• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.698-705
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• 2017

Environmental impact of a mobile phone charger containing recycled plastic was quantified using LCA and the environmental benefits from the use of recycled and virgin plastic were compared. The assessment considers potential environmental impacts across the whole life cycle of the charger including; pre-manufacturing; manufacturing; distribution; product use; and end-of-life stages and quantified six environmental impact categories; Abiotic depletion; Acidification; Eutrophication; Global warming; Ozone layer depletion; and Photochemical oxidants creation. The study showed that the environmental impacts of the use stage accounted for 94.4% and 70% in the resource depletion and global warming impact categories, respectively, and the environmental impacts of the pre - manufacturing stage accounted for more than 98% in the other impact categories. The main cause of the environmental impacts in the use stage was electricity consumed by the charger. The main cause in the pre-manufacturing stage was PBA (Printed Board Assembly) and external case manufacturing. In order to quantify the environmental benefits of recycled PC (Polycarbonate) in the exterior case, the environmental impacts of 1 kg production of recycled PC and virgin PC were evaluated. The environmental impact on the abiotic depletion of the recycled PC is estimated to be 30% compared to the virgin PC, and the impacts on the other impact categories of the recycled PC were less than 5% of the virgin plastic. Sensitivity analysis was performed for 12 items including site data and assumptions made. The sensitivity of each item was less than 10%. The results of this study confirm that designing compact and light PBA, improving charging efficiency, and use of recycled plastic are important design factors to reduce the environmental impact of a charger.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2010

This study was performed to evaluate the removal effects of nutritive salts and organic pollutants in experimental aeration reactor for treatment of piggery slurry. In this study, three types of reactors were manufactured and operated. The fibrous media was equipped in one of three reactors. Another reactor was equipped with the siliceous media and the other reactor used as a control was equipped with typical aeration system only. Treatment efficacy of three types of reactors were evaluated according to the pollutants removal rate of the piggery slurry. The results obtained in this study are as follows : 1) In the reactor containing fibrous media, the removal efficiency of BOD, T-N and T-P was 11%, 13.9% and 21.2%, respectively. 2) In the reactor containing siliceous media, the removal efficiency of BOD, T-N and T-P was 6.9%, 25.3% and 47.8%, respectively. 3) In the reactor not containing media, the removal efficiency of BOD. T-N and T-P was 6.1%, 8.1.% and 23.6%, respectively. 4) Sludge accumulation in the reactor equipped with filamentous media was lower than that of other experimental reactors.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.520-520
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• 2016

