• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.34-45
• /
• 2016

Global warming and climate change have been caused by combustion of fossil fuels. The greenhouse gases contributed to the rise of temperature between $0.6^{\circ}C$ and $0.9^{\circ}C$ over the past century. Presently, fossil fuels account for about 88% of the commercial energy sources used. In developing countries, fossil fuels are a very attractive energy source because they are available and relatively inexpensive. The environmental problems with fossil fuels have been aggravating stress from already existing factors including acid deposition, urban air pollution, and climate change. In order to control greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, fossil fuels must be replaced by eco-friendly fuels such as biomass. The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly necessary. The biomass resources are the most common form of renewable energy. The conversion of biomass into energy can be achieved in a number of ways. The most common form of converted biomass is pellet fuels as biofuels made from compressed organic matter or biomass. Pellets from lignocellulosic biomass has compared to conventional fuels with a relatively low bulk and energy density and a low degree of homogeneity. Thermal pretreatment technology like torrefaction is applied to improve fuel efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass, i.e., less moisture and oxygen in the product, preferrable grinding properties, storage properties, etc.. During torrefacton, lignocelluosic biomass such as palm kernell shell (PKS) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) was roasted under an oxygen-depleted enviroment at temperature between 200 and $300^{\circ}C$. Low degree of thermal treatment led to the removal of moisture and low molecular volatile matters with low O/C and H/C elemental ratios. The mechanical characteristics of torrefied biomass have also been altered to a brittle and partly hydrophobic materials. Unfortunately, it was much harder to form pellets from torrefied PKS and EFB due to thermal degradation of lignin as a natural binder during torrefaction compared to non-torrefied ones. For easy pelletization of biomass with torrefaction, pellets from PKS and EFB were manufactured before torrefaction, and thereafter they were torrefied at different temperature. Even after torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, their appearance was well preserved with better fuel efficiency than non-torrefied ones. The physical properties of the torrefied pellets largely depended on the torrefaction condition such as reaction time and reaction temperature. Temperature over $250^{\circ}C$ during torrefaction gave a significant impact on the fuel properties of the pellets. In particular, torrefied EFB pellets displayed much faster development of the fuel properties than did torrefied PKS pellets. During torrefaction, extensive carbonization with the increase of fixed carbons, the behavior of thermal degradation of torrefied biomass became significantly different according to the increase of torrefaction temperature. In conclusion, pelletization of PKS and EFB before torrefaction made it much easier to proceed with torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, leading to excellent eco-friendly fuels.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.30 no.7
• /
• pp.721-728
• /
• 2008

DBPs(Disinfection By-Products) are most formed through the reactions between chlorine and NOM(Natural Organic Matter) in water treatment. In this study, occurrence of DBPs including THMs(Trihalomethanes) is evaluated. Also, influencing factors by the seasons and raw water quality were investigated for correlation among them and the characteristics of THMs formation by prechlorination process. This study investigated the operation condition for THMs removal depending on raw water quality. Water treatment plant from intake station to gauging well flows for about 10 hours in Y Water Supply Office. It is limited to control of THMs formation because of excessive reaction time between chlorine and THMs precursors in the intake station. Therefore, as multi-points prechlorination from intake station to gauging well, THMs formation was decreased in the water treatment, and it was willing to prevent overdosage of chlorine. The concentration of THMs was 0.021 mg/L in the summer, 0.015 mg/L in the winter, respectively. Also, THMs formation showed that 0.013 mg/L in the water of gauging well after prechlorination, 0.014 mg/L in the flocculation/sedimentation/filtration, 0.016 mg/L in the water after postchlorination, respectively. THMFP(Trihalomethane Formation Potential) removed 42.7% and 50% through the flocculation/sedimentation and filtration, respectively, and it is similar TOC removal efficiency. In this study, multi-points prechlorination from intake station to gauging well decreases in contact time and concencrations of NOM and chlorine. Also, it decreases in THMs and amount of chlorine uesd. In the result of multi-points prechlorination in the summer, the concentration of THMs was 0.013mg/L in the treated water. In view of these facts, THMs formation can be decreased approximately 50%.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.519-528
• /
• 1993

