• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the crust and consists of three stable isotopes, 28Si (92.23%), 29Si (4.67%), and 30Si (3.10%). Si isotopes are widely studied worldwide as a proxy for the biogeochemical cycle of Si to reconstruct the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate. However, in Korea, there have been no studies on biogenic silica using Si isotopes. In this study, we carried out Si isotope measurements of giant diatoms, summarizing the previously reported alkali fusion methods and establishing the best Si separation method for biogenic silica. Samples were completely digested using alkali fusion at high temperatures, effectively separating Si using an AG® 50W-X8 cation exchange resin. To evaluate the precision and accuracy of our measurements, Si isotope standard material (NBS-28) and USGS reference materials (AGV-2, GSP-2, BHVO-2) were analyzed. The results are in excellent agreement with the reported values within the acceptable error. The Si isotope measurement method developed in this study is expected to help in understanding the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment by tracing the Si cycle.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.427-439
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• 2013

Carbon cycling and productivity within Weno Island of Micronesia enclosed by the coral reef may be likely self-maintained and insignificantly affected by the open ocean. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of the mangrove known as providing the organic matter and habitats for many organisms in this enclosed area. In order to trace the nutritional source of fauna (mostly invertebrates) in the mangrove forest of Weno island, we analyzed the fatty acid (FA) and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of potential nutritional sources (mangrove leaf & pneumatophore, seagrass leaf & root, surface sediment, and particulate organic matter (POM) in water) and consumers (4 gastropods and anomura). The mangrove and seagrass contained the abundance of 18:2${\omega}$6, and 18:3${\omega}$3, whereas FAs associated with phytoplankton and bacteria were accounted for a high proportion in the surface sediment and POM. FA composition of consumers was found to be similar to those of the surface sediment, mangrove, and seagrass. These were also confirmed through the mixing model of stable isotope for contribution of nutritional sources to consumers. Overall results with the feeding types of investigated mangrove fauna indicate that investigated mangrove fauna obtained their nutrition from the various sources, i.e. the mangrove for Littorina cf. scabra, the microalgae for Strombus sp., and omnivorous Pagurus sp. and Terebralia cf. palustris. However, it is obvious that the nutrition of most species living in the mangrove ecosystem is highly dependent on the mangrove, either directly or indirectly. More detail food-web structure and function of the mangrove ecosystem would be established with the analysis of additional fauna and flora.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.242-251
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• 2012

To investigate foodweb of aquatic ecosystem in the Tamjin River, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes ratios of aquatic organisms, as well as environmental indicators based on the water, were determined in this study. Various organisms such as fishes (Coreoperca kawamebari, Zacco platypus, Cobitis lutheri, and Pungtungia herzi) and periphyton (epilithon and epiphyte), and particulate- and coarse particulate organic matters (POM and CPOM) were collected in upper (Tamjin River, Yuchi Stream, and Omcheon Stream) and lower (TJ-1~TJ-5) reaches of Jangheung Dam. The nitrate concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ signature of POM and organisms (invertebrates and fish) were found to be more enriched toward the downstream section of the river. It was determined that allochthonous matter occurring from a tributary alters the chemical character of water, as well as the isotopic signature of organisms contained therein. Attached algae (ephilithon) were identified as a base component of the benthic foodchain further downstream.

• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.975-987
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• 2018

Stable isotope ratios of $^{18}O/^{16}O$ and $^{13}C/^{12}C$ and rare earth elements geochemistry of the Upper Triassic carbonates from the Baluti Formation in Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq were studied in two areas, Sararu and Sarki. The aim of the study is to quantify the possible diagenetic processes that postdated deposition and the paleoenvironment of the Baluti Formation. The replacement products of the skeletal grains by selective dissolution and neomorphism probably by meteoric water preserved the original marine isotopic signatures possibly due to the closed system. The petrographic study revealed the existence of foraminifers, echinoderms, gastropods, crinoids, nodosaria and ostracods as major framework constituents. The carbonates have micritic matrix with microsparite and sparry calcite filling the pores and voids. The range and average values for twelve carbonate rocks of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ in Sararu section were -5.3‰ to -3.16‰ (-4.12‰) and -2.94‰ to -0.96‰ (-1.75‰), respectively; while the corresponding values for the Sarki section were -3.69‰ to -0.39‰ (-2.08‰) and -5.34‰ to -2.70‰ (-4.02‰), respectively. The bivariate plot of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ suggests that most of these carbonates are warm-water skeletons and have meteoric cement. The average ${\Sigma}REE$ content and Eu-anomaly of the carbonates of Sararu sections were 44.26 ppm and 1.03, respectively, corresponding to 22.30 ppm and 0.93 for the Sarki section. The normalized patterns for the carbonate rocks exhibit: (1) non-seawater-like REE patterns, (2) positive Gd anomalies (average = 1.112 for Sararu and 1.114 for Sarki), (3) super chondritic Y/Ho ratio is 31.48 for Sararu and 31.73 for Sarki which are less than the value of seawater. The presence of sparry calcite cement, negative $^{13}C$ and $^{18}O$ isotope values, the positive Eu anomaly in the REE patterns (particularly for Sararu), eliminated Ce anomaly ($Ce/Ce^{\ast}$: 0.916-1.167, average = 0.994 and 0.950-1.010, average = 0.964, respectively), and Er/Nd values propose that these carbonates have undergone meteoric diagenesis. The REE patterns suggest that the terrigenous materials of the Baluti were derived from felsic to intermediate rocks.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.302-307
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• 2014

