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 language | English |
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Article number | 117262 |
Journal | Atmospheric Environment |
Volume | 223 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 15 Feb 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- CAMx-PSAT
- PMs
- Source contribution
- Transboundary air pollutant