• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2012

We designed a new rapid detection method for volatilized formaldehyde from wood. The process was installed with volatilizing and collecting parts in an incubator. For rapid sampling of formaldehyde from wood, we pulverized the wood to sawdust, and used 0.15-2.0 mm particles for the tests. The highest sampling rate (94.8%) was obtained at 40 mL/min flow rate and $100^{\circ}C$. Under the optimized condition, we could collect the volatilized formaldehyde with good recovery rate. The developed method was applied to the monitoring of the formaldehyde from wood, and the measured concentrations were 0.7-4.6 ${\mu}g/g$ from natural wood, 5.9-12.3 ${\mu}g/g$ from preserved wood, and 5.9-211.5 ${\mu}g/g$ from chemical adhesive processed wood. From the results, we identified natural wood sawdust and chemically processed wood (medium density fiberboard, high density fiberboard, particle board) by the formaldehyde contents except preserved wood.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2012

With the development of nanotechnology, nano-consumer products have been popularized. For the past 10 years, potential risk of nanomaterials to human and environment have been raised carefully. Especially, workers, who directly handle nanomaterials in laboratories and manfacturers, will lead to direct exposure of nanomaterials. Therefore, direct exposure assessment and field monitoring of nanomaterials are required to assess and manage the nanomaterial exposure to human and environment. In this work, two nano-manufacturing companies, which had plasma and sol-gel processes, were selected to analyze the main exposure source and process with in-situ SMPS (scanning mobility particle sizer) and ex-situ TEM (transmission electron microscopy). The results showed that the colloidal nanoparticle in liquid phase was easily evaporated and monitored by SMPS. Most serious thing is that the workers does not know about the potential risk of nanomaterials, and thus they are not taking proper protection activities, such as PPE (personal protective equipment). Therefore, exposure assessment for nanomaterial handling facilities should be additionally carried out, and nano-safety management protocols are also provided.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.53 no.spc1
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• pp.813-826
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• 2020

This study analyzes the effects of the Smart Water City (SWC) project that was introduced from 2014 to 2016 in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province, Korea, focusing on the achievement of the business goals. The SWC is referred to as a city that embraces a healthy water supply system based on Smart Water Management (SWM) that promotes the efficiency of water management by combining Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) with water and sewerage facilities. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the SWC project, this study deploys evaluation criteria corresponding to the project objectives, and analyzes the outputs before and after the project. The results show that the SWC has contributed to enhancing water supply services and the reliability and drinking rate of tap water. Specific improvement areas include the rise of average water flow rate and water leakage reduction, the diffusion of water quality monitoring system, and the reduction of floating particle concentration and turbidity in drainage pipes was achieved. These were possible because of specific implementation plans for clear goal setting and achievement and active services for citizens. The data related to water quantity and quality showed improved performance compared to before the introduction of SWMS, which is a positive effect. However, a quantitative analysis of the outputs has limitations in identifying other external factors that have led to the changes. In the future, guidelines for spreading SWC and more comprehensive and specific evaluation indicators for SWC should be prepared, and SWMS should be developed in consideration of the needs of users.

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.220-228
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• 2018

$PM_{2.5}$-bound mercury (PBM) was monitored at weekly intervals for three years (from 2014 to 2016) at an urban (Seoul) and rural site (Baengnyeong) in South Korea. The average PBM concentrations in $PM_{2.5}$ samples over the entire sampling period were $12{\pm}11pg/m^3$ and $36{\pm}34pg/m^3$ for Baengnyeong and Seoul, respectively. Seasonal differences were pronounced, with concentrations being highest in winter due to local meteorological conditions (high gas-particle coefficient due to low temperature and low mixing layer height in winter) as well as seasonal factors, such as coal combustion for heating purposes in China. In Baengnyeong, the significant positive correlation of PBM with $PM_{2.5}$, air pollutants, and heavy metals suggested that coal combustion in China might be the most important source of ambient mercury in Korea. In winter, no correlation of PBM with $PM_{2.5}$, air pollutants, and heavy metals was seen in Seoul. Furthermore, Seoul showed higher $PBM/PM_{2.5}$ and $Pb/PM_{2.5}$ ratios in winter due to the strong atmospheric oxidation-reduction reaction conditions as well as local and regional PBM sources. We conclude that immediate attention must be given to addressing PBM levels in Korea, including considering it as a key component of future air quality monitoring activities and mitigation measures.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.807-818
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• 2020

