• Title/Summary/Keyword: environments and energy

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A Mineralogical Study on the Arsenic Behavior in the Tailings of Nakdong Mine (낙동광산의 광미 내 비소 거동에 대한 광물학적 연구)

  • Lee, Woo-Chun;Cho, Hyen-Goo;Kim, Young-Ho;Kim, Soon-Oh
    • Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.359-370
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    • 2009
  • Arsenic and heavy metals leached out as a result of oxidation of tailings exposed to the surface pose a serious environmental contamination of mine areas. This study investigated how arsenic behavior is controlled by a variety of processes, such as oxidation of sulfides and formation or alteration of secondary minerals, based on mineralogical methods. The study was carried out using the tailing samples obtained from Nakdong mine located in Jeongseongun, Gangwondo. After separating magnetic and non-magnetic minerals using pretreated tailing samples, each mineral sample was classified according to their colors and metallic lusters observed by the stereoscopic microscope. Subsequently, the mineralogical properties were determined using various instrumental analyses, such as x-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). The literature review confirmed that various ore minerals were identified in the Nakdong ore deposits. In this study, however, there were observed a few original ore minerals as well as secondary and/or tertiary minerals newly formed as a result of weathering including oxidation. In particular, we did not recognize pyrrhotite which has been known to originally exist in a large abundance, but peculiarly colloform-type iron (oxy)hydroxides were identified, which indicates most of pyrrhotite has been altered by rapid weathering due to its large reactivity. In addition, a secondary scorodites filling the fissure of weathered primary arsenopyrites were identified, and it is speculated that arsenic is immobilized through such a alteration reaction. Also, we observed tertiary iron (oxy)hydroxides were formed as a result of re-alteration of secondary jarosites, and it suggests that the environment of tailing has been changed to high pH from low pH condition which was initiated and developed by oxidation reactions of diverse primary ore minerals. The environmental change is mainly attributed to interactions between secondary minerals and parental rocks around the mine. As a result, not only was the stability of secondary minerals declined, but tertiary minerals were newly formed. As such a process goes through, arsenic which was immobilized is likely to re-dissolve and disperse into surrounding environments.

An Analytical Study of Geologic Characteristics and Production- Related Problems of Beep Natural Gas Resources (심부 천연가스의 지질학절 부존 환경 특성과 생산관련 현안 문제점 분석 연구)

  • Chang Seungyong
    • 한국석유지질학회:학술대회논문집
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    • autumn
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    • pp.28-46
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    • 2001
  • Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases and impurities such as nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide and a clean energy producing no pollution materials for combustion. Currently, the demand of the natural gas is rapidly increasing due to worldwide environmental problems. According to Hubbert's study in the past, the natural gas was predicted as rapidly depleted resources, and then the results led to high gas price and limitation of usage during 1980s. Afterward, the study of natural gas resources based on geology identified the additional natural gas resources that were not considered in Hubbert's study. They are unconventional gas, additional resources in the existed reservoirs, and natural gas in deep subsurface areas. Such additional resouces made the future of natural gas bright and pormised low and stable gas price in the future. Deep natural gas is defined as the gas existing at or below 15,000ft$(4,752{\cal}m)$ in depth from the surface. According to the study from the U.S. Geological Survey(USGS) in 1995, 1,412 TCF of technically recoverable natural gas was remained to be discovered or developed in the onshore of United States. A significant part of that resource base, 114 TCF, exists at deep sedimentary basins, and it shows wide distribution with various geological environments. In 1995, the deep gas contributed to $6.7\% of total supply amount of natural gas in the United States and is expected to be $18.7\% by 201.5. However, the development of the deep gas is a high risky business due to expensive investment and high portion of dry holes, although it is developed. Thus, for developing the deep gas economically, it is necessary to overcome many technical challenges. In this paper, for increasing success rate of the deep gas, 1) geologic and compositional characteristics, and production cost have been analyzed according to depth, 2) technical problems related to deep gas production have been summarized, and 3) finally future study areas for increasing application of the deep gas have been suggested. For reference, this paper was written based on the study results from USGS and Gas Research Institute(GRI), for the United States is doing the most active R&D in the deep gas area, and thus, has many reliable data.

