• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.646-650
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• 2009

Hydrocarbon gases generated from the gasification of waste could be converted into $CO_2$ and $H_2$ using reforming catalysts and then $CO_2$ was selectively adsorbed and removed to obtain pure hydrogen. To optimize adsorption efficiency for $CO_2$ removal, $Na_2CO_3$ was supported on nanoporous alumina and the efficiency was compared with commercial alumina(Degussa). Nanoporous adsorbents formed more uniform pores and larger surface area compared to adsorbents using commercial alumina. The increase of $Na_2CO_3$ loading improved adsorption of $CO_2$. Finally, the highest adsorption capacity per unit mass of $Na_2CO_3$ could be achieved when the loading of $Na_2CO_3$ reached up to 20wt%. When the content of $Na_2CO_3$ increased above 20 wt%, it aggregated on the surface, and the pore volume was decreased. Used adsorbents could be recycled by the thermal treatment.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.4-11
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• 2007

There have been increasing concerns about decreasing crop productivity due to salt accumulation in greenhouse soils. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of rice straw and woodchip application to a salt accumulated greenhouse soil on crop productivity and soil quality. The application of rice straw (RS) and woodchip (W) increased tomato yield and decreased blossom-end rot, and increased yield of Chinese cabbage compared with standard recommended fertilization ($204-103-122kg\;ha^{-1}\;N-P_2O_5-K_2O$ for tomato and $222-64-110kg\;ha^{-1}\;N-P_2O_5-K_2O$ for Chinese cabbage), while less soil residual nitrate, phosphatephosphorus, and potassium. In addition to the organic material application, fertilization reduction based on soil testing may also contribute to relatively low level of soil residual nutrients. Application of the organic material reduced soil bulk density presumably because of improved soil aggregation and structure, and increased biomass C and dehydrogenase activity. In comparison to rice straw, woodchip application resulted in higher crop yield, less amount of soil residual nitrate and lower soil EC, and greater biomass and dehydrogenase activity. The results obtained in this study indicateshowed that woodchip amendment along with reduced fertilization based on soil testing can be one of essential management practices for salt accumulated greenhouse soils.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1041-1051
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• 2005

In order to assure the safety of the seaweeds, we measured the contents of the trace metals in the seaweeds harvested from Korean coastal area. We collected 620 marine algal samples from fourteen areas, and then analyzed the trace metals such as Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. The contents of Hg, Cd, Ni and Mn were higher in the seaweeds collected from Chungnam Taean area. The contents of Cr and Cu were higher in the seaweeds collected from Yeongdeok and Tongyeong area, respectively. And Pb and Zn were highly detected from the seaweeds of Ulsan area. The mean levels of trace metals were high in the order of Zn $(48.02\pm41.20{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Mn (34.63\pm38.95{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Cu(6.29\pm6.52{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Ni(2.17\pm4.00{\mu}g/g)\; >\;Cr(1.61\pm2.35{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Pb(1.28\pm2.37{\mu}g/g)\;>\; Cd(0.67\pm0.75{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Hg(0.02\pm0.02{\mu}g/g)$. Zn was consistently most abundant metal in all samples, followed by Mn and Cu, which are very important for human health. There were higher contents of Hg and Cd in brown algae, the contents of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Pb in green algae, the content of Zn in red algae among them. Additionally, significant linear correlations were observed between a total 28 different pairs of metals, of them, the correlation factor between Cr and Ni showed the highest (r=0.374, p<0.001). The trace metal contents of seaweeds varied with habitats and kinds of samples, nevertheless they showed very safe level in edible seaweeds tested. Scytosiphon lomentaria, which has been known as a little use of food, have shown a clear selectivity for Cr and Pb. Among non-edible seaweeds, Sargassum thunbergii for both Cd and Mn, Lomentaria hakodatensis for Ni and Grateloupia prolongata for Zn have shown a clear selectivity, respectively. Therefore, these seaweeds could be useful as bioindicator for each trace metal pollution.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.485-492
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• 2024

