• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.459-462
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• 2004

This study assesses groundwater vulnerability to contaminants in 12 administrative districts of the city of Changwon, using DRASTIC technique. DRASTIC was originally applied to situations in which the contamination sources are at the ground surface, and the contaminants flow into the groundwater with infiltration of rainfall. However, groundwater contamination in urban areas can also be related to excessive pumping resulting in a lowering of the water level. The correlation coefficient between minimum DRASTIC indices and the degree of poor water quality for 10 districts is low as 0.40. The correlation coefficients between minimum DRASTIC indices and the groundwater discharge rate, and between minimum DRASTIC indices and well density per unit area are 0.70 and 0.87, respectively. Thus, to evaluate the potential of groundwater contamination in urban areas, it is necessary to consider other factors such as groundwater withdrawal rate and well density per unit area with ratings and weights as well as the existing six DRASTIC factors.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.424-427
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• 2006

Soil contamination with petroleum oil around a military army was investigated. It showed that soils of a riverside highland, an entrance of the military army, and nearby roads were contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) released from the military army to the depth of approximately 2 m. The measured concentrations were as high as 15,277 mg/kg. A wide range of soil in the riverside highland was contaminated by the movement of oil to the surface soil, which occurred with the vertical movement of groundwater table caused by the change of river water level and groundwater level. Spilled petroleum oil components were released into Wonju Stream by the increase of hydraulic conductivity and the groundwater flow.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.317-329
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• 2006

To assess the contamination status of organochlorine pesticides in the marine environment of Saemangeum, surface seawater and sediments were collected and analyzed. Organochlorine pesticides were widely distributed in the Saemangeum environment, with DDT, HCH and endosulfan II contamination being particularly prevalent. The overall concentrations of DDTs, HCHs, and endosulfan II in surface seawater were in the rage of 0.03-0.65ng/l (mean value: 0.36ng/l), 1.31-4.54ng/l (2.63 ng/l), and not detected (ND)-0.96ng/l (0.49ng/l), respectively. Among the target organochlorine pesticides, endosulfan II showed the hi띤est level at the river mouth flowing into the Saemangeum. Additionally, its negative gradient from the rivers to the outside and a good correlation with $NO_3^-$ indicate that endosulfan ll inflows to the Saemangeum through the river; this conclusion is also supported by the elevated levels of endosulfan II in sediments at the river mouth. In sediment, the concentration of DDTs, HCHs, CHLs, and endosulfan II were in the range of 0.05-1.96 ng/g, 0.03-0.31ng/g, 0.01-0.13ng/g, and ND-0.62ng/g, respectively. Levels of contamination in Saemangeum are relatively lower than the median concentrations previously observed at the Korean coastal regions and sediment quality guidelines suggested by NOAA (Long et at. 1995).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.1121-1129
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• 2003

We report the distributions of Sb and As in the surface sediment of the Yellow Sea and the coastal areas of Korea. The mean concentrations of Sb and As range from 0.68 ppm to 1.01 ppm and from 7.4 ppm to 15.8 ppm, respectively, and show relatively the high concentrations at the coast of Weolseong in the East Sea for Sb and at the coast of Gadeok Island in the South Sea far As. This may be due to the anthropogenic input of these elements via river and atmosphere from industry complex and agriculture regions around the study areas. Because of the difference of clay to silt proportion, the correlation between silt plus clay contents and Sb, As in the coastal surface sediment of Korea is not shown, the concentrations of Sb and As vary widely for the sample in which the silt plus clay contents are the same. Therefore, we suggest that the distribution patterns of Sb and As in surface sediment of the Yellow Sea and the coastal areas of Korea are mainly controlled by the anthropogenic inputs and the sediment characteristics. On the other hand, the Sb concentrations are lower than those of the lowest effect level which is the standard of judgment for contamination, while the As concentrations are higher than those of the lowest effect level. This implies that the surface sediments of the Yellow Sea and the coastal areas of Korea are considerably contaminated for As.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.789-797
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• 2015

The concentrations of trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were determined in 49 surface sediment samples collected in Yeoja and Gangjin Bays on the south coast of Korea, which contain many shellfish farms, in order to assess the contamination level and to understand the spatial distribution of trace metals. The average metal concentrations in the surface sediments of both bays decreased in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Hg. There were no differences in metal concentrations between shellfish farms and reference sites. The metal concentrations were significantly higher in Gangjin Bay than in Yeoja Bay. Notably, the Cu, Cd, and Hg concentrations were nearly twice as high in Gangjin Bay as in Yeoja Bay. A multivariate analysis showed a strong correlation among Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cr in the sediments of both bays, implying that the metal concentrations in the sediments in the study area were mainly dependent on natural processes, such as crustal components and diagenesis. Based on the geoaccumulation index and marine sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the surface sediments in Yeoja and Gangjin Bays are not polluted by trace metals.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.203-216
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• 2017

