Characteristics of High Time-Resolved Concentrations of Particulate Inorganic Ions and Black Carbon Downwind of Seoul, Korea

Concentrations of inorganic ions and black carbon (BC) in PM2.5 were continuously measured using PILS (particle-into-liquid sampler, ADI 2081, Applikon) and MAAP (Multiangle Absorption Photometer, Model 5012, Thermo), respectively, for three and half months from mid-February to May, at intervals of 20-30 minutes. The measurements were made at the Global Campus of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, about 35 km southeast of downtown Seoul, the general area of which is affected by prevailing northwesterlies. The site is considered to be an ideal place for exploring transport of air pollutants and formation of secondary ions by photochemical reactions since there are no major emission sources nearby except a 4-lane road running about 1.4 km to the west. Analyses were made by two stages. In the first stage, typical types of diurnal variations in inorganic ions and BC concentrations were identified using cluster analysis. Diurnal variations in concentrations of each cluster were compared with the mean diurnal variations during the measurement period. Factors causing the differences in diurnal variations were discussed by cluster and by species. In the second stage, high and low concentration episodes were determined based on three-day moving averages of the sum of concentrations of particulate inorganic ions and BC. Mean concentrations and compositions in each episode were compared with those during the measurement period.