• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.31-41
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to investigate the efficiencies of the stabilizers such as mono-potassium phosphate (MKP), phosphate fertilizer and red mud in treating the mine tailings contaminated with heavy metals and to characterize the changes in fractionations of the heavy metals during the stabilization. The TCLP results showed that the stabilization efficiencies of Cd, Pb and Zn increased with the increase in the stabilizer dosage and the reaction times. MKP showed the highest efficiencies for the heavy metals stabilization among the stabilizers tested. When the mine tailings were amended with MKP, the TCLP concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were reduced by 79~97%, 61~84%, and 89~99%, respectively. When the composite stabilizers, MKP/phosphate fertilizer or MKP/red mud, were used, the stabilization efficiencies were lower than when MKP was used as a single stabilizer. The sequential extraction results showed that carbonates fraction of Cd and Zn increased generally. Especially, when red mud was used, carbonates fraction of Cd and Zn increased 5 and 18 times, respectively. In the case of Pb, the treatment with MKP increased residual fraction by 10 times. The results showed that MKP was the most effective in stabilizing the heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) to improve the efficacy of the composite binders.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.9-17
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• 2011

Positive effect of multiple-PGPR (Plan Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria), isolated from heavy metal contaminated soil, on the germination of Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli var. frumentacea) was quantitatively estimated in 5 heavy metal (Cd, As, Ni, Cu, and Pb) contaminated liquid medium. The $EC_{50}$ value for respective heavy metal was estimated by TSK (Trimmed Speraman-Karber) model based on germination rate. The results showed overall increase in $EC_{50}$ with PGPR inoculation. The $EC_{50}$ value increased 1.4% from 96.0 mg/L (control) to 97.4 mg/L (PGPR-treated) in As contaminated medium. In Ni contaminated medium, the $EC_{50}$ value increased 31.9% from 148.0 mg/L (control) to 195.2 mg/L (PGPR-treated), while the $EC_{50}$ showed 4.8% increase from 63.4 mg/L (control) to 66.5 mg/L (PGPR-treated) in Cu medium. Overall seedling growth was stronger in the PGPR treated seeds than that in the control, but positive effect on seedling growth was not conspicuous. At effective concentration of 100 mg/L, the average seedling length of the PGPR treatment in As, Cd, Cu, and Ni medium, respectively, was 1.13, 0.14, 0.40, and 0.06 cm longer than that in the control. However, the increase of seedling growth was statistically insignificant (p < 0.05). These results suggest that inoculation of the isolated-PGPR exerts positive effects on seed germination by reducing heavy metal toxicity and can be an effective tool for application of phytoremediation on heavy metal contaminated soils.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2018

This paper is aimed at source tracking of soil heavy metal contamination at a site established by reusing construction wastes. The soil heavy metal concentration at the study site peaked at a depth range of 5-10 m. Column studies were conducted to investigate the possibility of the contamination scenario of infiltration of stormwater carrying heavy metals of ground origin followed by selective heavy metal accumulation at the 5-10 m depth range. Almost all amount of lead, zinc, cadmium, and nickel introduced to the columns each packed with 0-5 m or 5-10 m field soil were accumulated in the column. The very poor heavy metal mobility in spite of the weak association of the heavy metals with the soil (characterized by a sequential extraction procedure) can be attributed to the high pH (10-11) of the construction wastes. From the results, the heavy metal contamination of the subsurface soil by an external heavy metal source was determined to be very unlikely at the study site. The column study applied in the current study is expected to be a useful methodology to present direct evidence of the contaminant source tracking at soil contamination sites.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1993

Health complaints among vinylhouse workers in Sungjoo county, Kyungpook province led to the investigation of heavy metal levels of air, soil and humans as well as physical conditions of the vinylhouse. The average temperature and humidity inside the vinylhouse were 8 higher and 10% point lower, respectively, as compared to the outside. While discomfort index(D. I.) outside was pleasant level(69.2), D. I. inside was 82 at which point 100% of people feels discomfort. Cadmium concentration of soils inside the vinylhouse(0.116 mg/kg) was 1.8 times higher than the soils outside. Arsenic concentration of soils inside the vinylhouse(4.882 mg/kg) was only slightly higher than the soils outside(4.182 ng/kg). However, both heavy metal concentrations detected in soils inside or outside the vinylhouse were within the normal range. Analysis of 10 air samples taken inside the vinylhouse showed that only one sample had a cadmium concentration above the detectable level and the rest of samples were below the detectable levels. While there were no difference of arsenic concentrations in urine between male and female, cadmium concentrations in urine samples of female (3.31 ug/l) was slightly higher than male(2.38 ug/l). Age-dependent increases of cadmium concentrations in urine samples were also observed. However, there was no concentration difference of these heavy metals in urine between vinylhouse workers and non-vinylhouse workers. Urine concentrations of cadmium and arsenic detected from vinylhouse workers or non-vinylhouse workers were within the normal range. The present study represents a first attempt to evaluate physical and environmental risk factors of the vinylhouse affecting the vinylhouse farmer's health. The study revealed that, while physical conditions of the vinylhouse such as temperature and humidity are the possible factors associated with the farmer's complaints, environmental contamination as judged from heavy metal levels in soil, air and humans is not a risk factor contributing to the vinylhouse farmer's health problem.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.103-103
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• 1995

