• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.207-208
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• 2000

Since trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) arise from anaerobic degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and TCE, there is interest in creating aerobic remediation systems that avoid the highly toxic VC and cis-DCE which predonominate in anaerobic degradation. However, it seemed TCE could not be degraded aerobically without an inducing compound (which also competitively inhibits TCE degradation). It has been shown that TCE induces expression of both the toluene dioxygenase of p. putida F1 as well as toluene-p-monooxygenase of P.mendocina KRI. We investigated here the ability of PCE, TCE, and chlorinated phenols to induce toluene-o-xylene monooxygenase (ToMO) from P.stutzeri OX1. ToMO has a relaxed regio-specificity since it hydroxylates toluene in the ortho, meta, and para positions; it also has a broad substrate range as it oxidizes o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and naphthalene; chlorinated compounds including TCE, 1, 1-DCE, cis-DCE, trans-DCE, VC, and chloroform : as well as mixtures of chlorinated aliphatics (Pseudomonas 1999 Maui Meeting). ToMO is a multicomponent enzyme with greatest similarity to the aromatic monooxygenases of Burkholderia pickettii PKO1 and P.mendocina KR1. Using P.sturzeri OX1, it was found that PCE induces P.mendocina KR1 Using P.situtzeri OX1, it was found that PCE induces ToMO activity measured as naphthalene oxygenase activity 2.5-fold, TCE induces 2.3-fold, and toluene induces 3.0 fold. With the mutant P.stutzeri M1 which does not express ToMO, it was also found there was no naphthalene oxygenate activity induced by PCE and TCE; hence, PCE and TCE induce the tow path. Using P.putida PaW340(pPP4062, pFP3028) which has the tow promoter fused to the reporter catechol-2, 3-dioxygenase and the regulator gene touR, it was determined that the tow promoter was induced 5.7-, 7.1-, and 5.2-fold for 2-, 3-, 4-chlorophenol, respectively (cf. 8.9-fold induction with o-cresol) : however, TCE and PCE did not directly induce the tou path. Gas chromatography and chloride ion analysis also showed that TCE induced ToMO expression in P.stutzeri OX1 and was degraded and mineralized. This is the first report of significant PCE induction of any enzyme as well as the first report of chlorinated compound induction of the tou operon. The results indicate TCE and chlorinated phenols can be degraded by P.stutzeri OX1 without a separate inducer of the tou pathway and without competitive inhibition.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 1999

Partitioning of two hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs), phenanthrene and naphthalene, to kaolinite and sorbed surfactants was studied to evaluate the feasibility of surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER) of contaminated subsurface systems. Sorbed surfactant partition coefficients. $K_ss$, showed a strong dependence on the surfactant sorption isotherms at low sorbed surfactant levels $K_ss$ values were at their highest and then decreased with increasing surfactant sorption densities. $K_ss$ values for SDS were always larger than corresponding $K_mic$values. For Tween 80, however. $K_ss$ values $K_mic$ were higher than $K_mic$ values only at the lower sorbed surfactant densities. HOC distribution between immobile and mobile phases varied with surfactant dose distribution coefficients increased initially with increasing surfactant concentrations and then decreased at higher doses. This observation shows directly the competition between sorbed and micellar surfactants for HOC partitioning. Overall results of this study demonstrate that surfactant sorption to the solid phase can lead to increases in HOC retardation in some SER applications. Therefore, before an SER process is selected, appropriate consideration of surfactant sorption and HOC partitioning to immobile versus mobile phases pertinent to a specific subsurface system must be contemplated.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.59-65
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• 2006

Reductive dechlorination of chlorophenols by nickel coated iron was investigated to understand the feasibility of using Ni/Fe for the in situ remediation of contaminated groundwater. Zero valent iron (ZVI) was amended with Ni(II) ions to form bimetal (Ni/Fe). Dechlorination of 4-chlorophenol and formation of intermediates was studied using Ni/Fe. Effects of initial contaminant concentration, bimetal loading, presence of humic acid, and solution chemistry were also evaluated. Experimental results showed that Ni/Fe bimetal was so effective that more than 95% of 4-CP degradation was achieved within 240 minutes. Pseudo first-order rate constant for the dechlorination reaction was well correlated with bimetal loading. Humic acid competed for the reactive sites on the nickel coated iron with chlorophenols, lowering the dechlorination efficiency. No significant changes in solution pH were observed in the dechlorination of chlorophenols with Ni/Fe in the absence of buffer, indicating that reactivity of bimetal (Ni/Fe) could be prolonged. Phenol was found as a dechlorination intermediate of the conversion of 4-chlorophenol compound by Ni/Fe.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.152-157
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• 1999

