• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.61-67
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil covering and vegetation base materials implementation on the growth of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya Miq. in abandoned coal mine land. We compared the biomass of L. cyrtobotrya at the study plots of four different soil covering depth (control, 10cm, 20cm, and 30cm) and four different compounds of vegetation base materials composed of soil conditioner (S), erosion control (E), and peat moss (P) (control, S+P, E+P, and S+E+P). The result showed that the biomass of L. cyrtobotrya was higher in the study plots implemented with soil covering than control plot, although the increase in biomass was not constant with soil covering depth. In case of the vegetation base materials treatments, the biomass was highest in S+E+P plot, and S+P and E+P plots showed higher biomass than control plot.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.520-529
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• 2017

In Korea, the largest agricultural lands are paddy fields which have poor infiltration and drainage properties. Recently, Korean government pursuits cultivating upland crops in paddy fields to reduce overproduced rice in Korea. In order to succeed this policy, it is critical to set criteria suitability classification for upland crops cultivating in paddy field soils. The objective of this study was developing guideline of suitability classification for sesame cultivation in paddy field soils. Yields of sesame cultivated in paddy field soils and soil properties were investigated at 40 locations at nationwide scale. Soil properties such as topography, soil texture, soil moisture contents, slope, and drainage level were investigated. The guideline of suitability classification for sesame was determined by multi-regression method. As a result, sesame yields had the greatest correlation with topography, soil moisture content, and slope. Since sesame is sensitive to excessive soil moisture content, paddy fields with well drained, slope of 7-15% and mountain foot or hill were best suit for cultivating sesame. Sesame yields were greater with less soil moisture contents. Based on these results, area of best suitable paddy field land for sesame was 161,400 ha, suitable land was 62,600 ha, possible land was 331,600 ha, and low productive land was 1,075,500 ha. Compared to existing suitability classification, the new guideline of classification recommended smaller area of best or suitable areas to cultivate sesame. This result may suggest that sesame cultivation in paddy field can be very susceptible to soil moisture contents.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.823-827
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• 2010

This study was conducted to assess the propriety of models for soil water characteristics estimation in anthropogenic soil through the measurement of soil water content and soil water matric potential. Soil profile was characterized with four different soil layers. Soil texture was loamy sand for the first soil layer (from soil surface to 30 cm soil depth), sand for the second (30~70 cm soil depth) and the third soil layers (70~120 cm soil depth), and sandy loam for the fourth soil layer (120 cm < soil depth). Soil water retention curve (SWRC), the relation between soil water content and soil water matric potential, took a similar trend between different layers except the layer of below 120 cm soil depth. The estimation of SWRC and air entry value was better in van Genuchten model by analytical method than in Brooks-Corey model with power function. Therefore, it could be concluded that van Genuchten model is more desirable than Brook-Corey model for estimating soil water characteristics of anthropogenic soil accumulated with saprolite.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 2008

There is increased soil erosion potential at highland agricultural crop fields because of its topographic characteristics and site-specific agricultural management practices performed at these areas. The agricultural upland fields are usually located at the sloping areas, resulting in higher soil loss, pesticides, and nutrients in case of torrential rainfall events or typhoon, such as 2002 Rusa and 2003 MaeMi. At the highland agricultural fields, the soil reconditioning have been performed every year to decrease damage by continuous cropping and pests. Also it has been done to increase crop productivity and soil fertility. The increased amounts of soil used for soil reconditioning are increasing over the years, causing significant impacts on water quality at the receiving water bodies. In this study, the field investigation was done to check soil reconditioning status for potato, carrot, and cabbage at the Doam-dam watershed. With these data obtained from the field investigation, the Soil and Water Assesment Tool (SWAT) model was used to simulate the soil loss reduction with environment-friendly and agronomically enough soil reconditioning. The average soil reconditioning depth for potato was 34.3 cm, 48.3 cm for carrot, and 31.2 cm for cabbage at the Doam-dam watershed. These data were used for SWAT model runs. Before the SWAT simulation, the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch, developed by the Kangwon National University, was applied because of proper simulation of soil erosion and sediment yield at the sloping watershed, such as the Doam-dam watershed. With this patch applied, the Coefficient of Determination ($R^2$) value was 0.85 and the Nash-Sutcliffe Model Efficiency (EI) was 0.75 for flow calibration. The $R^2$ value was 0.87 and the EI was 0.85 for flow validation. For sediment simulation, the $R^2$ value was 0.91 and the EI was 0.70, indicating the SWAT model predicts the soil erosion processes and sediment yield at the Doam-dam watershed. With the calibrated and validated SWAT for the Doam-dam watershed, the soil erosion reduction was investigated for potato, carrot, and cabbage. For potato, around 19.3 cm of soil were over applied to the agricultural field, causing 146% of more soil erosion rate, approximately 33.3 cm, causing 146% of more soil erosion for carrot, and approximately 16.2 cm, causing 44% of more soil erosion. The results obtained in this study showed that excessive soil reconditioning are performed at the highland agricultural fields, causing severe muddy water issues and water quality degradation at the Doam-water watershed. The results can be used to develop soil reconditioning standard policy for various crops at the highland agricultural fields, without causing problems agronomically and environmentally.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the heavy metal pollution of playgrounds of elementary schools in the Ulsan Metropolitan City. Soil pollution is one of the most dangerous problems of the utmost concern to both children and teachers. The result of this study would be an educational datum for improving children's health and establishing educational policy. Methods: For the analysis, fifteen representative schools were selected from five sample areas such as Dong-gu, Nam-gu, Jung-gu, Buk-gu and Ulju-gun of the Ulsan city. And from each school playground, soil was extracted from five spots and mingled into one sample. These fifteen samples were pretreated by the microwave extraction method, and the extracted heavy metals(As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr⁶⁺, Zn and Hg) were quantified by the ICP(Inductively Coupled Plasma) system. Results: The results of the analysis shows that the level of heavy metal pollution of elementary school playgrounds in Ulsan city did not exceed the permitted limit of each heavy metal. This means that the soil pollution of playgrounds in the Ulsan Metropolitan City is not so serious as it is expected. But it should be added that the soil is not too safe to be ignored.

