• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.237-241
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• 2010

Many policies have been implemented to mitigate the greenhouse gases in atmosphere overall of sectors. With considering the distinct characteristics of the food security, agricultural sector is no exception to this situation. To this regard, total amount of carbon which is emitted through all of the agricultural production process is calculated, and being based on this result, the demand for the introduction of agricultural production system with low carbon has been rising. Case studies on the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) technique to agricultural sector are found in many countries. For example, life cycle inventory (LCI) data bases of crop, farm infrastructure, fertilizer, farm machinery, and etc., have been constructed and provided by Ecoinvent (Swiss centre for life cycle inventories) of Swiss. In Japan, Top-down typed LCA methodology for agriculture is developed based on the inter-industry analysis, and is evaluated according to the productive method of crop. On the other hand, environmental impact assessment of agricultural system using LCA in Korea is just in the beginning stages. So it is required to assess environmental impact on agricultural fertilizer and pesticide, and to develop their flow modeling, and methodology of LCA of agricultural sector. Environmental impact assessment on agricultural materials, machinery, and infrastructure will also be carried out.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Carbonized biomass is a carbon-rich solid product obtained by the pyrolysis of biomass. It has been suggested to mitigate climate change through increased carbon storage and reduction of greenhouse gas emission. The objective of this study was to evaluate carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions from soil after carbonized biomass addition. METHODS AND RESULTS: The carbonized biomass was made from a pyrolyzer, which a reactor was operated about $400{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours. The treatments were consisted of a control without input of carbonized biomass and two levels of carbonized biomass inputs as 6.06 Mg/ha for CB-1 and 12.12 Mg/ha for CB-2. Emissions of $CO_2$ and $N_2O$ from orchard soil were determined using closed chamber for 13 weeks at $25^{\circ}C$ of incubation temperature. It was shown that the cumulative $CO_2$ were $209.4g\;CO_2/m^2$ for CB-1, $206.4g\;CO_2/m^2$ for CB-2 and $214.5g\;CO_2/m^2$ for the control after experimental periods. The cumulative $CO_2$ emission was similar in carbonized biomass input treatment compared to the control. It was appeared that cumulative $N_2O$ emissions were $4,478mg\;N_2O/m^2$ for control, $3,227mg\;N_2O/m^2$ for CB-1 and$ 2,324mg\;N_2O/m^2$ for CB-2 at the end of experiment. Cumulative $N_2O$ emission contents significantly decreased with increasing the carbonized biomass input. CONCLUSION: Consequently the carbonized biomass from byproducts such as pear branch residue could suppress the soil $N_2O$ emission. The results fromthe study imply that carbonized biomass can be utilized to reduce greenhouse gas emission from the orchard field.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.647-654
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• 2018

In order to solve the global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it has been developed the $CO_2$ capture technology by oxy-fuel combustion. But there is a problem that the economic efficiency is low because the oxygen production cost is high. ASU (Air Separation Unit) is known to be most suitable method for producing large capacity of oxygen (>2,000 tpd). But most of them are optimized for high purity (>99.5%) oxygen production. If the ASU process is optimized for low purity(90~97%) oxygen producing, it is possible to reduce the production cost of oxygen by improving the process efficiency. In this study, the process analysis and comparative evaluation was conducted for developing large capacity ASU for oxy-fuel combustion. The process efficiency was evaluated by calculating the recovery rate and power consumption according to the oxygen purity using the AspenHysys. As a result, it confirmed that the optimal purity of oxygen for oxyfuel combustion is 95%, and the power consumption can be reduced by process optimization to 12~18%.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.307-326
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• 2019

The electric vehicle is a representative measure to reduce greenhouse gas and local air pollutants in the transportation sector. Most countries provide purchase subsidies and tax reductions to promote electric vehicle sales. The electric vehicles have been considered as zero-emission vehicles(ZEV) in light of the fact that there has been no pollutant emission during driving. However, recent studies have pointed out that the pollutant emitted from the process of generating electricity used for charging the electric vehicles need to be treated as emissions of the electric vehicles. Furthermore, the environmental benefits of electric vehicle replacing the internal combustion vehicle vary with the power mix. In line with the recent studies, this study analyzes the impact of electric vehicles based on the current power mix and future energy transition scenarios in Korea. To estimate the precise air pollutants emission profile, this study uses hourly electricity generation and TMS emission data for each power plant from 2015 to 2016. The estimation results show that the electric vehicles under the current power mix generate the environmental benefits of only -0.41~10.83 won/km. Also, we find that the environmental benefit of electric vehicle will significantly increase only when the ratio of the coal-fired power plant is reduced to a considerable extent.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2015

