• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.266-272
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• 2010

The present study was carried out to assess exposure & risk for Korean by total and inorganic As intake through agricultural products. Total arsenic analysis was performed using microwave device and ICP-MS. 50% MeOH extraction and anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS method has been used to determine arsenic species. 329 samples covering 20 kinds of agricultural products were collected from various retail outlets and markets across Korea. The concentration of total As was in the range of 0.001~0.718 mg/kg, while inorganic and organic arsenic species in all samples was not determined. For risk assessment, probable daily intake was calculated and compared with provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI, 15 ${\mu}g$/kg b.w./week for inorganic arsenic) established by JECFA. The median daily exposure to total and inorganic As by intake of agricultural products except rice was ranged 0.0002~0.012, 0.0001~0.001 ${\mu}g$/kg b.w./day, corresponding to 0.01~0.5%, 0.002~0.1% of PTWI, respectively. The median level of total and inorganic As intake through rice was 0.603 and 0.041 ${\mu}g$/kg b.w./day, and 28.1% and 1.9% of PTWI, respectively. Therefore, the level of overall exposure to arsenic for Korean through agricultural products was below the recommended JECFA levels, indicating of least possibility of risk.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.480-489
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• 2016

In this study, the PVdF/MGO composite nanofiber membranes (PMGs) introducing Iron oxide-Graphene oxide ($Fe_3O_4/GO$, Metallic graphene oxide; MGO) was prepared via electrospinng method and its arsenic removal characteristics were investigated. The thermal treatment was carried out to improve the mechanical strength of nanofiber membranes and then the results showed that of outstanding improvement effect. However, in case of PMGs, the decreasing tendency of mechanical strength was indicated as increasing MGO contents. From the results of pore-size analysis, it was confirmed that the porous structured membranes with 0.3 to $0.45{\mu}m$ were prepared. For the water treatment application, the water flux measurement was carried out. In particular, PMG2.0 sample showed about 70% improved water flux results ($153kg/m^2h$) compared to that of pure PVdF nanofiber membrane ($91kg/m^2h$) under the 0.3 bar condition. In addition, the PMGs have indicated the high removal rates of both As(III) and As(V) (up to 81% and 68%, respectively). Based on the adsorption isotherm analysis, the adsorption of As(III) and As(V) ions were both more suitable for the Freundlich. From all of results, it was concluded that PVdF/MGO composite nanofiber membranes could be utilized as a water treatment membrane and for the Arsenic removal applications.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.579-587
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• 2020

Novel silane grafted bentonite was obtained using the natural bentonite as precursor material. The material which is termed as nanocomposite was characterized by the Fourier Transform Infra-red (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The surface imaging and elemental mapping was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM/EDX) technique. The electroanalytical studies were performed using the nanocomposite electrode. The electroactive surface area of nanocomposite electrode was significantly increased than the pristine bentonite or bare carbon paste based working electrode. The impedance spectroscopic studies were conducted to simulate the equivalent circuit and Nyquist plots were drawn for the carbon paste electrode and nanocomposite electrodes. A single step oxidation/reduction process occurred for As(III) having ΔE value 0.36 V at pH 2.0. The anodic stripping voltammetry was performed for concentration dependence studies of As(III) (0.5 to 20.0 ㎍/L) and reasonably a good linear relationship was obtained. The detection limit of the As(III) detection was calculated as 0.00360±0.00002 ㎍/L having with observed relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 4%. The presence of several cations and anions has not affected the detection of As(III) however, the presence of Cu(II) and Mn(II) affected the detection of As(III). The selectivity of As(III) was achieved using the Tlawng river water sample spiked with As(III).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.795-801
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• 2010

The acute toxicity of arsenic compounds was assessed and compared using following four bioassays; bioluminescence activity of the recombinant strain RB1436, germination of four different seeds, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity produced by Bacillus lichemiformis, acute genetic revertant mutation using mutant strain Salmonella typhimurium. Different sensitivities were observed among tested bioassays, but generally the toxicity by arsenite was greater than that of arsenate. Among tested four seeds, sensitivities of Lactucus and Raphanus were greater than others, and these two seed types were appeared as proper type for bioassay. High revertant mutation ratio (5.1) was observed with 1 mg/L arsenite, indicating high mutagenicity. The sensitivity of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity on arsenic compounds was much lower than other methods. The evaluation of interactive toxic effects using various bioassays may comprise a useful tool for the bioassessment of environmental pollutants.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.133-133
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• 2010