In the Chinhae Bay, Korea, sedimentation rates and sedimentary record of anthropogenic metal loads were determined by $^{210}Pb$ dating and heavy metal analysis of four sediment cores . The sedimentation rates varied from 0.16g/$cm^2$/yr(3.1mm/yr) at Sta. Ct, located within narrow waterway to 0.24g/$cm^2$/yr(4.8mm/yr) at Sta. Cl, located in Haengam Bay. Maximum contents of Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr were observed at Sta. C2 located near the mouth of Masan Bay, while minimum contents were observed at Sta. CB. Mn/Fe ratios at Sta. C2 and Sta. C4 showed gradually increasing and decreasing downward, respectively, in the upper layer of sediment cores. This suggests that Mn may be diagenetically redistributed in highly reduced environment. At Sta. C2, the concentrations of Zn and Cu began to increase from 1920s by anthropogenic input and have been remarkablely increasing since mid 1960s. At Sta. C3, located near Sungpo, anthropogenic input of these two elements has also slightly increased after 1970s. However, pollution of these two elements was not significant in Haengam Bay(Sta. Cl) and Chiljun watenway(Sta. C4). The pollution of Co, Ni and Cr was not remarkable in all core samples except surface sediment of Sta. C2. The total input of anthropogenic Zn and Cu since 1920s was estimated to be 28∼792 ㎍/cm2 and 0∼168㎍/cm2, respectively. Sta. C2 showed remarkablely higher values relative to other stations: anthropogenic loads of Zn and Cu constituted 27% and 29% of the total sedimentary inventories at the present day, respectively. Fe, Ni, Cr and Co contents showed good correlation(r>0.8) with each other. Anthropogenic Zn and Cu also showed a very good positive correlation(>0.9). However, correlation between these two group of element was quite scattered, indicating different sources and geochemical behaviors.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.489-500
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• 1995

In the Chinhae Bay, Korea, sedimentation rates and sedimentary record of anthropogenic metal loads were determined by $^{210}Pb$ dating and heavy metal analysis of four sediment cores . The sedimentation rates varied from 0.16g/$cm^2$/yr(3.1mm/yr) at Sta. Ct, located within narrow waterway to 0.24g/$cm^2$/yr(4.8mm/yr) at Sta. Cl, located in Haengam Bay. Maximum contents of Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr were observed at Sta. C2 located near the mouth of Masan Bay, while minimum contents were observed at Sta. CB. Mn/Fe ratios at Sta. C2 and Sta. C4 showed gradually increasing and decreasing downward, respectively, in the upper layer of sediment cores. This suggests that Mn may be diagenetically redistributed in highly reduced environment. At Sta. C2, the concentrations of Zn and Cu began to increase from 1920s by anthropogenic input and have been remarkablely increasing since mid 1960s. At Sta. C3, located near Sungpo, anthropogenic input of these two elements has also slightly increased after 1970s. However, pollution of these two elements was not significant in Haengam Bay(Sta. Cl) and Chiljun watenway(Sta. C4). The pollution of Co, Ni and Cr was not remarkable in all core samples except surface sediment of Sta. C2. The total input of anthropogenic Zn and Cu since 1920s was estimated to be 28~792 $\mu\textrm{g}$/cm2 and 0~168$\mu\textrm{g}$/cm2, respectively. Sta. C2 showed remarkablely higher values relative to other stations: anthropogenic loads of Zn and Cu constituted 27% and 29% of the total sedimentary inventories at the present day, respectively. Fe, Ni, Cr and Co contents showed good correlation(r>0.8) with each other. Anthropogenic Zn and Cu also showed a very good positive correlation(>0.9). However, correlation between these two group of element was quite scattered, indicating different sources and geochemical behaviors.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.87-103
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• 1996

