In this study, numerical simulations using community multiscale air quality (CMAQ) were conducted to analyze the change in ozone (O3) concentration due to the reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions in Busan. When the NOx and, VOCs emissions were reduced by 40% and, 31%, respectively, the average O3 concentration increased by 4.24 ppb, with the highest O3 change observed in the central region (4.59 ppb). This was attributed to the decrease in O3 titration by nitric oxide (NO) due to the reduction of NOx emissions in Busan, which is classified as a VOCs-limited area. The distribution of O3 concentration changes was closely related to NOx emissions per area, and inland emissions were highly correlated with daily maximum concentrations and 8-h average O3 concentrations. Contrastingly, the effect of emission reduction depended on the wind direction. This suggests that the emission reduction effects may vary depending on the environmental conditions. Further research is needed to comprehensively analyze the emission reduction effects in Busan.

This study was conducted to understand the regional distribution characteristics of swans(Cygnus spp.) in downstream of t he Nakdong River , R.O.Korea from October 2008 to September 2013. During this period, a total of two species and 37,518 ind ividuals of Swans(Cygnus spp.) were observed, including 31,596 Whooper Swans(Cygnus cygnus) and 5,922 Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus), respectively. The average number of individuals observed in fifteen different areas was 2255.33 in Daemadeung(A), 143.50 in Jangja·Sinjado(B), 304.00 in Sajado·Doyodeung(C), 1928.00 in Lower Ulsukdo(D), 1392.67 in Ul sukdo(E), 50.17 in Ilwoongdo(F), 91.17 in Yeommak(G), 5.17 in Maekdogang(H), 0.00 in Pyeonggangcheon(I), 0.00 in Lowe r Noksan sluice(J), 2.83 in Upper Noksan sluice(K), 6.17 in Jomangang·Doonchido(L), 4.50 in Chideung(M), 0.83 in Joongs ado(N)and 66.17 in Daejeo sluice(O). The total average of these fifteen areas was 480.81. There was a significant differenc e among the survey areas (Kruskal-Wallis test,  =4055.68, P<0.001). In particular, the observed numbers were larger in Daemadeung, Lower Ulsukdo and Ulsukdo than in the other regions.

To this day, conflicts have intensified between managers who want to preserve biosphere reserves and citizen who want to develop them. Based on this problem, this study seeks to investigate the establishment of a forum for communication between various stakeholders and to promote the economic development of local communities while preserving biodiversity. First, in terms of conservation, the results indicated that Gyeonggi Province and Namyangju City highly valued direct conservation activities in biosphere reserves, whereas Pocheon and Uijeongbu City highly valued indirect conservation functions through management or monitoring. Second, in terms of development, it was found that there were differences in the roles, perceptions and responsibilities with respect to biosphere reserves among the different layers of government: the central government agency, the Cultural Heritage Administration, the metropolitan government, Gyeonggi-do, and the local governments, Pocheon, Namyangju, and Uijeongbu. Third, in terms of logistical support, which serves as a function for communication and practical participation among management entities, the results suggested that it was necessary to establish a comprehensive decision-making organization for efficient management and operation and to provide opportunities for active participation. The study can be utilized as a basic reference for developing efficient communication by management entities in protected areas with similar challenges.

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) emission from painting and printing facilities in the Pyeongdong industrial complex in Gwangju. In addition, the objective was to understand the distribution characteristics of VOCs in the ambient air in industrial complexes affected by painting and printing facilities. The painting facility mainly emitted toluene, acetone, butyl acetate, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, ethyl acetate, 1-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, 4-ethyltoluene, ethylbenzene, 3-ethyltoluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The main emission components in printing facilities were methyl ketone, ethyl acetate, acetone, 2-propanol, toluene, heptane, and butyl acetate. Ethyl acetate, toluene, 2-butanone, acetone, butyl acetate, 2-propanol, xylenes, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were detected in the ambient air of the Pyeongdong industrial complex, consistent with the VOCs emitted by painting and printing facilities. The average concentration of seasonal TVOCs followed an order of winter > fall > spring > summer, whereas the concentrations of daytime and nighttime TVOCs were generally higher at night than those during the day, and the wind speed was greater during the day than it was at night. Based on a factor analysis of VOCs in the ambient air of Pyeongdong industrial complex, it is considered that organic solvents used in coating, printing, and electronics manufacturing facilities, as well as diesel vehicle emissions played a major role.

