Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016
This study identified the key chemical components based on an analysis of the seasonal variations of ground level PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations and its major chemical constituents (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic carbon, and elemental carbon) in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), o...
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MDPI AG
2019-12-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1/48 |
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| author | Changhan Bae Byeong-Uk Kim Hyun Cheol Kim Chul Yoo Soontae Kim |
| author_facet | Changhan Bae Byeong-Uk Kim Hyun Cheol Kim Chul Yoo Soontae Kim |
| author_sort | Changhan Bae |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study identified the key chemical components based on an analysis of the seasonal variations of ground level PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations and its major chemical constituents (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic carbon, and elemental carbon) in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), over a period of five years, ranging from 2012 to 2016. It was found that the mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration in the SMA was 33.7 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, while inorganic ions accounted for 53% of the total mass concentration. The component ratio of inorganic ions increased by up to 61%−63% as the daily mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration increased. In spring, nitrate was the dominant component of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, accounting for 17%−32% of the monthly mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations. In order to quantify the impact of long-range transport on the SMA PM<sub>2.5</sub>, a set of sensitivity simulations with the community multiscale air-quality model was performed. Results show that the annual averaged impact of Chinese emissions on SMA PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations ranged from 41% to 44% during the five years. Chinese emissions’ impact on SMA nitrate ranged from 50% (winter) to 67% (spring). This result exhibits that reductions in SO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>X</sub> emissions are crucial to alleviate the PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration. It is expected that NO<sub>X</sub> emission reduction efforts in China will help decrease PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations in the SMA. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T08:34:19Z |
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| id | doaj.art-fad74ef7c26b4c47b16d4daff2c30aec |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T08:34:19Z |
| publishDate | 2019-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-fad74ef7c26b4c47b16d4daff2c30aec2022-12-21T23:53:42ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332019-12-011114810.3390/atmos11010048atmos11010048Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016Changhan Bae0Byeong-Uk Kim1Hyun Cheol Kim2Chul Yoo3Soontae Kim4Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, KoreaGeorgia Environmental Protection Division, Atlanta, GA 30354, USAAir Resources Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, College Park, MD 20740, USAAir Quality Improvement Bureau, National Council on Climate and Air Quality, Jongro 03181, KoreaDepartment of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, KoreaThis study identified the key chemical components based on an analysis of the seasonal variations of ground level PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations and its major chemical constituents (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic carbon, and elemental carbon) in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), over a period of five years, ranging from 2012 to 2016. It was found that the mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration in the SMA was 33.7 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, while inorganic ions accounted for 53% of the total mass concentration. The component ratio of inorganic ions increased by up to 61%−63% as the daily mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration increased. In spring, nitrate was the dominant component of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, accounting for 17%−32% of the monthly mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations. In order to quantify the impact of long-range transport on the SMA PM<sub>2.5</sub>, a set of sensitivity simulations with the community multiscale air-quality model was performed. Results show that the annual averaged impact of Chinese emissions on SMA PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations ranged from 41% to 44% during the five years. Chinese emissions’ impact on SMA nitrate ranged from 50% (winter) to 67% (spring). This result exhibits that reductions in SO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>X</sub> emissions are crucial to alleviate the PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration. It is expected that NO<sub>X</sub> emission reduction efforts in China will help decrease PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations in the SMA.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1/48pm<sub>2.5</sub>smachemical compositionsulfatenitratelong-range transport |
| spellingShingle | Changhan Bae Byeong-Uk Kim Hyun Cheol Kim Chul Yoo Soontae Kim Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016 Atmosphere pm<sub>2.5</sub> sma chemical composition sulfate nitrate long-range transport |
| title | Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016 |
| title_full | Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016 |
| title_fullStr | Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016 |
| title_short | Long-Range Transport Influence on Key Chemical Components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, during the Years 2012–2016 |
| title_sort | long range transport influence on key chemical components of pm sub 2 5 sub in the seoul metropolitan area south korea during the years 2012 2016 |
| topic | pm<sub>2.5</sub> sma chemical composition sulfate nitrate long-range transport |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1/48 |
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