• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.224-230
• /
• 2013

BACKGROUND: Perchlorate(${ClO_4}^-$) is an anion that is extremely water-soluble and environmentally stable. It mostly exists in the form of sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate which are used in rocket fuels, propellants, ignitable sources, air bag inflation systems and explosives. Perchlorate can be taken into the thyroid glands and interfere with iodide uptake. The determination of perchlorate in agricultural products is important due to its potential health impact on humans. The objective of this study was to determine the perchlorate concentrations in the samples of various agricultural products and soils. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, samples of cereal(Rice, Barley, Corn, Bean), vegetable(Spinach, Lettuce, Sesame, Chives, Chili, Pumpkin, Tomato), fruit(Apple, Pear, Tangerine, Grape) were analyzed for perchlorate contents. Perchlorate concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that agricultural products respectively contained perchlorate concentrations in the range of : cereals N.D.~$7.46{\mu}g/kg$, vegetables $0.52{\sim}23.06{\mu}g/kg$, fruits $0.19{\sim}2.66{\mu}g/kg$. Bioconcentration factor was in the order of : vegetables > cereals > fruits. Bioconcentration factor was highest follwed by Sesame 37.88, Corn 21.51, Spinach 10.57, Tangerine 4.39, Chives 2.89 and Lettuce 1.90. The recoveries of perchlorate from spiked agricultural products and soils ranged from 87.72~111.26% and 102.09~111.23%. CONCLUSION(S): The health risk assessment results obtained in this study are lower than the RfD(Reference Dose, 0.0007 mg/kg/body weight/day) value as suggested by the Integrated Risk Information System(US IRIS). Our results indicate that, people currently exposed to perchlorate from agricultural products consumption are considered as safe.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.263-270
• /
• 2012

The objectives of the study were to determine fish fauna and compositions during 2010~2011 in Walpyung Conservation Park along with analysis of fish community structures and trophic and tolerance guilds. Total number of species and individuals sampled were 31 and 2667, respectively and dominant species was Zacco platypus (46.6%) and subdominant species was Acheilognathus lanceolatus (8.7%), which were composed of >50% of the total. Total number of Korean endemic species including Microphysogobio yaluensis was 10 and the proportion of the individuals was 8.7%. Also, natural monument No. 454 of Iksookimia choii, which is endangered species and legal protected species, was sampled and the total number of individuals was only three. According to the analysis of fish community structures, species richness index in the mid-stream reach ($M_r$) was 3.145, which is higher than any other stream reaches ($U_r$ and $D_r$). In contrast, the richness index was 2.180 in the up-stream reach ($U_r$), which is minimum among the sampling sites. Species diversity index was 1.785 and 1.975, respectively in the headwater ($U_r$) and mid-stream reach ($M_r$) and the low values in the down-stream reach ($D_r$, 1.660) were due to the influences of pointsource (i.e., road construction) and non-point sources (sporadic agricultural spots). According to analysis of tolerance guilds, the proportion of tolerant species (TS), based on the number of individuals, was composed of 64.2% and sensitive species (SS) was only 3.3%, indicating a predominance of tolerant fishes in the compositions. The proportion of omnivore species (OS), however, was composed of 64.0% and insectivore species (IS) was 29.3%, indicating a predominance of omnivore fishes in the stream. The high proportions of tolerant and omnivore species in this stream indicates that the water quality and physical habitat environments were degradated in this system. For these reasons, especially natural monument and endemic fish species in this region should be protected from the massive constructions and required to provide efficient stream management strategies.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.251-261
• /
• 2003

