Jiyou Kwoun, Seokwon Kang, Tae Jung Lee, Young Min Jo
{"title":"Identification of Fine Dust in Schools through Comprehensive Chemical Characterization","authors":"Jiyou Kwoun, Seokwon Kang, Tae Jung Lee, Young Min Jo","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.122","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.122","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The chemical characteristics of particulate matters collected from 53 schools in 2019 through 2022 were closely investigated to determine the main sources of classroom PM<sub>2.5</sub>. On average, indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> measured during class hours distributed from 3.3 μg/m<sup>3</sup> to 45.97 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, and it consisted of 45% of ions, 33% of carbons, 17% of metals and others. The average indoor-to-outdoor ratio (I/O) of PM<sub>2.5</sub> was 0.73. Values for I/O ranged from 0.6 to 0.91 for inorganic elements; 0.3 to 0.8 for ions; 0.50 to 2.69 for elemental carbons (EC), and 0.52 to 8.50 for organic carbons (OC). The linear correlation of indoor EC with concentrations of K<sup>+</sup> and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> indicates that the contribution of combustion-related sources to classroom PM<sub>2.5</sub> is significant in roadside schools. The findings from this study should help establish construction guidelines for urban schools near high-traffic areas.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.122.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70711089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haeju Lee, Dongwan Kim, Minseung Yeo, Yusin Kim, Chang Hoon Jung, Seogju Cho, Ji Hoon Park, Hye Jung Shin, Sung Hoon Park
{"title":"A Box-Model Simulation of the Formation of Inorganic Ionic Particulate Species and Their Air Quality Implications in Republic of Korea","authors":"Haeju Lee, Dongwan Kim, Minseung Yeo, Yusin Kim, Chang Hoon Jung, Seogju Cho, Ji Hoon Park, Hye Jung Shin, Sung Hoon Park","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.119","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Observation-Constrained Atmospheric BOX model (OCABOX) was used to analyze the formation of secondary inorganic PM species in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), South Korea. The measurement data of the ionic components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and their gaseous precursors made at the Olympic Park ground site (37.53°N, 127.12°E) during the Korea-United States Air Quality field campaign were used to run OCABOX in observation-based mode and compare the simulation results. The use of the HNO<sub>3</sub> concentrations measured at a marine background site as the boundary conditions appeared to increase the accuracy of the model prediction of HNO<sub>3</sub> and particulate NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> concentrations. For the primary precursors emitted considerably throughout the SMA, such as NO<sub>x</sub> and NH<sub>3</sub>, using the data measured inside the SMA as the boundary conditions could lead to more accurate predictions. OCABOX was shown to be a reliable tool to analyze the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol in the SMA if used with appropriate regional background concentrations and observation-based constraints</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.119.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trieu-Vuong Dinh, Byeong-Gyu Park, Sang-Woo Lee, Jae-Hyung Park, Da-Hyun Baek, In-Young Choi, Ye-Bin Seo, Jo-Chun Kim
{"title":"Comparison of PM2.5 Monitoring Data Using Light Scattering and Beta Attenuation Methods: A Case Study in Seoul Metro Subway","authors":"Trieu-Vuong Dinh, Byeong-Gyu Park, Sang-Woo Lee, Jae-Hyung Park, Da-Hyun Baek, In-Young Choi, Ye-Bin Seo, Jo-Chun Kim","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.116","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.116","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A study on monitoring PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations at an underground subway station using light scattering and beta attenuation methods was conducted. Six optical particle counters (OPCs), which were representative of the light scattering method and had 16 size channels, were installed at different sampling sites in the waiting room and platforms to compare PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations, determine PM<sub>2.5</sub> /PM<sub>10</sub> ratios, and characterize the size distribution based on particle number. In terms of the beta attenuation method, a beta-ray attenuation monitor (BAM) was set up at the platform to compare it with OPCs for one month. It was found that 1h-average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations varied at different sampling sites depending on PM composition, while 24h-average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations were independent of the sampling sites. There was a significant difference between the means of 1h-average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations observed by the BAM and OPC when PM<sub>2.5</sub> contributed to less than 50% or higher than 80% of PM<sub>10</sub>. In contrast, the 24h-average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations observed by the BAM and OPC showed the same patterns as each other with an insignificant difference. Therefore, an OPC can be used to monitor the 24h-average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration in an underground subway station. However, the use of OPC to measure the 1h-average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration should consider PM composition and other factors. In addition, more frequent calibration is needed on a regular basis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.116.