• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.2-4
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• 1998

Proliferation of Nocardia amarae cells in activated sludge has often been associated with the generation of nuisance foams. Despite intense research activities in recent years to examine the causes and control of Nocardia foaming in activated sludge, the foaming continued to persist throughout the activated sludge treatment plants in United States. In addition to causing various operational problems to treatment processes, the presence of Nocardia may have secondary effects on the fate of heavy metals that are not well known. For example, for treatment plants facing more stringent metal removal requirements, potential metal removal by Nocardia cells in foaming activated sludge would be a welcome secondary effect. In contrast, with new viosolid disposal regulations in place (Code o( Federal Regulation No. 503), higher concentration of metals in biosolids from foaming activated sludge could create management problems. The goal of this research was to investigate the metal sorption property of Nocardia amarae cells grown in batch reactors and in chemostat reactors. Specific surface area and metal sorption characteristics of N. amarae cells harvested at various growth stages were compared. Three metals examined in this study were copper, cadmium and nickel. Nocardia amarae strain (SRWTP isolate) used in this study was obtained from the University of California at Berkeley. The pure culture was grown in 4L batch reactor containing mineral salt medium with sodium acetate as the sole carbon source. In order to quantify the sorption of heavy metal ions to N amarae cell surfaces, cells from the batch reactor were harvested, washed, and suspended in 30mL centrifuge tubes. Metal sorption studies were conducted at pH 7.0 and ionlc strength of 10-2M. The sorption Isotherm showed that the cells harvested from the stationary and endogenous growth phase exhibited significantly higher metal sorption capacity than the cells from the exponential phase. The sequence of preferential uptake of metals by N. amarae cells was Cu>Cd>Ni. The specific surFace area of Nocardia cells was determined by a dye adsorption method. N.amarae cells growing at ewponential phase had significantly less specific surface area than that of stationary phase, indicating that the lower metal sorption capacity of Nocardia cells growing at exponential phase may be due to the lower specific surface area. The growth conditions of Nocardia cells in continuous culture affect their cell surface properties, thereby governing the adsorption capacity of heavy metal. The comparison of dye sorption isotherms for Nocardia cells growing at various growth rates revealed that the cell surface area increased with increasing sludge age, indicating that the cell surface area is highly dependent on the steady-state growth rate. The highest specific surface area of 199m21g was obtained from N.amarae cell harvested at 0.33 day-1 of growth rate. This result suggests that growth condition not only alters the structure of Nocardia cell wall but also affects the surface area, thus yielding more binding sites of metal removal. After reaching the steady-state condition at dilution rate, metal adsorption isotherms were used to determine the equilibrium distributions of metals between aqueous and Nocardia cell surfaces. The metal sorption capacity of Nocardia biomass harvested from 0.33 day-1 of growth rate was significantly higher than that of cells harvested from 0.5- and 1-day-1 operation, indicatng that N.amarae cells with a lower growth rate have higher sorpion capacity. This result was in close agreement with the trend observed from the batch study. To evaluate the effect of Nocardia cells on the metal binding capacity of activated sludge, specific surface area and metal sorption capacity of the mixture of Nocardia pure cultures and activated sludge biomass were determined by a series of batch experiments. The higher levels of Nocardia cells in the Nocardia-activated sludge samples resulted in the higher specific surface area, explaining the higher metal sorption sites by the mixed luquor samples containing greater amounts on Nocardia cells. The effect of Nocardia cells on the metal sorption capacity of activated sludge was evaluated by spiking an activated sludge sample with various amounts of pre culture Nocardia cells. The results of the Langmuir isotherm model fitted to the metal sorption by various mixtures of Nocardia and activated sludge indicated that the mixture containing higher Nocardia levels had higher metal adsorption capacity than the mixture containing lower Nocardia levels. At Nocardia levels above 100mg/g VSS, the metal sorption capacity of activate sludge increased proportionally with the amount of Noeardia cells present in the mixed liquor, indicating that the presence of Nocardia may increase the viosorption capacity of activated sludge.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2002

