Impact of Chinese air pollutants on a record-breaking PMs episode in the Republic of Korea for 11–15 January 2019

Hye Ryun Oh, Chang Hoi Ho, Youn Seo Koo, Kwan Gu Baek, Hui Young Yun, Sun Kyong Hur, Dae Ryun Choi, Jong Ghap Jhun, Jae Seol Shim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

A record-breaking episode of highly concentrated particulate matter (PM) with diameters ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and ≤10 μm (PM10) occurred in the Republic of Korea during the period January 11–15, 2019: the hourly PM2.5 (PM10) in Seoul was 188 μg m−3 (262 μg m−3) on January 14. At the Baengnyeong and Socheongcho stations, located in the Yellow Sea between China and Korea, the hourly PM2.5 concentration reached up to 155 μg m−3 and 119.8 μg m−3, respectively, 16−19-h prior to this episode. This and the fact that the maximum PM10 concentration at Baengnyeong was 199 μg m−3 indicated a westerly transport of air pollutants. Satellite observations and 72-h back trajectory analysis clearly indicate that air pollutants from China flowed into Korea via the westerlies. According to contribution analysis using particulate matter source apportionment technology in the Comprehensive Air-quality Model with extension, air pollutants originating from northeastern China including Hebei and Shandong provinces were largely linked to the present record-breaking high concentration event in Seoul. This study will elucidate the mechanism of transboundary transport of air pollutants and help East Asian countries cooperate on air quality management.

Original languageEnglish
Article number117262
JournalAtmospheric Environment
Volume223
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Feb 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • CAMx-PSAT
  • PMs
  • Source contribution
  • Transboundary air pollutant

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