• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2009

Reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and its toxicity change were predicted by the linear free energy relationship (LFER) model to assess the zero-valent iron (ZVI) and anaerobic dechlorinating bacteria (ADB) as electron donors in PCDDs dechlorination. Reductive dechlorination of PCDDs involves 256 reactions linking 76 congeners with highly variable toxicities, so is challenging to assess the overall effect of this process on the environmental impact of PCDD contamination. The Gibbs free energies of PCDDs in aqueous solution were updated to density functional theory (DFT) calculation level from thermodynamic results of literatures. All of dechlorination kinetics of PCDDs was evaluated from the linear correlation between the experimental dechlorination kinetics of PCDDs and the calculated thermodynamics of PCDDs. As a result, it was predicted that over 100 years would be taken for the complete dechlorination of octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) to non-chlorinated compound (dibenzo-p-dioxin, DD), and the toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) of PCDDs could increase to 10 times larger from initial TEQ with the dechlorination process. The results imply that the single reductive dechlorination using ZVI or ADB is not suitable for the treatment strategy of PCDDs contaminated soil, sediment and fly ash. This LFER approach is applicable for the prediction of dechlorination process for organohalogen compounds and for the assessment of electron donating system for treatment strategies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.395-401
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• 2009

The smectite-illite (SI) reaction is a ubiquitous process in siliciclastic sedimentary environments. For the last 4 decades the importance of smectite to illite (S-I) reaction was described in research papers and reports, as the degree of the (S-I) reaction, termed "smectite illitization", is linked to the exploration of hydrocarbons, and geochemical/petrophysical indicators. The S-I transformation has been thought that the reaction, explained either by layer-by-layer mechanism in the solid state or dissolution/reprecipitation process, was entirely abiotic and to require burial, heat, and time to proceed, however few studies have taken into account the bacterial activity. Recent laboratory studies showed evidence suggesting that the structural ferric iron (Fe(III)) in clay minerals can be reduced by microbial activity and the role of microorganisms is to link organic matter oxidation to metal reduction, resulting in the S-I transformation. In abiotic systems, elevated temperatures are typically used in laboratory experiments to accelerate the smectite to illite reaction in order to compensate for a long geological time in nature. However, in biotic systems, bacteria may catalyze the reaction and elevated temperature or prolonged time may not be necessary. Despite the important role of microbe in S-I reaction, factors that control the reaction mechanism are not clearly addressed yet. This paper, therefore, overviews the current status of microbially mediated smectite-to-illite reaction studies and characterization techniques.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.30-40
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• 2021

The present study investigates the bioleaching efficiencies of arsenic via contact and non-contact mechanisms. The attachment of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was restricted by a partition system comprising a semi-permeable membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 12-14 kDa. The results were compared for two arsenic concentrations in the system (1.0% and 0.5% w/v) to maintain a homogeneous system. The overall bacterial performance was monitored by comparing total arsenic and iron concentrations, Fe ion speciation, pH, and solution redox potentials in flask bioleaching experiments over a period of 10 d. Our results indicated that bacterial attachment could increase arsenic extraction efficiency from 20.0% to 44.9% at 1.0 % solid concentrations. These findings suggest that the bacterial contact mechanism greatly influences arsenic bioleaching from mine tailings. Therefore, systems involving two-step or non-contact bioleaching are less effective than those involving one-step or contact bioleaching for the efficient extraction of arsenic from mine tailings.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.spc
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• pp.51-63
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• 2022

In this study, the TPH(Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) contamination and microbial ecological characteristics in petroleum-contaminated site were investigated through the correlation among the vertical TPH contamination distribution of the site, the geochemical characteristics, and the indigenous microbial ecology. The high TPH concentration showed in the vicinity of 3~4 m or less which is thought to be affected by vertical movement due to the impervious clay layer. In addition, the TPH concentration was found to have a positive correlation with Fe²⁺, TOC concentration, and the number of petroleum-degrading bacteria, and a negative correlation with the microbial community diversity. The microbial community according to the vertical distribution of TPH showed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level were dominant in this study area as a whole, and they competed with each other. In particular, it was confirmed that the difference in the microbial community was different due to the difference in the degree of vertical TPH contamination. In addition, the genera Acidovorax, Leptolinea, Rugoshibacter, and Smithella appeared dominant in the samples in which TPH was detected, which is considered to be the microorganisms involved in the degradation of TPH in this study area. It is expected that this study can be used as an important data to understand the contamination characteristics and biogeochemical and microbial characteristics of these TPH-contaminated sites.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.605-616
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• 2022