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Advances in Biochar-based Catalysts: Air Purification and Opportunities for Industrial Upscaling","authors":"Sherif A. Younis, Ki-Hyun Kim","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.117","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The preparation of eco-friendly carbon-rich (biochar) materials by thermal pyrolysis of waste biomass has been recognized as one of the most economical and effective strategies for gas purification in recent years. Through control of synthesis and activation methods, the surface features and catalytic sites in biochar can be engineered for diverse heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Nonetheless, its commercial utilization in air pollution control has yet been limited to a large extent because of (i) the shortage of databases related to the actual catalytic performance of biochar and (ii) the complexity involved in industrial upscaling. Herein, the merits and demerits of biomass-to-biochar catalyst conversion are discussed, along with the factors to consider in the synthesis stage for enhancing catalytic activities toward air purification applications. This paper also offers an in-depth evaluation of the techno-economic and environmental aspects of biochar-based catalysts and their catalytic reactions for air pollution control and energy production. Lastly, a contemporary perspective is offered to help develop novel biochar-based catalysts for real-world applications in air purification fields.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.117.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sung-Won Park, Young-Ji Han, Jin-Hyuk Hong, Tae-Hyung Lee
{"title":"PM2.5-bound Inorganic and Nonpolar Organic Compounds in Chuncheon, Korea","authors":"Sung-Won Park, Young-Ji Han, Jin-Hyuk Hong, Tae-Hyung Lee","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.111","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.111","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, major chemical components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> including nitrate, sulfate, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) were measured in Chuncheon, South Korea in May–June, 2021. Average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration was 16.4±9.7 µg m<sup>−3</sup>, and OC was the largest contributor of PM<sub>2.5</sub> mass concentration. High concentration episodes (HCEs), defined when PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration exceeded 30 µg m<sup>−3</sup>, were caused by Asian dust, secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) formation, and primary OC emission. NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> was determined to be a limiting factor for SIA formation based on neutralization ratio. There was statistically significant correlation between n-alkanes and PM<sub>2.5</sub>, and odd alkanes including C27, C29, and C31, which are generally emitted from biogenic sources, were abundant species, suggesting the importance of natural sources over fossil fuel combustion. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations were significantly lower than those measured at the same sampling site in 2014–2015. Based on the diagnostic ratios of PAHs, vehicular emission, rather than solid fuel emission, were significant for PAHs. Detailed characterization of chemical composition of PM<sub>2.5</sub> reported in this study can be of great help in establishing an appropriate abatement policy to reduce PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.111.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Saiful Islam Khan, Hanjin Yoo, Li Wu, Hayeong Lee, Minjeong Kim, Jonghyeon Park, Chul-Un Ro
{"title":"Single-particle Mineralogy of Asbestos Mineral Particles by the Combined Use of Low-Z Particle EPMA and ATR-FTIR Imaging Techniques","authors":"Muhammad Saiful Islam Khan, Hanjin Yoo, Li Wu, Hayeong Lee, Minjeong Kim, Jonghyeon Park, Chul-Un Ro","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.110","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.110","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this work, two single particle analytical techniques such as a quantitative energy-dispersive electron probe X-ray microanalysis (ED-EPMA), called low-<i>Z</i> particle EPMA, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform-Infrared (ATR-FTIR) imaging were applied in combination for the characterization and distinction of six standard asbestos and one non-asbestos Mg-silicate minerals of micrometer size. Asbestos fibers have been reported as a natural carcinogen which causes some serious illness like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Atmospheric aerosols are heterogeneous mixtures and airborne asbestos fibers would be present due to their extensive industrial uses for various purposes. The fibers could also be airborne from natural and anthropogenic sources. As different asbestos fibers have different carcinogenic properties, it is important to determine different types of individual asbestos and non-asbestos Mg-silicate mineral particles and their sources for the public health management. In our previous works, the speciation of individual aerosol particles was performed by the combined use of the two single-particle analytical techniques, which demonstrated that the combined use of the two analytical techniques is powerful for detailed characterization of externally heterogeneous aerosol particle samples and has great potential for characterization of atmospheric aerosols. In this work, it is demonstrated that the identification and differentiation of asbestiform and non-asbestiform Mg-silicate mineral particles is clearly performed using the two single particle analytical techniques in combination than using either technique individually. Especially, anthophyllite and talc can be differentiated using this analytical approach, which has not been easy up until now.