolidation type ${\rightarrow}$ watershed consolidation type ${\rightarrow}$ in-lake consolidation type ${\rightarrow}$ Management type and reservoir should be constructed to be over $5{\sim}6\;m$ in depth(ST/WS ratio) for preventing the eutrophication of agricultural reservoirs. We propose that water quality criteria for agricultural water is changed from less than 8 mg/L to less than 6 mg/L for safety value, $6{\sim}10\;mg/L$ for concern value, and more than 10 mg/L for countermeasure value in COD concentration, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.243-247
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• 2002

Irrigation water quality along Donjin river watershed was monitored to find a possible pollutant, for maintaining water quality to achieve food safety through water quality preservation of river. As a pollution indicators, such as Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD), Total Nitrogen(T-N), and Total Phosphate(T-P) in Dongjin river were examined from May to November in 2001. The results were as follows : The BOD level of Dongjin river ranged from 2.84 to 6.45 mg/L, which would be in a II$\sim$IV grade of the potable water criteria by Ministry of Environment. Averaged BOD level of downstream DJ6(After Jeongupcheon confluence) was 4.07 mg/L. The average COD level of Dongjin river ranged from 11.20 to 32.96 mg/L. COD level of DJ6 rapidly increased rapidly after the junction of Dongjin river and Jungupcheon because it showed the latter had relatively high pollution level. T-N content were significantly high in all sites of Dongjin river ranged through 4.16 to 5.84 mg/L. T-P examined high concentration than another thing point by 0.19 mg/L after Jeongupcheon confluence as BOD and COD. COD of main stream was expressed high concentration to dry season after rainy season. In case of T-P, pollution degree of dry season before rainy season appeared and examined that quality of water was worsened go by dry season after rainy season. The water quality of Dongjin river was deteriorated with inflow of Jungupcheon polluted by municipal and industrial sites near Jungup city.