Characterization of Carbonyl Compounds in the Ambient Air of an Industrial City in Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize spatial and temporal variations of carbonyl compounds in Gumi city, where a number of large electronic-industrial complexes are located. Carbonyl samples were collected at five sites in the Gumi area: three industrial, one commercial, and one residential area. Sampling was carried out throughout a year from December 2003 to November 2004. At one industrial site, samples were taken every six days, while those of the other sites were for seven consecutive days in every season. Each sample was collected for 150 minutes and at intervals of three times a day (morning, afternoon, and evening). A total of 476 samples were analyzed to determine 15 carbonyl compounds by the USEPA TO-11A (DNPH-cartridge/HPLC) method. In general, acetaldehyde appeared to be the most abundant compound, followed by formaldehyde, and acetone+acrolein. Mean concentrations of acetaldehyde were two to three times higher in the industrial sites than in the other sites, with its maximum of 77.7 ppb. In contrast, ambient levels of formaldehyde did not show any significant difference between the industrial and non-industrial groups. Its concentrations peaked in summer probably due to the enhanced volatilization and photochemical reactivity. These results indicate significant emission sources of acetaldehyde in the Gumi industrial complexes. Mean concentrations of organic solvents (such as acetone+acrolein and methyl ethyl ketone) were also significantly high in industrial areas. In conclusion, major sources of carbonyl compounds, including acetaldehyde, are strongly associated with industrial activities in the Gumi city area.

Characterization of Odorous Compounds (VOC and Carbonyl Compounds) in the Ambient Air of Yeosu and Gwangyang, Large Industrial Areas of South Korea

“…The VOC and carbonyl compounds present in malodors have adverse effects on the air quality in the surrounding areas of the sources [ 1 ] as well as on health of the people residing near the sources. The major sources for odorous compounds include agricultural waste, food processing industries [ 2 , 3 ], composting of municipal solid wastes [ 4 ], livestock production industries [ 5 ], semiconductor industries [ 6 ], and the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in a range of industries [ 7 ]. The use of ethanol in industries also results in the release of odorous carbonyl compounds into the atmosphere [ 8 ].…”

Effects of unregulated anthropogenic activities on mixing ratios of volatile organic air pollutants—A case study

“…The entire fleet of heavy vehicle and more than 50% of the medium-duty vehicles are diesel-driven in Kolkata City. Low C1/C2 ratio also indicates contribution from industrial activities (Seo and Baek, 2011). The C1/C2 ratio was observed to be 1.78 in post-festival season measurement.…”

Occurrence and Concentrations of Toxic VOCs in the Ambient Air of Gumi, an Electronics-Industrial City in Korea

“…The carbonyls were extracted with 3 mL of acetonitrile, and then analyzed by HPLC with UV detection at 360 nm (Shimadzu HPLC system, Kyoto, Japan). Details of the carbonyl sampling and analytical methods used in this study can be found elsewhere [ 7 , 29 ].…”

“…Although questions have been raised from the general public and NGOs in Gumi City regarding the quality of ambient air [ 5 , 7 ], the air quality data that is available for this city has not been adequate to provide accurate information on the real-life situation to policy makers. This is largely because the air quality data available in the city focuses mostly on criteria pollutants, such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, whereas little attention has been given to non-criteria pollutants, such as VOCs.…”