• Resources Recycling
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.59-64
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• 2019

This study suggests a conceptual strategy and methodology for the risk assessment of the domestic abandoned mine fillers with fly ash. The fillers are composed of coal fly ash and solidification materials, and contain little toxic substances such as carbonates but also some heavy metals; therefore, those requires a risk assessment. The risk assessment should primarily focus on estimation of the effects to human health both on carcinogen and non-carcinogen aspects. The significant data such as toxicity and partition coefficients can be obtained from the national soil or mine environmental risk assessment guidelines. Accurate risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in the fillers may consume lots of time and efforts through site survey and instrumental analyses, etc. Moreover, it is inefficient to explore all of the factors as concentrations and categories in every heavy metal in the fillers, due to a high variety and complexity. Therefore, implementation of a preliminary risk assessment is suggested by using the literature data and the basic characteristics of the filler samples prior to the detailed risk assessment. Certainly, this presumes a thorough understanding of reliable sample analysis methods, exposure pathways, and relevant physicochemical and biological mechanisms.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.63-81
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the tide-induced flow patterns near the ocean outfall of the Jeju and Bomok Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTP) in Jeju Island by using measurements of Acoustic Doppler Current Meter (ADCP) and a numerical experiment with inserting passive tracer into a regional ocean model. In late spring of 2018, the ADCP measurements showed that tidal currents dominate the flow patterns as compared to the non-tidal components in the outfall regions. According to harmonic analysis, the dominant type of tides is mixed of diurnal and semi-diurnal but predominantly semidiurnal, showing stronger oscillations in the Jeju WTP than those in the Bomok WTP. The tidal currents oscillate parallel to the isobath in both regions, but the rotating direction is different each other: an anti-clockwise direction in the Jeju WTP and a clockwise in the Bomok WTP. Of particular interest is the finding that the residual current mainly flows toward the coastline across the isobath, especially at the outfall of the Bomok WTP. Our model successfully captures the features of tidal currents observed near the outfall in both regions and indicates possibly high persistent pollutant accumulation along the coasts of Bomok.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.583-596
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• 2022

The rock surface of Bangudae petroglyphs is mainly dark brown hornfelsified shales by contact metamorphism. The surface form a weathered layer of a invariable depth, and there is a difference with mineral and chemical composition between weathered and non-weathered layers. Surface of the petroglyphs has been discolored to light brown over the face due to biological and chemical weathering. As the measuring chromaticity based on the non-weathered layer, the whiteness and yellowness increased in the weathered layer, and the color difference (ΔE) was 5.54 to 36.89 (mean 17.26). In the weathered layer of the petroglyph surface, the CaO content was reduced by about 90% compared to the non-weathered layer, and Sr also showed the same trend. In particular, the mean porosity of the non-weathered layer was 0.4%, but it was estimated as 25.0% in the weathered layer. This is interpreted as the fact that calcite reacts with water, and forms a weathered layer from the surface as it is eluted. Based on the weathering depth modeling of the petroglyphs using the penetration characteristics of X-rays, the weathering depth of rock faces was found to be 1 to 2mm. However, the area classified as 2mm or more estimated to be a maximum of 3 to 4mm, considering the weathering depth around the petroglyphs surface.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.387-397
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• 2022

The germination characteristics of the resting cysts of Pheopolykrikos hartmannii collected from the southern coastal sediments of Korea were studied at different temperature conditions, and the morphology and phylogeny of the germlings were examined. The resting cysts of Ph. hartmannii were round and characterized by a red accumulation body and many arrow-like spines and could germinate at temperature of 10 to 30℃. High germination rates (>90%) were observed at 15 and 20℃, indicating that the resting cysts could act as seed populations for the bloom initiation of Ph. hartmannii in Korean coastal waters in early summer or early fall. The morphology of the germlings was generally consistent with the previous description, and an apical groove characterized by a fully enclosed loop was observed. Phylogenetic analysis based on large SubUnit (LSU) rRNA gene sequences revealed that the germlings shared an identical sequence with the Korean and American isolates of Ph. hartmannii and was a sister clade of Polykrikos species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2023

