• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.406-412
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• 2008

Biogas plant with anaerobic digestion is receiving high attention as a facility for both livestock waste treatment and electric power generation. Objective of this study was to perform life cycle assessment (LCA) of a biogas plant which incorporates swine and food waste (7:3) as source materials for biogas production. In addition, the biogas production process was compared with the prevalent composting method as a reference in the aspects of green house gas (GHG) reduction potential and environmental impact. The biogas method was capable of reducing 52 kg $CO_2$ eq. emission per ton of swine/food waste, but the composting process was estimated to emit 268 kg $CO_2$ eq. into air. The biogas method was evaluated as more beneficial to the environment by mitigating the impact on abiotic depletion potential (ADP), global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), eutrophication potential (EP), and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), but not to acidification potential (AP).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1395-1401
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• 2011

In this study, Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) has been carried out to evaluate the environmental impacts of a metallic can. A 360 mL volume of an aluminum can bottle was used as the functional unit. The results of Life Cycle Inventory(LCI) showed that iron ore and coal were the major parts of the input materials, whereas aluminum can products, carbon dioxide, wastewater, and hazardous wastes were those of the output ones. According to LCA weighting, it was observed that the most significant impact potential was found to be global warming(49.11%) followed by abiotic resource depletion(47.72%). In the whole system, cold rolled steel coil showed the largest environmental impact potential(86%), followed by electricity(14%). Meanwhile, lubricating oil and industrial water had the minor portion of the total environmental impact potentials. It was suggested that the use of cold rolled steel and electricity should be the main source for $CO_2$, resulting in the big impact on global warming.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.527-533
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• 2017

Environmental concern about smart phone is growing because it has short product life span while having intensive production technology and cost. In this study environmental impact of the smart phone is quantified using the LCA methodology based on the ISO 14040 series standards. The assessment considers potential environmental impacts across the whole life cycle of the smart phone including; pre-manufacturing; manufacturing; distribution; product use; and end-of-life stages. The pre-manufacturing stage is the most dominant life cycle stage causing the highest environmental impacts among all 10 impact categories assessed. The global warming impacts of the smart phone in the pre-manufacturing, distribution, use, manufacturing, and end-of-life stages were 52.6% 23.9%, 15.7%, 7.0%, and 0.8%, respectively. Sensitivity of the life cycle impact assessment results to the system boundary definition and assumptions made were quite high. Three components of the smart phone, PCB, battery, and display module were identified as the key components causing majority of the potential environmental impact in the pre-manufacturing stage. As such the slim and light-weight design and the use of environmental friendly materials are important design factors for reducing the environmental impact of the smart phone.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2003

Analysis of carrying capacity and site suitability by the systematic application of environmental information an provide a basis for implementing environmentally sensitive and sustainable resource development policies. Based on the availability of public services and environmental and site-specific constraints, a Rural Residential Density Matrix was applied in Santa Cruz County, California, USA to assess the development potential of rural land parcels since 1980. In one case, the Matrix was applied to calculate the allowable development density on a site in Lompico planned for use as a Buddhist retreat center. These calculations revealed higher environmental sensitivity and lower carrying capacity than projected in the proposed plan. Under the constraints of the county's minimum acreage policies and insufficient developable land, the developer cancelled the proposed plan. This example suggests that application of the Matrix at the concept development stage would increase the effectiveness of the prior environmental review and environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2009

This study documented and diagnosed the status and problems of coastal dredging and offshore disposal of dredged sediments in South Korea to improve assessment procedures for marine environmental impacts and develop effective management systems. A total of $729({\times}10^6)m^3$ of coastal sediment was dredged in the harbors during the period of 2001-2008. Most of dredged sediment was disposed to the land dumping sites whereas ocean disposal accounted for less than 5%. Ocean disposal areas were especially concentrated to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southeast of Busan, which is not only an important fishing area for fishermen, but also considered to be spawning and nursery ground for some commercial fish species. To minimize negative impacts of dredging and ocean disposal of coastal sediment on marine ecosystem and potential strife among coastal users, we suggest 1) in development projects involving ocean disposal, it should be mandatory to propose careful reuse plans in the land, and 2) guidelines of environmental assessment and consequence management programs should be developed and implemented.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2023

In this research, through LCA analysis, the environmental impact of automotive engine manufacturing and re-manufacturing was analyzed from the perspective of the entire process, and the greenhouse gas reduction effect was calculated based on this. The amount of greenhouse gas emitted from the process of acquiring and manufacturing raw materials for automotive engines is about 3,473 kg for new manufacturing and 872 kg for re-manufacturing. Thus, the amount of greenhouse gas reduction by engaging in re-manufacturing is about 2,601 kg; the analysis shows a reduction effect in each part of the entire process except for the processing stage. As a result of the LCA weighted analysis, the environmental impact of new product manufacturing was found to be 1.07E+03 Eco-point, and it was 2.67E+02 Eco-point for re-manufacturing. The share of GWP(Global Warming Potential) among the six major impact categories(Abiotic Depletion Potential, Acidification Potential, Eutrophication Potential, Global Warming Potential, Ozone-layer Depletion Potential, Photochemical Oxidant Creation Potential) as high at 99.72%(new manufacturing) and 99.68%(re-manufacturing).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.409-415
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• 2012

