• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.72-83
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• 2024

Most of the slags generated from steel-making industry in Korea are recycled into media-contact aggregates such as fill and cover materials. For their use as media-contact aggregates, the slags must meet not only the waste quality criteria, but also the Daphnia magna acute toxicity test criteria. In this study, Korean Leaching Test ES 06150.e (Korea), Japanese Leaching Test JIS K 0058-1(Japan), Detuch Leaching Test DIN 19529 (Germany), Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (USA) were conducted for batch leaching test of slags from 6 Korean steel-making companies. In addition, Korean Standard up-flow percolation test (ES 06151.1) mimicking field conditions was conducted to assess the impact of the slag leachate on the surrounding environment indirectly. Heavy metals such as Cr⁶⁺ and Zn²⁺ were detected from both extractant and leachate samples, but all of them did not exceed waste quality criteria of each country. However, Daphnia magna acute toxicity tests using the leachate samples from up-flow percolation test with slag alone and slag/natural soil conditions exceeded ecotoxicity standard (TU=2) due to their high pH (11.3-12.5). After neutralizing the pH of the slag leachate to 6.5~8.5, the Daphnia magna mortality and immobilization were reduced to satisfy ecotoxicity standard. As the reducing pH of slag leachate would be extremely difficult, appropriate recycling management considering the physicochemical characteristics of he slags should be stuided further.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.46-52
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• 2007

A toxicity method using bioluminescence producing bacteria, Escherichia coli DH5 RB1436, was developed and applied on solid environmental samples. In the assay, 1 g soil sample was mixed with 4 ml RB1436 strain. Sets amended with p-buffer were employed for control in soil test, showing approximately 108% of sets amended with combusted soils. Measurable differences were observed between relatively more polluted groups (HP) and less polluted groups (LP) of soil samples, showing average toxicity 43 and 26%, respectively, in direct soil toxicity test. $EC_{50}$'s for all soil groups appeared in the range of $1.8{\sim}4.6\;g$, but those of sediments from dam reservoir and refuses were below 0.22 g. This developed bioassay should prove useful as a screening test for toxicity in various types of environmental solid samples.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.11-14
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• 2001

In this study, the relationship between metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Zn. Pb, and Fe) 5 fractions and toxicity of soil samples from various contaminated sites in Korea were investigated. Metal toxicity of soils was tested using MetPLATE$^{TM}$ test kit, which is known as metal sensitive and organic insensitive. Significant amount of Fe was found in soils, and metal contents were in the order of Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. Metal levels in organic fraction were rather high for all metals except Fe, and quite high percentages (35~79%) for residual fraction were observed for all metals. There were no significant relationships between the content of each metal fraction and toxicity which showed regression $R^2$in the range of 0.0003~0.414. However, correlation between toxicity and total metal contents showed regression coefficient $R^2$= 0.72. These results showed that the risk evaluation of metals in contaminated sites should be difficult to assess only by the contents of metal distribution because of the complexity of mixture of various metals.s.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2017

Acute and chronic toxicities of methyl ethyl ketone and methanol were investigated on Paronychiurus kimi (Collembola), for evaluating the potential effects of accidental exposures of these chemical substances on the terrestrial environments. This study was undertaken to establish a toxicity database for these chemical substances, which was required for the preparation of the response compensation and liability act for agricultural production and environmental damage. The 7-d acute toxicity and 28-d chronic toxicity were conducted using the OECD artificial soil spiked with varying, serially diluted concentrations of methyl ethyl ketone and methanol. Mortality was recorded after 7-d and 28-d of exposures, and the number of juveniles were determined after 28-d of exposure in the chronic toxicity test. In both assessments, methanol was more toxic than methyl ethyl ketone in terms of mortality ($LC_{50}$) and reproduction ($EC_{50}$). The 7-d $LC_{50}$ of methyl ethyl ketone and methanol were 762 and $2378mg\;kg^{-1}$ soil dry wt., respectively, and the 28-d $LC_{50}s$ were 6063 and $1857mg\;kg^{-1}$ soil dry wt., respectively. The 28-d $EC_{50}$ of methyl ethyl ketone and methanol were 265 and $602mg\;kg^{-1}$ soil dry wt., respectively. Comparison of results obtained in this study with literature data revealed that P. kimi was more sensitive to methanol than other soil invertebrates. However, given the high volatility of the chemicals tested in this study, further studies are necessary to improve the current test guideline, or to develop new test guidelines for an accurate assessment of chemicals that require toxicity databases for chemical accidents.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2010

We are consistently being exposed to nanomaterials in direct and/or indirect route as they are used in almost all the sectors in our life. Nations across the worlds are now trying to put global regulation policy on nanomaterials. Sometimes, they are reported to be more toxic than the corresponding ion and micromaterials. Therefore, safety research of nanoparticles has huge implications on a national economics. In this study, we evaluated and analyzed the research trend of ecotoxicity of nanoparticles in soil environment. Test species include terrestrial plants, earthworms, and soil nematode. Soil enzyme activities were also discussed. We found that the results of nanotoxicity studies were affected by many factors such as physicochemical properties, size, dispersion method and test medium of nanoparticle, which should be considered when conducting toxicity researches. In particular, more researches on the effect of physicochemical properties and fate of nanoparticles on toxicity effect should be conducted consistently.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.48-54
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• 2008

