• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.392-404
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study measured and analyzed the concentrations of crystalline silica, elemental carbon and the contribution ratio of pollutants which influence environmental and respiratory disease around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu, Korea. Methods: We analyzed the crystalline silica and elemental carbon in the air according to FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NIOSH(National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health) method 5040, respectively. In addition, lead stable isotopes, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were analyzed using MC-ICP/MS(Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer), and IRMS(Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer), respectively. Results: The concentration of crystalline silica in the direct exposure area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0005mg/Sm^3$, but not to exceed the exposure standards of the ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). In the case of the autumn, the direct exposure area was found to show a level 2.5 times higher than the reference area, and on the whole, the direct exposure area was found to have a level 1.4 times higher than the reference area. The concentration of elemental carbon in the direct exposure area and in the reference area were found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0006mg/Sm^3$, and $0.0006{\pm}0.0003mg/Sm^3$, respectively. This study confirmed the contribution ratio of coal raw materials to residentially deposited dusts in the area within 500 meters from the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area with a stable isotope ratio of 24.0%(0.7-62.7%) on average in the case of carbon and nitrogen, and 33.9%(26.6-54.1%) on average in the case of lead stable isotopes. Conclusions: This study was able to confirm correlations with coal raw materials used by the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area. The concentration of some pollutants, crystalline silica, and elemental carbon emitted to the direct-influence area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than in the reference area. Therefore, we need to impose continuous and substantive reduction countermeasures in the future to prevent particulate matter and coal raw materials in the study area. It is time for the local government and authorities to prepare active administrative methods such as the relocation of Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.50-64
• /
• 2019

Recently, quantitative analyses of food web structure based on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes are widely applied to environmental assessments as well as ecological researches of various ecosystems, particularly rivers and streams. In the present study, we analyzed carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of POM (both planktonic and attached forms), zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish collected from 6 sites located at Nakdong River. Samples were collected from upstream areas of 5 weirs (Sangju, Gangjeong-Goryeong, Dalseong, Hapcheon-Changnyeong, and Changnyeong-Haman Weirs) and one downstream area of Hapcheon-Changnyeong Weir in dry season (June) and after rainy season (September). We suggested ranges of their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and calculated their trophic levels in the food web to compare their temporal and spatial variations. Trophic levels of organisms were relatively higher in Sangju Weir located at upper part of Nakdong River, and decreased thereafter. However, the trophic levels were recovered at the Changnyeong-Haman Weir, the lowest weir in the river. The trophic level calculated by nitrogen stable isotope ratios showed more reliable ranges when they were calculated based on zooplankton than POM used as baseline. The suggested quantitative ecological information of the majority of biological communities in Nakdong River would be helpful to understand the response of river food web to environmental disturbances and can be applied to various further researches regarding the quantitative approaches for the understanding food web structure and function of river ecosystems as well as restoration.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.26.1-26.13
• /
• 2022

It is important to assess the blood flow of fingers in the verification of hand-arm vibration syndrome. In the Republic of Korea, most assessments of the blood flow in the fingers are performed using a cold provocation test with finger skin color change. However, this test is a non-objective method with a relatively low sensitivity, leading to possible social and legal problems. Thus, we reviewed the characteristics of several tests that assess the blood flow in the fingers. Among these tests, using the radioactive isotope method, Raynaud's scan has a relatively higher sensitivity and specificity than other tests, provides objective results, and is approachable in many hospitals. So we suggest using Raynaud's scan as an alternative test when cold provocation test with finger skin color change is negative in vibration exposed worker.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2013

