• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.399-408
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• 2021

Natural soil was artificially contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn), and the movement of earthworm was characterized in real time using the ViSSET system composed of vibration sensor and the other components. The manifestation mechanism of ecological toxicity of heavy metals was interpreted based on the accumulative frequency of earthworm movement obtained from the real-time monitoring as well as the conventional indices of earthworm behavior, such as the change in body weight before and after tests and biocumulative concentrations of each contaminant. The results showed the difference in the earthworm movement according to the species of heavy metal contaminants. In the case of Cd, the earthworm movement was decreased with increasing its concentration and then tended to be increased. The activity of earthworm was severely increased with increasing Pb concentration, but the movement of earthworm was gradually decreased with increasing Zn concentration. The body weight of earthworm was proved to be greatly decreased in the Zn-contaminated soil, but it was similarly decreased in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was higher in the sequence of Cd > Zn > Pb, and particularly the biocumulative concentration of Pb did not show a clear tendency according to the Pb concentrations in soil. It was speculated that Cd is accumulated as a metallothionein-bound form in the interior of earthworm for a long time. In particular, Cd has a bad influence on the earthworm through the critical effect at its higher concentrations. Pb was likely to reveal its ecotoxicity via skin irritation or injury of sensory organs rather than ingestion pathway. The ecotoxicity of Zn seemed to be manifested by damaging the cell membranes of digestive organs or inordinately activating metabolism. Based on the results of real-time monitoring of earthworm movement, the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of Pb was estimated to be 751.2 mg/kg, and it was similar to previously-reported ones. The study confirmed that if the conventional indices of earthworm behavior are combined with the results of newly-proposed method, the mechanism of toxicity manifestation of heavy metal contaminants in soils is more clearly interpreted.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

Synchrotron radiation (SR) has several advantages over convetional x-rays, including its phase, collimation, and high flux. A synchrotron radiation beamline 5C1 at Pohang Light Source (PLS) was recently built for imaging applications. We have shown that a SR imaging system is useful in imaging microscopic structures. SR with broad-band energy spectrum were adjusted to an object by Si wafers and their energy were approximately ranging from 6 keV to 30 keV. SR were passed through an object and finally transformed into visible lights by CdWO$_4$ scintillator screen. The visible lights which were reflected at an angle of 90 degrees by gold plated mirror were detected by a CCD camera and the image data were acquired using image acquisition system. A high-resolution phantom, capacitor, adult tooth, child tooth, cancerous breast tissue, and mouse lumbar vertebra were imaged with SR imaging system. The Objects were rotated within the field of view of the CCD detector, and their projection image data were obtained at 250 steps over 180 degrees rotation. Image reconstructions were carried out in a PC by using IDLTM(Research systems, Inc., US) program. The spatial resolution of the images acquired by the SR imaging system was measured with a high-resolution chart manufactured for several micrometer resolution. The specimens were also imaged with conventional x-ray radiography system to compare the image quality of radiography obtained with the SR imaging system. The results showed more structural details and high contrast images with SR imaging system than conventional x-ray radiography system. The SR imaging system may have a potential for imaging in biological researches, material applications, and clinical radiography.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.623-634
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• 2000

This study was conducted to analyze the patterns associated with the short-term variability of CO$_2$ concentrations over 24-h scale within and across the Korean Peninsula. In the course of our study, we compared the data sets obtained from Moo-Ahn (MAN) station located in the far western coastal area of Korea with those determined from major background observatory stations around the world from the periods of Aug. 1995 to Dec. 1997. The mean CO$_2$ concentration of the MAN area for the whole study periods, when computed using the daily mean values, was found out to be 374.5${\pm}$6.6 ppm (N=884); seasonal mean values were found out to be 378${\pm}$5.2 (spring: N=181), 372${\pm}$10.2 (summer: N =210), 372${\pm}$7.2 (fall: N=243), and 376${\pm}$5.4 ppm (winter: N=206). When the data from MAN was compared with those of major background stations, the effects of both daily and seasonal components appear to vary distinctively across different stations. Those effects are expected to reflect the mixed effects of various factors which include: seasonal pollution patterns, weather conditions, vegetation, and so forth. Based upon this comparative analysis, we suspect that the MAN area is under the strong influence of anthropogenic source processes relative to all the other stations under consideration. If that is not the case, the existence of enhanced CO$_2$ level may be rather ubiquitous phenomena in Korea. More detailed inspection of CO$_2$ behavior from various respects is strongly desired in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2006