• 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.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-145
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• 1998

Unlike water or air quality standards that have been established by legislation using potential human health impact as the primary criterion, soil quality depends on the soils primary function and its relevant environmental factors, which is much more site- and soil specific. A properly characterized soil quality assessment system should serve as an indicator of the soil capacity to produce safe and nutritious food, to enhance human and animal health, and to overcome degrative processes. For our proposed example, a high quality soil with regard to maintaining an adequate soil productivity as a food production resources must accommodate soil and water properties, food chain, sustainability and utilization, environment, and profitability, that (i) facilitate water transfer and absorption, (ii) sustain plant growth, (iii) resist physical degradation of soil, (iv) produce a safe food resources, (v) cost-effective agricultural management. Possible soil quality indicators are identified at several levels within the framework for each of these functions. Each indicator is assigned a priority or weight that reflects its relative importance using a multi-objective approach based on principles of systems to be considered. To do this, individual scoring system is differentiated by the several levels from low to very high category or point scoring ranging from 0 to 10, And then weights are multiplied and products are summed to provide an overall soil quality rating based on several physical and chemical indicators. Tlne framework and procedure in developing the soil quality assessment are determined by using information collected from an alternative and conventional farm practices in the regions. The use of an expanded framework for assessing effects of other processes, management practices, or policy issues on soil quality is also considered. To develop one possible form for a soil quality index, we should permit coupling the soil characteristics with assessment system based on soil properties and incoming and resident chemicals. The purpose of this paper is to discuss approaches to defining and assessing soil quality and to suggest the factors to be considered.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.4B
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• pp.261-266
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• 2012

In this study, soil environmental impact assessment using risk-based approach was compared with that using concentration-based approach. For this, heavy metal contaminant exposure was characterized in an abandoned mine area. According to the estimated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, soil ingestion was identified as the most dominant exposure pathway. When contaminant concentrations exceeded the Korean Soil Contamination Warning Standards, their corresponding risk values also exceeded the Total Soil Risk Standard. Even the cases of satisfying the Korean Soil Contamination Warning Standards mostly showed higher risk levels than the Total Soil Risk Standard, re-confirming a more sensitivity of the risk-based assessment than concentration-based assessment. However, the in-depth analysis of the estimated non-carcinogenic risk values revealed a few cases for soil contact pathway showing contaminant concentrations higher than the Korean Soil Contamination Warning Standards although their non-carcinogenic risk values satisfied the level of Hazard Index Standard. The findings from this study support a necessity of shifting policy paradigm from concentration-based approach into risk-based approach for reliable risk assessment in abandoned mine areas, and also suggest a necessity of further fundamental studies regarding risk factors and standards.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.492-498
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• 2015

The long-term changes in the soil properties are closely related to the policy direction and the national program for the soil management. In this study, chemical properties of paddy soils in Jeonnam province were investigated at four-year interval since 1999 and the factors affecting change of chemical properties were analyzed in relation to the soil management policies. Chemical fertilizers supplied to Jeonnam province reduced by 57% in 2013 as compared with 1999, and the ratio of Jeonnam province to the national fertilizer supply gradually decreased to 14.1% in 2013 from 17.6% in 1999 due to national policies to reduce use of chemical fertilizers in the 2000s. In the chemical analysis of paddy soils in Jeonnam province, pH value tended to increase gradually within the optimal range. Available phosphate and exchangeable potassium content were always higher than the optimal range and showed no significant difference since 1999. Organic matter, exchangeable calcium and available silicate content were found to be lower than average content in the whole country as well optimal range for rice cultivation in 1999, but were higher than average content in the whole country and optimal range in 2011 because of faster rate of increase in Jeonnam province than the other region since the mid-2000s. The cause of increase in organic matter, exchangeable calcium and available silicate contents is considered to be the increased use of green manure crops and by-products fertilizer as an alternatives for conventional application of chemical fertilizers and soil amendment such as silicate fertilizer for agronomic control of the disease and insect pest in rice cultivation of environmentally-friendly agriculture.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2003

Particle-size distributions (PSDs) are widely used for the estimation of soil hydraulic properties. The objective of this study was to select the best model among the nine PSD models with different underlying assumptions, by using a variety of Korean soils. The Fredlund model with four parameters, the logistic growth curve, and Weibull distribution model showed the highest performance compared to the other models with the majority of soils studied. It was interesting to find that the logistic growth function with no fitting parameters showed a great fitting performance.