The isotope ratios of $^{13}C/^{12}C$ and $^{18}O/^{16}O$ for a sample in a mass spectrometer are measured relative to those of a pure $CO_2$ reference gas (i.e., laboratory working standard). Thus, the calibration of a laboratory working standard gas to the international isotope scales (Pee Dee Belemnite (PDB) for ${\delta}^{13}C$ and Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (V-SMOW) for ${\delta}^{18}O$) is essential for comparisons between data sets obtained by other groups on other mass spectrometers. However, one often finds difficulties in getting well-calibrated standard gases, because of their production time and high price. Additional difficulty is that fractionation processes can occur inside the gas cylinder most likely due to pressure drop in long-term use. Therefore, studies on laboratory production of pure $CO_2$ isotope standard gas from stable solid calcium carbonate standard materials, have been performed. For this study, we propose a method to extract pure $CO_2$ gas without isotope fractionation from a solid calcium carbonate material. The method is similar to that suggested by Coplen et al., (1983), but is better optimized particularly to make a large amount of pure $CO_2$ gas from calcium carbonate material. The $CaCO_3$ releases $CO_2$ in reaction with 100% pure phosphoric acid at $25^{\circ}C$ in a custom designed, evacuated reaction vessel. Here we introduce optimal procedure, reaction conditions, and samples/reactants size for calcium carbonate-phosphoric acid reaction and also provide the details for extracting, purifying and collecting $CO_2$ gas out of the reaction vessel. The measurements for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ of $CO_2$ were performed at Seoul National University using a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (VG Isotech, SIRA Series II) operated in dual-inlet mode. The entire analysis precisions for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ were evaluated based on the standard deviations of multiple measurements on 15 separate samples of purified $CO_2$. The pure $CO_2$ samples were taken from 100-mg aliquots of a solid calcium carbonate (Solenhofen-ori $CaCO_3$) during 8-day experimental period. The multiple measurements yielded the $1{\sigma}$ precisions of ${\pm}0.01$‰ for ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\pm}0.05$‰ for ${\delta}^{18}O$, comparable to the internal instrumental precisions of SIRA. Therefore, we conclude the method proposed in this study can serve as a way to produce an accurate secondary and/or laboratory $CO_2$ standard gas. We hope this study helps resolve difficulties in placing a laboratory working standard onto the international isotope scales and does make accurate comparisons with other data sets from other groups.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.575-589
• /
• 2009

Groundwater has been extracted for irrigation in Sacheon-Hadong area, which is close to the South Sea. We analyzed chemical components of groundwater to examine the effects of seawater intrusion and agricultural activities in the study area. Most groundwater samples displayed the Na/Cl concentration ratios similar to that of seawater (0.55) with an increasing tendency of electrical conductivity ($227-7,910\;{\mu}S/cm$) towards the coast. In addition, statistical interpretation of the cumulative frequency curves of Cl and $HCO_3$ showed that 30.1% of the groundwater samples were highly affected by seawater intrusion. Groundwaters in the study area mostly belonged to the Ca-Cl and Na-Cl type, demonstrating that they were highly influenced by seawater intrusion and cation exchange. The result of oxygen-hydrogen isotope analysis demonstrated slightly higher $\delta^{18}O$ ((-8.53)-(-6.13)‰) and ${\delta}D$ ((-58.7)-(-43.7)‰) comparing to mean oxygen-hydrogen isotope ratios in Korea. As a result of nitrogen isotope analysis, the $\delta^{15}N-NO_3$ values ((-0.5)-(19.1)‰) indicate two major sources of nitrate pollution (organic nitrogen in soil and animal and human wastes) and mixed source of the two. However, denitrification may partly contribute as a source of nitrogen. According to factor analysis, four factors were identified among which factor 1 with an eigenvalue of 6.21 reflected the influence of seawater intrusion. Cluster analysis indicated the classification of groundwater into fresh, saline, and mixed ones.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.14 no.3 s.41
• /
• pp.127-140
• /
• 2005

The Samyuri area of Jeoksang-myeon, Muju-gun at the Middle Yeongnam Massif consists of granitic gneiss, porphyroblastic gneiss and leucocratic gneiss, which correspond to Precambrian Wonnam Series. Here we discuss a geochemical implication of the data based on major element composition, trace element, rare earth element (REE), Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotope systematics of the boring cores in the granite gneiss area. The boring cores are granitic gneiss (including biotite gneiss) and amphibolite. The major and trace element compositions of granitic gneiss and amphibolite suggest that the protolith belongs to TTG (Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite) and tholeiitic series, respectively. Chondrte-normalized REE patterns vary in LREE, HREE and Eu anomalies. The granitic gneiss and amphibolite have Sm-Nd whole rock age of $2,026{\pm}230(2{\sigma})$ Ma with an initial Nd isotopic ratio of $0.50979{\pm}0.00028(2{\sigma})$ (initial ${\epsilon}_{Nd}=-4.4$), which suggests that the source material was derived from old crustal material. Particularly, this initial ${\epsilon}$ Nd value belongs to the range of the geochemical evolution of Archean basement in North-China Craton, and also corresponds to the initial Nd isotope evolution line by Lee et al. (2005). In addition, chondrite-normalized REE pattern and initial Nd value of amphibolite are very similar to those of juvenile magma in crustal formation process.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study is to clarify the origin of organic matters on sediment and the characteristics of seasonal variation at an estuarine tidal flat. Silt-clay content (<63 ${\mu}m$), chlorophyll a, TOC, C/N ratio and the stable isotope ratio of carbon and nitrogen were measured at tidal flat around the estuary of the Nanakita River. As a result, organic matters originating from marine organic matter and bethic microalgae greatly contributed to sedimentation of organic matters at Stn.A, sandy tidal flat, though terrigenous organic matters did at Stn.C, muddy tidal flat. Furthermore, it was revealed that the volume and origin of organic matters in the sediments depended on seasonal variation, and the factors were different from the Stns, i.e. bentic microalgae and event for Stn.A, and the eventual sedimentation of organic matters originating from terrestrial plants, respectively.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.237-237
• /
• 2003

