• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.649-656
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• 2012

To obtain the basic information for agricultural utilization of germanium (Ge), the growth characteristics and Ge absorption in rice plant were investigated under different Ge concentrations by foliar spray application. The Ge concentrations were treated with 0 (control), 10, 20, 40 and $80mg\;L^{-1}$ in pot (1 5000$^{-1}$ a), respectively. The Ge absorption rate in rice by foliar spray application with $80mg\;L^{-1}$ in pot was higher in the order of leaf (5.75%) > stem (4.52%) > root (<0.01%). By foliar spray application, the Ge content in rice was higher in the order of $80mg\;L^{-1}$ > $40mg\;L^{-1}$ > $20mg\;L^{-1}$ > $10mg\;L^{-1}$. When rice was treated with $80mg\;L^{-1}$ of Ge, the Ge content in rice grain was higher in the order of rice bran ($0.21mg\;pot^{-1}$) $\gg$ brown rice ($0.04mg\;pot^{-1}$) ${\geq}$ polished rice ($0.03mg\;pot^{-1}$). By foliar spray application, the Ge uptake in rice bran was higher than that in other parts. Therefore, optimum Ge concentration by foliar spray application was $80mg\;L^{-1}$ in pot based on the results from the Ge treatments.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.694-699
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• 2012

To examine the EC model in a culture medium, basic culture medium of Rush (2005) and EC model of Robinson and Strokes (1959) were applied analyzing the equivalence ion total amount, the EC variable of cation and anion. Following the experiential translation by Steiner (1980), 130 optimized domestic and foreign culture media for crop growth were utilized, and estimated EC model was also demonstrated. Results from basic culture medium of Rush (2005) suggests an estimated EC by equivalence ion total amount and high reliable regressive model with 0.96 y = 1.33x - 0.23 of 0.96 as value $R^2$. It was found out that the change in concentration of positive ion and anion did not differ significantly with the increase and decrease of EC, however, there occurred a slight variable range. The change brings about a bigger anion influence than the previously reported positive ion, seemingly like those based on nitride ion and sulfur ion. The above EC estimated models confirmed that with optimized 130 domestic and foreign culture media for crop growth, the value derived will be as follows: $R^2$ = 0.98 with y = 1.23x - 0.02. In addition, the contour analysis of positive ion and anion for EC, with popularly known concentration range of EC $1.5-2.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ reveals an equivalent of more than $11meq{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for positive ion and $15meq{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for anion. On the other hand, the left bottom, low concentration $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the right above, high concentration $2.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, for both positive ion and anion existed differently in a proper culture medium concentration. This study adapted variables of both positive ion and anion of EC simultaneously, unlike in the previous culture medium by ion ratio in mutual ratio of Steiner (1980), and offers an EC model that can estimate levels or positive ion and anion in proper concentration, EC $1.5-2.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, with distributed features of ions.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.529-534
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• 2010

Occurrence of wilted symptom in watermelon plant ($Citrullus$ $lanatus$ L.) is known to be caused by physiological disorder. The symptom results in the loss of fruit production and thus the economical loss of watermelon growers. The incidence of symptom is often found from the middle of March to the end of May in the major watermelon crop production areas of Korea (i.e. Uiryeong, Gyeongnam (lat $37^{\circ}$56'64"N, long $126^{\circ}$99'97"E)). Despite of extensive information about the physiological disorder, little study has been conducted to understand a relationship between the wilted symptom and accompanying environment factors (e.g. temperature). This study aimed to investigate effects of environmental conditions amended by a forced-ventilation system on physiological characteristics of watermelon and incidence of the wilted symptom. Watermelon plants were grown from January to May, 2009 with either the forced-or natural-ventilation treatment in a greenhouse located in the Uiryeong. In the result, the forced-ventilation treatment decreased the air, leaf and root-zone temperature approximately $4.5^{\circ}C$, $5^{\circ}C$ and $3^{\circ}C$, respectively, compared to the natural-ventilation. The fruit growth rate was maximized twice during the entire growing period. The higher rate of fruit growth was observed under the natural-ventilation than the forced one. Maximization of the fruit growth rate (approximately 430 g per day) was first observed by 12 days after fruiting under the natural-ventilation treatment, while the second one (approximately 350 g per day) was observed by 24 days after fruiting. The wilted symptom started occurring by 22 days after fruiting under the natural-ventilation, whereas no incidence of the symptom was found under the forced-ventilation treatment. Interestingly, the forced-ventilation lowered the fruit growth rate (approximately 320 g per day) compared to the natural one. Maximization of the fruit growth rate under the forced-ventilation was found at 4 days later than that under the natural one. This result coincided with a slower plant growth under the forced-ventilation treatment. These results suggest that the forced-ventilation slows down extension growth of fruit and plant, which may be associated with lowering leaf temperature and saturation deficit. We suggest the hypothesis that the forced-ventilation may alleviate stress of the wilted symptom by avoiding extreme water evaporation from leaves due to high temperature and thus by reducing competition between leaves and fruits for water. More direct and detailed investigations are needed to confirm the effect of the forced ventilation.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.34-45
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• 2016