Hypochaeris radicata, native to Europe and Eurasia, is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. In Korea, H. radicata was reported in 1992, mainly in Jeju Island, and gradually spreading to the inland. It overwinters in the form of a rosette and blooms yellow flowers from May to June. H. radicata propagates by seeds and rhizomes. The germination temperature of the seed is 15/20℃ (day/night), and the rhizome forms a new plant at a depth of 2-3cm in the soil. The roots of H. radicata secrete allelochemicals that inhibit the development of other plants. Some use it as a salad or forage substitute but to a limited extent. However, extensive research on ampicillin contained in H. radicata has been conducted, and its anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects have been recognized. There are only a few methods to manage H. radicata both culturally and physically. In orchards, soil treatments such as oxyfluorfen and diclobenil, or nonselective foliar treatments such as glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate are used. Notably, there are no known biological control agents.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2018

The cactus habitat in Jeju Island has a phytogeographically specific distribution in the East Asian region, and forms a unique landscape as the only native cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) habitat in Korea. However, there has been no detailed investigation on the distribution of cacti in the habitat and no investigation on the diversity of the mixed composition of plants in the habitats and their correlation with the distribution of cactus populations. This study attempted to investigate the diversity of vascular plants in the Wollyeong-ri cactus habitat and record the actual distribution and trends of cactus distribution. In addition to the distribution characteristics of cacti, we also discuss the characteristics of species reflecting the characteristics of the habitat among the mixed population of plant species, as well as the biological and environmental factors that threaten the maintenance of cactus populations or require management for preservation of cacti. Considering the phenological character, we conducted the field surveys for flora identification six times between June 2015 and September 2017. The Engler classification system was used for the arrangement sequence and names of plants, and the Korean Plant Names Index was adopted for the Korean name of the species. The study results showed that the Wolryung-ri cactus habitat in Jeju Island has the characteristic physiognomy of an area dominated by cactus. For the vascular plants, a total of 125 taxa were identified, including 53 families, 104 genera, 109 species, 15 varieties and 1 forma. Endangered plants specified by the Ministry of Environment were not found. Two species, Cyrtomium falcatum and Asplenium incisum, were identified as the ferns, and no gymnosperms were found. In addition, 123 taxa of angiosperms, 91 taxa of dicotyledones and 32 taxa of monocotyledons were identified. The distributions of cacti were confirmed in 289 meshes corresponding to 59.3% of the total 487 meshes in the cactus protected area, which showed various coverage distributions ranging from 5% to 95%. Most of the meshes where no cacti were found are coastal areas with exposed basalt rocks where the soil depth has not developed or extremely restricted due to repeated waves, or areas where artificial facilities, grasslands, and observation paths have been constructed. On the other hand, there were 71 lattice points in 14.5% of the total area where the cactus showed 70% or higher dominance. Cacti are randomly distributed in these areas. They have adapted to the microhabitat environment and are found to be opportunistically distributed along the growable locations. Considering that the reproduction of cacti in the habitat is mostly dependent on parthenogenesis, the present distribution seems to reflect the potentially distributable regions of cacti in the habitat. Based on the results of field surveys, a management plan for conservation and protection of the protected areas has been proposed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2024

