• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.574-582
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• 2012

This study presents the concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed as priority pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), in 98 sludges from 54 industrial wastewater treatment facilities of South Korea. The mean concentrations of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ were ranged from 32.5 ${\mu}g/kg-dw$ to 1189.3 ${\mu}g/kg-dw$ by industries, and the highest content was found in the petrochemical industry, followed by chemical, clothing manufacturing and dying, pulp and papermaking, secondary wastewater treatment, and food/beverage producing industries. Comparisons to the EU and Danish standards of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ in sewage sludge for land application showed only two samples (one from petrochemical, and the other from chemical industry) exceeded the limits. ANOVA test with PAH concentrations as variables revealed no statistically significant influences by industrial types and sampling time (i.e., seasonal variations). Pearson correlations between individual PAHs showed strong relationships (r>0.7) among 4-ring PAHs. Concentrations of acenaphthylene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(f)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene presented strong correlations to ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$. Principal component analysis discriminated entire samples into three groups by two principal components (PC1 and PC2) with 70% of data variations, in which industrial types were not of importance, but a dominance of certain PAHs. Samples in group-I, which is high PC1 and low PC2, were characterized by a dominance of 2-ring PAHs, and in group-II, PC1 and PC2 showed a linear relation, was dominant 4-ring PAHs. Group-III with low PC1 and high PC2 includes 17 samples showing a noticeably high contribution of 3-ring PAHs to ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$. This study provides concentrations of PAHs in industrial sludges collected from a wide variety of sources (six industrial types) and two seasons of sampling events, and the comparison of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ with other studies are also discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.947-956
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• 2009

Residual petroleum hydrocarbons after an oil spill may accumulate in the marine benthic ecosystem due to their high hydrophobicity. A lot of monitoring data are required for the estimation of ecosystem exposure to residual petrochemicals in an ecological risk assessment in the affected region. To save time and cost, the environmental exposure to them in the affected ecosystem can also be assessed using a simple food-web bioaccumulation model. In this study, we evaluated residual concentrations of four selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene) in a hypothetic benthic ecosystem composed of six species under two exposure scenarios. Body-residue concentration ranged 5~250 mg/kg body depending on trophic positions in an extreme scenario in which the aqueous concentrations of PAHs were assumed to be one-tenth of their aqueous solubility. In addition, bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were evaluated for model species. The logarithm of bioconcentration factor (log BCF) linearly increased with increasing the logarithm of 1-octanol-water partition coefficient (log $K_{OW}$) until log $K_{OW}$ of 7.0, followed by a gradual decrease with further increase in log $K_{OW}$ without metabolic degradation. Biomagnification became significant when log $K_{OW}$ of a pollutant exceeded 5.0 in the model ecosystem, indicating that investigation of food-web structure should be critical to predict biomagnifications in the affected ecosystem because log $K_{OW}$ values of many petrochemicals are higher than 5.0. Although further research is required for better site-specific evaluation of exposure, the model simulation can be used to estimate the level of the ecosystem exposure to residual oil contaminants at the screening level.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.656-664
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• 2010

We investigated the levels and distribution patterns of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 12 Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the surface sediments from the Nakdong river basin, Korea. The levels of 16 PAHs and 12 Co-PCBs in the river sediment samples ranged from not detected (N.D.)~969.3 ng/g-dry, 4.2~7716.5 pg/g-dry (0.0~10.1 pg-TEQ/g-dry), respectively. Also, the levels of 16 PAHs were from 5.8~2987.2 ng/g-dry and 4.3~461.1 pg/g-dry (0.0~0.6 pg-TEQ/g-dry) for 12 Co-PCBs in the lake sediment samples. Only dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) were detected among target OCPs and the concentration ranged from N.D.~1.5 ng/g-dry in the river sediment samples. These contamination levels were far below the guideline values suggested for environmental quality assessment. Low molecular weight PAHs were dominant in the river sediment samples, while middle and high molecular weight PAHs were dominant among 16 PAHs in the lake sediment samples. PCB-118 and PCB-105 were predominant congeners in the sediment, which were similar to the results obtained from previous studies. With these results, the assessment of potential sources of PAHs and Co-PCBs contamination in the sediments of the Nakdong river basin was performed. The pyrogenic-PAHs originated from combustion of fossil fuel and biomass were related with the PAHs contribution in most of the sediment samples, and Co-PCBs in the sediment samples were related with commercial PCB products.

