• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.393-400
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• 2017

This study was investigated on pH, heavy metals, oils and solvents in 34 surface soil samples and the samples are collected at two times for 17 farmland sites around 7 industrial areas in Northern Gyeonggi Province. As a result of pH for soil contamination monitoring network, the range of pH showed 4.4~8.4 and average was 6.3. The range of pH for Agricultural land around industrial area was 6.7~7.5 and average indicated 7.1 that mostly showed neutral condition in this area. he average concentrations of Cu, Pb, Ni, As and $Cr^{6+}$ are lower than Korea soil contamination worrisome levels at region 1 and the mean levels of farmland from the soil quality monitoring network. The average concentrations of Zn, Cd and Hg didn't exceed the soil contamination worrisome levels at region 1 but slightly higher than the mean levels of farmland from the soil quality monitoring network. The heavy metal levels of all samples are within Korea soil contamination worrisome levels at region 1. The results showed that the detected heavy metal concentrations ranged from N.D. to ~32.7% of Korea soil contamination worrisome levels at region 1. BTEX, TPH, TCE and PCE were not detected in all samples and thus the farmland around the industrial areas were free from oils and solvents contamination.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.10-18
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• 2011

This study presents a state of the art in evaluation on naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) areas and effective strategies for investigation and management of NOA areas in Korea. First of all, we defined and classified the NOA area as compiling various countries' regulations, then discussed the best methods for evaluation and management of NOA for reducing exposure of asbestos in the vicinity of NOA areas. According to the literature survey, a three-steps management strategy was suggested in this study. The first step is a confirmation stage of asbestos contamination possibility and the second step is an assessment stage of asbestos contamination using investigation, analysis, evaluation and reclamation. The final step is a following-up control stage. These three management steps for NOA area will give the maximum effectiveness of NOA control in Korea.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.103-107
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• 2008

In this work, soil environment policy which should be taken into account at brownfield redevelopment projects was deduced from investigation on their environmental impact assessment statements. Soil contamination sources such as small-scale factories were found at a few large-scale brownfield projects, so contaminated soils did often exist at these sites. Especially, military facilities within the sites caused severe soil contamination problems. Therefore, soil environment policy was presented in detail to solve soil contamination problem at brownfield redevelopment projects. Furthermore, land-use planning focusing on greening (soil and vegetation) should be pursued at brownfield redevelopment projects in order to maximize environmental benefits of greenspace.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.141-153
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• 2018

Purpose : The subject site selected in this study was a place that was prepared through the reclamation of foreshore completed in 1973. Since then, the site has been occupied by the industry of ship repair for over 30 years. Method : The results of a precise soil examination conducted in 2013 showed that the site was seriously contaminated with TPH over an area of $10,000m^2$ and GL(-)3.0m in depth, with an expanding coverage of contamination. Results : The soil contamination by refined petroleum products often results in adverse effects to human health and ecological systems, thus the contamination should be purified as soon as possible. Conclusion : Hydrogeological investigation can be employed to assess the groundwater movement and propagation of contamination to determine the potential agents or contaminants in the soil contaminated with high concentration TPH.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2022

Background: Abandoned metal mines are classified as vulnerable areas with the highest level of soil contamination among risk regions. People living near abandoned metal mines are at increased risk of exposure to toxic metals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between soil contamination levels in areas around abandoned metal mine and the blood lead levels of local residents. Moreover, we assess the possibility of using soil contamination levels as a predictive indicator for human exposure level. Methods: Data from the Survey of Residents around Abandoned Metal Mines (2013~2017, n=4,421) and Investigation of Soil Pollution in Abandoned Metal Mines (2000~2011) were used. A random coefficient model was conducted for estimation of the lower level (micro data) of the local resident unit and the upper level (macro data) of the abandoned metal mine unit. Through a fitted model, the variation of blood lead levels among abandoned metal mines was confirmed and the effect of the operationally defined soil contamination level was estimated. Results: Among the total variation in blood lead levels, the variation between abandoned mines was 18.6%, and the variation determined by the upper-level factors such as soil contamination and water contamination was 8.1%, which was statistically significant respectively. There was also a statistically significant difference in the least square mean of blood lead concentration according to the level of soil contamination (p=0.047, low: 2.32 ㎍/dL, middle: 2.38 ㎍/dL, high: 2.59 ㎍/dL). Conclusions: The blood lead concentration of residents living near abandoned metal mines was significantly correlated with the level of soil contamination. Therefore, in biomonitoring for vulnerable areas, operationally defined soil contamination can be used as a predictor for human exposure level to hazardous substances and discrimination of high-risk abandoned metal mines.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1997.05a
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• pp.43-46
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• 1997