Oil leaked from underwound storage tanks and leachate from sanitary landfills have been known as contaminant sources of the high-quality groundwater resources. The mobility of contaminants in the aquifer largely depends on the groundwater flow and the determination of associated hydraulic parameters is essential for a proper remediation of contaminated grnundwater. This study aimed at determining an optimum set of hydraulic parameters for an unconfined sandy aquifer of a laboratory scale through comparison of various methods. Results showed that the specific yield obtained from gravity drainage experiment was an average of 0.20 with minor variations in aquifer depths. and the permeabilities obtained from Dupuit approximation and slug test gave similar values of 5.33 cm/min and 5.85 cm/min but the constant head method gave 0.17 cm/min, which is much ion than the other methods. This experimental evidence reveals that the permeability of the unconfined sandy aquifer could be accurately determined by Dupuit assumption or slug tut rather than by constant head method conducted for a disturbed separate soil column.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

In this study, column tests using relatively uniform Jumunjin sand media were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of calcium polysulfide (CaS_x, CPS) in removing high concentration of Zn²⁺ in groundwater. The injected CPS solution reacted rapidly with Zn²⁺ in artificial groundwater and effectively reduced Zn²⁺ by more than 99% through metal sulfide precipitation. Since the density (d = 1.27 g/cm³ ) of CPS solution was greater than that of water, CPS solution settled down rapidly while capturing Zn²⁺ and formed stable CPS layer similar to dense nonaqueous phase liquid. Mass balance analysis on Zn²⁺ in CPS solution suggested that CPS solution effectively reacted with Zn²⁺ to form metal sulfide precipitates except for high groundwater seepage velocity of 400 cm/d. With greater groundwater seepage velocity, injected CPS did not completely dissolve at the CPS-water interface, but a partially-misible CPS layer continuously moved and reacted with Zn²⁺+ in the direction of groundwater flow. Since hydraulic conductivity (K_h) decreased slightly due to the generated metal precipitates in the inter-pores of media, injection of CPS solution should be optimized to prevent clogging. As evidenced by both XRF and SEM/EDS results, ZnS precipitates were clearly observed through the reaction between the CPS solution and Zn²⁺. Further study is warranted to evaluate the feasibility of CPS to remove high-concentration heavy metalcontaminated groundwater in complex and heterogeneous media.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.153-160
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• 2005

There have been large areas of soil contaminated with high levels of explosives. For this experimental work, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was tested as a representative explosive contaminant of concern in both aqueous and soil samples and its removal was evaluated using three different chemical treatment methods: 1) the classical Fenton reaction which utilizes hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and soluble iron at pH less than 3; 2) a modified Fenton reaction which utilizes chelating agents, $H_2O_2$, and soluble iron at pH 7; and 3) a Fenton-like process which utilizes iron minerals instead of soluble iron and $H_2O_2$, generating a hydroxyl radical. Using classic Fenton reaction, 93% of TNT was removed in 20 h at pH 3 (soil spiked with 300 mg/L of TNT, 3% $H_2O_2$ and 1mM Fe(III)), whereas 21% removed at pH 7. The modified Fenton reaction, using nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), oxalate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), acetate and citrate as representative chelating agents, was tested with 3% $H_2O_2$ at pH 7 for 24 h. Results showed the TNT removal in the order of NTA, EDTA, oxalate, citrate and acetate, with the removal efficiency of 87%, 71%, 64%, 46%, and 37%, respectively, suggesting NTA as the most effective chelating agent. The Fenton-like reaction was performed with water contaminated with 100 mg/L TNT and soil contaminated with 300 mg/L TNT, respectively, using 3% $H_2O_2$ and such iron minerals as goethite, magnetite, and hematite. In the goethite-water system, 33% of TNT was removed at pH 3 whereas 28% removed at pH 7. In the magnetite-water system, 40% of TNT was removed at pH 3 whereas 36% removed at pH 7. In the hematite-water system, 40% of TNT was removed at pH 3 whereas 34% removed at pH 7. For further experiments combining the modified Fenton reaction with the Fenton-like reaction, NTA, EDTA, and oxalate were selected with the natural iron minerals, magnetite and hematite at pH 7, based on the results from the modified Fenton reaction. As results, in case magnetite was used, 79%, 59%, and 14% of TNT was removed when NTA, oxalate, and EDTA used, respectively, whereas 73%, 25%, and 19% removed in case of hematite, when NTA, oxalate, and EDTA used, respectively.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2005

This research was investigated the applicability of the biofiltration technology for the removal of volatile organic carbons (VOCs) produced from the bioremediation of oil contaminated soil. Diesel was used as surrogate for oil and, two types of biofilter systems made of ceramic and polymer media were compared for the removal efficiencies of diesel VOCs at different inlet concentrations and space velocity (SV) conditions. During the first 30-d operation, the removal efficiencies of the biofilter packed with polymer and the biofilter packed with ceramic were investigated at constant SV of $153\;h^{-1}$ When inlet concentrations of diesel VOCs were below 10 ppmv, the average removal efficiencies of the polymer biofilter and the ceramic biofilter were average $67\%\;and\;75\%$, respectively. When the inlet concentration increased to 30 ppmv, the VOC removal efficiency in the polymer biofilter was $80\%$, while the average removal efficiency in the ceramic biofilter was $60\%. Effect of the inlet concentration and SV on the removal efficiency of total diesel VOCs was investigated. As SV increased from $153\;h^{-1}$ to $204\;h^{-1}$ and $306\;h^{-1}$, the removal efficiency of total diesel VOCs was decreased gradually. The average removal efficiency of the biofilter packed with polymer carrier was decreased from $82\%\;to\;80\%\;and\;77\%$. The biofilter packed with polymer carrier showed that the removal efficiency of benzene and toluene were maintained within the range of $81\%\~86\%$. In contrast, for the biofilter packed with ceramic carrier, when SV increased from $153\;h^{-1}$ to $204\;h^{-1}$ and $306\;h^{-1}$, the removal efficiency of benzene decreased from $87\%\;to79\%\;and\;74\% . respectively. The removal efficiency of toluene decreased from $80\%\;to\;77\%\;and\;76\%$ at SV of $153\;h^{-1},\;204\;h^{-1}\;and\;306\;h^{-1}$, and $306\;h^{-1}$, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2005

