• 한국안전학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.80-85
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• 2021

Radionuclides, particularly radioactive cesium (Cs), are a concern of human health in some nuclear power accidents. It could lead to a high level of intracellular accumulation due to its high radioactivity and long half-life. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a method to remove Cs from wastewater. Herein, we synthesized activated carbon fibers (ACFs) doped with Prussian blue (PB) via in situ methods. We classified samples by their preparation method as either physical (PB-ACF-A) or physicochemical (PB-ACF-B) syntheses for comparison. The PB-ACF-B sample showed a significant surface loss compared to PB-ACF-A but a better ¹³³Cs adsorption capacity. All samples fit well to Langmuir isotherms and the values of qmax were directly correlated to the amount of PB on the surface of the ACFs. Adsorption characteristics were further confirmed by the calculated free energy, enthalpy, and entropy.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.3-8
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• 2013

Collision cell technology-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (CCT-ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentrations of approximately 19 elements associated with airborne PM2.5 samples that were collected from a roadside sampling station in Daejeon, Korea. Standard reference material (SRM 2783, air particulate on filter media) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology was used for the quality assurance of CCT-ICP-MS. The elemental concentrations were compared statistically with the certified (or recommended) values. The patterns of distribution were clearly distinguished between elements with their concentrations ranging over four orders of magnitude. If compared in terms of enrichment factors, it was found that toxic trace elements (e.g., Sb, Se, Cd, As, Zn, Pb, and Cu) of anthropogenic origin are much more enriched in PM2.5 samples of the study site. To the contrary, the results of the correlation analysis showed that PM2.5 concentrations can exhibit more enhanced correlations with the elements (e.g., Fe, K, Si, and Ti) arising from earth's crust. The findings of strong correlations between PM2.5 and the elements of crustal origin may be directly comparable with the dominant role of those species by constituting a major fraction of even PM2.5 as well as PM10 at the roadside area.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.20-25
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• 2010

The gaseous $^{222}Rn$ concentration at the level of clouds was estimated by using the wet scavenging model of its decay products with the observed data of environmental radiation at the ground. And the origin of the $^{222}Rn$ was also discussed. The estimation was done for a precipitation event on Dec. 26-27, 2003, when a large increase of the radiation was observed in Tokai-mura in Ibaraki, Japan. From a backward trajectory analysis, the origin of $^{222}Rn$ atoms for that event was traced back to the northeastern part of China, and it was expected that the large amount of $^{222}Rn$ emitted in the northeastern part of China was transported to Tokai-mura by the Eurasian continental air mass.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• 제10권E호
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• pp.299-302
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• 1994

At a nuclear power plant, environmental radioactivity monitoring is routine work for the radiation safety management For the environmental monitoring of tritium($^3$H) activity in water sampled liquid scintillation counting( LSC) method is applied to measure low- energy beta activity from tritium in the samples. The $^3$H activity is measured using the BECKMAN 5801 system at the KRISS( Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science) for evaluating the lower limits of detection( LLD) of $^3$H measurement and the measuring capability of low-level $^3$H activity at four nuclear Power Plant sites. The LSC systems used for low-level $^3$H activity measurements at the nuclear Power Plants are confirmed to satisfy throughout an intercomparison study under the experimental arrangements by the KRISS.

• 환경생물
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.373-378
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• 2011

Our aim was to investigate the genotoxicity of ambient air in the Krak$\acute{o}$w area after Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident and compare with results from Chernobyl fallout. For the detection of ambient air genotoxicity the technique for screening gene mutation frequency in somatic cells of the $Tradescantia$ stamen hairs ($Trad$-SH assay) was used. Since 11th of March 2011 (Fukushima NPP accident), several pots containing at least 15 shoots of bioindicating plants were exposed to ambient air at 2 sites in the Krak$\acute{o}$w surrounding area, one in the city center, and about 100 pots in a control site (in the glasshouse of the Institute of Nuclear Physics) Continuous screening of mutations was performed. Progenies of 371,090 cells exposed were analyzed. Mutation frequency obtained in the first 10 days has shown a mean control level (GMF*100=$0.06{\pm}0.01$). At scoring period related to influence of a potential Fukushima fallout, a significant increase of gene mutation frequencies above the control level was observed at each site in the range, 0.10~0.33 depending on the location, (mean value for all sites GMF*100=$0.19{\pm}0.05$) that was associated with a strong expression of toxic effects. In the reported studies following the Chernobyl NPP accident monitoring $in$ $situ$ of the ambient air genotoxicity was performed in the period since April $29^{th}$ till June $3^{rd}$ 1986 also with Trad-SH bioindicator. In general, mutation frequency increases due to Chernobyl fallout(GMF*100=$0.43{\pm}0.02$) were corresponding to fluctuation of radioactivity in the air reported from physical measures, and to published reports about increase in chromosome aberration levels. Although, recent data obtained from monitoring of the ambient air quality in the Krak$\acute{o}$w and surroundings are lower when compared to results reported after Chernobyl NPP accident, though results express a significant increase above the control level and also are corresponding with increased air radioactivity reported from physical measurements. Statistically significant in comparison to control increase in gene mutation rates and more prolonged than that after Chernobyl fallout increase of GMF was observed during the period following the Fukushima NPP failure.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.1626-1632
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• 2019

