• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.269-286
• /
• 2015

24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were performed between December 2013 and October 2014 at an urban site in Gwangju and the collected samples were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic species, and elemental species. Objectives of this study were to identify $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episodes, to characterize their chemical components, and to examine their probable origins. Over the course of the study period, average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was $37.7{\pm}23.6$ $(6.0{\sim}121.5){\mu}g/m^3$. Concentrations of secondary ionic species; $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ was on average $5.54{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.28~ 20.86), $7.60{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.45~ 33.53), and $9.05{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.50~ 34.98), accounting for 13.7% (4.6~ 22.7), 18.6% (2.9~ 44.8), and 22.9% (4.9~ 55.1) of the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration, respectively. Average OC and EC concentrations were $5.22{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.54{\mu}g/m^3$, taking possession of 4.6 and 22.2% (as organic mass) of the $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. Frequencies at which 24-hr averaged $PM_{2.5}$ exceeded a 24-hr averaged Korean $PM_{2.5}$ standard of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ (termed as an "episode" in this study) were 30, accounting for 21.3% of total 141 measurements. These pollution episodes were mostly associated with haze phenomenon and weak surface wind speed. It is suggested that secondary formation of aerosol was one important formation mechanism of the episodes. The episodes were associated with enhancements of organic mass, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in winter, of $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in spring, and of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in summer. Potential source contribution function results indicate also that $PM_{2.5}$ episodes were likely attributed to local and regional haze pollution transported from northeastern China in winter, to atmospheric processing of local emissions rather than long-range transport of air pollutants in spring, and to the $SO_4{^{2-}}$ driven by photochemistry of $SO_2$ in summer.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.1297-1306
• /
• 2017

This study identified physical characteristics and aerosol particle sources of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ in the industrial complex of Busan Metropolitan City, Korea. Samples of $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ and also soil, were collected in several areas during the year of 2012 to investigate elemental composition. A URG cyclone sampler was used for collection. The samples were collected according to each experimental condition, and the analysis method of SEM-EDX was used to determine the concentration of each metallic element. The comparative analysis indicated that their mass concentration ranged from 1% to 3%. The elements in the industrial region that were above 10% were Si, Al, Fe, and Ca. Those below 5% were Na, Mg, and S. The remaining elements (1% of total mass) consisted of elements such as Ni, Co, Br and Pb. Finally, a statistical tool was applied to the elemental results to identify each source for the industrial region. From a principal components analysis (SPSS, Ver 20.0) performed to analyze the possible sources of $PM_{10}$ in the industrial region, five main factors were determined. Factor 1 (Si, Al), which accounted for 15.8% of the total variance, was mostly affected by soil and dust from manufacturing facilities nearby, Factors 2 (Cu, Ni), 3 (Zn, Pb), and 4 (Mn, Fe), which also accounted for some of variance, were mainly related to iron, non-ferrous metals, and other industrial manufacturing sources. Also, five factors determined to access possible sources of $PM_{2.5}$, Factor 1 (Na, S), accounted for 13.5% of the total variance and was affected by sea-salt particles and fuel incineration sources, and Factors 2 (Ti, Mn), 3 (Pb, Cl), 4 (K, Al) also explained significant proportions of the variance. Theses factors mean that the $PM_{2.5}$ emission sources may be considered as sources of incineration, and metals, and non-ferrous manufacturing industries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this case study is to assess workers' exposure to carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and characterize particles aerosolized during the process of producing CNT-enabled polytetrafuoroethylene(PTFE) composites at a worksite in Korea. Methods: Personal breathing zone and area samples were collected for determining respirable concentrations of elemental carbon(EC) using NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Method 5040. Personal exposure to nano-sized particles was measured as the number concentration and mean diameter using personal ultrafine particle monitors. The number concentration by particle size was measured using optical particle sizers(OPS) and scanning mobility particle sizers(SMPS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) area samples were collected on TEM grids and analyzed to characterize the size, morphology, and chemistry of the particles. Results: Respirable EC concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.24 ㎍/㎥, which were below 23% of the exposure limit recommended by NIOSH and lower than background concentrations. Number concentrations by particle size measured using OPS and SMPS were not noticeably elevated during CNT-PTFE composite work. Instant increase of number concentrations of nano-sized particles was observed during manual sanding of CNT-PTFE composites. Both number concentrations and mean diameters did not show a statistically significant difference between workers handing CNT-added and not-added materials. TEM analyses revealed the emission of free-standing CNTs and CNT-PTFE aggregate particles from the powder supply task and composite particles embedded with CNTs from the computer numerical control(CNC) machining task with more than tens of micrometers in diameter. No free-standing CNT particles were observed from the CNC machining task. Conclusions: Significant worker exposure to respirable CNTs was not found, but the aerosolization of CNTs and CNT-embedded composite particles were observed during handing of CNT-PTFE powders and CNC machining of CNT-PTFE composites. Considering the limited knowledge on the toxicity of CNTs and CNT composite particles to date, it seems prudent to take a precautionary approach for the protection of workers' health.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.10 no.8
• /
• pp.1129-1135
• /
• 1999

