연구분야 : 환경분석화학
서울 대기 중 PCBs와 PCNs의 공간적·계절적 오염 특성 Spatial and Seasonal Variability of Atmospheric PCBs and PCNs in Seoul, South Korea: Insights into Volatilization, Sources, and Toxicity
	고민지 · 이호영 · 김성준 · 이상진 · 최성득† 울산과학기술원 지구환경도시건설공학과 †Correspondence E-mail: sdchoi@unist.ac.kr

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) characterized by bioaccumulation and environmental persistence. PCBs and PCNs are unintentionally produced during combustion processes or released from legacy products, leading to their continuous presence in urban air. In this study, seasonal monitoring of atmospheric PCBs and PCNs was conducted across Seoul, a major metropolitan city in East Asia, using polyurethane foam passive air samplers (PUF-PASs). Samples were Soxhlet-extracted, cleaned up using multi-layer silica gel columns, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer (GC/HRMS). Mean Σ30 PCB concentrations were significantly higher in summer than in winter, suggesting temperature-driven volatilization and strong influences from legacy sources. Mean Σ15 PCN concentrations were also elevated during summer, with higher levels observed in the southwestern part of Seoul, indicating additional contributions from industrial activities. In winter, long-range atmospheric transport under prevailing wind conditions may further influence PCB and PCN concentrations. Principal component analysis indicated that atmospheric PCBs were primarily associated with technical mixtures, whereas PCNs reflected mixed contributions from legacy use and combustion-related sources in both seasons. Overall, this study provides high-resolution spatial and seasonal information on atmospheric PCBs and PCNs in a densely populated urban environment.

Key words: PCBs, PCNs, Urban air, Seasonal variation

Acknowledgement: 이 연구는 환경부 환경 정책 기반 공공기술 개발 사업(2016000160001 and 2016000160002)과 환경산업기술원 대기환경무인기 One-Stop 플랫폼 기술 개발 사업(RS-2025-02213907)의 지원으로 수행되었습니다.