• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.54-60
• /
• 2017

Quantifying the trace elements in infinitesimal ambient liquid samples (e.g., single raindrop, cloud/fog water, and the soluble fraction extracted from the particles collected for a short time) is an important task for understanding formation processes, heating/cooling rates, and their health hazards. The purpose of this study is to employ an in-air micro PIXE system for quantitative analysis of the trace elements in a thimbleful of reference liquid sample. The bag type liquid sample holder originally designed with $10{\mu}m$ thick $Mylar^{(R)}$ film retained the original shape without any film perforation and apparent peaks of film blank by the end of the analysis. As one of tasks to be solved, the homogeneity of the elemental distribution in liquid reference species was verified by the X-ray line profiles for several references. It was possible to resolve the significant peaks for whole target elements corresponding to the channel number of micro-PIXE spectrum. The calibration curves for the six target elements (Si, S, Cl, Fe, Ni, and Zn) in standard solutions were successfully plotted by concentration (ppm) and ROI of interest net counts/dose (nC).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.450-459
• /
• 2004

For the evaluation of emission sources by air sampling, airborne particulate matter for fine (<2.5 ${\mu}m2$ EAD : $PM_{2.5}$) and coarse partical (2.5-10 ${\mu}m2$ EAD : $PM_{2.5-10}$ fractions were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit low volume sampler and two types of polycarbonate filters. Air samples were collected twice monthly at two regions in and around Daejeon city in the Republic of Korea from January to December 2002. Monthly mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{2.5-10}$ were measured and the concentrations of 10 marker elements (Al, Sc, Ti ; Na, Cl ; As, V. Sb, Br, Se) were determined by an instrumental neutron activation analysis. Analytical quality control was corried out using certified reference materials. Enrichment factors were also calculated from the monitoring data to classify the anthropogenic and crustal origins.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.524-528
• /
• 2007

Variations of the twenty one metal components (Mg, Al, V, Cr, Co, Sr, Ba, Na, K Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Pb, Ca, P, Mo, Cd, Sb) were analyzed in human hair sample by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The effect of bleach and permanent wave manipulation on the elemental composition of hair were investigated. It was found that the composition of hair varied with hair bleach and permanent wave. Hair sample was collected from male in the age of thirties. Hair sample (0.05 g) was added to the Teflon digestion bomb together with 1.5 mL of nitric acid and an appropriate amount of In as an internal standard. The sample was then decomposed in the microwave digestion system. In normal hair, the contents of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb and P were increased in permanent wave hair, and Mg, Al, V, Co, Sr, Ba, Na and K were increased in bleached hair. But Mg, Al, Sr, Ba, Hg, Pb, Na, K, and Ca contents were decreased with permanent wave hair, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Pb and Ca contents were decreased with bleached hair.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.13-24
• /
• 2024

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and elemental carbon (EC) in particulate matter, typical primary aerosols have decreased in Seoul between 2003 and 2018 (80% for PAHs and 85% for EC). The yearly mean benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentration has been lower than 1 ng/m3 since 2010-2011, the target value set by the European Union (EU) and China. A series of policies related to solid fuel and vehicle in South Korea and China should be effective in the reduction of the ambient PAHs and EC concentrations. But the emission data of PAHs and EC at both countries did not support that hypothesis. Possible causes are uncertainties in the emission inventories of primary carbonaceous aerosols in South Korea and China, although there may be a minor effect of the emissions from North Korea on the concentrations in Seoul. Thus the further policy directions against PAHs and EC such as improvements of emissions inventories and measurements, intensive regulation of non-road mobile sources and control of PAHs derivatives are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.635-643
• /
• 2016

Wine consumers desire to drink a high quality wine. For producing high quality wine, high quality soil is required. Conventionally, soil quality is assessed qualitatively. Using traditional laboratory methods, quantitative data can be obtained for management purpose, but it is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, new technology aims to address these limitations, namely portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometers (pXRF). This instrument can be used directly in the field, requires no soil sample preparations, and can simultaneously measure a wide range of elements qualitatively that are useful for pedological studies. The chemical composition (Ca, Fe, Ti and Zr) of soils at Tallavera Grove vineyard in New South Wales, Australia, was studied using a pXRF. The analysis of the soil's elemental concentration (i.e. Ca and Fe) using pXRF supports management decisions. Measuring the soil's Ca concentration can be used to identify Ca-rich parent materials (limestone). The limestone indicates good soil conditions for vine production. Fe content was used to identify areas of texture-contrast soils or soil with accumulation of clays in the B horizon. In addition, a soil weathering index was calculated using elemental concentrations (i.e. Ti and Zr) to explore the history of soil formation for making decision of management. This index showed that the soil in the vineyard was affected by two processes: the deposition of materials from elsewhere (Aeolian transport or soil erosion) and mixing of materials from upslope.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.392-402
• /
• 2010

