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 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.

This research investigated the characteristics of fine particle concentration and ionic elements of PM2.5 during sea breeze occurrences during summertime in Busan. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations of summertime sea breeze occurrence days in Busan were 46.5 ㎍/㎥ and 34.9 ㎍/㎥, respectively. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations of summertime non-sea breeze occurrence days in Busan were 25.3 ㎍/㎥ and 14.3 ㎍/㎥, respectively. The PM2.5/PM10 ratios of sea breeze occurrence days and non-sea breeze occurrence days were 0.74 and 0.55, respectively. The SO4 2-, NH4 +, and NO3 - concentrations in PM2.5 of sea breeze occurrence days were 9.20 ㎍/㎥, 4.26 ㎍/㎥, and 3.18 ㎍/㎥ respectively. The sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) and nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) of sea breeze occurrence days were 0.33 and 0.05, respectively. These results indicated that understanding the fine particle concentration and ionic elements of PM2.5 during sea breeze summertime conditions can provide insights useful for establishing a control strategy of urban air quality.

This research investigates the characteristics of metallic and ionic elements in PM10 and PM2.5 on haze day and non-haze day in Busan. PM10 concentration on haze day and non-haze day were 85.75 and 33.52 ㎍/m³ , respectively, and PM2.5 on haze day and non-haze day were 68.24 and 23.86 ㎍/m³ , respectively. Contribution rate of total inorganic water-soluble ion to PM10 mass on haze day and non haze day were 58.2% and 61.5%, respectively, and contribution rate of total water-soluble ion to PM2.5 mass on haze day and non haze day were 58.7% and 64.7%, respectively. Also, contribution rate of secondary ion to PM10 mass on haze day and non haze day were 52.1% and 47.5%, respectively, and contribution rate of secondary ion to PM2.5 mass on haze day and non haze day were 54.4% and 53.6%, respectively. AC (anion equivalents)/CE (cation equivalents) ratio of PM10 mass on haze day and non haze day were 1.09 and 1.0, respectively, and AC/CE ratios of PM2.5 mass on haze day and non haze day were 1.12 and 1.04, respectively. Also, SOR (Sulfur Oxidation Ratio) of PM10 mass on haze day and non haze day were 0.32 and 0.17, respectively, and SOR of PM2.5 on haze day and non haze day were 0.30 and 0.15, respectively. Lastly, NOR (Nitrogen Oxidation Ratio) of PM10 on haze day and non haze day were 0.17 and 0.08, respectively, and NOR of PM2.5 on haze day and non haze day were 0.13 and 0.06, respectively.

This research investigates the characteristics of meteorological variation and fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) for case related to the haze occurrence (Asian dust, long range transport, stationary) in Busan. Haze occurrence day was 559 days for 20 years (from 1996 to 2015), haze occurrence frequency was 82 days (14.7%) in March, followed by 67 days (12.0%) in February and 56 days (10.0%) in May. Asian dust occurred most frequently in spring and least in winter, whereas haze occurrence frequency was 31.5% in spring, 29.7% in winter, 21.1% in fall, and 17.7% in summer. PM10 concentration was highest in the occurrence of Asian dust, followed by haze and haze + mist, whereas PM2.5 concentration was highest in the occurrence of haze. These results indicate that understanding the relation between meteorological phenomena and fine particle concentration can provide insight into establishing a strategy to control urban air quality.

This study investigates the concentration sudden rise in fine particle according to resuspended dust from paved roads after sudden heavy rain in Busan on August 25, 2015. The localized torrential rainfall in Busan area occurred as tropical airmass flow from the south and polar airmass flow from north merged. Orographic effect of Mt. Geumjeong enforced rainfall and it amounted to maximum 80 ㎜/hr at Dongrae and Geumjeong region in Busan. This heavy rain induced flood and landslide in Busan and the nearby areas. The sudden heavy rain moved soil and gravel from mountainous region, which deposited on paved roads and near roadside. These matters on road suspended by an automobile transit, and increased fine particle concentration of air. In addition outdoor fine particle of high concentration flowed in indoor by shoes, cloths and air circulation.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the meteorological characteristics of wintertime high PM10 concentration episodes in Busan. PM10 concentration has been reduced for the past four years and recorded near or exceeded 100 ㎍/㎥ (national standard of PM10). High concentration episodes in Busan were 6 case, PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 0.36∼0.39(mean 0.55). High PM10 concentration occurred during higher air temperature, more solar radiation and sunshine, lower relative humidity, and smaller cloud amount. Synoptically, it also occurred when Busan was in the center or the edge of anticyclone and when sea breeze intruded. An analysis of upper air sounding showed that high PM10 concentration occurred when surface inversion layer and upper subsidence inversion layer existed, and when boundary layer depth and vertical mixing coefficient were low. An analysis of backward trajectory of air mass showed that high PM10 concentration was largely affected by long range transport considering that it occurs when air mass is intruded from China.