In order to study the seasonal patterns and possible origins of air concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOC), measurements were taken with GC-MS at 3 sampling sites in Jinju for 12 months from Mar. 2010 to Feb. 2011. Atmospheric VOC are sampled on tubes containing solid adsorbents(Tenax TA) with a time resolution of 2hrs. Composition and concentration of VOC are analysed with a GC system equipped with thermal desorption apparatus(ATD).
The most abundant compound appeared to be Toluene, Ethylbenzene and m,p-Xylene. The mean concentrations of Benzene were 0.20 ppb at GN site, 0.18 ppb at DA site, and 0.25 ppb at SP site, respectively. VOC concentration showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher concentrations during the spring and lower concentrations during the summer. The results showed that monthly fluctuations in measured VOC concentrations depended on variations in the strength of sources, as well as on photochemical activity and meteorological conditions. In Jinju, the total VOC emissions for 2009 were estimated to be 4,407 ton/year by Clean Air Policy Support System(CAPSS). It is shown that solvent use 57.5%(2,534 ton/yr), waste treatment and disposal 23.3%(1,025 ton/yr), and mobil source-road traffic 12.2%(537 ton/yr) are the most significant anthropogenic source.
This study assessed the characteristic of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene) concentration ratios of industrial emission sources and the neighborhoods of industrial area, fuel such as gasoline, light oil, LPG, and similar gasoline, and ambient air in Daegu. The BTEX in aromatic compounds was the most abundant VOC in Daegu. The BTEX ratios were (0.2:2.6:1.0:1.8) for the neighborhoods of industrial area, (2.6:11.3:1.0:1.2) for residential area, (2.2:11.0:1.0:1.6) for commercial area, (1.0:14.9:1.0:1.3) for industrial area, and (0.2:2.6:1.0:1.8) for the neighborhoods of industrial area. Average BTEX ratios in Daegu were B/T ratio (0.1), B/EB ratio (1.5), B/X ratio (1.1), T/EB ratio (12.6), T/X ratio(10), EB/X ratio (0.7). Expecially, B/T ratio in Daegu was similar as the other cities, Bangkok, Manila, and Hongkong. Comparing other cities with B/T ratio, the main sources of VOC were vehicular exhaust and emission of industrial facilities. Furthermore, BTEX correlation were evaluated at the emission sources and regional areas. Results showed that correlation coefficient values of emission sources, fuels and neighborhood of industry were significant magnitude above 0.65(p<0.01). Also, there showed highly significant correlations among BTEX. Calculated correlation coefficients of ambient air sampling sites were 0.61~0.954 for commercial /residential area and 0.613~0.998 for industrial area. However, they showed different correlation between commercial/residental area and industrial area. It implied that the emission sources were different from each area.