Effect of Taebaek Mountains on the Spatial Distribution of PM10 and PM2.5 in Gangwon Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to empirically confirm that the Taebaek Mountains are one of the primary causes of the spatial difference in the concentration of particulate matter between the west (Yeongseo) and east (Yeongdong) sides of the mountain range in Gangwon Province in the Korean peninsula. We investigated the effects of the Taebaek Mountains by analyzing data on PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations, wind direction, and wind speed, collected over seven years from 2015 to 2021 in the Yeongseo and Yeongdong regions. Our results demonstrated that wind direction and speed could be considered significant features in the aerial transport of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. When the concentrations were higher than normal, the reduction effect of the Taebaek mountain range on PM₁₀ was clear, while the effect on PM_2.5 was not as obvious. When wind blows from west to east across the Taebaek Mountains, the wind speed may increase on the Yeongdong; in these cases, the concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were much lower than at the Yeongseo. Moreover, with these westerly winds, when the wind speed at Yeongseo exceeded 2 m/s, the distribution range of high concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was narrower at Yeongseo and Yeongdong than when the wind speed was weaker.