The aerosol chemical components in PM2.5 in several regions (Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, and Jeju Island) were investigated with regard to their concentration characteristics and optical properties. The optical properties of the various aerosol components (e.g., water-soluble, insoluble, Black Carbon (BC), and sea-salt) were estimated using hourly and daily aerosol sampling data from the study area via a modeling approach. Overall, the water-soluble component was predominant over all other components in terms of concentration and impact on optical properties (except for the absorption coefficient of BC). The annual mean concentration and Aerosol Optical Ddepth (AOD) of the water-soluble component were highest in Seoul (at the Gwangjin site) (26 μg/m3 and 0.29 in 2013, respectively). Further, despite relatively moderate BC concentrations, the annual mean absorption coefficient of BC (21.7 Mm-1) was highest in Busan (at the Yeonsan site) in 2013, due to the strong light absorbing ability of BC. In addition, high AODs for the water-soluble component were observed most frequently in spring and/or winter at most of the study sites, while low values were noted in summer and/or early fall. The diurnal variation in the AOD of each component in Seoul (at the Gwangjin site) was slightly high in the morning and low in the afternoon during the study period; however, such distinctions were not apparent in Jeju Island (at the Aweol site), except for a slightly high AOD of the water-soluble component in the morning (08:00 LST). The monthly and diurnal differences in the AOD values for each component could be attributed to the differences in their mass concentrations and Relative Humidities (RH). In a sensitivity test, the AODs estimated under RH conditions of 80 and 90% were factors of 1.2 and 1.7 higher, respectively, than the values estimated using the observed RH.

The classification of airflow patterns during high ozone (O3) and PM10 episodes on Jeju Island in recent years (2009-2015), as well as their correlation with meteorological conditions according to classified airflow patterns were investigated in this study. The airflow patterns for O3 and PM10 were classified into four types (Types A-D) and three types (Types E-G), respectively, using the HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model and synoptic weather charts. Type A was the most dominant airflow pattern for O3 episodes, being characterized by the transport of airflows from urban and industrial areas in China with the highest frequency (about 69%, with a mean of 67 ppb). With regard to the PM10 episodes, Type E was the most dominant airflow pattern, and was mostly associated with long distance transport from Asian dust source regions along northwesterly winds, having the highest frequency (about 92%, with a mean of 136 μg/m3). The variations in the concentration of O3 and PM10 during the study period were clarified in correlation with two pollutant and meteorological variables; for example, the high (low) O3 and PM10 concentrations with high (low) air temperature and/or wind speed and vice versa for precipitation. The contribution of long-range transport to the observed PM10 levels in urban sites for different airflow patterns (Types E-F), if estimated in comparison to the data from the Gosan background site, was found to account for approximately 87-93% (on average) of its input. The overall results of the present study suggest that the variations in O3 and PM10 concentrations on Jeju Island are mainly influenced by the transport effect, as well as the contribution of local emissions.