The results of an investigation conducted to study the effect of crude oil contamination on the geotechnical properties of sand of presented. The effect of the degree of oil contamination on compaction characteristics, shear strength, and one-dimensional compression characteristics has been investigated. The test results indicate that the compaction characteristics are somewhat influenced by oil contamination. The angle of internal friction of sand (based on total stress basis) decreases due to the presence of oil within the pore spaces in sand. The compression characteristics of sand are significantly-influenced by oil contamination. The details of the tests conducted and the results are presented in the paper.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.947-956
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• 2018

Trains have been a major means of transport in Korea during these past decades. However, train facilities such as stations and repair shops are contaminated with organic and inorganic substances. There is a high probability of train facility contamination with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study evaluated the PAH and heavy metal contamination of soil near railroads in the Kyungpook area. A total of 18 soil samples were collected from the railroads and analyzed for 16 PAHs and 6 heavy metal species. The contamination level of the top soil was found to be slightly higher than that of the subsoil for contamination with PAHs. The ratio of carcinogenic PAH concentration to the total PAH concentration was relatively high, with a maximum of 0.9. The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of the PAHs were 500.6 ng/kg in the topsoil and 355.5 ng/kg in the subsoil. The ratio of low molecular PAHs (LPAHs) to high molecular PAHs (LPAHs) ranged from 6.7 to 29.5; this shows that contamination is primarily due to combustion of fuel rather than due to petroleum. The ratio of phenanthrene to anthracene and the ratio of fluoranthene to pyrene also show that contamination occurred due to combustion for transportation. The heavy metal contamination level was lower than the Korean standard, but higher than the background concentration; this indicates that the soil was affected by the operation of the railways.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.9-12
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• 2001

MTBE is a gasoline additive which is widely used in the world. Its use on the air pollution reduction has been proved very effective, but has generated serious problems of groundwater contamination. Its use will be banned gradually by US EPA and other states governments in US. In Korea, it has been used since 1987 and its consumption reaches about 700, 000 tons/year. Any problems related to the groundwater contamination has not been reported in Korea, yet due to the lack of investigation. In this presentation, I raise the MTBE problems with examples of MTBE contaminations in the US.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.481-489
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• 2013

There are U.S. troops with a force about 290,000 strong stationed all around the world, approximately 150 countries. Among the troops, USFK has performed principal part with its stationing for 50 years against the military threat of North Korea. However, as a result of an investigation made into environmental contamination of several bases which were restituted from US to ROK by the Land Partnership Plan in the process of relocation of USFK, it was found that the area was contaminated by not only TPH and BTEX caused by diesel fuel and JP-8 but also various heavy metal over the standard level according to the operations of corps. Among these bases, 4 corps, each of which has different duties and function, were chosen to be analyzed for the characteristics and degrees of soil contamination. Fisrt of all, in armored camp the soil was contaminated by TPH and heavy metal (Zn, Ni, Pb) due to the repairing activities of tracked vehicles and shooting exercises. In army aviation camp, the soil was contaminated by TPH, BTEX and heavy metal (Zn, Cd) due to repairing activities of aircrafts. Also, in engineer camp there was contaminated area polluted by TPH and heavy metal (Zn, Pb) caused by open-air storage of various construction materials and TPH, BTEX and heavy metal (Zn, Pb, Cu) contamination of aircraft shooting area in shooting range camp were detected. Managing environment will be more effective when we identify the contaminative characteristics and take necessary measures in advance.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.401-406
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• 2000

Spilling of petroleum hydrocarbons such as gasoline, motor oils, and diesel fuel from underground storage tanks (USTs) is a major source of contamination to ground water and soils. In response to the need of developing an effective and economical cleanup technique, this study investigates the effectiveness of using sonication to enhance the soil flushing method. The study involves laboratory testing, and the testing was conducted using a specially designed and fabricated device to determine the effect of sonication on contaminant removal. The sonication was applied at 20 kHz frequency under different power levels. Test soil was Joomoonjin Sand, and diesel fuel was used as a contaminant of soil flushing test. The results of the investigation show that sonication enhanced the contaminant removal from soils significantly, and the degree of enhancement varied with power levels of sonication. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the flushing method with sonication has a great potential to become an effective method for removing petroleum hydrocarbons from the contaminated ground.