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.110.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seong-woo Choi, Hyeonjeong Cho, Yumi Hong, Hee-ji Jo, Min Park, Hyeon-ji Lee, Ye-ji Choi, Ho-hyun Shin, Dongjae Lee, Eunji Shin, Wooseung Baek, Sung-kyu Park, Eunhye Kim, Hyung-cheon Kim, Seung-joo Song, Yunseo Park, Jinsik Kim, Jihye Baek, Jinsik Kim, Chul Yoo
{"title":"Analysis of the National Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory (CAPSS 2018) Data and Assessment of Emissions Based on Air Quality Modeling in the Republic of Korea","authors":"Seong-woo Choi, Hyeonjeong Cho, Yumi Hong, Hee-ji Jo, Min Park, Hyeon-ji Lee, Ye-ji Choi, Ho-hyun Shin, Dongjae Lee, Eunji Shin, Wooseung Baek, Sung-kyu Park, Eunhye Kim, Hyung-cheon Kim, Seung-joo Song, Yunseo Park, Jinsik Kim, Jihye Baek, Jinsik Kim, Chul Yoo","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.084","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.084","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>According to the 2018 National Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory (NEI), air pollutant emissions in the Republic of Korea comprised 808,801 tons of CO, 1,153,265 tons of NO<sub>X</sub>, 300,979 tons of SO<sub>X</sub>, 617,481 tons of TSP, 232,993 tons of PM<sub>10</sub>, 98,388 tons of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, 15,562 tons of black carbon (BC), 1,035,636 tons of VOCs, and 315,975 tons of NH<sub>3</sub>. As for national emission contributions to primary PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM precursors (NO<sub>X</sub>, SO<sub>X</sub>, VOCs, and NH<sub>3</sub>), major source categories were the road sector for NO<sub>X</sub>, the industry sector for SO<sub>X</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub>, and the everyday activities and others sector for VOCs and NH<sub>3</sub>. In the case of emissions by region, the largest amount of NO<sub>X</sub> was emitted from the Seoul Metropolitan Areas (SMA; Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do, hereafter SMA) and the largest amounts of SO<sub>X</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, VOCs, and NH<sub>3</sub> were from the Yeongnam region. A 3D chemical transport modeling system was used to examine the uncertainty of the national air pollutant emissions based on the National Emission and Air Quality Assessment System (NEAS). Air quality was simulated using CAPSS 2018, and the simulation data were compared with observed concentrations to examine the uncertainties of the current emissions. These data show that emissions from five si (cities) (Pohang, Yeosu, Gwangyang, Dangjin, and Ulsan) need to be improved. Most of all, it is necessary to examine the emissions from places of business that use anthracite, which is the major PM<sub>2.5</sub> emission source, as fuel in these areas.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.084.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142409124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Particulate Matter in the Korea Train eXpress (KTX) Cabin and its Exposure","authors":"Chang-Jin Ma, Gong-Unn Kang","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.041","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aims to assess the particulate matter (PM<sub>1</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>10</sub>) and black carbon (BC) in the Korea Train eXpress (KTX) cabin during train running, and the personal exposure of PM<sub>2.5</sub> for the female/male passengers who use the KTX 20 days a month to commute. Intensive measurements were made on the day when the outside ambient PM concentration was much higher than usual. To compare with the PM concentration in the subway cabin, a measurement was also performed in some sections of the Seoul Metro subway (from Namyoung Station (hereafter referred to as the “Sta.”) to Jonggak Sta.). The amount of PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure </p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div><p> was calculated for the male/female passengers who regularly board the KTX. The </p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div><p>, which is the amount of PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure when moving by car in the same section, was also calculated. The PM concentration in the KTX cabin elevated and fallen off at train staying and train running, respectively. The PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations inside KTX cabin at the stop station exhibited a remarkable positive correlation with those of outdoor. Compared to the PM concentration measured in the cabin of Seoul Metro subway, PM<sub>1</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, and PM<sub>10</sub> in the KTX passenger cabin were 74.9%, 73.3%, and 62.7% of those in the cabin of Seoul Metro subway, respectively. The PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure amount (exposure PM<sub>2.5</sub> (μg)) when moving the same section using the KTX and passenger cars was calculated, and as a result, the exposure PM<sub>2.5</sub> (μg) for both male and female were 5.7 times lower in the KTX than that in car. The mapping result of BC concentration drawn on the KTX line from Iksan Sta. to Gwang-myeong Sta. shows that it fluctuated greatly for each service section or stop station.