Sea cucumbers contain more than 50% protein in their solid content, and they also possess various bioactive substances such as saponins and mucopolysaccharides. This study analyzed the activities of various enzymes derived from Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria and determined to degrade the components of sea cucumbers. Among the analyzed strains, B. subtilis K26 showed the highest activities in protease and xylanase and relatively high activity in cellulase. Accordingly, samples of sea cucumber and water were mixed in equal proportions, sterilized, and then fermented by inoculating them with B. subtilis K26. Following this, a higher amino acid content was observed between 1.5 and 7.5 hr, a lower residual solid content in this time, and a lesser fermentation odor. The saponin content in fermented sea cucumber powder extracted with butanol was measured to be 1.12 mg/g. The chondroitin sulfate content was evaluated to be 5.11 mg/g in raw sea cucumber. The total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities were 6.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g, and 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g in raw sea cucumber, respectively. Moreover, the DNA damage protective effect of fermented sea cucumber extract was found to be concentration-dependent, with a very strong effect at very low concentrations. Overall, we suggest that sea cucumber fermented with B. subtilis K26 has a high potential as a food for inhibiting oxidation, enhancing immunity, and improving muscle function in the human body thanks to its high free amino acid content.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.20-34
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to assess the anthropogenic impact on trace metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd) of roadside sediments (N = 70) from No.7 national road within the watershed of Hoidong Reservoir in Pusan City and to estimate the potential mobility of selected metals using sequential extraction. We generally found high concentrations of metals, especially Zn, Cu and Pb, affected by anthropogenic inputs. Compared to the trace metal concentrations of uncontaminated stream sediments, arithmetic mean concentrations of roadside sediments were about 7 times higher for Cu, 4 times higher for Zn, 3 times higher for Pb and Cr and, 2 times higher for Ni and As. Speciation data on the basis of sequential extraction indicate that most of the trace metals considered do not occur in significant quantities in the exchangeable fraction, except for Cd and Ni whose exchangeable fractions are appreciable (average 29.3 and 25.8%, respectively). Other metals such as Zn (51.4%) and Pb (45.2%) are preferentially bound to the reducible fraction, and therefore they can be potentially released by a pH decrease and/or redox change. Copper is mainly found in the organic fraction, while Cd is highest in the exchangeable fraction, and Cr and Ni in the residual fraction. Considering the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals probably decreases in the order of Cd>Ni>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cu. Although the total concentration data showed that Zn was typically present in potentially harmful concentration levels, the data on metal partitioning indicated that Cd, Ni and Pb pose the highest potential hazard for runoff water. As potential changes of redox state and pH may remobilize the metals bound to carbonates, amorphous oxides, and/or organic matter, and may release and flush them through drain networks into the watershed of Hoidong Reservoir, careful monitoring of environmental conditions appears to be very important.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.751-756
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• 2012

In this study, a heavy-metal stabilization treatment using stabilizing agents derived from waste resources was utilized on Incheon North Port range sediment contaminated with Pb, Zn, and Cu. Both calcined red mud (5%, 10%, and 15% w/w) and oyster shell (5%, 10%, and 15% w/w) were applied for a wet-curing duration of 15 days. From the sequential extraction results, the oxide and organic fraction of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, and Cu) were observed strongly in the contaminated sediment. However, the fraction of heavy metal in the stabilized sediment was higher than the organic and residual fraction, in comparison to the contaminated sediment. Moreover, the leaching of heavy metals was reduced in the stabilized sediment, compared with the contaminated sediment. From these results, red mud and oyster shell were shown to be potential stabilizers of heavy metals in contaminated sediment.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.189-214
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• 2000

