• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.179-191
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• 2018

In order to determine the distribution characteristics of the heavy metals in surface sediments of the eastern Yellow Sea, heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, As, Ni, Co, Li, Fe and Al) together with grain size and total organic carbon (TOC), were analyzed. The concentrations of all heavy metals, with the exception of Pb, Mn and As in some stations, were relatively high in the central area of the Yellow Sea and tended to decrease toward the Korean coast. A significant relationship between grain size and concentrations of heavy metals suggested that they were mostly controlled by quartz dilution effect. However, at some stations, Pb, Mn and As exhibited different distribution patterns. For Pb, the differences were caused by petrogenetic influences (feldspar) in coarse-grained sediments. In the case of Mn, biogenetic influences ($CaCO_3$) affected distribution patterns. As was distributed differently because of the existence of a heavy mineral (pyrite). A comparison with previous data (collected in 2000) shows that the heavy metal concentration in the eastern Yellow Sea has not increased over the past fifteen years. The sedimentary environment of dumping sites in the Yellow Sea has not been significantly improved during this period. The results of the pollution assessment revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the study area were lower than lower criteria (TEL, MSQ-1) in Korean and Chinese sediment quality guidelines. The enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index ($I_{geo}$) and ecological risk index (ERI) of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr were higher in the central area of the Yellow Sea.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.101-108
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• 2022

This study analyzed the physicochemical properties and combustion characteristics of dry food waste to evaluate the possibility of using food waste as a solid refuse fuel (SRF). The characteristics of dry food waste as a fuel were analyzed by comparing the difference in properties with SRF, and the combustion characteristics after conversion into fuel were identified. Ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, calorific value analysis, and TGA analysis were conducted using two types of food waste and two types of SRF, and the following results were obtained. The moisture content and ash content of dry food waste were 1.7~10.0 wt.% and 7.8~11.7 wt.%, respectively, which satisfied the quality standards for SRF. The low calorific value of dry food waste was 4,000 ~ 4,720 kcal/kg, which was higher than the quality standard of 3,500 kcal/kg for SRF. As a result of TGA analysis of dry food waste, the combustion reaction started at about 200 ℃ and the highest burning rate was at about 500 ℃. After moisture evaporation between 100 and 200 ℃, initial volatile matter, carbon and residual volatile matter were released and burned between 200 and 500 ℃. Based on the high calorific value and low moisture and ash content of dry food waste, it is considered that it is possible to convert dry food waste into SRF through the application of efficient drying technology and strict quality standard inspection in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2022

Background: The health effects of particulate matter (PM_2.5) bonded with various harmful chemicals differ based on their composition, so investigating and managing their concentrations and composition is vital for long-term management. As industrial complexes emit considerable quantities of pollutants, higher PM_2.5 concentrations and chemical component effects are expected than in other places. Objectives: We investigated the concentration distribution ratios of PM_2.5 chemical components to provide basic data to inform future major emissions control and PM_2.5 reduction measures in industrial complexes. Methods: We monitored five sites near the Ansan and Siheung industrial complexes from August 2020 to July 2021. Samples were collected and analyzed twice per week in spring/winter and once per week in summer/autumn according to the National Institute of Environmental Research in the Ministry of Environments' Air Pollution Monitoring Network Installation and Operation Guidelines. We investigated and compared composition ratios of 29 ions, carbon, and elemental components in PM_2.5. Results: The analysis of PM_2.5 components at the five sites revealed that ion components accounted for the greatest total mass at approximately 50% while carbon components and elemental components contributed 23~28% and 8~10%, respectively. Among the ionic components, NO₃^- occupies the greatest proportion. OC occupies the greatest proportion of the carbon components and sulphur occupies the greatest proportion of elemental components. Conclusions: This study investigated the concentration distribution ratios of PM_2.5 chemical components in industrial complexes. We believe these results provide basic chemical component concentration ratio data for establishing future air management policies and plans for the Ansan and Siheung industrial complexes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2024

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is an environmentally hazardous pollutant that originates from various sources. PM is comprised of solid particles and liquid droplets of diverse composition and size. Hazardous chemical compositions of PM include elemental and organic carbon, organic compounds, biological compounds and metals. Upon acute and chronic PM exposure, toxic contaminants enter and accumulate within physiological systems and prompt cell structure changes accompanied with intracellular endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid accumulation, and cell cycle arrest. Ultimately, these cellular response leads to the development of key characteristics of aging. In addition, PM internalization enhances autophagy reflux and lysosomal dysfunction, which is involved in cell aging. Previous studies have emphasized a positive association between PM and increased mortality or decreased lifespan, although these are evidenced mostly by observational studies. Direct evidence of the link between PM and aging is still limited. This review evaluates the evidence from not only observational studies but also in vitro and in vivo evidence of PM on aging progression and age-related diseases development. This evidence is based on age-associated cellular changes including endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, adipose accumulation, autophagy, which strengthen the association between PM exposure and aging. Understanding the underlying cellular responses under PM may allow for the development of new therapeutic targets for PM-induced aging.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2009

