• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.224-230
• /
• 2013

BACKGROUND: Perchlorate(${ClO_4}^-$) is an anion that is extremely water-soluble and environmentally stable. It mostly exists in the form of sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate which are used in rocket fuels, propellants, ignitable sources, air bag inflation systems and explosives. Perchlorate can be taken into the thyroid glands and interfere with iodide uptake. The determination of perchlorate in agricultural products is important due to its potential health impact on humans. The objective of this study was to determine the perchlorate concentrations in the samples of various agricultural products and soils. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, samples of cereal(Rice, Barley, Corn, Bean), vegetable(Spinach, Lettuce, Sesame, Chives, Chili, Pumpkin, Tomato), fruit(Apple, Pear, Tangerine, Grape) were analyzed for perchlorate contents. Perchlorate concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that agricultural products respectively contained perchlorate concentrations in the range of : cereals N.D.~$7.46{\mu}g/kg$, vegetables $0.52{\sim}23.06{\mu}g/kg$, fruits $0.19{\sim}2.66{\mu}g/kg$. Bioconcentration factor was in the order of : vegetables > cereals > fruits. Bioconcentration factor was highest follwed by Sesame 37.88, Corn 21.51, Spinach 10.57, Tangerine 4.39, Chives 2.89 and Lettuce 1.90. The recoveries of perchlorate from spiked agricultural products and soils ranged from 87.72~111.26% and 102.09~111.23%. CONCLUSION(S): The health risk assessment results obtained in this study are lower than the RfD(Reference Dose, 0.0007 mg/kg/body weight/day) value as suggested by the Integrated Risk Information System(US IRIS). Our results indicate that, people currently exposed to perchlorate from agricultural products consumption are considered as safe.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.341-352
• /
• 2009

This study was carried out to investigated community structure of macrobenthic assemblages around the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, East Sea of Korea and seasonal sampling was performed from October 2007 to July 2008. A total of 163 macrobenthic fauna were collected. The overall average macrobenthos density and biomass were 1,005 individuals $m^{-2}$ and $21.81\;gWWt\;m^{-2}$, respectively. Based on the LeBris (1988) index, there were 10 dominant species accounting for approximately 69.00% of total individuals. The major dominant species were the polychaetes Spiophanes bombyx (349 inds. $m^{-2}$), Mediomastus californiensis (82 inds. $m^{-2}$), Sigambra tentaculata (55 inds. $m^{-2}$), Magelona japonica (50 inds. $m^{-2}$), Scoletoma longifolia (33 inds. $m^{-2}$) and the Unidentified amphipod (Amphipoda spp., 72 inds. $m^{-2}$). The conventional multi-variate statistics (cluster analysis and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling) applied to assess spatial variation in macrobenthic assemblages. Cluster analysis and nMDS ordination analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity identified 2 major station groups. The major group 1 was associated with sand dominated stations and was characterized by high abundance of the bivalves Mactra chinensis, Siliqua pulchella and the polychaete Protodorvillea egena. On the other hand, major group 2 was connected with mud dominated stations and was numerically dominated by the polychaetes M. californiensis, M. japonica, Sternaspis scutata, S. longifolia and the bivalves Thyasira tokunagai and Theora fragilis. However, macrobenthic community structure were no significant differences between the environmental variables (sediment type and depth) and heated discharge.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.24-32
• /
• 1999

To develope appropriate soil base for planting on the artificial ground, 9 kinds of soil types(varying the components and mixing ratios) and 3 levels of soil depths(10cm, 15cm, 20cm) were chosen. And their plant growing effects were tested and analysed from the test plant Zoysia japonica. The results of the research are as follows. 1. Among the 9 type of soil mixtures, the "sandy loam" soil type gave the worst effects on germination, disease contamination and ground covering. 2. The soil types like VSH(vermiculite20%+sand70%+humus sawdust10%), VSS(vermiculite 40%+sand 50%+humus sawdust 10%) and VS(vermiculite 70%+sand 30%), where vermiculite and sand were added to, show better germination effect promoted from the better condition of aeration and saturation. 3. The plant growing effects(leaf length and ground covering ratio) was evident under the soil types like VSH(vermiculite20%+sand70%+humus sawdust10%) and VSS(vermiculite40%+sand50%+humus sawdust10%), where organic matters were added to. 4. Vermiculite added soil types effect fast leaf decolorization on the tested Zoysia japonica plant, on the contrary to organic matter mixed soil types including SCS(sandy loam 50%+carbonized rice husk30%+sand20%) and SHS(sandy loam 50%+humus sawdust30%+sand20%) with which green leaves subsist longer. S. Soil depth effect to plant growth was found. And a favorable covering rate was accomplished even at the soil depth of 15cm - the limit soil depth for grass survival - from the soil types where organic matters were mixed to. From this result, the soil depth limit for plant survival could be said to be shall owed if appropriate soil type were based.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 1999

