Continuous monitoring of sand and duststorms (SD) and associated heavy dustfall (HD) is made in Korea. In particular, accurate measurements of atmospheric dust loadings have been carried out with the tapered element oscillating microbalance method, and satellite detection of dust clouds is included in the analysis. In 2002, we found three gigantic dust clouds that moved over the Korean Peninsula, and associated HD occurred with PM10 values of 1106-3006 mug m(-3). In Beijing, China much higher concentrations were recorded, while in SW Japan measured values were up to 986 mug m(3). Two SD occurred in March and April, while the third one occurred unusually in November. During the year, there were nine cases of reddish-brown sand with 18 dusty days. The intensity of HD was extraordinary for the recent decade. It was observed that with invading SD, the higher the PM10 values the lower the PM2.5 loadings. Also, variations of,visibility were more depending on PM2.5 variations than PM10 values. It is shown that satellite detection is a useful technique in monitoring SD and HD. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