Muscovite, chlorite and biotite in metapelites of the Ogcheon Hetamorphic Belt are studied using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), backscattered electron images (BEI) of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and lattice fringe images of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These minerals are observed to be intergrown under a polarized light microscope and are apparently interlayered below EPMA resolution; EPMA data often indicate mixtures of phyllosilicates such as muscovite/chlorite (M/C), biotite/chlorite (B/C), muscovite/pyrophyllite/chlorite (M/P/C). biotite/pyrophyllite/chlorite (B/P/C) or biotite/muscovite/chlorite (B/M/C). BEI observations show that the three minerals (muscovite, chlorite and biotite) are mixed at various scales in a grain through the garnet zone, and the interlayering of the three minerals are observed from TEM lattice fringe images and selected area electron diffraction patterns. The result of TEM observations reveals that 7-$\AA$ layers (serpentine, precursor of chlorite) are interlayered within 10-$\AA$ layers (muscovite) at 100~200 $\AA$ scale as well as M/C in the chlorite zone. The 7-$\AA$ layers become smaller in size and less frequent in the biotite tone, and 10-$\AA$ layers are interlayered with chlorite (14 $\AA$) at an individual layer scale. The 7-$\AA$ layers are no longer observed in the garnet zone, and 10-$\AA$ layers (biotite) are interlayered with chlorite (B/C) at 50~100 $\AA$ scale. Relatively large scale (1000~2000 $\AA$) of intergrowth is also frequently observed from the garnet zone samples. However, rocks from all three metamorphic zones show interlayering of a few units of 7-, 10- and 14-$\AA$ layers with each other at TEM observations. The result of this study implies that metamorphic minerals such as muscovite, chlorite and biotite form through disequilibrum mineral reactions resulting in inhomogenious phases.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4 s.50
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• pp.265-275
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• 2006

It is in its infancy to use bacteria as a novel biotechnology for leaching precious and heavy metals from raw materials. The objective of this study was to investigate biogeochemical processes of iron leaching from magnetite reduction by iron-reducing bacteria isolated from intertidal flat sediments, southwestern part of Korea. Microbial leaching experiments were performed using commercial magnetite, Aldrich magnetite, in well-defined mediums with and without bacteria. Water soluble Fe production was determined by ICP analysis of bioleached samples in comparison to uninoculated controls, and the resulting precipitated solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extent of iron leaching from magnetite in the aerobic conditions (Fe = 107 ppm) was higher than that in the anaerobic environments (Fe = 94 ppm). In the anaerobic conditions, Fe(III) in commercial magnetite was also reduced to Fe(II), but no secondary mineral phases were observed. Amorphous iron oxides formed in the medium under aerobic conditions where there was sufficient supply of oxygen from the atmosphere. SEM observation suggests that the reduction process involves dissolution-precipitation mechanisms as opposed to solid state conversion of magnetite to amorphous iron oxides. The ability of bacteria to leach soluble iron and precipitate amorphous iron oxides from crystalline magnetite could have significant implications for biogeochemical processes in sediments where Fe(III) in magnetite plays an important role in the largest pool of electron acceptor as well as the tool as a novel biotechnology for leaching precious and heavy metals from raw materials.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.349-354
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• 2009

In this study, a bubbling fluidized-bed reactor was used to study $CO_2$ capture from flue gas using a potassium-based dry sorbent. A dry sorbent, manufactured by the Korea Electric Power Research Institute, consists of 35% of $K_2CO_3$ for $CO_2$ absorption and 65% of supporters for mechanical strength. $H_2O$, a reactant of the carbonation reaction, was supplied in the reactor as a form of saturated water vapor at a given temperature. The experiment of the regeneration reaction was performed by raising up to a given temperature using $N_2$ as a fluidization gas. It was indicated that sorption capacity and regenerability of dry sorbents showed high-efficiency at $1.97\;mol\;H_2O/mol\;CO_2$ and $400^{\circ}C$, respectively. The regenerated sorbent samples were analyzed by TGA to confirm the extent of the reaction. When the regeneration temperature was $150^{\circ}C$, the regenerability of dry sorbents was about 60%, which was capable of applying those sorbents to a two-interconnected fluidized-bed reactor system with continuous solid circulation. The results obtained in this study can be used as basic data for designing and operating a large scale $CO_2$ capture process with two fluidized-bed reactors.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-73
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• 1979

