Ion Concentrations of Particulate Matter in Yongin in Spring and Fall

Abstract

Mass and ion concentrations of <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> and <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX> were measured in Yongin, downwind of the Seoul metropolitan area. Twenty-four hour average samples were collected daily for a month or so in spring and fall of both 2007 and 2008. Asian dust occurred twice in each period except in the fall of 2007. During the Asian dust period, nitrate in fine particles decreased since large amount of cations in coarse particles of Asian dust absorbed it. In spring 2008, sulfate as well as ammonium also increased in coarse particles. In spite of occasional Asian dust events, the influence of secondary formation was dominant over the period. Excessive ammonium over sulfate was enough to neutralize nitrate as well. High correlation coefficients between <TEX>$K^+$</TEX> and sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium indicate a close relationship between secondary formation and biomass burning. Biomass burning and open burning are considered to be important sources of chloride.