Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1208
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1208
23 Jul 2024
 | 23 Jul 2024

Increased number concentrations of small particles explains perceived stagnation in air quality over Korea

Sohee Joo, Juseon Shin, Matthias Tesche, Dehkhoda Naghmeh, Taegyeong Kim, and Youngmin Noh

Abstract. The atmospheric visibility in South Korea has not improved despite decreasing concentrations of particulate matter (PM)2.5. Since visibility is influenced by particle size and composition as well as meteorological factors, the light detection and ranging data provided by the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan and PM2.5 measurements retrieved from Air Korea are used to determine the trends in PM2.5 mass extinction efficiency (MEE) in Seoul and Ulsan, South Korea from 2015 to 2020. Moreover, the monthly trends in the Ångström exponent and relative and absolute humidity are determined to identify the factors influencing PM2.5 MEE. The monthly average PM2.5 MEE exhibits an increasing trend in Seoul [+0.04 (m2·g-1)·mth-1] and Ulsan [+0.07 (m2·g-1)·mth-1]. Relative humidity increases by 0.070 % and 0.095 % per month in Seoul and Ulsan, respectively, and absolute humidity increases by 0.029 and 0.010 (g·m-³)·mth-1, respectively. However, both Relative humidity and Absolute humidity are not statistically significant. The Ångström exponent increases by +0.005 and +0.011 per month in Seoul and Ulsan, respectively, indicating that the MEE increases as the particles become smaller each year. Such an increase in PM2.5 MEE may have limited the improvements in visibility and adversely affected public perception of air quality improvement even though the PM2.5 mass concentration in South Korea is continuously decreasing.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Sohee Joo, Juseon Shin, Matthias Tesche, Dehkhoda Naghmeh, Taegyeong Kim, and Youngmin Noh

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1208', Anonymous Referee #2, 15 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Youngmin Noh, 30 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1208', Anonymous Referee #1, 29 Sep 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Youngmin Noh, 04 Oct 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1208', Anonymous Referee #2, 15 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Youngmin Noh, 30 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1208', Anonymous Referee #1, 29 Sep 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Youngmin Noh, 04 Oct 2024
Sohee Joo, Juseon Shin, Matthias Tesche, Dehkhoda Naghmeh, Taegyeong Kim, and Youngmin Noh
Sohee Joo, Juseon Shin, Matthias Tesche, Dehkhoda Naghmeh, Taegyeong Kim, and Youngmin Noh

Viewed

Total article views: 463 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
253 61 149 463 8 10
  • HTML: 253
  • PDF: 61
  • XML: 149
  • Total: 463
  • BibTeX: 8
  • EndNote: 10
Views and downloads (calculated since 23 Jul 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 23 Jul 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 482 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 482 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 05 Dec 2024
Download
Short summary
In our study, we investigated why, in Northeast Asia, visibility has not improved even though air pollution levels have decreased. By examining trends in Seoul and Ulsan, we found that the particles in the air are getting smaller, which scatters light more effectively and reduces how far we can see. Our findings suggest that changes in particle properties adversely affected public perception of air quality improvement even though the PM2.5 mass concentration is continuously decreasing.