title: Ambient suspended particulate matter and ionic speciation in Asian countries during 1998-2007.
abstract: Atmospheric acid precursor emissions in Asia are increasing at a significant rate. This is expected to continue for the next several years. This main purpose for this study is to observe the concentration variations of PM(2.5), PM(2.5-10), PM(10), total suspended particulates (TSP), atmospheric particulates, and dry deposition fluxes of ionic species in Asian countries during the years 1998-2007. The results show that the average ionic species concentration order for chloride ions (Cl(-)) in PM(10) was China > Taiwan > Korea. The average ionic species concentration order for nitrate ions (NO(3)(-)) species in PM(10) was China > Taiwan > Korea for Asian countries. In addition, the average ionic species sulfate ion (SO(4)(2-)) concentrations in PM(10) were 13.248 and 18.497 (μg/m(3)) in Taiwan and China, respectively, during the years 1998-2006. However, the average ionic species concentrations order for ammonium ions (NH(4)(+)) in PM(10) was Taiwan > China > Korea the years 2000-2006. Moreover, the average ionic species concentration order for chloride ions (Cl(-)) in PM(2.5) was Japan > Taiwan > Korea > China in the years 1998-2006. And the average ionic species concentration order for nitrate ions (NO(3)(-)) in PM(2.5) was Korea > China > Japan > Taiwan for Asian countries during 1998-2006. Moreover, the average ionic species concentration order for sulfate ions (SO(4)(2-)) in PM(2.5) was China > Korea > Taiwan > Japan in the years 1998-2006. As for the average ionic species concentration order for ammonium ion (NH(4)(+)) in PM(2.5), China > Taiwan > Japan > Korea in the years 1999-2006. Finally, the mean ionic species of nitrate ions (NO(3)(-)), sulfate ions (SO(4)(2-)) and ammonium ions (NH4(+)) were found highest in China compared with the rest of the other Asian countries during the years 1998-2006.
authors.affiliation: Air Toxic and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, HungKuang University, Sha-Lu, Taichung, Taiwan. gcfang@sunrise.hk.edu.tw
authors.forename: Guor-Cheng
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Chia-Kuan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals; D052638:Particulate Matter