• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2024

Light is a major external environmental factor that influences the circadian rhythm of photosynthetic organisms and various physiological phenomena, such as growth, maturation, and behavior. The number of light-reaching organisms changes depending on the season and atmospheric conditions, and the intensity and wavelength of light differ depending on the organisms inhabiting the environment. Altered light changes the circadian rhythm of fish, which is controlled by clock genes, such as period 2 (Per2), cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), and melatonin. In this study, we set the zeitgeber time (ZT; 14 light-10 dark, LD) based on the actual sunrise and sunset times and examined Per2 and Cry1 activities, levels of aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), and melatonin in Pholis nebulosa, a drifting seaweed species exposed to irregular light. Per2 and Cry1 levels increased during the daytime and decreased after sunset. The AANAT levels decreased during the daytime and increased during the night. Melatonin concentration was highest around midnight (ZT21, 23:30), but exhibited similar concentrations during the daytime. While the activity of Per2, Cry1, and AANAT levels exhibited a typical circadian rhythm observed in most vertebrates, melatonin concentrations did not show a significant difference between the daytime and nighttime. These findings provide insights into the circadian rhythm patterns of organisms exposed to irregular light environments, such as P. nebulosa, which differ from those of typical fish species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.569-575
• /
• 2021

This study analyzed the effect of forests on reducing particulate matter by investigating the particulate matter concentration and influencing factors between urban forest and traffic forest. The concentrations of particulate matter in Hongreung Experimental Forest (urban forest) and a forest (traffic forest) formed at the intersection of Cheongryangri Station in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul were measured with the light scattering method instrument from January to November 2018. During the study period, the average PM₁₀ concentrations in the urban forest and the traffic forest were 12.5㎍/m³ and 15.7 ㎍/m³, respectively, and the average PM_2.5 concentrations were 16.6㎍/m³and 6.9 ㎍/m³, respectively. Comparing the concentration by the urban atmospheric measurement network of the Ministry of Environment and the concentration in urban forests showed that the reduction rate of PM₁₀ was 66.9±28.6% in urbanforest and 58.6±44.1% in traffic forest and that of PM_2.5 was 71.3±23.0% and 64.9±31.3%. The difference in the reduction rate of particulate matter is likely related to the size and structure of the urban forest, and the wind velocity is considered the reduction factor.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 2009

The importance of securing water resources and their efficient management has attracted more attention recently due to water deficit. In water budget analysis, however, evapotranspiration(${\lambda}E$) has been approximated as the residual in the water balance equation or estimated from empirical equations and assumptions. To minimize the uncertainties in these estimates, it is necessary to directly measure ${\lambda}E$. In this study, using the eddy covariance technique, we have measured ${\lambda}E$ in a mixed forest in the Seolmacheon catchment in Korea from September 2007 to December 2008. During the growing season(May-July), ${\lambda}E$ in this mixed forest averaged about $2.2\;mm\;d^{-1}$, whereas it was on average $0.5\;mm\;d^{-1}$ during the non-growing season in winter. The annual total ${\lambda}E$ in 2008 was $581\;mm\;y^{-1}$, which is about 1/3 of the annual precipitation of 1997 mm. Despite the differences in the amount and frequency of precipitation, the accumulated ${\lambda}E$ during the overlapping period(i.e., September to December) for 2007 and 2008 was both ${\sim}110$ mm, showing virtually no difference. The omega factor, which is a measure of decoupling between forest and the atmosphere, was on average 0.5, indicating that the contributions of equilibrium ${\lambda}E$ and imposed ${\lambda}E$ to the total ${\lambda}E$ were about the same. The results suggest that ${\lambda}E$ in this mixed forest was controlled by various factors such as net radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and canopy conductance. In this study, based on the direct measurements of ${\lambda}E$, we have quantified the relative contribution of ${\lambda}E$ in the water balance of a mixed forest in the Seolmacheon catchment. In combination with runoff data, the information on ${\lambda}E$ would greatly enhance the reliability of water budget analysis in this catchment.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.223-236
• /
• 2001