As a part of an on-going project investigating flux of materials in Gomso Tidal Flat, we have monitored temporal and spatial distribution of nitrogen components(TN, PON, DON, DIN) and have sought the relationships with the freshwater input(tidal range, salinity), the biological activities(chlorophyll-${\alpha}$, TP, DIP, silicate) and the resuspended bottom sediment in seawater(SPM) from 1999 to 2000. TN in seawater was 39.05 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/ (31.03∼42.93 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/) without any statistical difference(p<0.05) between the studied periods. Organic nitrogen (DON and PON) occupied 75％, 95％, 73％, and 75％ in April, August, September and November, respectively. DON and PON have been found within the narrow concentration ranges of 11.30∼16.38 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/ and 13.16∼20.04 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/ in spite of severe environmental differences through the studied periods. Dissolved fractions of nitrogen(DON and DIN) occupied 53∼65％ of TN. Only DIN varied with an evident temporal variability: low concentrations(1.325∼1.616 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/) in August and high enrichment(8.377∼14.65 $\mu\textrm{m}$ol 1$\^$-1/) in September. High consumption rate of DIN by phytoplankton and a long-lasted drought probably induced such low concentration of DIN in August. Eventually heavy precipitation probably introduced plenty of new nitrogen sources into Gomso Bay in September. The portion of PON, DON and DIN in the total nitrogen was 40％, 38％ and 22％, respectively. Their contents were in the order of DON>PON>DIN for the year round except PON>DON>DIN only in September. The highest DON portion in August probably due to the active microbial decomposition of organic material in summer. Only in April, some evident negative correlations have been found between chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ and DIN mostly nitrate(-0.64, p<0.01), phosphate(-0.46, p<0.01) and silicate(-0.55, p<0.01). The Si(OH)$_4$/DIN/DIP ratios in the water column suggests the limitation of DIN for the growth of phytoplankton during the dry summer in Gomso Bay, which was the case of August in this work. Even with some difference between the studied periods, the primary factors on the distribution of nitrogen components in seawater overlying the Gomso Tidal Flat have been the tidal range and the freshwater input, but the additional variations were due to the biological activities.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.705-715
• /
• 2010

The adoption of carbon foot print system is being activated mostly in the developed countries as one of the long-term response towards tightened up regulations and standards on carbon emission in the agricultural sector. The Korean Ministry of Environment excluded the primary agricultural products from the carbon foot print system due to lack of LCI (life cycle inventory) database in agriculture. Therefore, the research on and establishment of LCI database in the agriculture for adoption of carbon foot print system is urgent. Development of LCA (life cycle assessment) methodology for application of LCA to agricultural environment in Korea is also very important. Application of LCA methodology to agricultural environment in Korea is an early stage. Therefore, this study was carried out to find out the effect of lettuce cultivation on agricultural environment by establishing LCA methodology. Data collection of agricultural input and output for establishing LCI was carried out by collecting statistical data and documents on income from agro and livestock products prepared by RDA. LCA methodology for agriculture was reviewed by investigating LCA methodology and LCA applications of foreign countries. Results based on 1 kg of lettuce production showed that inputs including N, P, organic fertilizers, compound fertilizers and crop protectants were the main sources of major emission factor during lettuce cropping process. The amount of inputs considering the amount of active ingredients was required to estimate the actual quantity of the inputs used. Major emissions due to agricultural activities were $N_2O$ (emission to air) and ${NO_3}^-$/${PO_4}^-$ (emission to water) from fertilizers, organic compounds from pesticides and air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion in using agricultural machines. The softwares for LCIA (life cycle impact assessment) and LCA used in Korea are 'PASS' and 'TOTAL' which have been developed by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Environment. However, the models used for the softwares are the ones developed in foreign countries. In the future, development of models and optimization of factors for characterization, normalization and weighting suitable to Korean agricultural environment need to be done for more precise LCA analysis in the agricultural area.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2020

This study was designed to come up with a way of managing a cultural landscape forest by conducting research on the vegetation structure and growth characteristics. This study's target site, which was 45,201㎡ in size, was Pinus densiflora forest for Sugumagi placed at the entrance of Unmun Temple, Sinwon-ri, Unmun-myeon, and Cheongdo-gun in the southernmost part of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Sugumagi means the water of the valley flows far away, and where no downstream is visible according to feng shui. The historical sources of the Sugumagi Pinus densiflora forest at the entrance of Unmun Temple isn't clear. It waw only found at that location. The Pinus densiflora forest at the entrance of Unmun Temple is located in the waterway in terms of Feng Shui. The present condition of growth was investigated through a grid surveys of 98 trees and Pinus densiflora growth. As a result of the analysis of growth status, Pinus densiflora, Larix leptolepis, Zelkova serrata, Celtis sinensis, and Rhus javanica were distributed in the conopy layer, and 28 species including Ailanthus altissima were grown in the understroy layer, and 92 species, including Ampelopsis brevipedunculata, in the shrub layer. The plant community structure was divided into low, medium and high-density Pinus densiflora forests in the study area, based on the number in the conopy layer and the grade of and the trees analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the Pinus densiflora dominated the low, medium and high-density Pinus densiflora forests, and there were no competitive species. The relative dominance of the low-density Pinus densiflora forests was 46.9% on average, medium-density was 62.6% and 50.2% was found in high-density. The mean species diversity of Shannon in the low-density study was 0.7055, medium-density study was 0.8966 and the average species diversity of Shannon in the high-density study was 0.8317. The analysis of the age and growth of 25 sample trees in the Sugumagi Pinus densiflora forest shows that the distribution of the chest diameter (DBH) of the sample Pinus densiflora is 38 to 77cm with the average chest diameter being 61.1cm. The age was 84-161 years and the average was 114 years. In the Pinus densiflora forest, most(670,659, or 98.3%) of the tree trunk wound was collected for rosins during the Japanese colonia Era, Of the total 670, 659 were Pinus densiflora, 98.3% of the total. 394 were surgically repaired in 2005. For the preservation of the Sugumagi Pinus densiflora forest, dead trees should be replaced with substitute trees appropriate to the middle and south topography. It is demanded that foreign species such as Larix leptolepis in the research area should be removed and Pinus densiflora that underwent surgical operations should be regularly sterilized. It is also emphasized that the management of insecticide is important.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.237-244
• /
• 1978

