• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.435-447
• /
• 2016

Anthropogenic emissions of $PM_{2.5}$ in Chuncheon are considered to be low according to the national emissions inventory; however, the atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations have been reported to be higher than or at least similar to those measured in metropolitan (e.g. Seoul) and/or in industrial cities (e.g. Incheon, Ulsan). In this study, the concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and its ionic and carbonaceous compounds were measured from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2014 in Chuncheon, Korea to identify the characteristics of high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration event. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was $34.6{\mu}g/m^3$, exceeding the annual air quality standard ($25{\mu}g/m^3$). The most abundant compound was organic carbon (OC), comprising 26% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, followed by $SO_4{^{2-}}$. Among 14 high concentration events, three events showed clearly enhanced contributions of OC, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ to $PM_{2.5}$ under the fog events. One event observed in summer showed high concentration of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ while the high wind speeds and the low $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratios were observed for the two high concentration events. These results indicate that the secondary aerosol formation under the fog events and high atmospheric temperature as well as the regional and/or the long-range transport were important on enhancing $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in Chuncheon. Cluster analysis based on back trajectories also suggested the significant impacts of regional transport from China and metropolitan areas of Korea on $PM_{2.5}$ in Chuncheon.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.330-336
• /
• 2015

Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution was investigated using $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (Degussa P25) in this study. After a 3 hr photocatalytic reaction (${\lambda}=365nm$ and $I=3mW\;cm^{-2}$, $[TiO_2]=2.0g\;L^{-1}$), 98% of BPA ($1.0{\times}10^{-5}M$) was degraded and 89% of the total organic carbon was removed. In addition, BPA degradation by photolytic, hydrolytic and adsorption reactions was found to be 2%, 5% and 13%, respectively. The reaction rate of BPA degradation by photocatalysis decreased with increasing concentration of methanol that is used as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. This indicates that the reaction between BPA and hydroxyl radical was the key mechanism of BPA degradation. The pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant for this reaction was determined to be $7.94{\times}10^{-4}min^{-1}$, and the time for 90% BPA removal was found to be 25 min. In addition, acute toxicity testing using Daphnia magna neonates (< 24 h old) was carried out to evaluate the reduction of BPA toxicity. Acute toxicity (48 hr) to D. magna was decreased from 2.93 TU (toxic unit) to non-toxic after photocatalytic degradation of BPA for 3 hr. This suggests that there was no formation of toxic degradation products from BPA photocatalysis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2007

Biofilm media was equipped in two-compartmented wastewater treatment bioreactor which was separated by porcelain septum. DC 2.0 volt of electric potential was charged to anodic (oxidative) biofilm media (ABM) to induce oxidation potential but not to that of carbon (neutral) biofilm media (CBM) that was used for control test. Biofilm structure, biomass variation, Off variation and wastewater treatment efficiency in the bioreactor equipped with ABM (ABM-bioreactor) and CBM (CBM-bioreactor). Time-coursed variation of biofilm structure forming on surface of ABM and CBM was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The biofilm growing on ABM was dispersed on surface and was not completely covered the media but the biofilm growing on CBM was continuously increased and finally covered the media. The ORP of CBM was decreased to 100 mV, which was reciprocally proportional to the biomass growth. However, the ORP of ABM was about 800 mV, which was maintained during operation for about 60 days. The treatment efficiency of COD in the ABM bioreactor was 2 times higher than those in the CBM bioreactor. From these results, we proposed that electrochemical oxidation potential charged to biofilm media may inhibit formation of biofilm extremely condensed and activate bacterial cell metabolism.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.315-320
• /
• 1994