• Clean Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2010

Two sets of thermal reaction experiment for chlorinated hydrocarbons were performed using an isothermal tubular-flow reactor in order to investigate thermal decomposition, including product distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbons. The effects of $H_2$ or Ar as the reaction atmosphere on the thermal decomposition and product distribution for dichloromethane($CH_2Cl_2$) was examined. The experimental results showed that higher conversion of $CH_2Cl_2$ was obtained under $H_2$ atmosphere than under Ar atmosphere. This phenomenon indicates that reactive-gas $H_2$ reaction atmosphere was found to accelerate $CH_2Cl_2$ decomposition. The $H_2$ plays a key role in acceleration of $CH_2Cl_2$ decomposition and formation of dechlorinated light hydrocarbons, while reducing PAH and soot formation through hydrodechlorination process. It was also observed that $CH_3Cl,\;CH_4,\;C_2H_6,\;C_2H_4$ and HCl in $CH_2Cl_2/H_2$ reaction system were the major products with some minor products including chloroethylenes. The $CH_2Cl_2$/Ar reaction system gives poor carbon material balance above reaction temperature of $750^{\circ}C$. Chloroethylenes and soot were found to be the major products and small amounts of $CH_3Cl$ and $C_2H_2$ were formed above $750^{\circ}C$ in $CH_2Cl_2$/Ar. The thermal decomposition reactions of chloroform($CHCl_3$) with argon reaction atmosphere in the absence or the presence of $CH_4$ were carried out using the same tubular flow reactor. The slower $CH_3Cl$ decay occurred when $CH_4$ was added to $CH_3Cl$/Ar reaction system. This is because :$CCl_2$ diradicals that had been produced from $CHCl_3$ unimolecular dissociation reacted with $CH_4$. It appears that the added $CH_4$ worked as the :$CCl_2$ scavenger in the $CHCl_3$ decomposition process. The product distributions for $CHCl_3$ pyrolysis under argon bath gas were distinctly different for the two cases: one with $CH_4$ and the other without $CH_4$. The important pyrolytic reaction pathways to describe the important features of reagent decay and intermediate product distributions, based upon thermochemistry and kinetic principles, were proposed in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.790-796
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• 2013

The following is the study result of herbal tea roasted at different temperatures between $80{\sim}140^{\circ}C$. Depending on treatment temperature the water content decreased, some carbonization occurred and crude ash content relatively increased. Also crude protein and crude fat changed little. Benzopyrene content (0.17~0.35ppb) showed a tendency to increase with higher treating temperature. From this result, the $B({\alpha})P$ content differed depending on the treatment temperature and raw materials. In case of roasting, the actual inside temperature is around $200^{\circ}C$ but since the surface temperature of the roaster reaches around $2,000^{\circ}C$ some portion of $B({\alpha})P$ content was presumed to be produced from the area that came in contact with this surface. Solid elution rate of herbal tea showed 0.18~0.35%(w/w) and the rate of solid elution decreased with higher roasting temperature. There was no big change in $80{\sim}110^{\circ}C$ treatment section but the solid elution decreased rapidly in $110{\sim}140^{\circ}C$ section. The reason for decreasing solid elution rate at higher treatment temperature is because the compact inner tissue makes elution difficult.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2012