The biodegradation experiment, the TOD analysis and the element analysis for dispersant, Bunker-C and dispersant/Bunker-C oil mixtures were conducted for the purposes of evaluating the biodegradability of dispersnat/Bunker-C oil mixtures and studying the consumption of dissolved oxygen with relation to biodegradation in the seawater. The results of biodegradation experiment showed the mixtures with $1:10{\sim}5:10$ mix ratios of dispersant to 4mg/l of Bunker-C oil to be $0.34{\sim}2.06mg/l$ of $BOD_5$ and to be $1.05{\sim}5.47mg/l$ of $BOD_{20}$ in natural seawater. The results of TOD analysis showed 1mg of Bunker-C oil to be 3.16mg of TOD. The results of element analysis showed the contents of carbon and hydrogen to be $87.3\%\;and\;11.5\%$ for Bunker-C oil, respectively, but nitrogen element was not detected in Bunker-C oil. The biodegradability of dispersant/Bunker-C oil mixture shown as the ratio of $BOD_5$/TOD was increased from $3\%\;to\;11\%$ as a mix ratio of dispersant to 4mg/l of Bunker-C oil changed from 1:10 to 5:10, and the mixtures were found to belong in the organic matter group of low-biodegradability. The deoxygenation rates($K_1$) and ultimate oxygen demands($L_o$) obtained through the biodegration experiment and Thomas slope method were found to be $0.072{\sim}0.097/day$ and $1.113{\sim}6.746mg/l$ for the mixtures with $1:10{\sim}5:10$ mix ratios of dispersant to 4mg/l of Bunker-C oil, respectively. The ultimate oxygen demand of mixture was increased as a mix ratio of dispersant to Bunker-C oil changed from 1:10 to 10:5. This means that the more dispersants are applied to the sea for Bunker-C oil cleanup, the more decreases the dissolved oxygen level in the seawater.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.33 no.12
• /
• pp.886-892
• /
• 2011

In a study on THMs formation at the distribution facilities in Seoul water supply for past 3 years from 2007 to 2009, THMs production was increased from inlet to outlet during the process in water treatment plant. However, such increased THMs amount was very small compared to THMs production formed after pre-chlorination and post chlorination. Accordingly, this study is aimed to investigate the characteristics of water quality parameters of Han River related to THMs formation in 6 water treatment plants in Seoul. The results showed that THMs and other factors such as temperature (r = 0.539~0.846) and turbidity (r = 0.421~0.863) had positive correlation while THMs had negative correlation with pH (r = -0.613~-0.800) and algae (r = -0.582~-0.901). There is no correlation between THMs and $NH_3-N$. According to the factor analysis, generally metabolite and organic matter factor $X_1$ (pH, BOD, algae), and seasonal and natural factor $X_2$ (temperature, turbidity) played an important role in the formation of THMs. Multiple regression analysis for THMs formation showed significance of regression appeared in most water systems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.4 s.109
• /
• pp.436-447
• /
• 2004

Wetland plants have evolved specialized adaptations to survive in the low-oxygen conditions associated with prolonged flooding. The development of internal gas space by means of aerenchyma is crucial for wetland plants to transport $O_2$ from the atmosphere into the roots and rhizome. The formation of tissue with high porosity depends on the species and environmental condition, which can control the depth of root penetration and the duration of root tolerance in the flooded sediments. The oxygen in the internal gas space of plants can be delivered from the atmosphere to the root and rhizome by both passive molecular diffusion and convective throughflow. The release of $O_2$ from the roots supplies oxygen demand for root respiration, microbial respiration, and chemical oxidation processes and stimulates aerobic decomposition of organic matter. Another essential mechanism of wetland plants is downward water movement across the root zone induced by water uptake. Natural and constructed wetlands sediments have low hydraulic conductivity due to the relatively fine particle sizes in the litter layer and, therefore, negligible water movement. Under such condition, the water uptake by wetland plants creates a water potential difference in the rhizosphere which acts as a driving force to draw water and dissolved solutes into the sediments. A large number of anatomical, morphological and physiological studies have been conducted to investigate the specialized adaptations of wetland plants that enable them to tolerate water saturated environment and to support their biochemical activities. Despite this, there is little knowledge regarding how the combined effects of wetland plants influence the biogeochemistry of wetland sediments. A further investigation of how the Presence of plants and their growth cycle affects the biogeochemistry of sediments will be of particular importance to understand the role of wetland in the ecological environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.48-54
• /
• 1986

