• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.2388-2394
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• 2023

The radioactivity concentration of environmental radionuclides was analyzed for soil and sand at eight locations within a radius of 255 m centered on the Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Science (DIRAMS), Korea. The average activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th were 661.1 Bq/kg-dry, 0.9 Bq/kg-dry, 21.9 Bq/kg-dry, and 11.1 Bq/kg-dry, respectively. The activity of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs was lower than the 3-year (2017-2019) average reported by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, respectively. Due to the nature of granite-rich soil, the radioactivity of ⁴⁰K was 0.6-fold higher than in other countries, while ¹³⁷Cs was in the normal fluctuation range (15-30 Bq/kg-dry) of the concentration of radioactive fallout from nuclear tests. The activity of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th was lower than in Korean soils reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The average activity concentrations of ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K for the soil and sand samples from DIRAMS were within the range specified by UNSCEAR in 2000. The radium equivalent activity and internal and external hazard index values were below the recommended limits (1 mSv/y). These radionuclide concentration (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs) data can be used for regional environmental monitoring and ecological impact assessments of nuclear power plant accidents.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.5-13
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• 2021

The interest of expecting the liquefaction damage is increasing due to the liquefaction in Pohang in 2017. Liquefaction is defined as a phenomenon that the ground can not support the superstructure due to loss of the strength of the ground. As an alternative against this, many studies are being conducted to increase the precision and to compose a liquefaction hazard map for the purpose of identifying the scale of liquefaction damage using the liquefaction potential index (LPI). In this research, in order to analyze the degree of precision with regard to spatial interpolation objects such as LPI value and geotechnical information for LPI determination, liquefaction hazard map were made for the target area. Furthermore, based on the trend of precision, probability value was analyzed using probability maps prepared through qualitative characteristics. Based on the analysis results, the precision of the liquefaction hazard map setting the spatial interpolation object as geotechnical information is higher than that as LPI value. Furthermore, the precision of the liquefaction hazard map does not affect the distribution of the probability value.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.456-464
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• 2010

Recently, heavy metals contamination of the agricultural soil and crops surrounding mining areas has been identified as one of the most serious environmental problems in South Korea. The Ministry of the Environment in Korea conducted a Preliminary National Environmental Health Survey (PNEHS) in abandoned metal mines in 2007. The priority for a subsequent detailed examination was ranked from the results of PNEHS. The studied mine which was ranked as being of the highest priority is located in the midwestern part of Korea and was operated from 1911 to 1985. In this study, the contamination levels of the heavy metals in the abandoned metal mine were investigated. From the results, the average daily dose (ADD), target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk of the heavy metals were evaluated. The concentration of arsenic (As) in all of the tailings from the mine was higher than its countermeasure standard of Korea. In particular, the highest concentration of As, 330 mg/kg, was up to 15 times higher than its countermeasure standard. The average concentration of As in agricultural soils was higher than the warning standard of Korea, and higher than its countermeasure standard at six sites. The average concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals in agricultural soil were below the warning standard, but concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) at 4 sites were higher than its warning standard. The average concentration of As in surface water exceeded the warning standard of Korea. The value of the THQ of As for the tailings was higher than the health protection standard 1. The value of THQ of As for the farmlands was lower than the standard, while the hazard index (HI) of As was higher than the standard. The value of target cancer risk (TCR) of As, $6.44{\times}10^{-4}$, were higher than the health protection standard of a lifetime risk for TCR at $1{\times}10^{-6}$. This suggests that the residents around the metal mines are exposed to As pollution with a carcinogenic risk.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.21-30
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• 2017

