• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2015

Monitoring of $CO_2$ release through the ground surface is essential to confirm the safety of carbon storage projects. We conducted a feasibility study of the multi-channel surface-soil $CO_2$-concentration monitoring (SCM) system as a soil $CO_2$ monitoring tool with a small scale injection test. The background concentrations showed the distinct diurnal variation. The negative relation of $CO_2$ with temperature and the low $CO_2$ concentrations during the day imply that surface-soil $CO_2$ depends on photosynthesis and respiration. After 4.2 kg of $CO_2$ injection (1 m depth for 29 minutes), surface-soil $CO_2$ concentrations increased in the all five chambers, which were located less than 2.8 m of distance from each other. The $CO_2$ concentrations seem to be recovered to the background around 4 hours after the injection ended. To determine the leakage, the data from Chamber 2 and 5 with low increase rates were used for statistical analyses. Coefficient of variation for 30 minutes ($CV_{30min}$.) is efficient to determine a leakage signal, with reflecting the fast change in $CO_2$ concentrations. Consequently, SCM and $CV_{30min}$ could be applied for an efficient monitoring tool to detect $CO_2$ release through the ground surface. Also, this study provides ideas for establishing action steps after leakage detection.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2016

Distribution and behavior of baseline soil CO₂ were investigated in a candidate geologic CO₂ storage site in Pohang, with measuring CO₂ concentrations and carbon isotopes in the vadose zone as well as CO₂ fluxes and concentrations through ground surface. This investigation aimed to assess the baseline CO₂ levels and to build the CO₂ monitoring system before injecting CO₂. The gas in the vadose zone was collected using a peristaltic pump from the depth of 60 cm below ground surface, and stored at gas bags. Then the gas components (CO₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄) and δ¹³C_CO2 were analyzed using GC and CRDS (cavity ringdown spectroscopy) respectively in laboratory. CO₂ fluxes and CO₂ concentrations through ground surface were measured using Li-COR in field. In result, the median of the CO₂ concentrations in the vadose zone was about 3,000 ppm, and the δ¹³C_CO2 were in the wide range between −36.9‰ and −10.6‰. The results imply that the fate of CO₂ in the vadose zone was affected by soil property and vegetations. CO₂ in sandy or loamy soils originated from the respiration of microorganisms and the decomposition of C₃ plants. In gravel areas, the CO₂ concentrations decreased while the δ¹³C_CO2 increased because of the mixing with the atmospheric gas. In addition, the relation between O₂ and CO₂, N₂, and the relation between N₂/O₂ and CO₂ implied that the gases in the vadose zone dissolved in the infiltrating precipitation or the soil moisture. The median CO₂ flux through ground surface was 2.9 g/m²/d which is lower than the reported soil CO₂ fluxes in areas with temperate climates. CO₂ fluxes measured in sandy and loamy soil areas were higher (median 5.2 g/m²/d) than those in gravel areas (2.6 g/m²/d). The relationships between CO₂ fluxes and concentrations suggested that the transport of CO₂ from the vadose zone to ground surface was dominated by diffusion in the study area. In gravel areas, the mixing with atmospheric gases was significant. Based on this study result, a soil monitoring procedure has been established for a candidate geologic CO₂ storage site. Also, this study result provides ideas for innovating soil monitoring technologies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 2022

Soil(vadose zone) gas compositions were measured for about 3 days to suggest a method for monitoring and interpreting soil gas data collected around wells from which methane(CH₄) is outflowing. The vadose zone gas samples were collected within 1 m around two test wells(TB2 and TB3) at Pohang and analyzed for CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and O₂ concentrations in situ. CO₂ flux was measured beside TB2. In addition, gas samples from well head in TB2 and atmospheric air samples were collected for comparison. Carbon isotopes of CO₂(δ¹³C_CO2) of samples collected on the last day of the study period were analyzed in the laboratory. The two test wells (TB2 and 3) were 12.7 m apart and only TB3 was cemented to the surface. According to the bio-geochemical process-based interpretation, the relationships between CO₂ and O₂, N₂, and N₂/O₂ of vadose zone gas were plotted between the lines of CH₄ oxidation and CO₂ dissolution. In addition, the CH₄ concentrations of gas samples from the wellhead of the uncemented well (TB2) were 5.2 times higher than the atmospheric CH₄ concentration. High CO₂ concentrations (average 1.148%) of vadose zone gas around TB2 seemed to be attributed to the oxidation of CH₄. On the other hand, the vadose zone CO₂ around the cemented well(TB3) showed a relatively low concentration(0.136%). This difference indicates that the vadose zone gas(including CO₂) around the CH₄ outflowing well were strongly affected by well completion(cementing). This study result can be used to establish strategies for environmental monitoring of soil around natural gas sites, and can be used to monitor leakage around injection and observation wells for CO₂ geological storage. In addition, the method of this study is useful for soil monitoring in natural gas storage and oil-contaminated sites.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.270-277
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• 2012

