• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2011

$SF_6$ (Sulfur hexafluoride) possesses high GWP (Global Warming Potential) as sepcified by the IPCC (Intergonvernmental Panel of Climate Change). Recently, the recovery-separtion of $SF_6$ research area, including permeation properties studies using various membrane's materials and the practical operation of recovery-separtion using membrane of waste $SF_6$ gas is in the initial state. The separation efficiency of a single $SF_6$ and waste $SF_6$ mixture was evaluated using a PSF (polysulfone), PC (tetra-bromo polycarbonate) and PI (polyimide) hollow fiber membranes. According to the results of single gases permeation properties, PI membrane has the highest permselectivity of $N_2$ gas in $N_2/SF_6$ gas. Under the condition of P=0.5 MPa, the highest concentration of recovered $SF_6$ is 95.6 vol % in the separation experiment of $SF_6/N_2$ mixture gas by PC membrane. Under the operation pressure of P=0.3 MPa at a fixed retentate flow rate fixed of 150 cc/min, the maximum recovery efficiency of $SF_6$ is up to 97.8% by PSF membrane. From the results above, it is thought that the separation and recovery technique of $SF_6$ gas using membrane will be used as the representative eco-technology in the $SF_6$ gas treatment in the future.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.283-295
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• 2011

Many actions against climate change have been taken to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions at home and abroad. As of 2007, the GHGs emitted from buildings accounted for about 23 % of Korea's total GHGs emission, which is the second largest GHG reduction potential following industry. In this study, we introduced Carbon Zero Building (CZB), which was constructed by the National Institute of Environmental Research to cut down GHGs from buildings in Korea, and evaluated the main applied technologies, the amount of energy load and reduced energy, and economic values for CZB to provide data that could be a basis in the future construction of this kind of carbon-neutral buildings. A total of 66 technologies were applied for this building in order to achieve carbon zero emissions. Applied technologies include 30 energy consumption reduction technologies, 18 energy efficiency technologies, and 5 eco-friendly technologies. Out of total annual energy load ($123.8kWh/m^2$), about 40% of energy load ($49kWh/m^2$) was reduced by using passive technologies such as super insulation and use of high efficiency equipments and the other 60% ($74.8kWh/m^2$) was reduced by using active technologies such as solar voltaic, solar thermal, and geothermal energy. The construction cost of CZB was 1.4 times higher than ordinary buildings. However, if active technologies are excluded, the construction cost is similar to that of ordinary buildings. It was estimated that we could save annually about 102 million won directly from energy saving and about 2.2 million won indirectly from additional saving by the reduction in GHGs and atmospheric pollutants. In terms of carbon, we could reduce 100 ton of $CO_2$ emissions per year. In our Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, the Break Even Point (BEP) for the additional construction cost was estimated to be around 20.6 years.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.377-388
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• 2022

Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to identify the As removal mechanism of the residual slag generated after the mineral carbonation process. The residual slags were manufactured from the steelmaking slag (blast oxygen furnace slag: BOF) through direct and indirect carbonation process. RDBOF (residual BOF after the direct carbonation) and RIBOF (residual BOF after the indirect carbonation) showed different physicochemical-structural characteristics compared with raw BOF such as chemical-mineralogical properties, the pH level of leachate and forming micropores on the surface of the slag. In batch experiment, 0.1 g of residual slag was added to 10 mL of As-solution (initial concentration: 203.6 mg/L) titrated at various pH levels. The RDBOF showed 99.3% of As removal efficiency at initial pH 1, while it sharply decreased with the increase of initial pH. As the initial pH of solution decreased, the dissolution of carbonate minerals covering the surface was accelerated, increasing the exposed area of Fe-oxide and promoting the adsorption of As-oxyanions on the RDBOF surface. Whereas, the As removal efficiency of RIBOF increased with the increase of initial pH levels, and it reached up to 70% at initial pH 10. Considering the PZC (point of zero charge) of the RIBOF (pH 4.5), it was hardly expected that the electrical adsorption of As-oxyanion on surface of the RIBOF at initial pH of 4-10. Nevertheless it was observed that As-oxyanion was linked to the Fe-oxide on the RIBOF surface by the cation bridge effect of divalent cations such as Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe²⁺. The surface of RIBOF became stronger negatively charged, the cation bridge effect was more strictly enforced, and more As can be fixed on the RIBOF surface. However, the Ca-products start to precipitate on the surface at pH 10-11 or higher and they even prevent the surface adsorption of As-oxyanion by Fe-oxide. The TCLP test was performed to evaluate the stability of As fixed on the surface of the residual slag after the batch experiment. Results supported that RDBOF and RIBOF firmly fixed As over the wide pH levels, by considering their As desorption rate of less than 2%. From the results of this study, it was proved that both residual slags can be used as an eco-friendly and low-cost As remover with high As removal efficiency and high stability and they also overcome the pH increase in solution, which is the disadvantage of existing steelmaking slag as an As remover.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2023