Li-GICs as a high performance energy storager were synthesized as a function of the Li content by the admixture and add-pressure method. The characteristics of these prepared compounds have been determined from the studies by X-ray diffraction, UV-VIS spectrometry and CHN analysis. It follows from the results of X-ray diffraction that the lower-stage intercalation compounds are formed as the Li contents increase, however the mixed stages in these compounds are also observed. In the case of the $Li_{40wt%}$, the compound with the structure of stage 1 has been predominently, but the structure of only stage 1 is not obtained. The $d_{001}$ value of stage 1 was determined to be ca. $3.70{\AA}$. An analysis of spectrometric data shows that each of the compounds gives distingushible energy state spectra. It is seen from the spectra that the positions of $R_{min}$ values, with increase in the Li contents, are shifted in the region of higher energy state. Such a result can be attributed to the formation of stable stages. The results of CHN analysis allow us to find the mixing state related to chemical compositions of the intercalated compounds and the superiority to admixture and add-pressure method. From the results determined, it reveals that $Li_{10wt%}$-GIC and $Li_{20wt%}$-GIC can be utilized for an anode of rechargable battery.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.138-146
• /
• 1989

This experiment was conducted to utilize the water soluble protein from the fish meal in wastewater as nitrogen source by alkaline protease producting bacteria and to investigate the culture condition of the production. G-12 and G-14 strains having the strong activity of the alkaline pretense were isolated from sea water. These strains were identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Pseudomonas alcaligenes according to physiologycal characteristics, respectively. In enzyme production, galactose and casein for G-12 strain, and raffinose and the water soluble protein of the fish meal wastewater for G-14 strain was favorable as carbon and nitrogen source. An action of inhibition appeared in all of the metal salts used. The optimal temperature of enzyme production was $30^{\circ}C$ for all strains. Optimal initial pH for the enzyme formation in G-12 and G-14 strains was pH 10.0 and 8.0. When these two strains were incubated for $30\~35$ hours in the optimal production medium, the enzyme production reached at maximum.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.301-314
• /
• 2005

Objective: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that has an action of the inhibition of superoxide production and removal of hydroxyl radical with the sperm incubation and cryopreservation. In the present study, to investigate whether rebamipide is useful to treat male infertility and sterility, the author observed the antioxidative effects in patient with male infertility and also examined its absorption and distribution in rat genital organ. Methods: To measure the distribution of rebamipide in reproductive organ in the rat, carbon indicated rebamipide, $^{14}C-OPC-12759$, was orally administered to 10 Spraque-Dawley rats and its organ concentration in serum, liver, kidney, stomach, duodenum, colon, urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testicle were measured each time after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours by using HPLC fluorescent method. The concentrations in semen were measured by HPLC fluorescent method in a sample of 50 infertile males who took 900 mg of rebamipide daily for 3 months. To measure the antioxidative effect and fertility rate for 3 months, each month before and after the treatment, sperm motility, vitality, the oxygen free radical formation, level of peroxidation, fetilizing capacity of semen sample which were obtained from infertile male patients by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid method and hypo-osmotic swelling test. Simultaneously in a sample that wanted baby, both pregnancy and delivery were researched. Results: The $^{14}C-OPC-12759$ concentration in the body of white rats was highest in gastrointestinal organ like stomach, smal intestine and duodenum and followed by genital organ like seminal vesicle, testis and epididymis. The rebamipide concentration in semen of infertile males was $220.77{\pm}327.84ng/mL$ (SD) which showed a large deviation but it was higher than serum which was $126{\pm}76ng/mL$ (SD). In the infertile males, after the treatment with rebamipide, the level of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation have significantly decreased in duration of the treatment (p<0.05) and sperm vitality and fertilizing capacity except sperm motility significantly improved on post treatment of 2~3 months (p<0.05). Out of the 41 cases who hoped for pregnancy, 15 cases (36.6%) became pregnant and 12 cases had childbrith, 2 cases had miscarriage and one case is ongoing. The side effect was observed in 1 case (2%) which experienced diarrhea but it was lost spontaneously. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that rebamipide showed relatively high tendancy of absorption and excretion in the genital organ. In infertile males who had elevated ROS in semen, by specifically inhibiting the cell damage from the antioxidation, a way to preserve sperm motility, vitality and fertilizing capacity was confirmed.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.730-739
• /
• 2015

