• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.361-369
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• 2010

Objectives: An outbreak of norovirus occurred at a high school in Gyeongju city in 2009. An epidemiological investigation was carried out to examine the infection source and the transmission route of norovirus, and to prevent a recurrence. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted for 520 male students and 8 food handlers. Rectal swabs were examined in 21 symptomatic students and the 8 food handlers by Gyeongsangbukdo Government Public Institute of Health & Environment, and an environmental investigation was performed. A case-control study was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and disease. Results: The attack rate was 21.3% (111/520) between January 29 and February 10, and norovirus GII was isolated from 12 of 21 students. Food handlers had no symptoms and their stool samples were negative. The case-control study revealed that seasoned soy bean sprouts {odds ratio (OR): 2.542, 95% CI=1.315-4.915} and drinking water from the purifiers in the cafeteria (OR: 2.854, 95% CI=1.107-7.358) supplied on February 3 were significant risk factors for the outbreak. Water pipes and waste pipes were located in the same place where was filled with some water and trace of high water level was detected. Conclusions: The major risk factors for this norovirus outbreak were presumed to be the contaminated seasoned soy bean sprouts and drinking water from the purifiers in the cafeteria. More strict personal and environmental hygiene need to be enforced to prevent such outbreaks.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.86-94
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• 2008

Lake Shiwha, an artificial lake located near metropolitan Seoul, offers a unique water environment and has been suspected to have high levels of chemical and microbiological contaminations. Lake Shiwha was originally connected to the sea but currently has four major surface water inputs from agricultural, municipal, industrial areas and in addition an occasional inflow from the sea. The objectives of this study are to investigate the relative contribution of microbial contaminants from each of the inflowing surface waters and to identify appropriate microbial indicator organisms in this unique water environment. We measured the levels of microbial contaminations in the four inflowing surface waters. A number of microbial indicator organisms including total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), E. coli, Enterococci, somatic and male-specific coliphages were analyzed. Bacterial indicator microorganisms were detected and quantified by the $Colilert^{(R)},\;Enterolert^{(R)}$ kit. Surface water (50 l) was sampled by $ViroCap^{TM}\;5"$ cartridge filters and analyzed by the single agar layer method for detecting coliphages. The concentrations of TC, FC, E. coli, and Enterococci were 1543 CFU/100 ml${\sim}1.99{\times}10^6$ CFU/100 ml, 0 CFU/100 ml${\sim}202$ CFU/100ml, 0 CFU/100 ml${\sim}1.80{\sim}10^5$ CFU/100ml, 74 CFU/100 ml${\sim}3408$ CFU/100 ml, respectively. The male-specific and somatic coliphages were detected in three different inflowing surface waters. Isolated E. coli and Enterococci strains were further analyzed by 16s rDNA amplification and subsequent phylogenetic analysis from Jungwang-chun, Ansan-chun, Banwol-chun and penstock of inflowing surface water. Our results indicated that the concentrations of different fecal indicator microorganisms might not be highly correlated with each other. Multiple microbial indicator organisms should be used for monitoring microbial contamination and microbial source tracking methods.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.173-200
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• 1992

The quality of groundwater in the central part of Taegu City is influenced by upstreams of Sin-stream and Beomeo-stream because the stream waters are main source of the groundwater, and chemical composition of the upstream waters has close relationship with andesite and monzonite in the igneous rock terrain. The pH of upstreams are weak acid ~ neutral in the igneous rock area and weak alkaline in the sedimentary rock area. Contents of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ in the streams are apparently high, and $Na^{+}$ content is only slightly high in the sedimentary rock area. But $K^{+}$ content is lower in the Panyaweol formation area than in the monzonite area. The contents of heavy metals and $N0_3^{-}$ are also higher in the sedimentary rock area of residential sections and industrial complexes than those in the igneous rock area. The groundwater is contaminated in comparison to the upstream water of the igneous rock areas, and there are some differences in pollution level between the Panyaweol formation area of residential sections and the Haman formation area of industrial complexes. K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, $SO_4$ and $NO_3$ contents in the Haman formation area are relatively higher than those in the Panyaweol formation area. But pH is nearly equal in the two areas. The content of heavy metal ions is still lower than the drinking water standard of Korea and only slightly differs in the two sedimentary rock areas. But the groundwater in the Haman formation area is considerably contaminated by Kongdanstream and Dalseo-stream.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.47-51
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• 2001