Global warming and climate change have been caused by combustion of fossil fuels. The greenhouse gases contributed to the rise of temperature between $0.6^{\circ}C$ and $0.9^{\circ}C$ over the past century. Presently, fossil fuels account for about 88% of the commercial energy sources used. In developing countries, fossil fuels are a very attractive energy source because they are available and relatively inexpensive. The environmental problems with fossil fuels have been aggravating stress from already existing factors including acid deposition, urban air pollution, and climate change. In order to control greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, fossil fuels must be replaced by eco-friendly fuels such as biomass. The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly necessary. The biomass resources are the most common form of renewable energy. The conversion of biomass into energy can be achieved in a number of ways. The most common form of converted biomass is pellet fuels as biofuels made from compressed organic matter or biomass. Pellets from lignocellulosic biomass has compared to conventional fuels with a relatively low bulk and energy density and a low degree of homogeneity. Thermal pretreatment technology like torrefaction is applied to improve fuel efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass, i.e., less moisture and oxygen in the product, preferrable grinding properties, storage properties, etc.. During torrefacton, lignocelluosic biomass such as palm kernell shell (PKS) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) was roasted under an oxygen-depleted enviroment at temperature between 200 and $300^{\circ}C$. Low degree of thermal treatment led to the removal of moisture and low molecular volatile matters with low O/C and H/C elemental ratios. The mechanical characteristics of torrefied biomass have also been altered to a brittle and partly hydrophobic materials. Unfortunately, it was much harder to form pellets from torrefied PKS and EFB due to thermal degradation of lignin as a natural binder during torrefaction compared to non-torrefied ones. For easy pelletization of biomass with torrefaction, pellets from PKS and EFB were manufactured before torrefaction, and thereafter they were torrefied at different temperature. Even after torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, their appearance was well preserved with better fuel efficiency than non-torrefied ones. The physical properties of the torrefied pellets largely depended on the torrefaction condition such as reaction time and reaction temperature. Temperature over $250^{\circ}C$ during torrefaction gave a significant impact on the fuel properties of the pellets. In particular, torrefied EFB pellets displayed much faster development of the fuel properties than did torrefied PKS pellets. During torrefaction, extensive carbonization with the increase of fixed carbons, the behavior of thermal degradation of torrefied biomass became significantly different according to the increase of torrefaction temperature. In conclusion, pelletization of PKS and EFB before torrefaction made it much easier to proceed with torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, leading to excellent eco-friendly fuels.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.131-137
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• 2000