석유 화학공장에서 발생하는 spent sulfidic caustic (SSC) 폐수는 액화석유가스(LPG)나 천연가스(NG)의 정제과정에서 발생되는 것으로 고농도의 sulfide와 cresylic, phenolic 그리고 mercaptan 등이 포함된 독성과 냄새를 유발하는 물질이다. 이러한 물질들은 LPG나 NG의 정제과정에서 높은 산도를 가진 휘발성 황화합 물질들을 제거하기 위해 사용된 NaOH가 $H_2S$와 반응하여 발생하는 것이다. 진한 갈색 또는 검은색을 띄는 SSC 폐수는 12 이상의 높은 pH를 가지고 있으며 5~12 wt%의 높은 염분도를 가지고 있다. 또한 강한 부식성과 독성을 가진 황화합물의 농도가 1~4 wt%이며, 방향족 탄화수소 물질 (i.e. methanethiol, benzene, tolune and phenol)들도 다량 함유되어 있다. 따라서 이러한 유해 물질들은 기존의 하수처리 공정으로 방류하기 전에 완벽하게 처리해야만 하수처리 공정의 오염 부하량을 줄일 수 있다. 습식산화공정은 SSC 폐수를 처리하기 위해 흔히 사용되고 있는 물리-화학적 처리 공정이지만 고비용, 고에너지가 필요하며, 고온 및 고압에서만 작동되어 안전상의 문제점을 갖고 있다. 또한 습식산화공정을 거친 폐수는 배출허용기준을 만족하기 위해 생물학적 2차 처리가 반드시 필요하다. 철-과산화수소를 이용하는 펜톤산화 공정, 그리고 sulfide를 sulfate로 전환시키는 생물학적 처리 공정은 황화합물의 완전한 무기물화가 힘들며, 현장 적용 시 기술적 경제적 부담이 크다. 이러한 단점을 극복하고, SSC 폐수를 효과적으로 처리하기 위해 본 연구는, 높은 흡착력과 광산화력을 가진 흡착광산화 반응 시스템(Adsorption Photocatalysis System, APS)을 개발하였다. APS는 SSC 폐수를 시스템 내부로 유입하여 수중의 오염물질을 흡착광산화제로 구성된 반응구조체가 흡착하고, 흡착된 오염물질을 UV에너지와 이산화티타늄 광촉매의 광화학반응에 의해 최종적으로 무해한 물질로 환원시키는 폐수처리시스템이다. APS의 반응구조체는 태양에너지 및 인공에너지원에 의해 활용 가능하며, 난분해성 유기화합물질을 물과 이산화탄소로 분해할 수 있는 친환경적이고 경제적인 소재로서 널리 쓰이고 있는 이산화티타늄 광촉매와 화력발전소의 높은 소성온도에 의해 연소된 후 발생되는 bottom ash를 이산화티타늄의 지지체로 사용하여 높은 흡착력과 광촉매 산화력을 가진 복합물이다. 개발된 APS에 의해 SSC 폐수를 처리한 결과, COD 86.1%, 탁도 98.4%, sulfide 99.9%의 높은 처리효율을 보여주고 있다. 따라서 본 연구를 통해 개발된 APS는 강한 부식성과 독성 그리고 높은 농도를 가지고 있는 SSC 폐수를 효과적으로 처리할 수 있다.

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.269-274
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• 2018

In this study, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of wet tissue manufacturing process was performed. The wet tissue manufacturing process consists of preparation of wetting agent (chemical liquid), impregnation of nonwoven fabric into wetting agent and primary and secondary packaging. Data and information were collected on the input and output of the actual process from a certain company and the database of the Korea Ministry of Environment and some foreign countries (when Korean unavailable) were employed to connect the upper and the lower process flow. Based on the above and the potential environmental impacts of the wet tissue manufacturing process were calculated. As a result of the characterization, Ozone Layer Depletion (OD) is 3.46.E-06 kg $CFC_{11}$, Acidification (AD) is 5.11.E-01 kg $SO_2$, Abiotic Resource Depletion (ARD) is $3.52.E+00\;1yr^{-1}$, Global Warming (GW) is 1.04.E+02 kg $CO_2$, Eutrophication (EUT) is 2.31.E-02 kg ${PO_4}^{3-}$, Photochemical Oxide Creation (POC) was 2.22.E-02 kg $C_2H_4$, Human Toxicity (HT) was 1.55.E+00 kg 1,4 DCB and Terrestrial Ecotoxicity (ET) was 5.82.E-04 kg 1,4 DCB. In order to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing process, it is necessary to improve the overall process as other general cases and change the raw materials including packaging materials with less environmental impact. Conclusively, the energy consumed in the manufacturing process has emerged as a major issue, and this needs to be reconsidered other options such as alternative energy. Therefore, it is recommended that a process system should be redesigned to improve energy efficiency and to change to an energy source with lower environmental impact. Due to the nature of LCA, the final results of this study can be varied to some extent depending on the type of LCI DB employed and may not represent of all wet tissue manufacturing processes in the current industry.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.500-509
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• 2014