In this study, 12 environmental factors were used to evaluate the potential habitat of Pteromys volans living around some development areas. The analyzed value ranged from 0 to 20.1, and the area with a score of 10 or less was analyzed to have a low possibility of inhabiting Pteromys volans. To verify the analyzed results, a field survey was conducted on areas with 10 or more scores, and traces of habitat of Pteromys volans were confirmed in areas with 16 or more scores. All the areas with an evaluation score of 16 or higher showed high crown density and age class. However, despite the high crown density and age class, the evaluation score in some areas was low owing to the influence of other environmental factors. Therefore, in evaluating Pteromys volans habitats, it is necessary to apply various and complex criteria suitable for field conditions rather than applying uniform and fragmentary environmental factors only.

Cyanobacteria have been used as pollution indicator species in freshwater ecosystems, and identifying their fluctuations can be an important part about management of surface waters globally. Cyanotoxins produced by cyanobacteria are directly or indirectly a threat to human and environmental health. In order to confirm the potential risk of these cyanotoxins, the fluctuations of phytoplankton and phylogenetic analysis of cyanotoxin synthetase genes were conducted at each point in the Yeongsan River water system in Gwangju from November 2021 to October 2022. Diatoms which grow well in winter were dominant at 99.4 ~ 99.5%, and diatoms and green algae were dominant from the spring to autumn when the water temperature rises. Stephanodiscus spp. were dominant at 92.7 to 97.5 % at all sites in the winter, and Aulacoseira spp., which grow in warm water temperatures, were dominant in summer and autumn. Microcystis aeruginosa was dominant at 25.2% in summer only at site 5. mcyB and anaC have been detected as cyanotoxin synthetase genes. The phylogenetic tree of anaC could be divided into two groups (Group 1 & Group 2). Group 1 contained Aphanizomenon sp. and Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi. It is combined with Aphanizomenon sp. and Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, which are known to produce cyanotoxins.

This study analyzed characteristics of ozone (O3) formation regimes in Busan over a period of recent five years (2015~2019) and compared the findings with those obtained in Seoul. We employed four observed variations: early morning commuting-hour (i.e., 06:00-09:00 LST) nitrogen dioxide (NO2), peak-hour (i.e., 12:00-16:00 LST) O3, 8-hour average O3 (MDA8 O3), and △O3 (=O3_max- O3_min) in Busan and Seoul. In addition, the NO2-O3 relation was assessed to interpret which of NOx-limited or volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited was dominant. In Busan, the annual mean O3 concentration was relatively higher than in Seoul, whereas there were fewer high-concentration days. The Pearson correlation coefficients (R) between Early morning-hour NO2 and the Peak-hour O3 was positive (but close to zero) in Busan and negative in Seoul. Likewise, the R between the Early morning-hour NO2 and the △O3 showed a relatively considerable positive correlation (R=+0.4~0.5) in Busan, while a weak positive correlation (R=+0.1~0.2) in Seoul. From this result, it can be inferred that the O3 formation regime in Busan was intrepreted to be nearly neutral or relatively closer to the NOx-limited regime than Seoul, while Seoul to the VOC-limited regime. The study findings imply that O3 control strategies should be applied differently in Busan and Seoul. The results here were inferred from surface NO2 and O3 observations, and the varification studies based on in-situ VOCs measurements would be needed.

