• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2002

This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal (daily, weekly, and seasonal) variations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations at a road-side site in a heavy-traffic central area of Metropolitan Taegu. Ambient air sampling was undertaken continuously for 14 consecutive days in each of four seasons from the spring of 1999 to the winter of 2000. The VOC samples were collected using adsorbent tubes, and were determined by thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS analysis. A total of 10 aromatic VOCs of environmental concern were determined, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m＋p-xylenes, styrene, o-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene. Among 10 target VOCs, the most abundant compounds appeared to be toluene (1.5 ∼ 102 ppb) and xylenes (0.1 ∼ 114 ppb), while benzene levels were in the range of 0.3 ∼6 ppb. It was found that the general trends of VOC levels were significantly dependent on traffic conditions at the sampling site since VOC concentrations were at their maximum during rush hours (AM 7∼9 and PM 7 ∼9). However, some VOCs such as toluene, xylenes, and ethylbenzene were likely to be affected by a number of unknown sources other than vehicle exhaust, being attributed to the use of paints, and/or the evaporation of solvents used nearby the sampling site. In some instances, extremely high concentrations were found for these compounds, which can not be explained solely by the impact of vehicle exhaust. The results of this study may be useful for estimating the relative importance of different emission sources in large urban areas. Finally, it was suggested that the median value might be more desirable than the arithmetic mean as a representative value for the VOC data group, since the cumulative probability distribution (n=658) does not follow the normal distribution pattern.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.236-240
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• 2018

Crop yield is critically related to the physiological responses and disease resistance of the crop, which could be strongly affected by high temperature conditions. We observed the changes in the growth of barley under higher than ambient air-temperature conditions using a temperature gradient field chamber (TGFC) during winter and spring. Before the stem extension stage of barley growth, Cladosporium sp. spontaneously appeared in the TGFC. The severity of disease became serious under warmer temperature conditions. Further, the stomata closed as the severity of the disease increased; however, stomatal conductance at the initial stage of disease was higher than that of the normal leaves. This was likely due to the Iwanov effect, which explains that stressed plants rapidly and transiently open their stomata before longer-term closure. In this study, we tested three optical methods: soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll index, photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm). These rapid evaluation methods have not been used in studies focusing on disease stress, although some studies have used these methods to monitor other stresses. These three indicative parameters revealed that diseased barley exhibited lower values of these parameters than normal, and with the increase in disease severity, these values declined further. Our results will be useful in efficient monitoring and evaluation of crop diseases under future warming conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.767-778
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• 2006

This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal variations of VOCs at an urban site, and to compare the concentrations of VOCs at an urban site in Daegu with those at a suburban site in Gyeongsan. Three hourly VOC samples in the ambient air were collected using a sequential tube sampler (STS 25, Perkin Elmer) throughout two weeks during May and July representing spring and summer seasons, respectively. The VOC concentrations were determined by an automatic thermal desorption apparatus with GC/MS analysis. A total of 12 VOCs of environmental concern were determined, which are chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, tetra-chloroethylene, ethylbenzene, m+p-xylenes, o-xylene, styrene, 1,3,5- and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzenes. Among 12 target VOCs, the most abundant compound appeared to be toluene, being followed by xylenes. The mean concentrations at the urbn site were 1.2 pub for benzene and 20.4 ppb for toluene (n=221) while the mean levels at the suburban site were 0.9 ppb and 4.3 ppb for benzene and toluene (n=96), respectively. The urban site concentrations were typically several-fold higher than those measured at the suburban site. It was found that general trends of VOC levels were significantly dependent on traffic conditions at the sampling site since VOC concentrations were at their maximum during rush hours, i.e. $9{\sim}12a.m$ and $6{\sim}9p.m$. Statistical investigations were conducted to investigate any significant relationships between VOC concentrations and affecting factors. Calculated correlation coefficients among VOCs were positively significant at a level of 0.05 in most cases. Increased concentrations of toluene in the urban site were estimated to reflect the effect of large industrial sources, mainly from textile industry.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.1478-1485
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• 2007