This study was performed to prevent the health damage of environmental contaminants in Industrial Complex Area. And, this study aimed to identify the concentration levels and distribution characteristics of environmental contaminants and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at soil in Industrial Complex Area and control area. The concentration of the soil pollution standard such as the heavy metals in the soil, VOCs, PAHs, and PCB were measured and analyzed using the soil specimens in the Industrial Complex Area and control area. Soil specimens from the Industrial Complex Area (the direct exposure area) and the control area were surveyed. Songdo-dong, Haedo-dong and Jechul-dong, which are in the direct exposure area and near the emission source, showed relatively high concentrations of contaminant materials when compared with Jangki-myeon, which is far off and in the control area. The concentration of zinc was 20.8-58.9% of the level of concern (300 mg/kg) in the 1st region, which is a relatively high concentration. The concentration of fluoride was under the standard in every region, but it was about 74% of the level of concern (400 mg/kg) in the 1st region. It is recommended that controlling fluoride emissions is necessary. Levels of organic phosphate, phenol, and VOCs like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were under the detection limit of the analysis instruments. The concentration of TPH was high in Songdo-dong. The concentration of contaminants in Jechul-dong was high. In addition, it was observed that the level of soil contamination changed depending on the distance from the emission source. The concentration of PAH compounds in the soil was 18.71-1744.59 ng/g, and the concentration of six potential cancer-causing PAH materials was 6.54-695.94 ng/g. The highest concentration was in Songdo-dong. The PAH concentration in the direct exposure area near the complex was relatively high compared to the indirect exposure area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 1993

A purpose of this study was carried out to investigate the concentrations of four elements of PAHs(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) in suspended particulate matters of underground shopping stores in Seoul city. The particulate matters were collected at five underground shopping stores(Yongdungpo, Myongdong, Ulchiro, Express Terminal, Chamshil) in the Seoul area during February-October, 1992. Samples were collected using cascade impactor of low volumn air sampler and were analysed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC) with fluorescence detector. Calibration on HPLC analyse is nearly accord with retention time between the standard solution and the samples. Analysed results obtained favorable analysing recovery rate of 97.3% and coefficient of variation of 1.60%. Mean concentrations of suspended particulate matters in five underground shopping stores wre 216.3 g/$m^3$ and observed higher at fine particles(117.2 g/$m^3$) which is respirable particulates than coarse particles(99.2 g/$m^3$). Concentrations of four species PAH were determined with anthracene of 16.8ng/$m^3$, fluoranthene of 72.3ng/$m^3$, benzo(a)pyrene of 0.54ng/$m^3$, and benzo(k)fluoranthene of 0.29ng/$m^3$, respectively. Fluoranthene levels were significantly higher than those levels in other components. PAHs concen-tration at shopping areas showed 21.3ng/$m^3$ in Yongdungpo, 35.1ng/$m^3$ in Myongdong, 23.4ng/$m^3$ in Ulchiro, 11.1ng/$m^3$ in Express Terminal, and 21.4ng/$m^3$ in Chamshil, respectively. Particularly, benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(k)-fluoranthene were detected over 83 percentage in fine particles, while fluoranthene wre highly detected in coarse particles. Also, higher concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene were found in winter while levels of anthracene and fluoranthene were found higher in summer than other seasons.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 1994

