• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2022

Dissolved organic matter (DOM), which changes according to various factors, is ubiquitously present from natural environments to engineered treatment systems. Only limited information is available regarding the environmental functions of DOM after bulk analyses are only applied for characterization. In this paper, latest DOM analytical techniques are briefly introduced, which include fluorescence excitation-emission matrix with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), size-exclusion chromatography with an organic carbon detector (SEC-OCD), carbon/nitrogen stable-isotope ratio, and Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectroscopy (FT-ICR-MS). Recent examples of using advanced analyses to interpret the phenomena associated with DOM occurring in natural and engineered systems are presented here. Through EEM-PARAFAC, different components like protein-like, fulvic-like, and humic-like can be identified and tracked individually through the investigated systems. SEC-OCD allows researchers to quantify different size fractions. FT-ICR-MS provides thousands of molecular formulas present in bulk DOM samples. Lastly, carbon/nitrogen stable-isotope ratio offers reasonable tools for tracking the sources in environments. We also discuss the advantages and weakness of the above-mentioned characterizing tools. Specifically, they focus on single environmental factors (different sourced-DOM and interaction of sediment-pore water) or simple changes after individual treatment processes. Through collaboration with the advanced techniques later, they help the researchers to better understand environmental behaviors in aquatic systems and serve as essential tools for addressing various pending problems associated with DOM.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.339-347
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• 2023

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a key component in the biogeochemical cycling in freshwater ecosystem. However, it has been rarely explored, particularly complex river watershed dominated by natural and anthropogenic sources, such as various effluent facility and livestock. The current research developed a new analytical method for TOC/TN (Total Organic Carbon/Total Nitrogen) stable isotope ratio, and distinguish DOM source using stable isotope value (δ¹³C-DOC) and spectroscopic indices (fluorescence index [FI] and biological index [BIX]). The TOC/TN-IR/MS analytical system was optimized and precision and accuracy were secured using two international standards (IAEA-600 Caffein, IAEA-CH-6 Sucrose). As a result of controlling the instrumental conditions to enable TOC stable isotope analysis even in low-concentration environmental samples (<1 mgC L^-1), the minimum detection limit was improved. The 12 potential DOM source were collected from watershed, which includes top-soils, groundwater, plant group (fallen leaves, riparian plants, suspended algae) and effluent group (pig and cow livestock, agricultural land, urban, industry facility, swine facility and wastewater treatment facilities). As a result of comparing characteristics between 12 sources using spectroscopic indices and δ¹³C-DOC values, it were divided into four groups according to their characteristics as a respective DOM sources. The current study established the TOC/TN stable isotope analyses system for the first time in Korea, and found that spectroscopic indices and δ¹³C-DOC are very useful tool to trace the origin of organic matter in the aquatic environments through library database.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.392-404
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• 2015

Objectives: This study measured and analyzed the concentrations of crystalline silica, elemental carbon and the contribution ratio of pollutants which influence environmental and respiratory disease around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu, Korea. Methods: We analyzed the crystalline silica and elemental carbon in the air according to FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NIOSH(National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health) method 5040, respectively. In addition, lead stable isotopes, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were analyzed using MC-ICP/MS(Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer), and IRMS(Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer), respectively. Results: The concentration of crystalline silica in the direct exposure area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0005mg/Sm^3$, but not to exceed the exposure standards of the ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). In the case of the autumn, the direct exposure area was found to show a level 2.5 times higher than the reference area, and on the whole, the direct exposure area was found to have a level 1.4 times higher than the reference area. The concentration of elemental carbon in the direct exposure area and in the reference area were found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0006mg/Sm^3$, and $0.0006{\pm}0.0003mg/Sm^3$, respectively. This study confirmed the contribution ratio of coal raw materials to residentially deposited dusts in the area within 500 meters from the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area with a stable isotope ratio of 24.0%(0.7-62.7%) on average in the case of carbon and nitrogen, and 33.9%(26.6-54.1%) on average in the case of lead stable isotopes. Conclusions: This study was able to confirm correlations with coal raw materials used by the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area. The concentration of some pollutants, crystalline silica, and elemental carbon emitted to the direct-influence area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than in the reference area. Therefore, we need to impose continuous and substantive reduction countermeasures in the future to prevent particulate matter and coal raw materials in the study area. It is time for the local government and authorities to prepare active administrative methods such as the relocation of Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2012