Black carbon (BC) concentrations were measured with an aethalometer (AE-16, 880 nm) at time interval of 5-min at an urban site of Gwangju over a year 2008. 24-hr filter-based integrated measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ particles were also made at the same site during the winter and summer intensive periods to test any optical loading bias in the raw BC data measured by aethalometer. BC concentration was higher in winter than in summer, possibly due to increase in emissions from energy consumption and poor dispersion with reduction of boundary layer in winter. Also temporal cycles of BC indicate that short-term transient spikes were common, occurring primarily during the rush-hour periods. A similar feature was also observed in diurnal concentration cycle of CO, mainly emitted from motor vehicles. When both low wind speed and weather patterns such as mist, haze and etc were combined, high BC concentrations frequently occurred. The amount of optical loading effect described by the "k" factor showed the seasonal variation, ranging from 0.0003 to 0.0036. This implies that optical loading effect is not seen at all times. From the comparison between the filter-based elemental carbon (EC) and aethalometer BC data, it was found that the loading compensated BC values were more reasonable than the raw BC ones reported from the aethalometer.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 2003

The river sediments were collected from 4 points of Seoknam river, one point of Miho river and one point of the joining area of two rivers. For preparation of sample, three sediment samples were collected for the surface, middle and lower part of the sediment at each sampling point. The elemental concentrations were analyzed by neutron activation analysis using HANARO research reactor at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and the concentrations of 30 elements were determined by the relative method using standard reference material of NIST. As a result of analysis, it was found that when the examination and prediction of contamination distribution about the site where the contamination site of river is connected to the lower river is done, the specific gravity of elements which is contained in the sediment and the speed of a current of river should be considered and also found that when the samples for concentration analysis in the river sediments are collected, for the establishment of regional representatives in samples, the range of sampling depth should be determined considering the specific gravity of elements and the speed of a current.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.777-783
• /
• 2013

We used dipodal type bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine (BTMA) silane coupling agent to modify silica nanoparticles to introduce secondary amino groups on the silica surface. These grafted N-H groups were reacted with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) to introduce polymerizable methacrylate groups on the silica surface. After modification reaction, we used several analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA) and solid state $^{13}C$ cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to analyze the effects of reaction time, reaction temperature and used GMA concentration on the modification degree between N-H groups on the silica surface and epoxide groups of GMA. We found increased introduction of methacrylate groups on the silica surface by ring opening reaction of epoxide groups of GMA with N-H groups on BTMA treated silica with increased reaction time, reaction temperature and used GMA concentration within our experimental conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.424-430
• /
• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the standard deviation of the elemental normalization of concentration of selected heavy metals in the surface sediment of Lake Paldang. Methods: Grain size dependency of selected heavy metal concentrations in the surface sediments of Lake Paldang was analyzed by the extrapolation method. The heavy metal concentrations were the sum of all fractions. Results: Cd and Cu showed an increase of the coefficient of determination($r^2$) in the fractional content of particle size, from <256 ${\mu}m$ to <20 ${\mu}m$, and a decrease from <20 ${\mu}m$ to <1 ${\mu}m$. The normalized concentration of Cd and Cu by extrapolation at 50% <20 ${\mu}m$ were 0.8 mg/kg, 37.0 mg/kg, 57.6 mg/kg and 201.7 mg/kg respectively. Conclusions: The normalized concentrations in the sediment of Lake Paldang are 1.5-2.0 times higher than mean average concentration. We concluded that in interpretation of heavy metal concentration in the sediment of Lake Paldang, normalization of grain size dependency should be considered.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 2009.10a
• /
• pp.255-258
• /
• 2009

This study shows that the $Hg^0$ background concentration over the Yellow Sea was generally higher than those observed over other seas/oceans around the world. $Hg^0$ concentrations measured in the urban stomophere were significantly higher than the background concentration in China. Elevated $Hg^0$ concentrations at Deokjeok Island in Korea were attributed to long-range transport of mercury from high emission areas in China.