In this paper, a meteorological system including a wind speed & direction module and the DSP(Digital Signal Processor) sensor interface circuit board are proposed. This DSP system accepts and process the informations from a wind speed & direction module, the atmospheric pressure sensor, the ambient air temperature sensor and transfers it to the PC monitoring system. Especially, a wind speed & direction module and a DSP hardware are directly designed and applied. A wind speed & direction module have a construction that it have four film type RID(Resistive Temperature Detectors) resistive sensor adhered around the circular metal body heated constantly by heating coil for obtaining vector informations about wind. By this structure, the module is enabled precise measurement having a robustness about vibration, humidity, corrosion. A sensor signal processing circuit is using TMS320F2812 TI(Texas Instrument) Corporation high speed DSP. An economical meteorological system could be constructed through the data from wind speed & direction module and by the fast processing of DSP interface circuit board.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2008

In the present study, the concentration levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (or PCBs) in the environments in Korea are estimated based on some measured data in Korea, in comparison with the data from the other countries. Even though PCBs were banned as electrical fluids in 1970s in Korea, PCBs are still detected in the environment. PCBs levels in Korea are greatly lower than those in other countries, which are gradually decreased as well. However, the measured data are not sufficient in both numbers and quality, to estimate the average PCBs levels in Korea. The regulation limit on polychlorinated biphenyls (or PCBs) is 2mg/kg (ppm), which is too low compared to 50 ppm of many other countries including U.S. With this strict regulation, there are many problems expected, for example, in the analysis of PCBs in the transformers using in the field as well as the safe treatment of PCBs. The risk assessment on the PCBs in the environment is surely necessary prior to the change in the limit. Also the PCBs concentration monitoring in the environmental media (i.e. air, water, soil and sediment) and exposure assessment will be essential for the accurate risk assessment. If the PCB-waste guideline maintain as 2 ppm after 10 years, the excess cancer risk of PCBs exposure by ambient air, drinking water and soil was $10^{-8}$. But if the guideline mitigate as 50 ppm after 10 years, the cancer risk was increased by $10^{-7}$. The ecological risk quotient by regulation change was not exceed '1'.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.327-333
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• 2020

Performance of a portable GC that can be utilized for the real time determination of volatile organic compounds in air was evaluated. It employs purified/compressed ambient air as the carrier gas eliminating the need for high pressure gas tanks. The compact system with dimensions of 35 × 26 × 15 ㎤ and weight of 5 kg is powered by either a 24 V DC external adapter or battery pack. Chromatograms of the mixture sample including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and oxylene at concentrations of 1 ppmv and 20 ppmv represent a good reproducibility: 3.79% and 0.48% relative standard deviations (RSDs) for peak area variations; 0.40% and 0.08% RSDs for retention times. The method detection limit was 0.09 ppmv. A 30 m long, 0.28 mm I.D. column operated at an optimal condition yielded a peak capacity of 61 with good resolution for a 10 min isothermal analysis. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the peak area variations and retention times during consecutive measurements over 27 h were less than 2.4%RSD and 0.5%RSD, respectively. Thus, this instrument makes it suitable for continuous and field analysis of low-concentration VOC mixtures in the indoor/outdoor environment as well as the spillage accident of hazardous chemicals.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2014

The three air quality monitoring sites, analysed simultaneously PM-10 and PM-2.5, ie. Ihyeondong in industrial area, Manchondong in residential area, Pyeongnidong in streetside, among 13 air quality monitoring sites in Daegu area, were investigated the concentration distribution characteristics of PM-2.5 and PM-10 in the last 2 years (2011~2012). PM-10 concentrations exceeded annual average reference value ($50{\mu}g/m^3$) in Ihyeondong ($52.5{\mu}g/m^3$) and Pyeongnidong ($60.9{\mu}g/m^3$) but satisfied in Manchondong ($44.9{\mu}g/m^3$). All PM-2.5 concentrations exceeded EPA annual standard value of the United States ($15{\mu}g/m^3$) in three points, but also exceeded new control annual standard value ($25{\mu}g/m^3$) coming into effect in 2015. Seasonal concentration of PM-10 appeared the order of spring > winter > fall > summer, and in the case of PM-2.5, the order was winter > spring > fall > summer. Monthly concentrations of PM-10 and PM-2.5 were highest in February and lowest in September. Diurnal concentrations of PM-10 and PM-2.5 increased from 7:00 AM, and recorded the highest concentration between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. And after 6:00 PM it lowered continuously and tended to show fixed concentrations from evening until early morning. In addition, the concentration of fine particles during the week was higher than the weekend. The fluctuation in industrial area was larger than the residential area. At the PM-2.5/PM-10 ratio, summer was generally high, spring was the lowest. And, when yellow sand occurred, it was 0.32 to 0.42. It was very low compared to 0.54 to 0.64 during non-yellow sand times. This paper for the state and the characteristics of Daegu' fine particles (PM-10, PM-2.5) will be valuable to future researches of fine particles and air pollution management.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.12.1-12.8
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• 2014