3-5족 화합물 반도체를 이용한 집광형 삼중 접합 태양전지는 35% 이상의 광변환 효율로 주목을 받고 있다. 일반적으로 삼중 접합 태양전지는 넓은 영역대의 파장을 흡수하기 위해 밴드갭이 다른 InGaP, GaAs, Ge이 사용된다. 그 중 하부셀은 기계적 강도가 높고 장파장을 흡수할 수 있는 Ge이 사용되는데, p-type Ge 기판위에 III-V 결정막 성장 시 5족 원소가 확산되어 pn접합을 형성하게 된다. 이러한 구조를 가진 Ge 하부셀이 효율적으로 홀-전자 쌍을 형성하기 위해서는 두꺼운 베이스와 얇은 에미터 접합이 필요하다. InGaP의 phosphorus는 낮은 확산계수로 인해 GaAs의 arsenic에 비해 얇은 접합이 형성 가능하며, Ge표면 에칭효과가 더 적다는 장점이 있다. 이를 고려해 우리 연구그룹에서는 metalorganic chemical vapor depostion(MOCVD)을 이용하여 Ge기판위에 성장한 InGaP layer의 특성을 관찰해 보았다. <111>로 $6^{\circ}$ 기울어진 p-type Ge(100) 기판위에 MOCVD를 통해 InGaP layer를 형성하였고, 성장된 layer를 atomic force microscope(AFM)와 high-resolution x-ray diffraction(HRXRD)을 이용하여 표면형상, 조성, 응력상태 등을 각각 관찰하였다. 또한 phosphorus 확산에 의해 형성되는 도핑농도는 electrochemical capacitance-voltage(ECV)을 이용하여 관찰하였다. 성장된 Ge기판위의 InGaP layer의 경우 특징적으로 높이 50 nm, 밑변 길이 $1\;{\mu}m$의 경사진 표면을 관찰할 수 있었으며, 이러한 구조는 TMIn과 TMGa의 비율이 증가 할수록 감소하였다. 따라서 이러한 경사진 형태의 구조는 격자 불일치 때문인 것으로 판단된다. 추가적으로 V/III ratio의 최적화를 통해 1.3 nm의 표면 거칠기를 갖는 InGaP layer를 얻을 수 있었다. ECV를 통해 Ge 하부셀의 pn접합 형성을 관찰한 결과 약 160 nm에서 접합이 형성되는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 또한, 같은 성장 조건의 샘플을 1000 초 열처리 후에 접합깊이의 변화를 관찰한 결과 180 nm에서 접합이 관찰되었지만, GaAs의 arsenic에 의한 pn접합은 열처리 후에 그 깊이가 170 nm에서 300 nm로 증가 하였다. 따라서 삼중접합 태양전지의 제작 공정을 고려할 경우 phosphorus에 의한 접합 형성이 Ge 하부셀의 동작 특성에 유리할 것으로 판단된다.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.481-490
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• 2003

The objectives of this study are (1) to determine the extent and degree of As contamination of the water and sediments influenced by mining activity of the abandoned Au-Ag mines, (2) to examine As speciation In contaminated water, (3) to monitor variation of As contamination in water system throughout the dry and wet seasons, and (4) to investigate the As chemical form in the sediments through the sequential extraction analyses. Natural water(mine water, surface water and groundwater) and sediments were collected in six abandoned Au-Ag mine(Au-bearing quartz veins) areas. The contamination level of As in mine water of the Dongil(524${\mu}m$/L) is more higher than the tolerance level(500 ${\mu}m$/L) for waste water of mine area in Korea. Elevated levels of As in stream water were also found in the Dongil(range of 63.7∼117.6 ${\mu}m$/L.) and Gubong(range of 56.1∼62.9 ${\mu}m$/L) mine areas. Arsenic contamination levels in groundwater used by drinking water were more significant in the Dongil(11.3∼63.5 ${\mu}m$/L), Okdong(0.2∼68.9 ${\mu}m$/L) and Gubong(2.0∼101.0${\mu}m$/L) mine areas. Arsenate[As(V), $H_2AsO_4^-$] is more dominant than arsenite[As(III), $H_3AsO_3$] in water system of the most mine areas. The concentration ratios of As(III) to As(total), however, extend to the 95% in stream water of the Okdong mine area and 70∼82% in groundwater of the Okdong and Dongjung mine areas. As a study of seasonal variation in the water system, relatively high levels of As from the dongil mine area were found in April rather than in September. Sequential extraction analysis showed that As was predominantly present as coprecipitated with Fe hydroxides from sediment samples of the Dongjung and Gubong mine(35.9∼40.5%), which indicates its possibility of re-extraction and inducing elevated contamination of As in the reductive condition. In sediments from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwachon mine area, high percentage(55.2∼83.4%) of As sulfide form was found.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2013