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution characteristics, source identification, and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in particulate matter 10 (PM-10), in Gwangju. PM-10 samples were collected from September 2021 to August 2022 from three sampling sites, one located in each of the following areas: green, residential, and industrial. The average concentrations of PAHs were found to be higher in the industrial area (9.75±6.51 ng/㎥) than in the green (6.90±2.41 ng/㎥) and residential (6.74±2.38 ng/㎥) areas. Throughout the year and across all sites, five-ring PAHs accounted for the largest proportion (29.8–34.5%) of all PAHs. The concentrations of PAHs showed distinct seasonal variations, with the highest concentration observed in winter, followed by autumn, spring, and summer. Source apportionment analyses were performed using diagnostic ratios and principal component analyses, which indicated that coal/biomass combustion and vehicle emissions were the primary sources of PAHs in PM-10. The incremental lifetime cancer risk was estimated for all age groups at all sampling sites, and the results revealed a much lower risk level than the standard acceptable risk level (1×10-6).

In this study, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on PM2.5 mass and its five chemical components (NH4 +, NO3 -, SO4 2-, OC, EC) in Busan was evaluated, and compared with that of Seoul. The study period over the recent three years was sub-divided into two periods: Pre-COVID (2018~2019) and COVID (2020) periods, and the differences in observed annual and monthly variations between the two periods were explored here. The results indicated that annual mean PM2.5 mass concentrations decreased during the COVID period by 16% in Seoul and 29% in Busan, and the satellite-observed annual average of aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the Korean Peninsula also decreased by approximately more than 10% compared with that of the Pre-COVID period. All of the five chemical components decreased but no particular changes were found in their fractions occupied during the COVID period. However, over the Lock-down period (2020-March), the sulfate fraction decreased in Seoul, mostly reflecting the recent Chinese trends of aerosol characteristics, whereas the nitrate fraction considerably decreased in Busan, which was attributable to the local emission changes and their variabilities in Busan. Other meteorological characteristics such as higher frequencies of easterly winds in the Busan area during the COVID period were also discussed in comparison with those in the Seoul area.

This study investigated the effect of May 31, 2022 Miryang wildfire on fine particle concentrations in Busan and Gimhae, which are neighboring urban areas. In addition, fine particle characteristics and air pollution concentrations were investigated in Miryang, where haze occurred. The Miryang city wildfire that occurred on May 31, 2022, at 0925 LST, was driven by strong north winds and increased fine particle concentrations in Dongsangdong and Jangyoodong, Gimhae City, which are approximately 35 km to the southeast and south, respectively, of the wildfire occurrence site. Furthermore, the fine particle concentration in Myeongjidong, which is approximately 50 km south-southeast of the wildfire site, exhibited a temporary increase at 1400 LST owing to the effects of wildfire smoke. On the morning of June 1, the day after the fire, the Miryang area had very bad visibility because of the smoke from the fire. Therefore the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in Naeildong, 3 km south of the wildfire site, were 276 μg/㎥ and 222 μg/㎥, respectively, at 1200 LST. In addition, the gases O3, CO, and SO2 showed high concentrations at the time of haze generation. This study provides insights into policy making in response to the rapid increase in fine dust when wildfire occurs near cities.

This study investigated the effect of volcanic materials that erupted from the Nishinoshima volcano, Japan, 1,300 km southeast of the Busan area at the end of July 2020, on the fine particle concentration in the Busan area. Backward trajectory analysis from the HYSPLIT model showed that the air parcel from the Nishinoshima volcano turned clockwise along the edge of the North Pacific high pressure and reached the Busan area. From August 4 to August 5, 2020, the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in Busan started to increase rapidly from 1000 LST on August 4, and showed a high concentration for approximately 13 hours until 2400 LST. The PM2.5/PM10 ratio showed a relatively high value of 0.7 or more, and the SO2 concentration also showed a high value at the time when the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were relatively high. The SO4 2- concentration in PM2.5 in Busan showed a similar trend to the change in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. It rose sharply from 1300 LST on August 4, at the time where it was expected to have been affected by the Nishinoshima Volcano. This study has shown that the occurrence of high concentration fine particle in Busan in summer has the potential to affect Korea not only due to anthropogenic factors but also from natural causes such as volcanic eruptions in Japan.