Most of previous cesium (Cs) sorbents have limitations on the treatment in the large-scale water system having low Cs concentration and high ion strength. In this study, the new Cs sorbent that is eco-friendly and has a high Cs removal efficiency was developed by improving the coal mine drainage treated sludge (hereafter 'CMDS') with the addition of Na and S. The sludge produced through the treatment process for the mine drainage originating from the abandoned coal mine was used as the primary material for developing the new Cs sorbent because of its high Ca and Fe contents. The CMDS was improved by adding Na and S during the heat treatment process (hereafter 'Na-S-CMDS' for the developed sorbent in this study). Laboratory experiments and the sorption model studies were performed to evaluate the Cs sorption capacity and to understand the Cs sorption mechanisms of the Na-S-CMDS. The physicochemical and mineralogical properties of the Na-S-CMDS were also investigated through various analyses, such as XRF, XRD, SEM/EDS, XPS, etc. From results of batch sorption experiments, the Na-S-CMDS showed the fast sorption rate (in equilibrium within few hours) and the very high Cs removal efficiency (> 90.0%) even at the low Cs concentration in solution (< 0.5 mg/L). The experimental results were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting the mostly monolayer coverage sorption of the Cs on the Na-S-CMDS. The Cs sorption kinetic model studies supported that the Cs sorption tendency of the Na-S-CMDS was similar to the pseudo-second-order model curve and more complicated chemical sorption process could occur rather than the simple physical adsorption. Results of XRF and XRD analyses for the Na-S-CMDS after the Cs sorption showed that the Na content clearly decreased in the Na-S-CMDS and the erdite (NaFeS₂·2(H₂O)) was disappeared, suggesting that the active ion exchange between Na⁺ and Cs⁺ occurred on the Na-S-CMDS during the Cs sorption process. From results of the XPS analysis, the strong interaction between Cs and S in Na-S-CMDS was investigated and the high Cs sorption capacity was resulted from the binding between Cs and S (or S-complex). Results from this study supported that the Na-S-CMDS has an outstanding potential to remove the Cs from radioactive contaminated water systems such as seawater and groundwater, which have high ion strength but low Cs concentration.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.210-218
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• 2012

The morphological characteristics, carbon and nitrogen concentrations, stable isotope values and photosynthetic rates of Porphyra yezoensis were studied at the main purple lavers production areas on southwestern coast of Korea. The morphological characteristics of leaf length, leaf width and weight of Porphyra blades were between 11.6~16.3 (average 13.8) cm, 4.6~6.3 (average 5.4) cm, $1.1{\sim}2.6(average\;1.86)g\;DW\;m^{-2}$, respectively. Photosynthetic pigment of Chl a concentration of Porphyra blades was between $2.18{\sim}17.77(average\;9.65)mg\;DW\;Chl\;a\;m^{-2}$. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations of Porphyra blades was between $201{\sim}317(average\;240)mg\;DW\;g^{-1}$, $39.8{\sim}50.0(average\;43.5)mg\;DW\;g^{-1}$ and C/N ratio 5.0~6.7 (average 5.5). The range of average ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of Porphyra blades was between - 25.6 to - 24.0 (average - 24.7)‰ for ${\delta}^{13}C$, and 1.3 to 4.1 (average 2.1)‰ for ${\delta}^{15}N$. Photosynthetic characteristics of seaweeds measured by pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry was used as an indicator of photosynthetic activity. We use Diving-PAM fluorometry to examine photosynthetic rates of the seaweeds Porphyra yezoensis at each station. Maximum quantum yield of Porphyra blades was between 0.46~0.55 (average 0.52), the variance of the effective PS II maximum quantum yield of the station was broadly similar. Maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) of Porphyra blades was between $4.71{\sim}5.84(average\;5.33){\mu}mol\;electrons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$, the changes of maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) of Porphyra yezoensis were similar to those of PS II maximum quantum yield. Photosynthetic efficiency (${\alpha}$) was between 0.027~0.045 (average 0.036). Minimum saturating irradiance ($E_k$) range was $139{\sim}180(average\;156){\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. Minimum saturating irradiance ($E_k$) made a difference by station within the area on southwestern coast. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations and photosynthetic rates of Porphyra blades production areas on southwestern coast were broadly similar. The photosynthetic characteristics showed low photosynthetic rates because the low maximum quantum yields and low maximum relative electron transport rate.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2016

