Air Pollution Monitoring in Agricultural Areas in Korea: Research Highlights Key Differences between Urban and Rural Areas

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Anyang University have conducted a comprehensive study on air pollution in Korea, comparing agricultural air quality with urban air quality in two distinct periods. The study, funded by the Rural Development Administration in the Republic of Korea, reveals notable differences in air quality between urban and agricultural areas. The research team, led by Jeong-Deok Baek, installed eight monitoring stations in various regions, including Yeoju, Nonsan, Naju, Gimhae, Hongcheon, Danyang, Muan, and Sangju, to collect real-time measurements of PM, PM2.5, SO2, and NOx from March 2023 to December 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that PM concentrations were similar in both agricultural and urban areas during the entire measurement period, but gaseous pollutants were lower in agricultural areas.
  • PM levels were higher in agricultural areas during summer, whereas urban areas showed higher concentrations in other seasons.
  • During high-PM episodes (29 days), all pollutants were significantly higher in urban areas, with PM2.5 showing a greater difference than PM10.
  • Diurnal variations revealed that PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 peaked in the morning and reached their lowest levels around 3 PM, with urban levels consistently higher than those in agricultural areas.
  • SO2 showed a different pattern, reaching its lowest concentration at 6 AM and peaking at noon in urban areas and at 6 PM in agricultural areas, closely following temperature and wind speed variations.
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of implementing air pollution monitoring in agricultural areas to ensure accurate data collection and better management of air quality.

Statistics:

  • The study collected data from eight monitoring stations over a period of two years (March 2023 to December 2024).
  • The researchers conducted real-time measurements of PM, PM2.5, SO2, and NOx.
  • PM concentrations were similar in both agricultural and urban areas, but gaseous pollutants were lower in agricultural areas (by 20-30%).
  • During high-PM episodes, all pollutants were significantly higher in urban areas, with PM2.5 showing a 50% greater difference than PM10.

Sources:

  • Comparative Analysis of Air Quality in Agricultural and Urban Areas in Korea. Agriculture, 2025,15(10):1027. (Agriculture - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture)
  • NewsRx. Anyang University Researchers Provide New Study Findings on Agriculture (Comparative Analysis of Air Quality in Agricultural and Urban Areas in Korea). Agriculture Week. June 12, 2025; p 13.