• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.658-667
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• 2015

This research was conducted to investigate the influence of various levels of fused superphosphate as pre-planting fertilizer on the growth of red-leaf lettuce and changes in the chemical properties of the soil solution in three root media, namely coir-dust plus expanded rice hull (8:2, v/v; CD+ERH), carbonized rice hull (6:4; CD+CRH), or ground and aged pine bark (8:2; CD+GAPB). The amounts of fused superphosphate (FSP) incorporated into the three root media during formulation were controlled from 0 to $6.0g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in $1.5g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ increments. The root media containing fertilizers were packed into 300 mL plastic pots and seedlings of red-leaf lettuce at the 3rd leaf stage were transplanted. After transplanting, the crops were fed with a solution of neutral fertilizer ($100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). The growth of red-leaf lettuce was investigated 5 weeks after transplanting and soil solutions were extracted and analyzed every week for pH, EC, and concentrations of macro-nutrients. The elevation of application rates of FSP in the three root media resulted in better growth, and the crops grown in CD+ERH and CD+GRPB had greater fresh and dry weights than those in CD+CRH when compared among the treatments of equal amounts of FSP. The pH and $PO_4{^{-3}}$ concentrations in the soil solution of CD+CRH at 3 weeks after transplant were in the ranges of 4.0 to 4.8 and 20 to $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. These were lower pH and higher $PO_4{^{-3}}$ concentrations than those in CD+ERH and CD+GAPB. The $K^+$ concentrations were higher in CD+CRH than those in the other two root media, and the elevation of FSP application rates resulted in higher $Ca^{+2}$, $Mg^{+2}$ and $SO_4{^{-2}}$ concentrations in soil solution of the three root media. The $NO_3$-N concentrations in soil solution rose continuously during crop cultivation, implying that the leaching percentage was elevated. The soil solution EC varied, showing the same tendencies as the $NO_3$-N concentrations. The above results indicated that the CD+ERH and CD+GRPB media performed better than CD+CRH, and optimum application rates of FSP in the three root media were 4.5 to $6.0g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for pot cultivation of red-leaf lettuce.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.36-44
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• 2013

The objectives of this study were to identify the characteristics of shallow groundwater from the oil-contaminated site for a long period and to evaluate the applicability of biopile technology to treat the soil excavated from it. The eight monitoring wells were installed in the contaminated site and pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), Temperature and the concentrations of major ions and pollutants were measured. The VOCs in soil gas were monitored during biopile operation and TPH concentration was analyzed at the termination of the experiment. The pH was 6.62 considered subacid and EC was 886.19 ${\mu}S/cm$. DO was measured to be 2.06 mg/L showing the similar characteristic of deep groundwater. ORP was 119.02 mV indicating oxidation state. The temperature of groundwater was measured to be $16.97^{\circ}C$. The piper diagram showed that groundwater was classified as Ca-$HCO_3$ type considered deep groundwater. The ground water concentration for TPH, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene of the first round was slightly higher than that of the second round. The concentration of carbon dioxide of soil gas was increased to 1.3% and the concentration of VOCs was completely eliminated after the 40 days. The TPH concentration showed 98% remediation efficiency after the 90 days biopile operation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Cultivation area using agricultural plastic film facilities in Korea is rapidly increasing every year; however, it accelerates the salt accumulation in soils due to repeated cultivation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Coal ash contains various trace elements and has high potential to be used in agricultural purposes. This research was aimed to improve the quality of salts-accumulated soils and crop growth grown in the plastic film facilities using the soil amendment derived from coal ash and zero-valent iron powder. METHODS AND RESULTS: Soil amendment used in the study was manufactured using coal ash with iron powder and subjected to a typical upland soil for soil quality enhancement and two salts-accumulated soils for crop growth. After one month incubation of the salts-accumulated soils treated with the soil amendment, soil pH increased significantly and soil EC decreased by approximately 50%, compared to the control or the treatment without the soil amendment. Since the soil salts' concentration is proportional to EC, the subjected soil amendment can be proposed as an effective way to overcome soil salts accumulation in agricultural plastic film facilities. For crop growth, the length of roots and stems increased by approximately 10% and the dry weight also increased by a maximum of 75%, compared to the control. CONCLUSION: The soil amendment made from waste resources such as coal ash and zero-valent iron was found to not only be effective in improving salt-accumulated soils and crop yield but also be safe against harmful heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.749-758
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to provide a scientific basis for decision making regarding environmental damage in case of future chemical accidents by evaluating the ecotoxicity of 4 substances requiring preparation for accidents. For this purpose, acute and chronic toxicities of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia solution, which can change the physical and chemical properties of soil to Paronychiurus kimi(Collembola) were investigated. The pH of artificial soil spiked with a series of test chemical concentrations was also measured. The pH of soil spiked with 10,000 mg kg^-1 of soil nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia solution were 2.86, 2.72, 7.18 and 9.69, respectively. The 28-d LC₅₀ of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia solution were 2,703, 5,414, 3,158 and 859 mg kg^-1 soil dry wt., respectively and 28-d EC₅₀ were 587, 2,148, 1,300 and 216 mg kg^-1 soil dry wt., respectively. These results indicated that the mortality and juvenile production of P. kimi were influenced by not only the soil pH but also by the reduced organic content and products produced by the reaction of soil with the tested chemicals. Given the fact that most substances requiring preparation for accidents can change soil characteristics, assessment and restoration methods that take into account changes in soil properties are needed for accurate decision making after chemical accidents.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: The reclaimed lands for agricultural use managed by the Korean government is consisted of 17,145 hectares of lands under construction and 13,384 hectares of completed lands. In order to utilize these reclaimed lands as competitive agricultural complexes, the government is preparing to develop comprehensive development plans for multiple purposes. For rational land-use planning and soil management, information of the soil chemical properties is necessary. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016, soil samples were collected from 85 representative sampling sites of the reclaimed lands and analyzed for soil chemical properties including electric conductivity (EC), pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and nutrients. The annual mean soil EC ranged from 5.1 to 8.3 dS m^-1 and have continued to decrease over the years (estimation equation with EC as dependent and year as independent variable was y =0.0736x² - 1.4985x + 9.8305, R² = 0.9753). The pH ranged from 7.3 to 7.6, which was higher than the optimum range (5.5~7.0) for agricultural soils. Soil organic matter (8 to 11 g kg^-1) was lower level than the optimum range (20~30 kg^-1). Available silicate (Av.SiO₂) ranged from 169 to 229 mg kg^-1, which was close to the minimum content (≥157 mg kg^-1) for rice paddy field. Available phosphate (Av.P₂O₅) content (24~39 mg kg^-1) was lower than the optimum range (80~120 mg kg^-1) for rice paddy field. CONCLUSION: For efficient agricultural use of reclaimed lands under government management, our results suggest that the application of organic matter and supplying deficient nutrients as well as desalinization is required.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 1997