Because of the drastic development of nuclear industries, the contamination of natural environments by the disposal of radioactive materials which are released from nuclear facilities have aroused a considerable concern in relation to agricultural practices. Therefore the present investigation, through pot experiment, was performed to find out the aspect of the uptake of $Sr^{90}$ by rice plants and its distribution in them in five different types(physicochemical and minerallogical properties) of paddy soils. The results obtained were as follows; 1) Visual toxic symptoms on the growth of rice plant due to treatment of $Sr^{90}$ up to $40{\mu}Ci/10㎏$ in a pot were not observed even though uptake of $Sr^{90}$ by rice plant was proportionally increased with the $Sr^{90}$ treatment. 2) Distribution of $Sr^{90}$ in the rice plant was the highest in the leaves (84.5%) followed in the order by stems (13.5%) and rough grain (2.0%). The ratio of $Sr^{90}$ to Ca was higher in the leaves (872) and stems (667) than in the rice grain (89). 3) $Sr^{90}$ absorption in the rice plant ranged $0.15{\sim}0.30%$ at harvesting time. Uptake of $Sr^{90}$ by rice plants decreased by the increase of soil pH and exchangeable canons in the soils, but $Sr^{90}$ uptake increased when nitrogen, organic matter and clay content in soil was high, and uptake of this nuclide in the rice plant was higher with low Illite and Vermiculite content in the soils.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.100-110
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate influence of chemical properties in the riparian on the species diversity and to get plant information for enhancement of natural purification in Mankyeong River. The concentration of total nitrogen was high in Jeonju and Sam stream, while that of total nitrogen showed the highest peak in Winter. Concentrations of $NH_4-N$ was $0.01{\sim}0.06\;mg/L$ in Gosan and Soyang stream. The water quality of upstream along with Mankyeong River was suitable for the irrigation source. The riparian vegetation was investigated by Zurich-Montpellier school's method from June, 2001 to September, 2002. The number of riparian plants were 59 families, 129 genera, 165 species, 20 varieties in Gosancheon, on the while 53 families, 111 genera, 141 species, 19 varieties in Soyangcheon. The number of riparian plants in Bari basin was higher than that of other sites namely, 73 families, 134 genera, 218 species, 33 varieties. Riparian vegetation was consisted of 12 plant communities. The contents of organic matter, total nitrogen and electrical conductivity had negative relationship with species diversity (Species richness index, Heterogeneity index, Species evenness index Species number). On the while, species diversity had positive relationship with soil pH. Species diversify of the plant communities were affected by topography and disturbance.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 2009

From 2006 to 2008, natural habitat of Sparassis crispa were surveyed for investigating ecological conditions at sixteen different sites in Korea. The investigated sites showed very wide altitudinal distribution ranged from 240 meters to 1,100 meters above the sea level. In general, S. crispa showed distinct feature of heart-rot fungi as it occurs on soils around the stems of larch (Larix kaempferi) and Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis). But it also could be found on stems or on the stumps of dead trees, which indicated that the fungus might have several invasion routes and capabilities to grow on various ecological conditions. All of the sixteen sites were pure stands consisted with conifers such as larch or Korean white pine. The dominant tree layer showed $15.3{\sim}38.0$ meters for tree heights, thicker than twenty centimeters for the diameter at breast height (DBH), and all of them were older than thirty years. Since the stands were pure stand, species diversity of trees in the sites was extremely low. While the dominant tree layer showed only pure coniferous stand, the co-dominant tree layer, shrub layer and herbaceous layer showed more diverse features with higher Shannon-Wiener (H') indices. Soil texture of thirteen sites among sixteen investigated sites were loamy soils, and the contents of organic matter in soil were more or less higher than general forest soils in Korea with $3.79{\sim}14.32%$. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was also relatively higher than general forest soils with $16.1{\sim}27.2$ cmol+/kg. The data indicated that the cauliflower mushroom occurring sites were relatively fertile than general forest soils. The soils were acidic with pH ranged from 4.2 to 5.2, which were typical features for conifer stands in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.86 no.4
• /
• pp.509-520
• /
• 1997

