• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.323-332
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to investigate the diesel exhaust particle(DEP) concentrations in the thirteen parking lots of large shopping complex. Methods: The real-time black carbon(BC) concentration was determined using an Aethalometer, and elemental/organic carbon concentration was determined according to the method of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) 5040. The particle number concentration(NC), lung deposited surface area concentration(LDSA) and geometric mean diameter(GMD) were determined using a DiSCmini aerosol monitor. Results: The average concentration of BC, EC, OC, NC, LDSA and GMD were $19.1{\mu}g/m^3$, $12.6{\mu}g/m^3$, $51.5{\mu}g/m^3$, $94,000particles/cm^{-3}$, $298{\mu}m^2/cm^{-3}$ and 57 nm in all parking lots, respectively, approximately 3-fold higher than those found in the urban outdoor. The average concentration of BC were $21.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in underground parking lots, 3-fold higher than above parking lots. Conclusions: Therefore, the parking lots at the large shopping complex can be considered a potentially dangerous environment with a high concentration of DEP nanoparticles.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.129-160
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• 2019

Background: Characterizing and describing soils and land use and make a suggestion for sustainable utilization of land resources in the Ethiopian Rift valley flat plain areas of Lake Chamo Sub-Basin (CSB) are essential. Objectives: To (1) characterize soils of experimental area according to World Reference Base Legend and assess the nature and extent of salinity problems; (2) characterize land use systems and their role in soil properties; and (3) identify best land use practices used for both environmental management and improve agricultural productivity. Methods: Twelve randomly collected soil samples were prepared from the above land uses into 120 composites and analyzed. Results: Organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) were varied along different land uses and depleted from the surface soils. The soil units include Chernozems (41.67%), Kastanozems (25%), Solonchaks (16.67%), and Cambisols (16.67%). The identified land uses are annual crops (AA), perennial crops (PA), and natural forest (NF). Generally, organic carbon, total nitrogen, percentage base saturation (PBS), exchangeable (potassium, calcium, and magnesium), available phosphorus (P₂O₅), manganese, copper, and iron contents were decreased in cultivated soils. Soil salinity problem was observed in annuals. Annuals have less nutrient content compared to perennials in irrigated agriculture while it is greater in annuals under rainfed. Clay, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium (K₂O) contents were correlated positively and highly significantly with organic carbon and electrical conductivity. Conclusion: Management practices that improve soil quality should be integrated with leguminous crops when the land is used for annual crops production.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.897-905
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• 2013

In this study, sorption coefficients (${\log}K_{OC}$, n) for the binding of phenanthrene (PHE) to soil humins, insoluble fraction of soil humc substances (HS), were determined and relationship between the sorption coefficients and structural characteristics of the soil humins were investigated. The soil humins used in the present study were isolated from 7 different soils including 5 domestic soils, an IHSS standard and a peat soil, and characterized by elemental analysis and CPMAS $^{13}C$ NMR method. $^{13}C$ NMR spectral features indicate that the soil humins are mainly made up of aliphatic carbons (57.1~72.3% in total carbon) with high alkyl-C moiety, and the alkyl-C contents ($C_{Al-H,C}$, %) was in order of granite soil Hu (26~42%) > volcanic ash soil, HL Hu (23.9%) > Peat Hu (14.0%). The results of correlation study show that a positive relationship ($r^2$ = 0.77, p < 0.05) between organic carbon normalized-sorption coefficients ($K_{OC}$, mL/g) and alkyl-C contents($C_{Al-H,C}$, %), while negative relationship ($r^2$ = (-)0.74, p < 0.05) between Freundlich sorption parameter (n) and H,C-substituted aromatic carbon contents ($C_{Ar-H,C}$, %). The magnitude of $K_{OC}$ values are also negatively well correlated with polarity index (e.g., PI, N + O)/C) ($r^2$ = (-)0.74, p < 0.1). These results suggest that the binding capacity (e.g., $K_{OC}$) for PHE is increased in soil humin molecules having high contents of alkyl-C or lower polarity, and nonlinear sorption for PHE increased as the H,C-substituted aromatic carbon contents ($C_{Ar-H,C}$, %) in the soil humins increased. The PHE sorption characteristics on soil humins are discussed based on the dual reactive mode of sorption model.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.125-132
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• 2021

