Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Asian Dust

Min-Young Kim

doi:10.5124/jkma.2004.47.5.453

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 47(5); 2004 > Article

Kim: Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Asian Dust

Continuing Education Column

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2004; 47(5): 453-464.

Published online: May 31, 2004

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2004.47.5.453

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Asian Dust

Min-Young Kim, Ph.D.

Research Institute of Public Health and Environment, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea. mykim5@seoul.go.kr

Abstract

The frequency record of sand storm occurrence in spring season has been renewed continuously along with its intensity and extended duration from the year 2000 to 2002 period. The airborne sand transported from long distance practically reduces visibility and influences atmospheric radiation energy balance. It can further affect the ecological system through the deposition on the earth's surface while offering the buffer effect to acid substance, because of its alkali content such as calcium. It is known that no chemical reaction proceeds between elemental components contained in transporting particles during sand storm period. The elements originating from soil sources and some cations increased with the occurrence of sand storm. However the elements of anthropogenic origin(Pb, Se and Zn) and anions(NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-) decreased, possibly because of the dilution effect by the strong air flow from westward direction.

Sand storm; Visibility; Ecological system; Anthropogenic

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max^* : hourly maximum date in Seoul

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^*Superscripts 1 through 5 denote Hg concentration gradient, Hg concentration at lower level (1 m), Hg concentration at upper level (5 m), turbulent transfer coefficient used for the derivation of flux, and Hg fluxes, respectively.