To prevent freezing of the road by fallen snow, Calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) as a deicer is used to very often and it can be harmful to roadside trees. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) as a deicer on growth and physiological traits of Acer triflorum according to different concentration of $CaCl_2$. We measured growth, chlorophyll contents, gas exchangement characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence and mineral nutrition concentration in plant and soil. The experimental group was composed of four treatments including 0mM(control), 9mM(0.5 %), 18mM(1.0 %), 54mM(3.0 %). Before germinating new shoot, the dissolution of $CaCl_2$ was irrigated twice interval of a week. At 30 days after treatment, all treatments decreased total cholorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photochemical efficiency($F_v/F_m$) with increasing concentration of $CaCl_2$ and especially, they significantly reduced in 3.0 % treatment. In contrast, chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with an increase of $CaCl_2$ concentration and water use efficiency increased in 1.0 % and 3.0 % treatments. At 50 days after treatment, all treatments were decreased in chl a, chl b, total chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, photosynthetic capacity, photochemical efficiency($F_v/F_m$) and quantum yield of photosystem II(${\Phi}_{PSII}$) compared with control and 3.0 % treatments were withered. $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ were accumulated in leaves and soil, which inhibited water absorption and electron transport and it caused the reduction of height growth rate more than 50 %. Although there was a little difference according to time and $CaCl_2$ concentration, all treatments decreased in growth rate and physiological activity slowed down. As time passed, these results got worse. Therefore we need to take a measure earlier in order to minimize damage of trees.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2016

The effects of elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ on photosynthesis and growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris subsp. napus var. pekinensis) were investigated to predict productivity in highland cropping in an environment where $CO_2$ levels are increasing. Vegetative growth, based on fresh weight of the aerial part, and leaf characteristics (number, area, length, and width) of Chinese cabbage grown for 5 weeks, increased significantly under elevated $CO_2$ ($800{\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}$) compared to ambient $CO_2$ ($400{\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}$). The photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance ($g_s$), and water use efficiency (WUE) increased, although the transpiration rate (E) decreased, under elevated atmospheric $CO_2$. The photosynthetic light-response parameters, the maximum photosynthetic rate ($A_{max}$) and apparent quantum yield (${\varphi}$), were higher at elevated $CO_2$ than at ambient $CO_2$, while the light compensation point ($Q_{comp}$) was lower at elevated $CO_2$. In particular, the maximum photosynthetic rate ($A_{max}$) was higher at elevated $CO_2$ by 2.2-fold than at ambient $CO_2$. However, the photosynthetic $CO_2$-response parameters such as light respiration rate ($R_p$), maximum Rubisco carboxylation efficiency ($V_{cmax}$), and $CO_2$ compensation point (CCP) were less responsive to elevated $CO_2$ relative to the light-response parameters. The photochemical efficiency parameters ($F_v/F_m$, $F_v/F_o$) of PSII were not significantly affected by elevated $CO_2$, suggesting that elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ will not reduce the photosynthetic efficiency of Chinese cabbage in highland cropping. The optimal temperature for photosynthesis shifted significantly by about $2^{\circ}C$ under elevated $CO_2$. Above the optimal temperature, the photosynthetic rate (A) decreased and the dark respiration rate ($R_d$) increased as the temperature increased. These findings indicate that future increases in $CO_2$ will favor the growth of Chinese cabbage on highland cropping, and its productivity will increase due to the increase in photosynthetic affinity for light rather than $CO_2$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.2 s.177
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• pp.129-149
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• 2006

Previously published stratigraphic, sedimentologic, paleontologic, paleomagnetic and geophysical data are reviewed to make an understanding on the tectonic evolution of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang (Kyongsang) basin, southeast Korea. A stratigraphic framework and a tectonic model on the formation and deformation of the Gyeongsang Basin are newly proposed on the basis of integration these data with magmatism and mineralization ages in the basin. A newly proposed stratigraphic framework indicates that strata in the basin can be subdivided into five distinct stratigraphic units that represent pre-rifting, syn-rifting, inversion I, II, and III stages. The Gyeongsang Basin was formed initially as a pre-rifting stage due to north-south extension in the Late Jurassic prior to a syn-riftins stage that resulted from east-west extension during the Early Cretaceous. In the Late Cretaceous, the basin was deformed by three-staged sequential deformation of north-south, northwest-southeast, and east-west compressions. The tectonic history of the basin has been largely controlled by the change of motion of the Izanagi Plate from north to northwest during the Cretaceous. In the early Cretaceous, the Izanagi Plate began to subduct northward beneath the Eurasian Plate and caused the left-lateral strike-slip fault systems in the southern part of the peninsula. The left-lateral wrenching of these fault systems was causally linked to development of pull-apart basins, such as the Gyeongsang Basin in the southeastern part of the peninsula. However, northwestward movement of the Izanagi Plate during the Late Cretaceous probably led to the extensive volcanism as well as sequential deformations in the basin. The stratigraphic and tectonic model, which is newly proposed as a result of this study, may be expected to enhancing the efficiency for exploration and exploitation of useful mineral resources in the basin as well as establishing geologic history in the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin. Together with the spatial and temporal correlation of the Cretaceous basins in adjacent areas, this stratigraphic and tectonic model provides a new geologic paradigm to delineate the sophisticated tectonic history of East Asia turing the Cretaceous.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.461-470
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• 2019