Fresh PM_2.5 smokes emitted from combustion of four biomass materials (pellet, palm fruit fiber (PFF), PKS, and sawdust) in a laboratory-controlled environment were characterized using an attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) technique. In smoke samples emitted from combustion of pellets, PFF and PKS, which is being used as boiler fuels for greenhouses in rural areas, the organic carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC) ratios in PM_2.5 were very high (14.0-35.5), whereas in sawdust smoke samples they were significantly low (<4.0) due to the combustion method close to flaming combustion. ATR-FTIR analysis showed that OH(3400-3250 cm^-1), CH₃(2958-2840 cm^-1), CH₂(2910 cm^-1 and 2850 cm^-1), ketone(1726-1697 cm^-1), C=C(1607-1606 cm^-1 and 1515-1514 cm^-1), lignin (1463-1462 cm^-1 and 1430-1428 cm^-1) and -NO₂(1360-1370 cm^-1) peaks were identified in all biomass burning (BB) smoke samples. However, additional peaks appeared depending on the type of biomass. Among the four types of biomass materials, an additional peak of the methylene group CH₃(2872-2870 cm^-1) appeared only in PFF and PKS smoke samples, and a peak of C=O(1685 cm^-1) was also confirmed. And in the case of PKS smoke samples, a peak of aromatic C=C(1593 cm^-1 and 1476 cm^-1) that did not appear in other BB samples was also observed. This indicates that the molecular structure of organic compounds emitted during BB differs depending on the type of biomass materials. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable information to more specifically reveal the effect of BB on PM_2.5 collected in the atmospheric environment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2018

The role played by reservoirs in the biogeochemical cycles of elements is a subject of ongoing debate. Recent research has revealed that reservoirs emit significant levels of greenhouse gases. To assess the importance of reservoirs in monsoon climate areas as a source of methane gas into the atmosphere, we investigated variations in organic carbon (OC) input into the reservoir, oxic state changes, and finally the amount of methane emitted (focusing on the ebullition pathway) in Lake Soyang, which is the largest reservoir in South Korea. Total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were higher during summer after two years of heavy rainfall. The sedimentation rates of particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) were higher in the epilimnion and hypolimnion than the metalimnioin, indicating that autochthonous and allochthonous carbon made separate contributions to the TOC. During stratification, oxygen depletion occurred in the hypolimnion due to the decomposition of organic matter. Under these conditions, $H_2S$ and $CH_4$ can be released from sediment. The methane emissions from the reservoir were much higher than from other natural lakes. However, the temporal and spatial variations of methane ebullition were huge, and were clearly dependent on many factors. Therefore, more research via a well-organized field campaign is needed to investigate methane emissions.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.20
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• pp.55-65
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• 2007

Black surface layers collected from stone pagodas were analyzed to study the effects of carbon compounds on the blackening of stone surface layer. The total amounts of carbon was measured through elemental analyser. Organic and elemental carbon were measured by combustion ihrornatographic $CO_2$ determination after elimination of carbonates carbon with acid treatment. The elemental carbon concentration in the black surface layer measured 0.52wt.%. This value is not sufficient to explain the complete blackening of stone surface. To trace the origin of carbon in black surface layer on the stone pagoda, aerosol samples for PM 10 were collected at the near sites of the pagoda. The major components of them were soluble ions(42.8wt.%), carbon(38.4 wt.%) and crustal matter(16wt.%). From the high content(13wt.%) of elemental carbon in aerosol ran be deduced that it may be a prime origin for the elemental carbon in the black surface layer on the stone pagoda. The crustal matter in aerosol can be also a origin of silicate mineral in black surface layer and plays a important role in the darkening of black surface layer.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.188-195
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• 2005

Chemical and physical changes and the contents of functional groups in the carbon black surface after the ozone treatment was investigated using elemental analysis, pH, tint strength, DBP, $N_2SA$, IA, and acid-base reaction. As the treatment time was increased, surface structure, particle size and surface area of carbon black did not change, while surface oxygen contents increased, and pH decreased and then saturated after $1{\sim}2$ hour. The contents of carboxylic, lactone, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups were analyzed with four bases such as $NaHCO_3,\;Na_2CO_3,\;NaOH$, and $NaOC_2H_5$. Before oxidation, the carbonyl group was dominantly present on the surface, but by increasing the treatment time, the contents of the carboxylic and carbonyl groups increased to a saturated level after $1{\sim}2$ hour. Before and after the oxidation, the lactone and hydroxyl groups were nearly absent. These results showed that the reaction mechanism of carbon black and ozone is similar to that of ethylene and ozone. Weight of oxidized carbon black was increased after treating AIBN, while free radical was slightly decreased by ESR analysis. When carbon black was treated with organic compounds containing mercapto- groups, the results of ESR showed that free radical peak intensity was almost diminished compared to original carbon black.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.265-276
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• 2017