Monitoring of environmental radioactivity is essential for ensuring the radiological safety of residents who live near nuclear power plants. Ulsan, South Korea, is surrounded by 16 nuclear power plants, the highest density in the country. In addition, the city contains facilities for conducting radiological nondestructive testing and using radioisotopes for medical purposes. It makes the confirmation of radiological safety particularly necessary. In this study, sampling points were selected based on regional characteristics, and surface water samples were pretreated and analyzed for gross beta and gamma radiation levels. In addition, the distribution of the city's gamma dose rate was determined using a mobile monitoring system and distribution visualization program. The results showed that there is no effect on the gross beta and gamma nuclides of artificial radionuclides, and the gamma dose rate of the entire region did not exceed the environmental radiation level in South Korea overall, confirming the radiological safety of the city.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권8호
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• pp.1355-1363
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• 2018

Many radionuclides exist in normal environment and artificial radionuclides also can be detected. The radionuclides ($^{131}I$) are widely used for labeling compounds and radiation therapy. In Korea, the radionuclide ($^{131}I$) is produced at the Radioisotope Production Facility (RIPF) at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute in Daejeon. The residents around the RIPF assume that $^{131}I$ detected in environmental samples is produced from RIPF. To ensure the safety of the residents, the radioactive concentration of $^{131}I$ near the RIPF was investigated by monitoring environmental samples along the Gap River. The selected geographical places are near the nuclear installation, another possible location for $^{131}I$ detection, and downstream of the Gap River. The first selected places are the "front gate of KAERI", and the "Donghwa bridge". The second selected place is the sewage treatment plant. Therefore, the Wonchon bridge is selected for the upstream of the plant and the sewage treatment plant is selected for the downstream of the plant. The last selected places are the downstream where the two paths converged, which is Yongshin bridge (in front of the cogeneration plant). In these places, environmental samples, including sediment, fish, surface water, and aquatic plants, were collected. In this study, the radioactive iodine ($^{131}I$) detection along the Gap River will be investigated.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.47-52
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• 2006

$0.3g/cm^3$ 에서 $1.5g/cm^3$까지 다양한 겉보기 밀도를 갖는 감마방출핵종 환경시료의 정확한 방사능 분석을 위해서 자체흡수보정(self-absorption correction)은 중요한 문제이다. 방사선 표준선원을 밀도별로 제작할 필요없이 마리넬리 비커를 감싸는 외부용기를 새롭게 제작하여 실용적이면서 간단한 자체흡수보정방법을 본 논문에서 제시하였다. 밀도 0.8, 1.0, $1.3g/cm^3$ 대해서 새로운 방법을 이용하여 자체흡수보정을 한 효율들과 밀도별로 직접 표준선원용액을 만들어 측정한 효율값이 4 % 이내에서 일치하였다.

• 분석과학
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

시료 전처리가 필요 없는 감마선 분광분석법을 이용하여 지하수 중의 라듐 ($^{226}Ra$) 분석을 위한 측정법을 확립하였다. 방사평형된 딸핵종을 이용한 라듐의 분석 시 가장 문제가 되는 대기 중 라돈 딸핵종에 의한 바탕계수는 측정함 내부로 질소가스를 흘려주므로써 해결하였고, 라듐과 그 딸핵종들 사이의 방사평형 과정에서 생성된 라돈가스의 용기 외부로의 누출은 밀폐된 알루미늄 용기를 사용함으로써 방지할 수 있었다. 또한 측정용기 내부의 공기층에 의한 방사능 변화정도를 조사하기 위하여 임의로 공기층을 만들어 측정한 결과, 물 속에 녹은 라돈의 공기층으로의 발산에 의한 방사능 변화정도는 통상적인 측정오차인 5% 범위 이내였다. 측정 시 검출기 주위로 질소가스를 흘려줌으로서 대기 중 라돈 딸핵종에 의한 간섭을 제거하였고, 검출하한값을 0.02 Bq/L로 낮출 수 있었다. 이는 최근 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)에 의하여 제안된 지하수 중의$^{226}Ra$ Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)인 0.74 Bq/L보다 충분히 작은 값으로서 감마선 분광법을 이용하여 지하수 중의 라듐을 방사능 농도를 정확히 결정할 수 있다는 것을 확인하였다.

• 분석과학
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.64-71
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• 2001

본 논문에서는 검출한계에 대한 기본개념을 기초로 백그라운드 측정시간과 시료측정시간을 고려한 검출한계치 유도과정을 기술하였다. 환경시료 중 Pu의 MDA값 결정에 영향을 미치는 여러인자들 중에서 시료량, 백그라운드 측정시간 및 시료측정시간 변화에 따른 MDA 변동값을 계산하였다. 환경시료에 대한 저준위 방사능 동위원소 측정시 본 연구결과를 통해 도출된 백그라운드 및 시료 측정시간의 적절한 배분에 의한 MDA 계산은 환경방사능 측정결과에 대한 신뢰도 평가에 활용이 가능하다.