For survival of human beings clean water is an essential commodity whereas contamination in drinking water threatens to mankind. The main cause of water contamination is social and development activities of human being along with increasing population. The community in the study area has acute shortage of drinking water along with about 40 to 60% has no access to safe drinking water. This study indicates drinking water quality of two major sources of coastal belt of Karachi one is supplied by Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) as tap water and the other through groundwater. The physicochemical analysis was carried out by following the standard methods for checking the quality of drinking water. The analyzed results showed that the quality of groundwater was unfit as potable water. The most critical situation was observed as high level of contamination followed by high turbidity and increased salinity levels. TDS in surface water were found 12% above and TDS in groundwater was 20% below the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) of Pakistan as well as the permissible WHO drinking water quality guidelines.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.460-473
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• 2017

In order to certificate the contamination assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Nakdong river. Surface sediments were collected of 24 sampling sites (main 14st., tributary 10st.) and analyzed for grain size heavy metals contents. Study area mainly composed of sand (avg. 94.1%) and mean grain size was $1.46{\Phi}$ on average. Heavy metals contents (avg. Al: 12.5%, Zn; 74.4, Cr: 45.3, Li: 26.0, Pb: 17.1, Ni: 10.5, Cu: 7.8, Cd: 0.22 mg/kg) were relatively high contents in the composed of fine sediments. In addition, the results of pearson's correlation coefficient showed that most heavy metals and grain size (silt and clay) were highly correlated. The contents of Zn (6st.) and Ni (1st.) evaluated as moderately polluted, Zn (6st.) evaluated as LEL when compared with sediment quality standard of USEPA and Ontario sediment quality guidelines. Most heavy metals contents were I levels that dose not affected the benthos when compared with sediment pollution evaluation standard of NIER. The results of EX, EF, Igeo and CF showed the contents of Zn, Pb and Cd exceed the background contents and distributing of anthropogenic pollution and evaluated as moderately polluted level. And Nm-08 were relatively high level of contamination in the study area. However as results of PLI (less than 1), all sampling sites were evaluated unpolluted level.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.204-209
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• 2007

Agricultural area in the vicinity of the ${\triangle}{\triangle}$ smelting factory in Kyeongbuk province, the third largest zinc smelting factory in the world, was contaminated by high concentration of heavy metals. However, the heavy metals source was not yet directly traced and thus, resulted to a conflict between the factory and residents within its vicinity. In order to determine the level of heavy metal contamination in the arable lands located at the north eastern part of the factory, soils were sampled systematically. To find out the major reason for the occurrence of this problem, waters and aerosols were sampled with constant intervals to the upward and downward direction from the factory and were analyzed to find out the heavy metal concentrations. Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) of the heavy metals were highly accumulated more than the Korean warning criteria (Cd 1.5, Zn 300 mg $kg^{-1}$) with mean values 1.7 and 407 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively, at the surface soils (0-20 cm), and heavy metal concentration significantly decreased with increasing soil depth In addition, the concentration of both metals slightly decreased with increasing distance from the factory to the surface soils. Cadmium and Zn were detected in the upward stream water with low concentration and concentrations increased significantly in the downstream after passing across the factory. Aerosol samples also showed traces of Cd and Zn which could be attributed to the contamination of the water system and the surface soils. Conclusively, Cd and Zn emitted from the ${\triangle}{\triangle}$ smelting factory moved with the aerosol in the atmosphere and thus, contaminated the agricultural areas and the water system within it vicinity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.772-784
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• 2011

We measured grain size, organic matter, and metallic elements (Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As) in intertidal sediments collected from six islands in the western part of Jellanam Province in order to evaluate heavy metal contamination in the tidal flat sediments of coastal islands. The evaluation of metal contamination was carried out using geochemical assessment techniques such as sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), enrichment factor (EF), and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$). Surface sediments were classified into four sedimentary facies: sand, gravelly muddy sand, slightly gravelly mud, and silt. The concentrations of heavy metals in intertidal sediments from Jaeun, Amtae, Biguem, and Docho islands showed good positive correlations with mean grain size and ignition loss, indicating that the concentrations of metallic elements in these sediments were dependent on grain size and the organic matter content. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments from almost all of the stations were lower than two criterion values proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Based on the EF and $I_{geo}$ results, surface sediments were a little polluted for Cr and were moderately polluted for As. Our results suggest that more intensive studies are necessary in the future in order to determine the major source of As in intertidal sediment and to evaluate the As pollution level in macrobenthos.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the change of microbial contamination levels in the different areas and at the different time points after application of a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) that has mechanical antimicrobial effect. The microbial contamination levels were measured in three different areas; unit chair handle, spit sink area and hand piece holder at different time points using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) monitoring system and ATP surface test kit. Hand piece holder showed the highest level of microbial contamination. In most of the clinics, QAC significantly reduced the levels of microbial contamination, and maintained antimicrobial activity for 4 to 6 months. QAC may be used effectively in dental clinics due to the duration of antimicrobial effect and the minimal exposure of chemicals and further studies are needed with large sample size.