This study analyzed total concentrations and existing forms of heavy metals in soils of Ulsan using a sequential extraction method. Soil samples were collected from 6 categorized areas including green, residential, heavy traffic, petrochemical industrial complex(IC), mechanical and shipbuilding IC, and non-ferrous metal IC areas. which represent different emission characteristics. The highest total concentrations of heavy metals by a sequential extraction analysis were observed in the soils collected from the non-ferrous metal IC area, followed by the mechanical and shipbuilding IC and heavy traffic areas. Dominant(> 50%) existing forms of Cd, Cr and Ni were residual forms followed by Fe and Mn oxides in almost areas. Residual fractions in the non-ferrous metal IC areas were relatively lower than those in other areas. However, the fractions of organic and sulphides in the IC areas were higher. The dominant farms of Cu were much different with the investigated areas. In most areas, the dominant forms of Pb and Zn were Fe and Mn oxides, followed by residual fraction for Pb. The exchangeable and carbonate fractions represent mobility of metallic elements in soils. They are also significantly affected by the environmental renditions, such as pHs of soil and rainfall. In this study the exchangeable and carbonate fractions were lower than other fractions. Because the total concentrations of heavy metals in the soils of the non-ferrous metal IC area were extremely high, however, the mobile fractions of heavy metals in the IC area would be significant. Thus a large amount of heavy metals can be released into plants, water bodies, and soils. Therefore, urgent measures, such as source control for soil remediation of heavy metals, in the non-ferrous metal IC areas are essentially required. Analysis results obtained from the sequential extraction and the aqua regia extraction showed a high correlation, whose determination coefficients(R2) of heavy metals except Cd approximately ranged from 0.7 to 0.9.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.65-70
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• 2009

Reduction of groundwater surface tension prior to air sparging (SEAS, surfactant-enhanced air sparging) was known to increase air saturation in the aquifer under influence, possibly enhancing the removal rates of volatile contaminants. Although SEAS was known to be efficient for increasing air saturation, little information is available for different hydrogeological settings including soil particle sizes and the depth of aquifer. We investigated water saturations in the sparging influence zone during SEAS using one-dimensional column packed with sands of different particle sizes and different aquifer depths. An anionic surfactant was used to suppress the surface tension of water. Two different sands were used; the air entry pressures of the sands were measured to be $15.0\;cmH_2O$, and $36.3\;cmH_2O$, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the water saturation-surface tension relationship for sands with different particle sizes. As the surface tension decreased, the water saturation decreased to a lowest point and then it increased with further decrease in the surface tension. Both sands reached their lowest water saturations when the surface tension was set approximately at 42 dyne/cm. SEAS was conducted at three different aquifer depths; 41 cm, 81 cm, and 160 cm. Water saturation-surface tension relationship was consistent regardless of the aquifer depth. The size of sparging influence zone during SEAS, measured using two-dimensional model, was found to be similar to the changes in air saturation, measured using one-dimensional model. Considering diverse hydrogeological settings where SEAS to be applied, the results here may provide useful information for designing SEAS process.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to determine the order of priority for the use of amendments, matching the optimal amendment to the specific site in Korea. This decision-making process must prioritize the stabilization and economic efficiency of amendment for heavy metals and metalloid based on domestic site contamination scenarios. For this study, total 5 domestic heavy metal contaminated sites were selected based on different pollution scenarios and 13 amendments, which were previously studied as the soil stabilizer. Batch extraction experiments were performed to quantify the stabilization efficiency for 8 heavy metals (including As and Hg) for 5 soil samples, representing 5 different pollution scenarios. For each amendment, the analyses using XRD and XRF to identify their properties, the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) test, and the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) test were also conducted to evaluate the leaching safety in applied site. From results of batch experiments, the amendments showing > 20% extraction lowering efficiency for each heavy metal (metalloid) was selected and the top 5 ranked amendments were determined at different amount of amendment and on different extraction time conditions. For each amendment, the total number of times ranked in the top 5 was counted, prioritizing the feasible amendment for specific domestic contaminated sites in Korea. Mine drainage treatment sludge, iron oxide, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcite, iron sulfide, biochar showed high extraction decreasing efficiency for heavy metals in descending order. When the economic efficiency for these amendments was analyzed, mine drainage treatment sludge, limestone, steel making slag, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide were determined as the priority amendment for the Korean field application in descending order.