The release of hazardous waste materials into the environment poses serious risks in humans and ecosystems. The risk assessment of environmental pollutants including hazardous chemicals requires a comprehensive measurement of hazard and exposure of the chemicals that can be achieved by toxicity evaluation using a biological system such as biomarkers. In this report we have tried to develop a biomarker used to elucidate a molecular basis of, and to monitor abnormal behaviors caused by diazinon in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model organism. First, an attempt was made to clone tyrosine hydroxylase gene from Japanese medaka that would be a candidate for a biomarker for neuronal modulations and behaviors. For monitoring experiments at behavioral and molecular biological levels, the fish were treated under different sublethal conditions of diazinon and their behavioral responses were observed . In this study we have successfully cloned a partial TH gene from the medaka fish through PCR screening of an ovary cDNA library. DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the amplified fragment was 327 bp encoding 109 amino acids. Comparing the DNA sequence of medaka TH with other species, TH gene revealed the DNA sequence was completely identical to that of rat TH. In the RT-PCR, 330 Up of mRNA was consistently amplified in all the treated samples including control There were no significant differences in the TH expression level regardless of treating concentrations (1∼5,000 ppb) and time (0∼48 hr) The reason appeared to be that RT-PCR was not performed using through a quantitative analysis normalized against an actin gene expression. Organ or tissue - specific detection of TH activity and mRNA as biomarkers will be a useful monitoring tool for neurobehavioral changes in fish influenced by toxic chemicals. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of locomotive patterns and its correlation with the neurochemical and molecular data would be highly useful in measuring toxicity and hazard ofvarious environmental pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of pollutant loads on the water quality in the Mankyeong River from January 2002 to December 2004. The BOD level in upstream ranged from 0.58 to 1.57 mg $L^{-1}$, which would be in I grade according to water quality criteria by Ministry of Environment but BOD level in midstream and downstream was III grade. T-N contents were high in midstream and the average T-P level ranged from 0.06 to 2.70 mg $L^{-1}$. The point raw loads of BOD was high in Iksancheon, Mokcheonpo and Cheongha basin. The point raw loads of T-N and T-P were high in Iksancheon and Cheongha watershed. The non-point low loads of BOD were 3,931 kg $day^{-1}$, 2,870 kg $day^{-1}$ and 2,827 kg $day^{-1}$ in Mokcheonpo, Top and Jeonju watershed, respectively. The major source of BOD effluent load was population, that of T-N and T-P effluent loads was livestock. The delivered load of T-N were high in Jeonju, Mokcheonpo, Gosan, Iksancheon watershed in order. The delivered load of T-N was high in Jeonju watershed and that of T-P was high in Jeonju and Iksancheon watershed. The delivery ratio of BOD and T-N at dry season were below 100% except Mokcheonpo watershed. The delivery ratio of BOD and T-N at raining season were high in Gosan watershed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of pollutant loads on the water quality in the Dongjin River area from January 2003 to December 2004. The average value of BOD and T-N showed the highest peak in Yongho, Dukcheon watershed among Dongjin River. Concentrations of BOD, T-N and T-P in Jeongeup watershed were 2.29 mg $L^{-1}$, 4.40 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.27 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. Concentration of BOD in Chilbo was 1.19 mg $L^{-1}$ which would be in the grade I according to water quality criteria by Ministry of Environment. The BOD level in Wonpeung and Sinpeung watershed ranged from 4.06 to 7.35 mg $L^{-1}$. The T-N effluent loads of non-point pollutants were high in Wonpeung, Gobu, Yongho Dukcheon, Jeongeup and Sinpeung watershed in order. The major sources of BOD, T-N and T-P effluent loads were Livestock. The T-P effluent load of non-point pollutant was 68 kg $day^{-1}$ in Wonpeung, 58 kg $day^{-1}$ in Yongho Dukcheon and 45 kg $day^{-1}$ Jeongeup watershed. The delivered loads of BOD was high in Gobucheon, while both T-N and T-P were high in Yongho Dukcheon. The delivery ratio of BOD and T-N at dry season was below 100% in all watershed of Dongjin River. The delivery ratio of T-N at raining season was high in Yongho Dukcheon and Chilbo watershed

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.411-429
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• 2018

