• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.283-294
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• 2020

This work aims at studying the feasibility of continuous removal of mixed heavy metal ions from simulated zinc plating wastewaters by coupling a microbial fuel cell and a microbial electrolysis cell in batch and continuous modes. The discharging voltage of MFC increased initially from 0.4621 ± 0.0005 V to 0.4864 ± 0.0006 V as the initial concentration of Cr⁶⁺ increased from 10 ppm to 60 ppm. Almost complete removal of Cr⁶⁺ and low removal of Cu²⁺ occurred in MFC of the MFC-MEC-coupled system after 8 hours under the batch mode; removal efficiencies (REs) of Cr⁶⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 99.76% and 30.49%. After the same reaction time, REs of nickel and zinc ions were 55.15% and 76.21% in its MEC. Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ removal efficiencies of 54.98%, 30.63%, 55.04%, and 75.35% were achieved in the effluent within optimum HRT of 2 hours under the continuous mode. The incomplete removal of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions in the effluent was due to the fact that the Cr⁶⁺ was almost completely consumed at the end of MFC reaction. After HRT of 12 hours, at the different sampling locations, Cr⁶⁺ and Cu²⁺ removal efficiencies in the cathodic chamber of MFC were 89.95% and 34.69%, respectively. 94.58%, 33.95%, 56.57%, and 75.76% were achieved for Cr⁶⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in the cathodic chamber of MEC. It can be concluded that those metal ions can be removed completely by repeatedly passing high concentration of Cr⁶⁺ through the cathode chamber of MFC of the MFC-MEC-coupled system.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.445-452
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• 2000

The effects of sludge and fertilizer application on germination and seedling growth of woody plants on heavy metal mine tailings were evaluated by greenhouse experiment. Two different mine tailings (Lead-zinc mine tailings from Kwangmyong, Kyonggi-do and tungsten mine tailings from Sangdong. Kangwon-do). four fertilizer treatments (N +P +K: 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg/m$^3$), and four sewage sludge treatments (5.5, 11, 22.5, and 45 Mg/m$^3$) were used in the experiment. Tested plants were Pinus densiflora, Larix leptolepis, Amorpha fruticosa, and Alnus hirsuta. There were three replicates for each treatment. In addition, vermiculite was used instead of mine tailings to determine the effect of physical amendments. Fifty seeds of a species were sown in a pot (upper diameter 13.5 cm, depth 10 cm) and seedling emergence were recorded daily for 30 days. The highest germination rate was 53% for all treatments. Germination rate of Larix leptolepis was lowest among the four species studied. One month later after seeding, seedlings were thinned and only 5 seedling were left in each pot, and fertilizer and sewage sludge were applied once again. Growth of seedlings were determined for 10 weeks since then. Most plants grew very poorly or died within 5 weeks on lead/zinc mine tailings from Kwangmyong. The analysis of heavy metal contents by the total dissolution method showed that heavy metals generally increased in the order of tungsten mine tailings from Sangdong < sewage sludge from Puchon < lead/zinc mine tailings from Kwangmyong. Growth of woody plants was improved significantly by the fertilizer treatments on tungsten mine tailings. In contrast. survival and growth of woody plants were not affected significantly by the sewage sludge treatment on both tailings. This study shows that fertilizer applied to established seeded stands may provide some benefits in terms of increased ground cover in the field. It is suggested that reclamation should be proceeded by the study of the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of mine tailings.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Most of the bottom ash(BA) from wood pellet-based thermal power plants that is not recycled is placed into landfill. BA has a function and structure similar to biochar. Hence, BA is classified as waste, but, it is predicted that BA can be used agricultural utilization. METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate the effect of BA application on lettuce, growth characteristics and Pb contents were examined with BA application levels(0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/L), respectively, in hydroponic cultivation with Pb solution. Irrespective with BA application levels, the length, leaf number and fresh weight of lettuce in BA treatments were increased by 84.3~120, 36.2~39.0, and 215~322%, respectively, compared to the BA-0 treatment. The groups with BA treatments, Pb in the nutrient solution was adsorbed to the BA due to the surface area and functional groups of the BA, and the lettuce growth was maintained more smoothly than in the BA-0 treatment. BA application is considered to have created a favorable environment for lettuce growth in hydroponic cultivation with Pb solution. CONCLUSION(S): Although direct comparing the removal effect of heavy metal between BA and biochar is not present, the BA application in contaminated area suggested a significant meaning on the recycling waste, and increasing potential crop productivity by immobilizing heavy metal.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2023