Arsenic (As) is a well-known human carcinogen and its dietary exposure has been found to be the major route of entry into general population. This study was performed to assess the body levels of As and their associated factors in Korean adults by analyzing total As in urine. Urine and blood samples were collected from 580 adults aged 20 years and older, who had not been exposed to As occupationally. Demographic information was collected with the help of a standard questionnaire, including age, smoking, alcohol intake, job profiles, and diet consumed in the last 24 hrs of the study. Total As, sum of As(III), As(V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), in urine was determined using atomic absorption spectrometer involving hydride generation method. The geometric mean concentration of total As in urine was $7.10{\mu}g/L$. Urine As was significantly higher in men ($7.63{\mu}g/L$) than in women ($6.75{\mu}g/L$). Age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and job profiles of study subjects did not significantly affect the concentration of As in urine. No significant relationship was observed between body mass index (BMI), Fe, and total cholesterol in serum and urinary As. Urine As level was positively correlated with seaweeds, fishes & shellfishes, and grain intake. A negative correlation between urinary As level and HDL-cholesterol in serum and meat intake was observed. Overall, these results suggest that urinary As concentration could be affected by seafood consumption. Therefore, people who frequently consume seafood and grain need to be monitored for chronic dietary As exposure.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.522-525
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• 2003

Mine waters, surface waters and groundwaters were sampled around seven Au-Ag mine areas (Dongil, Okdong, Dongjung, Songcheon, Ssangjeon, Dogok and Gubong Au-Ag mines). The main contamination sources of As in these abandoned Au-Ag mines can be suggested as mine tailings and waste rocks including the sulfide gangue minerals (arsenopyrite). The relatively high concentration of As in mine waters was shown in the Dongil (524 ${\mu}g/L$) and the Dogok (56 ${\mu}g/L$) mine areas. Arsenic concentrations in stream waters from the Dongil ($0.9\~118{\mu}g/L$), the Songchon ($0.8\~63{\mu}g/L$), the Ssangjeon ($1.6\~109{\mu}g/L$) and the Gubong ($3.6\~63{\mu}g/L$) mine areas exceeded the permissible level for stream water in Korea. Groundwaters collected from the Dongil ($0.9\~64{\mu}g/L$ ), the Okdong ($0.2\~69{\mu}g/L$) and the Gubong ($0.5\~101{\mu}g/L$) mine areas contained high As concentration to cause the arsenicosis in these areas. In As speciation, the concentration ratios of As(III) to As(total) present up to $75\%$ and $100\%$ in stream waters from the Okdong and the Songcheon mines, and $70\%$ in groundwaters from the Okdong and the Dongjung mines. Arsenic concentration decreases downstream from the tailing dump correlatively with pH and Fe concentration. Highly elevated As concentrations are found in the dry season (such as April and March) than in the wet season (September) due to the dilution effect by heavy rain during summer in stream waters from the Dongil and the Songcheon mine areas.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.241-255
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• 2016

In this study, the treatability of arsenic (As) contaminated water by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) at different delta temperatures (${\Delta}T$) 30, 40 and $50^{\circ}C$ has been investigated. Two different pore sizes ($0.22{\mu}m$ and $0.45{\mu}m$) of hydrophobic membranes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were used. The membrane pore sizes, the operating temperatures, the feed solution As concentration and conductivity have been varied during the experimental tests to follow the removal efficiency and flux behavior. Both membranes tested had high removal efficiency of arsenite (As (III)) and arsenate (As (V)) and all permeates presented As concentration far lower than recommended $10{\mu}g/L$ of world health organization (WHO). As concentration was below detection limit in many permeates. Conductivity reduction efficiency was over 99% and the transmembrane flux (TMF) reached $19L/m^2.h$ at delta temperature (${\Delta}T$) of $50^{\circ}C$ with PVDF $0.45{\mu}m$ membrane. The experimental results also indicated that $0.45{\mu}m$ pore sizes PVDF membranes presented higher flux than $0.22{\mu}m$ pore sizes membranes. Regardless of all operating conditions, highest fluxes were observed at highest ${\Delta}T$ ($50^{\circ}C$).

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Small sized manganese dioxide particles are immobilized onto the surface of sand by the wet impregnation process. The surface morphology of the solid, i.e., immobilized manganese dioxide natural sand (IMNS) is performed by taking scanning electron microscope images and characterized by the X-ray diffraction data. The specific surface area of the solid is obtained, which shows a significant increase in the specific surface area obtained by the immobilization of manganese dioxide. The $pH_{PZC}$ (point of zero charge) is found to be 6.28. Further, the IMNS is assessed in the removal of As(III) and As(V) pollutants from aqueous solutions under the batch and column operations. Batch reactor experiments are conducted for various physicochemical parametric studies, viz. the effect of sorptive pH (pH 2.0-10.0), concentration (1.0-25.0 mg/L), and background electrolyte concentrations (0.0001-0.1 mol/L $NaNO_3$). Further, column experiments are conducted to obtain the efficiency of IMNS under dynamic conditions. The breakthrough data obtained by the column experiments are employed in non-linear fitting to the Thomas equation, so as to estimate the loading capacity of the column for As(III) and As(V).