• Title/Summary/Keyword: Environmental Radioactivity

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Impact of boundary layer simulation on predicting radioactive pollutant dispersion: A case study for HANARO research reactor using the WRF-MMIF-CALPUFF modeling system

  • Lim, Kyo-Sun Sunny;Lim, Jong-Myung;Lee, Jiwoo;Shin, Hyeyum Hailey
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.53 no.1
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    • pp.244-252
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    • 2021
  • Wind plays an important role in cases of unexpected radioactive pollutant dispersion, deciding distribution and concentration of the leaked substance. The accurate prediction of wind has been challenging in numerical weather prediction models, especially near the surface because of the complex interaction between turbulent flow and topographic effect. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of atmospheric dispersion of radioactive material (i.e. 137Cs) according to the simulated boundary layer around the HANARO research nuclear reactor in Korea using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Mesoscale Model Interface (MMIF)-California Puff (CALPUFF) model system. We examined the impacts of orographic drag on wind field, stability calculation methods, and planetary boundary layer parameterizations on the dispersion of radioactive material under a radioactive leaking scenario. We found that inclusion of the orographic drag effect in the WRF model improved the wind prediction most significantly over the complex terrain area, leading the model system to estimate the radioactive concentration near the reactor more conservatively. We also emphasized the importance of the stability calculation method and employing the skillful boundary layer parameterization to ensure more accurate low atmospheric conditions, in order to simulate more feasible spatial distribution of the radioactive dispersion in leaking scenarios.

Indoor Air Quality Pollution of PM2.5 and Associated Trace Elements Affected by Environmental Tobacco Smoke (환경담배연기로 인한 실내공기 중 PM2.5 및 미량성분 오염 특성)

  • Lim, Jong-Myoung;Lee, Jin-Hong
    • Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.317-324
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    • 2014
  • Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) samples were collected separately in mainstream and side-stream smoke using a self-designed smoking machine, and a total 40 of PM2.5 was collected with low volume air sampler at indoor environments with and without ETS in Daejeon, Korea. About 20 trace elements including toxic metals like As, Cr, Mn, Se, V, and Zn were determined in PM2.5 and ETS samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). It is found that the emission factors of K, Cl, Na, and Al were much higher than those of toxic elements for both mainstream and side-stream smoke. The average concentration of PM2.5 was enriched by 1.5 times at smoking area ($58.7{\pm}18.1{\mu}g/m^3$) than at smoking free area ($38.6{\pm}12.7{\mu}g/m^3$). The concentration ratio of each element between smoking and smoking free area were ranged from 1.1 to 6.0 except Cu (1.0); especially, Ce (6.0), La (5.2), K (2.3), and Co (2.0) showed higher ratio, which suggests that the ETS is one of the possible increasing factors of PM2.5 and elemental concentration at indoor environment.

Soil-to-Plant Transfer Factors and Migration of Radionuclides Applied onto Soli during Growing Season of Cucumber (오이의 재배기간중 처리한 방사성 핵종의 토양;작물체간 전이계수 및 지하이동)

  • Choi, Yong-Ho;Park, Hyo-Kook;Kim, Sang-Bog;Choi, Geun-Sik;Lee, Jeong-Ho
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.304-310
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    • 1997
  • In greenhouse, a mixed solution of Mn-54, Co-60, Sr-85 and Cs-137 was applied to the soil of culture boxes 2 days before sowing cucumber and at 4 different times during its growth for measuring their transfer factors (TFs) for fruit and migration in soil. TFs varied with radionuclide, application time and harvest time by factor of up to about 60. Variations in TFs with application time showed different patterns among radionuclides. TFs decreased on the whole in the order of Sr-85 > Mn-54 > Co-60 > Cs-137. TFs of Mn-54, Co-60 and Cs-137 mixed with topsoil before sowing were a little higher than those for the soil-surface application made at an early growth stage while no difference in Sr-85 TF was found. After harvest, soil concentrations of the radionuclides applied at an early growth stage were examined. They decreased with increasing soil depth and 80${\sim}$99% of the radioactivity remained in the top 3cm. Soil pemeation of the radionuclides migration decreased in the order of Sr-85 > Mn-54 > Co-60 > Cs-137. The present data can be utilized in estimating radionuclide concentration in cucumber fruit, taking proper measures for its harvest and consumption and designing the best way of soil decontamination following an radioactive deposition during the cucummber growing season.

