• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

The soil contamination by heavy metals in playgrounds of kindergartens in Vilnius city is analysed in this article. The aim of this research is to investigate and evaluate soil contamination by heavy metals in playgrounds of kindergartens in different territories of Vilnius city. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured using Thermo Fisher Scientific Niton$^{(R)}$ XL2 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Maximum allowable and background concentrations that are given in Lithuanian hygiene standard and Lithuania geochemical atlas are used to compare and evaluate concentrations of heavy metals. Concentrations of heavy metals and their spatial distribution were analysed in order to exclude the most contaminated areas relating with different functional areas of the city. Geo-statistical analysis and maps of spatial distribution were developed using IDW interpolator in ArcMap software. Detail soil surveys helps to assess the extent of anthropogenic impact in different parts of the city which can be harmful to the soil ecosystem and human health. Such researches can help to change or select different function for city areas in territorial planning process.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.279-291
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• 2015

This study analyzed the growth characteristics of multi-layer planted trees through their growth analysis and attempted to present a management strategy. The subject of research is the Citizen's Forest Area of Seoul Forest Park located in Seoul City. Field surveys were conducted three times over eight years from 2005 when the Seoul Forest Park was created through 2013. Labels were attached to all trees in the target area, and their species, height and DBH were investigated. To identify the growth differences by trees in each area, a detailed tree location map was drawn up for use in the analysis. To check soil health, soil organic matter, soil pH and soil microbial activities were analyzed. It turned out that the growth of the multi-layer planted trees in the target area of research was higher than that of the trees in existing urban parks, and that it was similar to that of trees in natural forests. Through a field survey in the area with a remarkably low growth, high-density planting problem, soil was found to have excess-moisture and there was the problem of Pueraria lobata covering. As a result of the analysis of the soil, it was found that its organic content in the soil was lower; soil pH was higher; and microbial activities in the soil were lower when compared to that of natural forests.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2020

In-situ stabilization is a remediation method using amendments to reduce contaminant availability in contaminated soil. We tested the effects of two amendments (furnace slag and red mud) on the availability of toxic trace elements (TTEs) and soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, phosphatase, and urease). The application of amendments significantly decreased the availability of TTEs in soil (p < 0.05). The decreased availability of TTE content in soils was accompanied by increased soil enzyme activities. We found significant negative relationships between the TTE content assessed using Ca(NO₃)_2^-, TCLP, and PBET extraction methods and soil enzyme activities (p < 0.01). Soil enzyme activities responded sensitively to changes in the soil environment (pH, EC, and availability of TTEs). It could be concluded that soil enzyme activities could be used as bioindicators or ecological indicators for soil quality and health in environmental soil monitoring owing to their high sensitivity to changes in soil.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.193-198
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• 2008

To develop a natural re-seeding technology, the optimum soil incorporation time of Chinese milk vetch(CMV) plant residues, seed persistence in soil, biomass production and subsequent rice yield were determined from 2005 to 2007 in rice with CMV green manure in southern Korea. Generally, insufficient seedling stand was regenerated with CMV incorporation to the soil at 20 and 25 days after flowering(DAF), while high regeneration of greater than 400 seedlings per $m^2$ was observed at 35 and 40 DAF. High re-seeding stand of CMV incorporated at 35 DAF or later was related with high seed viability and heavy seed weight. Appreciable number of CMV seeds remained 4 month after burial in soil and a good number of CMV seedlings regenerated from this seed bank at rice harvest time in the fall. Based on the relationships among re-seeding number of CMV plants, seed weight and seed viability, CMV plants should be incorporated into the soil 35 DAF(May 30) or later when CMV seeds were sufficiently matured. The natural re-seeding stand for the 3-year trials was stable ranging from 437 to 700 plants per $m^2$ and the biomass production was sufficient to supply nitrogen for rice growth. The use of re-seeding CMV plant can produce similar rice yield like that of rice without CMV green manure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.208-212
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• 2010