Drought is one of important environmental stress for plant. Drought has deleterious effect to plant growth including maize (Zea mays L.) such as vegetative and/or reproductive growth, root extension, photosynthesis efficiency, flowering, anthesis-silking interval (ASI), fertilization, and grain filling. In this study, we screened drought tolerant maize in 21 cultivars from different sources, sixteen NAM parent lines (B73, CML103, CML228, CML247, CML277, CML322, CML333, CML69, Ki11, Ki3, Ky21, M37W, Mo18w, NC350, Oh43 and Tx303), four Korean hybrids (Cheongdaok, Gangdaok, Kwangpyeongok and Pyeonganok) and one Southeast Asian genotype (DK9955). Drought stress (DS) index was evaluated with leaf rolling score at seedling stage and ASI at silking date. The leaf rolling scoring of CML228, DK9955 and Ki11 were determined 1.28, 1.85, 1.86, respectively. However, M37W, Kwangpyeongok, B73 and NC350 were determined over the 3. ASI analysis revealed that CML228, CML103, Cheongdaok, NC350, B73, CML322, Kwangpyeongok and Ki11 are represented less than 5 days under DS and less than 3 days of difference between DS and well-watered (WW), but CML69, Ki3, Pyeonganok, M37W, Mo18w and Gangdaok were represented more than 10 days under DS and more than 8 days of difference between DS and WW. Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) analysis determined CML228, Ki11, and CML322 were regarded as drought tolerance cultivars. Eventually, Ki11 showed genetic similarity with Korean cultivars by QTL analysis and MDS analysis. Ki11 has a potential for development of drought tolerance maize with Korean cultivars.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.268-273
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: Petroleum-contaminated soil from leaking above- and underground storage tanks and spillage during transport of petroleum products is widespread environmental problem in recent years. Application of compost may be the most promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly technology for soil bioremediation because of its advantages over physical and chemical technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of compost application on degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.METHOD AND RESULTS: An arable soil was artificially contaminated by diesel, and compost was applied at the different rate of 0, 10, 30, and 50 Mg/ha. Concentration of TPH in the soil decreased as application rate of compost increased. Degradation efficiency was highest at compost 30 Mg/ha; however, it slightly decreased with compost 50 Mg/ha. Kinetic modeling was performed to estimate the rates of chemical reaction. The correlation coefficient (R2) values for the linear plots using the second-order model were higher than those using the first-oder model. Compost 30 and 50 Mg/ha had the fastest TPH degradation rate in the second-order model. Change of microbial population in soil with compost application was similar to that of TPH. Microbial population in the soil increased as application rate of compost increased. Increasing microbial population in the contaminated soil corresponded to decreased in TPH concentration.CONCLUSION: Conclusively, compost application for soil bioremediation could be an effective response to petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. The increase in microbial population with compost suggested that compost application at an optimum rate might enhance degradation of TPH in soil.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.367-376
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• 2021