Preliminary studies on the seasonal variations in abundance of stable isotopes were carried out on the snow and rainwater samples from urban area. Stable isotopes and other geochemical data as a tool for characterizing the seasonality and source of pollutants were examined in study areas, especially to trace the sources of sulfate in precipitation and to distinguish sulfates of natural and anthropogenic origin. (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.362-366
• /
• 2010

Carbon isotope ratio ($^{13}C/^{12}C$, expressed as ${\delta}^{13}C$) of tree ring can be proxy of atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration ([$CO_2$]) due to the inter-correlation between atmospheric [$CO_2$], ${\delta}^{13}C$ of atmospheric $CO_2$, and ${\delta}^{13}C$ of plant tissue that assimilates atmospheric $CO_2$. This study was conducted to investigate if ${\delta}^{13}C$ of tree ring of Pinus densiflora in polluted area may show a lower value than that in unpolluted area and to explore the possibility of reconstructing atmospheric [$CO_2$] using its relationship with ${\delta}^{13}C$ of tree ring. During the period between 1999 and 2005, ${\delta}^{13}C$ of tree annual ring tended to decrease over time, and the ${\delta}^{13}C$ in polluted area (-27.2‰ in 2009 to -28.3‰ in 2005) was significantly (P<0.001) lower than that (-26.0‰ in 1999 to -27.1‰ in 2005) in unpolluted area. This reflects a greater emission of $CO_2$ depleted in $^{13}C$ in the polluted area. Atmospheric [$CO_2$] was significantly (P<0.01) correlated with ${\delta}^{13}C$ of tree ring in a linear fashion. Using the linear regression equation, atmospheric [$CO_2$] in the polluted area was estimated to range from 392.3 ppm in 1999 to 410.9 ppm in 2005, and these values were consistently higher than the national atmospheric [$CO_2$] monitored at the Anmyoundo meteorological station (from 370.7 ppm in 1999 to 387.2 ppm in 2005). Our study suggested that it is possible to reconstruct atmospheric [$CO_2$] in a certain area using the relationship between tree ring ${\delta}^{13}C$ and atmospheric [$CO_2$].

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.481-490
• /
• 2005

Nitrate contamination in water system is a critical environmental problem caused by excessive application of chemical fertilizer and concentration of livestock. In order to prevent further contamination, therefore, it is necessary to understand the origin of nitrate in nitrogen loading sources and manage the very source of contamination. The objective of this study was to examine the nitrate contamination sources in different agricultural system by using nitrogen isotope ratios. Groundwater and runoff water samples were collected on a monthly basis from February 2003 to November 2003 and analyzed for nitrogen isotopes. The nitrate concentrations of groundwater in livestock fanning area were higher than those in conventional and organic fanning area and exceeded the national drinking water standard of 10mg N/ l. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ranges of chemical fertilizer and animal manure were - 3.7${\sim}$+2.3$\textperthousand$ and +12.5${\sim}$26.7$\textperthousand$, respectively. The higher ${\delta}^{15}N$ of animal manure than those of chemical fertilizer reflected isotope fractionation and volatilization of '''N. The different agricultural systems and corresponding average nitrate concentrations and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were: conventional farming, 5.47mg/e, 8.3$\textperthousand$; organic fanning, 5.88mg/e, 10.1$\textperthousand$; crop-livestock farming, 12.5mg/e, 17.7%0. These data indicated that whether conventional or organic agriculture effected groundwater and runoff water quality. In conclusions, relationship between nitrate concentrations and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value could be used to make a distinction between nitrate derived from chemical fertilizer and from animal manure. Additional investigation is required to monitor long-term impact on water quality in accordance with agricultural systems.