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.118-123
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• 2005

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42
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• pp.212-237
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• 2009

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.3
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• pp.290-302
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the initial tree growth characteristics of Q. variabilis planted in forest fire-damaged areas treated with soil moisturizers such as biochar and to identify the factors that affect tree growth. To evaluate the effectiveness of soil moisture treatment in the area planted with QV, an experimental plot was created according to the treatment method (spread and mix) and treatment ratio (0, 4, and 40 t/ha). The survival rate of QV was 20% higher in the treatment plot than in the control plot. The height and root collar diameter (RCD)growths of QV were high on the northern slope with spread treatment and on the southern slope with mix treatment. The relative growth rate (RGR) according to the soil moisturizer treatment method was higher in the mix treatment, showing a significant difference in RCD. The northern slope had a higher RGR and significant growth rate. This suggests that the growth improvement effect may depend on the soil moisturizer treatment method. The aspect or treatment method affectsthe drying conditions of the soil, which in turn affects its moisture content or nutrient dynamics. The present research results can be used to establish soil moisturizer treatment standards that are suitable for growth purposes. In addition, this study demonstrates that biochar treatment can be considered as an effective alternative to boost biomass and facilitate early restoration of forest fire-damaged areas.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2023

To investigate the impact of forestry projects on the carbon stocks of forests, we estimated the carbon stock change of above-ground and soil before and after forestry projects using forest type maps, forestry project information, and soil information. First, we selected six map sheet with large areas and declining age class based on forest type map information. Then, we collected data such as forest type maps, growth coefficients, soil organic matter content, and soil bulk density of the estimated areas to calculate forest carbon storage. As a result, forest carbon stocks decreased by about 34.1~70.0% after forestry projects at all sites. In addition, compared to reference studies, domestic forest soils store less carbon than the above-ground, so it is judged that domestic forest soils have great potential to store more carbon and strategies to increase carbon storage are needed. It was estimated that the amount of carbon stored before forestry projects is about 1.5 times more than after forestry projects. The study estimated that it takes about 27 years for forests to recover to their pre-thinning carbon stocks following forestry projects. Since it takes a long time for forests to recover to their original carbon stocks once their carbon stocks are reduced by physical damage, it is necessary to plan to preserve them as much as possible, especially for highly conservative forests, so that they can maintain their carbon storage function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2015

Background: In Changbai Mountains, Panax ginseng (ginseng) was cultivated in a mixture of the humus and albic horizons of albic luvisol in a raised garden with plastic shade. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ginseng planting on soil characteristics. Methods: The mixed-bed soils were seasonally collected at intervals of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and 10-15 cm for different-aged ginsengs. Soil physico-chemical characteristics were studied using general methods. Aluminum was extracted from the soil solids with $NH_4Cl $(exchangeable Al) and Na-pyrophosphate (organic Al) and was measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: A remarkable decrease in the pH, concentrations of exchangeable calcium, $NH_4^+$, total organic carbon (TOC), and organic Al, as well as a pronounced increase in the bulk density were observed in the different-aged ginseng soils from one spring to the next. The decrease in pH in the ginseng soils was positively correlated with the $NH_4^+$ (r=0.463, p<0.01), exchangeable calcium (r=0.325, p<0.01) and TOC (r= 0.292, p < 0.05) concentrations. The $NO_3^-$ showed remarkable surface accumulation (0-5 cm) in the summer and even more in the autumn but declined considerably the next spring. The exchangeable Al fluctuated from $0.10mg\;g^{-1}$ to $0.50mg\;g^{-1}$ for dry soils, which was positively correlated with the $NO_3^-$ (r=0.401, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with the TOC (r=-0.329, p < 0.05). The Al saturation varied from 10% to 41% and was higher in the summer and autumn, especially in the 0-5 cmand 5-10 cm layers. Conclusion: Taken together, our study revealed a seasonal shift in soil characteristics in ginseng beds with plastic shade.