• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.87-103
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• 1996

The purposes of this research are to investigate the pollution level of heavy metals due to the urbanization and industrialization in the satellite cities of Seoul, and to assess the chemical species and the sources of heavy metals in highly contaminated soils and dusts. Soil and dust samples were collected from the Uijeongbu and the Koyang cities, which are northern and the northwestern satellite cities of Seoul metropolitan city, respectively. Relatively high pH values($6.3{\sim}9.9$) were found in roadside soils compared with agricultural and forest soils. Difference in pH values of soils was not identified between before and after rainy seasons. In spite of no specific pollution sources in the above cities, the contents of Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils and dusts were much higher than the world average contents. The metal levels in dusts were higher than those in soils, but the metal concentration in dusts was significantly decreased after rainy season. Pollution index was high(> 1.0) in the areas of heavy traffic, industrial complex, and city centres. There is an appreciable proportion of total Zn in exchangeable/water-acid soluble fraction. Copper is predominantly associated with reducible and oxidizable phases, whereas Pb is largely in reducible association. It is concluded that the mobility and bioavailability of metals are high in the order of Zn >> Cu > Pb, on the basis of characteristic particle morphology and chemical composition, Pb-containing particles are originated probably from the automobile exhaust, particularly in heavy traffic areas. The metallic forms and iron-oxide associated forms of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb can be assessed as industrial origin.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.329-341
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to study the $PM_{2.5}$ source characteristics affecting the Seoul area using a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model. This study was also to evaluate the $PM_{2.5}$ source profiles, which were directly measured and developed. Asian Dust Storm usually occurred in the spring, and very high $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were observed in the fall among the sampling periods. So the ambient data collected in the spring and fall were evaluated. The CMB model results as well as the $PM_{2.5}$ source profiles were validated using the diagnostic categories, such as: source contribution estimate, t-statistic, R-square, Chi-square, and percent of total mass explained. In the spring months, the magnitude of $PM_{2.5}$ mass contributors was in the following order: Chinese aerosol $(31.7\%)>$ secondary aerosols ($22.3\%$: ammonium sulfate $13.4\%$ and ammonium nitrate $8.9\%)>$ vehicles ($16.1\%$: gasoline vehicle $1.4\%$ and diesel vehicles $14.7\%)>$biomass burning $(15.5\%)>$ geological material $(10.5\%)$. In the fall months, the general trend of the $PM_{2.5}$ mass contributors was the following: biomass burning $(31.1\%)>$ vehicles ($26.9\%$: gasoline vehicle $5.1\%$ and diesel vehicles $21.8\%)>$ secondary aerosols ($23.0\%$: ammonium sulfate $9.1\%$ and ammonium nitrate $13.9\%)>$ Chinese aerosol $(10.7\%)$. The results show that the $PM_{2.5}$ mass in the Seoul area was mainly affected by the Chinese area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 1995