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Seasonal Sedimentary Characteristics and Depositional Environments after the Construction of seawall on the Iwon Macrotidal Flat (방조제 건설 후 이원 대조차 조간대의 계절별 퇴적학적 특성 및 퇴적환경)

  • Kum, Byung-Cheol;Park, Eun-Young;Lee, Hi-Il;Oh, Jae-Kyung;Shin, Dong-Hyeok
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.25 no.7
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    • pp.615-628
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    • 2004
  • In order to elucidate seasonal sedimentary characteristics and depositional environment after construction of seawall on macrotidal flat, a seasonal observations of surface sediments (total 450) and sedimentation rates on 4 transects have been investigated for 2 years. The eastern area of Iwon tidal flat, has been changed from semi-closed coast to open coast by construction of seawall, shows general seasonal changes similar to characteristics of open coast type, which represented both fining and bad sorted distribution due to deposition of fine sediments under low energy condition in the summer, and relatively coarser and better sorted distribution because of erosion of fine sediments in the winter. In considering angles of transects, distribution patterns of surface sediments, the northern and southern parts of eastern tidal flat are dominantly influenced by wave and tidal effects, respectively. As time goes by, the eastern tidal flat shows coarsening-trend of surface sediments caused by direct effect of tidal current, were and typhoon. Meanwhile the western area of seawall, which has been re-formed by construction seawall, is sheltered from northwesterly seasonal wind. The seasonal change pattern of western area of seawall is slightly different from that of eastern tidal flat. Mean grain size and sorting of surface sediments during spring is finer and worse than those during summer. This seasonal change pattern maybe influenced by topographic effects caused from the construction of seawall. In consideration of all result, the transport of fine sediments in the study area, which is supplied to limited sediments, shows clockwise circulation pattern that fine sediments are transported from the eastern tidal flat to the western area of seawall because of blocking of seawall in the winter and are transported reversed direction the summer. As a result, many changes have been observed in the study area after construction of seawall; however, this change is still in progress and is expected to need continuous monitoring.

Factors Affecting the Conservation and Distribution of Migratory Waterbirds in the Southern Tidal Flats of Ganghwa Island, Korea (강화도 남단 갯벌에 도래하는 물새류의 분포요인 및 보전방안)

  • ;;;;Colin Levings
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.34-45
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    • 2002
  • Of the four tidal flat areas(Yeocha-ri, Dongmak-ri, Sundu-ri and Donggum-ri) on Southern Ganghwa Island, the distribution of migratory waterbirds showed a difference in the numbers of individuals and species. Higher numbers of individuals and species were observed on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat. The dominant waterbirds species at the four areas was the Dentin(Calidris alpina). This species showed an occupancy rate(42.0-79.1%) on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat, which was much higher relative to the other areas. The Yeocha-ri tidal flats were higher relative to MSL than the other tidal flats. When the Dongmak-ri tidal flat was covered by sea water, the Yeocha-ri tidal flat was 0.0317$\textrm{km}^2$ in area and on this space we observed many resting waterbirds. The biomass of the waterbirds' potential prey on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat was higher(1.6~2.5$\times$) than other tidal flats. Twenty-three species and 266 individuals were found on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat, which was higher than the tidal flats. The food of Dunlin, which was the dominant species in these four areas, was mainly Reticunassa festiva and Umbonium thomasi(Gastropoda) and Perinereis aibuitensis(Polychaeta). A Dunlin(38.11g) used to eat 1,295 individuals of these food items for daily basal energy. Gastropod, its density was highest on Yeocha-ri tidal flats. The distribution of waterbirds seemed to be closely related with the distribution of the benthos, space and safety of resting site. We suggest that the environments of tidal flats, which are rich foraging habitats, are important factors for conservation of waterbirds.

Characterization and Modification of Milk Lipids (유지방의 특성과 변화)

  • Yeo, Yeong-Geun;Choe, Byeong-Guk;Im, A-Yeong;Kim, Hyo-Jeong;Kim, Su-Min;Kim, Dae-Gon
    • Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.119-136
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    • 1998
  • The lipids of milk provide energy and many essential nutrients for the newborn animal. They also have distinctive physical properties that affect the processing of dairy products. Milk fat globules mainly consist of neutral lipids like triacylglycerols, whereas the globule membranes contain the complex lipids mostly, Phospholipids are a small but important fraction of the milk lipids and are found mainly in the milk fat globule membrane and other membranous material in the skim-milk phase. The milk fats of ruminant animals are characterized by the presence of relatively high concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, especially butyric and hexanoic acids, which are rarely found in milks of non-ruminants. The fatty acids of milk lipids arise from de novo synthesis in the mammary gland and uptake from the circulating blood. The fatty acid compositions of milks are usually complex and distinctive, depending on the nature of the fatty acids synthesized de novo in the mammary gland and those received from the diet in each species. The content and composition of milks from different species vary widely; presumably, these are evolutionary adaptations to differing environments. The actual process by which these globules are formed is unkonwn, but there are indications that triglyceride-containing vesicles which bleb from endoplasmic reticulum may serve as nucleation sites for globules. Recent studies on milk have centred on the manipulation of milk lipids to increase specific fatty acids, i.e. 20-carbon omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid 20:5n3, decosahexaenoic acid 22:6n3) from marine sources because the fatty acids are closely associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease.