This research was conducted to evaluate pyrolysis characteristics of the sludge discharged from paper mill process with sintering temperature. The sludge was composed of 70.72% of moisture, 9.52% of volatile solids, and 19.76% of ash, respectively. The sludge contained high 66.40% of $Fe_2O_3$ and CaO(15.80%), $Al_2O_3$(9.42%), and $SO_3$(3.75%) components, and minor $SiO_2$, $Na_2O$, and $Cr_2O_3$ were also contained in it. The other components except $Fe_2O_3$ and $Cr_2O_3$ were slightly decreased with increase of sintering temperature. Specific surface area of the sludge before sintering was $130m^2/g$ and ones after sintering at $400^{\circ}C$ and $700^{\circ}C$ were $114m^2/g$ and $33m^2/g$ respectively. Specific surface area of sludge was decreased with increase of sintering temperature. From the result of TG-DTA, it was shown that weight of the sludge was decreased by moisture and organic loss until $600^{\circ}C$ and decreased by volatilization of metal components and additional combustion of carbon until $800^{\circ}C$.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.123-134
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• 2012

Hydrochemical analyses, carbon isotopic (${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$) analyses, and noble gas isotopic ($^3He/^4He$ and $^4He/^{20}Ne$) analyses of the Dalki carbonate waters in the Chungsong area were carried out to elucidate their hydrochemical composition and to determine the source of $CO_2$ gas and noble gases. The carbonate waters have a pH of between 5.93 and 6.33, and an electrical conductivity 1950 to $3030{\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of all carbonate waters was Ca(Mg)-$HCO_3$, with a high Na content. The contents of Fe, Mn, and As in some carbonate waters exceed the limit stipulated for drinking water. The concentrations of major ions are slightly higher than those reported previously. The ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ values range from -6.70‰ to -4.47‰, indicating that the carbon originated from a deep-seated source. The $^3He/^4He$ and $^4He/^{20}Ne$ ratios vary from $7.67{\times}10^{-6}$ to $8.38{\times}10^{-6}$ and from 21.32 to 725.7, respectively. On the $^3He/^4He$ versus $^4He/^{20}Ne$ diagram, the noble gas isotope ratios plot in the field of a deep-seated source, such as mantle or magma. We therefore conclude that $CO_2$ gas and noble gas in the Dalki carbonate waters originated from a deep-seated source, rather than an inorganic $CO_2$ origin as suggested in a previous study.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2001