The $PM_{2.5}$ samples were obtained from coal combustion with the four different combustion temperatures (550, 700, 900 and $1100^{\circ}C$) to understand chemical composition in carbonaceous aerosol. OC concentration was the highest when the combustion temperature was $550^{\circ}C$, while, the highest concentration for EC was shown at $700^{\circ}C$ of the coal combustion temperature. However, OC concentrations were very low and EC was not detected when the temperature was over $900^{\circ}C$. It indicates complete combustion was achieved when the combustion temperature was over $900^{\circ}C$. For six groups of organic compounds, n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids were predominant at all of the combustion temperature in smoke of coal combustion, while, PAHs was only detected at $550^{\circ}C$. The diagnostic ratios of PAHs calculated in this study were 0.59 for Fluoranthene/(Fluoranthene+Pyrene), reflecting the characteristics of coal combustion. The Carbon number Preference Index (CPI) values of n-alkanes which ranged from 0.9 to 1.3 also showed the characteristics of coal combustion.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.269-286
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• 2015

24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were performed between December 2013 and October 2014 at an urban site in Gwangju and the collected samples were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic species, and elemental species. Objectives of this study were to identify $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episodes, to characterize their chemical components, and to examine their probable origins. Over the course of the study period, average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was $37.7{\pm}23.6$ $(6.0{\sim}121.5){\mu}g/m^3$. Concentrations of secondary ionic species; $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ was on average $5.54{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.28~ 20.86), $7.60{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.45~ 33.53), and $9.05{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.50~ 34.98), accounting for 13.7% (4.6~ 22.7), 18.6% (2.9~ 44.8), and 22.9% (4.9~ 55.1) of the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration, respectively. Average OC and EC concentrations were $5.22{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.54{\mu}g/m^3$, taking possession of 4.6 and 22.2% (as organic mass) of the $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. Frequencies at which 24-hr averaged $PM_{2.5}$ exceeded a 24-hr averaged Korean $PM_{2.5}$ standard of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ (termed as an "episode" in this study) were 30, accounting for 21.3% of total 141 measurements. These pollution episodes were mostly associated with haze phenomenon and weak surface wind speed. It is suggested that secondary formation of aerosol was one important formation mechanism of the episodes. The episodes were associated with enhancements of organic mass, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in winter, of $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in spring, and of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in summer. Potential source contribution function results indicate also that $PM_{2.5}$ episodes were likely attributed to local and regional haze pollution transported from northeastern China in winter, to atmospheric processing of local emissions rather than long-range transport of air pollutants in spring, and to the $SO_4{^{2-}}$ driven by photochemistry of $SO_2$ in summer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2014

Since the emergence of domestically produced automobiles in 1964, the number of automobiles in circulation in South Korea has increased constantly. With this rapidly increasing number of automobiles, automobile-induced environmental pollution has become an issue of great concern, especially with regard to air pollution. Of the carbon composites contained in automobile exhaust gas, PAHs are known to be carcinogenic and highly deleterious to humans and thus need to be urgently mitigated. To address this issue of PAHs, this study was conducted to estimate qualitative of particulate PAHs contained in carbon composites in automobile exhaust gas, by capturing all particulate matter discharged from the latter. To allow for differentiated analyses, the automobiles investigated were divided into 4 groups: gasoline vehicle, motocycle, diesel vehicle, and LPG vehicle. Samples were analyzed using two methods. First, in-depth analysis was performed on organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) composites with analysis parameters, using the Thermal Optical Transmittance Method (NIOSH 5040). Second, for the examination of particulate PAHs, GC/MSD was used to analyze the 16 PAH species specified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analyses yielded the findings that diesel vehicles had the highest mass concentration ($2,007{\mu}g/m^3$), followed by motocycle ($1,066{\mu}g/m^3$), LPG vehicle ($392{\mu}g/m^3$), and gasoline vehicles ($270{\mu}g/m^3$). The highest carbon concentrations in total particulate matter by vehicle weight were produced from LPG vehicle (79.8%), followed by gasoline vehicle (77.4%), motocycle (69.8%), and diesel vehicle (59.1%).