108 microorganism types (79 types of fungi and 29 types of bacteria) were isolated from 25 automobiles generating bad odor when the air conditioner was turned on, and 43 types of fungi and 23 types of bacteria were identified. The analysis of condensate generated by the air conditioners in the automobiles indicated pH 6.4~7.1, 12.5~34.2 mg/L carbon source, 0.9~18.6 mg/L nitrogen source, 0.5~27.8 mg/L ion contents, and 0.1~7.7 mg/L mineral contents. The biofilms were formed by the mesophiles under the summer temperature/humidity condition ($26^{\circ}C$, 70% R.H.), and they were regenerated when the environmental factors (nutritional contents and temperature/humidity) were appropriate even after they were artificially removed. Although the antimicrobials removed 99.9% of planktonic cells within 15 minutes, they were not effective in removing biofilm. Up to 1,950 ppmv of ethanol was observed in the automobile treated with the antimicrobials. Although the figure is lower than the acute toxicity level when inhaled by humans, the health safety of the chemical substances used in the antimicrobials needs to be reviewed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.76-82
• /
• 2003

To prepare evolved PHB depolymerase with increased activity for PHB or P(3HB-co-3HV) compared to the activity of the original PHB depolymerase from Alcaligenes faecalis T1, random mutation of the cloned PHB depolymerase gene was performed by using a DNA shuffling method. A library of mutated PHB depolymerase genes from A. faecalis T1 was fused to the ice nucleation protein (INP) gene from Pseudomonas syringae in pJHCl 1 and approximately 7,000 transformants were isolated. Using M9 minimal medium containing PHB or P(3HB-co-3HV) as the carbon source, mutants showing alteration in PHB depolymerase activity were selected from the transformants. The PHB depolymease activity of the transformants was confirmed by the formation of halo around colony and the turbidity decrease tests using culture supermatants. The catalytic activity of PHB depolymerase of the best mutant II-4 for PHB or P(3HB-co-13 mol% 3HV) was approximately 1.8-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively, higher than that of the original PHB depolymerase. DNA sequence analysis revealed that three amino acid residues (Ala209Val, Leu258Phe, and Asp263Thr) were substituted in II-4. From the mutational analysis, it was presumed that the substitution of amino acids near catalytic triad to more hydrophobic amino acids enhance the catalytic activity of PHB depolymerase from A. faecalis T1.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.683-694
• /
• 2000

Abstrace: The palaeodepositional environment and age of the Cretaceous Hampyeong Basin (southwestern Korea) are reassessed based on new geochemical, lithological, sedimentological, and palaeobotanical data. Results indicate that the Hampyeong Basin was a tectonically active basin comprising predominantly fluvial and lacustrine sediments. Four distinctive facies types have been identified (acidic tuff, black shales/sandstones, red beds, intermediate tuff with tuffaceous conglomerate) and these reflect periods of significant environmental change within the basin and its neighbouring terrains. Volcanism driven by tectonic events provides a source for much of the sediment. The sedimentary sequences compare well with those in the neighbouring Haenam Basin. Sediments of volcanic origin are similar to those of the Neungju Formation of the Yuchon Group. The widespread occurrence of black shales is indicative of extended periods of deposition under anoxic conditions. Measurements of total organic carbon show that the values for the black shales (0.81% to 1.75%) are the average for petroleum source shales. Fossil plants occurred in the black shales and sandstones. The occurrence of platanoid leaves places these sediments in Oishi's angiosperm series, which is consistent with an Aptian/Albian or younger age.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.573-578
• /
• 2001

The effects of organic supplement (acetate) and dissolved oxygen concentration on the nitrification rate of wastewater were investigated in the 27.7 L pilot-scale airlift biofilm reactor with the granular activated carbon media of 0.613 mm diameter. The ammonium oxidation rate increased stepwise up to 5 kg N/㎥$.$d at the riser air velocity of 0.063 m/s, when the air velocity and the ammonium loading rate were raised alternately. The nitrite build-up was observed during the early stage of the biofilm formation, which disappeared after the reactor operation of 128 days. As increasing the organic loading rate, the organic oxidation rate increased up to 25.0 kg COD/㎥$.$d with the removal efficiency of 94% but the oxidation rates of ammonium and nitrite decreased. The oxidation rates of ammonium and nitrite increased with the dissolved oxygen concentrations. When the pure oxygen was sparged, the ammonium oxidation rate was almost five times higher than that with air at the same velocity.