• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2011

By using a newly developed Korean risk-based corrective action (K-RBCA) software (K-RBCA) and the RBCA Tool Kit, risk assessment was performed on a site that was contaminated with aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Eight chemicals including benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, naphthalene, benz(a) anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(a) pyrene, and arsenic that exceeded the US EPA Soil Screening Level were chosen as the target pollutants. A conceptual site model was constructed based on the site-specific effective exposure pathways. According to the RBCA Tool Kit the carcinogenic risk of arsenic was larger than $10^{-6}$, which is the generally acceptable carcinogenic risk level. The K-RBCA estimated the same level of carcinogenic risk for arsenic. With the RBCA Tool Kit, the carcinogenic risk of benzo(a) pyrene was estimated to be about $1.3{\times}10^{-6}$. However, with the K-RBCA benzo(a) pyrene did not exhibit any risk. The inconsistency between the softwares was attributed to the different fundamental settings (i.e., medium division) between the two softwares. While the K-RBCA divides medium into surface soil, subsurface soil, and groundwater, the RBCA Tool Kit divides medium into only soil and groundwater. These differences lead to the different exposure pathways used by the two softwares. The K-RBCA considers the exposure pathways in surface soil and subsurface soil separately to estimate risk, however, the RBCA Tool Kit considers the surface soil and subsurface soil as one and uses the integrated exposure pathways to estimate risk. Thus the resulting risk is higher when the RBCA Tool Kit is used than when the K-RBCA is used. The results from this study show that there is no significant difference in the risks estimated by the two softwares, thus, it is reasonable to use the K-RBCA we developed in risk assessment of soil and groundwater. In addition, the present study demonstrates that the assessor should be familiar with the characteristics of a contaminated site and the assumptions used by a risk assessment software when carrying out risk assessment.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.03a
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

In this study the influences of ground motion characteristics and structural properties on energy demands were evaluated using 100 earthquake ground motions recorded in different soil conditions, and the results were compared with those of previous works. Results show that ductility ratios and the site conditions have significant influence on input energy. The ratio of hysteretic to input energy is considerably influenced by the ductility ratio and damping ratio, while site condition has minor effects.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.69-76
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• 2003

Near-field ground motions exhibit special characteristics that are different from ordinary far-field ground motions. This paper first briefly examines the characteristics of near-field ground motions associated with fault directivity and fling-step effects. Then evaluation of near-field ground motions by inelatstic response spectrum analysis is performed and analyzed. As a result, ductility demand in near-field ground motions is larger in hanging wall than in foot wall in long period regions. Also in long period regions ductility demand in soil site is larger than that in rock site.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.spc
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• pp.34-50
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• 2022

Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted using hydrochemical data in four testbeds (A to D) built for the development of site characterization technologies to assess the hydrochemical processes controlling the hydrochemistry in each site. The PCA results indicated the nitrogen loading to deep bedrock aquifers through permeable fractures in Testbed A, the chemical weathering enhanced with the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in Testbed B, the reductive dechlorination in Testbed C, and the different hydrochemistry depending on the depth to bedrock in Testbed D, consistent with the characteristics of each site. In Testbeds B and D, outliers seemed to affect the PCA result probably due to the small number of samples, whereas the PCA result was still consistent with site characteristics. This study result indicates that the PCA is widely applicable to hydrochemical data for the assessment of major hydrochemical processes in contamination sites, which is useful for site characterization when combined with other site characterization technologies, e.g., geological survey, geophysical investigation, borehole logging. It is suggested that PCA is applied in contaminated sites to interpret hydrochemical data not only for the distribution of contamination levels but also for the assessment of major hydrochemical processes and contamination sources.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.2 s.109
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• pp.60-70
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• 2005

This study was carried out to elucidate the vertical characteristics of soil properties at six planted sites of land reclaimed from the sea, in Gwangyang Bay, Jeollanam-do Province, Korea. Based on the types of planting site, the chemical properties of the vertical soil layers varied. The vertical variation was great in the planting sites $Z_1\;and\;Z_2$, but less varied in the mounded planting sites $Z_3,\;Z_5,\;and\;Z_6$. Major reasons for the vertical variation in soil chemical properties included differences in the accumulation of organic matter, soil disturbance by heavy construction equipment, and heterogeneity of soil properties between soil horizons. As soil depths increased, soil salts varied. The electrical conductivity (ECe) increased in the lower areas of planting sites $Z_1\;and\;Z_2$, and the disturbed, saline planting site $Z_3$, but decreased in the lower areas of $Z_3,\;Z_5,\;and\;Z_6$. These tendencies did not coincided with exchange cation concentrations $(Na^+,\;K^+,\;Mg^{++},\;Ca^{++})$. Both total carbon (T-C) and total nitrogen (T-N) accumulated more in the lower areas of planting sites than in the higher areas, and levels were higher closer to the surface than in the soil depths. It is supposed that these tendencies are related to the accumulation of fallen leaves or other organic matter at the soil surface, and the soil chemicals then slowly move downward from the surface. Impediments to tree growth included soil hardiness, high soil salinity and exchangeable cation concentration, low soil moisture content, acidic or alkaline soil, low organic matter, heterogeneity of soil texture and establishment of soil stratification.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.26-29
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• 2001