Stable carbon isotope ratio of oil components are known to be unaffected by weathering processes and thus has been widely used to determine the origin of spilled oil. In this study, molecular index and composition of stable carbon isotope in 15 crude oils and petroleum product were analyzed and used as oil fingerprints to determine the discriminating power of each fingerprinting method among target crude oils. Through the fingerprints of alkane distribution only Bintulu and B-C(1%) were distinguishable from other crude oils. The pristane/phytane ratio can classify the crude oils into three groups but differentiation of crude oils within a group was impossible using the ratio. The crude oils of A.L., A.S.L., Foroozan and B-C(1%) were differentiated from the other oils using PAH source recognition indexes of C2D/C2P and C3D/C3P. The usage of 4-mD/1-mD and 2/3-mD/1-mD ratio was able to distinguish A.S.L., Bintulu and Oman from the other crude oils. However the PAH source recognition ratios in the other crude oils were similar and thus they were impractical to be used for source identification among the target crude oils. Stable carbon isotope ratios of alkanes were able to uniquely specify each crude oil in the plot of ${\delta}^{13}C_{C21}$ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{C25}$ except A.L., A.M., Qatar-Marine, B-C(1%). The oil fingerprinting method using stable carbon isotope ratios of individual alkane compounds showed more discriminating power among the target crude oils than the conventional source recognition indexes of PAHs or alkanes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.387-394
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• 2013

We aim to unveil dietary history recorded in Neolithic human bone from Janghang site at Gadeok Island, Busan. Excavation of Janghang site at Gadeok Island from 2010 to 2011 is an outstanding discovery in Korean Neolithic archaeology. A large number of human bones (48 individuals) were found at Janghang site, which is the largest-scale Neolithic cemetery in Korea. We extracted human bone collagen from 10 individuals and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis were carried out using carbon and nitrogen analyzer connected to a continuous-flow isotope-ratio-monitoring mass-spectrometer. Although bone histological analysis shows poor preservation state, stable isotope results correspond well with bone collagen quality indicator, which implies that bone collagen reflects lifetime signature. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope result indicates highly marinebased diet(${\delta}^{13}$C=$-14.5{\pm}1.3$‰, ${\delta}^{15}$N=$-17.4{\pm}1.7$‰, n=10), however the possible input of terrestrial animal and wild plant cannot be excluded. Our isotopic findings provide an invaluable information on Neolithic subsistence economy in this coastal area. In addition, Janghang site shows specific features in burial methods and burial goods. Two different burial methods of arranging bodies are found with extended burial type and particularly high ratio of flexed burial type. There are also burial goods such as pottery. However, there are no significant isotopic differences according to burial methods and burial goods. Although this is a preliminary study on this site, our research will provide important clues in understanding isotopic dietary history of Korean Neolithic people.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2015

The organic matter sources of phytoplankton and related environmental factors influencing algal bloom in Paldang reservoir were studied using nitrogen and carbon isotope ratio(${\delta}^{15}N$, ${\delta}^{13}C$). Phytoplankton samples for stable isotope analysis were collected from four points in reservoir using a plankton net. Physicochemical water quality, algal taxa and hydrological data were collected from published monitoring material. Phytoplankton samples were analyzed by IRMS. CN ratio of each sample was very similar to that of phytoplankton from literature cited. ${\delta}^{15}N$ of each sample was decreased during July. Mixing and dilution of nitrogen sources due to increment of influx by concentrated rainfall were considered as the main reason for the decline of ${\delta}^{15}N$. Based on analyzed ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of each sample, nitrogen source of Bughan river sample was presumed to come from soil. The nitrogen sources of Namhan river and Kyeongan stream samples seemed to be sewage or animal waste. Low ${\delta}^{15}N$ value in August (2012) seemed to be influenced by isotope fractionation due to the blooming of nitrogen-fixation blue-green algae (Anabaena spp.). Variation in ${\delta}^{15}N$ values particularly by blue-green algal bloom was considered the important factor for estimating the organic matter sources of phytoplankton.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.172-175
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• 2008

Stable isotope ratio of carbon and nitrogen ($\delta^{13}C$ & $\delta^{15}N$), and $\Delta^{9}$-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contents were measured on 37 Korean cannabis and 10 commercial grade marijuana seized in Korea. Factors influencing on the measured values and their variations were investigated. $\delta^{13}C$ value of cannabis is specified mainly by water availability. Korean cannabis showed relatively low $\delta^{13}C$ values ranging -33.29$\sim$-27.01% (mean=-31.01%), which reflect geographic conditions of Korea where is rainy, especially during summer. $\delta^{15}N$ values, which reflect individual planting conditions, were relatively high up to -0.5$\sim$18.0% (mean=6.44%). It reflects characteristics of Korean cannabis growing wild in forest or cultivated in fertile soil. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the major hallucinogenic compound of cannabis. Ethanol extracts of cannabis leaves were derivatized by N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), and the derivatives were analyzed by GC-MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. THC contents of Korean cannabis ranged 0.11$\sim$4.34% (mean=1.47%), which were relatively low compared with commercial grade marijuana.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.107-118
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• 2019