This is a report on the early vegetation, plant community structure, and secondary succession of cut and uncut sites of burned areas in Mt. Gumo-sun. The forest fire occurred on April, 1994 and the pine forest and its floor vegetation were burned down. The investigation was carried out from April, 1995 to October, 1996. The results are summarized as follows : The floristic composition of cut and uncut sites of burned area and unburned area were composed of 32, 36, and 34 kinds of vascular plants respectively. The biological spectra showed the $H(G)-D_1-R_5-e$ type, $H(M)-D_1-R_5-e$ and $M(N)-D_1-R_5-e$ in cut, uncut, and unburned site respectively. The dominant species based on $SDR_3$ of the cut site were Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens(100.00). Caret humilis(52.27), Quercus serrata(51.19) and Lysimachia clethroides(39.40), however, in the uncut sites the dominant species were Quercus acutissima(56.91), Pinus densiflora(26.83) in the tree layer, Quercus serrata(50.43), Lindera glauca(40.51), Lespedeza bicolor(37.85) in the shrub layer, and Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens(72.27), Pteridium aquilium var. latiusculum(60.92), Carex humilis(63.63) in the herb layer. Pinus densiflora(99.88), Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens(82.74), Quercus serrata(77.47) and Carex humilis(74.02) were dominant in the unburned site. The species diversity(H) and evenness index(e) were 1.05, 0.70 and 1.32, 0.85 in the cut and uncut site, respectively and 0.22, 0.63 in the unburned site. Dominance index(C) was 0.15, 0.06 and 0.96 in the cut, uncut site and unburned site, respectively. Degree of succession(DS) was 345.19, 747.47 and 674.34 in cut, uncut and unburned site, respectively. The index of similarity(CCs) was 0.66 between cut and uncut sites, 0.50 between unburned and cut sites and 0.61 between unburned and uncut sites. The amount of exchangeable sodium, calcium, magnesium and soil pH were increased, but the amount of organic matter, available phosphous, total nitrogen, total carbon and exchangeable potassium were decreased in cut site after fire.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 2010

Due to diverse soil-forming environments and different purposes of the soil classification, numerous soil classification systems have been developed worldwide. The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) and the Soil Taxonomy of the United States are well-known in Korea. However, the German Soil Systematics based on somewhat different principles from the two former systems is little-known. The objective of this paper is therefore to give a short overview of the principles of the German Soil Systematics. The German Soil Systematics consists of a six-level hierarchical structure which comprises soil divisions, soil classes, soil types, soil subtypes, soil varieties, and soil subvarieties. Soils in Germany are firstly classified into one of four soil divisions according to the soil moist regime: terrestrial soils, semi-terrestrial soils, semi-subhydric/subhydric soils, and peats. Terrestrial soils are subdivided into 13 soil classes based on the stage of soil formation and the horizon differentiation. Semi-terrestrial soils are differentiated into four classes regarding the source of soil moist: groundwater, freshwater, saltwater, and seaside. Semi-subhydric/subhydric soils are subdivided into two classes: semi-subhydric and subhydric soils. Peats are classified into two classes of natural and anthropogenic origins. Classes can be compared to orders of the U.S. Taxonomy. Classes are subdivided into 29 soil types with regard to soil forming-processes for terrestrial soils, into 17 types with regard to the soil formation for semi-terrestrial soils, into five types with regard to the content of organic matter for semi-subhydric/subhydric soils, and also into five types with regard to peat-forming processes for peats. The soil mapping units in Germany are types, which can be additionally subdivided into ca. 220 subtypes, several thousands of varieties and subvarieties using detailed nuances of morphologic features of soil profile. Soil types can be compared to great groups of the U.S. Taxonomy.