Among the strains isolated form the various sources, the strain AC-12 producing a powerful pectinase was selected by the extensive screening test. The selected strain was indentified and its toxicity investigated. The conditions of the pectinase production, the characteristics of the purified enzyme and the clarification effect on the apple juice were studied. 1. The selected strain AC-12 was identified by the classification method of paper and fennel and named as Aspergillus sp. AC-12. 2. As a result of the breeding test of the white mouse, no toxicity was found from this enzyme. 3. The yield of pectinase in the medium of defatted rice bran was much better than that in the medium of wheat bran. 4. The optimum conditions for the culture of the strain in the medium of defatted rice bran were that the cultural time was 72hrs, the amount of water to be added about 80%, temperature $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$ and pH $3.0{\sim}5.0$. 5. The yield of pectinase was slightly increased by the addition of pectin to the medium of defatted rice bran and by the addition of pectin, $NaNO_3$ and $K_2HPO_4$ to the medium of wheat bran, respectively. 6. The optimum conditions for the enzyme activity were pH $3.0{\sim}4.0$ and temperature $40{\sim}50^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was stable below $40^{\circ}C$ and pH $2.0{\sim}8.0$, respectively. But above $50^{\circ}C,$ this enzyme was abruptly inactivated. The activity was slightly increased by the addition of $MnSO_4\;and\;CuSO_4.$ 7. It was regarded that the opimum temperature for the clarification of the apple juice was $40{\sim}50^{\circ}C$, the optimum pH 3.0 and the optimun concentration of the enzyme 0.1%, and the apple juice was almost clarified by the reaction at $45^{\circ}C$ for 60 minutes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.128-136
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted for developing the stability parameter in uncontrolled landfill by using a biomolecular investigation on the microbial community growing through leachate plume. Landfill J(which is in Cheonan) and landfill T(which is in Wonju) were chosen for this study among a total of 244 closed uncontrolled landfills. It addressed the genetic diversity of the microbial community in the leachate by 165 rDNA gene cloning using PCR and compared quantitative analysis of denitrifiers and methanotrophs with the conventional water quality parameters. From the BLAST search, genes of 47.6% in landfill J, and 32.5% in landfill T, respectively, showed more than 97% of the similarity where Proteobacteria phylum was most significantly observed. It showed that the numbers of denitrification genes, i.e. nirS gene and cnorB gene in the J site are 7 and 4 times higher than those in T site, which is well reflecting from a difference of site closure showing 7 and 13 years after being closed, respectively. In addition, the quantitative analysis on methane formation gene showed that J1 spot immediately bordering with the sources has the greatest number of methane formation bacteria, and it was decreased rapidly according to distribute toward the outer boundary of landfill. The comparative investigation between the number of genes, i.e. nirS gene, cnorB gene and MCR gene, md the conventional monitoring parameters, i.e. TOC, $NH_3-N,\;NO_3-N,\;NO_2-N,\;Cl^-$, alkalinity, addressed that more than 99% of the correlation was observed except for the $NO_3-N$. It was concluded that biomolecular investigation was well consistent with the conventional monitoring parameters to interpret their influences and stability made by leachate plume formed in downgradient around the uncontrolled sites.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 1995

