Atmospheric Particulate Matter

The particulate matter (PM) research division pursues the fundamental science of PM. Our goal is ultimately to understand the impacts of PM on human health and the earth system, and further the interactive processes between each earth system component (atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, etc.) and the changes in PM concentrations. We apply various approaches including laboratory experiments, field measurements, modeling, and a big data analysis along with their synergetic integration to understand PM pollution, which is a major air quality issue in Korea and East Asia.

The PM research division includes SEES faculty members: Profs. Rokjin Park, Sang-Woo Kim, Chang-Hoi Ho, Jinho Ahn, Gubeum Kim, and their research groups, whose research topics focus on the physical/chemical characteristics, formation, evolution, transport, and deposition processes of PM. Analyses on the factors, affecting the short/long term variability of PM concentrations based on observations contribute to improving model performance for PM forecast. Results and implications of these studies can provide the scientific basis for developing and improving environmental policies and further contribute to alleviating the public concerns and damages due to PM pollution.

Participating Professor