• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.535-543
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• 2006

Being used widely in semiconductor and display manufacturing, $NF_3$ is internationally considered as one of the regulated compounds in emission. Numerous companies have been continuously trying to reduce the emissions of $NF_3$ to comply with the global environmental regulation. This work is made to report the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of electrically heated scrubbers and the use rate in process chambers installed in three main LCD manufacturing companies in Korea. As the measurement techniques for $NF_3$ emission, mass flow controlled helium gas was continuously supplied into the equipment by which scrubber efficiency is being measured. The partial pressures of $NF_3$ and helium were accurately measured for each sample using a mass spectrometer, as it is emitted from inlet and outlet of the scrubber system. The results show that the DRE value for electrically heated scrubbers installed before 2004 is less than 52 %, while that for the new scrubbers modified based on measurement by scrubber manufacturer has been sigificentely improved upto more than 95 %. In additon, we have confirmed the efficiency depends on such variables as the inlet gas flow rate, water content, heater temperature, and preventative management period. The use rates of $NF_3$ in process chambers were also affected by the process type. The use rate of radio frequency source chambers, built in the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ generation process lines, was determined to be less than 75 %. In addition, that of remote plasma source chambers for the $3^{rd}$ generation was measured to be aboove 95 %. Therefore, the combined application of improved scrubber and the RPSC process chamber to the semiconductor and display process can reduce $NF_3$ emmision by 99.95 %. It is optimistic that the mission for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission can be realized in these LCD manufacturing companies in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.61-81
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• 2007

Types of agricultural policy can be catagorized into two general cases: price and income supports. Income supports are any government program designed to provide farmers with higher incomes than they would receive otherwise. These direct cash payments to farmers are known as "deficiency payment" or "direct payment" because they compensate the farmer for the failure of the market to provide farmers with adequate prices. The direct payment to environment-friendly agriculture is a form of income supports for the agriculture production using less pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Because no significant regulation exists on the use of fertilizers substituting chemical fertilizers for crop, the role of the payment on reducing environmental impacts of agriculture is not entirely clear. This uncertainty is likely to be particularly severe in the case that farmers with low-quality land showing greater demand for fertiliser have an incentive to transition to environment-friendly agriculture. The paper shows the case of the current payment system in Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the residue amount of harmful materials on the 153 commercial medical herbs in Gwangju area. It was performed using the GC-ECD, GC-NPD, GC-MSD and the LC-UVD, LC-FLD, LC-MSD to analyze 200 pesticides. The heavy metals were determined using a Mercury analyzer and AAS. The sulfur dioxides were analyzed by modified Monnier-Williams method. The residual pesticides were detected in 7 samples, and were over MRLs (Maximum Risk Levels) in 2 samples (1.3%). The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) were Pb, 0.570; Cd, 0.081; As, 0.082; Hg, 0.0093. The measured values of Pb, As, Hg showed within MRLs. The excess samples of MRLs were 3 samples (changchul 2, cheongung 1) on Cd. The sulfur dioxides were over MRLs in 7 samples (4.6%), hwanggi and gugija. These results will be used to establish on the regulation of commercial medical herbs in Gwangju area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.752-756
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• 2006

The independent anoxic reactor was introduced in biological aerated filters as the regulation of water quality requirement, especially total nitrogen, had been strengthened. The process studied in this work was upflow $Biobead^{(R)}$ process which was used commercial invented for removal of organic materials and nitrification. For the purpose of evaluating the independent anoxic reactor, PCR-DGGE, of the molecular biological methods, was performed. Two types of nitrite reductase genes were selected. One is nirS represented cytocrome $cd_1$ nitrite reductase gene and the other is nirK represented Cu-containing nitrite reductase gene. Denitrifier community in the independent anoxic reactor was analyzed with PCR-DGGE using these two denitrifying functional genes. As the result of the PCR, only nirS gene was detected between nirS and nirK. With the result of the DGGE, specific bands became strong, as the operating days were longer, nitrate loading rate was increased. otherwise those of the initial activated sludge showed various bands. In the consequence of the sequence of DGGE bands, various denitrifiers were sequenced in the initial activated sludge, while specific denitrifiers like alcaligenes faecalis were predominant in the anoxic reactor. Consequently, introduction of the independent anoxic reactor made it possible to achieve 96% denitrification efficiency, and was proper for the modification of BAF process.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.62-69
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• 2014