The purposes of this research are to investigate the pollution level of heavy metals due to the urbanization and industrialization in the satellite cities of Seoul, and to assess the chemical species and the sources of heavy metals in highly contaminated soils and dusts. Soil and dust samples were collected from the Uijeongbu and the Koyang cities, which are northern and the northwestern satellite cities of Seoul metropolitan city, respectively. Relatively high pH values($6.3{\sim}9.9$) were found in roadside soils compared with agricultural and forest soils. Difference in pH values of soils was not identified between before and after rainy seasons. In spite of no specific pollution sources in the above cities, the contents of Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils and dusts were much higher than the world average contents. The metal levels in dusts were higher than those in soils, but the metal concentration in dusts was significantly decreased after rainy season. Pollution index was high(> 1.0) in the areas of heavy traffic, industrial complex, and city centres. There is an appreciable proportion of total Zn in exchangeable/water-acid soluble fraction. Copper is predominantly associated with reducible and oxidizable phases, whereas Pb is largely in reducible association. It is concluded that the mobility and bioavailability of metals are high in the order of Zn >> Cu > Pb, on the basis of characteristic particle morphology and chemical composition, Pb-containing particles are originated probably from the automobile exhaust, particularly in heavy traffic areas. The metallic forms and iron-oxide associated forms of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb can be assessed as industrial origin.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Recent studies for heavy metal stabilization in soil were mainly focused on finding out new materials and its efficiency. But, such a stabilization method can cause disturbance to soil, leading improper environment for agriculture. The object of this study was to demonstrate the effect of the incorporation of green manure crops on heavy metal-contaminated soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Soil contaminated with heavy metals was collected from the agricultural soils affected by the abandoned mine. Lime stone was selected and treated to contaminated soil. Three kinds of legume green manure crops; Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), Red clover (Trifolium pratense) were subsequently cultivated in greenhouse condition. It was found that lime stone increased soil pH and decreased the amount of heavy metal absorption by green manure. The application of green manure residues on soil increased soil pH and inorganic nitrogen. CONCLUSION: The C/N ratio of three green manures was low, indicating fast decomposition rate, resulting in nitrogen supplement, consequently. Considering the point that the soil was used for agricultural purpose, it was recommended that hairy vetch and red clover were preferred. Nevertheless, the heavy metal availability was also increased. Thus, it seemed that further study was needed to confirm that how long maintain a phenomenon.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2015

Acid mine drainage occurrence is a serious environmental problem by mining industry, it usually contains high levels of metal ions, such as iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, and manganese, as well as metalloids of which arsenic is generally of the greatest concern. An indigenous plant extract was used to produce calcium carbonate from Canavalia ensiformis as effective biomaterial, and its ability to form the calcium carbonate under stable conditions was compared to that of purified urease. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed to elucidate the mechanism of calcium carbonate formation from the crude plant extracts. The results revealed that urease in the plant extracts catalyzed the hydrolysis of urea in liquid state cultures and decreased heavy metal amounts in the contaminated soil. The heavy metal amounts were decreased in the leachate from the treated mine soil; 31.7% of As, 65.8% of Mn, 50.6% of Zn, 51.6% of Pb, 45.1% of Cr, and 49.7% of Cu, respectively. The procedure described herein is a simple and beneficial method of calcium carbonate biomineralization without cultivation of microorganisms or further purification of crude extracts. This study suggests that crude plant extracts of Canavalia ensiformis have the potential to be used in place of purified forms of the enzyme during remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.286-293
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• 2006

Three hundred thirty two bacterial colonies which were able to degrade crude oil were isolated from soil samples that were contaminated with oil in Daejon area. Among them, one bacterial strain was selected for this study based on its low surface tension ability, and this selected bacterial strain was identified as Pseudomonas sp. G314 through physiological-biochemical tests and analysis of its 16S rRNA sequence. Pseudomonas sp. G314 showed a high resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, and streptomycin, and heavy metals such as Li, Cr, and Mn. It was found that the optimal pH and temperature for biosurfactant production of Pseudomonas sp. G314 were pH 7.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. After seven hours of inoculated, the biosurfactant activity reached the maximum, and surface tension of the culture broth was decreased from 72 to 25 dyne/cm. The crude biosurfactant was obtained from the culture broth by acid precipitation, followed by solvent extraction, evaporation and then freeze drying. The CMC (critical micelle concentration) value of the crude biosurfactant was 20 mg/L.