To find pertinent soil type and maintenance method for artificial planting ground, the effects of soil compositions{sandy loam(S), vermiculite(V), sandy loam+vermiculite+sand(SVS), sandy loam+ carbonized rice husk+sand(SCS), sandy loam+humus sawdust+sand(SHS)}, and fertilizers (organic, chemical) on plant(kentuckyblue grass) growth were measured and compared from the field experiment. The results are summarized as follows 1. the highest germination rate is found from "vermiculite(V)" and the lowest from "sandy loam(S)" among tested 5 soil compositions. 2. "sandy loam+vermiculite+sand(SVS)" composition shows the highest plant height growth effect (5cm growth during tested 3 months) comparing to other 4 compositions. 3. "sandy loam+vermiculite+sand(SYS)" composition shows the highest ground covering rate after first two months, but it concede its order to "sandy loam+humus sawdust+sand(SHS)" composition after next one month growing. 4. the effects of fertilizers are follows 1) Among the blocks where no fertilizer was tried, the predominant height growth was obvious in "sandy loam+carbonized rice husk+sand(SCS)" and "sandy loam+humus sawdust+sand(SHS)" composition. 2) Among the blocks where chemical fertilizer was tried, relatively positive results were found from "vermiculite(V)" and "sandy loam+vermiculite+sand(SYS)" blocks on germination and growth rate. But on the ground coverage ratio, the effect of "sandy loam+carbonized rice husk+sand(SCS)" composite precede that of those 2 composites. 3) Among the blocks where organic fertilizer was tried, "sandy loam+humus sawdust+sand(SHS)" and "vermiculite(V)" blocks show relatively high ground coverage rate, growth rate than others. 4) When compositional differences were not considered, the block where organic fertilizer was tried shows most positive effects on all 3 measurements-germination ratio, height growth and ground covering.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.327-339
• /
• 1989

Cassiterite, tantalite, columbite and tantalian rutile are found as accessory minerals in Soonkyoung tin-bearing pegmatites. These minerals occur as finely disseminated specks of up to micro-size in diameter and coarse grain size varying from 0.5-50mm in albite, muscovite and quartz assemblage. Cassiterite geneally shows a moderate to intense pleochroism, having a color brownish yellow to deep reddish brown. The substitution of $Ta^{+5}$, $Nb^{+5}$, $Ti^{+4}$ and Fe* for $Sn^{+4}$ in cassiterite ranges 0.01-0.10 mol%. The zoned cassiterite give a higher Ta/Nb ratios in margin than the ratios in core. This is due to the preferential $Ta^{+5}$ affinity to lower temperature during the crystallization of cassiterite. Tantalite-columbite and tantalian rutile occur in cassitertie with exsolution texture and/or infiltrate into the micro-fissures of cassiterite with micro quartz vein. The compositions of tantalite-columbite show the wide ranges of $Ta_2O_5$ : 14-46 wt.%, $Nb_2O_5$ : 60-28 wt. % and FeO*: 10.15 wt.%. The variation of chemical composition in tantalit-columbite exhibits the decreasing trends of $Mn^{+2}/M^{+2}+Fe^*$ with $Ta^{+5}/Ta^{+5}+Nb^{+5}$ increasing. These trends of vatiations indicate that the Ta/Nb fractionation are enhanced by higher Ta-complex activity in late stage of pegmatite consolidation and lower activity of F in agreements with the F-and Li-micas not to be developed in Soonkyoung tin-bearing pegmatite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.491-508
• /
• 2002

