Chemical characteristics and sources of PM2.5 in the urban environment of Seoul, Korea

In Seoul, Korea, episodes of high concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matter <= 2.5 mu m) continue to occur despite the enforcement of air quality standards. Seoul has several sources of pollution owing to its high population density. Therefore, this study evaluated the chemical characteristics of PM2.5, including inorganic ions and various gases, focusing on those with concentrations exceeding the standard limit. The study was conducted from June 1 to August 22, 2018, in Seongbuk, and from March 29 to May 31, 2019, in Jungnang. Water-soluble inorganic ions of PM2.5 were measured every 30 min using a particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS) combined with two ion chromatographs. In Seongbuk, ammonium sulfate was mainly caused by ammonium-poor condi-tions. In Jungnang, ammonium nitrate production occurred mainly due to ammonium-rich conditions. In both regions, during the occurrence of concentrations of PM2.5 exceeding the standard limit, the proportion of nitrate among inorganic ions was the highest. In Jungnang, two emission sources located in the west and southwest were identified using a conditional probability function. Contaminants from the southwest had high concentrations of nitrates, presumably due to atmospheric stagnation and nitrate mixing in lower planetary boundary layer height due to an decrease in surface temperatures at dawn. Pollutants from the west had high concentrations of sulfates. These are generated through photochemical reactions from industrial complexes. Cluster analysis confirmed that 27.2% of the air was stagnant and flowed from the south. In most cases, air pollutants originated from western Korea and coastal China.

Automated summary

Despite the enforcement of air quality standards, Seoul continues to experience episodes of high PM2.5 concentrations. This study found that nitrate was the main factor contributing to the exceedance of the standard limit, while sulfate was associated with industrial complexes in the west. Additionally, atmospheric stagnation and temperature decrease at dawn were found to result in increased nitrate concentrations.