To understand paleoceanographic environmental changes in the Esat Sea during the transitional period between Holocene and last glacial maximum, geochemical high resolution study was conducted by using a piston core(95PC-1) samples collected from the southernmost part of the Ulleung Basin. Geochemical results reveal that major distinctive paleoceanographic variations in transitional period are prominent. Major elemental concentrations show distinctive variations between glacial and Holocene suggesting changes in sediment supply. $TiO_2/Al_2O_3$ ratio of the sediment indicates different sediment composition between Holocene and glacial period. The content of total organic carbon ranging from 0.5% to 4% during transitional period. These vslues showed 2-4 times and two times higher than those of last glacial and Holocene, respectively. The C/N ratios deduced from organic matters exceed10 during transitional period suggesting terrigenous organic matter are supplied from continent, especially during last glacial maximum. Carbonate contents are relatively stable during Holocene and last glacial maximum with gradual decrease during glacial period with high fluctuation during transitional period. The variations of chemical index of weathering (CIW) also show a distinctive variation between glacial and Holocene, which is coincident with those of carbonate and organic carbon. The grain size distribution indicates that the difference content of silt fraction during Holocene and glacial period is closely related with climatic effect during glacial period. Therefore geochemical differences in sediment composition between Holocene and last glacial maximum is thought to be related to paleoceanographic, sea-level change and local paleoclimatic changes.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Goryeri archaeological site is located in the upstream valley of the Danjang River. The basement rocks of the area are composed of the Cretaceous to Palaeogene biotite granite (KbGr), acidic dyke (Kad), Milyang Andesite (Kma) and Jyunggagsan Formation. Among them Milyang Andesite and Jyunggagsan Formation are prevailed in archaeological site and they are composed of reddish brown tuffaceous shale, sandstone and conglomerate, with intercalations of acidic tuffs and lapilli tuffs. The purpose of this research is not only to compare REE pattern of the soil-sedimentary deposits with those of surrounding rocks, but also to identify vitric tephra in the soil-sedimentary deposits derived from the andesite, acidic tuff and lapilii tuff, in order to illucidate the provenance of the vitric tephra. The rare earth element(REE) of the soils and sedimentary deposits results in the same REE pattern with those analyzed from the surrounding basement rocks. This indicates that the soils and sedimentary deposits are originated from the surrounding basement rocks, most probably from the andesite and lapilli tuff. In addition, vitric tephra were identified both in the Quaternary in-situ weathered soils and sedimentary deposits (PMU-13 and PMU-17), and in the weathered surrounding lapilli tuff. These vitric tephra are considered to be different from those of Japanese AT(Aira Tanzawa) -tephra. The latter is predominant with clean, platty, bubble-walled and Y-shaped vitrics, while the former is conspicuous with those shapes of large and diverse size and devitrified, as well as having secondarily bubbled-surfaces reflecting surface weathering. The size of vitric fragments in the Goryeri site is about 300${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and large in size in compasion to 150${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ of Japanese AT-Tephra. The interim results of the research are contradictary to the explanations based on a series of AT-tephra researches carried by Japanese scholar. In short, the vitric materials of the Goryeri archaeological site are most probably originated from the weathering products of the surrounding basement rocks, and are different from the AT-tephra in their size, shape and devitrification properties. Thus it is highly recommended to have a further comprehensive research which is more emphasized the magmatic genesis of these vitric tephra in addition to the external shape and morphology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.570-581
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• 2013

To improve productivity of aquaculture animals with management of culturing grounds, survey of mariculture management area in Ongjin-gun about water quality and sedimentary environment had been conducted on June, August and November in 2011. Water temperature in surface and bottom waters ranged from 9.49 to $24.14^{\circ}C$. Salinity and dissolved oxygen concentrations were in the range of 23.19~31.49 and 5.48~9.36 mg/L, respectively, depending on the variation of water temperature. The average concentration of COD was 1.57 mg/L and the concentrations of DIN and DIP showed entirely low level. As the result of grain size analysis, sand(56.66 %) and silt(34.60 %) were predominated. The Mz of sediment showed a variation of 2.59 to $6.62{\O}$ and sorting appeared to be poorly sorted. The concentrations of COD and IL in surface sediment ranged from 1.00 to $11.03mg/g{\cdot}dry$ and 0.72 to 5.29 %, respectively, which showed relatively good positive correlations. On the environmental assessment of trace metals in surface sediment, geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$) class indicated that sediments were not contaminated by most of metallic elements except Cr and As. Our result implies that this study area showed good water quality and sediments were not polluted by organic matters and metallic elements.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2004

The purposes of this study are to investigate the occurrence, the hydrochemical characteristics and the origin of the $CO_2$-rich springs from the Kangwon Province, and to reanalyze the previous studied results of other researchers. The $CO_2$-rich water samples were collected at 13 locations in the Kangwon Province. The $CO_2$-rich water shows a high $CO_2$ concentration ($P_{CO2}$ 0.787 to 4.78 atm), weak acidic pHs, electrical conductivity values ranging from 422 to 2,280 $\mu$S/cm, and high Fe and F contents. The chemical compositions of $CO_2$-rich water from this study area are classified into three types; $Ca-HCO_3$, Ca(Na)-$HCO_3$, $Na-HCO_3$ types. The chemical data of $CO_2$-rich waters and their host rocks indicate that $Na-HCO_3$ type water are mainly influenced by biotite, K-feldspar granite, and Ca(Na)-HC $O_3$, type water is chiefly influenced by gneiss and carbonate minerals in granite. F and Fe contents of $CO_2$-rich waters are abundant in $Na-HCO_3$, and $Ca-HCO_3$ types, respectively. The results of this study suggest that the chemical composition $CO_2$-rich water is mainly controlled by the mineralogical composition of aquifer host rocks. Oxygen and deuterium isotope data indicate that $CO_2$-rich water is meteoric origin. The $\delta^{13}$C values (-0.3$\textperthousand$ to -6.2$\textperthousand$ PDB) suggest that dissolved carbonates are mainly derived from a deep-seated $CO_2$ and partly from carbonate minerals.