Two assertions about the process the formation of the high-purity limestone in the Taebaeksan Basin, categorized into syngenetic and epigenetic origin, are verified on the basis of its oxygen-carbon stable isotopic characteristics. The carbonate rocks sampled from the selective six high-purity limestone mines and several outcrops in the Daegi formation are featured by various colors such as the gray, light gray and dark gray. They show a wide range of oxygen stable isotope ratios (4.5 ~ 21.6 ‰), but a narrow range of carbon stable isotope ratios (-1.1 ~ 0.8 ‰, except for vein calcite), which means that they had not experienced strong hydrothermal alteration. In addition, there is no difference in the range of the oxygen stable isotope ratios by mine and color, and it is similar to the range from surrounding outcrop samples. These results indicate that the effect of the hydrothermal alteration were negligible in the generation of high-purity limestone in deposit scale. Whereas, the carbonate rocks can be divided texturally into two groups on the basis of an oxygen isotope ratio; the massive-textured or well-layered samples (>15 ‰), and the layer-disturbed (or layer-destructed) and showing over two colors in one sample (<15 ‰). In the multi-colored samples, the bright parts are characterized by the very low oxygen stable isotope ratios, compared to the dark parts, implying the increase in brightness of the carbonate rocks could be induced by the interaction between hydrothermal fluid and rock. However, these can be applied in a small scale such as one sample and are not suitable for interpretation of the generation of high-purity limestone as a deposit scale. In particular, the high oxygen isotope ratios from the recrystallized white limestone suggest that hydrothermal fluids are also rarely involved during recrystallization process. In addition, the occurrences of the high-purity limestone orebody strongly support the high-purity limestone in the area are syngenetic rather than epigenetic; the high-purity limestone layers in the area show continuous and almost horizontal shapes, and is intercalated between dolomite layers. Consequently, the overall reinterpretation based on the sequential stratigraphy over the Taebaeksan basin would play an important role to find additional reserves of the high-purity limestone.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.432-437
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• 2014

This study was carried out to examine the quality properties of honey in Korean commercial markets. The moisture content, stable carbon isotope ratio, invert sugar, cane sugar, and hydroxy-methylfurfural (HMF) contents of honey were measured according to the Korea Food Code and AOAC's (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) official methods. The stable carbon isotope ratio ranged from -25.18‰ to -12.60‰, which clearly differed between honey of $C_3$ origin (flower) and $C_4$ origin (artificial). Results of quality measurements revealed a moisture content of 18.12 to 19.70%, fructose content of 36.10 to 43.94%, glucose content of 22.61 to 31.91%, sucrose content of 1.56 to 4.75%, invert sugar content of 64.89 to 72.79%, and HMF content of 4.10 to 78.66 mg/kg. These values demonstrate that the quality of the tested honey meets the standard criteria of the Korean Food Code and Codex. However, it is necessary to reconsider the appropriate criteria for imported honey because it is circulated in the market through a long distribution process.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.spc
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• pp.27-34
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• 2008

The vertical distribution and origin of particulate organic matter (POM) were investigated in Shingu reservoir on 4th July (pre-monsoon) and 7th August (post-monsoon) 2006. High turbid water (120 NTU) were found at 4.5 m water depth in postmonsoon period. The average C/N ratio of POM was about 5.70 and 6.96 in surface water and bottom water, respectively in pre-monsoon period, exhibiting the close values to its ratio in phytoplankton cell. However, the average C/N ratio was 7.10 in surface water and 12.81 in bottom water in post-monsoon period. In addition, the ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of POM in pre-monsoon period ranged from -25.1%o to -26.1%o in whole water column, but the ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of POM in post-monsoon period showed relatively wide range between -23.2%o and -27.5%o. The apparently lighter values (average -27.5%o) in near bottom water (4.5 m water depth) demonstrate that POM in high turbid water in post-monsoon period may be derived from the outside terrestrial plants through heavy rainfall during the summer monsoon period. The present study suggests that carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios as well as C/N ratios should be useful indexes to clarify the origin of POM.