In the results of monitoring nitrate concentration in more than 8,000 groundwater wells around agro-livestock, the average and maximum nitrate concentration was 9.4 mg/L and 101.2 mg/L, respectively. Since about 31% of the monitoring wells was exceed the quality standard for drinking water, nitrate control such as remediation or source regulation is required to conserve safe-groundwater in South Korea. Typical nitrate-treatment technologies include ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and biological denitrification. Among the treatment methods, biological denitrification by indigenous microorganism has environmental and economic advantages for the complete elimination of nitrate because of lower operating costs compared to other methods. Major mechanism of the process is microbial reduction of nitrate to nitrite and nitrogen gas. Three functional genes (nosZ, nirK, nirS) that encode for the enzyme involved in the pathway. In this work, we tried to develop simple process to determine possibility of natural denitrification reaction by monitoring the functional gene. For the work, the functional genes in nitrate-contaminated groundwater were monitored by using PCR with specific target primers. In the result, functional genes (nosZ and nirK) encoding denitrification enzymes were detected in the groundwater samples. This method can help to determine the possibility of natural-nitrate degradation in target groundwater wells without multiplex experimental process. In addition, for field-remediation application we selected nitrate-contaminated site where 200~600 mg/L of nitrate is continuously detected. To determine the possibility of nitrate-degradation by stimulated-natural attenuation, groundwater was sampled in two different wells of the site and nitrate concentration of the samples was 300 mg/L and 616 mg/L, respectively. Fumarate for different C/N ratio was added into microcosm bottles containing the groundwater to examine denitrification rate depending on carbon concentration. In the result, once 1.5 times more than amount of fumarate stoichiometry required was added, the 616 mg/L of nitrate and 300 mg/L of nitrate were completely degraded in 8 days and 30 days. The nitrite, byproduct of denitrification process, was also completely degraded during the experimental period.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

The oxidation slag has been widely used in civil engineering project, whereas the reduced slag from electric furnace has yet to be applied. Consequently in order to find out the recycling method in civil engineering field, the mineral compositions of the reduced slag were analyzed and some tests on water quality were performed to estimate the potential release of toxic compounds. Slag-soil mixtures of 0, 10, 20 and 30%(dry weight) soil were prepared in lysimeter columns and the effluents were collected with the period of one, two and four week options in closed system, respectively. The result from qualitative and quantitative analysis using X-ray Diffraction(XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence(XRF) indicates that the main mineral of the reduced slag is $Ca_2(SiO_4)$, a kind of calcium silicate. Also, the leaching medium analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy(ICP-OES) showed that main heavy metals such as Al, Fe and Mn are included in the reduced slag due to the effect of steel production process. It can be seen that the leachate does not violate the regulation guide line of waste material of heavy metal. Also the pH levels were increased from pH 6.9 for 0% soil to pH 10 for 30% soil. However the influence on leachate circulation period of one through four weeks was negligible.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2024

Background: Children who use playground facilities are exposed to potential risks due to the high concentration of heavy metals contained in the finishing materials of facilities in children's playgrounds. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in the finishing materials of outdoor children's playgrounds where harmful heavy metals exist in Gwangju and to conduct human risk assessment for children and adults by age to find the risks and limitations. Methods: The bottom and top layers of double-painted paint were peeled off and collected together from the finishing materials of children's play facilities such as slides, swings, and seesaws in 147 children's parks in Gwangju. Heavy metals were analyzed using ICP-OES, etc., and human risk assessment was performed using the concentrations of heavy metals. Results: Based on 1.0E-04, which requires legal regulation, CTE was found to pose a carcinogenic risk for preschool children and no carcinogenic risk for the rest of the age groups. However, RME showed that both men and women of all ages had a carcinogenic risk. For reference, when the carcinogenic risk was based on 1.0E-06, CTE was found to pose a carcinogenic risk from infants to elementary school students, and RME was found to have a carcinogenic risk in all age groups. It was judged that there is a non-carcinogenic risk if the non-carcinogenic risk exceeds 1 based on the hazard index (HI) 1. In CTE, there was no non-carcinogenic risk, and RME for preschooler males (1.49E+00) and females (1.56E+00) were found to have non-carcinogenic risk. Conclusions: This study was meaningful in that it examines the differences in the current management of heavy metals concentration standards and potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to the human body and discusses the relationship between heavy metals and human health effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.33-50
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• 2023

This study is to propose the ecosystem service valuation method as a complementary or alternative tool to overcome the limitations of the contingent valuation method(CVM), typically used to assess social benefits in preliminary feasibility studies. With an increasing interest in natural and environmental restoration projects, we assessed social benefits with theses CVM and ecosystem service valuation method from a case of Janghang wetland restoration project and compared the extent of the two social benefits. For quantitative evaluation of ecosystem services, the biophysical quantity for each ecosystem service indicator was calculated and then converted into currency (KRW) units to estimate the economic value of ecosystem services. The four ecosystem regulating service indicators were selected including greenhouse gas capture/storage, air pollution, water quantity and quality regulation. The amounts of CO₂ sequestration and storage as a ecosystem's greenhouse gas regulating service in the study area were 73.04 tCO₂/yr and 5,867.53 tCO₂/yr respectively. The reduction of SO₂, one of air pollutant gases by ecosystems was calculated to be 180.27 kg/yr, the reduction of NO₂ to be 378.90 kg/yr, and the reduction of fine dust (PM10) to be 9,713.92 kg/yr. The amount of freshwater regulating service by the ecosystem was estimated to be 459,394,319ℓ/yr, and the amount of nitrogen in freshwater removed by the ecosystem was 78.00kg/yr. Study results show that the benefits derived from the CVM were KRW 227.8 billion over the 30-year analysis period and those from the ecosystem service valuation method were KRW 41.4 billion for regulatory services and KRW 148.8 billion for cultural services, totaling KRW 189.5 billion. With KRW 184.8 billion of the total costs, the benefit/cost ratio using the CVM was 1.23 and that with the ecosystem service valuation method was 1.03. This study implications include that the CVM and ecosystem service valuation method can be applied together to assess and compare social benefits for natural and environmental restoration projects.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.35-56
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• 1995

