• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2003

To consider environmental characteristics in the scope of geochemistry of streams, Hwasun area, soil, sediment and water samples near/in the streams were analyzed in texture and metal contents of soil and sediment and in quality in water. From those analyses, the soils are loamy sand, sandy loam, loam and silty loam in texture. And, the sediments are slightly gravelly sand, gravelly sand and gravelly muddy sand in facies. Metal contents in soils and sediments are of high near Hwasuneup and Hwasun coalfield. In peculiar, P, Co, Li, Ni, Zn and Pb exceed over crust mean contents. Physico-chemistry of above streams according to pH-Eh and Piper's diagrams indicates that the streams are, typically, assigned to natural river water. Water qualities of BOD, T-N and T-P in areas near Hwasun coalfield, Dongmyeon and Hwasuneup are polluted over V level. Enrichment factor(EF) representing metal condensation in P, Cu, Zn and Pb appear near Hwasun coalfield and Hwasuneup from the soil and sediment samples, in part. Additionally, river water in dry season is very high in BOD, T-N, $Na^+$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$. It is suggested that the relatively high metal contents in the stream be connected with above coalfield and urban areas.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.593-606
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• 2008

In this study, data on radionuclide migration and retardation processes in the engineered and natural barriers of High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) repository have been reviewed and compiled for use in the performance assessment of a HLW disposal system in Korea. The status of the database on radionuclide migration and retardation that is being developed in Korea is investigated and summarized in this study. The solubilities of major actinides such as D, Th, Am, Np, and Pu both in Korean bentonite porewater and in deep Korean groundwater are calculated by using the geochemical code PHREEQC (Ver. 2.0) based on the KAERI-TDB(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute-Thermochemical Database), which is under development. Databases for the diffusion coefficients ($D^b_e$ values) and distribution coefficients ($K^b_d$ values) of some radionuclides in the compacted Korean Ca-bentonite are developed based upon domestic experimental results. Databases for the rock matrix diffusion coefficients ($D^r_e$ values) and distribution coefficients ($K^r_d$ values) of some radionuclides for Korean granite rock and deep groundwater are also developed based upon domestic experimental results. Finally, data related to colloids such as the characteristics of natural groundwater colloids and the pseudo-colloid formation constants ($K_{pc}$ values) are provided for the consideration of colloid effects in the performance assessment.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.454-466
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• 2013

To evaluate the organic matter and trace metal pollution in intertidal sediment of the coastal zone, various geochemical parameters (grain size, ignition loss [IL], chemical oxygen demand [COD], acid volatile sulfide [AVS], and metals [Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As]) were measured for the intertidal surface sediment of the mainland and islands between Mokpo and Haenam in the southwestern coast of Korea. The surface sediments consist mainly of finer sediments, such as mud and silt. The concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals in intertidal sediment were relatively high in the shoreline of the mainland than in that of islands and those in some stations exceeded the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Moreover, the concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals (except As) in sediment showed relatively good positive correlations with mean grain size, indicating that the concentrations of organic matter and trace metals in intertidal sediment of the study region are dependent on grain size of sediment. Pollution evaluation for trace metals using geochemical assessment techniques, such as enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, and SQGs, suggested that the intertidal sediments in the study region show light pollution with Cr and moderate pollution with As. More extensive interdisciplinary studies are required to determine the potential causes of As pollution in intertidal sediment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.149-156
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• 1999

In the United States (U.S.), the monitored natural attenuation (MNA) approach has been used as an alternative remedial option for organic and inorganic compounds retained in soil and dissolved in groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines the MNA as“in-situ naturally-occurring processes include biodegradation, diffusion, dilution, sorption, volatilization, and/or chemical and biochemical stabilization of contaminants and reduce contaminant toxicity, mobility or volume to the levels that are protective of human health and the environment”. The Department of Soil Environment. National Institute Environmental Research (NIER) is in the process for demonstrating the MNA approach as a potential remedial option for the BTEX contaminated site in Uiwang City. The project is charactering the research site in terms of the nature and extend of contamination, biological degradation rate, and geochemical and hydrological properties. The microbial-degradation rate and effectiveness of nutrient and redox supplements will be determined through laboratory batch and column tests. The geochemical process will be monitored for determining the concentration changes of chemical species involved in the electron transfer processes that include methanogenesis, sulfate and iron reduction, denitrification, and aerobic respiration. Through field works, critical soil and hydrogeologic parameters will be acquired to simulate the effects of dispersion, advection, sorption, and biodegradation on the fate and transport of the dissolved-phase BTEX plume using Bioplume III model. The objectives of this multi-years research project are (1) to evaluate the MNA approach using the BTEX contaminated site in Uiwang City, (2) to establish a standard protocol for future application of the approach, (3) to investigate applicability of the passive approach as a secondary treatment remedy after active treatments. In this presentation, the overall picture and philosophy behind the MNA approach will be reviewed. Detailed discussions of the site characterization/monitoring plans and risk-based decision-making processes for the demonstration site will be included.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.129-135
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• 2000

