Impact of Precursor Compounds Associated with Long-Range Transport in the East Asia Region—Variation in CO/CO2 and VOCs

Abstract

In this study, the impact of long-range transport, one of the factors contributing to the presence of PM2.5, was examined, and an analysis of marker compounds associated with its long-range transport was conducted. Aerosol optical depth, wind field, CO/CO2 back-trajectory analysis, and satellite observation results were performed to determine PM2.5, volatile organic compound (VOC), CO, CO2, SO2, O3, NO, NO2, and NH3 levels at an orchard located in Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. The characteristic of long-range transport at the observation area was evaluated during the research period. The concentrations for long-range transport based on concentration changes in gaseous materials and composition changes in PM2.5 were analyzed. A back-trajectory analysis for the ratio of CO to CO2 with satellite observation results was used to identify long-range transport. Furthermore, the proportionality between the ratio of 1,2-dichloroethane to naphthalene in VOCs and the quantity of precursor compounds linked to long-range transport were observed.