Emissions and Chemistry of Anthropogenic Volatile Organic Compounds in Seoul

Abstract:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted to the lower atmosphere from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources. In highly polluted urban areas, mobile sources contribute substantially to total VOC emissions. Prolonged exposure to VOCs such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene may adversely affect the human body. VOCs in the troposphere also play a critical role in generating ozone and organic aerosols that are main components of photochemical smog. Therefore, it is important to understand the emissions of VOCs and their chemistry. In this study, we investigate emissions and chemistry of VOCs in Seoul, South Korea in which 10 million people reside in the urban core area of ~600 km². We utilize the ground-level and airborne data acquired from the KORUS-AQ campaign in 2016 and estimate the VOC emissions or emission ratios by estimating photochemical ages of the components. By comparing the emission ratios of VOCs in Seoul with those in Los Angeles, the characteristics of the emission in Seoul will be highlighted.