Wastewaters being treated and final effluents were collected from 3 wastewater treatment plants of petrochemical industries, from August 31 to October 4, 1993 in an interval of 10 days, and further analysed by GC/FID to investigate discharge situation and removal efficiency on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The results were as follows: 1. The PAHs 294.57 $\mu$g/l were discharged in primary treatment effluent of plant A to manufacture vinyl acetate resin and acryl, and removed 54.51% by aeration and totally 84.71%. 2. The PAHs of the highest concentration were discharged in primary treatment effluent of plant B to manufacture PS resin and ABS resin, but removed 91.65% by activated sludge process and 98.19% by activated carbon to discharge PAHs of the lowest concentration comparing to another treatment operations. 3. The PAHs 99.96 $\mu$g/l of the lowest concentration were discharged in wastewater of plant C to manufacture epoxy resin, and removed 80.48% by activated sludge process. 4. B treatment system including activated carbon showed up the best removal efficiency of PAHs. Activated carbon therefore, seems to be effective as tertiary treatment. 5. Correlation coefficient of components to total PAHs was generally low, and correlation coefficients of phenanthrene, pyrene and acenaphthylene to total PAHs were each 0.98, 0.97 and 0.80, respectively. Correlation coefficient of the sum of phenanthrene, pyrene and acenaphthylene to total PAHs was 0.99, so that the sum of phenanthrene, pyrene and acenaphthylene was available as index to estimated total PAHs. 6. Phenanthrene and Chrysene were very well treated biologically and acenaphthylene and fluoranthene were untreated biologically. 7. Considering EPA standards, it seems that the concentration of phenanthrene, pyrene, fluoranthene, and benzo(k)fluoranthene is high level.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-62
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of different sampling methods on the measured concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) both in the vapor and particulate phases, and to evaluate the effects of ambient temperature and sampling duration on the losses of PAH associated with particle samples due to volatilization. The experimental protocol of this study is consisted of two parts. The first part is related to the comparison of PAH concentrations measured by 4 different sampling systems, each of which involves different sampling principles for comparison purposes, including a medium-volume sampler with XAD-2 adsorbent, a high-volume sampler with polyurethane foam (PUF), two identical low-volume samplers: one with XAD-2 and the other with PUF, respectively. The second part of this study is to quantitatively estimate the losses of particulate PAH samples by volatilization during sampling, using two identical low-volume samplers: one was used for changing the filters every 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, and 24 hrs sampling, while the other was maintained for continuous 48 hours sampling without changing the filter. The concentrations of volatile PAH including 2-3 rings appeared to be significantly affected by the type of adsorbent. Measured levels of these lower-molecular weight PAH by XAD-2 adsorbent were much higher than those by PUF for both high-volume and low-volume sampling. PUF was found to give rise to unknown components that interfered with the PAH analysis, even after extensive clean-up. In addition, the retention efficiency of PUF for lower molecular weight PAH was subject to a large variation, being significantly influenced by sampling conditions such as ambient temperature. However, the effect of sampling methods with different adsorbents on the measured levels of semi-volatile compounds including 4 rings PAH such as fluoranthene, pyrene, BaA and chrysene, was not so much significant as more volatile PAH compounds. It was also clear from this study that volatilization losses of the semi-volatile PAH collected on the filters were inevitably occurred during prolonged sampling, and hence the results obtained from conventional sampling methods may not be expected to yield an accurate distribution of PAH between the vapor and particulate phases.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of PAHs in atmosphere and soil, and their relationship, accumulation tendency in soil, and its contain burden ratio (%) the PM$_{10}$ and soil were sampled adjacent to a roadside and analysed by HPLC from August 25th 1996 to September 22nd 1996 in Seoul and Kunggido area. The main results are summarized below 1. The concentration of PM$_{10}$ in the ambient air was showed in order of industrial region ($142.70\pm 21.77 \mu g/m^3$), commercial region ($136.51\pm 31.62 \mu g/m^3$), residential region ($110.12\pm 14.98 \mu g/m^3$), greenbelt region ($77.44\pm 12.12 \mu g/m^3$), respectively. 2. Distribution of PAHs concentration level in PM$_{10}$ and soil was showed in order of industrial region, commercial region, residential region, greenbelt region, respectively in all components. 3. The contain burden ratio (%) in PM$_{10}$ was attested that BbF was the highest contain burden component (21.7-32%) and An was the lowest contain burden component (0.35-1.95%) in all region. 4. The contain burden ratio (%) in soil was attested that Pb (20.5%) was the highest and An (0.8%) was the lowest contain burden component in industrial region and BbF (21.9%) and An (0.45%) were the same tendency in commercial region and Py (21.6%) and BkF (3.5%) were in residential region, Py (29%) and An (2.6%) were in greenbelt region. 5. The relationship between concentration of PAHs in PM$_{10}$ and soil was attested that the component of BbF (r=0.514) was very highly correlated, and there were significant in Fl and BaA in soil between industrial region and commercial region (P<0.05).