The zinc-lead deposits at the Yeonhwa I mine were investigated in terms of ore-forming geologic setting, structural style of ore control, geometry of individual orebodies, zoning, paragenesis and chemical composition of skarn minerals, as well as metal grades and ratios of selected orebodies. The Yeonhwa I mine is characterized by a large swarm of chimney type massive orebodies with thin skarn envelopes, boldly developed through a thick sequence of Pungchon Limestone, the overlying Hwajeol Formation, and the underlying Myobong Slate of Cambrian age. Nearly 20 orebodies of similar shape, but of varying size are arranged in a V-shaped pattern with northwest and northeast trends, clearly indicating an outstanding ore control by a conjugate system of fractures with these trends. Important orebodies are the Wolam 1, 2, 3, and 5 orebodies in the west, and the Namsan 1, 2, 3. and 5 orebodies in the east, among others. The Wolam 1 orebody, which was observed from the -360 level through the -240, -120, and 0 levels to the surface outcrops (totaling a vertical height of about 500m), shows a vertical variation in skarn mineralogy, ranging from pyroxene-garnet zone on the lower levels. through pyroxene (without garnet) zone on the intermediate levels, and finally to rhodochrosite vein on the upper levels and surface. Microprobe analyses of pyroxene and garnet on a total of 14 mineral grains revealed that pyroxenes are manganoan salitic in most samples, with downward increase of Fe and Mn, whereas garnets are highly andraditic, containing fractions of subordinate grossular with downward decrease of Fe. This indicates a reverse relationship of Fe-contents between pyroxene and garnet with depth. Ore minerals are major sphalerite, subordinate galena, and minor chalcopyrite. Sulfide gangue minerals include major pyrrhotite, and minor pyrite and marcasite of later age. Two types of variational trends in metal grades and ratios with depth are present on the plots of assay data from the Wolam orebodies: one is a steady upward increase in Pb, Zn, and Pb:Zn ratios, with a terminal decline at the top of orebody: the other is an irregular or sinusoidal change. The former is characteristic of chimney-type orebodies, whereas the latter is of vein· shaped orebodies. The Pb grades show large variations among orebodies and from level to level, whereas the Zn grades are relatively constand or less variable.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2003

Arsenic contamination around Au-Ag mining areas occurs mainly from the oxidation of arsenopyrite which is frequently contained in mine tailings. In weathered tailings, oxidation of sulfide minerals typically results in the formation of abundant ferric (oxy)hydroxides or (oxy)hydroxysulfates near the tailings surface, and arsenic may be associated with these secondary precipitates. In this study, solid phases of arsenic in weathered tailings of some Au-Ag mines were investigated through the SEM/EDS and sequential extraction analyses. The stability of As solid phases and the leaching potential were assessed with the variation of pH and Eh conditions. Oxidation of sulfides in the tailings samples was indicated by depletion of S molar concentrations compared to As and heavy metals. Under XRD examinations, jarosite as an Fe-oxyhydroxysulfate was found in the tailings of Deokeum, Dongil and Dadeok, and scorodite as an As-bearing crystalline mineral was identified from Dadeok which has the highest concentration of As (4.36 wt.%). Beudantite-like phases and some Pb-arsenates were also found under SEM/EDS analysis, and most of As phases were associated with Fe-(oxy)hydroxides and (oxy)hydroxysulfates despite a few arsenopyrite from Samgwang and Gubong. Sequential extraction analysis also showed that As was present predominantly as coprecipitated with Fe hydroxides from Dongil, Dadeok and Myungbong (72∼99%), and as sulfides (58%) and Fe hydroxide-associated forms (40%) from Samgwang and Gubong. In the tailings leaching experiment, As was released with high amounts by the dissolution of As-bearing Fe(oxy)hydroxysulfates in the lowest pH (2.7) conditions of Deokeum, and by desorption under alkaline conditions of Samgwang and Gubong. Higher leaching rates of arsenite(+3) were found under acidic conditions, which pose a higher risk to water quality. Changes in pH and Eh conditions coupled with microbial processes could influence the stabilities of the As solid phases, and thus, time amendments or landfilling of weathered tailings may result in enhanced As mobilization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.15-32
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• 2008

The hydrochemical and isotopic (stable isotopes and noble gas isotopes) analyses for hot spring waters, cold groundwaters and surface water samples from the Seokmodo hot spring area of the Ganghwa province were carried out to characterize the hydrogeochemical characteristics of thermal waters and to interpret the source of thermal water and noble gases and the geochemical evolution of hot spring waters in the Seokmodo geothermal system. The hot spring waters and groundwaters show a weakly acidic condition with the pH values ranging from 6.42 to 6.77 and 6.01 to 7.71 respectively. The outflow temperature of the Seokmodo hot spring waters ranges from $43.3^{\circ}C\;to\;68.6^{\circ}C$. Relatively high values of the electrical conductivities which fall between 60,200 and $84,300{\mu}S/cm$ indicate that the hot spring waters were mixed with seawater in the subsurface geothermal system. The chemical compositions of the Seokmodo hot spring waters are characterized by Na-Ca-Cl water type. On the other hand, cold groundwaters and surface waters can be grouped into three types such as the Na(Ca)-$HCO_3$, Na(Ca)-$SO_4$ and Ca-$HCO_3$ types. The ${\delta}^{18}O\;and\;{\delta}D$ values of hot spring waters vary from -4.41 to -4.47%o and -32.0 to -33.5%o, respectively. Cold groundwaters range from -7.07 to -8.55%o in ${\delta}^{18}O$ and from -50.24 to -59.6%o in ${\delta}D$. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic data indicate that the hot spring waters were originated from the local meteoric water source. The enrichments of heavy isotopes ($^{18}O\;and\;^2H$) in the Seokmodo hot spring waters imply that the thermal water was derived from the diffusion Bone between fresh and salt waters. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values ranging from 23.1 to 23.5%o of dissolved sulfate are very close to the value of sea water sulfate of ${\delta}^{34}$S=20.2%o in this area, indicating the origin of sulfate in hot springs from sea water. The $^3H/^4He$ ratio of hot spring waters varies from $1.243{\times}10^{-6}\;to\;1.299{\times}10^{-6}cm^3STP/g$, which suggests that He gas in hot spring waters was partly originated from a mantle source. Argon isotopic ratio $(^{40}Ar/^{36}Ar=298{\times}10^{-6}cm^3STP/g)$ in hot spring waters corresponds to the atmospheric value.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 1991

