Characteristics of Fine Particles Measured in Two Different Functional Areas and Identification of Factors Enhancing Their Concentrations

Abstract

In this study, the characteristics of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 concentrations were identified in two different functional areas including Chuncheon and Youngwol, Korea. Even though the anthropogenic emission rates of PM2.5 and PM10 are approximately four times higher in Youngwol than in Chuncheon their atmospheric concentrations were statistically higher in Chuncheon. In Chuncheon, both PM2.5 concentrations and the ratio of PM2.5/PM10 increased as relative humidity (RH) increased possibly because the inorganic and/or organic secondary aerosols were actively formed at high RH. This result was also supported by that PM2.5 concentration was enhanced under the fog and mist conditions in Chuncheon. On the other hand, both PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 concentrations clearly increased with the southerly winds blown from the cement production facility in Youngwol. In addition, high PM2.5-10 concentrations were observed with high wind speed, low relative humidity, and high NO2 concentrations in Youngwol, suggesting that PM2.5-10 was generated through the physical process including crushing and packing procedures followed by resuspension from cement and lime factory.