The reduction of $SO_2$ by CO over supported cobalt catalysts was investigated within the temperature range of $350{\sim}550^{\circ}C$, initial $SO_2$ concentration of 1000~10000 ppm, $CO/SO_2$ molar ratio of 1.0~3.0 and space velocity of $5000{\sim}15000h^{-1}$. Several types of supports such as ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$, $TiO_2$ were tested. The $SO_2$ conversion and selectivity to elemental sulfur were investigated using a differential fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure. The catalyst prepared by wet impregration of 5 wt % cobalt on ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ showed $SO_2$ conversion higher than 90% and COS yield lower than 6% at temperature above $400^{\circ}C$. The optimum $CO/SO_2$ molar ratio was investigated as 2.0. At higher $CO/SO_2$ molar ratio, the $SO_2$ conversion became higher but the main product was COS. The effect of $SO_2$ concentration and space velocity over $SO_2$ conversion and COS yield was not appreciable in the experimental range. The activated cobalt phase was detected as $CoS_2$ and the $CoS_2$ phase unchanged even after reaction.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2005

A model for evaluating radioactive contamination in the urban environment, named METRO-K, was developed as a basic step for accident consequence analysis in case of an accidental release. The three kind of radionuclides $(^{137}Cs,\;^{106}Ru,\;^{131}I)$ and the different chemical forms of iodine (particulate, organic and elemental forms) are considered in the model. The radioactive concentrations are evaluated for the five types of surface (roof, paved road, wall, lawn/soil, tree) as a function of time. Using the model, the contaminative impacts of the surfaces were intensively investigated with respect to with and without precipitation during the measurement periods of radionuclides in air. In addition, a practical application study was conducted using $^{137}Cs$ concentration in air and precipitation measured in an European country at the Chernobyl accident. As a result precipitation was an influential factor in surface contamination. The degree of contamination was strongly dependent on the types of radionuclide and surface. Precipitation was more influential in contamination of $^{137}Cs$ than that of $^{131}I$ (elemental form).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.519-528
• /
• 2002

This study was to evaluate the impact of river runoff and salt intrusion by tide on nutrient balance of estuary during a complete tidal cycle. 24 hours time series survey was carried out during a spring tide July 2001 on a tidal estuary in the Keum river. Three stations(A,B,C) were set along a transect line of about 10km, which linked the lower part of estuary dyke to the subtidal zone. Surface water was sampled simultaneously at each station every hours f3r the determination of nutrients. Water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ. Riverine input of silicate and nitrate during ebb tide significantly increased the concentration of all stations. Conversely, during high tide, nutrient concentration were lowered by the mixing of fresh water with sea water Ammonium nitrogen concentration were higher at intertidal zone(Stn.B) due to sewage inflow to Kyeongpo stream and ammonium release under anaerobic conditions. Also, these results was discussed as a biological component that influences the processes of nutrient regeneration within the estuary. Best correlations were found at lower part of estuary dyke(Stn.A) for salinity against DIN(Y=0.121 Sal.+4.97, r2=0.956) and silicate(Y=0.040 Sal.+2.62, r2=0.785). But no significant correlation was found between salinity and ammonium. Unbalanced elemental ratio(N/P, Si/N and Si/P) depended significantly on the import of nutrients (silicate & nitrate nitrogen) from river and stream. The effect of the tidal cycle and river runoff is important that in determining the extend of the variations in nutrient concentrations at all station.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.453-467
• /
• 2000