The reservoir tank in an apartment is crucial for maintaining the quality of drinking water after it has undergone treatment. Investigating the water quality and potential contaminants in the reservoir tank is essential to ensure the safety of the drinking water. This study examined the water quality and precipitated suspended solids that accumulate at the bottom of the reservoir tanks in four apartments located in Gyeonggi province. As a result of the water quality investigation, turbidity increased proportionally to the distance from the water treatment plant (WTP) to the household. Heavy metals were also detected in the reservoir tank inlet but not in the water supplied from the WTP. The precipitated suspended solids (SS) in the reservoir tank contain high levels of heavy metals and total organic carbon (TOC). The precipitated SS mainly consists of Al, Mn, and Fe, which are expected to be a combination with turbidity-inducing substances. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of γ-FeO(OH), MnO₂, and β-Fe₂O₃ in the SS. Additionally, F-EEM analysis indicates that the dissolved organic matter in the SS is mainly derived from a natural water source and microorganism activities, including metal-oxidizing bacteria and biofilms that can absorb metal ions. Based on these findings, several countermeasures can be taken to prevent the inflow of SS into the household, including regularly cleaning the reservoir tank, replacing or cleaning old pipes in the water supply system, and implementing monitoring and filtering systems to manage the SS.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.663-673
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• 2017

Heavy metal(loid) contamination of rice is the main issue in abandoned metal mine area with regard to food safety. A field study was conducted in mine area to see if soil amendments treatment including calcium superphosphate, sulfur, steel slag and S-containing fertilizer could reduce As and/or Cd content in rice grain and increase the growth of rice. The As content in brown rice reduced to 60% compared to the control only in $7.0Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of steel slag treatment. Cd reduction in rice was thought to be not the effect of amendments but the result from the difference in growth and development of rice plant and this could be ascribed to low soil Cd availability to rice plant. Compared with control, increased rice yield of cultivar Hwanggeumnuri was 1.3~2.2 and $1.5Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in calcium super phosphate and S-containing fertilizer treatment, respectively and the trend was also observed in cultivar Ungwang. However, steel slag treatment reduced the Ungwang yield by $0.4{\sim}0.9Mg\;ha^{-1}$. Future work will be needed to establish the agricultural measure with which secure the safety and yield of rice simultaneously.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2022

Fast-paced industrial and agricultural development generates large quantities of hazardous heavy metals (HMs), which are extremely damaging to individuals and the environment. Research in both academia and industry has been spurred by the need for HMs to be removed from water bodies. Advanced materials are being developed to replace existing water purification technologies or to introduce cutting-edge solutions that solve challenges such as cost efficacy, easy production, diverse metal removal, and regenerability. Water treatment industries are increasingly interested in activated carbon because of its high adsorption capacity for HMs adsorption. Furthermore, because of its huge surface area, abundant functional groups on surface, and optimal pore diameter, the modified activated carbon has the potential to be used as an efficient adsorbent. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a novel organic-inorganic hybrid porous materials, sparked an interest in the elimination of HMs via adsorption. This is due to the their highly porous nature, large surface area, abundance of exposed adsorptive sites, and post-synthetic modification (PSM) ability. This review introduces PSM methods for MOFs, chemical modification of activated carbons (ACs), and current advancements in the elimination of Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from water using modified MOFs and ACs via adsorption.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.222-231
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• 2008

This study was carried out to develop a method for decreasing the heavy metal composition of living stock. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were pre-treated with heavy metals administered i.p. at the limits of regulation according to the feed CODEX in Korea. Herbal medicine remnant was administered p.o. (2, 4 ppm of average feeding amount) for the entire period of study with organic selenium (2 ppm of average feeding amount) before any other treatment. 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was also administered i.p. in a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight before animals were sacrificed. The TBARS test with the FOX assay demonstrates a decrease of heavy metals due to these functional materials in vitro. Moreover, this decrease in heavy metals was also demonstrated by in vivo tests based on SD rats hair analysis and organ analysis after 6 weeks. A good linear correlation between hair analysis and organ analysis represented by liver and blood was shown. The present findings suggest that measurement method of heavy metal composition using hair analysis for healthy livestock can be used in place of detection methods carried out by organ and blood analysis, and herbal medicines with organic selenium may be very effective at decreasing heavy metals of feed materials in feed manufacture industry.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2021