The concentration of gaseous mercury (Hg) was measured at hourly intervals along with relevant environmental parameters from two monitoring stations (Hannam and Kwachun) in Seoul metropolitan city during September 1999 to July 2000. Irrespective of the environmental and areal differences in the two locations, the concentrations of observed Hg levels were remarkably compatible each other. The results showed that the mean Hg level in Hannam was measured to be 5.34${\pm}$3.92 ngm$^{-3}$ (N = 2576), while that of Kwachun was 5.25${\pm}$2.53 ngm$^{-3}$ (N = 1992). Using these measurement data, we inspected Hg distribution and behavior at various time scale. When the data were analyzed at 24 hr scale, the distribution patterns for the two areas were distinguished by enrichment in either night(Hannam) or day (Kwachun). The patterns for seasonal distributions were also opposing each other such as the occurrences of peak during winter (Hannam) or summer (Kwachun). In order to analyze the factors affecting Hg distributions between two sites over different time scale, we conducted both correlation and factor analysis on both all data sets and on seasonally divided data groups. Whereas Hg exhibits strong correlations with such parameters as PM (particulate matter), SO$_2$, and NO$_2$, its relationship with meteorological parameters was not significant enough in many cases. The results of factor analysis also indicated that the Hg levels are tightly associated with most pollutants, explaining the largest portions of statistical variance. According to our study, we conclude that patterns of Hg distributions can exhibit variable patterns depending on local source processes which we expect to be diverse among different areas.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.237-247
• /
• 2001

The concentrations of gaseous mercury (Hg) determined between two different time periods of the late 1980s and the late 1990s were compared to account for the effects of changes between source/sink relationships of atmospheric Hg in an urban area. The Hg concentration levels were different remarkably between the two time periods due possibly to changes in source/sink relationships. The results showed that the Hg levels in the former period were measured to be 14.4${\pm}$9.56ngm$^{-3}$ (N = 2714), whereas those of the latter period were characterized by approximately three-fold decreased values of 5.34${\pm}$3.92 ngm$^{-3}$ (N=2576). Using two independent measurement data sets, we examined the patterns of Hg distribution at different time scales. When analyzed over 24 hour scale, these data sets exhibited two distinctive distribution patterns. The former period showed enhanced concentration levels during daytime, while the latter period showed relative depletion during daytime. The patterns of the two data sets were also examined over seasonal scale. The results of two different time periods consistently showed the occurrences of maximum seasonal values during winter. The former period was characterized by seasonal patterns of fuel consumption with excessive Hg levels during winter. Conversely, no distinctive trend was apparent for the latter period with slight changes in concentration levels across seasons. In order to analyze the factors affecting Hg distributions between two different periods, we conducted both correlation and factor analysis on both all data sets and on seasonally divided data groups. The results of these analyses consistently indicate that the Hg concentration levels for two different time periods are regulated by distinctive source processes that are characteristic of each period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.67-83
• /
• 2012

In order to evaluate die geochemical characteristics of sediment in a semi-enclosed bay used as shellfish and fish farming area, the concentrations of metallic(V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co. Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Hg, Ph, As) and non-metallic(P, Se) elements and uranium were measured in the surface sediment samples collected from 19 stations of Gamak Bay in April 2010. Metal contamination status in the sediments were also evaluated using the sediment quality guidelines(SQGs) proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) and the enrichment factor(EF). The concentrations of elements in sediment were mainly controlled by quartz-dilution effect(V, Cr, Fe, Co and Ni), the dilution effect of organic matter(Cd and U), and metal redistribution by the decomposition of organic matter(Mn, Ag, As, and Se). The concentrations of metals, except As and Ni, in sediments from all sampling stations were lower than ERL values of NOAA. Conclusively, the surface sediment of Gamak Bay was slightly polluted with Ni, Ag, Cd, and Cd but was not polluted with other elements on the basis of EF results. Our results suggest that the surface sediment in Gamak Bay is not polluted by metallic elements.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.16-37
• /
• 2018

