• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.137-146
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• 2018

Soil washing is one of the most frequently used remediation technologies for heavy metal-contaminated soils. Inorganic and organic acids and chelating agents that can enhance the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils have been employed as soil washing agents. However, the toxicity, low removal efficiency and high cost of these chemicals limit their use. Given that humic substance (HS) can effectively chelate heavy metals, the development of an eco-friendly, performance-efficient and cost-effective soil washing agent using a nano-scale chelator composed of HS was examined in this study. Copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were selected as target heavy metals. In soil washing experiments, HS concentration, pH, soil:washing solution ratio and extraction time were evaluated with regard to washing efficiency and the chelation effect. The highest removal rates by soil washing (69% for Cu and 56% for Pb) were achieved at an HS concentration of 1,000 mg/L and soil:washing solution ratio of 1:25. Washing with HS was found to be effective when the pH value was higher than 8, which can be attributed to the increased chelation effect between HS and heavy metals at the high pH range. In contrast, the washing efficiency decreased markedly in the low pH range due to HS precipitation. The chelation capacities for Cu and Pb in the aqueous phase were determined to be 0.547mmol-Cu/g-HS and 0.192mmol-Pb/g-HS, respectively.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.42-51
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• 2004

Peat humin(p-Humin), humic acid(p-HA) and fulvic acid(p-FA) were isolated from Canadian Sphagnum peat moss by dissolution in 0.1M NaOH followed by acid precipitation. After purification cycles, they are characterized for their elemental compositions and, acid/base properties. Functionalities and carbon structures of the humic fractions were also characterized using FT-IR and solid state $^{13}C$-NMR spectroscopy. Those results are compared with one another and with soil humic substances from literatures. Main purpose of this study was to present a chemical and spectroscopic characterization data of humic substance from peat moss needed to evaluate its environmental applicability. The relative proportions of the p-Humin, p-HA and p-FA in the peat moss was $76\%,\;18\%,\;and\;3\%$, respectively, based on the total organic matter content ($957{\pm}32\;g/kg$). Elemental composition of p-Humin were found to be $C_{1.00}H_{1.52}O_{0.79}N_{0.01}$ and had higher H/C and (N+O)/C ratio compared to those of p-HA($C_{1.00}H_{1.09}O_{0.51}N_{0.02}$) and p-FA($C_{1.00}H_{1.08}O_{0.65}N_{0.01}$). Based on the analysis of pH titration data, there are two different types of acidic functional groups in the peat moss and its humic fractions and their proton exchange capacities(PEC, meq/g) were in the order p-FA(4.91) >p-HA(4.09) >p-Humin(2.38). IR spectroscopic results showed that the functionalities of the peat moss humic molecules are similar to those of soil humic substances, and carboxylic acid(-COOH) is main function group providing metal binding sites for Cd(II) sorption. Spectral features obtained from $^{13}C$-NMR indicated that peat moss humic molecules have rather lower degree of humification, and that important structural differences exist between p-Humin and soluble humic fractions(p-HA and p-FA).

• Membrane Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2003

This study was carried to investigate the effect of humic acid and kaloin which cause the turbidity and organic substance component for optimization of drinking water treatment process using the membrane separation. Also we were ovserved the optimum operating condition which flux was stabilized, while specific resistance value in membrane was minimized. As the result, the membrane separation was operated at low specific resistance value with the increase of the pressure. And then, cake load decreased by high velocity with the increase of the linear velocity, and the tendency in which specific resistance value and flux increased. Therefore, we confirmed the optimum operating condition as pressure $2.0 kgf/cm^2,$ 0.92 m/sec linear velocity.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.353-360
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• 2003

The concentration of $^{137}Cs$, the particle size, and the contents of TOC, H, N and S were measured for sediments collected in the adjacent sea to Yangnam, Korea. The concentrations of $^{137}Cs$ in sediments are in the range of $^{137}Cs$ for sediments strongly depend on particle size and TOC content of sediments. The results of multiple regression analysis suggest that humic substances may have great influence on the deposition of $^{137}Cs$ in sediment.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2021

This study investigated the fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a water reclamation facility (WRF) in Korea. The WRF consists of coagulation, sedimentation, microfiltration, and reverse osmosis (RO) components. The production capacity of WRF is 90,000 m³/day. The reclaimed water is reused as industrial water. We also characterized DOM in raw, processed, and finished waters based on analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UVA₂₅₄), fluorescence excitation emission matrix (FEEM), and DOC fractions via liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD). Based on the results of DOC, UVA₂₅₄, and FEEM analyses, neither the coagulation/sedimentation nor the microfiltration at the WRF effectively removed DOM. The RO process removed more than 94% of DOM. The raw water (i.e., secondary treated effluent obtained from a wastewater treatment plant) exhibited tryptophan-like peaks, which are a promising marker of wastewater, in the FEEM analysis. Coagulation and microfiltration failed to eliminate the wastewater marker, whereas RO completely removed it. The raw water also carried high levels (89.4%) of hydrophilic and low-molecular weight substances, which are difficult to remove via coagulation-sedimentation or microfiltration. Humic substance was a major component of the hydrophilic fractions. Based on the LC-OCD analysis, RO effectively removed the humic and polymeric materials from DOM.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.98-107
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• 2016