This study was carried out to characterize sources of suspended particulate matter(SPM) in Mt. Soback area from January to Novembver in 1993. The collection and major water soluble ion analysis of SPM were conducted by using a High Volumn Air Sampler(HVAS; W&A Inc., PM-10) and ion chromatograph(DIONEX 4000i), respectively. The variations of SPM and major ion concentrations were found to be 9. sim. 156.mu.g/ $m^{3}$, $F^{-10}$ 0.00 .sim. 0.15.mu.g/ $m^{3}$, C $l^{-10}$ 0.06 .sim. 3.79.mu.g/ $m^{3}$, N $O_{3}$$^{-10}$ 0.90 .sim. 6.85.mu.g/ $m^{3}$, S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$ 1.99 .sim. 9.36.mu.g/ $m^{3}$ N $a^{+}$0.00 .sim. 0.27.mu.g/ $m^{3}$, N $H_{4}$ $^{+}$0.72 .sim. 5.77.mu.g/ $m^{3}$, $k^{+}$0.03 .sim. 0.88.mu.g/ $m^{3}$ and $Ca^{2+}$0.12 .sim. 2.76.mu.g/ $m^{3}$. Tree sources were identified by Principal Component Amalysis(PCA) using a SPSS/P $C^{+}$. The explanation ability of forst, second and third Principal Component were 60.8%, 13.6%, 8.2%, of total variance. The sources classfied by PCA were found to be secondary aerosol/fuel combustion, soil dust related cement production/yellow sand and aerosol related waste burning.related waste burning.g.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to evaluate $PM_{10}$ concentrations at eight highway tollgate booths from July to September 2017. Methods: A total of 16 samples were collected from eight toll booths. Each $PM_{10}$ sample was collected using a 37 mm PTFE filter attached to a Personal Environment Monitor. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ in the toll booths was $83.51{\mu}g/m^3$. The mean $PM_{10}$ concentrations measured on freight roadways were much higher than those of measured on general roadways($102.46{\mu}g/m^3$ and $68.05{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). $PM_{10}$ was revealed to be higher in the morning($105.59{\mu}g/m^3$) than at dawn or in the afternoon($71.26{\mu}g/m^3$ and $61.22{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). The mean $PM_{10}$ concentration in toll booths ventilated through an air conditioner was higher than that for those using a window or no ventilation. The rate of exceeding the Ministry of Environment Maintenance Limit($200{\mu}g/m^3$) was 6.25%, and the rate of exceeding the Ministry of Labor Recommended Limit($150{\mu}g/m^3$) was 12.5%. Conclusions: In order to protect the health of toll booth workers exposed to airborne dust, it is necessary to check the exposure level from indoor air quality on a regular basis and to manage it appropriately according to the results.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between filter replacement and filter performance change in particulate filters used in the workplace. Methods: Three types of particulate respirator filters are mainly used in the workplaces. These were tested against the filter performance safety certification standard for dust masks established by the Ministry of Employment and Labor(MoEL). Used filters were collected to test their performance, such as filter pressure drop, efficiency, and quality factors. All these factors were evaluated by a filter tester. To compare filter performance between used and new ones, the same kinds of new filters were also tested together under the same procedures. Results: A total of 270 used filters were collected for testing. The main reasons to replace the filters were difficulty in breathing(46.2%), dirty/odor influx(19.7%), and a combination of factors(26.7%). The pressure drop for two special class groups was significantly different(new filters: $20.72{\pm}3.33mmH_2O$; used filters: $24.70{\pm}5.26mmH_2O$, p<0.0001). In the case of penetration, new filter groups indicated $0.0032{\pm}0.0040%$, while that of the used filters was $0.0596{\pm}0.1187%$. The quality factor for the used filters($0.34{\pm}0.09$) significantly decreased compared to the new filters($0.53{\pm}0.08$) (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Filter performance including pressure drop, penetration, and the quality factor was evaluated and compared between new and used filters in the workplace. The results showed that general filter performance deteriorated more for change of pressure drop, penetration and the quality factor.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.27-37
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• 2020

As domestic meat consumption increases, the broiler production industry has been larger and denser. The concentration of particulate matter (PM) and harmful gases generated is also increasing inside livestock house. However, the current research status of PM exposed to farm workers and the health effects are in the early stage. To understand PM concentration affecting workers in the broiler house, field monitoring was conducted according to its size distributions. Concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and TD (Total Dust) were monitored using personal air samplers with teflon filter during working and moving periods considering the ventilation systems of 6 broiler houses. The purpose of this study is to monitor the PM concentration in the experimental broiler houses operated by forced ventilation system generally used in Korea and to evaluate the regional concentrations through airflow pattern. The PM concentrations were increased from inlet to outlet vents resulting in 1,872 of TD, 1,385 of PM₁₀, and 209 ㎍/㎥ of PM_2.5, respectively. The TD and PM₁₀ concentrations were increased when the workers and broilers were moving. Among them, the particle size that occupied the largest amount of PM was 13.75 ㎛. These results suggest that personal protection equipments are important to reduce the health effect from PM inhalation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.618-624
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• 2019