In 2014, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to submit the Intended Nationality Determined Contributions (INDCs) at the conference of parties held in Lima, Peru. Then, the South Korean government submitted the INDCs including GHGs reduction target and reduction potential on July, 2015. The goal of this study is to predict GHGs emission and to analyze reduction potential in agricultural sector of Korea. Activity data to estimate GHGs emission was forecast by Korea Agricultural Simulation Model (KASMO) of Korea Rural Economic Institute and estimate methodology was taken by the IPCC and guideline for MRV (Measurement, Reporting and Verification) of national greenhouse gases statistics of Korea. The predicted GHGs emission of agricultural sectors from 2021 to 2030 tended to decrease due to decline in crop production and its gap was less after 2025. Increasing livestock numbers such as sheep, horses, swine, and ducks did not show signigicant impact the total GHGs emission. On a analysis of the reduction potential, GHGs emission was expected to reduce $253Gg\;CO_{2-eq}$. by 2030 with increase of mid-season water drainage area up to 95% of total rice cultivation area. The GHGs reduction potential with intermittent drainage technology applied to 10% of the tatal paddy field area, mid-drainage and no organic matter would be $92Gg\;CO_{2-eq}$. by 2030.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.2
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• pp.233-243
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• 2021

Considering worldwide efforts to mitigate repercussions of climate change, the South Korean government has declared to reach net zero by 2050 to achieve a carbon-neutral sustainable society. For full implementation of NDCs, the government has actively reflected its forestry sector into these strategies. Since coarse woody debris (CWD) in forests represents an enduring carbon storage, it is of particular significance to determine characteristics of changes in carbon stocks of CWD by utilizing data on dead trees monitored in permanent sample plots within national forest inventories (NFIs). In this study, therefore, both occurrence and carbon stocks of CWD were estimated in such plots using data on CWD from the 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th NFIs. Subsequently, characteristics of changes in carbon stocks over time were analyzed. Based on the analysis of 2,021 plots available for monitoring in each NFI of Gangwon Province, the volume of CWD (m³ ha^-1) was found to be 4.71 in the 5^th NFI and 4.09 in the 6^th NFI. However, the volume of CWD declined to 3.09 in the 7^th NFI. Moreover, the annual carbon stocks of CWD (ton C ha^-1) were estimated to be 0.67 in 2009, 0.64 in 2014, and 0.41 in 2019, showing a downward trend over time. This study provides a basis for future research to investigate long-term changes and estimate carbon stocks of CWD in South Korea forests.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.667-694
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• 2018

We analyze the learning-by-doing effects of the allowance pricing system on the Korea's emission trading scheme. The price of allowance (Korean Allowance Unit) is influenced differently by internal market factors and economic conditions variables in the first (January 2015 to June 2016 ) and the second commitment year(January 2016 to June 2017). The prices and transaction volumes of complementary credits (KCU and KOC) as well as economic conditions variables (such as call rate, exchange rate, stock price) are statistically significant only for the second commitment year. Thus, the learning-by-doing effect makes the market participation decision on K-ETS market more efficient in the second commitment year, adopting the previous experience and knowledge in the K-ETS market. The factors estimated significantly in both commitment periods include the institutional binary variable for requiring the submission of the emissions verification reports issued both on February and March.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.45-59
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• 2023

The global focus on mitigating climate change has traditionally centered on carbon dioxide, but recent attention has shifted towards methane as a crucial factor in climate change adaptation. Natural settings, particularly aquatic environments such as wetlands, reservoirs, and lakes, play a significant role as sources of greenhouse gases. The accumulation of organic contaminants on the lake and reservoir beds can lead to the microbial decomposition of sedimentary material, generating greenhouse gases, notably methane, under anaerobic conditions. The escalation of methane emissions in freshwater is attributed to the growing impact of non-point sources, alterations in water bodies for diverse purposes, and the introduction of structures such as river crossings that disrupt natural flow patterns. Furthermore, the effects of climate change, including rising water temperatures and ensuing hydrological and water quality challenges, contribute to an acceleration in methane emissions into the atmosphere. Methane emissions occur through various pathways, with ebullition fluxes-where methane bubbles are formed and released from bed sediments-recognized as a major mechanism. This study employs Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests to analyze and quantify the factors influencing methane gas emissions. Methane production rates are measured under diverse conditions, including temperature, substrate type (glucose), shear velocity, and sediment properties. Additionally, numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the relationship between fluid shear stress on the sand bed and methane ebullition rates. The findings reveal that biochemical factors significantly influence methane production, whereas shear velocity primarily affects methane ebullition. Sediment properties are identified as influential factors impacting both methane production and ebullition. Overall, this study establishes empirical relationships between bubble dynamics, the Weber number, and methane emissions, presenting a formula to estimate methane ebullition flux. Future research, incorporating specific conditions such as water depth, effective shear stress beneath the sediment's tensile strength, and organic matter, is expected to contribute to the development of biogeochemical and hydro-environmental impact assessment methods suitable for in-situ applications.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.277-287
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• 2015