In this study, hydrophones using acoustic sensors were used to estimate the amount of bedload discharge in a forested watershed. The reaction characteristics were analyzed through hydrophone flume tests and field tests, and the quantitative bedload discharge was calculated and compared with that measured by a pit sampler. The hydrophone reaction changed the pulse according to the flow rate change, but did not react to standard sand. The pulse was different depending on the particle size and weight, and accordingly, there was a specific channel showing a suitable response. For a hydrophone installed in the field, by using an automatic impact device, the reaction characteristics of each channel were analyzed to confirm normal operation of the sensor and the suitability of the output value of each channel. In addition, a suitable channel was selected for the estimation of bedload discharge. The bedload discharge formula was developed using a hydrophone pulse and the average flow rate, and was compared with the measured data in the pit sampler in the study site. As a result of the study, if a hydrophone is used for monitoring the bedload in forested watersheds, it is considered effective in quantitatively estimating the weight of bedload discharge.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.400-414
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• 2021

Under high-level radioactive waste repository conditions, bentonite as an engineered barrier material undergoes thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes. We report the applications of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) imaging technique on the characterization and analysis of bentonite over the past decade to provide a reference of the utilization of this technique and the recent research trends. This overview of the X-ray CT technique applications includes the characterization of the bentonite either in pellets or powder form. X-ray imaging has provided a means to extract grain information at the microscale and identify crack networks responsible for the pellets' heterogeneity. Regarding samples of pellets-powder mixtures under hydration, X-ray CT allowed the identification and monitoring of heterogeneous zones throughout the test. Some results showed how zones with pellets only swell faster compared to others composed of pellets and powder. Moreover, the behavior of fissures between grains and bentonite matrix was observed to change under drying and hydrating conditions, tending to close during the former and open during the latter. The development of specializing software has allowed obtaining strain fields from a sequence of images. In more recent works, X-ray CT technique has served to estimate the dry density, water content, and particle displacement at different testing times. Also, when temperature was added to the hydration process of a sample, CT technology offered a way to observe localized and global density changes over time.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.6_1
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• pp.1191-1205
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• 2022

Particulate matter(PM) among air pollutants with complex and widespread causes is classified according to particle size. Among them, PM_2.5 is very small in size and can cause diseases in the human respiratory tract or cardiovascular system if inhaled by humans. In order to prepare for these risks, state-centered management and preventable monitoring and forecasting are important. This study tried to predict PM_2.5 in Seoul, where high concentrations of fine dust occur frequently, using two ensemble models, random forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) using 15 local data assimilation and prediction system (LDAPS) weather-related factors, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and 4 chemical factors as independent variables. Performance evaluation and factor importance evaluation of the two models used for prediction were performed, and seasonal model analysis was also performed. As a result of prediction accuracy, RF showed high prediction accuracy of R² = 0.85 and XGB R² = 0.91, and it was confirmed that XGB was a more suitable model for PM_2.5 prediction than RF. As a result of the seasonal model analysis, it can be said that the prediction performance was good compared to the observed values with high concentrations in spring. In this study, PM_2.5 of Seoul was predicted using various factors, and an ensemble-based PM_2.5 prediction model showing good performance was constructed.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the quantitative distribution of microplastics in the surface seawater at 8 points near the Taean Peninsula using fluorescence staining. The study revealed a detection range of microplastics from 0 to 360.5 particles/l, with an average of 149.7 ± 46.0 particles/l. When classifying the microplastics by size, it was found that particles smaller than 50 ㎛ were dominant, although there were differences at Site 3. Moreover, it was not possible to identify clear correlations when comparing the number of microplastics based on collection area and particle size. Various physical and chemical factors, including plastic material, dynamic ocean conditions (such as currents, wind, waves, tides), geological characteristics (topography, slope), sediment materials including coastal organisms, human activities (fishing, development, tourism), and weather conditions (floods, rainfall), affect the behavior of microplastics. Therefore, future efforts should focus on standardizing quantitative analysis methods and conducting fundamental research on microplastic monitoring, including the analysis of environmental factors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.195-208
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• 2023