Strawberry cultivation in Korea is grown in greenhouse, but most farms manage their water supply using a timer control method based on the experience of growers. The timer control has problems in that it is difficult to consider the weather condition, the growth stage of crops, and the moisture content of the substrate, so that the crops cannot be managed at an optimal level, and the accuracy of cultivation management are lacking. The watering methods using integrated solar irradiance and substrate moisture contents are control systems that provide eco-friendly and precise water supply considering the growth conditions of crops. The purpose of this study was to compare the combined water supply control with integrated solar irradiance and substrate moisture contents and timer control method in hydroponic cultivation of strawberries using coir, and to set the optimal integrated solar irradiance level for complex water supply control. The irrigation system was automatically watered when it reached 100, 150, 250 J·cm^-2 based on the external solar irradiance, and forced irrigation was performed at a substrate moisture content of less than 60% in all treatments. The amount of irrigation at once was 50 mL. The timer treatment was applied as a control. The smaller the level of integrated radiation to start watering, the greater the daily amount of irrigation. Both the fresh weight and dry weight per plant were higher in the complex irrigation control method than the timer control, and the 100 and 150 J·cm^-2 treatment had the highest fresh weight, and the 100 J·cm^-2 treatment showed a significantly higher dry weight. The yield was also significantly higher in the complex control method than in the timer, and the early yield increased as the level of integrated solar irradiance was smaller. The fresh weight of fruit was the lowest in the timer-controlled irrigation. As a result of this study, the possibility of combined control irrigation method using integrated solar irradiance and substrate moisture content was confirmed for precise water supply management of strawberries in hydroponics.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2020

This study analyzes the effects of mixed fermented organic fertilizer on chinese cabbage growth and soil properties in order to investigate the nutritional effects of organic fertilizers, which are developed as an alternative fertilizer for imported castor oil cake. In this study, four treatments were set up: 100% and 200% rate of nitrogen application (320 kg ha-1 for Chinese cabbage) on mixed fermented organic fertilizer A(FA) and mixed fermented organic fertilizer B(FB), respectively, 100% rates of the mixed expeller cake (MEC) fertilizer, and the untreated control. Results revealed that the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage increased as more fermented organic fertilizer was used. However, while there were no significant differences in growth characteristics between treatments of 100% rate of mixed fermented organic fertilizer and 100% rate of MEC, the impacts on yields resulted similar. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Chinese cabbage was measured a range of 20-31% depending on the response to treatment. The 100% FA showed the same as NUE and nitrogen absorption with 100% rate of MEC. Regarding soil properties after cultivation, there were no significant differences among the effects of fertilizers in pH, EC, soil organic matter, and available phosphate. However, the content of exchangeable cations(K, Ca, Mg) was higher in areas treated with mixed fermented organic fertilizer than in untreated areas. Furthermore, the bacterial population density in the soil was higher in areas treated with mixed fermented organic fertilizer than in untreated areas and increased as more mixed fermented organic fertilizer was used. There were no significant differences in the population density of actinomycetes and fungi when fertilizer was applied to the soil. These results also show that FA, as a alternative organic fertilizer for imported castor oil cake, has similar nutritional effects as that of MEC. Therefore, further research the appropriate amounts of fertilizer is required to achieve economical and eco-friendly nutrient management.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.42-55
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• 2023

A methodology to predict the carbon performance of newly created urban greening plans is required as policies based on quantifying carbon performance are rapidly being introduced in the face of the climate crisis caused by global warming. This study developed a tree carbon calculator that can be used for carbon reduction designs in landscaping and attempted to verify its effectiveness in landscape design. For practical operability, MS Excel was selected as a format, and carbon absorption and storage by tree type and size were extracted from 93 representative species to reflect plant design characteristics. The database, including tree unit prices, was established to reflect cost limitations. A plantation experimental design to verify the performance of the tree carbon calculator was conducted by simulating the design of parks in the central region for four landscape design, and the causal relationship was analyzed by conducting semi-structured interviews before and after. As a result, carbon absorption and carbon storage in the design using the tree carbon calculator were about 17-82% and about 14-85% higher, respectively, compared to not using it. It was confirmed that the reason for the increase in carbon performance efficiency was that additional planting was actively carried out within a given budget, along with the replacement of excellent carbon performance species. Pre-interviews revealed that designers distrusted data and the burdens caused by new programs before using the arboreal carbon calculator but tended to change positively because of its usefulness and ease of use. In order to implement carbon reduction design in the landscaping field, it is necessary to develop it into a carbon calculator for trees and landscaping performance. This study is expected to present a useful direction for ntroducing carbon reduction designs based on quantitative data in landscape design.