This paper addresses limitations of land-change modeling application in the context of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation). REDD is an international conservation policy that aims to protect forests via carbon credit generation and trading. In REDD, carbon credits are generated only if there is measurable quantied carbon sequestration activities that are additional to business-as-usual (BAU). A "reference level" is defined as simulated baseline carbon emissions for the future under a BAU scenario, and predictive land-change modeling plays an important role in constructing reference levels. It is tested in this research how predictive accuracies of two land-change models, namely Geographic Emission Benchmark (GEB) and GEOMOD, vary with respect to different spatial scales: Xishuangbanna prefecture and Yunnan province. The accuracies are measured by Figure of Merit. In this Chinese case study, it turns out that GEB's better performance is mainly due to quantity (e.g., how many hectares of forest will be converted to agricultural land?) rather than spatial allocation (e.g., where will the conversion happen?). As both quantity and allocation are crucial in REDD reference level setting it appears to be fundamental to systematically analyze accuracies of quantity and allocation independently in pursuit of accurate reference levels.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.154-154
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• 2011

화석연료의 가격 및 공급의 불안정과 온실가스감축 국제 규제 강화 등에 대한 대안으로 여기는 신 재생에너지는 높은 초기 투자 부담으로 인하여 관련기술의 연구개발과 보급정책 등 전과정에 걸친 정책 지원체계가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 지열에너지를 이용하는 지열냉난방기술에 중점을 두고 이에 대한 중장기 정책 포트폴리오 작성을 위한 기술 및 정책적 접근방안을 제시하고자한다. 지열에너지의 가장 큰 특징은 기후 등에 영향을 크게 부하가 변하는 태양광, 풍력 등과 달리 일정한 부하를 유지함으로써 안정적인 에너지공급이 가능하다는 것이다. 또, 품질 측면에서도 화석연료를 이용한 기존의 연료보다 쾌적한 환경을 조성하여 고급에너지로 평가받고 있다. 반면, 설비를 갖추기 위한 천공, 히트펌프 설치 등에 큰 비용이 든다는 단점을 가지고 있다. 현재 히트펌프 제작기술은 국산화를 완료한 상태로 사실상 기술개발에 의한 큰 폭의 원가절감은 기대하기 힘든 상황이다. 하지만, 유사분야인 시스템 에어컨이 표준화 및 대량생산을 통한 시장 보급 확대로 보급단가가 하락한 것을 고려해 볼 때 이를 통한 가격하락은 어느 정도 기대해 볼 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 에너지 외적인 측면에서 볼 때도 지열에너지의 공급은 상당한 의미를 갖는다. 건물 냉 난방용 이외에 다양한 용도의 개발을 통해 비닐하우스나 온실 등에 지열에너지를 이용할 경우 정부차원에서 농어촌에 대한 지원이 가능하다. 또, 기존의 에너지원을 조달하는데 어려움이 있는 산간, 도서지방에서는 도시지역보다 투자대비 큰 효과를 볼 수 있어 지역간 에너지 불균형 해도에도 도움이 될 수 있다. 이와같은 지열에너지의 특성에 따라 향후 발전방향을 정리해 보았다. 핵심기술인 지열 히트펌프의 산업구조와 시장 보급 확대를 통한 가격하락을 기대한다. 지역개발 및 고립지역에서 타 신 재생에너지와 함께 독립적인 전력, 냉난방 등의 완전 에너지 공급시스템을 갖출 수 있다. 또한 특수 작물 등의 고급 농수산물 생산등의 용도개발을 통해 지열에너지 공급역량을 성장시킬 수 있을 것이다. 이와 함께 중장기 비젼을 제시하기 위해 추진되어야 할 연구과제로는 시장 보급 확대에 따른 가격경쟁력 도달 가능성에 대한 연구를 통해 산업육성 방안 마련, 타 신 재생에너지기술과 복합 설치에 의한 시너지 효과 및 이에따른 초기 투자비 증가에 대한 대책, 보급 잠재량 조사, 지열시스템의 자금 조달 및 관련 정책 검토 등이 있을 수 있다.