This study is to compare A point doses in human pelvic phantom by film dosimetry, computer planning and manual calculation by using of along-away table. We developed tissue equivalent human pelvic phantom composed of four pieces of cylindrical acryl tubes with water, to simulate intracavitary radiation (ICR) in patients with cervix cancer. When the phantom assembled from 4 pieces, it has a small space for inserting Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator like a human vagina. Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator inserted into the space was packed tightly with furacin gauzes, and three $^{137}Cs$ sources with radioactivity of $15.7mg\;Ra-eq$ were inserted into the tandem. For the film dosimetry, two pieces of X-OMAT V film (Kodak Co.) of which planes include point A, were arranged orthogonally in the slits between phantoms. A point dose and iso-dose curves were measured by means of optical densitometer. A point doses by film dosimetry, RTP system and manual calculation by using of along-away table were compared, and iso-dose curves by film dosimetry and computer planning were also compared. The dose of A point was 51.2cGy/hr by film dosimetry, 46.7cGy/hr by RTP system and 47.9 cGy/hr by along-away table. A point dose by computer planning was similar to the dose by calculation using of along-away table with acceptable accuracy $({\pm}3%)$, however, the dose by film dosimetry was different from two others with about 10% error. Since most clinical beams contains a scatter component of low energy photons, the correlation between optical density and dose becomes tenuous. In addition, film suffers from several potential errors such as changes in processing conditions, interfilm emulsion differences, and artifacts caused by air pockets adjacent to the film. For these reasons, absolute dosimetry with film is impractical, however, it is very useful for checking qualitative patterns of a radiation distribution. In future, solid state dosimeter such as TLD must be used for the dosimetry of ionizing radiation. When considerable care is used, precision of approximately 3% may be obtained using TLD.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2011

In compliance with an international law about the ocean dumping of the sludge, the proper sewage treatment process which occurs from the wastewater treatment process has been becoming problem. Generally the sewage and the sludge are controlled from anaerobic condition when the sewage is treated and land filled, where the methane$(CH_{4})$ and the nitrous oxide $(N_{2}O)$ from this process are discharged. Because these gases have been known as one of the responsible gases for global warming, the wastewater treatment process is become known as emission sources of green house gases(GHG). This study is to suggest a new approach of estimate and environmental assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and sludge emissions from wastewater treatment processes. It was carried out by calculating the total amounts of GHG emitted from biological wastewater treatment process and the amount of the sludgegenerated from the processes. Four major biological wastewater treatment processes which are Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxidation$(A_{2}O)$, Bardenpho, Virginia Initiative Plant(VIP), University of Cape Town(UCT)are used and GPS-X software is used to model four processes. Based on the modeling result of four processes, the amounts of GHG emissions and the sludge produced from each process are calculated by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) 2006 guideline report. GHG emissions for water as well as sludge treatment processes are calculated for environmental assessment has been done on the scenario of various sludge treatments, such as composting, incineration and reclamation and each scenario is compared by using a unified index of the economic and environmental assessment. It was found that Bardenpho process among these processes shows a best process that can emit minimum amount of GHG with lowest impact on environment and composting emits the minimum amount of GHG for sludge treatment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.36 no.3 s.104
• /
• pp.322-335
• /
• 2003

Nutrient fluxes and sediment oxygen demands (SOD) were measured with intact sediment cores collected from three stations in the downstream of Nagdong River. The sediments were subjected to controlled oxic and hypoxic conditions and temperature gradients (from $10^{\circ}C$ to $30^{\circ}C$) of the overlying waters in laboratory batch system. The effect of temperature and labile layer thickness of the sediment on SOD were examined. $PO_4\;^{3-}$ and $NH_4\;^+$ fluxes were elevated above $20^{\circ}C$ and large mobilities were observed when they were coupled with a hypoxic and high-temperature condition. In the well oxygenated conditions, $PO_4\;^{3-}$ fluxes were negative or negligible but $NH_4\;^+$ fluxes ranged from 1.3 mg N $m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ to 2.3 $m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$. Temperature quotients($Q_{10}$) of $PO_4\;^{3-}$ fluxes were 3.7 ${\sim}$ 7.3 ranges to have the most high values. $PO_4\;^{3-}$ and $NH_4\;^+$ fluxes had the logarithmic increase with temperature, while $NO_3\;^-$ was negatively absorbed to the sediment and linearly correlated with the temperature. $SiO_2$ fluxes showed no difference among oxic and hypoxic conditions and sediment texture. The nutrient fluxes would be closely correlated with pore water chemistry of sediments and activated by the top sediment layer composition such as labile organic matters or algal detritus. The ecological implications of the nutrient fluxes were discussed in terms of sources and sinks of nutrients coupled to algal productions in the Nagdong River.