• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2023

The fine particulate structure of biochar limits its use as a heavy metal adsorbent, and makes separation of the biochar from the solution technically challenging, thereby reducing recovery of the heavy metals. To address this issue, this study prepared biochar beads under various mixing conditions and investigated their efficiency in removing Pb from aqueous solutions using adsorption models. The biochar beads were produced by mixing alginate and biochar at different ratios: alginate bead (AB), 1% biochar + bead (1-BB), 2.5% biochar + bead (2.5-BB), and 5% biochar + bead (5-BB). The results revealed that the Freundlich isothermal adsorption pattern of the biochar beads to Pb was of the L-type. The highest Langmuir isothermal adsorption capacity (28.736 mg/g) was observed in the 2.5-BB treatment. The dominant mechanism among the kinetic adsorption characteristics of biochar beads for Pb was chemical adsorption. Additionally, the optimal pH range for Pb adsorption was found to be between 4 and 5.5. The highest Pb removal efficiency (97.9%) was achieved when 26.6 g/L of biochar beads were used. These findings suggest that biochar beads are an economical and highly efficient adsorbent that enables separation and recovery of fine biochar particles.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.1211-1216
• /
• 2004

A MNNG (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) induced chromium resistant strain ($Cr^{r}18$) of unicellular cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans has been isolated and characterized. The resistant strain could grow (although restricted to $50\%$ of control) in chromium concentration (180${\mu}M$) lethal to the wild-type. Sublethal ($160{\mu}M$) concentration of $Cr^{6+}$ significantly reduced (13-$37.5$) all the photosynthetic pigments of A. nidulans with maximum reduction in phycoerythrin followed by ChI $\alpha$. Pigments of A. nidulans were drastically decreased in lethal concentration of Cr^{6+} with maximum reduction in phycoerythrin ($75\%$) and allophycocyanin ($67.5\%$). Resistant strain $Cr^{r}18$ resisted toxic effects of sublethal and lethal concentrations of $Cr^{6+}$ on photosynthetic pigments as revealed by less decrease in pigments as compared to A. nidulans. Effect of $Cr^{6+}$ stress was also studied on nitrogen assimilation and phosphate uptake. Sublethal concentration of $Cr^{6+}$ drastically reduced ($71.5\%$) nitrate uptake by A. nidulans while a decrease of $29\%$ was observed in strain $Cr^{r}18$. Short (2 day) exposure of A. nidulans and its resistant strain $Cr^{r}18\;to\;Cr^{6+}$ did not affect nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase (transferase), whereas longer (10 day) exposure to $Cr^{6+}$ lowered activities of both enzymes in A. nidulans but not significantly in the strain $Cr^{r}18$. Ammonium uptake by both strains was not affected by $Cr^{6+}$. Thus, $Cr^{6+}$ affected photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen assimilation, and phosphate uptake of A. nidulans, while strain $Cr^{r}18$ was able to resist toxic effects of the metal. Advantages of using strain $Cr^{r}18$ for bioremediation purposes have been evaluated by studying $Cr^{6+}$ removal from the solution. Resistant strain $Cr^{r}18$ was able to remove $33\%$ more $Cr^{6+}$ than A. nidulans and thus it can prove to be a good candidate for bioremediation of $Cr^{6+}$ from polluted waters.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.11
• /
• pp.3940-3955
• /
• 2023

A new method of numerical simulating prediction and decontamination effect evaluation for abrasive jet decontamination to radioactively contaminated metal is proposed. Based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Model (CFD-DEM) coupled simulation model, the motion patterns and distribution of abrasives can be predicted, and the decontamination effect can be evaluated by image processing and recognition technology. The impact of three key parameters (impact distance, inlet pressure, abrasive mass flow rate) on the decontamination effect is revealed. Moreover, here are experiments of reliability verification to decontamination effect and numerical simulation methods that has been conducted. The results show that: ⁶⁰Co and other homogeneous solid solution radioactive pollutants can be removed by abrasive jet, and the average removal rate of Co exceeds 80%. It is reliable for the proposed numerical simulation and evaluation method because of the well goodness of fit between predicted value and actual values: The predicted values and actual values of the abrasive distribution diameter are Ф57 and Ф55; the total coverage rate is 26.42% and 23.50%; the average impact velocity is 81.73 m/s and 78.00 m/s. Further analysis shows that the impact distance has a significant impact on the distribution of abrasive particles on the target surface, the coverage rate of the core area increases at first, and then decreases with the increase of the impact distance of the nozzle, which reach a maximum of 14.44% at 300 mm. It is recommended to set the impact distance around 300 mm, because at this time the core area coverage of the abrasive is the largest and the impact velocity is stable at the highest speed of 81.94 m/s. The impact of the nozzle inlet pressure on the decontamination effect mainly affects the impact kinetic energy of the abrasive and has little impact on the distribution. The greater the inlet pressure, the greater the impact kinetic energy, and the stronger the decontamination ability of the abrasive. But in return, the energy consumption is higher, too. For the decontamination of radioactively contaminated metals, it is recommended to set the inlet pressure of the nozzle at around 0.6 MPa. Because most of the Co elements can be removed under this pressure. Increasing the mass and flow of abrasives appropriately can enhance the decontamination effectiveness. The total mass of abrasives per unit decontamination area is suggested to be 50 g because the core area coverage rate of the abrasive is relatively large under this condition; and the nozzle wear extent is acceptable.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.329-336
• /
• 2006

