1990 Volume 25 Issue 5 Pages 313-323
Atmospheric monitoring was made for airborne particulate matter at Seoul, Korea, for the 2-year period from April 1987 through March 1989. Methods of sampling and analysis of the National Air Surveillance Network, Japan were followed by this monitoring. Sampling was made by a so-called low volume sampler with 10 pm cut off (100%), at a suction rate of 20 l/mmn for 25 days a month. Analysis was made by neutron activation analysis for 31 elements with supplement by the X-ray fluorescence method. The data obtained were compared with NASN data from Tokyo and Kawasaki. Higher values were seen in the Seoul results for the amount of airborne particulate matter and many elements: soil-derived Al, Sc, and Th, fuel combustive As, Se, V and Ni, and automotive Pb and Br. Estimation by CMB calculation showed the highest contribution of soil derived elements: 25% for 2-year average and 60% for spring. The regulation of leaded gasoline was started in 1988, and this could affect the CMB estimation of automotive contribution by the use of Pb and Br as indicator elements. The contribution of coal combustion could be the most important in Seoul in winter, but this was not estimated because an effective indicator element for coal combustion effluents is not presently known.
