• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.70-86
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• 2003

Despite its usability, TCE has been managed as a hazardous material due to the toxicity and many contamination cases were surveyed in some developed countries. U.S.EPA(Kram et al., 2001) suggested DNAPL characterization methods and approaches based on survey experiences at several sites. However, Korea has not the least assessment of contamination and trial of remediation, although there are a lot of doubtable areas where ground water would be contaminated with TCE. In this study, we try to assess the volume and extent of ground water contamination with TCE and delineate the contamination source zones in an industrial area. Ground water in this area flows through fractures and the contaminant TCE has the properties of high volatility, high density and low partitioning to soil material. Thus, we applied a variety of technical approaches to identify the contamination status; documentary, hydrogeochemical, hydrogeological and geological surveys. In addition, additional survey was performed based on the interim findings, which showed that ground water contamination was limited to the relatively small area with high concentrations to the deep place. The contamination source zone is estimated to be the asphalt test institute where a great deal of TCE has been used to analyze the amount of asphalt soluble in TCE since 1984. Based on the contamination characterization and a myriad of documents about ground water remediation, appropriate site remediation management options will be recommended later. This study is now under way and this paper was focused on describing the technical approaches used to achieve the goals of this study.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.165-174
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• 1999

This study was conducted to analyze the priority of environmental problems in Korea by investigating the environmental professionals' perception. The delphi technique was applied to identify their risk perception towards some specific items related with pollution. A standardized questionnaire on environmental problems and their priorities was used to 74 subjects. In the questionnaire, the environmental problems were divided into the general ones,9 items, and the specific ones,30 items. Also, the perception was associated with two points of view which were the risk on general human health or ecosystem, and on the present situation in Korea. The priority of risk from general environmental problems on human health or ecosystem was analyzed in the order of 'water pollution', 'air pollution', 'soil contamination', 'waste', 'toxic chemical pollutants', 'food contamination', 'ocean contamination', 'odor pollution', and 'noise pollution'. The priority of risk on the present situation in Korea was analyzed in the order of 'water pollution','air pollution','waste','toxic chemical pollutants','food contamination','soil contamination','ocean contamination','odor pollution', and 'noise pollution'. And these priorities were significantly related with the characteristics of respondents such as sex, age, and major concerned area. However, for the first five priorities of risk from the specific environmental problems on human health or ecosystem, the environmental professionals agreed with 'automotive vehicle exhaust', 'domestic and industrial source pollutants to surface water', '$CO_2$nd g1oba1 warming effect','toxic air pollutant' and 'industrial source air pollution'. The priorities of risk on the present situation in Korea were similar to these results.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.122-127
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• 2010

Constructing the national inventory that can be used as a tool to identify and assess existing or potential contamination is necessary for efficiently managing the soil and groundwater contamination. In order to start this construction, the first step is how we define and classify potential contamination sources of soil and groundwater. After selecting the basic classification model of contamination sources from developed countries, we suggested the classification and list of the potential contamination sources of soil and groundwater which are appropriate for specific conditions of South Korea. In addition, we investigated several databases to confirm the existence of available data sources and then examined established attribute data through chemical accident response information system (CARIS) and water information system (WIS) in National Institute of Environmental Research and mine geographic information system (MGIS) in Mine Reclamation Corporation. All sorts of attribute data in the existing databases can be utilized as significant assessment factors for determining the management priority of potential contamination sources in the future. Therefore, it is required the expanded investigation of additional database sources and the continual modification so that the classification system of potential contamination sources can be improved.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.6.1-6.10
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• 2016

Objectives This study examined the spatial distribution and the extent of soil contamination by heavy metals resulting from primitive, unconventional informal electronic waste recycling in the Agbogbloshie e-waste processing site (AEPS) in Ghana. Methods A total of 132 samples were collected at 100 m intervals, with a handheld global position system used in taking the location data of the soil sample points. Observing all procedural and quality assurance measures, the samples were analyzed for barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), using X-ray fluorescence. Using environmental risk indices of contamination factor and degree of contamination ($C_{deg}$), we analyzed the individual contribution of each heavy metal contamination and the overall $C_{deg}$. We further used geostatistical techniques of spatial autocorrelation and variability to examine spatial distribution and extent of heavy metal contamination. Results Results from soil analysis showed that heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher than the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency and Dutch environmental standards. In an increasing order, Pb>Cd>Hg>Cu>Zn>Cr>Co>Ba>Ni contributed significantly to the overall $C_{deg}$. Contamination was highest in the main working areas of burning and dismantling sites, indicating the influence of recycling activities. Geostatistical analysis also revealed that heavy metal contamination spreads beyond the main working areas to residential, recreational, farming, and commercial areas. Conclusions Our results show that the studied heavy metals are ubiquitous within AEPS and the significantly high concentration of these metals reflect the contamination factor and $C_{deg}$, indicating soil contamination in AEPS with the nine heavy metals studied.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.323-331
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• 2011

Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of risk perception related to pesticide contamination of food products and associated sociodemographic factors, as well as investigate the association with environmental pollution preventive behaviors. Methods: Based on data from Social Survey conducted in 2008 among a nationally representative sample of the population 15 years or older, we estimated proportions and 95% confidence intervals of the risk perception of pesticide contamination of food products. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the effects of sociodemographic status on risk perception. Results: Among respondents, those who feel anxious about the risks of pesticide contamination of domestic food products accounted for 40.4%, whereas the proportion rose to 87.0% with imported food products. These numbers showed that levels of anxiety about the pesticide contamination of imported food products were ranked at the top, and those for domestic products were at the bottom of the list of all environmental pollutants examined in the survey. Significantly related factors to anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products included women, the 40-50 age group, university graduates, married, non-manual employment, having school-aged children, and owning one's own home. The population attempting to prevent environmental pollution showed higher levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products than did those who were not taking such steps. Conclusion: Compared to other forms of environmental pollution, Koreans show the highest levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of imported food products. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate regulations and transparent risk communication with the public about the safety of imported food.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2016