This study investigated whether population dynamic analysis based on the height characteristics of Abies nephrolepis was feasible. It was necessary because existing population dynamic analyses based on age and diameter at breast height (DBH) made it difficult to reflect the slow growth characteristics of Abies nephrolepis in harsh environments of high altitudes. The limitations of population dynamics analysis based on the age and DBH distribution of Abies nephrolepis in Seoraksan, Odaesan, and Taebaeksan National Parks, where Abies nephrolepis populations are representative, were verified, and the characteristics of height growth were investigated to comprehensively analyze whether a vertical structure based on height could reveal the population dynamics. The result of this study showed some limitations in understanding the population dynamics of Abies nephrolepis based on age distribution due to practical difficulties in sampling all trees and variations in age distribution within the same community depending on factors such as light conditions. Moreover, it was challenging to differentiate the distribution of DBH classes at fine levels, making it difficult to reflect the rapid growth characteristics of Abies nephrolepis when light conditions become suitable after prolonged stays in smaller DBH classes under shade conditions. However, a comprehensive analysis of the height characteristics of Abies nephrolepis revealed that the density corresponding to the population dynamic characteristics of Abies was high and adequately reflected the predominant tree death at similar height stages, as well as the U-shaped population dynamics at the lower stratum. Moreover, it was possible to identify a transition point in height values under shaded conditions, where the annual growth of Abies nephrolepis individuals in the lower stratum increases significantly, indicating that Abies nephrolepis individuals can escape from competition with other shrubs and undergo vigorous growth only at this height level. Therefore, this study confirmed that a vertical structure based on height can be utilized to understand the population dynamics of Abies nephrolepis in high altitudes, and it is expected that future studies on height characteristics can intuitively reveal the maintenance status of Abies nephrolepis populations in the field.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.145-159
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim was to investigate the characteristics of low dose effect and non monotonic dose responses(NMDRs) and to predict the influence it might have on the health and medicine, traditional Korean medicine. Methods : By investigating recently published major literatures related to low dose effect and NMDRs, the definition, mechanism, major related fields, and the influence on public health and medicine has been categorized and summarized. Results : Although there are still heated debates about the definition of low dose, it implies the biological responses in environmental exposure level and the NDMDRs means the nonlinear relationship between the dose-response in the slope sign change. Also, it implies the new form of the curve showing a U, reverse U shape, and the slop sign constantly changing showing various forms. This mechanism is because the two acceptor shows opposing effects to toxic materials and the affinity is different along with the numerical value that increase and decrease being different. These characteristics generally appear in endocrine disrupters such as bisphenol A, agricultural pesticides, metal, and radiation. The research field in the public health and medical treatment is obesity, problems in metabolism, growth hormone treatment, climacteric treatment, breast cancer, intake of Korean traditional medicine for pregnancy, menopause and phytoestrogen. Conclusions : As a result of discussing implications, NMDRs is a particular effect in low dose and heated debates surround this response, research is being conducted surrounding the field of obesity, problems in metabolism, growth hormone treatment, climacteric treatment, breast cancer, intake of Korean traditional medicine for pregnancy, menopause, and phytoestrogen. More research and interest in needed as it can have a massive influence in the public health and medicine.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.14 no.4 s.66
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• pp.47-52
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• 2005

Carbonate species in aqueous solution play an important role in the determination of chemical properties of water in relation with alkalinity, buffer capacity, biological productivity, and so on. These compounds also have reactive characteristics such as interphasal reactions between solid, liquid, and gas phases. In the absence of solid materials, the total amount and relative abundance of each carbonate species are directly influenced by the partial pressure of $CO_2$ gas in the atmosphere, which in turn significantly affects the properties of aquatic system. In the water/wastewater treatment process along with the wastes treatment and recycling process which occurring in aquatic environment, it is essential to figure out its characteristics for their optimization and one of its most influential features upon these processes is determined by carbonate species. To understand the fundamental aspect of the relationship between the partial pressure of $CO_2$ gas and chemical features of water, especially pH, the working partial pressure of pure $CO_2$ gas that produced by contacting the dry ice with water has been estimated based on equilibrium calculation. The equilibrium constants for the dissociation ot carbonic acid were determined using van't Hoff equation and the distribution diagram of carbonate species according to the pH has been constructed to substantiate the results of equilibrium calculation. The estimated working partial pressure of pure $CO_2$ gas was found to be a function of the concentration of carbonates in solution, which suggesting that Prior evaluation of the working partial pressure of gas is essential for a better understanding of aquatic interactions.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2000

Field survey on the variational characteristics of water quality and chlorophyll a concentraion were carried out at the 25 stations for four seasons in Kogum-sudo(Straits) southern coast of Korean Peninsula from Feburuary to October in 1993. We made an analysis on biological factor as chlorophyll a concentraion as well as physicio-chemical factors such as water temperature salinity sigma-t transparency dissolved oxygen(DO) chemical oxygen demand(COD) nutrients (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and silicate) N/P ratio and suspended solid(SS). The waters in the Kogum-sudo were not stratified due to the tidal mixing. And the high productivity in photic layer were supported by high nutrients concentration from bottom waters. The high concen-trations of suspended solid in straits had a bad influence upon marine biology of nature and cultivations. In Kogum-sudo had a sufficient nutrients for primary productivity during a year. Especially phosphate and inorganic nitrogen were high the other side silicate was very low. The source of nutrients supply depend on rather mineralization of organic matters and input of seawater from outside than input of freshwaters from lands. Phytoplankton biomass as measured by chlorphyll a concentratiion was very high all the year round and it was controlled by the combination o f several environmental factors especially of phosphate in summer and dissolved nitrogen in other seasons.