By substituting Mn or Cr for Co in inverse spinel $CoFe_2O_4,\;Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4\;and\;Cr_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ and thin films were prepared by sol-gel method and their structural and magnetic properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction indicates that the cubic lattice constant increase for the Mn substitution while it hardly changes for the Cr substitution. Substitution of $Mn^{2+}$ for octahedral $Co^{2+}$ sites can explain the increase of lattice constant in $Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. On the other hand, Substitution of $Cr^{3+}$ for octahedral $Co^{2+}$ and subsequent reduction of $Fe^{3+}$ ion into $Fe^{2+}$ are expected to happen. Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements on $Cr_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2P_4$ indicate the existence of tetrahedral $Fe^{2+}$ ions that are created through reduction of tetrahedral $Fe^{3+}$ ions in order to compensate charge imbalance happened by $Cr^{3+}$ substitution for octahedral $Co^{2+}$ sites. On the other hand, no $Fe^{2+}$ ions were detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy for $Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. A migration of $Fe^{3+}$ ions from octahedral to tetrahedral sites In $Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ was detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy for x>0.47. Vibrating sample magnetometry measurements on the samples at room temperature revealed that the saturation magnetization increases by Mn and Cr substitution for certain range of x, qualitatively explainable in terms of the comparison of spin magnetic moment among the related transition-metal ions.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.268-289
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• 2013

The Dinosaur tracksite at Jeori, Geumseongmyeon, Euiseonggun, Gyeongsangbukdo, Korea (National Monument No. 373) has been studied in the aspects of location, stratigraphy, sedimentology, fossil occurrence, unique geological records, literature, significance in natural history, preservation, and management. On the basis of these features, the Jeori tracksite has been assessed semiquantitavely. The Jeori tracksite occurs in the Sagok Formation (Albian) of the Euiseong sub-basin, and over 300 footprints forming 12 sauropod trackways, 10 ornithopod trackways, and 1 theropod trackways are preserved in this tracksite. The track-bearing deposits consist of tabular-bedded medium- to fine-grained arkose with mudstone drape, interlaminated fine-grained sandstone to siltstone and mudstone, and shaly mudstone. The dinosaur tracks are preserved in the interlaminated fine-grained sandstone to siltstone and mudstone, and most of them are observed as underprints. The track-bearing deposits are interpreted as sheetflood deposits on the floodplain under a seasonal paleoclimatic condition with alternating of wetting and drying periods. Multiple tension fractures with NE strike were formed in the track-bearing bed, which resulted in that tracks seem to occur in several horizons. The significance in natural history of the tracksite can be summarized as follows: 1) the historical implication of the Jeori tracksite as the firstly designated National Monument of dinosaur fossil sites, 2) the high density of the occurrence of diverse footprints (over 300) within small area (about $1,600m^2$), and 3) the significance of the tension fractures associated with the track-bearing bed as geoeducational records for the understanding the development of fault. In order to share the value of the Jeori tracksite in the aspect of natural history with the community and public, the interpretive panel should be modified to include figures explaining paleoenvironment and tension fault development. In addition it is recommended that a brochure be published briefly explaining the tracksite and to educate the residents about the natural and social significance of the tracksite. For the safety of visitors it would be desirable for the road in front of the tracksite to be moved at least 10 m southward, which could mitigate the shaking of the track bed caused by traffic.