There are two strategies to cope with the troubles in landfill site after closure. The first method is active in a way that the wastes are dug up and the recyclable materials are reutilized, meanwhile the materials not recyclable are incinerated in order to minimize the volume of residues to be disposed of. The second method is rather passive and defensive in a way that the source of contamination, that is, buried wastes are not treated. Instead, the transport of leaking leachate and gases generated from the wastes are intercepted and controlled. In this study, as a passive way of the efficient leachate blocking process, applicabilities of geocrete and soluble sodium silicate as a substitute to control leachate leaking from landfill sidewall were investigated. In case of compression test, the strength of mixture I (Geocrete:Sodium silicate=1:3.9 v/v) and mixture II (Geocrete:Sodium silicate=1:2.5 v/v), even after 7 days' curing was higher than the minimum allowance to tolerate the loading(5 kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$). Soaking in the acid fur 4 days and 7 days respectively, the compressive strength of the specimens reduced seriously. The toxicity of geocrete is not detected through the bioassay test, once it was mixed with sodium silicate and the complex was formed. The hydraulic conductivity of the mixtures even after 7 days' curing was lower than the threshold limit $(1.0\times10_{-7}cm/s)$.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.235-250
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• 2017

In this study, we monitored 4 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and tetrachloromethane in groundwater samples to determine the detection frequency and their concentrations and evaluated the health risk level considering ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. 75 groundwater wells were selected. 24 wells were from monitoring background groundwater quality level and 51 wells were from monitoring groundwater quality level in industrial or contamination source area. In the results, the detection frequency for chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and tetrachloromethane was 42.3%, 8.1%, 6.0%, and 3.4%, respectively. The average concentrations of VOCs were high in the order of chloroform ($1.7{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), dichloromethane ($0.08{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), tetrachloromethane ($0.05{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), and 1,2-dichloroethane ($0.05{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$). Chloroform had the highest detection frequency and average detection concentration. In the contaminated groundwater, the detection frequency of VOCs was high in the order of chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dchloroethane, and tetrachloromethane. The average concentrations for chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and tetrachloromethane were $2.23{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $0.08{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $0.07{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and $0.06{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. All the 4 compounds were detected at industrial complex and storage tank area. The maximum concentration of chloroform, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane was detected at industrial complex area. Especially, the maximum concentration of chloroform and dichloromethane was detected at a chemical factory area. In the uncontaminated groundwater, the detection frequency of VOCs was high in the order of chloroform, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dchloroethane and tetrachloromethane was not detected. The average concentrations for chloroform, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane were $0.57{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $0.07{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and $0.03{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. Although chloroform in the uncontaminated groundwater was detected the most, the concentration of chloroform was not exceeding water quality standards. By land use, the maximum detection frequency of 1,2-dichloroethane was found near a traffic area. For human risk assessment, the cancer risk for the 4 VOCs was $10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-9}$, while the non-cancer risk (HQ value) for the 4 VOCs is $10^{-2}{\sim}10^{-3}$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2012

Major ions and nitrogen isotopic analyses were performed to determine the geochemical characters and to identify the source of nitrate of the shallow groundwater around agricultural field in the Youngdong area. The pH value of groundwater ranges from 60. to 8.2 (pH 7.2, mean). The average of EC, Eh and DO is 369 ${\mu}S/cm$ (70~729 ${\mu}S/cm$), 165.6 mV (29~383.2 mV), 4.3 mg/L (1.8~8.0 mg/L) respectively. The ion concentraion of groundwater was in the order of $Ca^{2+}$>$Na^{2+}$>$Mg^{2+}$>$K^{2+}$ and ${HCO_3}^-$>${NO_3}^-$>${SO_4}^{2-}$>$Cl^-$>$F^-$. Most of groundwater is Ca-$HCO_3$ type. The groundwater was affected by water-rock interaction in the shallow depth. Some groundwater is Ca-Cl or Na-$HCO_3$ (2.5%) type that was due to agricultural activities. The $NO_3$_N concetration of grondwater range from 10.2 mg/l to 26.9 mg/l, which show that this area is under nitrate pollution. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ value of the groundwater is the origins of are a combination of animal wastes and man-made fertilizers.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2006