While about 80% of Jeju soils are classified as Andisols, the soils derived from volcanic ash in Dangsanbong are not Andisols. There is a significant difference of precipitation in localities of Jeju island. The study area is characterized by the lowest amount of annual rainfall in Jeju Island, and by the layered silicates as dominant solid phase in clay fraction. The purpose of this study was to characterize the mineralogy of the non-Andie soils in detail, especially hydroxy-interlayered silicates. Two major soil horizons are recognized in the soil profile developed in the Dangsanbong area, which can be designated as A and C. The soil pH($H_{2}0$), ranges from 6.6 to 7.3 increasing with depth, is higher than that of typical Andisols(pH<6.0). While the pH(NaF), ranges from 9.49 to 9.81, indicates that significant amount of amorphous phases might be present as exchanging complexes. It is estimated to about 1.542.88 wt% by using chemical selective dissolution. The organic content of surface horizon is about 2 wt%. This soil are composed of quartz, feldspar and olivine as major constituents with minor of silicate clays. Quartz is frequently observed in A and distinctly decreases in its amount with depth, while olivine is dominant phase in C and rarely observed in A. In the <0.2$\mu\textrm{m}$ size fraction, smectite and kaolinite/smectite interstratification are dominant with minor of illite. The amounts of smectite decrease with depth, while the amounts of kaolinite/smecite interstratification increase with depth, which indicates the trend of mineral transformation with increasing the degree of weathering. The proportion of kaolinite in kaolinite/smectite interstratification is about 85%, and is not changed significantly through the profile. In the 2-0.2$\mu\textrm{m}$size fraction, vermiculite, smectite, illite and kaolinite are major components with minor of chlorite. Most of chlorite are interstratified with smectite. Chlorite which is not interstratified with smectite occurs only in surface horizon. The proportion of the chlorite in the chlorite/smectite interstratification is 59-70(%) and increases with depth. Hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite(HIV) with hydroxy-Fe/AI in their interlayers occurs in both A and C horizon. The amounts of hydroxy-Fe/AI decrease with depth. Hydroxy-interlayered smectite(HIS) of which interlayers might be composed of hydroxy-Mg/Al occurs only in C horizon. As the results of mineralogical investigation for the soil profile in the study area, clay minerals might be changed and evolved through the following weathering sequences: 1) Smectite Kaolinite, HIS, Vermiculite, 2) Vermiculite HIV Chlorite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.105-119
• /
• 2012

Indigenous bacteria isolated from contaminated sites play important roles to remediate contaminated groundwater. Chromium has the most stable oxidation states. Cr(VI) is toxic, carcinogenic, and mobile, but Cr(III) is less toxic and immobile. In this study, indigenous microorganism (MMPH-0) was enriched from Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater, and identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Using MMPH-0, the effect of stimulating with e-donors (glucose, lactate, acetate, and no e-donor control), respiration conditions, biomass, tolerance, and geochemical changes on Cr(VI) reduction were investigated in batch experiments for 4 weeks. The changes of Cr(VI) concentration and geochemical conditions were monitored using UV-vis-spectrophotometer and Eh-pH meter. And the morphological and chemical characteristics of MMPH-0 and precipitates in the effluents were characterized by TEM-EDS and SEM-EDS analyses. MMPH-0 (Enterobacter aerogenes) was able to tolerate up to 2000 mg/L Cr(VI) and reduce Cr(VI) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. MMPH-0 performed faster and higher efficiency of Cr(VI) reduction with electron donors (over 70% after 1 week with e-donor, 10-20% after 4 weeks without e-donor). The changes of Eh-pH in effluents showing the tendency from oxidizing to reducing condition and a bit of acidic change in pH due to microbial oxidation of organic matters donating electrons and protons suggested the roles of MMPH-0 on Cr(VI) in the contaminated water catalyzing to transit geochemical stable zone for more stable $Cr(OH)_3$ or Cr(III) precipitates. TEM/SEM-EDS analyses of MMPH-0 and precipitates indicate direct and indirect Cr(VI) reduction: extracellular polymers capturing Cr component outside cells. These results suggested diverse indigenous bacteria and their biogeochemical reactions might enhance more effective and feasible remediation technology of redox sensitive heavy metals in metal-contaminated in groundwater.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 2013

To identify rock-magnetic properties of volcanogenic hydrothermal sulfide deposits, chimneys were obtained from the Tofua Arc in Southwest Pacific, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and Grab with AV cameras (GTVs). Three different types of chimneys used in this study are a high-temperature chimney with venting fluid-temperature of about $200^{\circ}C$ (ROV01), a low-temperature chimney of about $80^{\circ}C$ (GTV01), and an inactive chimney (ROV02). Magnetic properties of ROV01 are dominated by pyrrhotite, except for the outermost that experienced severe oxidation. Concentration and grain-size of ROV01 pyrrhotite are relatively low and fine. For GTV01, both magnetic concentration and grain-size increase from interior to margin. Pyrrhotite, dominant in the core, becomes mixed with hematite in the rim of the chimney due to secondary oxidation. High concentration and large grain-size of magnetic minerals characterize the ROV02. Dominant magnetic phases are pyrrhotite, hematite and goethite. In particular, the outermost rim shows a presence of magnetite produced by magnetotactic bacterial activity. Such distinctive contrast in magnetic concentration, grain-size and mineralogy among three different types of chimney enables the rock-magnetic study to characterize an evolution of hydrothermal deposits.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.71-84
• /
• 1996