Three study areas of Kwanak campus(Seoul National University), Gapyung and Boeun were selected and classified according to bedrock types in order to investigate soil-gas radon concentrations. Several soil-gas samples showed relatively high radon concentrations in the residual soils which derived from granite bedrock. It also showed that water content of soil and the degree of radioactivity disequilibrium was a secondary factor governing radon emanation and distribution of radon radioactivity. The results of radon concentrations and working levels for forty rooms in Kwanak campus, Seoul National University, showed that indoor basement rooms under poor ventilation condition can be classified as high radon risk zone having more than EPA guideline(4 pCi/L). Some results of section analysis which was surveyed in the fault zone of Kyungju and Gapyung area confirmed the existence of fault-associated radon anomalies with a meaning of radon risk zone.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.244-248
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• 2011

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE) was synthesized by oxidative polymerization using various Cu(I)-amine catalyst system. The effects of catalyst/monomer ratio, different amine ligand, and the content of 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) additive on the polymer yield and molecular weight were investigated by using gel permeation chromatography. The catalytic activity of various Cu-amine systems on the 2,S-dimethylphenol (DMP) polymerization was monitored and compared each other through oxygen-uptake experiment. In addition, the effect of catalyst removal using aqueous EDTA on the thermal stability of the prepared polymer was elucidated by thermogravimetric analysis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2007

This research was performed to investigate chemical and microbiological hazards of Ready-to-eat(RTE) compound foods which uses the by-product of meat. For this experiment, 51 samples of RTE compound foods in by-product of meat distributed in Incheon from January to December 2006 were tested. The contents of heavy metals in the main ingredient of RTE compound foods were in the range of $0.073{\sim}0.112ppm$ for lead (Pb), $0.006{\sim}0.013ppm$ for cadmium (Cd) and $0.746{\sim}0.978ppb$ for mercury (Hg). The concentrations of residual ABS(alkyl benzene sulfate) in the small intestine which is a main ingredient of Gopchang-casserole were $$0.8ppm{\sim}57.6ppm$ (Ave. 10.3ppm). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 11 samples (21.6%) among 51 main ingredients of RTE compound foods. The isolation rates of Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens were 2.0% (1/51) and 5.9% (2/51), respectively. By types of main ingredient, the small intestine was showed the highest isolation rate as 35.3% (12/34), ham and the sausage which are main ingredients of the Budae-pot stew were 25% (2/8) and other meat products were 20% (1/5). Food poisoning bacteria was not found in the blood of pig which is a main ingredient of the Sunji-pot stew. 28.4% (27/95) of sauce included in each RTE compound foods were coliform bacteria positive. Pesticide residues were found in four of 45 vegetables which are the additional ingredient of RTE compound foods. The concentrations of pesticide were chlorothalonil 2.8 ppm, EPN 10.3 ppm, chlorpyrifos 0.4ppm and indoxacarb 0.7ppm. In 33 bean sprout samples, captan and carbendazim were not detected.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.3 s.49
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• pp.171-187
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• 2006

The status of heavy metal contamination was investigated using chemical analyses of stream waters and sediments obtained from Samsanjeil and Sambong Cu mining area in Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. In addition, the degree and the environmental risk of heavy metal contamination in stream sediments was assessed through pollution index (Pl) and danger index (DI) based on total digestion by aqua regia and fractionation of heavy metal contaminants by sequential extraction, respectively. Not only the degree of heavy metal contamination was significantly higher in Samsanjeil area than in Sambong area, but its environmental risk was also revealed much more serious in Samsanjeil area than in Sambong area. The differences in status and level of contamination and environmental risk between both two mining areas may be attributed to existence of contamination source and geology. Acid mine drainage is continuously discharged and flows into the stream in Samsanjeil mining area, and it makes the heavy metal contamination in the stream more deteriorated than in Sambong mining area in which acid mine drainage is not produced. In addition, the geology of Samsanjeil mining area is mainly comprised of andesitic rocks including a small amount of calcite and having lower pH buffering capacity fer acid mine drainage, and it is likely that the heavy metal contamination cannot be naturally attenuated in streams. On the contrary, the main geology of Sambong mining area consists of pyroclastic sedimentary Goseong formation containing a high content of carbonates, particularly calcite, and it seems that these carbonates of high pH buffering capacity prevent the heavy metal contamination from proceeding downstream in stream within that area.