To investigate the salt accumulation in the plastic film house soils, bulk density, electrical conductivity(EC), exchangeable canons and water soluble anions were determined at different depths(0~60cm) in the salt-accumulated plastic film house soils in Yesan, Chungnam, Korea. Bulk density were increased from $1.2Mg/m^3$ to $1.5Mg/m^3$ as the depth changed from 0cm(top soil) to 30cm(subsoil) below the soil surface, whereas the bulk densities between 30cm to 60cm slightly decreased to $1.42Mg/m^3$. These changes of soil bulk densities might influence the porosity and pore size distribution, resulting in affecting the water flow throughout, soil layers. Electrical conductivity and Exchangeable sodium percentage(ESP) for 0 to 10cm soil layer were 5.08 dS/m and 6.4, respectively, while the EC was decreased to less than 1.63 dS/m in 20~30cm depth and about 0.7 dS/m. Salt accumulation patterns in the plastic film house soils might be influenced by the changes of the bulk densities in soil.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.460-467
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to enhance utilization of the waste nutrient solution (WNS) disposed at the hydroponic greenhouse. Several sets of testing were conducted to examine the effects of WNS: (a) a fertilizer effect, (b) soil column leaching, and (c) crop cultivation. The fertilizer effect test was applied in young radish cultivation by examining the growth characteristics of young radish and soil based on inorganic nitrogen according to the soil treatment of the nitrogen fertilizer (NF) and the WNS. The fertilizer effects and crop cultivation test were conducted with five treatments (A-E): A, non-treatment (water); B, 100% of NF; C, 70% of NF + 30% of WNS; D, 50% of NF + 50% of WNS; and E, 30% of NF + 70% of WNS. The soil column leaching test was conducted with three treatments: non-treatment (water), 100% of NF, 50% of WNS + 50% of NF. As a result, the chemical properties of the WNS were pH 6.0, EC 2.4dS·m^-1, total phosphorus (T-P) 28mg·L^-1, ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) 5.0mg·L^-1, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) 301mg·L^-1. The chemical properties of the soil were pH 5.51, EC 0.31dS/m, organic matter 2.08g·kg^-1, NO₃-N 9.64mg·kg^-1, and NH₄-N 3.20mg·kg^-1. The results of fertilizer effects showed that the ratio of 50% or less of NF and 50% or more of WNS was high in young radish growth. There was no statistically significant difference between the soil chemistry in the C-E treatments where WNS was mixed with NF and the B treatment where only NF was applied. As a result of the soil column leaching test, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of NO₃ and NH₄ in the treatment of 100% of NF and 50% of NF + 50% of WNS. The study indicates, if the mixed fertilizer of WNS and NF is applied in the soil cultivation of young radish, it will reduce the use of NF and environmental pollution. This also helps reduce production costs on farmers and increase the yield of young radish.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the influences of bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$) concentrations in irrigation solution on growth of lettuce and change in chemical properties of root media. The blue leaf and red leaf lettuces with two true leaf stages were transplanted into 10 cm diameter plastic pots filled with perlite. The five treatments were made by dissolving $NaHCO_3$ into irrigation solution to reach 30, 70, 110, 150 and $180mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $HCO_3^-$. The crops were fed with fertilizer solution contained $HCO_3^-$ with various concentrations and controlled to $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in nitrogen concentration. The pH in soil solution of root media 10 weeks after transplant of blue lettuces were 7.04 and 7.10 in the treatments of 30 and $70mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of $HCO_3^-$, respectively. But those rose gradually after week 3 and finally reached 7.39, 7.48 and 7.56 at week 10 in the treatments of 110, 150 and $180mg{\cdot}L^{-1}\;HCO_3^-$, respectively. The pH in the treatments of 30 and $70mg{\cdot}L^{-1}\;HCO_3^-$ in cultivation of red leaf lettuce were around 6.65 during week 4 to week 8, but this rose abruptly and reached 6.92 and 7.01 at week 10, respectively. Those in the treatments of 110, 150, and $180mg{\cdot}L^{-1}\;HCO_3^-$ rose gradually and finally reached to 7.49, 7.53, and 7.58, respectively. The EC rose gradually after week 2 in all treatments of blue and red leaf lettuces. The change of macro ion concentrations in both blue and red leaf lettuces showed similar trends. The concentrations of $PO_4-P$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ increased gradually in all treatments of $HCO_3^-$ during cultivation of blue and red leaf lettuces. As the concentrations of $HCO_3^-$ in irrigation solution were elevated, the concentrations of $PO_4-P$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ became higher and that of ${SO_4}^{-2}$ became lower in soil solution of root media. The main reason of concentration changes were that $HCO_3^-$ influenced pH and the pH changes also affect the activities of the ions in soil solution of root media.

• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2003

Achievements in the real-time soil spectro-photometer are: an improved soil penetrator to ensure a uniform soil surface under high speed conditions, real-time collecting of underground soil reflectance, getting underground soil color images, use of a RTK-GPS, and all units are arranged for compactness. With the soil spectrophotometer, field experiments were conducted in a 0.5 ha paddy field. With the original reflectance, averaging and multiple scatter correction, Kubelka-Munk (KM) transformation as soil absorption, its 1st and 2nd derivatives were calculated. When the spectra was highly correlated with the soil parameters, stepwise regression analysis was conducted. Results include the best prediction models for moisture, soil organic matter (SOM), nitrate nitrogen (NO$_3$-N), pH and electric conductivity (EC), and soil maps obtained by block kriging analysis.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2019

The study was compared for soil chemical and microbial properties as well as growth of the cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) plants environmentally friendly gown for 3 years and 5 years, which had been fertigated with homemade liquid fertilizer (LF) with indigenous microorganism as an additional fertilizer. Treatment included LF with indigenous microorganism for 3 years (3-year IM-LF) and for 5 years (5-year IM-LF), with an effective microorganism for 10 years (EM-LF), which had been applied with 1,000 times of dilution in the farmhouse. IM-LF and EM-LF materials had increased pH pattern for 16 weeks, in particular for increase of 1.2 for EM-LF. IM-LF material contained slightly higher EC but similar level of 0.2 dS/m to EM-LF. For a pot experiment in the greenhouse, IM-LF treatment increased root dry weight of the cherry tomato plants. In the farmhouse experiment, IM-LF treatment increased to 7.5 of soil pH and 8.4 dS/m of EC, indicating high salt accumulation. EM-LF treatment increased to 62 g/kg of soil OM, which would have affected concentrations of macro essential nutrients, including T-N in the soil. However, the optimum soil chemical levels for growth of cherry tomato plants were observed on the IM-LF plots. EM-LF treatment increased number of bacteria and actinobacteria in the soil. EM-LF treatment increased concentrations of macro essential nutrients in the plants, except for P, with similar nutrient concentrations observed between 3-year IM-LF and 5-year IM-LF-treated plants. Leaf SPAD and PS II levels decreased in the plants treated with 3-year IM-LF. EM-LF treatment increased leaf width and length, number of leaves, canopy area, plant height, and stem diameter in the mid-term stage of growth, which were not significantly different between the treatments. EM-LF treated-plants had two times higher leaf dry weight than those of values observed on the IM-LF plants, which was the opposite result observed on the number of fruit.