To examine the trophic ecology of the ascidian Styela clava in an aquaculture system of Korea, stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed monthly in S. clava, coarse ($>20{\mu}m$, CPOM) and fine particulate organic matters ($0.7<<20{\mu}m$, FPOM). CPOM (means: $-18.5{\pm}1.2$‰, $9.3{\pm}0.7$‰) were significantly higher ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values than those ($-20.5{\pm}1.5$‰, $8.4{\pm}0.5$‰) of FPOM. S. clava had mean ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of $-18.9({\pm}1.7)$‰ and $11.6({\pm}0.7)$‰, respectively. S. clava were more similar to seasonal variations in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of FPOM than those of CPOM, suggesting that they rely largely on the FPOM as a dietary source. In addition, our results displayed that the relative importance between CPOM and FPOM as dietary source for the ascidians can be changed according to the availability of each component in ambient environment, probably reflecting their feeding plasticity due to non-selective feeding irrespective of particle size. Finally, our results suggest that dynamics of pico- and nano-size plankton (i.e., FPOM) as an available nutritional source to S. clava should be effectively assessed to maintain and manage their sustainable aquaculture production.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.242-251
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• 2010

In comparison with other terrestrial ecosystems, rice paddies are unique because they provide the primary food source for over 50% of the world's population, and act as major sources of global methane. The present paper summerizes a long-term field study that combine carbon isotopes, and canopy-scale flux measurements in an irrigated rice paddy, in conjugation with continuous monitoring of environmental, and vegetational factors. Both $CO_2$, and methane fluxes were largely influenced by soil temperature, and moisture conditions, especially across drainage events. Soil-entrapped $CO_2$, and methane showed a gradually increasing trend throughout growing season, but rapidly decreased upon flood water drainage. These variations in flux were well correlated with changes in concentration, and isotope ratio of soil $CO_2$, and methane, and of atmospheric $CO_2$, and methane within, and above the canopy. The isotopic signature of the gas exchange process varied markedly in response to change in contribution of soil respiration, belowground storage, fraction of $CO_2$ recycled, magnitude, and direction of $CO_2$ exchange, transport mechanism, and fraction of methane oxidized. Our results clearly demonstrate that stable isotope analysis can be a useful tool to study underlying mechanisms of gas exchange processes under natural conditions.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.135-153
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• 2003

In order to understand its origin and petrogenesis, petrochemical studies of major, trace elements, REE, and stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon from the Hongcheon Fe-REE deposits have been investigated. The Hongcheon Fe-REE deposit intruding into Precambrian metasedimentary rocks consists of magnetite, various carbonates such as ankerite, siderite, magnesite and strontianite, monazite, aegirine-augite, Na-amphibole, and sulfides. Compared with major elements abundances of typical ferro-carbonatites, the Hongcheon Fe-REE deposit is enriched in FeO and depleted in CaO with increasing of $SiO_2$, where $TiO_2$and $A1_2O_3$increased and CaO, FeO, MgO and $P_2O_5$ are slightly decreased, but those are rather scattered and their trends are somewhat ambiguous. V Ni, U and Rb slightly increasing with of $SiO_2$increase and scattering or no trends of other detected elements. Nb, Zr and Zn are depleted then the abundances of typical ferro-carbonatites (Woolley and Kempe, 1989). In rare earth elements a large enrichment of total REE (maximum 14.8 wt%) and LREE relative to chondrites and HREE depleted more then the values of ferro-carbontites therefore La/Lu ratios shows large abundances (max. 16,197). The results of stable isotopes of O and C from minerals of ankerite and strontianite and whole rocks represent studied rocks are from igneous carbonatitic melts. Although petrochemical characteristics of the Hongcheon Fe-REE deposits are somewhat different from normal ferro-carbonatites from the world, this discrepancy suggests another conclusion that petrochemical characteristic of the studied Fe-REE mineralized rocks are similar to those of phoscorites from Kovdor, Russia and Sokli, Finland showing the same petrochemical compositions described above.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.412-417
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• 2007