Greenhouse industry has been growing in many countries due to both the advantage of stable year-round crop production and increased demand for fresh vegetables. In greenhouse cultivation, $CO_2$ concentration plays an essential role in the photosynthesis process of crops. Continuous and accurate monitoring of $CO_2$ level in the greenhouse would improve profitability and reduce environmental impact, through optimum control of greenhouse $CO_2$ enrichment and efficient crop production, as compared with the conventional management practices without monitoring and control of $CO_2$ level. In this study, a mathematical model was developed to estimate the $CO_2$ emission from soil as affected by environmental factors in greenhouses. Among various model types evaluated, a linear regression model provided the best coefficient of determination. Selected predictor variables were solar radiation and relative humidity and exponential transformation of both. As a response variable in the model, the difference between $CO_2$ concentrations at the soil surface and 5-cm depth showed are latively strong relationship with the predictor variables. Segmented regression analysis showed that better models were obtained when the entire daily dataset was divided into segments of shorter time ranges, and best models were obtained for segmented data where more variability in solar radiation and humidity were present (i.e., after sun-rise, before sun-set) than other segments. To consider time delay in the response of $CO_2$ concentration, concept of time lag was implemented in the regression analysis. As a result, there was an improvement in the performance of the models as the coefficients of determination were 0.93 and 0.87 with segmented time frames for sun-rise and sun-set periods, respectively. Validation tests of the models to predict $CO_2$ emission from soil showed that the developed empirical model would be applicable to real-time monitoring and diagnosis of significant factors for $CO_2$ enrichment in a soil-based greenhouse.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.217-227
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• 2010

This paper was studied $CO_2$ respiration rate with physicochemical properties of soils at wetland, paddy field and forest in Nongju-ri, Haeryong-myeon, Suncheon city, Jeollanam-do. Soil temperature and $CO_2$ respiration rate were measured at the field, and soil pH, moisture and soil organic carbon were analyzed in laboratory. Field monitoring was conducted at 6 points (W3, W7, W13, W17, W23, W27) for wetland, 3 points (P1, P2, P3) for paddy field and 3 points (F1, F2, F3) for forest in 10 January 2009. $CO_2$ concentrations in chamber were measured 352~382 ppm for wetland, 364~382 ppm for paddy field and 379~390 ppm for forest, and the average values were 370 ppm, 370 ppm and 385 ppm, respectively. $CO_2$ respiration rates of soils were measured $-73{\sim}44\;mg/m^2/hr$ for wetland, $-74{\sim}24\;mg/m^2/hr$ for paddy field and $-55{\sim}106\;mg/m^2/hr$ for forest, and the average values were $-8\;mg/m^2/hr$, $-25\;mg/m^2/hr$ and $38\;mg/m^2/hr$. $CO_2$ was uptake from air to soil in wetland and paddy field, but it was emission from soil to air in forest. $CO_2$ respiration rate function in uptake condition increased exponential and linear as soil temperature and soil organic carbon. But, it in emission condition decreased linear as soil temperature and soil organic carbon. $CO_2$ respiration rate function in wetland decreased linear as soil moisture, but its in paddy and forest increased linear as soil moisture. $CO_2$ respiration rate function in all sites increased linear as soil pH, and increasing rate at forest was highest.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

As part of monitoring technology aimed at verifying the stability of CO₂ geologic storage and mitigating concerns about leakage, a method for measuring the pH and alkalinity of high-pressure fluid samples was established to obtain practical technology. pH measurement for high-pressure samples utilized a high-pressure pH electrode, and alkalinity was measured using the Gran titration method for samples collected with a piston cylinder sampler (PCS). Experimental samples, referencing CO₂-rich water and CO₂ geologic storage studies, were prepared in the laboratory. The PCS controls the piston, preventing CO₂ degassing and maintaining fluid pressure, allowing mixing with KOH to fix dissolved CO₂. Results showed a 6.1% average error in high-pressure pH measurement. PCS use for sample collection maintained pressure, preventing CO₂ degassing. However, PCS-collected sample alkalinity measurements had larger errors than non-PCS measurements, limiting PCS practicality in monitoring field settings. Nevertheless, PCS could find utility in preprocessing for carbon isotope analysis and other applications. This research not only contributes to the field of CCS monitoring but also suggests potential applications in studies related to natural analogs of CCS, CO₂-rock interaction experiments, core flooding experiments, and beyond.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.411-423
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• 2011

