Slow decreasing tendency of fine particles compared to coarse particles associated with recent hot summers in Seoul, Korea

In Seoul, South Korea, particulate matters (PMs) significantly decreased for the period 2005–2015 in concert with the implementation of air pollution reduction policies. This study reveals that PM with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) has a slower decreasing tendency than PM in the 2.5–10-μm range (PM_2.5-10) during summer and that this discrepancy is attributable to the large increase in the summer surface air temperature for the analysis period (0.13°C year^–1). During the daytime, especially in the afternoon when the hourly surface air temperature and its increasing rate are high, the difference between the decreasing rates of PM_2.5 and PM_2.5-10 is pronounced. The slower decrease in PM_2.5 compared to PM_2.5-10 likely results from the secondary PM_2.5 formation being accelerated by the increase in the surface air temperature. Other atmospheric variables that can affect concentrations of PMs, such as insolation, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and sea-level pressure, do not show a meaningful relationship with the discrepancy in the decreasing tendency between the two PMs. Our finding emphasizes the necessity of continuous monitoring and analysis of long-term variability in concentrations of PMs and related meteorological conditions, and the independent establishment of reduction policies for PM_2.5 and PM_2.5-10 to prepare for anthropogenic climate change and the subsequent air quality change.