Sorption/desorption Study was conducted to determine desorption-resistance hydrophobic organic compounds in natural soils with low organic carbon content. Sorption/desorption characteristics of chlorobenzene and phenanthrene for both PPI (Petro Processors, Inc. Superfund site) and BM (Bayou Manchac), soils were investigated. Desorption was biphasic including reversible and desorption-resistant compartments. The biphasic sorption parameters indicated the presence of appreciable size of desorption-resistant phase in these soils. A finite maximum capacity of desorption-resistant fraction (equation omitted) was observed after several desorption steps. The apparent organic carbon based Partition coefficient, K(equation omitted) was 10$^{4.92{\pm}0.27}$ for PPI soil and 10$^{4.92{\pm}0.27}$ for BM soil, respectively. The difference in K(equation omitted) was attributed to different characteristics in soil organic matter. The results suggest that desorption-resistance should be considered in remediation and risk assessments in natural soils and sediments.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.391-413
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• 2015

Damage of torsionally coupled buildings situated on soil sites has been reported in literature, however no site-specific studies are available for torsionally coupled buildings having site characteristics as a parameter. Effect of torsion is being accounted in seismic codes by the provision of design eccentricity where the dynamic to static eccentricity ratio is a parameter. In this paper, a methodology to determine dynamic to static eccentricity ratio of torsionally coupled buildings has been demonstrated for Delhi region for two torsionally coupled buildings on three soil sites. The variations of average and standard deviations of frame shears for stiff and flexible edges are studied for four eccentricity ratios for the two buildings for the three sites. From the limited studies made, it is observed that the dynamic to static eccentricity ratios observed for site-specific earthquakes are different from Indian seismic code specified value, hence a proposal is made to include a comment in Indian seismic code. Methodology proposed in this paper can be adopted for any region, for the estimation of dynamic to static eccentricity ratio for site specific earthquake.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.439-444
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• 2019

It is generally known that high strength soil is indicative of well-graded particle size distribution. However, there are some special cases of firm ground despite poor grade distribution, especially a specific gap-graded soil. Based on these discoveries, this study investigated the development of an additive of gap-graded soils designed to increase soil strength. This theoretical concept was used to calculate the mixed ratio required for optimal soil strength of the ground sample. The gap-graded aggregate was added according to Plato's polyhedral theory and subsequently calculated ratio and soil strength characteristics were then compared to characteristics of the original soil sample through various test results. In addition, the underground stress transfer rate was measured according to the test conditions. The test results showed that the ground settlement and stress limit thickness were reduced with the incorporation of gap-graded soil. Further field tests would confirm the reproducibility and reliability of the technology by using gap-graded soil to reinforce soft ground of a new construction site. Gap-graded soil has the potential to reduce the construction cost and time of construction compared to other reinforcing methods.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.440-448
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• 2023

This study measured soil respiration in pine forests dominated by Pinus densiflora in Mt. Jeombong, Mt. Namsan, Mt. Jirisan in Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2010. The seasonal variations, along with temperature and soil moisture content, were measured to understand the characteristics at each site. Soil respiration was highest in summer and autumn, closely influenced by the increase in soil temperature. Throughout the measurement period, soil respiration ranged from 205.6 to 312.2 mg CO₂ m^-2 h^-1, with Mt. Namsan showing the highest values and Mt. Jirisan the lowest. A strong correlation was observed between soil respiration and soil temperature, with Q₁₀ values ranging from 2.5 to 3.0. Precipitation significantly affected soil moisture content, and although it appeared to influence soil respiration, no significant correlation was found.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.E4
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• pp.191-201
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• 2002

The pH, electric conductivity. and the major ionic components were analyzed for the precipitation samples collected at 1100 Site of Mt. Halla and Jeju city. The quality of analytical data was verified by the comparison of ion balances, conductivities and acid fractions, all of which correlation coefficients were over 0.952. The ionic strengths lower than 10$^{-4}$ M were found in 57 and 28% at 1100 Site and Jeju city respectively. The precipitation in Jeju city was influenced more by the oceanic effect than those in 1100 Site. The acidification of precipitation was caused mostly by S $O_4$$^{2-}$and N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ in both areas, and the organic acids have contributed to the acidity with only 7~8%. The neutralization factors by N $H_3$ were about 44 and 47％ at the 1100 site and the Jeju city, respectively, whereas those by CaC $O_3$were 21 and 24%, and the free acidity were about 38 and 28％ at two sites. From the investigation of seawater and soil enrichment factors, the S $O_4$$^{2-}$, N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ and N $E_4$$^{+}$ were immigrated by other sources rather than from the seawater or soil origins. but not in the case of $Mg^{2+}$, C $l^{[-10]}$ , N $a^{+}$, and $K^{+}$. Factor analysis has shown that the precipitation at the 1100 site had been influenced mostly by anthropogenic sources, followed by soil and sea-water sources. On the other hand, the precipitation at the Jeju city was mainly influenced by oceanic sources, followed by anthropogenic and soil sources.urces.