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A Study on Integrated Visualization and Mapping Techniques using the Geophysical Results of the Coastal Area of the Dokdo in the East Sea (독도 연안 해저 지구물리 자료의 통합 중첩 주제도 작성 연구)

  • Lee, Myoung Hoon;Kim, Chang Hwan;Park, Chan Hong;Rho, Hyun Soo;Kim, Dae Choul
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.49 no.5
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    • pp.381-388
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    • 2016
  • The purpose of this study is to integrate and visualize using mapping techniques based on precise seabed geomorphology, seafloor backscattering images and high-resolution underwater images of the nearshore area around the Dokdo, in the East Sea. We have been obtained the precise topography map using multibeam echosounder system around the nearshore area(~50 m) of the southern part of the Seodo. Side scan sonar survey for analysis seafloor backscattering images was carried out in the same area of topography data. High-resolution underwater images(zone(a), zone(b), zone(c)) were taken in significant habitat scope of the nearshore area of the southern part of the Seodo. Using the results of bathymetry, seafloor backscattering images, high-resolution underwater images, we performed an integrated visualization about the nearshore area of the Dokdo. The integrated visualizing techniques are possible to make the seabed characteristic mapping results of the nearshore area of the Dokdo. The integrated visualization results present more complex and reliable information than separate geological products for seabed environmental mapping study and it is useful to understand the relation between seafloor characteristics and topographic environments of the study area. The integrated visualizing techniques and mapping analysis need to study sustainably and periodically, for effective monitoring of the nearshore ecosystem of the Dokdo.

Detection and Measurement of Nuclear Medicine Workers' Internal Radioactive Contamination (핵의학과 종사자의 방사성동위원소 체내오염 측정)

  • Jeong, Gyu-Hwan;Kim, Yong-Jae;Jang, Jeong-Chan;Lee, Jai-Ki
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.123-131
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: We tested a sample of nuclear medicine workers at Korean healthcare institutions for internal contamination with radioactive isotopes, measuring concentrations and evaluating doses of individual exposure. Materials and Methods: The detection and measurement was performed on urine samples collected from 25 nuclear medicine workers at three large hospitals located in Seoul. Urine samples were collected once a week, 100~200 mL samples were gathered up to 6~10 times weekly. A high-purity germanium detector was used to measure gamma radiations in urine samples for the presence of radioactive isotopes. Based on the detection results, we estimated the amounts of intake and committed effective doses using IMBA software. In cases where committed effective doses could not be adequately evaluated with IMBA software, we estimated individual committed effective doses for radionuclides with a very short half life such as $^{99m}Tc$ and $^{123}I$, using the methods recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency. Results: Radionuclides detected through the analysis of urine samples included $^{99m}Tc$, $^{123}I$, $^{131}I$ and $^{201}Tl$, as well as $^{18}F$, a nuclide used in Positron Emission Tomography examinations. The committed effective doses, calculated based on the radionuclide concentrations in urine samples, ranged from 0 to 5 mSv, but were, in the majority of cases, less than 1 mSv. The committed effective dose exceeded 1 mSv in three of the samples, and all three were workers directly handling radioactive sources. No nurses were found to have a committed effective dose in excess of 1 mSv. Conclusions: To improve the accuracy of results, it may be necessary to conduct a long-term study, performed over a time span wide enough to allow the clear determination of the influence of seasonal factors. A larger sample should also help increase the reliability of results. However, as most Korean nuclear medicine workers are currently not necessary to monitored routinely for internal contamination with radionuclides. Notwithstanding, a continuous effort is recommended to reduce any unnecessary exposure to radioactive substances, even if in inconsequential amounts, by regularly surveying workplace environments and frequently monitoring atmospheric concentrations of radionuclides.

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Characteristics and Formation conditions of the Rhodoliths in Wu Island beach, Jeju-do, Korea: Preliminary Report (제주도 우도의 홍조단괴 해빈 퇴적물의 특징과 형성조건 : 예비연구 결과)

  • 김진경;우경식;강순석
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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    • v.8 no.4
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    • pp.401-410
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    • 2003
  • Three beaches of the Seogwang-ri coast in the western part of Wu Island, Jeju-do, are solely composed of rhodoliths (red algal nodules). The beach sediments are coarse sand to granule in size and they show the banded distribution according to size. Commonly the larger pebble-sized rhodoliths are concentrated near the rocky coast, resulting from the transportation of the nodules from shallow marine environments by intermittent typhoons. Based on the internal texture of the rhodoliths, it appears that crustose red algae, Lithophyllum sp., is the main contributor for the formation of the rhodolith. The coarse sand to granule-sized grains show that they started to grow from the nucleus as rhodoliths, but the surface was severely eroded by waves. However, the pebble to cobble-sized grains exhibit the complete growth pattern of rhodoliths and sometimes contain other calcareous skeletons. It is common that encrusting red algae are intergrown with encrusting bryozoan. The surface morphology of rhodolith tends to change from the concentric to domal shape towards the outer part. This suggests that the rhodolith grew to a certain stage by rolling, but it grew in more quiet condition without rolling as it became larger. Aragonite and calcite cements can be found in the pores within rhodoliths (conceptacle, intraskeletal pore in bryozoan, and boring), and this means that shallow marine cementation has occurred during their growth. Growth of numerous rhodoliths in shallow marine environment near the Seogwang-ri coast indicates that this area has suitable oceanographic conditions for their growth such as warm water temperature (about 19$^{\circ}C$ in average) and clear water condition due to the lack of terrestrial input of volcanoclastic sediments. Fast tidal current and high wave energy in the shallow water setting can provide suitable conditions enough for their rolling and growth. Typhoons passing this area every summer also influence on the growth of rhodoliths.