During the last two decades, Korea has achieved remarkable economic growth. In this process the nation has become urbanized and industrialized. But we have also encountered widening regional disparity, housing shortage of larger cities, transportation congestion, environmental pollution and many other problems. Rapid increasing urbanization and continuous migration toward Seoul since the late 1960s have been one of the major concerns of government. Government has sought ways to moderate the population increase in Seoul. The regulation which include new town development near Seoul and dispersion strategies of higher education and other administration and living facilities outside of Seoul havemade a great expansion of the spatial influence of Seoul city. Seoul metropolitan reaion has evolved as the most powerful center of political and economical spaces. Generally within a metropolitan region, there exists a growing mutual interdependence economically, as well as socially between a central city and its surrounding area. Seoul metropolitan region manifests itself not only as a coherent system of urbanized regions, but also as an integral part of the daily urban system. The surrounding Gyunggi province and Seoul city become closely linked both economically and functionally, constituting true functlonai urban system. This study is primarily undertaken with the purpose of delineation of the sphere of influence of Seoul city in 1990. At the time of 1985, Seoul metropolitan region was delineated according to the result of the study which was performed by Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements. Afterward, the rapid speed of metropolitanization process with dramatic increase in mobility through the provision of wider transportation system across the Capital region have evolved, resulting in the great expansion of the spatial influence of Seoul city. So this study examines the expanded area of Seoul metropolitan regin during the period of 1985-90. In order to delineate Seoul metropolitan region, the indices of urbanization and functional linkage are selected. Variables included in the measurement of the urbanization level are agricultural structure, population characteristics, manufacturing and service industries, and cultural aspects such as newspaper circulation, the ratio of car ownership and piped water supply. Variables included in the measurement of functional linkage are commuting, shopping pattern, centralized service such as medical facilities and trade of agricultural products. The standardization method and factor analysis are employed in making the delineation of Seoul metropolitan region. According to the result of this study, 2 cities, 8 Eups and 46 Myuns are included Seoul metropolitan region in 1990. If we compare this delineated area in 1990 to that of 1985, we can find the distinctive pattern of expanded axes according to the main transportation routes such as Seoul-Suweon, Seoul-Gwangju, Seoul-Incheon. In 199O, all the Gyunggi province, except a few Myuns located at the north and northwest part of Gyunggi province, are included in Seoul metropolitan region. Furthermore, this study attempts to the analysis of regional structure of Seoul metropolitan region according to the functional characteristics of each city and Gun. Variables included in this analysis are the new residential function, manufacturing function, service function, education and infermation function, public facility function and agricultural function. Factor analysis and cluster analysis are employed in making regionalization. Seoul metropolitan reaion is subdivided into four subregions which reflect different functional specialization. The first group is the specialized region of newly formed residential function. The second group is the specialized reaion of manufacturing function. The third group is the specialized region of service function. And the fourth group has little specialized in terms of manufacturing, service, and residential function. But this region has some potentiality of development when Seoul metropolitan region grow continuously. Seoul metropolitan region accounted for 43% of national population, despite 11.8% of national land size in 1990. Although Seoul metropolitan region enjoys important agglomeration economies, it also has huge social cost in the form of transportation congestion, housing shortage, rapid increase of land value, environment pollution, and etc. Efficient metropolitan plan making is a vital element in promoting Seoul's economic development and providing high quality living environment at low cost. In the light of the result of this study, the outer ring of Seoul metropolitan region, especially northeastern part, are underdeveloped compared to overdeveloped southwestern area. It is needed to develop the guidelines for the implement of the growth control and management plan, inducing more balanced development for whole Seoul metropolitan reaion.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2015

Sodium is an essential nutrient with very important functions, including regulation of the extracellular fluid volume and active transport of molecules across the cell membranes. Since high levels of dietary sodium are associated with a high prevalence of hypertension, prehypertension, and other adverse effects on health, many national and international health organizations (WHO, FAO, etc.) recommend that sodium intake should be significantly decreased. In developed nations, cheese products, from among many processed foods, can cause high salt intake. Hence, there is an urgent need to reduce the content of salt in cheese processing, using various substitutes of sodium chloride (NaCl). In general, salt (NaCl) has been used as a food preservative to limit and (or) kill the growth of foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms by decreasing the water activity, and to improve texture and flavor. To maintain public health, the salt content in cheese should be decreased without influencing the physicochemical properties of cheese. Therefore, the objective of this review is to outline the upcoming technologies used to reduce the salt content in different types of cheese using various substitutes.