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Effect of L-Ascorbic Acid Contents in Tissue on Collagen Synthesis in Guinea Pigs (Guinea pig의 조직중 L-Ascorbic acid함량이 콜라겐 생합성에 미치는 영향)

  • Yu, Rina;Kurata, Tadao;Arakawa, Nobuhiko
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.241-246
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    • 1992
  • To clarify the requirement of L-ascorbic acid (AsA) in collagen synthesis, the incorporation of 1-$^{14}$ C-proline into the tissues of guinea pigs and the specific radioactivity ratio (proline/hydroxyproline) in collagen were investigated. Male guinea pigs maintained on the AsA-deficient diet were divided into three groups ; group A (AsA-deficient animals) : group B (control animals) supplemented with 5mg AsA/day ; group C (high dose animals) with 300mg AsA/day, and orally supplemented with or with-out AsA for 14 days. Collagen synthesis was estimated by measuring the incorporation of labeled pro-line into collagen in lung and dorsal skin, and the hydroxyproline contents in lung and skin. The AsA contents in the tissues were determined by high-peforrnance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and serum alkaline phosphatase activity was also measured. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity of AsA deficient group was very low as compared with those of AsA supplemented group. Incorporation of labelled proline into collagen and its specific radioactivity ratio in collagen increased with increasing levels of AsA in the tissues. There was a significantly positive relationship between the levels of AsA and hydroxyproline in the tissues.

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Geology and Constituent Rocks, and Radioactive Values of the Eoraesan Area, Chungju, Korea (충주 어래산지역의 지질 및 구성암류와 방사능 값)

  • Kang, Ji-Hoon;Lee, Deok-Seon;Koh, Sang-Mo
    • The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.85-96
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    • 2018
  • The Neoproterozoic Gyemyeongsan Formation and the Mesozoic igneous rocks are distributed in the Eoraesan area, Chungju which is located in the northwestern part of Ogcheon metamorphic zone, Korea, and the rare earth element (REE) mineralized zone has been reported in the Gyemyeongsan Formation. We drew up the detailed geological map by the lithofacies classification, and measured the radioactivity values of the constituent rocks to understand the distribution and characteristics of the source rocks of REE ore body in this paper. It indicates that the Neoproterozoic Gyemyeongsan Formation is mainly composed of metapelitic rock, granitic gneiss, iron-bearing quartzite, metaplutonic acidic rock (banded type, fine-grained type, basic-bearing type, coarse-grained type), metavolcanic acidic rock, and the Mesozoic igneous rocks, which intruded it, are divided into pegmatite, biotite granite, gabbro, diorite, basic dyke. The constituent rocks of Gyemyeongsan Formation show a zonal distribution of mainly ENE trend, and the distribution of basic-bearing type of metaplutonic acidic rock (MPAR-B) is very similar to that of the previous researcher's REE ore body. The Mesozoic biotite granite is regionally distributed unlike the result of previous research. The radioactive value of MPAR-B, which has a range of 852~1217 cps (average 1039 cps), shows a maximum value among the constituent rocks. The maximum-density distribution of radioactive value also agrees with the distribution of MPAR-B. It suggests that the MPAR-B could be a source rock of the REE ore body.

Fundamental Properties and Radioactivity Shielding Characteristics of Mortar Specimen Utilizing CRT Waste Glass as Fine Aggregate (폐 브라운관(CRT) 유리를 잔골재로 대체한 모르타르 시험체의 기초 물성 및 방사선 차폐 특성)

  • Choi, Yoon-Suk;Kim, Il-Sun;Choi, So-Yeong;Yang, Eun-Ik
    • Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.163-170
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    • 2019
  • In recent years, various types of industrial wastes are rapidly increasing with the development of high-tech industries. Specially, high-density waste glass of CRT TV containing heavy metals are buried or disposed of due to reprocessing costs and environmental pollution problems. Thus, more basic research is needed to recycle waste such as CRT waste glass such. In this study, the fundamental properties and radiation shielding performance of mortar specimens substituted CRT waste glass as a fine aggregate were analyzed and their application to shielding materials was evaluated. According to the results, the bulk density of mortar specimen replaced with CRT waste glass was increased and the compressive strength and flexural strength were decreased. Meanwhile, the CRT waste glass substitute specimen containing a large amount of lead component showed a higher shielding performance than the general mortar specimen. Especially, the linear attenuation coefficient of CRT waste glass in $122KeV{\cdot}^{57}Co$ of the low energy field was 2.5 times higher than that of normal specimen.