Coal combustion fly ash, which has a high available Si content and alkaline pH, was selected as a potential source of soil amendment in this study. Two field experiments were carried out to evaluate the possibility of heavy metal accumulation in silt loam (Pyeongtaeg series) and loamy sand (Nagdong series) of rice (Oryza sativa) paddy soils to which 0, 40, 80, and $120Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of fly ash were added. Rice yields increased significantly with fly ash application and the highest rice yields were achieved following the addition of around $90Mg\;ha^{-1}$ fly ash. Fly ash increased the soil pH but did not increase heavy metal uptakes of rice and heavy metal concentration in soils, due to very low concentration of heavy metals in the selected fly ash. Labile fraction of heavy metals (exchangeable + acidic fraction) was scarcely contained and most of them were stable and unavailable form (oxidizable and residual fraction). In conclusion fly ash could be a good supplement to an inorganic soil amendments without heavy metal contamination in paddy soils.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1095-1101
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• 2008

Nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPL) are the continuous source for soil and groundwater contamination. The first objective of the study was to verify the effect of co-injection of cosolvent and air on NAPL removal from soil-column system. The second objective of the study was to investigate the effect of alcohol-partitioning property on the NAPL removal by the co-injection process of cosolvent and air. Enhanced removal of benzene-NAPL by the co-injection process of ethanol and air was also verified within the soilcolumn system. However, the co-injection process of Tert-butanol (TBA) and air showed no enhancement of benzene-NAPL removal. This study found that the viscous pressure of TBA was so higher than the capillary pressure and TBA easily displaced the benzene-NAPL and air present in soil pores. Air of the coinjection process did not work for NAPL removal but hindered NAPL mobilization. NAPL partitioning property and viscous pressure of cosovlent should be considered for application of the co-injection process of cosolvent and air.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2004

The yeongok stream originates at the natural park, Mt. O-dae and flows to the East Sea of korea, normally maintaining I or II grade of water quality and its average water flux is 352,100 ㎥/d. However, the typhoon 'Rusa', which occured on 31 August 2002, changed its watercourse and configuration, and the ecosystem was deeply damaged. Moreover, the hydrological characteristics were once more transformed, and the ecosystem was secondarily damaged during repair-work of destroyed bridges and elevations. After the flood disaster, the species diversity diminished 17% for attached diatom and 44% for aquatic animals. However, the earth and sand, dug from river bed during intensive repair-work throughout the entire stream, made diversity drop to 32% for the diatom and the aquatic animals were wiped out. Especially, fishes were totally destroyed except for some species such as Moroco oxycephalus in the upper stream. The yeongok stream has little contamination source and short water residence time due to the short length and rapid slope, and consequently a temporary deterioration of water quality caused by repair-work may be rapidly recovered, but it needs a long time to restore the damaged ecosystem.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2003

Eleven bacterial strains which are able to utilize terephthalic acid as a carbon and an energy source for growth were isolated from the soil of 7 water quality evaluation points in Kyonggi area of Korea. Phthalic acid isomer degrading activity of the isolates from the 4 contaminated points was higher than those from the 3 clean points. Among 11 isolates, 4 isolates which have high terephthalic acid degrading activity and degrade two phthalic acid isomers were identified by partal 16S rDNA sequence determination. One of them was identified as Pseudomonas putida, and the others as Comamonas testosteroni. Thus a large number of phthalic acid isomer degrading bacteria in domestic soil were inferred as C. testosteroni. On the basis of these results, the PCR detection of C. testosteroni in soil was applied to monitor soil contamination by phthalic acid isomers. The DNA of C. test-osteroni extracted from 4 g soil was directly detected by PCR with C. testosteroni specific primer pair. The amount of PCR products was different according to sampling sites and more PCR products were obtained from contaminated sites than those from clean sites (Gulpo-chun＞Anyang-chun＞Hwangguji-chun>Shin-chun＞Huk-chun＞Pukhan-river>Kapyeong-chun). This result was coincided with that of the viable cell counts for terephthalic acid degrading bacteria.