In this study, difference in chemical composition of $PM_{2.5}$ observed between the year 2013 and 2015 at six air quality intensive monitoring stations (Bangryenogdo (BR), Seoul (SL), Daejeon (DJ), Gwangju (GJ), Ulsan (US), and Jeju (JJ)) was investigated and the possible factors causing their difference were also discussed. $PM_{2.5}$, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and water-soluble ionic species concentrations were observed on a hourly basis in the six stations. The difference in chemical composition by regions was examined based on emissions of gaseous criteria pollutants (CO, $SO_2$, and $NO_2$), meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity), and origins and transport pathways of air masses. For the years 2013 and 2014, annual average $PM_{2.5}$ was in the order of SL ($${\sim_=}DJ$$)>GJ>BR>US>JJ, but the highest concentration in 2015 was found at DJ, following by GJ ($${\sim_=}SJ$$)>BR>US>JJ. Similar patterns were found in $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$. Lower $PM_{2.5}$ at SL than at DJ and GJ was resulted from low concentrations of secondary ionic species. Annual average concentrations of OC and EC by regions had no big difference among the years, but their patterns were distinct from the $PM_{2.5}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations by regions. 4-day air mass backward trajectory calculations indicated that in the event of daily average $PM_{2.5}$ exceeding the monthly average values, >70% of the air masses reaching the all stations were coming from northeastern Chinese polluted regions, indicating the long-range transportation (LTP) was an important contributor to $PM_{2.5}$ and its chemical composition at the stations. Lower concentrations of secondary ionic species and $PM_{2.5}$ at SL in 2015 than those at DJ and GJ sites were due to the decrease in impact by LTP from polluted Chinese regions, rather than the difference in local emissions of criteria gas pollutants ($SO_2$, $NO_2$, and $NH_3$) among the SL, DJ, and GJ sites. The difference in annual average $SO{_4}^{2-}$ by regions was resulted from combination of the difference in local $SO_2$ emissions and chemical conversion of $SO_2$ to $SO{_4}^{2-}$, and LTP from China. However, the $SO{_4}^{2-}$ at the sites were more influenced by LTP than the formation by chemical transformation of locally emitted $SO_2$. The $NO_3{^-}$ increase was closely associated with the increase in local emissions of nitrogen oxides at four urban sites except for the BR and JJ, as well as the LTP with a small contribution. Among the meterological parameters (wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity), the ambient temperature was most important factor to control the variation of $PM_{2.5}$ and its major chemical components concentrations. In other words, as the average temperature increases, the $PM_{2.5}$, OC, EC, and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations showed a decreasing tendency, especially with a prominent feature in $NO_3{^-}$. Results from a case study that examined the $PM_{2.5}$ and its major chemical data observed between February 19 and March 2, 2014 at the all stations suggest that ambient $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations are not necessarily proportional to the concentrations of their precursor emissions because the rates at which they form and their gas/particle partitioning may be controlled by factors (e.g., long range transportation) other than the concentration of the precursor gases.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.253-266
• /
• 2020

This study selected three types of agglomerated wood charcoal (Agglomerated wood charcoal with charcoal powder, Carbonized wood briquette, Ignition-type of perforated charcoal) that are in circulation in Korea among fuel-type wood products and analyzed the fuel characteristics, harmful substance content, and emissions of air pollutants generated by combustion. The first results showed that charcoal-grilled carbon, which is the raw material of charcoal, produced higher CO than saw-billed carbon. The second result is that the emission standards of air pollutants generated by the combustion of molded wood coal are not up to the emission standards of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides in the entire product, compared with the emission criteria of the atmospheric environment preservation method (based on 2019, carbon monoxide: 200 ppm, nitrogen oxides, 150 ppm sulfur oxides: 100 ppm), but the carbon dioxide moulding and carbon dioxide levels were not up. Based on the analysis of combustion gas generated during combustion derived from this study, future research is needed for comparing with the emission standards of pellets, which are wood products for fuel, among the existing biomass burning standards and for reducing carbon monoxide generated during incomplete combustion of agglomerated wood charcoal.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 1997

We have monitored nutrients, chlorophyll, suspended solids, and salinity in the Keum Estuary to understand the temporal fluctuation of oceanographic parameters and to illustrate any variation due to the gate operation of the Keum River Dike from June, 1995 to September, 1996, approximately for 500 days. Tidal range is used as the key factor to explain the fluctuations and atmospheric parameters such as air temperature, wind velocity and rainfall are also used supplementally. The fresh water discharge was selected as another major impact on the estuarine environment due to the gate operation of the Keum Dike. In addition, daily variation by tidal cycle was investigated twice in April and July, 1996. In diurnal variation, salinity was positively correlated with tidal elevation, whereas negatively correlated with nutrients. Relatively high suspended solid and chlorophyll contents were found in the period between high and low tide. In 500 days continuous observations, salinity was negatively correlated with the volume of fresh-water discharge, but positively correlated with nutrients. A major chlorophyll bloom occurred in spring. A similar pattern of variation was observed between suspended solid and the neap-spring tidal cycle. In comparison with the data of the Keurn Estuary before the gate operation of the Keum River dike, fresh-water discharge predominated other environmental factors during the rainy season. In addition, the velocity of tidal current and the concentration of suspended solid were decreased, while nutrients and chlorophyll contents were increased.