Growth inhibition of hydrotrope-combined copper against Microcystis aeruginosa and evaluation of its toxicity (Microcystis aeruginosa에 대한 hydrotrope-combined copper의 생장억제 및 독성 평가)

  • Park, Se-Keun;Ji, Jun-Gu;Jang, Hee Jung;Kim, Yeong-Kwan;Oh, Young-Sook;Choi, Sung-Chan
    • Korean Journal of Microbiology
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    • v.51 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2015
  • Hydrotrope-combined copper (HCC) is a copper ($Cu^{2+}$)-based algicide, which is combined with a hydrotrope that keeps copper ion in solution to improve performance. This study assessed the growth inhibition effect of HCC against Microcystis aeruginosa which is one of the most common toxic cyanobacterium in eutrophic freshwater environment. Various HCC doses, ranging from 5.5 to $550{\mu}g/L$ as $Cu^{2+}$, were applied to either BG-11 or 1/4 diluted medium with low- or high-inoculum density of M. aeruginosa. Growth inhibition was monitored based on a decrease in chlorophyll-a content in culture medium during the incubation. Results showed that HCC significantly inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa in a dose-dependent manner. In case of 1/4 diluted BG-11 medium, HCC dose as low as $5.5{\mu}g$ $Cu^{2+}/L$ completely inhibited the production of chlorophyll-a by M. aeruginosa. It was found that HCC did not induce any significant release of microcystin-LR from M. aeruginosa. Acute toxicity of HCC was tested using Daphnia magna, and the 24-h $EC_{50}$ value was 0.30 mg/L as $Cu^{2+}$ which was much higher than the actual inhibition dose. Ames test was performed using Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TA100, and HCC showed no increase in the number of revertant colonies. The result suggested that HCC does not have any mutagenic potential in the aquatic environment. In addition, no genotoxic effect of HCC was also confirmed based on the SOS ChromoTest using Escherichia coli PQ37. Therefore, HCC could be used as a relatively safe and effective pre- and post-treatment agent to control hazardous algal blooming in aquatic environments.

Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry of Intertidal Flat Sediment, Muan, Chonnam, Korea (전남 무안 갯벌 퇴적물에 관한 광물학적 및 생지화학적 연구)

  • Park, Byung-No;Lee, Je-Hyun;Oh, Jong-Min;Lee, Seuug-Hee;Han, Ji-Hee;Kim, Yu-Mi;Seo, Hyun-Hee;Roh, Yul
    • Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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    • v.20 no.1 s.51
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    • pp.47-60
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    • 2007
  • While sedimentological researches on Western coastal tidal flats of Korea have been much pelformed previously, mineralogical and biogeochemical studies are beginning to be studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate mineralogical characteritics of the inter-tidal flat sediments and to explore phase transformation of iron(oxyhydr)oxides and biomineralization by metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments from Muan, Jeollanam-do, Korea. Inter-tidal flat sediment samples were collected in Chungkye-myun and Haeje-myun, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Particle size analyses were performed using the pipette method and sedimentation method. The separates including sand, silt and clay fractions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffiaction (XRD). After enriching the metal-.educing bacteria from the into,-tidal flat sediments, the bacteria were used to study phase transformation of the synthesized iron (oxyhydr)oxides and iron biomineralization using lactate or glucose as the electron donors and Fe(III)-containing iron oxides as the electron accepters. Mineralogical studies showed that the sediments of tidal flats in Chung]rye-myun and Haeje-myun consist of quartz, plagioclase, microcline, biotite, kaolinite and illite. Biogeochemical researches showed that the metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments reduced reddish brown akaganeite and mineralized nanometer-sized black magnetite. The bacteria also reduced the reddish brown ferrihydrite into black amorphous phases and reduced the yellowish goethite into greenish with formation of nm-sized phases. These results indicate that microbial Fe(III) reduction may play one of important roles in iron and carbon biogeochemistry as well as iron biomineralization in subsurface environments.