This study analyzed the ground characteristics region by designating 3 research areas, Anrim-dong in Chungju City, Busa-dong in Daejeon Metropolitan City and Sinan-dong in Andong City out of the areas subject to concentrated management to prepare for sediment disaster in downtown areas. The correlation between ground characteristics were observed by using characteristics (crown density, root cohesion, rainfall characteristics, soil characteristics) and the risk areas were predicted through sediment disaster prediction modeling. Landslide MAPping (LSMAP), Stability Index MAPping (SINMAP) and Landslide Hazard MAP (LHMAP) were used for the comparative analysis of the hazard prediction model for sediment disaster. As a result of predicting the sediment disaster danger, in case of SINMAP which was generally used, excessive range was predicted as a hazardous area and in case of the Korea Forest Service's landslide hazard map (LHMAP), the smallest prediction area was assessed. LSMAP predicted a medium range of SINMAP and LHMAP as hazardous area. The difference of the prediction results is that the analysis parameters of LSMAP is more diverse and engineering than two comparative models, and it is found that more precise prediction is possible.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.283-291
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• 2012

Various studies regarding the prediction of landslides are underway internationally. Research into disaster prevention with regard to debris flows is a particular focus of research because this type of landslide can cause enormous damage over a short period. The objective of this study is to determine the hazard susceptibility of debris flow via predictions of surface water concentrations based on the concept that a debris flow is similar to a surface water flow, as it is influenced by mountain topography. This study considered urban areas affected by large debris flows or landslides. Digital mapping (including the slope and upslope contributing areas) and the wetness index were used to determine the relevant topographic factors and the hydrology of the area. We determined the hazard susceptibility of debris flow by predicting the surface water concentration based on the topography of the surrounding mountainous terrain. Results obtained using the distinct element method were used to derive a correlation equation between the weight and the impact force of the debris flow. We consider that in using a correlation equation, this method could assist in the effective installation of debris-flow-prevention structures.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.59-70
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• 2022

There is a growing interest in evaluating earthquake damage and determining disaster prevention measures due to the magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Pohang, Korea. Since the liquefaction phenomena occurred extensively in the residential area as a result of the earthquake, there was a demand for research on liquefaction phenomenon evaluation and liquefaction disaster prediction. Liquefaction is defined as a phenomenon where the strength of the ground is completely lost due to a sudden increase in excess pore water pressure caused due to large dynamic stress, such as an earthquake, acting on loose sand particles in a short period of time. The liquefaction potential index, which can identify the occurrence of liquefaction and predict the risk of liquefaction in a targeted area, can be used to create a liquefaction hazard map. However, since liquefaction assessment using existing field testing is predicated on a single borehole liquefaction assessment, there has been a representative issue for the whole targeted area. Spatial interpolation and geographic information systems can help to solve this issue to some extent. Therefore, in order to solve the representative problem of geotechnical information, this research uses the kriging method, one of the geostatistical spatial interpolation techniques, and constructs a geotechnical information database for liquefaction and spatial interpolation. Additionally, the liquefaction hazard map was created for each return period using the constructed geotechnical information database. Cross validation was used to confirm the accuracy of this liquefaction hazard map.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.589-601
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• 2022

Although drought is a natural phenomenon, its damage occurs in combination with regional physical and social factors. Especially, related to the supply and demand of various waters, drought causes great socio-economic damage. Even meteorological droughts occur with similar severity, its impact varies depending on the regional characteristics and water supply system. Therefore, this study assessed regional drought risk considering regional socio-economic factors and water supply system. Drought hazard was assessed by grading the joint drought management index (JDMI) which represents water shortage. Drought vulnerability was assessed by weighted averaging 10 socio-economic factors using Entropy, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). Drought response capacity that represents regional water supply factors was assessed by employing Bayesian networks. Drought risk was determined by multiplying a cubic root of the hazard, vulnerability, and response capacity. For the drought hazard meaning the possibility of failure to supply water, Goesan-gun was the highest at 0.81. For the drought vulnerability, Daejeon was most vulnerable at 0.61. Considering the regional water supply system, Sejong had the lowest drought response capacity. Finally, the drought risk was the highest in Cheongju-si. This study identified the regional drought risk and vulnerable causes of drought, which is useful in preparing drought mitigation policy considering the regional characteristics in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.713-723
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• 2023

