Abstract
High particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations have been considered a serious environmental issue in South Korea. Recent studies have focused mostly on metropolitan and industrial cities; however, high PM2.5 episodes have also been frequently observed even in small– and middle-sized cities. Thus, in this study, PM2.5 and its major chemical components were measured in a small residential city with low anthropogenic emissions for 2 years to identify the factors affecting the PM2.5 concentrations. Overall, the average PM2.5 concentration was 29.4 μg m−3: about two times higher than the annual ambient air quality standard value. In winter, when the PM2.5 concentrations were generally higher, relative humidity (RH) was significantly correlated with both PM2.5 mass and the PM2.5/PM10 ratio, suggesting that high RH promoted the formation of secondary PM2.5. In addition, SO42−and NO3− were found to be correlated with both NH4+ and K+ in winter, indicating that biomass burning was an important source in this city. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was also highly correlated with elemental carbon (EC) and K+ in fall and winter, when the burning of agricultural residues actively occurred. During high concentration episodes, NO3− exhibited the highest increase; nevertheless, other components (e.g., K+ and organic carbon) also significantly increased.
Highlights
Fine particulate matter (PM) is a major concern in South Korea, and worldwide.It has been reported to be associated with increased hospitalization, emergency room visits, and mortality [1,2,3]
These results suggest that secondary aerosol formation, the regional range transport of PM2.5 and its precursors from outside the city, and/or the sources not included in the National Emissions Inventory might have significantly affected PM2.5 concentrations
15 and 30 June, respectively), and most of the endpoints of the 72-h backward trajectories were stagnant and 30 June, respectively), and most of the endpoints of the 72-h backward trajectories were stagnant over the Yellow Sea (Figure 6). These results suggest that a combination effect of active photochemical over the Yellow Sea (Figure 6). These results suggest that a combination effect of active photochemical oxidation reactions and stagnant air can lead to high PM concentration episodes in Chuncheon even oxidation reactions and stagnant air can lead to high PM2.5
Summary
Fine particulate matter (PM) is a major concern in South Korea, and worldwide. Previous studies have shown that PM2.5 concentrations in Chuncheon often exceeded the NAAQS (35 μg m−3 and 15 μg m−3 for the daily and annual standards); the OC concentration and the ratio of OC to EC were high in this city compared to those measured in other cities of South Korea [19]. These results suggest that secondary aerosol formation, the regional range transport of PM2.5 and its precursors from outside the city, and/or the sources not included in the National Emissions Inventory (e.g., open burning and meat cooking) might have significantly affected PM2.5 concentrations. PM2.5 samples were collected in the downtown area of the city, and their chemical compositions (including the ionic and carbonaceous compounds) were analyzed
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