This study was conducted to examine the usability of sorbitol for the manufacture as low-calory ingredient and cryoprotectant against frost damage. When frozen yoghrt was made of replacing sucrose by sorbitol at yoghurt mix, the change of physicochemical and lactic acid bacteria, such as Str. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, and mixed culture of Str. thermophilus, and L. bulgaricus(1:1), was studied during the frozen storage(-20$^{\circ}$C). During the incubation of yoghurt mix, the rapid growth of lactic acid bacteria in all sample was observed as the increase of sorbitol addition, but sample A and D were almost similar. This results suggested that sucrose could play role of effecting the growth stimulator, otherwise, sorbitol could inhibit the death of microorganism, following the genus. At the survival rate between lactic acid bacteria during freezing of -5$^{\circ}$C by ice cream freezer Str. thermophilus showed 26.19 to 34.76%, L. bulgaricus 3.97 to 5.20%, and mixed culture 17.16 to 40.87% respectively. L. bulgaricus showed the greater lethal rate than other genus. Sample C which mixed sucrose with sorbitol (1:2 ratio) was showed the lowest lethal rate. Therefore, it suggested that the use of this ration could be used for better anti-frost damage. During the storage of -20$^{\circ}$C, the number of lactic acid bacteria generally decreased in the stand point of genus and frozen storage period. The survival of lactic acid bacteria might be the addition of sorbitol which could have the effect of anti-forst damage. In all treatment, lactase activity showed the rapid decrease after freezing. During the period of frozen storage, it was shown the slow decreasing trend. In spite· of decreasing, the result during yoghurt mix incubation -5$^{\circ}$C freezing, and -20$^{\circ}$C frozen storage was different at the level. After 80 days of storage, the lactase activity was similar among all genus and sample. Despite differenting viscosity followed by genus, combination of mix, and pH, the ratio of 1 to 2(sucrose : sorbitol) showed the greatest viscosity. The water holding capacity of frozen yoghurt mix was closely related to viscosity. As increasing sorbitol amounts, hardness and cohesiveness were increased, but elastisity was decreased. The significant differences between sample was inoculated with Str. thermophilus. However, there were not significant difference from the sample inoculated with L. bulgaricus and mixed culture.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.389-406
• /
• 2011

As part of a feasibility study for introducing carbon labeling of fruit products in Korea, we explore the use of carbon footprints for Korean kiwifruit from Gyeongnam region as a case study. In Korea, the Korean Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) is responsible for the carbon footprint labeling certification, and has two types of certification programs: one program focuses on climate change response (carbon footprint labeling analysis) and the other on low-carbon products (reduction of carbon footprints analysis). Currently agricultural products have not yet been included in the program. Carbon labeling could soon be a prerequisite for the international trading of agricultural products. In general the carbon footprints of various agricultural products from New Zealand followed the methodology described in the ISO standards and conformed to the PAS 2050. The carbon footprint assessment focuses on a supply chain, and considers the foreground and the background systems. The basic scheme consists of four phases, which are the 'goal', 'scope', 'inventory analysis', and 'interpretation' phases. In the case of the carbon footprint of New Zealand kiwifruit the study tried to understand each phase's contribution to total GHG emissions. According to the results, shipping, orchard, and coolstore operation are the main life cycle stages that contribute to the carbon footprint of the kiwifruit supply chain stretching from the orchard in New Zealand to the consumer in the UK. The carbon emission of long-distance transportation such as shipping can be a hot-spot of GHG emissions, but can be balanced out by minimizing the carbon footprint of other life cycle phases. For this reason it is important that orchard and coolstore operations reduce the GHG-intensive inputs such as fuel or electricity to minimize GHG emissions and consequently facilitate the industry to compete in international markets. The carbon footprint labeling guided by international standards should be introduced for fruit products in Korea as soon as possible. The already established LCA methodology of NZ kiwifruit can be applied for fruit products as a case study.