Post-kyoto regime has been discussing with the GHG reduction commitment. GHG energy target management system also has been applied for the domestic measures in the country. Universities are major emission sources for GHG. It is very important for campus to built the GHG inventory system and estimate the potential GHG emission reduction. In general, GHG inventory on the campus was taken by the IPCC guidance with the classification of scope 1, 2, and 3. Electricity was the highest portion of GHG emission on the campus as 5,053.90 $tonsCO_2eq/yr$ in 2009. Manufacturing sector was the second high emission and meant GHG in laboratory. Potential GHG reduction was planned by several assumptions such as installation of occupancy sensor, exchanging LED lamp and photovoltaic power generation. These reduction scenarios was simulated by LEAP model. In 2020, outlook of GHG emission was estimated by 17,435.98 tons of $CO_2$ without any plans of reduction. If the reduction scenarios was applied in 2020, GHG emission would be 16,507.60 tons of $CO_2$ as 5.3% potential reduction.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.27-27
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• 2003

Lake Texoma is located on the border of southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. It has 93,000 surface acres, and is a focus of the recreation, and farming industries in the region. There are potential stressors around the Lake Texoma watershed that may cause adverse ecological effects in the lake. System assimilative capacity (SAC) is the ability of abiotic and biotic processes to atteuniate the stressors. SAC Exceeded indicates potential of occuring adverse eco-effects. A number of representative chemical release sites and stressor sources in the surrounding watershed were characterized, and several impact sites having stressors sources, such as being near agriculture, landfills, housing areas, oil production fields and heavy use recreational activity, were selected for surface water, sediment, and groundwater monitoring. A paired reference site, having similar physical characteristics as its impact site, was also chosen based on its proximity to the impact site. Lake water samples were collected at locations identified as marina entrance, gasoline filling station, and boat dock at five marinas selected on Lake Texoma from September 1999 to December 2001. Paired water and sediment samples were also collected. Groundwater samples were collected at about 70 producing monitoring wells. Water quality parameters measured were inorganics (nitrate, nitrite, orthophosphate, ammonia, sulfate, and chloride), dissolved methane, total organic carbon (TOC) (or DOC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and BTEX, and a suite of metals. Biotic communities were evaluated at impact and reference sites. Five basic components were measured; two terrestirial components (plants and bird comminitires) and three aquatic components (benthic inverbrates, litteral-zone fishes, ecosystem attribures). Potential impacts to these comminites were evaluated.

• International Journal of Quality Innovation
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.173-189
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• 2005

A life-cycle assessment (LCA) is based on the attention given to the environmental protection and concerning the possible impact while producing, making, and consuming products. It includes all environmental concerns and the potential impact of a product's life cycle from raw material procurement, manufacturing, usage, and disposal (that is, from cradle to grave). This study assesses the environmental impact of the ultra pure water process of semiconductor manufacturing by a life-cycle assessment in order to point out the heavy environmental impact process for industry when attempting a balanced point between production and environmental protection. The main purpose of this research is studying the development and application of this technology by setting the ultra pure water of semiconductor manufacturing as a target. We evaluate the environmental impact of the Precoat filter process and the Cation/Anion (C/A) filter process of an ultra pure water manufacturing process. The difference is filter material used produces different water quality and waste material, and has a significant, different environmental influence. Finally, we calculate the cost by engineering economics so as to analyze deeply the minimized environmental impact and suitable process that can be accepted by industry. The structure of this study is mainly combined with a life-cycle assessment by implementing analysis software, using SimaPro as a tool. We clearly understand the environmental impact of ultra pure water of semiconductor used and provide a promotion alternative to the heavy environmental impact items by calculating the environmental impact during a life cycle. At the same time, we specify the cost of reducing the environmental impact by a life-cycle cost analysis.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.335-345
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• 2010

This paper assessed environmental impacts of marine sand mining on coastal areas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Korea, and diagnosed problems of the related assessment statements for suggesting key assessment items (scoping) and system improvement. To mitigate conflicts and environmental impacts caused by large-scale, concentrated sand mining, we suggest it is critical to promote sustainable and eco-friendly utilization of marine resources while listening opinions from various stakeholders and analyzing alternative plans. Especially, it should be mandatory as a scoping item to provide verifiable data on the amount of sand, potential and accumulative impacts by mining, and key assessment items (e.g. erosion and sedimentation by submarine topography, benthic change, spreading of suspended solids, water pollution, grain-size change, and impact on fisheries resources). We also suggest that postassessment and monitoring should be improved to enable tracking of environmental impacts caused by sand mining through seasonal monitoring together with intermittent short-term surveys. In addition, effective measures to mitigate the impacts is also essential. As repeated sand mining at large-scale can damage marine ecosystems by long-term accumulated impacts, we suggest that assessment systems and regulatory policies should be developed and established, especially for ensuring reliability of assessment and review on selected major sandmining projects.