This study was conducted to quantify soil $CO_2$ efflux using the continuous measurement method and to examine the applicability of an automatic continuous measurement system in a Korean deciduous broad-leaved forest. Soil respiration rate (Rs) was assessed through continuous measurements during the 2004-2005 full growing seasons using an automatic opening/closing chamber system in sections of a Gwangneung temperate deciduous forest, Korea. The study site was an old-growth natural mixed deciduous forest approximately 80 years old. For each full growth season, the annual Rs, which had a gap that was filled with data using an exponential function derived from soil temperature (Ts) at 5-cm depth, and Rs values collected in each season were 2,738.1 g $CO_2$ $m^{-2}y^{-1}$ in 2004 and 3,355.1 g $CO_2$ $m^{-2}y^{-1}$ in 2005. However, the diurnal variation in Rs showed stronger correlations with Ts (r = 0.91, P < 0.001 in 2004, r = 0.87, P < 0.001 in 2005) and air temperature (Ta) (r = 0.84, P < 0.001 in 2004, r = 0.79, P < 0.001 in 2005) than with deep Ts during the spring season. However, the temperature functions derived from the Ts at various depths of 0, -2, -5, -10, and -20 cm revealed that the correlation coefficient decreased with increasing soil depth in the spring season, whereas it increased in the summer. Rs showed a weak correlation with precipitation (r = 0.25, P < 0.01) and soil water content (r = 0.28, P < 0.05). Additionally, the diurnal change in Rs revealed a higher correlation with Ta than that of Ts. The $Q_{10}$ values from spring to winter were calculated from each season's dataset and were 3.2, 1.5, 7.4, and 2.7 in 2004 and 6.0, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.6 in 2005; thus, showing high fluctuation within each season. The applicability of an automatic continuous system was demonstrated for collecting a high resolution soil $CO_2$ efflux dataset under various environmental conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.73-83
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• 2010

A technology using continuous fiber soil reinforcement system for the creation of ecological restoration in a damaged area has been developed and introduced. The continuous fiber soil reinforcement system (Geofiber system) is an environmentally friendly slope protection technique that continuous fiber soil reinforced layers are constructed with green plantation on cut slope. The characteristics of this system in terms of the strength and hydraulic performance, and the vegetation were investigated in this study. The main objectives of this comparative study was to quantify the potential contribution of geofiber system for the revegetation on the cut slope in a damaged area. A Geofiber system was constructed to reinforce the lower layer of slopes and revegetation methods including wood chips were carried out on the upper layer by machineries. The results of monitoring during 3 years on cut slopes were as follows : 1) All the quadrat existed in the proper range for vegetation. 2) Species richness was 4.4 (site-1) and 18.5 (site-2) respectively. 3) The averaged coverage rates of quadrats was 90%. It is remarkable that the continuous fiber soil reinforcement system would be capable of applying to a damaged area and also would serve maintaining a healthier environment for floras. However, it behooves to continue monitoring on succession of vegetation for ecological restoration.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.283-295
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• 2014

Groundwater monitoring wells are important to maintain their performance for long term monitoring. The monitoring wells with extensive internal incrustation by clay adsorption were selected for this study. The performance of these monitoring wells was improved by pump washing, tube replacements for dedicated samplers, and well surging. After each improvement, the Mg, Mn, and Zn concentrations were increased. The results show that under these conditions, the monitoring wells must be carefully inspected at least once a year. Even in the case of no abnormal phenomenon like as internal incrustation, the monitoring wells need to be serviced at least once every four to five years to guarantee that they are effectively monitoring groundwater quality.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2017

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) is a technical process to capture $CO_2$ from industrial and energy-based sources, to transfer and sequestrate impressed $CO_2$ in geological formations, oceans, or mineral carbonates. However, potential $CO_2$ leakage exists and causes environmental problems. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations after artificial $CO_2$ release. The Environmental Impact Evaluation Test Facility (EIT) was built in Eumseong, Korea in 2015. Approximately 34kg $CO_2$ /day/zone were injected at Zones 2, 3, and 4 among the total of 5 zones from October 26 to 30, 2015. $CO_2$ fluxes were measured every 30 minutes at the surface at 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, and 10m from the $CO_2$ releasing well using LI-8100A until November 13, 2015, and $CO_2$ concentrations were measured once a day at 15cm, 30cm, and 60cm depths at every 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, 5m, and 10m from the well using GA5000 until November 28, 2015. $CO_2$ flux at 0m from the well started increasing on the fifth day after $CO_2$ release started, and continued to increase until November 13 even though the artificial $CO_2$ release stopped. $CO_2$ fluxes measured at 2.5m, 5.0m, and 10m from the well were not significantly different with each other. On the other hand, soil $CO_2$ concentration was shown as 38.4% at 60cm depth at 0m from the well in Zone 3 on the next day after $CO_2$ release started. Soil $CO_2$ was horizontally spreaded overtime, and detected up to 5m away from the well in all zones until $CO_2$ release stopped. Also, soil $CO_2$ concentrations at 30cm and 60cm depths at 0m from the well were measured similarly as $50.6{\pm}25.4%$ and $55.3{\pm}25.6%$, respectively, followed by 30cm depth ($31.3{\pm}17.2%$) which was significantly lower than those measured at the other depths on the final day of $CO_2$ release period. Soil $CO_2$ concentrations at all depths in all zones were gradually decreased for about 1 month after $CO_2$ release stopped, but still higher than those of the first day after $CO_2$ release stared. In conclusion, the closer the distance from the well and the deeper the depth, the higher $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations occurred. Also, long-term monitoring should be required because the leaked $CO_2$ gas can remains in the soil for a long time even if the leakage stopped.