Ⅰ. Background and Necessity of Research
1. Necessity
o The recent issue of inconsistency in the trend of air pollutant emission and changes of particulate matter (PM) concentration
ㅇ According to the recent implementation of management policies by the Korean government to improve air quality affected by PM, air pollutant emission and (fine) PM concentrations in Seoul have been steadily decreasing since the early 2010s.
ㅇ (Fine) PM concentration tends to stagnate at around the annual average PM2.5 of 25μg/m3 while repeatedly increasing or decreasing, in response to which the Korean government proposes strengthened measures to reduce the PM concentration every year.
ㅇ The causes of the current issue of inconsistency between air pollutant emissions and the changes in (fine) PM concentration that has occurred despite the aforementioned efforts should be identified so as to suggest the direction for improving air quality management policy.
o Relationship between air quality affected by PM and climate
ㅇ Studies showing that meteorology and climate play an important role in the occurrence of air pollutants, including PM, have been conducted globally; based on these studies, the relationship between air quality affected by PM and meteorological changes and climate change should be identified.
ㅇ Several studies have been carried out to reveal the relationship between PM concentration and meteorological conditions and climate change; however, studies that clearly explain the relationship between climate change and air quality affected by PM in Korea are lacking.
ㅇ Suggestions derive