Four types of land use were selected for sampling and study with different characteristics of heavy metal contamination during the period from August 1998 to June 2000. A series of studies have been carried out concerning the physicochemical characteristics of the sediments settling down in a gully pot to evaluate the contamination of Pb, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr and Cu. An examination of six elements indicated that Zn, Cu and Pb were the heavy metals severely impacted by anthropogenic input in Seoul. An assessment of 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban runoff and ground water was conducted based on samples collected from 31 sites and 12 wells, respectively, in Seoul City. The higher levels of alkyl benzenes in urban runoff indicated that Seoul areas were mainly contaminated through traffic sources.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 1990

Uranium solubilities have been calculated for a range of conditions expected in a nuclear waste disposal repository. Variables taken into consideration include the pH and Eh range expected for deep groundeaters, the effect of the composition of groundwater. The model used in these calculations is based on the assumption of chemical equilibrium. Calculations show that the major variables influencing uranium solubility under the repository conditions are pH and Eh. The results of this study can be applied to an assessment of the nuclear waste disposal.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.333-338
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to understand the pollution level of the surface sediment of Sihwa Lake by assessing its geochemical characteristics and investigating the spatial distribution of trace metals and organic matter. In the surface sediment of Sihwa lake, the mean grain size was between 2.94 and 6.35 Ø and the main type of sediment was sandy silt. The concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Ni, V and Li among the metal elements in the surface sediment were correlated with the mean crust concentration (p<0.05). Based on the strong correlation between the metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and organic matter (Ignition Loss), the concentrations of these metal elements seem to be controlled by the organic matter dilution effect. The trace metal pollution level, determined by applying the Republic of Korea Marine environmental standard and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's sediment quality guidelines, showed the pollution level of As to be either close to or in excess of the above-mentioned standards at almost all levels. The enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index of As showed that there was an incremental increase of pollution by elements other than V, Cr, Co, Fe, Al and Mn. Moreover, the nearby industrial area and dike were more polluted than the other areas, so the surface sediments in Sihwa lake should be monitored by taking into consideration the geological variations.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.251-261
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• 2023

Background: This paper deals with the study of natural radioactivity in rocks from Ogun State in Southwestern Nigeria. The aim is to determine radiation emissions from rocks in order to estimate radiation hazard indices. Objectives: The following objectives were targeted: 1. To determine radiation emissions from each type of rocks; 2. To estimate radiation hazard indices based on the rocks; 3. To correlate the activity concentrations of radionuclides with major oxides. Methods: The samples were analyzed using a NaI (Tl) gamma ray spectrometric detector and PerkinElmer AAnalyst 400 AAS spectrometer. Results: The activity of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th were found in order of decreasing magnitude from pegmatite>granite>migmatite. In contrast, lower concentrations were found in shale, phosphate, clay stone, sandstone and limestone. The mean absorbed doses were 125±23 nGyh^-1 (migmatite), 74±13 nGy/h (granite), 72±13 nGyh^-1 (pegmatite), 64±09 nGyh^-1 (quartzite), 45±16 nGyh^-1 (shale), 41±09 nGyh^-1 (limestone), 41±11 nGyh^-1 (clay stone), 24±03 nGyh^-1 (phosphate), and 21±10 nGyh^-1 (sandstone). The outdoor effective dose rates in all rock samples were slightly higher than the world average dose value of 0.34 mSvy^-1. The percentage composition of SiO₂ in the rock samples was above 50 wt% except for in the limestone, shale and phosphate. Al₂O₃ ranged from 4.10~21.24 wt%, Fe₂O₃ from 0.39~7.5 wt%, and CaO from 0.09-46.6 wt%. In addition, Na₂O and K₂O were present in at least 5 wt%. Other major oxides, including TiO₂, P₂O₅, K₂O, MnO, MgO and Na₂O were depleted. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Ogun State may be described as a region with elevated background radiation. It is recommended that houses should be constructed with good cross ventilation and residences should use home radiation monitoring instruments to monitor radon emanating from walls.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2010

This research aims to gain the result of assessment of inflow categorized by runoff path using DIROM (Daily Irrigation Reservoir Operation Model) for Baengnyeong-myeon reservior which was built for residents of Baengnyeong island to solve the shortage of drinking water and stable supply of domestic water. The simulation results of DIROM and actual hydrograph of the reservoir show very low correlation with geological characteristics. The simulation results by DIROM after adjusting with modified Tank III model which considers all outflow from Tank II model as interflow among 3 level tanks show good correlation of its regional runoff and inflow characteristics with $R^2$=0.9058. In the study area, diffluence of 37% of rain fall of the study year has been simulated, which shows low result compared to the average river runoff of national water resource. In addition, 34.5% of total inflow to the study reservoir is mainly interflow and baseflow among expected several channels.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.60-84
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• 2011

This study accomplished technology improvement assessment of Gashydrate R&D project using ANP method which can deal with the sophisticated decisions involving a variety of interactions and dependencies. Criteria were selected by consultation and questionnaires with experts in four technology parts of gas hydrate project, and then the network was formed from relation with criteria and alternatives. As the result of analysis, the weight matrix was derived and the various relation in the network was able to be verified. The analysis was accomplished with four technology parts - geophysical exploration technology, geological and geochemical technology, analysis of deep-drill cores and stability technology, production technology - and the 'reliability' criterion ranked the highest of all parts. The rank of other criteria and the result of technology improvement assessment reflected the level of each technology. Thus, the result of this study will contribute to policy decision-making for developing and evaluating gas hydrate technology and other R&D projects.