Iron manufacturing process involves production of various by-product including slag, sludge, sintering and EAF(Electric Arc furnace dust). Some of the by-products such as EAF and sintering dust are disposed of as waste due to their high heavy metal contents. It has been notice for many years that the EAF dust also contain about 65% of Fe(0) and Fe(II) and then the possible utilization of the iron. One possibility is to apply the EAF as a lining material in conjunction with clay or HDPE liners, in waste landfill. The probable reaction between the leachate containing toxic elements such as TCE, PCE dioxine and $Cr^{6+}$ is reduction of the toxic materials in corresponding to the oxidation of the reduced iron and therefore diminishing the toxicity of the leachate. It is, however, prerequisite to evaluate the leaching characteristics of the EAF dust before application. Amelioration of the leachate would be archived only when the level of toxic elements in the treated leachate is less than that of in the untreated leachate. Several leaching techniques were selected to cover different conditions and variable environments including time, pH and contact method. The testing methods include availability test, pH-stat test and continuous column test. Cr and Zn are potentially leachable elements among the trace metals. The pH of the EAF dust is highly alkaline, recording around 12 and Zn is unlikely to be leached under the condition. On the contrary Cr is more leachable under alkaline environment. However, the released Cr should be reduced to $Cr^{3+}$ and then removed as $Cr(OH)_3$. Removal of the Cr is observed in the column test and further study on the specific reaction of Cr and EAF dust is underway.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.63-71
• /
• 2002

The authors selected the modified soil method, and then performed the geotechnical and environmental laboratory test, and evaluated whether the modified soil liner could be accepted as a barrier layer in landfill. Unlike the results of the natural soil(CL), those of the hydraulic conductivity test of stabilized soil met the standard value. According to these results, the optimal mixing ratio of a mixture(cement : bentonite : stabilizing agent) was 90 : 60 : 1 with mass ratio(kg) for 1㎥ with soil, and it was possible to use poor quality bentonite. B\circled2 because of a little difference from results with high quality bentonite. B\circled1. The Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC) of the modified soil was increased about 1.5 times compared with the natural soil; however. the change of CEC with a sort of additives was not detected. In order to observe the change of the chemical components and crystal structures, the natural and the modified soils with the sorts of additives were measured by the XRF(X-Ray Flourescence Spectrometer) and SEM, but there was no significant change. The artificial leachate with the heavy meals ($Pb^{2+}$ , $Cu^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ Zn$^{2+}$ 100mg/L) was passed through the natural soil and modified soils in columns. In the natural soil, Cd$^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ were identified, simultaneously the pH of outflow was lower, and then came to the breakthrough point. The removal efficiency of the natural soil was showed in order of following : $Pb^{2+}$ ≒$Cu^{2+}$ > $Zn^{2+}$ > $Cd^{2+}$ On the other hand, modified soils were not showed the breakthrough condition like the result of the natural soil. The modified soil with the lower quality bentonite, B\circled2(column3) was more stable with respect to chemical attack than that with the higher bentonite, B\circled1(column2) because the change range of outflow pH in columns was less than that of outflow pH in column2. In addition, the case of adding the stabilizing agent(column4) was markedly showed the phenomena.ena.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2004

To choose a organic acid and in-organic acid composite which is the most effective in soil-flushing process cleaning lead-contaminated sites, lead removal rates were investigated in the experiments with some organic acids; 0.01M of EDTA showed the highest lead-extraction rate ($69.4\%$) compared to the other organic acids. Furthermore, the lead removal rates were measured with 0.01M of EDIA and 0.1M of in-organic acid ; a EDTA and boric acid composite showed the highest lead-extraction rate ($68.8\%$) at pH5 compared to the other composites. As the concentration of boric acid was increased from 0.1M to 0.4M in a 0.01M of EDTA and boric acid composite, lead removal rate was decreased from $68\%\;to\;45\%$. But as the concentration of EDTA was increased from 0.01M to 0.04M in a EDTA and 0.1M of boric acid composite, permeability was decreased from $6.98{\times}10^{-4}cm/sec$ (0.01M of EDTA) to $5.99{\times}10^{-4}cm/sec$ (0.04M of EDTA). However, permeability was increased from $4.41{\times}10^{-4}cm/sec$ (0.03M of EDTA) to $6.26{\times}10^{-4}cm/sec$ (0.03M of EDTA and 0.1M of boric acid composite). indicating EDTA could increase lead dissolution/extraction rate and decrease permeability. In this system, lead remediation rate is the function of lead dissolution rate from soils and permeability of the composite into soils, and the optimized [EDTA]/[Boric acid] ratio is [0.01M]/[0.1M].