This study was carried out to quantify the drought stress in grafted watermelon seedlings non-destructively by using chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) imaging technique rather than the visual judgment. Six-day old watermelon seedlings were grown under uniform irrigation for 3 days, and then given drought stress. Afterward, the sensor for the measurement of water content in plug tray cell unit was used to classify the drought-stress level into nine groups from D1 (53.0%, sufficient moisture state) to D9 (15.7%, extremely dry stress), and the 16 CF parameters were measured. In addition, re-irrigation was performed on the drought stressed seedlings(D5 - D9) to determine the growth and photosynthesis recovery level, which was not confirmed by visual judgment. The kinetic curve patterns of CF in three different drought stressed seedling groups were found to be different for the early detection of drought stress. All the 16 CF parameters decreased continuously with exposure to drought stress and drastically decreased from D5 (32.1%) where the visual judgment was possible. The fluorescence decline ratio (Rfd_Lss) started to decrease from the initial drought stress level (D5 - D6), and the Maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm) was significantly decreased in the later extreme drought stress range (D7 - D9) by re-irrigation recovery test. Thus, Rfd_Lss and Fv/Fm parameters were finally selected as potent indicators of growth and photosynthesis recovery in the initial and later stages of drought stress. Also, to the differences in the numerical values of the individual chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the drought stress level was intuitively confirmed through the image. These results indicate that Rfd and Fv/Fm can be considered as potential CF parameters for the detection of low and extremely high drought stress, respectively. Furthermore, Fv/Fm can be considered as the best CF parameters for recovery at re-irrigation.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.217-224
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• 2009

The pig slurry is one of important fertilizer source for production of crops in recent years, but it has many controversial points of utilization such as offensive odor, lack of spread equipment and farmland possession, respectively. This study was carried out in order to remove water pollutants and malodor of pig slurry using biofiltration system. The biofiltration system consists of pig slurry separator, mixing shift and attached blade for sawdust or ricehull, air injection nozzle and outlet for pig slurry and sawdust or ricehull. The characteristics pH, $BOD_5$ (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), $COD_{Mn}$ (Chemical Oxygen Demand), SS (Suspended Solid), T-N (Total Nitrogen), T-P (Total Phosphorus) of the untreated pig slurry used in this study were 7.2, 34,450, 24,604, 71,000, 4,194, $1,631\;ml/{\ell}$, respectively. The $NH_3$ (Ammonia) and $H_2S$(Hydrogen Sulfide) concentration were 70.0, 9.6 ppm, respectively. The initial total microorganisms of pig slurry were $5.0{\times}10^3\;cfu/ml$, and Salmonella, Bacillus were $5.8{\times}10^2$, $1.1{\times}10^3\;cfu/ml$, respectively. The filtration system was very effective on removal of water pollutants of pig slurry. The removal efficiency of the offensive odor of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in sawdust was higher than those of ricehull. The total microorganisms and bacillus of pig slurry are on the increase by sawdust and ricehull, but Salmonella showed a tendency to decrease in number after that time. Accordingly, the filtration system was very effective to produce a good quality pig slurry.