This study aimed to determine the growth and carbon storage of planted Haloxylon aphyllum in the Aralkum Desert in Kazakhstan. Six sites afforested in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2017 were selected. The root collar diameter(cm) and height(m) were measured for all H. aphyllum in 30 m×44 m plots. Biomass accumulation (g m^-2) and carbon storage(C g m^-2) were calculated using allometric equations and the carbon concentration data of Haloxylon species. The diameters varied from 2.5 cm to 4.3 cm and the height varied from 106.2 cm to 223.7 cm. The growth of H. aphyllum was not linearly related to the afforestation year or soil properties. Tree growth might have been influenced by variations in the microclimate, such as temperature, precipitation, and dust storms. The mean total biomass accumulation was 20.57g m^-2 and ranged from 2.42 g m^-2 to 64.53 g m^-2. The mean carbon storage was 9.70C g m^-2 and ranged from 1.12 C g m^-2 to 30.61 C g m^-2. These biomass and carbon storage estimates were smaller than those reported for other Central Asian deserts, but afforestation enabled the generation of vegetative cover and consequently, carbon sequestration in the manmade Aralkum Desert.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.99-110
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• 2018

Compared to yellow dust coming from China or particulate matter created naturally in spring due to Total Suspended Particulate(TSP), particulate matter in winter season have much more serious effect on human body as they penetrate cell membranes. Although such particulate matter are becoming a social issue, there are no concrete plans on how to reduce them. Air-purifying plants are limited in maintaining the indoor air quality of large area because it is usually difficult to quantify their performance. In order to improve this, a bio-filter that can be connected to air conditioner is suggested as an option. This study seeks to improve air conditioning model-based monitoring method for bio-filters from prior studies and objectify correlations between applied vegetation and growing environment into quantitative indicators. By doing so, this study seeks to provide criteria on plants applied to artificial soil-based vegetation bio-filters and basic information to set air-conditioning features. The study results confirmed significant tendency on the growing stability of each purifying plant in mechanical air-conditioning environment. Among three models selected for bio-filter vegetation models, epipremnum aureum showed high performance in quantitative indicators, including soil moisture, EC, and leaf temperature, etc., indicating that it would assure the highest growing stability in this test air-conditioning environment.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 1999

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of container size and substrate volume on the growth and fruit yield of hydroponically grown cucumber(Cucumis sativus L.) plants. Seeds were sown in plug tray filled with coir dust on Feb. 13, 1998. Seedlings with 5 to 6 true leaves were transplanted in $2{\ell},\;4{\ell},\;6{\ell},\;8{\ell}\;and\;10{\ell}$ plastic pots filled with perlite. Cucumber fruits were harvested with 1 to 2 days interval, and fresh weight, number of normal and malformed fruit were recorded. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area were highly depended on the container size. Total fresh weight and the number of fruit were increased with increasing container size. NAR(net assimilation rate) and CGR(crop growth rate) increased also with increasing the container size. Optimum container size for hydroponically grown cucumber plant using perlite was recommended as $8{\ell}$ per plant.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.623-628
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of airborne bacteria, fungi, particles, and endotoxin in swine and chicken houses. Six swine buildings and seven chicken houses were randomly selected in southern Gyonggi Province, South Korea. The geometric mean concentrations of airborne bacteria in swine and chicken houses were $2.7{\times}10^5\;CFU/m^3$ and $5.6{\times}10^7\;CFU/m^3$, respectively. The airborne bacteria concentrations in chicken houses were significantly higher than those of swine houses (p<0.05). The geometric mean concentration of airborne fungi in swine houses was $4.9{\times}10^3\;CFU/m^3$, which was higher than the value of $2.1{\times}10^3\;CFU/m^3$ found in chicken houses. The mean concentrations of airborne particles and endotoxin in swine houses were $3.48\;mg/m^3$ and $943.1\;EU/m^3$, and they were $15.43\;mg/m^3$ and $1,430.5\;EU/m^3$ in chicken houses, respectively. A significant difference between swine and chicken houses was found for total dust (p<0.05), but not for endotoxin. In this study, the concentrations of endotoxin in both swine and chicken houses as well as particles in chicken houses were high, and in about 50% of the samples exceeded the worker health safety levels of $614\;EU/m^3$ suggested in previous studies. These results may indicate a considerable respiratory hazard for workers in these environments.