A21A-0086
Long-term trend of the mass and chemical species’ concentrations in PM2.5 at Seoul

Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Sanghee Han1, Yong Pyo Kim1 and Ho-Jin Lim2, (1)Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea, (2)Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
Abstract:
Particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) has detrimental effects on human health as well as the environmental effects such as climate change. Thus, understanding trends of the mass concentration and chemical compounds of PM2.5 is needed to establish appropriate policy. The objectives of this study are (1) collecting data and understanding temporal trend of chemical components in PM2.5 at Seoul, and (2) verifying the possible reasons of the trends. The literature data of the mass concentrations of chemical composition of PM2.5, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, OC (Organic Carbon), and EC (Element Carbon) from 1985 to 2014 at Seoul were collected and their trends were analyzed. The annual concentrations of particulate matters both PM10 and PM2.5 at Seoul have been continuously decreased. The concentrations of ionic component in PM2.5 showed different trends, sulfate decreased during the 1990s but no trend was observed after 2000s while nitrate and ammonium increased during the 2000s. The trend of OC showed no distinctive trend while the EC concentrations decreased.