We prepared two samples of ultrafine ferrihydrite (FH) nanoparticle ensembles of quite a different origin. First is the biosynthesized sample (as a product of the vital activity of bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca (hereinafter marked as FH-bact) with a natural organic coating and negligible magnetic interparticle interactions. And the second one is the chemically synthesized ferrihydrite (hereinafter FH-chem) without any coating and high level of the interparticle interactions. The interparticle magnetic interactions have been tuned by modifying the nanoparticle surface in both samples. The coating of the FH-bact sample has been partially removed by annealing at 150℃ for 24 h (hereinafter FH-annealed). The FH-chem sample, vice versa, has been coated (1.0 g) with biocompatible polysaccharide (arabinogalactan) in an ultrasonic bath for 10 min (hereinafter FH-coated). The changes in the surface properties of nanoparticles have been controlled by XPS. According to the electron microscopy data, the modification of the nanoparticle surface does not drastically change the particle shape and size. A change in the average nanoparticle size in sample FH-annealed to 3.3 nm relative to the value in the other samples (2.6 nm) has only been observed. The estimated particle coating thickness is about 0.2-0.3 nm for samples FH-bact and FH-coated and 0.1 nm for sample FH-annealed. Mössbauer and magnetization measurements are definitely shown that the drastic change in the blocking temperature is caused by the interparticle interactions. The experimental temperature dependences of the hyperfine field hf>(T) for samples FH-bact and FH-coated have not revealed the effect of interparticle interactions. Otherwise, the interparticle interaction energy E_int estimated from the hf>(T) for samples FH-chem and FH-annealed has been found to be 121k_B and 259k_B, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.418-429
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• 2011

Novel chromium(III), manganese(II), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), ruthenium(III), and zirconyl(II) complexes of $N^1,N^2$-bis(3-((3-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methylene-amino)propyl)phthalamide ($H_4L$, 1) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental, physical, and spectral analyses. The spectral data showed that the ligand behaves as either neutral tridentate ligand as in complexes 2-5 with the general formula $[H_4LMX_2(H_2O)]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), X = Cl or $NO_3$), neutral hexadentate ligand as in complexes 10-12 with the general formula $[H_4LM_2Cl_6]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (M=Fe(III), Cr(III) or Ru(III)), or dibasic hexadentate ligand as in complexes 6-9 with the general formula $[H_2LM_2Cl_2(H_2O)_4]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (M = Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) or Mn(II), and 13 with general formula $[H_4L(ZrO)_2Cl_2]{\cdot}8H_2O$. Molar conductance in DMF solution indicated the non-ionic nature of the complexes. The ESR spectra of solid copper(II) complexes 2, 5, and 6 showed $g_{\parallel}$ >g> $g_e$, indicating distorted octahedral structure and the presence of the unpaired electron in the $N^1,N^2$ orbital with significant covalent bond character. For the dimeric copper(II) complex $[H_2LCu_2Cl_2(H_2O)_4]{\cdot}3H_2O$ (6), the distance between the two copper centers was calculated using field zero splitting parameter for the parallel component that was estimated from the ESR spectrum. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the compounds showed that, some of metal complexes exhibited a greater inhibitory effect than standard drug as tetracycline (bacteria) and Amphotricene B (fungi).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2010

Acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned mine sites typically has low pH and contains high level of various heavy metals, aggravating ground- and surface water qualities and neighboring environments. This study investigated removal of heavy metals in a biological treatment system, mainly focusing on the removal by adsorption on a substrate material. Bench-scale batch experiments were performed with a mushroom compost to evaluate the adsorption characteristics of heavy metals leached out from a mine tailing sample and the role of SRB in the overall removal process. In addition, adsorption experiments were perform using an artificial AMD sample containing $Cd^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ to assess adsorption capacity of the mushroom compost. The results indicated Mn leached out from mine tailing was not subject to microbial stabilization or adsorption onto mushroom compost while microbially mediated stabilization played an important role in the removal of Zn. Fe leaching significantly increased in the presence of microbes as compared to autoclaved samples, and this was attributed to dissolution of Fe minerals in the mine tailing in a response to the depletion of $Fe^{3+}$ by iron reduction bacteria. Measurement of oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and pH indicated the reactive mixture maintained reducing condition and moderate pH during the reaction. The results of the adsorption experiments involving artificial AMD sample indicated adsorption removal efficiency was greater than 90% at pH 6 condition, but it decreased at pH 3 condition.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.421-433
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• 2023