In Vivo Metabolic studies on Carbofuran Degradation in carp(Cyprinus carpio L.) (Carbofuran 의 잉어(Cyprinus carpio)체내 대사)

  • Lee, Yang-Kee;Kim, In-Seon;Im, Keon-Jae;Suh, Yong-Tack
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.25-30
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    • 1997
  • Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of $^{14}C-carbofuran$(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamte) were studied in carp(Cyprinus carpio L.) after the treatment of carbofuran at the dose level of 43 parts per billion. Maximum radioactivities in tissues(liver, kidney, gut, gall bladder) and blood of carp were shown 12hrs after the treatment of $^{14}C-carbofuran$. Carbofuran was metabolized to 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran in liver and kindney of carp, and the major metabolite was 3-hydroxycarbofuran. Most radioactivity absorbed into the carp tissues was eliminated 3hrs after transfer of the carp to fresh water. The excretory metabolites were 3-ketocarbofuran(32.3%), 3-hydroxycarbofuran(52.8%) and an unknown metabolite(2.6%) during the period of 3hrs of the excretory experiment.

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Research Perspective of an Extremophilic Bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans on Bioremediation of Radioactive Wastes (방사성 폐기물의 생물정화를 위한 극한세균 데이노코쿠스 라디오두란스의 연구적 고찰)

  • Jeong, Sun-Wook;Choi, Yong Jun
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.133-140
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    • 2017
  • Increasing concerns on radioactive wastes have drawn much attention on the development of remediation technologies. Massive amounts of radioactive wastes generated from hospital and nuclear power plants were exposed to our environment. Although physicochemical removal methods were developed, an eco-friendly remediation method has not yet been demonstrated. Recently, an extremophilic bacterium has received much attention due to their extraordinary characteristics. Among them, Deinococcus radiodurans (D. radiodurans) strain was regarded as the best host organism for the removal of radioactive heavy metals and radionuclides, because of their superb characteristics like tolerance against the high level of radioactivity. In this article, we briefly introduced the extraordinary nature of D. radiodurans and also discussed the potential use of D. radiodurans strain for the removal of radioactive wastes.

Monitoring of Climate Change of Northeast Asia and Background Atmosphere in Korea

  • Oh, Sung-Nam;Chung, Hyo-Sang;Choi, Jae-Cheon;Bang, So-Young;Hyun, Myung-Suk
    • Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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    • 2003.11a
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    • pp.232-235
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    • 2003
  • In general, the parameters of climate change include aerosol chemical compounds, aerosol optical depth, greenhouse gases(carbon dioxide, CFCs, methane, nitrous oxide, tropospheric ozone), ozone distribution, precipitation acidity and chemical compounds, persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, radioactivity, solar radiation including ultra-violet and standard meteorological parameters. Over the last ten years, the monitoring activities of Korea regarding to the climate change have been progressed within the WMO GAW and ACE-Asia IOP programs centered at the observation sites of Anmyeon and Jeju Gosan islands respectively. The Greenhouse gases were pointed out that standard air quality monitoring techniques are required to enhance data comparability and that data presentation formats need to be harmonized and easily understood. Especially, the impact of atmospheric aerosols on climate depends on their optical properties, which, in turn, are a function of aerosol size distribution and the spectral reflective indices. Aerosol optical depth and single scattering albedo in the visible are used as the two basic parameters in the atmospheric temperature variation studies. The former parameter is an indicator of the attenuation power of aerosols, while the latter represents the relative strength of scattering and absorption by aerosols. For aerosols with weak absorption, surface temperature decreases as the optical depth increases because of the domination of backscattering. For aerosols with strong absorption, however, warming could occur as the optical depth increases. The objective of the study is to characterize the means, variability, and trends of Greenhouse gases and aerosol properties on a regional basis using data from its baseline observatories in Korea peninsula. A further goal is to understand the factors that control radiative forcing of the greenhouse and aerosol.

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A Study on Minimum Detection Limit of Environmental Radioactivity in HPGe Detector (HPGe 검출기에서 환경방사능측정의 검출하한치에 관한 연구)

  • Jang, Eun-Sung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.5-10
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    • 2011
  • Based on basic concept of detection limit, sample measurement time & background measurement time was considered, and MDA values according to background measurement time and sample measurement time in land samples(river soil, surface soil, drinking water, underground water, surface water, pine leaf, mugwort) analysis among environmental samples were compared. Seeing the water sample analysis result, it was shown that most of the samples were not detected, and most of the samples in land specimen analysis showed to be below the detection limit of "Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Announcement Je-2008-28-ho", but $^{137}Cs$ which is one of artificial radioactive nuclide was detected in some samples. It can be traced back to 1950s and 1960s when nuclear tests were carried out in atmosphere and catastrophic Chernobyl atomic power station accident that caused fallouts in the sky, and this is common level of detection that can be observed worldwide. Seeing the result that the $^{134}Cs$(which is a isotope of $^{137}Cs$, and it has relatively short half life) was not detected in all samples, it can be considered it doesn't affect to the operation of atomic power station.