• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.247-256
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• 2013

In this study, alginate beads containing birnessite (Bir-AB), a highly reactive oxidative catalyst for the transformation of phenolic compounds, was prepared and its 1-naphthol (1-NP) removal efficiency was investigated in a batch test. Based on scanning electron microscopy image, it can be inferred that the alginate gel cluster acts as a bridge which bind the birnessite particles together. Kinetic experiment with Bir-AB of different mixing ratios of birnessite to alginate (Bir : AG=0.25 : 1~1 : 1 w/w) indicate that pseudo-first order kinetic constants, $k(hr^{-1})$ for the 1-NP removals increased about 1.5 times when the birnessite mixing ratio was doubled. The removals of 1-NP was found to be dependent on solution pH and the pesudo-first order rate constants were increased from 0.331 $hr^{-1}$ at pH 10 to 0.661 $hr^{-1}$ at pH 4. The analysis of total organic carbon for the reaction solutions showed that a higher removal of dissolved organic carbon was achieved with Bir-AB as compared to birnessite. HPLC chromatographic analysis of the methanol extract after reaction of 1-NP with Bir-AB suggest that the reaction products could be removed through incorporation into the aliginate beads as a bound residue. Mn ions produced from the oxidative transformation of 1-NP by birnessite were also removed by sorption to Bir-AB. The Bir-AB was recovered quantitatively by simple filtration and was reused twice without significant loss of the initial reactivity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2014

Biochar (BC) from biomass pyrolysis is a carbonaceous material that has been used to remove various contaminants in the environment. The eliminatory action for burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) as an invasive plant is being consistently carried out because of its harmfulness and ecosystem disturbance. In this study, burcucumber biomass was converted into BCs at different pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and $700^{\circ}C$ under a limited oxygen condition. Produced BCs were characterized and investigated to ensure its efficiency on antibiotics' removal in water. The adsorption experiment was performed using two different types of antibiotics, tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethazine (SMZ). For the BC pyrolyzed at a high temperature ($700^{\circ}C$), the values of pH, electrical conductivity, and the contents of ash and carbon increased whereas the yield, mobile matter, molar ratios of H/C and O/C, and functional groups decreased. Results showed that the efficiency of BCs on antibiotics' removal increased as pyrolysis temperature increased from 300 to $700^{\circ}C$ (38 to 99% for TC and 6 to 35% for SMZ). The reaction of ${\pi}-{\pi}$ EDA (electron-donor-acceptor) might be involved in antibiotics' adsorption to BCs. BC has potential to be a superior antibiotics' adsorbent with environmental benefit by recycling of waste/invasive biomass.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.597-606
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• 2015

This work investigates the carbonation of KOH-dissolved methanol and ethanol solution systems carried out for $CO_2$ fixation. Potassium methyl carbonate (PMC) and potassium ethyl carbonate (PEC) were synthesized during the reaction in each solution as the solid powder, and they were characterized in detail. The amount of $CO_2$ chemically absorbed to produce the PMC and PEC precipitates were calculated to be 97.90% and 99.58% of their theoretical values, respectively. In addition, a substantial amount of $CO_2$ was physically absorbed in the solution during the carbonation. PMC precipitates were consisted of the pure PMC and $KHCO_3$ with the weight ratio of 5:5, respectively. PEC precipitates were also mixture of the pure PEC and $KHCO_3$ with the weight ratio of 8:2, respectively. When these two precipitates were dissolved in excess water, methanol and ethanol were regenerated remaining solid $KHCO_3$ in the solutions. Therefore, the process has the potential to be one of the efficient options of CCS and CCU technologies.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.108-118
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• 2012