An experiment was conducted to determine the distribution of nitrogen-15 in tissues of laying hens receiving different levels of $^{15}N$-CCC in diets. Twenty brown laying hens were divided into four groups and randomly assigned into one of four dietary treatment groups consisting of 0, 5, 50 and 100 ppm $^{15}N$-CCC inclusion. The hens were individually fed with the $^{15}N$-CCC diets in battery cages for 11 days and then all hens restored to feeding on the control diet for 7 days. After eleven days, eight hens were slaughtered, and the others were slaughtered seven days after $^{15}N$-CCC diets withdrawal. Samples of blood, liver, heart and meat were collected and their $^{15}N$ contents were determined. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ excess (${\delta}^{15}N$-ex) and atom percentage excess in $^{15}N$ were calculated. The ${\delta}^{15}N$-ex and atom percentage excess $^{15}N$ increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing levels of $^{15}N$-CCC in diets in all tissues after feeding $^{15}N$-CCC diets for eleven days. The highest concentration of ${\delta}^{15}N$-ex and atom percentage excess $^{15}N$ were detected in blood, followed in order by liver, heart and thigh meat. The concentrations reduced significantly (p<0.05) after $^{15}N$-CCC diets were withdrawn. Comparison between treatment groups showed that ${\delta}^{15}N$-ex and atom percentage excess $^{15}N$ were still higher in hens that had been fed diets with higher levels of $^{15}N$-CCC. This study showed that nitrogen-15 was distributed in blood, liver, heart and meat of laying hens.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.567-575
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• 2021

Residents in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, in which large-scale emissions facilities such as coal-fired power plants and steel mills are concentrated, are very much concerned about their health despite the local government's aggressive efforts to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases. To understand the impact of coal-fired power plants and external factors on local air pollution, the origins of local pollutants were investigated using stable carbon isotopes that are generally used as tracers of the provenance of fine or ultrafine dust. The origins of the pollutants were analyzed with the data library, built using the seasonally measured data for the two separate locations selected considering the distance from the coal-fired power plant and the analysis of previous studies, and with the back trajectory analysis. As a result of analyzing stable isotope ratios, the tendency of high concentration was found in the order of winter > spring > fall > summer. According to the data matching with the library, the mobile pollutants and open-air incineration had a relatively higher impact on the local air pollution. It is believed that this study, as a pilot study, should focus on securing the reliability of the study results through continuous monitoring and data accumulation.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.510-519
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• 2019

The 'Stable Isotope Analysis in R' (SIAR), one of the Bayesian mixing models for stable isotopes, has been proven to be useful for source apportionment of nitrates in rivers. In this study, the contribution ratios of nitrate sources were quantified by using the SIAR based on nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope measurements in the Yeongsan River. From the measurements, it was found that the values of δ¹⁵N-NO₃ and δ¹⁸O-NO₃ ranged from -8.2 ‰ to +13.4 ‰ and from +2.2 ‰ to +9.8 ‰, respectively. We further analyzed the contribution ratios of the five nitrate sources by using the SIAR. From the modeling results, the main nitrate source was found to be soil N (29.3 %), followed by sewage (26.7 %), manure (19.6 %), chemical fertilizer (17.9 %) and precipitation (6.3 %). From the results, it was found that the anthropogenic sources, i.e., sewage, manure and chemical fertilizer contribute 64.2% of the total nitrate inflow from the watershed. Due to the significant correlation of δ¹⁵N-NO₃ and lnNO₃^- in this study, the fractionation factors reflecting the biogeochemical processes of stable isotope ratios could be directly obtained. This may make the contribution ratios obtained in this study more precise. The fractionation factors were identified as +3.64 ± 0.91 ‰ for δ¹⁵N-NO₃ (p<0.01) and -5.67 ± 1.73 ‰ for δ¹⁸O-NO₃(p<0.01), respectively, and were applied in using the SIAR. The study showed that the stable isotope method using the SIAR could be applied to quantitatively calculate the contribution ratios of nitrate sources in the Yeongsan River.