This study investigated the weather conditions, fine particle concentration, and ion components in PM2.5 when two cold fronts passed through Busan in succession on February 1 and 2, 2021. A analysis of the surface weather chart, AWS, and backward trajectory revealed that the first cold front passed through the Busan at 0900 LST on February 1, 2021, with the second cold front arriving at 0100 LST on February 2, 2021. According to the PM10 concentration of the KMA, the timing of the cold front passage had a close relationship with the occurrence of the highest concentration of fine particles. The transport time of the cold front from Baengnyeongdo to Mt. Gudeok was approximately 11 hours . The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in Busan started to increase after the first cold front had passed, and the maximum concentration occurred two hours after the second cold front passed. The SO4 2-, NO3 -, and NH4 + concentration in PM2.5 started to increase from 1100 to 1200 LST on February 1, after the first cold front passed, and peaked at 0100 LST to 0300 LST on February 2. However, the highest Ca2+ concentration was recorded 2-3 hours after the second cold front had passed.

2017년 11월 15일 Mw 5.4의 포항지진은 흥해지역 지하 약 4 km의 진원 깊이에서 발생하여 포항시에 막대한 피해를 끼쳤다. 포항분지의 중부에 해당하는 흥해지역은 백악기 경상누층군과 백악기 말~고신생기 초 불국사 화성암류를 기반암으로 하여 포항분지 충전물인 신신생기 연일층군이 분포한다. 이 논문에서는 포항 분지에서 지각변형물(습곡, 단층, 절리)과 포항지진 동시성 지표변형물(모래화산, 지표균열, 팝업구조)에 대한 구조지질학적 연구를 수행하여 포항분지의 변형작용사와 포항지진 동시성 지표변형의 특성을 고찰해 보았다. 연구지역의 지각변형물은 제4기 단층운동 이전까지 적어도 5회의 변형단계를 거쳐 형성되었다: (북)북동 주향에 고각 경사하는 정이동(곡강단층) 단층 형성단계, 연일층군에 광역적으로 인지되는 동-서 방향의 고각 절리와 이에 (준)평행한 단층 형성단계, 동-서 주향에 중각 내지 저각 경사하는 공액상 정이동 단층(흥해단층과 형산 단층)과 이에 수반된 동-서 계열의 습곡 형성단계, (역이동성) 좌수향 주향이동의 (북)북서 방향 단층조와 우 수향 주향이동의 동-서(북동) 방향 단층조가 고각으로 경사하는 공액상 주향이동 단층 형성단계, 북북동과 북 북서 주향에 중각 경사하는 공액상 역이동 단층과 이에 수반된 남-북 계열의 습곡 형성단계. 포항지진 동시성 지 표변형물에서 모래화산은 종종 지표균열과 (준)평행한 선상배열을 보인다. 남-북 내지 (북)북동 방향의 팝업구 조와 지표균열, 동-서 내지 서북서 방향의 지표균열 등은 포항지진 발생 응력원의 최대수평응력에 의한 지진원 단층의 역이동성 운동과 이에 수반된 상반지괴의 좌굴습곡작용에 의해 형성되었다. 이러한 구조적 활동은 지 진원 단층의 상반지괴에 해당하는 포항시 흥해읍 중심으로 광범위하게 발생하여 이곳에 막대한 재산 피해를 끼쳤다.

The aim of this study was to analyze differences in the perception of Gangwon-do residents using a satisfaction survey. The residents were found to be most satisfied with sectors such as parks/green spaces, landscape, and public order; however, they were least satisfied with transportation, culture, sports, medical services, and welfare facilities. Additionally, among all the items in the satisfaction survey, job satisfaction was the lowest. When comparing satisfaction trends observed in the city to those of the county, the overall satisfaction of the county was found to be slightly higher. This result could be attributed to young people being underrepresented in this survey in conjunction with the greater policy-level support for middle-aged people by from the government and Gangwon-do. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to create policies that primarily support young people and to also to create high-quality jobs with stable pay and employment prospects. This could minimize the outflow of youth and even encourage their inflow to similar small provincial cities. In Southern region and Seorak region of Gangwon-do, the satisfaction with gap between house price and region was low, which might be related to the increased demand for real estate throughout this area.