• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.233-243
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• 2018

This study was carried out to characterize the ambient levels of PAH concentrations in Pohang city, where steel industry has been intensively developed. A large amount of PAH emissions from steel production and related industries in Pohang are concerned about the environmental health hazards of nearby residents. TSP samples were seasonally collected during 10 days at four sites in Pohang from April to December 2010. Each sample was collected for 24 hours using high-volume air sampler. All samples were extracted by $soxtec^{TM}$ before concentration of 1.0 mL. The concentrates were analyzed by GC/MS. The prevailing wind direction was southwest and west-southwest in Pohang during the measurement period. Variations of TSP concentrations appeared to be similar between four sites. The highest TSP concentration was found in fall, while the lowest in summer. The highest PAH concentration was found at an industrial site, while the lowest at a residential/commercial site. In the case of BaP, the average concentration at the industrial site was $0.63{\pm}0.66ng/m^3$, which was approximately 2 times of the residential/commercial site. The paired t-test (p<0.05) showed significant differences between industrial and residential area. Particulate PAH concentrations were higher in the winter and lower in the summer. The concentrations of BaP in winter were 2~10 times higher than those in the other three seasons. This study clearly demonstrated the impact of steel industry on the elevated levels of PAH in Pohang city.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2010

In this study, the response surface method and experimental design were applied as an alternative to conventional methods for the optimization of coagulation tests. A central composite design, with 4 axial points, 4 factorial points and 5 replicates at the center point were used to build a model for predicting and optimizing the coagulation process. Mathematical model equations were derived by computer simulation programming with a least squares method using the Minitab 15 software. In these equations, the removal efficiencies of turbidity and total organic carbon (TOC) were expressed as second-order functions of two factors, such as alum dose and coagulation pH. Statistical checks (ANOVA table, $R^2$ and $R^2_{adj}$ value, model lack of fit test, and p value) indicated that the model was adequate for representing the experimental data. The p values showed that the quadratic effects of alum dose and coagulation pH were highly significant. In other words, these two factors had an important impact on the turbidity and TOC of treated water. To gain a better understanding of the two variables for optimal coagulation performance, the model was presented as both 3-D response surface and 2-D contour graphs. As a compromise for the simultaneously removal of maximum amounts of 92.5% turbidity and 39.5% TOC, the optimum conditions were found with 44 mg/L alum at pH 7.6. The predicted response from the model showed close agreement with the experimental data ($R^2$ values of 90.63% and 91.43% for turbidity removal and TOC removal, respectively), which demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach in achieving good predictions, while minimizing the number of experiments required.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1187-1197
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• 2013

The result of a small electrostatic precipitator which is in order to decrease indoor air pollution for optimal efficiency was shown as follows. Although the closer distance between the discharge electrode and dust collecting electrode shows the better throughput efficiency by forming strong electrostatic Field, it does not have profound impact in case of optimal dust collecting area. G.P(gas passage) which is the distance from dust collecting electrode to dust collecting electrode is a crucial factor to decide dust collecting efficiency. The narrower distance of G.P shows the better throughput efficiency whereas it decreases when the distance is too narrow since sparks ensue by increasing the capacity of electrostatic charging system 5 mm regards as optimal efficiency in this experiment. Although the higher voltage shows the higher dust collecting efficiency overall, the experiment was not able to keep performing since the sparks which decrease dust collecting efficiency ensue over 40 kV. The efficient and safe voltage state is considered 3.6 kV in this experiment. The most crucial factor for dust collecting efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator which is in order to decrease indoor air pollution is applied voltage. In addition, optimal raw gas flow rate(2.4 m/sec) is more important factor than the excessive increase of dust collecting area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.273-282
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• 2000

In order to investigate the extent and degree of arsenic and heavy metal contamination and the bioavailability of toxic elements around the abandoned mine in Korea, an environmental geochemical survey was undertaken in the Daduk mine. After appropriate preparation, tailings, soil, stream sediment, crop plant and fingernail samples were analysed for As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Elevated levels of 8,782 mg/kg As, 8.3 mg/kg Cd, 489 mg/kg Cu, 3,638 mg/kg Pb and 919 mg/kg Zn were found in tailings from the Daduk mine. These significant concentrations can impact on soils and sediments around the tailing ponds. Mean concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in soils are significantly higher than those in world average soil, especially for As and Pb. Element concentrations in sediments decrease with distance from the tailing ponds due to a dilution effect by the mixing of uncontaminated sediments. Arsenic and Cd are elevated in rice grains and stalks, and Cu and Zn concentrations in chinese cabbage, sesame and bean leaves are higher than the upper limit values for normal plant. Arsenic concentration in fingernails of farmers are higher than the normal level with a maximum value of 1.5 mg/kg. The post-ingestion bioavailability of toxic heavy metals in some paddy and farmland soils has been also investigated using the SBET (simple bioavailability extract test) method. The method utilises synthetic leaching fluids closelyanalogous to those of the human stomach. The quantities of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn extracted from paddy soils after 1 hour indicated 15.9, 65.4, 46.2, 39.4 and 29.4% bioavailability, respectively and for farmland soils, 12.4, 26.0, 31.2, 29.3 and 19.4% bioavailability, respectively. The results of the SBET indicate that regular ingestion of soils by the local population could pose a potential health threat due to long-term toxic element exposure.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.303-310
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• 2016