This study examined the effects of environmental conditions and the presence of refractory organic matter on oxidation rates of total organic carbon (TOC) measurements based on high temperature combustion and ultraviolet-sulfate methods. Spectroscopic indices for prediction of oxidation rates were also explored using the UV spectra and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) of humic acids. Furthermore, optimum TOC instrument conditions were suggested by comparing oxidation rates of a standard TOC material under various conditions. Environmental conditions included salts, reduced ions, and suspended solids. Salts had the greatest influence on oxidation rates in the UV-sulfate method. However, no effect was detected in the high temperature combustion method. The UV-sulfate method showed lower humic substance oxidation rates, refractory natural organic matter, compared to the other methods. TOC oxidation rates for the UV-sulfate method were negatively correlated with higher specific-UV absorbance, humification index, and humic-like EEM peak intensities, suggesting that these spectroscopic indices could be used to predict TOC oxidation rates. TOC signals from instruments using the UV-sulfate method increased with increasing chamber temperature and increasing UV exposure durations. Signals were more sensitive to the former condition, suggesting that chamber temperature is important for improving the TOC oxidation rates of refractory organic matter.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2005

Natural organic matter(NOM) is defined as the complex matrix of organic material and abundant in natural waters. It affects the performance of unit operations for water purification. Several kinds of analytical indicators such as DOC, specific ultraviolet absorbance(SUVA), apparent molecular weight (AMW), fractionation and high performance size exclusive chromatography(HPSEC) have been used to understand characteristics and variations of NOM. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of NOM in the Geum River system comprising with stream flows and reservoirs. It was identified that SUVA denoting the portion of humic substance in water ranged within 1.60~3.36. Using resin adsorbents, dissolved organic carbon(DOC) was fractionated into three classes: hydrophobic bases(HOB), hydrophobic acids(HOA) and hydrophilic substances(HI). HI dominates in all samples, collectively accounting for more than 62% of the DOC. HOA was the second dominated fraction and it varied considerably but accounted for about 30% of the DOC. The distribution of high molecular weight(HMW) measured by HPSEC being used to determine the molecular weight distribution of aquatic humic substances was 40.1% and 38.7% in reservoir and stream flow, respectively. The distribution of low molecular weight(LMW) in stream flow was 13.2% higher than that in reservoir. And apparent molecular weight less than 1KDa, which include the molecular weight of hydrophilic organic matter, occupied with 69.2% and 68.2% in stream flow and reservoir, respectively. While the molecular weight of 1 to 100 KDa including humic substances ranged with 18.6% and 21.6% in stream flow and reservoir, respectively. Seasonal variation of refractory dissolved organic carbon was similar to that of SUVA.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.344-354
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• 2021

Optical methods such as UV and fluorescence spectrophotometers can be applied not only in the qualitative analysis of dissolved organic matter (DOM), but also in real-time quantitative DOM monitoring for wastewater and natural water. In this study, we measure the UV₂₅₄ and fluorescence excitation emission spectra for a sewage treatment plant influent and effluent, and river water before and after sewage effluent flows into the river to examine the composition and origin of DOM. In addition, a correlation analysis between quantified DOM characteristics and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was conducted. Based on the fluorescence excitation emission spectra analysis, it was confirmed that the protein-type tryptophan-like DOM was the dominant substance in the influent, and that the organic matter exhibited relatively more humic properties after biological treatment. However, DOM in river water showed the fluorescence characteristics of terrestrial humic-like and algal tyrosine-like (protein-like) organic matter. In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted between the DOC and optical indices such as UV₂₅₄, the fluorescence intensity of protein-like and humic-like organic matter, then DOC prediction models were suggested for wastewater and river monitoring during non-rainfall and rainfall events. This study provides basic information that can improve the understanding of the contribution of DOC concentration by DOM components, and can be used for organic carbon concentration management in wastewater and natural water.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2024

A study was performed to investigate the positive impacts of humic substances (HS) on the growth of green barley, a type of green manure plant. The study was conducted in a pot culture using two different types of reclaimed soils that had been treated by land farming (DDC) and thermal desorption (YJ) methods, respectively. The experimental conditions consisted of three treatments: plant only (P), plant plus 2% HS, and no plant (control). After 89 days of culture in a controlled growth chamber, the growth of spring barley and activity of seven soil enzymes were measured. The results indicated that the addition of HS had a substantial (p<0.10) positive effect on shoot biomass in both types of soil. Furthermore, the addition of HS notably (p<0.05) enhanced all seven soil enzyme activities in both soils. Both the aboveground and belowground parts of barley plants were returned to soil and aged for 10 weeks in the same growth chamber, which resulted in notable enhancement in soil health indicators. These improvements included an increase in organic matter, a drop in bulk density, and an increase in the activity of seven different soil enzymes. When lentil seeds were planted in the aged soils, the development of the seedlings was more vigorous than that in the control in both soils, although allelopathy of barley suppressed lentil germination in soil with pH 7.0 but not in soil with pH 8.5.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.453-461
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• 2000

Aquatic humic substance (AHS) was extracted from Soyang lake water using XAD-8 resin. and its concentration distribution in the lake from May to October. 1997 was determined. Ozonation characteristics of the AHS were studied as factors of pH, carbonate ion concentration. and the biodegradability and structural changes of the AHS were also investigated after ozonaticn. DOC distribution in Soyang Lake water was 1~3 mg/L. and the concentrations of AHS ranged between 0.2~0.8 mg/L. which was corresponding to 20~30% of DOC. AHS was composed of around 20% of HA and 80% of FA. The optimum pH value for AHS ozonation was in range of pH 7~9. When carbonate ions were added for AHS ozonation as a ladical scavenger. it was found that DOC removals were decreased. and the absorbance decreases were increased slightly. Biodegradability of the ozonized AHS was 50% higher than that of unozonated AHS. $^{13}C-NMR$ analysis showed that the aromatic compounds of AHS, after ozonation, were decreased from 49% to 17%. and the aliphatic and carboxylic compounds were increased from 34% to 51% and from 17% to 32%. respectively.