The nodular diaphragm wall (NDW) is a novel type of foundation with favorable engineering characteristics, which has already been utilized in high-rise buildings and high-speed railways. Compared to traditional diaphragm walls, the NDW offers significantly improved vertical bearing capacity due to the presence of nodular parts while reducing construction time and excavation work. Despite its potential, research on the vertical bearing characteristics of NDW requires further study, and the investigation and visualization of its displacement pattern and failure mode are scant. Meanwhile, the measurement of the force component acting on the nodular parts remains challenging. In this paper, the vertical bearing characteristics of NDW are studied in detail through the indoor model test, and the displacement and failure mode of the foundation is analyzed using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology. The principles and methods for monitoring the force acting on the nodular parts are described in detail. The research results show that the nodular part plays an essential role in the bearing capacity of the NDW, and its maximum load-bearing ratio can reach 30.92%. The existence of the bottom nodular part contributes more to the bearing capacity of the foundation compared to the middle nodular part, and the use of both middle and bottom nodular parts increases the bearing capacity of the foundation by about 9~12% compared to a single nodular part of the NDW. The increase in the number of nodular parts cannot produce a simple superposition effect on the resistance born by the nodular parts since the nodular parts have an insignificant influence on the exertion and distribution of the skin friction of NDW. The existence of the nodular part changes the displacement field of the soil around NDW and increases the displacement influence range of the foundation to a certain extent. For NDWs with three different nodal arrangements, the failure modes of the foundations appear to be local shear failures. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the performance and behavior of NDWs, which will aid in their effective utilization and further research in the field.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.797-807
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• 2011

Phenomenon of vegetation recruitment on the sand bar is drastically rising in the streams and rivers in Korea. In the 1960s prior to industrialization and urbanization, most of the streams were consisted of sands and gravels, what we call, 'White River'. Owing to dam construction, stream maintenance, etc. carried out since the '70s, the characteristic of flow duration and sediment transport have been disturbed resulting in the abundance of vegetation in the waterfront, that is, 'Green River' is under progress. This study purposed to identify the correlation among water level, water temperature, rainfall, soil moisture and soil texture out of the factors which give an effect on the vegetation recruitment on the sand bar of unregulated stream. To this purpose, this study selected the downstream of Naeseong Stream, one of sand rivers in Korea, as the river section for test and conducted the monitoring and analysis for 289 days. In addition, this study analyzed the aerial photos taken from 1970 to 2009 in order to identify the aged change in vegetation from the past to the present. The range of the tested river section was 361 m in transverse length and about 2 km in longitudinal length. According to the survey analysis, the tested river section in Naeseong Stream was a gaining river showing the higher underground-water level by 20~30 m compared to Stream water level. The difference in the underground water temperature was less than $5^{\circ}C$ by day and season and the Stream temperature did not fall to $10^{\circ}C$ and less from May when the vegetation germination begins in earnest. The impact factor on soil moisture was the underground water level in the lower layer and the rainfall in the upper layer and it was found that all the upper and lower layer were influenced by soil particle size. The soil from surface to 1 m-underground out of 6 soil moisture-measured points was sand with the $D_{50}$ size of 0.07~1.37 mm and it's assumed that the capillary height possible in the particle size would reach around 14~43 cm. On the other hand, according to the result of space analysis on the tested river section of unregulated stream for 40 years, it was found that the artificial disturbance and drought promoted the vegetation recruitment and the flooding resulted in the frequency extinction of vegetation communities. Even though the small and large scales of recruitment and extinction in vegetation have been repeated since 1970, the present vegetation area increased clearly compared to the past. It's found that the vegetation area is gradually increasing over time.