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
• /
• v.17 no.11
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2016

In this study, by using a Effective Microorganisms Brewing Cycle, it confirmed the purification effect of pollutants that are adsorbed on the basins stench removal and retarding soil. On the basis of on-site application test, a soil decontamination system will be suggested. Using a Effective Microorganisms Brewing Cycle, the odor concentration is reduced 2.5 times than that of natural purification treatment method. It was measured and found that the quality of the pore water discharged from the soil is improved. In addition, it was found that a composite of copper and lead with the fermentation microorganisms adsorbed on soil particles from the surface of the stirred experiments lagoon mixed soil is reduced to 65% and 66%, respectively, The TPH organic component was confirmed that the reduction effect of 85%. Restoration of reservoir contaminated soils using the effective microorganism brewing cycle needs to be more developed and implemented as a long-term purification system. This study may be a good reference of developing more complete microorganism brewing system which will efficiently reduce the odor and soil contamination based on optimal stirring and mixing ratio of the compound solutions and contaminated soils in reservoir.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.413-419
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to find out the cadmium (Cd) accumulation and tolerance of Iris pseudacorus and Acorus calamus as aquatic plants native to Korea for Cd removal in water. In the range of Cd concentration from $10{\mu}M$ to $130{\mu}M$, the Cd lethal dose 50 ($LD_{50}$) was $78.5{\mu}M$ in I. pseudacorus and $47.6{\mu}M$ in A. calamus. In I. pseudacorus, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase as antioxidants were relatively effective against oxidative stress caused by Cd, while catalase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenolics were effective in A. calamus. The polyphenolics known as typical antioxidants were not detected in I. pseudacorus. In both species, the Cd accumulation in plants increased with the higher Cd concentration and the longer processing period. Also, the absorbed Cd was accumulated mainly in the roots. The amount of Cd accumulated in the shoot part was maximally $548.1mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ (82.1% to Cd accumulated in the root part) in I. pseudacorus and $121.4mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ (13.7%) in A. calamus, which implied that both species all were enough evaluated as Cd hyper-accumulators based on 0.01% or more Cd accumulation in the shoot. Especially I. pseudacorus showed outstanding ability to move well Cd into the shoots from the roots and high tolerance to Cd stress.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.185-190
• /
• 2001

Alginate, a well-known biopolymer, is universally applied for immobilization of microbial cells. Biosorption characteristics of lead by waste biomass of immobilized A. niger beads, used in fermentation industries to produce citric acid, were studied. The immobilized A. niger beads, prepared via capillary extrusion method using calcium chloride, were applied in the removal of lead. Pb uptake was the highest in A. niger beads cells grown for 3 days with medium producing citric acid (12% sucrose, 0.5% $NH_4NO_3$, 0.1% $KH_2PO_4$, and 0.025% $MgSO_4$). Lead uptake by the immobilized A. niger beads and free A. niger mycellia beads increased sharply with time. However, while uptake by the immobilized A. niger beads continued to increase slowly, that by free A. niger mycellia beads stopped after 30 min. The optimum pH and temperature of lead uptake were found to be 6 and $35^{\circ}C$, respectively. The maximum uptake of lead was achieved with $50{\sim}100$ beads and 50 ml lead solution in a 250-ml Erlenmeyer flask, while, at over 100 beads, uptake of the lead decreased. The order of biosorption capacity for heavy metals was Pb>Cu>Cd. Pb uptake capacity of the immobilized A. niger beads treated with 0.1 M $CaCI_2$, 0.1 M NaOH, and 0.1 M KOH decreased compared to the untreated beads. On testing the desorption of Pb from the immobilized A. niger beads, re-uptake of Pb was found possible after desorption of the binding metal with 0.1 M HCI.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.10
• /
• pp.1410-1416
• /
• 2009

The present study aims to examine the effect of turbid water on fishes in streams which branch into a turbid water area (Yeongyang-gun) and a non-turbid water area (Cheongsong-gun), and finally flow into the Imha reservoir. In a comparison of water quality, the chemical status of the water showed higher pH, DO and SS in the turbid water area than in the non-turbid water area. Also, high density of clay minerals such as vermiculite (V) and illite (I), which is from clay mineral leakage during rainfall, was detected in turbid water, resulting in an increase of turbidity. Fishes inhabiting the turbid water showed irregular spaces in gill lamella, cell separation, edema, and clubbing in epithelial tissues. Also, the gill surface showed roughness and plenty of muddy debris substances inside the gills. The Bowman's space was expanded because of contraction of the glomerulus in the Bowman's space of the kidney tissues. Antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX, and GST showed higher activities in the specific tissues, muscles and kidney, of fishes living in turbid water than in the non-turbid area. We suggested that; first, the antioxidant activities were increased due to removal of harmful radicals generated in fish bodies in the turbid water area, second, long-time exposure of these histological changes in the tissues might have induced secondary lesion accompanying the inaccurate physiological constancy of fishes.