Daeyoung mine (also called "Daema mine") produced gold and silver from mainly gold- and silver-bearing quartz veins. The mine tailings are a waste hazard, but most of the tailings were swept away or dispersed throughout the area around the mine long before the tailing dump areas were transformed into agricultural land. Soil liner and protection facilities, such as retaining walls, were constructed in the mine area to prevent the loss of tailings. The content of the tailings is 3,424.41~3,803.61 mg/kg, which exceeds the safety standard by a factor of 45. In addition, contamination was detected near agricultural areas and in the sediments in downstream drainage channels. A high level of As contamination was concentrated near the waste tailings yard; comparaable levels were detected in agricultural areas close to streams that ran through the waste dump yard, whereas the levels were much lower in areas far from the streams. The contamination in stream sediments showed a gradual decrease with distance from the mine waste yard. Based on these contamination patterns, we concluded that there are two main paths that affect the spread of contaminants: (1) loss of mine waste, and (2) the introduction of mine waste into agricultural areas by floods after transportation by streams. The agricultural areas contaminated by mass inflow of mine waste can act as contamination sources themselves, affecting other agricultural areas through the diffusion of contaminants. At present, although the measured effect in minimal, sediments in streams are contaminated by exposed mine waste and surface liners. It is possible for contaminants to diffuse or spread into nearby areas if heavy elements trapped in soil grains in contaminated agricultural areas leach out as soil solution or contaminant particles during diffusion into the water supply.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2015

It is the better to take preventative measures against the natural intrusion in advance from invasive alien species that reduce biodiversity and cause economic loss to humans. If the prevention of intrusion and spread fails, we need to make active control and eradication. This study aims to introduce nutria (Myocastor coypus) control cases performed in the United Kingdom and the United States and to provide information for the contribution of nutria management measure improvements. The nutria eradication campaign in the United Kingdom was developed as a long-term plan based on sufficient understanding on the management target and objective and suitable support. Sufficient information on nutria was accumulated and the management strategy was flexibly modified according to the changes in management that were proactively reflected in the field. Regarding the eradication project at Chesapeake Bay in the United States, based on long-term ecological information, more advanced capture technology than in the United Kingdom were introduced and the eradication plan, strategy and implementation were configured by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the eradication campaign in the United Kingdom. The successful cases in the United Kingdom and the United State provide an information on how to improv the nutria management measure. For the eradication of nutria, it is necessary to reach a consensus between stakeholders and to form a consultative group between related organizations for periodic communication. Opinions on the field must be actively accepted in the consultation process for strategy and policy decision, and the eradication plan needs to be developed based on a management index. The eradication plan is required to be managed, evaluated and adjusted in a systematic way. Scientific management must be introduced and the management performance must be evaluated objectively so that a practical plan can be flexibly adjusted. It is also required to secure a long-term budget support and a stable organization and to input a concentrated budget at the proper period when there is high efficiency of eradication.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.572-577
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• 1999

Research was initiated to evaluate plant growth regulator effects on the vertical shoot growth of Korean lawngrass and to determine desirable growth regulator and its rate. The experiments were conducted twice at different sites in 1995. All the tested growth regulators inhibited the growth, but the inhibition period was variable among the product in Experiments I and II. During the first week after treatment, there was approximately 10 to 20% growth reduction in most of the treated plots. In the amidochlor-treated plots, growth suppression was effective for 3 to 4 weeks at low to medium rates ($0.60mL{\cdot}m^{-2}$). A Type II growth regulator, trinexapac-ethyl exceeding the medium rate of $0.08mL{\cdot}m^{-2}$ consistently tended to suppress vertical shoot growth for 8 weeks, being above 35% reduction in both experiments. In the plots applied with mefluidide, growth suppression appeared with foliar discoloration 3 or 4 days earlier than the other growth regulators and continued to work till the 8 weeks after treatment. Suppression intensity on vertical shoot growth increased with time after treatment up to a certain period of time, depending on growth regulators. Generally, the higher the application rate, the greater the suppression intensity. Seasonal variation of activity and effectiveness of growth regulators was observed, resulting in lower suppression intensity in July than in June. It is expected to reduce mowing requirements by 30 to up to 60% for a certain period with a specific growth regulator. In low to medium maintenance of Korean lawngrass turf, a long-term suppression may be more effectively accomplished with trinexapac-ethyl rather than mefluidide and amidochlor in terms of vertical shoot growth inhibition. Therefore, turf managers will need to select proper growth regulator and determine optimum rate of application for turfgrass management, based on a defined period of mowing reduction.