Objectives Cohort studies of associations between air pollution and health have used exposure prediction approaches to estimate individual-level concentrations. A common prediction method used in Korean cohort studies is ordinary kriging. In this study, performance of ordinary kriging models for long-term particulate matter less than or equal to $10{\mu}m$ in diameter ($PM_{10}$) concentrations in seven major Korean cities was investigated with a focus on spatial prediction ability. Methods We obtained hourly $PM_{10}$ data for 2010 at 226 urban-ambient monitoring sites in South Korea and computed annual average $PM_{10}$ concentrations at each site. Given the annual averages, we developed ordinary kriging prediction models for each of the seven major cities and for the entire country by using an exponential covariance reference model and a maximum likelihood estimation method. For model evaluation, cross-validation was performed and mean square error and R-squared ($R^2$) statistics were computed. Results Mean annual average $PM_{10}$ concentrations in the seven major cities ranged between 45.5 and $66.0{\mu}g/m^3$ (standard deviation=2.40 and $9.51{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). Cross-validated $R^2$ values in Seoul and Busan were 0.31 and 0.23, respectively, whereas the other five cities had $R^2$ values of zero. The national model produced a higher cross-validated $R^2$ (0.36) than those for the city-specific models. Conclusions In general, the ordinary kriging models performed poorly for the seven major cities and the entire country of South Korea, but the model performance was better in the national model. To improve model performance, future studies should examine different prediction approaches that incorporate $PM_{10}$ source characteristics.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

This study was carried out to measure the environmental related parameters from two types of swine houses. Indoor temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide level, ammonia concentration and emission were measures every 2 minutes from each house with portable monitoring units. Carbon dioxide concentration balance was used to estimate the ventilation rates of the different houses. Daily ammonia concentrations in the growing-finishing and farrowing houses ranged from 2 to 17 ppm and 6 to 15 ppm respectively. The daily ammonia emission rate from the manure averaged 4.37 g/h$\cdot$500 kg from growing-finishing house and 4.82 g/h$\cdot$500 kg from the farrowing house. The above findings proved that summer season was associated with higher ammonia emission rates due to higher ventilation rate and ambient air temperature.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1159-1170
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• 2000

It is necessary to improve the ambient air quality through the proper treatment and control of pollutants by designating air pollutants to regulatory ones. Especially, human took a concern for particulate matters which raised visibility reduction, public health effects and injury of property for urban areas. In order to reduce the effect of particulate matters, we need to establish proper control strategies based on the concentration characteristics of particulate matters. In this study. to evaluate the characteristics of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$. thirty-eight samples of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were collected at Nam-Gu sampling site where continuous air monitoring system has been operated, from May, 1999 to November, 1999, and their concentrations for the mass and anion components($Cl^-$, $NO_3{^-}$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$) were analyzed. The important conclusions obtained in this study were as followings. Total average mass concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were 35.016 and $50.293{\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. and $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio was calculated 0.692. Total average concentrations of anion components in $PM_{2.5}$ were $1.581(Cl^-)$, $3.690(NO_3{^-})$ and $12.825(SO_4{^{2-}}){\mu}g/m^3$ and those in $PM_{10}$ were $2.471(Cl^-)$, $5.819(NO_3{^-})$ and $14.414(SO_4{^{2-}}){\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. From the correlations analysis. the correlation coefficient between mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ was calculated as 0.945. The correlation coefficients between $PM_{2.5}$ and anion components were analyzed as $Cl^-$(0.025), $NO_3{^-}$(0.788) and $SO_4{^{2-}}$(0.500) respectively, and the correlation coefficients between $PM_{10}$ and anion components were analyzed as $Cl^-$(-0.019), $NO_3{^-}$(0.806) and $SO_4{^{2-}}$)(0.535) respectively.