• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.355-358
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: Changes in Korea's agricultural soil properties were analyzed at a four-year interval from 1999 to 2002 on a national scale and used as basis for the determination of the appropriate agricultural policy on maintaining food safety and soil quality. The scope of this study ideally requires sampling thousands of paddy, greenhouse, upland and orchard land across the country, however, due to limitations in economic and manpower resources, it was deemed necessary to reduce sampling site to greenhouse soil. In this study, we try to investigate the applicability of cultivated crops as criteria for selecting representing fields in greenhouse soils.METHODS AND RESULTS: Soil samples were collected from red pepper, oriental melon, watermelon and strawberry cultivated soil. Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed on soil chemical properties of the selected fields: pH, electron conductivity (EC), available phosphate (Av-P₂O₅), organic matter (OM), and exchangeable cation (Ex.-K, Ca, and Mg). Soil chemical properties of oriental melon cultivated soil was separated from red pepper, watermelon, and strawberry cultivated soil on PC1 and red pepper cultivated soil was separated from watermelon cultivated soil on PC2. Position on PC1 was strongly correlated with pH, Ex.-Ca and Ex.-Mg and position on PC2 was strongly correlated with OM and Av-P₂O₅.CONCLUSION: The soil chemical properties of greenhouse soil was assorted amongst the different crops. Therefore, the cultivated crops as a criteria for the selection of representative field in greenhouse soil would be used in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.368-374
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: The urgency of feeding the world's growing population while combating soil pollution, salinization and desertification requires suitable biotechnology not only to improve crop productivity but also to improve soil health through interactions of soil nutrient and soil microorganism. Interest in the utilization of microbial fertilizer has increased. A principle of nature farming is to produce abundant and healthy crops without using chemical fertilizer and pesticides, and without interrupting the natural ecosystem. Beneficial microorganisms may provide supplemental nutrients in the soil, promote crop growth, and enhance plant resistance against pathogenic microorganisms. We mixed beneficial microorganisms such as Bacillus sp. Han-5 with anti-fungal activities, Trichoderma harziaum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum with organic material degrading activity, Actinomycetes bovis with antibiotic production and Pseudomonas sp. with nitrogen fixation. This study was carried out to investigate the mixtures on the soil microflora and soil chemical properties and the effect on the growth of lettuce and cucumber under greenhouse conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The microbial mixtures were used with each of organic fertilizer, swine manure and organic+swine manure and compared in regard to changes in soil chemical properties, soil microflora properties and crop growth. At 50 days after the treatment of microorganism mixtures, the pH improved from 5.8 to 6.3, and the EC, $NO_3$-Na and K decreased by 52.4%, 60.5% and 29.3%, respectively. The available $P_2O_5$ and $SiO_2$ increased by 25.9% and 21.2%, respectively. Otherwise, the population density of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. was accelerated and the growth of vegetables increased. Moreover, the population density of E. coli and Fusarium sp., decreased remarkably. The ratio of bacteria to fungi (B/F) and the ratio of Actinomycetes bovis to fungi (A/F) increased 2.3 (from 272.2 to 624.4) and 1.7 times (from 38.3 to 64), respectively. Furthermore, the growth and yield of cucumber and lettuce significantly increased by the treatment of microorganism mixtures. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that the treatment of microorganism mixtures improved the chemical properties and the microflora of soil and the crop growth. Therefore, it is concluded that the microorganism mixtures could be good alternative soil amendments to restore soil nutrients and soil microflora.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 2009

For the isolation of a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, strain YK-5 was selected from approximately 400 thermostable strains isolated from special soil samples. Strain YK-5 produced an antifungal compound, and optimum carbon and nitrogen sources for the production of the antifungal compound were investigated against Aspergillus flavus as a test strain. Modified LB medium containing 1% peptone, 1% yeast extract and 5% black sugar was determined to be the optimal medium for growth and antifungal compound production. Culture broth of strain YK-5 potently inhibited growth of the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum KACC 40052 for 7 days. The plant growth-promotion function of strain YK-5 was tested against radish and rice in pot trials. Leaf number, plant height and root length in YK-5-treated radish markedly exceeded (> 60%) those of untreated radish. Leaf length and white rootlet development were markedly more prominent than in commercially-treated rice plants. Strain YK-5 was determined to be Bacillus subtilis YK-5 by physiological, chemotaxonomical, and phylogenetical analyses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2000