Cheonggye-cheon is a partly restored urban stream located in central Seoul. We monitored fecal contamination using three different fecal indicators, total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC) and E. coli, to assess differences in each indicator on days of varying weather conditions. Presumptive TC, FC and E. coli colonies were identified by their 16S rRNA sequences. The results showed that enumeration of E. coli provided a better reflection of fecal contamination of the stream than TC and FC. The main sources of contamination were the inflow of fecal-polluted groundwater from the vicinity of a subway line and two inflowing streams. The fecal contamination was worsened on days with heavy rain because untreated sewage from a collecting facility flowed into the stream. Moreover, growth potential of fecal indicator (E. coli) in situ induced by algal exudates was measured. Our results suggest that an appropriate standard based on E. coli rather than TC and FC should be established for improving water quality management strategies of Cheonggye-cheon in the future.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.64-71
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• 2010

National inventory of soil and groundwater contamination is an efficient decision-making tool to identify and manage existing or potential contaminated sources and contaminants. It has been used as basic data for establishing the scheme of regulations and remediation plans of soil and groundwater contamination in developed countries. This study examined classification of existing or potential sources of soil and groundwater contamination from various countries to suggest implications that required for development of classification of soil and groundwater contamination sources in Korea. Each country has provided a list of currently or potentially contaminating activities or landuses and identified some of the potential contaminants related to those contamination sources. Consideration of sources which had not been mentioned or regarded as contamination sources before was suggested for Korea situation. In addition, it is necessary to compile a list of existing data and information as much as possible to develop a detailed and practical list of various contamination sources.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2011

Bacterial contamination of beach sand was examined in April, June, July, and August. Twenty four topsoil and subsoil samples were taken from the 1m and 5m points from the coastline in three Busan beaches (Haeundae, Gwanganli, and Songjeong). The 5m points from the coastline showed higher coliform contamination than 1 m points. July showed the highest bacterial contamination on beaches among surveyed months. Coliform contamination in the subsoil was higher than that of the topsoil. The bacterial contamination of 5m points of topsoil and subsoil in June except the Songjeong Beach was higher than those of July and August. We investigated Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae, and Bacillus cereus. Only B. cereus was detected at the beach in August. Although microbiological pollution of the Gwanganli Beach was the highest among three Busan beaches, the degree of contamination was not high compared to those of other countries. However, sandy soil management in public beach for pathogenic microorganisms is needed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2003

Coliforms is currently being used as the standard of environmental water qualify to evaluate the level of source water quality especially condition of fecal contamination. However, not properly applied to water quality management. So in this study, in addition to Coliforms, fecal contamination indicator bacteria turk at Feral Coliforms(FC), E. coli, Fecal streptococci(FS), Clostridium and environmental parameters related with it's distribution were investigated on a monthly basis in 6 water intakes of Han River. The mean of BOD, DO, SS and pH, benchmarks of source water management were maintained the second grade of environmental water quality standard applied to Han River but Coliforms exceeded it. Distribution of Coliforms ranged from 1.0×10¹ to 2.7 10/sup 5/ CFU/ml, FC ranged from ND to 5.3×10¹ CFU/ml, E. coli ranged from ND to 9.2×10¹ CFU/ml, FS ranged from ND to 2.5×10¹CFU/ml, they were steepy rise on July and August in common when rainfalls was heavy and water temperature was high, but Clostridium perfringens ranged from 1.7×10¹to 1.7×10¹CFU/ml not fluctuate by month. Statistical analysis of sampling data showed that most significant correlations occurred among FC and Coliforms(r = 0.840), E. coli(r = 0.792), FS(r = 0.687) and environmental parameters(temperature, turbidity, SS, rotor were all r > 0.60) while no significant correlation was observed between ammonia generally recognized fecal contamination indicator and bacteria. Identification of the coliforms showed that Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter were comprised of 32%, 24%, 16% respectively, and E. coli were 7% of it. while E. coli was made up 85.9% of FC. The mean value of FC/Coliforms ratio, 5.2(0.1-42) were higher in Amsa, Guui than Jayang. Fecal coliforms, as those are able to reflect more particularly the extent of the fecal contamination, were considered useful in deciding the level of water treatment while monitoring the fecal contamination from the source of water supply. Therefore, it is expected that the water quality is going to be managed more efficiently by using fecal coliforms supplementarily to total coliforms which are current standard item of water-quality environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals discharged from various sources contaminate the soil and water and the residuals can persistently be accumulated. In this study, the concentration of soil heavy metals was assessed over the whole regions of Korea based on the contamination factor and the geoaccumulation index. METHODS AND RESULTS: The data of averaged concentrations of heavy metals and fluorine were collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the research papers published. In order to classify the levels of heavy metal concentration, the contamination index, including the contamination factor and the geoaccumulation index, based on the relative ratio of the actual concentration of heavy metals in the soil to the background concentration was calculated. In addition, the distribution of heavy metals in soils was visualized by using the geographic information system (GIS). As a result, the Cd contamination in the soils was the most concerned. CONCLUSION(S): This study very roughly indicated the outline of heavy metal concentration over the whole regions of Korea. The change in heavy metals' concentration over the time should further be monitored and the larger data of heavy metal contamination are needed for better understanding in the future.