To investigate the responses of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) seedlings to the interactive effects of the elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ level and nitrogen addition, we measured biomass, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, and the contents of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) from the seedlings after 16 weeks of the treatments. Yellow poplar seedlings were grown under the ambient ($400{\mu}mol\;mol^{-1}$) and the elevated (560 and $720{\mu}mol\;mol^{-1}$) CO2 concentratoins with three different N addition levels (1.2, 2.4, and $3.6g\;kg^{-1}$) in the Open Top Chambers (OTC). The dry weight of the seedlings enhanced with the increased N levels under the elevated $CO_2$ concentrations and the increment of the dry weight differed among the different N levels. Photosynthetic pigment content of the yellow poplar leaves also increased with the increase of the $CO_2$ concentration levels. The effects of the N levels on the photosynthetic pigment content, however, were significantly different among the $CO_2$ levels. Photosynthetic rates were affected by the levels of $CO_2$ and N concentrations. Stomatal conductance and transpiration rates increased with increasing $CO_2$ concentration. The carboxylation efficiency of the seedlings without N addition increased under the higher $CO_2$ concentrations whereas that with N addition decreased under the elevated $CO_2$ concentrations. Nitrogen and carbon uptake in leaf, stem, and root increased with the elevated $CO_2$ concentration level and N addition. In conclusion, under the elevated $CO_2$ concentrations, physiological characteristics and carbon uptake of the yellow poplar seedling were improved and increased with N addition.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2009

Ozone tolerance of tree species was determined by standard index of physiological damages and biochemical defense responses under short-term ozone exposure. At the end of 150ppb $O_3$ fumigation, photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidative enzyme activities were analyzed in the leaves of five species(Koelreuteria paniculata, Firmiana simplex, Styrax japonica, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Viburnum sargentii). Injury index was determined by the effect of ozone on photosynthetic parameters and malondialdehyde(MDA) content, and tolerance index was calculated using the rate of increase in superoxide dismutase(SOD), ascorbate-peroxidase(APX), glutathione reductase(GR) and catalase(CAT) activities. Apparent quantum yield(AQY), carboxylation efficiency(Ce) and photo-respiration rate(PR) decreased in the leaves of five species with increasing ozone exposure time. These parameters were considered as an appropriate indicator for stress evaluation. Antioxidative enzyme activities showed various results depending on the tree species, exposure time, and enzyme types. SOD activity of K. paniculata increased with ozone exposure time, and that of F. rhynchophylla increased only after 6 hours of ozone exposure. CAT activity of $O_3$-exposed F. simplex was lower than the control. Based on standard index, ozone tolerance ability of five species was determined as two tolerant species(F. rhynchophylla > K. paniculata) and three sensitive species(S. japonica > F. simplex > V. sargentii).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.6
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• pp.878-884
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• 2010

Ozone sensitivity of physiological indicators and the difference of ozone tolerance on 4 families of Quercus aliena seedlings were investigated on the basis of the standardized physiological indicators. Photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigment and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidative enzyme activities were measured or analyzed from the leaves of Q. aliena seedlings at the end of ozone fumigation, and ozone tolerance indices among 4 families were calculated with the standardized physiological parameters. After ozone treatment, the reduction of carboxylation efficiency was observed in the leaves of four families, and their reduction were ranged from -24.1% to -56.9% of control seedlings. Photosynthetic pigment content differed significantly among 4 families and treatments. The reduction of total chlorophyll content showed the highest in family SU4 (-40.6%) and the lowest family US2 (-18.8%). Ascorbate-peroxidase (APX) activity showed significant difference among families and treatments, and increased as compared with control in three families, except for family US2. On the basis of the physiological indices, ozone tolerance of four families was ranked in the order of US1 > SU4 > US2 > SU1. In conclusion, photosynthetic parameters, pigment content and APX activity were recommended as appropriate indicators to assess the tolerance against ozone stress of Q. aliena.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2004

This study was conducted to determine the relationship of stomatal responses, photosynthesis, and intercellular $CO_2$ concentration( $C_{i}$) of Betula Species to ozone exposure. Five Betula Species(B. costata, B. davurica, B. schmidtii, B. platyphylla var, iaponica and B, ermani) were grown in the greenhouse. One-year-old potted seedlings of the five Betula Species were exposed to ozone(100 pub) for 8 hours da $y^{-1}$ for 5 weeks in a fumigation chamber. Net photosynthesis was significantly different among species and treatments from early in the period of the fumigation. Stomatal conductance and transpiration rate differences among species and treatments became significant after three weeks of fumigation. $C_{i}$ was significantly different only among treatments; $C_{i}$ of four species, except for B. davurica, was higher than that of control plants. Carboxylation efficiency and photo-respiration rate were significantly different among species or treatments; carboxylation efficiency and photo-respiration rate of the five Betula Species were decreased by ozone treatment. It was concluded that stomatal closure of Betula Species may be the result of the reduction of photosynthesis and rubisco activity and the resulting increase of $C_{i}$. The higher $C_{i}$ likely resulted from reduced photosynthesis because of physiological processes.ocesses.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2005