The tap water used in Seoul was found to be corrosive. Its corrosivity was effectively reduced by that the additions of alkali agent such as NaOH, $Ca(OH)_2$ and corrosion inhibitor such as $H_3PO_4$. For the corrosion test, carbon steel pipe 50 m long was exposed to the drinking water produced by a pilot plant at $36.5^{\circ}C$, similar to the existing process where it takes about 20 minutes to reduce the initial chlorine content of 0.5 mg/L to 0.05 mg/L. $CO_2$ and $Ca(OH)_2$ was added not only to control the Langelier index (LI) above -1.0 and but also, to increase the duration time of residual chlorine by about 6 times. The persistence effect of residual chlorine was in the order of $H_3PO_4$ > $Ca(OH)_2$ > NaOH. Measurements of weight loss showed that corrosion inhibition was effective in order of $Ca(OH)_2$ > $H_3PO_4$ > NaOH > no addition, where the concentrations of $Ca(OH)_2$ and phosphate were 5 ~ 10 mg/L (as $Ca^{2+}$) and 1 mg/L (as $PO{_4}^{3-}$), respectively.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.407-412
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to develop a tree box filter system, an example of Low Impact Development technology, for treating stormwater runoff from road. Monitoring of storm events was performed between June 2011 and November 2012 to evaluate the system performance during wet day. Based on the results, all runoff volume generated by rainfall less than 2 mm was stored in the system. The minimum volume reduction of 20% was observed in the system for rainfall greater than 20 mm. The greatest removal efficiency was exhibited by the system for total heavy metals ranging from 70 to 73% while satisfactory removal efficiency was exhibited by the system for particulate matters, organic matters and nutrients ranging from 60 to 68%. The system showed greater pollutant removal efficiency of 67 to 83% for rainfall less than 10 mm compared to rainfall greater than 10 mm which has 39 to 75% pollutant removal efficiency. The system exhibited less pollutant reduction for rainfall greater than 10 mm due to the decreased retention capacity of the system for increased rainfall. Overall, the system has proved to be an option for stormwater management that can be recommended for on-site application. Similar system may be designed based on several factors such as rainfall depth, facility size and pollutant removal efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.27-36
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• 2016

Low Impact Development (LID) techniques are eco-friendly storm water management process for water circulation restoration and non-point pollutant reduction. In this study, four LID techniques (Small constructed wetland, Infiltration trench box, Infiltration trench, Vegetated swale) were selected and installed as a real size at the real site. All facilities were evaluated as monitoring under the real environmental climate situation and an artificial rain with exceeding design rainfall. In various rainfall, runoff reduction efficiency and non-point pollutant removal efficiency are increased to the bigger Surface Area of LID (SA)/Catchment Area (CA) ratio and the bigger Storage Volume of LID (SV)/Catchment Area (CA) ratio. Runoff did not occur at all rainfall event (max. 17.2 mm) in infiltration trench and vegetated swale. But Small constructed wetland was more efficient at less than 10 mm, a efficiency of infiltration trench box was similar at different rainfall. Although different conditions (such as structural material of LID, rainfall flow rate, antecedent dry periods), LID techniques are good effects not only water circulation improvement but also water quality improvement.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.32-40
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• 2013

This study was objected to evaluate the potential impact on the groundwater environment of the coal bottom ash used as fill materials on the land surface. From four coal-fired power plants, bottom-ashes were collected and analyzed through sequential extraction and column leaching tests following the meteoric water mobility procedure. The column tests shown leaching heavy metals including Pb, As, B, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Ba, Sr, Sb, V, Cr, Mo, and Hg. The relatively high concentrations of B, Sr, Ba, and V in leachate were attributed to both the higher concentrations in the bottom ash and the relatively higher portion of leachable state, sorbed state, of metals. Bottom-ash samples from the D-plant only show high leaching potential of sulfate ($SO_4$), probably originated from the coal-combustion process, called the Fluidized Bed Combustion. Consequently, to manage recycling bottom ashes as fill materials, an evaluation system should be implemented to test the leaching potentials of metals from the ashes considering the absolute amount of metals and their state of existence in ashes, and the coal-combustion process.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

This paper summarizes the results of the fatigue test of four composite bridge decks in extreme temperatures (-30$^{\circ}C$ and 50$^{\circ}C$ ). The work was performed as part of a research program to evaluate and install multiple FRP bridge deck systems in Dayton, Ohio. A two-span continuous concrete deck was also built on three steel girders for the benchmark tests. Simulated wheel loads were applied simultaneously at two points by two servo-controlled hydraulic actuators specially designed and fabricated to perform under extreme temperatures. Each deck was initially subjected to one million wheel load cycles at low temperature and another one million cycles at high temperature. The results presented in this paper correspond to the fatigue response of each deck for four million load cycles at low temperature and another four million cycles at high temperature. Thus, the deck was subjected to a total of ten million cycles. Quasi-static load-deflection and load-strain responses were determined at predetermined fatigue cycle levels. Except for the progressive reduction in stiffness, no significant distress was observed in any of the composite deck prototypes during ten million load cycles. The effects of extreme temperatures and accumulated load cycles on the load-deflection and load-strain response of FRP composite and FRP-concrete hybrid bridge decks are discussed based on the experimental results.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to project and analyze drought conditions using future climate and hydrology information over South Korea. This study used three Global Climate Models (GCMs) and three hydrological models considering the uncertainty of future scenario. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) and Standardized Soil moisture Index (SSI) classified as meteorological, hydrological and agricultural droughts were estimated from the precipitation, runoff and soil moisture. The Mann-Kendall test showed high increase in future drought trend during spring and winter seasons, and the drought frequency of SRI and SSI is expected higher than that of SPI. These results show the high impact of climate change on hydrological and agriculture drought compared to meteorological drought.