Climate change is significantly affecting coastal areas, and its impacts are expected to intensify. Recent studies on climate change adaptation and risk assessment in coastal regions increasingly integrate the concepts of recovery resilience and vulnerability. The aim of this study is to develop a measurement model for coastal hazard recovery resilience in the context of climate change adaptation. Before constructing the measurement model, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on coastal hazard recovery resilience, establishing a conceptual framework that included operational definitions for vulnerability and recovery resilience, along with several feedback mechanisms. The measurement model for coastal hazard recovery resilience comprised four metrics (MRV, LRV, RTSPV, and ND) and a Coastal Resilience Index (CRI). The developed indices were applied to domestic coastal erosion cases, and regional analyses were performed based on the index grades. The results revealed that the four recovery resilience metrics provided insights into the diverse characteristics of coastal erosion recovery resilience at each location. Mapping the composite indices of coastal resilience indicated that the areas along the East Sea exhibited relatively lower coastal erosion recovery resilience than the West and South Sea regions. The developed recovery resilience measurement model can serve as a tool for discussions on post-adaptation strategies and is applicable for determining policy priorities among different vulnerable regional groups.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the content and consumption of total sugar from school lunches at Incheon and Chuncheon. The samples were collected from eight elementary schools and eight middle schools in Incheon and Chuncheon for 15 days. The analysis of total sugar content was performed for 1334 main dishes, side dishes, and desserts, which were supplied by elementary and middle school foodservices. Total sugar content was extracted from various types of food with 50% ethanol after defatting. We simultaneously analyzed sugars such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose by a high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detector. The average lunch intake for elementary school and middle school students was $372.6{\pm}72.2g$ and $449.2{\pm}81.1g$, respectively. The total sugar content in desserts was $7.21{\pm}6.32g/100g$, $1.69{\pm}2.44g/100g$ in side dishes, and $0.32{\pm}0.77g/100g$ in main dishes. Among side dishes, fried foods, stir-fried foods, and sauces contained the highest amounts of total sugar. The total sugar intake was $4.63{\pm}5.11g$ in desserts, $0.64{\pm}1.01g$ in side dishes, and $0.55{\pm}1.48g$ in main dishes. Main and side dishes with a high total sugar intake included cooked rice with seasoning, fried foods, stir-fried foods, and preserved foods. The average total sugar intake per meal for elementary school, middle school, and all students was $4.03{\pm}3.67g$, $6.97{\pm}6.59g$, and $5.50{\pm}5.53g$, respectively. We have provided useful information to decrease the intake of total sugar in school lunches. It is recommended that total sugar intake be continuously monitored.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 2020

Drought is considered as a devastating hazard that causes serious agricultural, ecological and socio-economic impacts worldwide. Fundamentally, the drought can be defined as temporarily different levels of inadequate precipitation, soil moisture, and water supply relative to the long-term average conditions. From no unified definition of droughts, droughts have been divided into different severity level, i.e., moderate drought, severe drought, extreme drought and exceptional drought. The drought severity classification defined the ranges for each indicator for each dryness level. Because the ranges of the various indicators often don't coincide, the final drought category tends to be based on what the majority of the indicators show and on local observations. Evaporative Stress Index (ESI), a satellite-based drought index using the ratio of potential and actual evaporation, is being used as a index of the droughts occurring rapidly in a short period of time from studies showing a more sensitive and fast response to drought compared to Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). However, ESI is difficult to provide an objective drought assessment because it does not have clear drought severity classification criteria. In this study, U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), the standard for drought determination used in the United States, was applied to ESI, and the Percentile method was used to classify drought categories by severity. Regarding the actual 2017 drought event in South Korea, we compare the spatial distribution of drought area and understand the USDM-based ESI by comparing the results of Standardized Groundwater level Index (SGI) and drought impact information. These results demonstrated that the USDM-based ESI could be an effective tool to provide objective drought conditions to inform management decisions for drought policy.