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.041.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Dairy Cattle Manure in a Cattle Shed in Japan","authors":"Arika Aizawa, Akane Miyazaki, Nobuyuki Tanaka","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.024","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The livestock industry is a major source of atmospheric volatile organic compounds(VOCs), but details on these emissions are not well documented in Japan. In particular, it remains unclear how the rearing method affects the emissions of VOCs from livestock, which originate primarily from feces and urine. Here we aimed to estimate the amounts of VOCs emitted from the feces and urine of tethered Holstein dairy cattle in a cattle shed in Japan. Dimethyl sulfide and acetone accounted for about 60% of the total VOCs emitted from feces, followed by formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Also, dimethyl sulfide and acetone were the dominant VOCs emitted from urine, accounting for 90% of the total VOCs. The VOCs from manure were considered to be emitted between the excretion and removal of the manure during the cleaning of the shed. As a result of analyzing images from three cameras installed in the shed, the average time between excretion and cleaning during the daytime (8:00 am–5:00 pm) was 80 min for feces and urine, whereas at night (5:00 pm–7:00 am), the average time between excretion and cleaning was 480 min. Based on the above findings, the emissions of VOCs in the interval between excretion and cleaning of the shed were estimated. As a result, the emissions of VOCs from feces and urine per head of cattle in the shed were estimated to be 1.75 and 1.52 g day<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Furthermore, contribution of VOCs emitted from manure to odor activity value (OAV) and hydroxyl radical reactivity (OHR) were also estimated. Volatile fatty acids and sulfur compounds emitted from feces estimated to have high contribution to OAV, whereas aldehydes contributed mainly for OHR from manure.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.024.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70710338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Five-year Ground-based Observation Trend of PM2.5 and PM10, and Comparison with MERRA-2 Data over India","authors":"Ashmeet Kaur Alang, Shankar G. Aggarwal","doi":"10.5572/ajae.2022.039","DOIUrl":"10.5572/ajae.2022.039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A comprehensive analysis of pollutant’s trend and their measurement techniques are crucial for evaluating the air quality, and thereby helpful in formulating better control policies. In this report, we summarise ground based PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> data report in India (2015–2019). The important points discussed here are: (i) review of the ground-based data of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> and the techniques used, (ii) mapping of the data over India with spatial and temporal distribution so that better understanding on PM pollution level can be made, (iii) identifying the technological gaps in measurement of PM concentration in India, and (iv) evaluation of MERRA-2’s (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2) simulation of PM<sub>2.5</sub> against surface measurements in India to better understand biases for spatial and seasonal distribution, and then (v) suggestions for better PM measurement protocols, policies and metrological aspects for both measurement and control policies. It is observed that the amount of ground data on ambient monitoring of fine PM is insufficient and has several inconsistencies which require adequate attention. In India, not much work has been done on developing certified reference materials, traceable standards and calibration facility for particulate matter measurement which is a crucial step to ensure quality checks. Further, the comparison of MERRA-2 and ground PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations revealed huge discrepancies with underestimating PM<sub>2.5</sub> measurements in highly polluted regions like the Indo-Gangetic plain, especially during winter when pollution load was high. Better PM<sub>2.5</sub> agreement was found in summer and monsoon season, based on performance statistics explained in this paper. Inconsistencies between MERRA-2 and ground PM<sub>2.5</sub> are partly due to few limitations in MERRA-2 reanalysis method which are discussed in this paper, apart from several issues in ground-based observation. The aim of this review and comparison is to highlight such issues and give more attention to the importance of data quality assurance for effective air quality management. The present study may be helpful for the researchers in evaluating and choosing appropriate reanalysis products for their future studies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45358,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment","volume":"16 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.5572/ajae.2022.039.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47967276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}