Influence of the 2023 Hongseong Wildfire on Atmospheric Aerosol Properties at Anmyeondo, Korea

Wildfires are a significant source of atmospheric aerosols and can strongly affect regional air quality. In April 2023, a large wildfire occurred in Hongseong, western Korea. This study investigates the impact of the Hongseong wildfire on the chemical, physical, and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols observed at the Anmyeondo site. Quasi-real-time aerosol measurements were analyzed to examine variations in aerosol mass concentration, size-related characteristics, and optical parameters, as well as chemical composition, before, during, and after the wildfire event. Source apportionment analysis was applied to identify contributions from biomass burning relative to other emission sources. During the wildfire period, enhanced aerosol loading and biomass-burning-related components were observed, accompanied by changes in aerosol optical behavior. These results indicate that the Hongseong wildfire had a notable influence on aerosol properties at Anmyeondo, including both chemical composition and optical characteristics, despite the site being located downwind of the fire region. This study highlights the role of regional wildfire events in modifying aerosol physical and radiative properties at coastal background sites and emphasizes the importance of integrated observations for understanding wildfire impacts.