This study was accomplished using attached $A^2/O$ process that contains nonsurface-modified and surface-modified polyethylene media inside the Anaerobic/Anoxic, Oxic tank, respectively. We could make the hydrophobic polyethylene media have hydrophilic characteristics by radiating ion beam on the surface of the media. The objectives of this study is to investigate the removal efficiencies of the organics and nitrogen when the step feed ratio of raw wastewater into anaerobic and anoxic tank is changed. In this case, we assumed that the denitrification rate can be improved because the nitrifiers in anoxic tank can perform denitrification using RBDCOD instead of artificial carbon sources (for example, methanol, etc.). The wastewater injection rate into anaerobic/anoxic tank was set up by the ratio of 10 : 0, 9 : 1, 8 : 2, 6 : 4, and the results of BOD removal efficiency showed similar trends with $93.3\%,\;92.6\%,\;92.4\%\;and\;91.6\%$, respectively. But the BOD removal efficiency (utilization of the organics) in the anoxic tank was in the order of 9 : 1 $(84.8\%)$, 10 : 0 $(77.0\%)$, 8 : 2 $(75.3\%)$, and 6 : 4 $(61.1\%)$. The T-N removal efficiency was most high when the ratio is 9 : 1 $(67.4\%)$, and other conditions, 10 : 0, 8 : 2, 6 : 4, showed $61.3(\%),\;60.7\%,\;55.5\%$, respectively; the ratio 6 : 4 was found to be lowest T-N removal efficiency, lower than the ratio 9 : 1 by $12\%$. Though the nitrification rate of the ratio 10 : 0, 9 : 1, and 8 : 2 showed similar levels, the ratio 6 : 4 showed considerable inhibition of nitrification, ammonia was the great portion of the effluent T-N. The advantages of this process is that this process is cost-saving, and non-toxic methods than injecting the artificial carbon source.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.749-755
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• 2011

The performance and emission characteristics of a CNG (compressed natural gas) engine were experimentally investigated under different natural gas compositions. The engine specifications were as follows: 6606 cc, turbo, lean-burn-type; its ignition timing was fixed for the fuel gas with a HHV (higher heating value) of 10454 kcal/$Nm^3$. The experimental results showed that when the HHV of the fuel gas was changed from 10454 kcal/$Nm^3$ to 9811 kcal/$Nm^3$ and 9523 kcal/$Nm^3$, the average power reductions were 3.2 % and 3.4 % (1.5 % and 2.1 %, respectively, with A/F control switched off), respectively, and the average thermal-efficiency reductions were 1.1 % and 1.5 % (1.5 % and 2.1%, respectively, with A/F control switched off), respectively. The emissions of $CO_2$, CO, and $NO_x$ decreased as the HHV of the fuel gas was lowered. On the other hand, the emissions of THC (total hydrocarbon) were not consistent, and the extent of change in their emissions was small.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.445-455
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• 2009

Microbiological sulfate reduction is the transformation of sulfate to sulfide catalyzed by the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria using sulfate as an electron acceptor. Low solubility of metal sulfides leads to precipitation of the sulfides in solution. The effects of microbiological sulfate reduction on in-situ precipitation of arsenic and copper were investigated for the heavy metal-contaminated soil around the Songcheon Au-Ag mine site. Total concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb were 1,311 mg/kg, 146 mg/kg, and 294 mg/kg, respectively, after aqua regia digestion. In batch-type experiments, indigenous sulfate-reducing bacteria rapidly decreased sulfate concentration and redox potential and led to substantial removal of dissolved As and Cu from solution. Optimal concentrations of carbon source and sulfate for effective microbial sulfate reduction were 0.2~0.5% (w/v) and 100~200 mg/L, respectively. More than 98% of injected As and Cu were removed in the effluents from both microbial and chemical columns designed for metal sulfides to be precipitated. However, after the injection of oxygen-rich solution, the microbial column showed the enhanced long-term stability of in-situ precipitated metals when compared with the chemical column which showed immediate increase in dissolved As and Cu due to oxidative dissolution of the sulfides. Black precipitates formed in the microbial column during the experiments and were identified as iron sulfide and copper sulfide. Arsenic was observed to be adsorbed on surface of iron sulfide precipitate.