The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) from nuclear power plants takes place in a deep geological repository. The metal canister encasing the SNF is made of cast iron and copper, and is engineered to effectively isolate radioactive isotopes for a long period of time. The SNF is further shielded by a multi-barrier disposal system comprising both engineering and natural barriers. The deep disposal environment gradually changes to an anaerobic reducing environment. In this environment, sulfide is one of the most probable substances to induce corrosion of copper canister. Stress-corrosion cracking(SCC) triggered by sulfide can carry substantial implications for the integrity of the copper canister, potentially posing a significant threat to the long-term safety of the deep disposal repository. Sulfate can exist in various forms within the deep disposal environment or be introduced from the geosphere. Sulfate has the potential to be transformed into sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB), and this converted sulfide can contribute to the corrosion of the copper canister. Bentonite, which is considered as a potential material for buffering and backfilling, contains oxidized sulfate minerals such as gypsum(CaSO4). If there is sufficient space for microorganisms to thrive in the deep disposal environment and if electron donors such as organic carbon are adequately supplied, sulfate can be converted to sulfide through microbial activity. However, the majority of the sulfides generated in the deep disposal system or introduced from the geosphere will be intercepted by the buffer, with only a small amount reaching the metal canister. Pyrite, one of the potential sulfide minerals present in the deep disposal environment, can generate sulfates during the dissolution process, thereby contributing to the corrosion of the copper canister. However, the quantity of oxidation byproducts from pyrite is anticipated to be minimal due to its extremely low solubility. Moreover, the migration of these oxidized byproducts to the metal canister will be restricted by the low hydraulic conductivity of saturated bentonite. We have comprehensively analyzed and summarized key research cases related to the presence of sulfates, reduction processes, and the formation and behavior characteristics of sulfides and pyrite in the deep disposal environment. Our objective was to gain an understanding of the impact of sulfates and sulfides on the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.473-479
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• 2012

Water reuse has been highlighted as a representative alternative to solve the lacking water resource. This study carried out a study on the pipe corrosion and water quality change which can occur through the supply of reclaimed water, using a simulated reclaimed water distribution pipeline. Galvanized steel pipe (GSP), cast iron pipe (CIP), stainless steel pipe (STSP) and PVC pipe (PVCP) were used for the pipe materials. Reclaimed water(RW) and tap water(TW) were respectively supplied into simulated reclaimed water distribution pipelines. As a result of performing a loop test to supply reclaimed water to simulated reclaimed water distribution pipelines, the weight reduction of pipe coupons showed the sequence of CIP > GSP > STSP ${\approx}$ PVCP. In addition, reclaimed water showed a high corrosion rate comparing to that of tap water. In case of CIP, the initial corrosion rate showed 3.511 mdd(milligrams per square decimeter per day) for reclaimed water and 2.064 mdd for tap water and the corrosion rate for 90 days showed 0.833 mdd for reclaimed water and 0.294 mdd for tap water. Also in case of GSP, the initial corrosion rate showed 2.703 mdd for reclaimed water and 2.499 mdd for tap water and the corrosion rate for 90 days showed 0.349 mdd for reclaimed water and 0.248 mdd for tap water, which was a tendency similar to that appeared in CIP with a tendency to reduce the corrosion rate. As a result of water quality changes of reclaimed water at pipe materials to carry out the loop test, there was higher conversion ratio of ammonia into nitrate in CIP and GSP with higher corrosion rate than that in STSP and PVCP where no corrosion has occurred. The highest denitrification rate of nitrate could be observed from CIP with the most particles generated from corrosion. In CIP, it could be confirmed that there was MIC (Microbiologically Induced Corrosion) as a result of EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometer System) analysis results.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.951-956
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• 2012

In this study, the effects of the use of a starter on radish soaked at $4^{\circ}C$ for 28 days using two kinds of domestic sun-dried salt (white and gray salt) were determined. As a result, the moisture contents of the radish soaked with white and gray salt were 7.93 and 4.50%, respectively. The salinity levels were found to be equal (90%). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the mineral contents of the salts therein ($37812.41{\pm}1922.95$ and $39755.13{\pm}1205.70$ mg/100 g, respectively). However, iron and zinc contents of gray salt were higher than those of white salt while the calcium, potassium, and magnesium contents were lower than those of white salt. After the addition of the starter, the sugar content increased, the pH decreased, and the total acidity rapidly decreased compared with the non-starter group during fermentation. The total microorganism count of the two groups increased during the fermentation period of 28 days. From the initial fermentation for 7 days, the lactic acid bacteria in the non-starter group increased while those in the leuconostoc starter group steadily increased within the whole fermentation period. The Leuconostoc spp. in non-starter group increased, but that in the starter group decreased to pH 4.0 on day 14.