Urban stormwater runoff contains heavy metals that accumulate in on-site treatment systems, thus resulting to facility deterioration and maintenance problems. In order to resolve these problems, low impact development (LID) technologies that promote natural materials circulation are widely used. LID facilities are capable of treating heavy metals in the runoff by means of plant uptake; however, the uptake or phytoremediation capabilities of plants have not been studied extensively, making it difficult to select the most suitable plant species for a certain LID design. This study investigated the vegetative components of an LID facility, roadside plants, and plants in landscape areas with different heavy metal exposure and frequency to determine the uptake capabilities of different plant species. The plants harvested inside the LID facilities and roadsides with high vehicular traffic exhibited greater heavy metal concentrations in their tissues as compared with the plants in landscape areas. Generally, the accumulation of heavy metals in the plant tissues were found to be influenced by the environmental characteristics (i.e. influent water quality, air pollution level, etc.). Dianthus, Metasequoia, Rhododendron lateritium, and Mugwort were found to be effective in removing Zn in the urban stormwater runoff. Additionally, Dianthus, Metasequoia, Mugwort, and Ginkgo Biloba exhibited excellent removal of Cu. Cherry Tree, Metasequoia, and mugwort efficiently removed Pb, whereas Dianthus was also found to be effective in treating As, Cr, and Cd in stormwater. Overall, different plant species showed varying heavy metal uptake capabilities. The results of this study can be used as an effective tool in selecting suitable plant species for removing heavy metals in the runoff from different land use types.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2020

Electrodialysis has been applied for treatment of industrial wastewater including metal electroplating. The wastewater from metal plating industries contains high concentrations of inorganics such as copper, nickel, and sodium. The ions in the feed were separated due to the electrical forces in the electrodialysis. The concentrate compartment is exposed to the elevated concentrations of the ions and yielded inorganic precipitations on the cation exchange membranes. The presence of organic matter in the metal plating wastewater affects complex interfacial reactions, which determines characteristics of inorganic scale fouling. The wastewater from a metal plating industry in practice was collected and the inorganic and organic compositions of the wastewater were analyzed. The performance of electrodialysis of the raw wastewater was evaluated and the effects of adjusting pH of the raw water were also measured. The integrated processes with neutralization and electrodialysis showed great removal of heavy metals sufficient to discharge to aquatic ecosystem. The organic matter in the raw water was also reduced by the neutralization, which might enhance removal performance and alleviate organic fouling in the integrated system.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.395-408
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• 2011

The study which it sees exclusions the copper and the zinc which contain in pig sludge, It study pig sludge resources fertilizer production which are rational, pig sludge resources fertilizers after seeding, silage corn it investigates growth characteristics and forage value, the result which investigates pig sludge resources fertilizers effectiveness with afterwards is same. With fertilizer ingredients in pig sludge chemical qualities, the content of the nitrogen and the phosphoric acid comes 4.4% to be 6.29%, pH 7.02 and content of the copper and the zinc which is a heavy metal which contains in pig sludge with 805 mg/kg and 1,704 mg/kg, it is a restrictive standard of the fertilizer, 300 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg it sees to be high, it manufactures citric acid 1 hydrate with the organic acid solution, heavy metals of pig sludge where it is a mixture ratio of the organic acid solution, it divides to 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% 4 kind levels, the result which measures the heavy metal exclusion ratio of the copper and the zinc, the mixture ratio of the organic acid solution to be many exclusion ratio of the copper and the zinc is showing a just interrelation, from organic acid solution 100% level content of pig sludge remains copper and zinc 330.03 mg/kg and 41.28 mg/kg, it shows the exclusion ratio of copper 59% zinc 97%. 'Cheonganok' growth characteristics with citric acid 1 hydrate, Treatment 2 and control growth characteristics etc, it exclusion the copper and the zinc it doesn't appear on significant difference statistically but, treatment 3 after only pig sludge in resources disposal where it seeding, growth characteristics of leaf area etc. is badness, it compares in control and treatment 2 the growth characteristics badness, it is appearing, it is caused by with disease and insects occurrence of $Ostrinia$ $furnacalis$ and brown spot, the damage was many. From forage value, Treatment 2 where it exclusion the heavy metal with the citric acid 1 hydrate with control it compares and there are not significant difference from crude protein and ADF and NDF contents etc., seeding only Pig Sludge in resources disposal treatment 3, it is caused by with $Ostrinia$ $furnacalis$ etc., trunk and aging of the leaf to be high ADF content is low. but from crude protein, the nitrogen ingredient which pig sludge has and interrelation it seemed and high numerical value were confirmed.