The object of this stduy was to investigate the pollution by Pb in rice plants which were cultivated in paddy field soils located near roadside areas and to discover the relationship between lead content in rice plants and soils. Samples of soils and rice plants were collected directly from paddy fields at various distances from highways and expressways located in Kyungpook province. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The average content of Pb in each part of the rice plant was 12.8ppm in roots, 4.8ppm in leaves, 4.3ppm in stems, and 0.4ppm in brown rice. 2. The content of Pb in roots showed highly positive correlation with the Pb content of the soil. 3. The Pb content in stems, leaves, and brown rice showed positive correlation with the Pb content in roots. 4. The content of organically bounded, carbonate, and sulfide Pb in soils showed highly positive correlation with the Pb content in roots. 5. The absorption ratio showed positive correlation with soil pH and negative correlation with the content of Fe in soils.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.362-371
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical properties of isolated bacteria, low temperature tolerant methanogens which were selected for use as inoculum for anaerobic fermentation of agricultural and livestock wasted at low temperature. The results, obtained were summarized as follows: Low temperature tolerant methanogens were isolated from the samples which showed the high methanogenesis rate by enrichment culture at low temperature in methanol medium. These methanogens, Methanobacterium M-251 and Methanobacterium M-253 were isolated from swampy sediment at latitude $56.9^{\circ}$, Methanosarcina mazei M-372 from lake sediment IV at latitude $55.0^{\circ}$ N, and Methanobacterium formicicum M-375 from tidal land soil at latitude $37.0^{\circ}N$, respectively. The isolated anaerobic bacteria could not use sugars as carbon sources. The optimum pH value for the growth of M-251 and M-375 was 6.8, but those for M-253 and M-372 6.5 and 7.0, respectively. The minimum growth temperature of isolated, M-251 and M-253 were $8^{\circ}C$ and the optimum temperature $30^{\circ}C$, while the minimum of M-392 and M-395 were $13^{\circ}C$ and the optimum $37^{\circ}C$. The growth rate of isolates at $17.5^{\circ}C$ were lower by 32-50% than that of $30^{\circ}C$. The isolated Methanobacterium strains such as M-251, M-253, and M-375 have lower cell yield, 0.38-1.21g/1M $CH_4$ than 1.14-1.51g/1M $CH_4$ of Methanosarcina mazei M-372.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2000

We investigated the phytoplankton community from June to September 1997 in the waters off Kohung, Korea where red tides dominated by harmful dinoflagellates had occurred from August to September or October since 1995. We took water samples five times from 5 depths at 6 or less stations in this study period. The most dominant harmful dinoflagellate during the red tide which had outbroken on August 24, 1997 was Gyrodinium impudicum, not Cochlodinium polykrikoides. On August 21 just before the harmful red tide occurred the abundance of G. impudicum at the inner bay station, 90cells $ml^{-1}$, was higher than that at the outer bay station. However, on August 27 just after the red tide had outbroken, the abundance of G. impudicum at the inner bay station did not increase, whereas that at the outer bay increased rapidly and reached to the maximum of 30,000 cells $ml^{-1}$. Instead, diatoms such as Skeleltonema costatum, Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus, Pseudonitzschia pungens rapidly increased at the inner bay station where fresh water from lands has reached. The high abundance of diatoms might have inhibited the growth of red tide dinoflagellates at this station. The transport of already formed red tide patches from offshore areas, aggregation of scattered cells driven by physical forces, and/or competition between diatom and dinoflagellates might be responsible for this appearance of dense red tide patches at the outer bay station.