Forest fires occur the world over, with large-scale fires constantly breaking out. A suppressant a type of forest fire chemical is widely used to respond to fires rapidly and effectively. In general, suppressants used for fires have been divided into dry powder, liquid, foam, and gel type, according to physical form and use. This study has conducted toxicity tests relating to phytotoxicity(Pinus densiflora seed germination rate and mortality of containerized seedling), and soil organism toxicity(earthworm acute toxicity tests), of these suppressants, with the loaded stream suppressant for direct forest fire extinguishing a Loaded Stream and foam concentrates generally being used in Korea. From the results of the tests, the loaded stream and the foam concentrate had an effect on the toxicity levels. In the case of the loaded stream type, it was observed that toxicity indicating a 100% lethality rate was found among all toxicity test methods. Therefore, it is determined that forest ecology environmental toxicity impact assessments related to the suppressant used to extinguish forest fires are necessary in the near future.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.77-83
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• 2010

In this study, we tried to determine any detrimental effects on water quality when bottom ash obtained from a coal-fired power plant intended to be used as a fill material in construction sites. Physical-chemical properties of bottom ash were determined using proximate analysis, elemental analysis, XRD, and XRF. Classification of bottom ash as a waste material and soil contamination due to the use of bottom ash were performed by Korea waste standard leaching test and soil toxicity test, respectively. Results of leaching tests were compared to the regulations for water quality and groundwater quality and no harmful effects on water quality were found. Most of heavy metals in leachate were below detection limits but trace amount of $Cr^{6+}$ was found. However, concentration of $Cr^{6+}$ was below the regulation criteria. Column leaching tests indicated that concentrations of Pb and Zn were slightly higher than regulations but below regulations within 1 PVE, but concentrations of sulfate were 10 times higher than regulation and thus, the required time to reach regulation was almost 8 PVE.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

Arsenic is one of the most abundant contaminant found in waste mine tailings and soil around refinery, Because of its carcinogenic property, the countries like United States of America and Europe have made stringent regulations which govern the concentration of arsenic in soil. The study focuses on solidification/stabilization for removal of arsenic from soil. Cement was used to solidify/stabilize the abandoned soil primarily contaminated with arsenic (up to 68.92 mg/kg) in and around refinery. Solidified/stabilized (s/s) forms in the range of cement contents 5-30 wt % were evaluated to determine the optimal binder content. Revised Korean standard leaching tests (KSLT), toxicity characteristic leaching procedures (TCLP), Old Korea standard leaching test and revised Korea standard leaching test were used for chemical characterization of the S/S forms. The addition of 10 % cement remarkably reduced the leachability of arsenic in contaminated soil. The concentration of As in leachate of TCLP, KSLT, and old KSLT for soil are below the standard. However that in leachate of revised KSLT is above the standard. Because of extraction fluid used in revised KSLT is very strong acid. It is arsenic in s/s with binder should be exhaustingly leached. Therefore S/S process would not be available for As treatment in soil in Korea.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.52-60
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• 2010

The stone-dust is an unavoidable by-product of aggregate production, which is produced about 0.8~1.0 million $m^3$ annually. The stone-dust is currently regarded as a hazard material on environment because it is classified as an industrial waste in the Waste Management Law of Korea. At present, the stone-dust is considered as a environmentally hazardous material, and is classified as an industrial waste according to the Waste Management Law of Korea. In this study, we assessed the heavy-metal contamination of the stone-dust on surrounding environments by various leaching tests. Leaching experiments (such as Korea Standard Leaching Procedure (KSLP), Soil Environment Preservation Act of Korea (SEPAK), Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP)) show that very low heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg) and CN are leached out, or much less than each regulatory thresholds. The resuts of the leaching test with time in acidic solution (initial pH 5 and 3) indicate that pH-buffering minerals are present in the stone-dust. These results suggest that the stone-dust can not potentially affect adverse impact on surrounding environments such as surface water, groundwater and soil etc..

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.311-314
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• 2004

Toxicity test fur various synthetic lubricant oil bases derived from biodiesel was carried out. The earthworms(Eisenia fetida) were maintanied in artificial soil consisting of sand for 14 days. Eisenia fetida was cultivated at temperature of $20{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, pH 6.0 $\pm$ 0.5 and moisture of $31\~37\%$. Pentaerythritol(PE) lubricant oil base was tested for acute toxicities to Eisenia fetida. The earthworms were exposed to each lubricant oil with various concentrations of lubricant oil base. After 14 days, the number of surviving earthworms and thier weight alteration during the test period was determined. $LC_{50}$(lethal concentration when $50\%$ of the population were killed) pentaerythritol was determined to be 1,555 mg/kg soil dry weight.