Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment (생태와환경)

The Korean Society of Limnology (한국수생태학회)
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Applications of Radiocarbon Isotope Ratios in Environmental Sciences in South Korea

방사성탄소동위원소비 분석을 적용한 우리나라 환경과학 연구

  • Neung-Hwan Oh (Department of Environmental Planning, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University) ;
  • Ji-Yeon Cha (Environmental Planning Institute, Seoul National University)
  • 오능환 (서울대학교 환경대학원 환경계획학과) ;
  • 차지연 (서울대학교 환경계획연구소)
  • Received : 2023.09.25
  • Accepted : 2023.10.06
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Carbon is not only an essential element for life but also a key player in climate change. The radiocarbon (14C) analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a powerful tool not only to understand the carbon cycle but also to track pollutants derived from fossil carbon, which have a distinct radiocarbon isotope ratio (Δ14C). Many studies have reported Δ14C of carbon compounds in streams, rivers, rain, snow, throughfall, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea, which are reviewed in this manuscript. In summary, (1) stream and river carbon in South Korea are largely derived from the chemical weathering of soils and rocks, and organic compounds in plants and soils, strongly influenced by precipitation, wastewater treatment effluents, agricultural land use, soil water, and groundwater. (2) Unprecedentedly high Δ14C of precipitation during winter has been reported, which can directly and indirectly influence stream and river carbon. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of local contamination sources of high Δ14C, the results suggest that stream dissolved organic carbon could be older than previously thought, warranting future studies. (3) The 14C analysis has also been applied to quantify the sources of forest throughfall and PM2.5, providing new insights. The 14C data on a variety of ecosystems will be valuable not only to track the pollutants derived from fossil carbon but also to improve our understanding of climate change and provide solutions.

탄소는 생명체의 구성 요소이자 기후변화에 중요한 역할을 하는 원소로, 생태계에서 다양한 형태로 순환한다. 기후변화가 생태계에 미치는 영향을 예측하고 대응하기 위해서는 탄소순환에 대한 정량적 이해가 필수적이다. 가속질량분석기를 이용한 생태계 탄소화합물의 방사성탄소동위원소비(Δ14C) 분석은 탄소순환 연구뿐만 아니라, 화석탄소 기원 오염원을 추적하는 환경과학, 환경공학 연구에도 세계적으로 널리 활용되고 있다. 우리나라에서도 여러 연구진에 의해 하천탄소, 강수, 수관통과우, 초미세먼지, 폐수처리장 또는 하수처리장 유출수에 포함된 탄소화합물의 Δ14C가 보고되었다. 연구 결과를 종합하면, (1) 우리나라 하천탄소의 양과 성분은, 크게 보면 암석과 토양의 풍화, 육상생태계 식생과 토양에 포함된 유기물의 유출 등 다양한 기원의 탄소화합물을 포함하며, 강수량에 따른 계절적 영향을 받는 것으로 이해할 수 있으나, 지역적으로는 산업단지의 폐수나 도시의 하수처리장 방류수 유입, 농업 등 토지 이용, 깊은 토양으로부터의 유출수와 지하수 유입 등 여러 요인에 의해 크게 달라질 수 있다. (2) 하천탄소에 영향을 줄 수 있는 우리나라 강수 용존유기탄소의 Δ14C도 보고되었고, 특히 겨울철에 이례적으로 Δ14C가 높았다. 국지적 오염 가능성을 배제할 수는 없으나, 이 연구 결과는 우리가 지금까지 생태계 탄소순환을 잘못 이해하고 있을 가능성을 내포하므로, 그 원인과 범위를 추적하는 후속연구가 필요하다. (3) 우리나라 산림의 수관통과우, 초미세먼지에 포함된 탄소화합물의 Δ14C를 분석하고 화석탄소의 기여도를 파악한 연구도 보고되는 등 14C 분석 방법은 생태학과 환경과학 분야에서 새로운 시사점을 제시하는 데 활용되고 있다. 시료량과 성상에 따라 다르긴 하지만, 원소분석기와 연결된 소형 가속질량분석기를 이용하면 상대적으로 빠르고 저렴하게 시료 분석이 가능하므로, 앞으로 14C 분석을 활용한 생태학과 환경과학 연구가 활발히 이뤄지길 기대한다. 성상별 14C 분석 자료는 화석탄소 오염원을 추적하고 제거하는 방법을 제시하는 데 활용될 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 기후변화에 취약한 영역을 식별하고 적절한 대응 전략을 마련하기 위해서도 필요할 것이다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

서울대학교 환경대학원 생지화학 실험실에 14C 분석을 위한 시료 전처리 진공라인을 설치하고 개선시키는 데 많이 기여한 이은주 박사와 이승철 연구원에게 고마움을 전합니다.

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