The aim of this research is to collect and characterize fine particles (FPM:$\leq$2.5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) and coarse particles (CPM: 2.5~10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) using a low volume air sampler provided by the IAEA, at urban (Taejon) and rural area(Wonju) for a period of about two years(April 1996 to May 1998) and to promote a use of nuclear analytical techniques for air pollution studies. For the collection of airborne particulate matter (PM(sub)10), the Gent stacked filter unit sampler and polycarbonate membrane filters were employed. The concentration of trace elements in collected APM samples were determined byu instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. For validation of the analytical data, internal quality control were implemented by using both the comparison of the analytical results of standard reference materials(NIST SRM 1648) and interlaboratory comparison for proficiency test (NAT-3). The standard uncertainty was less than 15% and Z-score of two samples were within $\pm$1. The monitoring of (PM(sub)10) mass concentration and elemental concentrations were carried out weekly. The average mass concentration of (PM(sub)10) in urban and rural areas were 59.2$\pm$36.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ and 41.4$\pm$23.7$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. To investigate the emission source, the enrichment factors were calculated for the fine and coarse particle fractions at two sites, respectively and these values were classified for anthropogenic and soil origin elements.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.865-875
• /
• 2016

In this study, mass concentrations and chemical compositions of $PM_{2.5}$, including water-soluble ions and elements were determined at the 1,100 m-highland of Mt. Hallasan in Jeju Island across four seasons from August 2013 to August 2014. The average mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was $12.5{\pm}8.41{\mu}g/m^3$ with 45.8% of the contribution from eight water-soluble ionic species. Three ionic species ($SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NH{_4}^+$, and $NO{_3}^-$) comprised 96.2% of the total concentration of ions contained in $PM_{2.5}$ and were the dominant ions, accounting for 43.5% of the $PM_{2.5}$ mass at Mt. Hallasan. On the basis of the mass concentration level, seasonal variation, enrichment factor, and relationship among elements, we can presume that Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ba, Nd, and Dy originated mainly from crust or soil and that V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were significantly enriched in $PM_{2.5}$ owing to the effects of the anthropogenic emissions. These results and the local distribution of emission sources and topographic characteristics near this sampling site suggest that the compositions of $PM_{2.5}$ collected at the 1100 m-highland of Mt. Hallasan were largely influenced by inflow from outside of Jeju Island.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.9
• /
• pp.1424-1432
• /
• 2007

Two male, rumen fistulated crossbred Brahman-Thai native beef cattle (body weight = $400{\pm}50$ kg), fed on rice straw as a source of roughage, were used as rumen fluid sources. The treatments were $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangements; two roughages (fresh cassava foliage and cassava hay) and three sulfur levels (elemental sulfur) at 0.2 (control), 0.5 and 1% of DM, respectively. The experiment revealed that the rates (c) of gas production, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, true digestibility, total concentration or molar proportions of VFA and microbial biomass were not significantly different between cassava hay and fresh cassava foliage. However, all parameters for cassava hay were higher than for fresh cassava foliage. The supplementation of 0.5% sulfur to fresh cassava foliage resulted in a significant increase in the rate of gas production, true digestibility, total concentration of VFA, microbial biomass, rate of HCN disappearance, thiocyanate appearance and cyanide percentage conversion into thiocyanate. However, there were no effects of sulfur supplementation at 0.2, 0.5 and 1% to cassava hay. The finding suggests the utilization of cassava foliage for rumen microorganisms in terms of fermentation and HCN detoxification could be improved by sulfur supplementation of 0.5% of DM.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.45-49
• /
• 2006

Drilled sediment core was acquired from Jinheung catchment which was located at Jeollabuk-do Jeongeup city. Elements concentration variation were studied by neutron activation analysis using sediment core by divided 1 cm depth interval. The concentration of major element such as Na, K were increased but Fe was decrease with depth. Minimum elements concentration and particle size were observed at 17 cm depth. This depth was considered 1969 year which was great dry year recorded from the rain fall data and the sedimentation rate was calculated $0.197g{\cdot}cm^{-2}{\cdot}year^{-1}$.