Deodorization characteristics and removal rate of sulfur-containing odor have been investigated in the soil filter reactors packed with montmorillonites (Mont.), rice hulls(Rh.), and thickening-activated sludge(Ts.). And variation of pH and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ with the removal of malodorous sulfur compounds have been investigated together. As compared removal rate of montmorillonites between wet and dry condition for sulfur compounds through batch test, it showed that wet condition was better than dry one; removal ratio, as wet/dry, was $H_2S$ of 1.2 and $CH_3SH$ of 1.9, and decrease of pH and increase of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ concentration in the wet condition also showed to be larger than in dry condition. In continuous test for biological deodorization experiment, removal rate of sulfur compounds in reactor packed with Mont., Rh. and Ts, was more than 98 %, and the variation of static pressure was maintained stably under condition of SV $150h^{-1}$, LV 4.2 mm/sec and SV $200h^{-1}$, LV 5.6 mm/sec, and in reactor packed with Mont. and Rh., $H_2S$ was 76.4 % to 87.2 % and $CH_3SH$ was 87.8 % to 93.3 % under the same condition. From above results, it ascertained that it can obtain the high deodorization efficiency by inoculating thickening-activated sludge in soil filter using montmorillonites.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.101-114
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• 2009

Potsherds and kilns of the AD 3th century excavated from Gundong and Majeon sites, Korea were studied to investigate the production techniques and provenance of potsherds and kilns on the pastes. For potsherds, kilns blocks and in-situ paleo-soils, provenance of raw materials were estimated through mineralogy and geochemistry, while production technique and thermal feature of kilns were investigated through observation of textures and compositions as well as firing experiment on paleo-soils. As a result of study, potsherds and kilns were found to have similar mineralogical compositions as the neighboring paleo-soils and to have same evolution path with that of geochemistry. The potsherds were divided into 3 groups according to firing temperature and production technique. Group 1 consists of reddish stamped pattern pottery with loose textures, which has many pores and contains many iron oxides. Its temper is less than about 0.5mm, and was probably fired between 700 to $800^{\circ}C$. Group 2 contains ash to grayish blue stamped pattern pottery, which has vitrified texture and few pores. Its temper is less than about 0.5mm, and was probably fired from 900 to $1,000^{\circ}C$. However, some potsherd belongs to the group 2 in terms of features for temper and pastes, but it was probably fired over $1,100^{\circ}C$. Group 3 contains reddish and grayish stamped pattern pottery. It has vitrified matrix, few pores and temper consists of polycrystalline quartz and feldspar over 2mm, and it was probably fired around $1,000^{\circ}C$. The kiln had experienced temperature from 600 to $700^{\circ}C$ on the wall, from 900 to $1,000^{\circ}C$ on the bottom, suggesting the function of high temperature firing.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.788-794
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• 2009

Both strains of KD-1212 and DAH-1056 were isolated and identified from animal manure-contaminated soil by screening bacterial strains for the removal of sulfur compound-malodor with such substrate as sodium thiosulfate or free sulfur. Then the characteristics on the incubation of these microbes were observed under various incubating-condition such as pH, temperature, aerobic or anaerobic, substrate(sulfur compound) concentration, nitrogen and carbon source and rotating speed for mixing, and the optimum incubating condition was established. The optimum pHs of KD-1212 and DAH-1056 were 7.0 and 4.0, respectively, and their optimum temperatures were in the range of $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$. Another autotrophic strain, ED-1138, was isolated from contaminated soil. The strain DAH-1056 excelled a strain Thiobacillus sp. IW in eliminating hydrogen sulfide during the process of malodor-biofiltration with a fixed strain. The characteristics on the incubation of strain KD-1212 were observed under various substrate-concentrations, nitrogen and carbon sources. KD-1212 favored glucose and maltose, and yeast extract as carbon sources and nitrogen source, respectively. The optimum concentrations of substrate and nitrogen source were 25 mM of sodium thiosulfate and 0.5% yeast extract, respectively for the growth of strain KD-1212.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.188-197
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• 2020

Termites play an important role as decomposers of the forest ecosystem, while simultaneously causing enormous damage to wooden structures. Currently, two species of subterranean termites have been reported in Korea, and termite damage to historical wooden buildings is occurring nationwide due to climate change, forest fertility, and the locational characteristics of historical wooden buildings. Subterranean termites make their nests underground or inside timber. Termites move underground and access wooden structures through the lower parts of the buildings, adjacent to the ground. Once termites attack the wooden structures, it not only spoils the authenticity of cultural heritage structure, but also hampers structural stability due to the decrease in the strength of the material. Therefore, it is important to prevent termite damage before it occurs. Chemical treatments are mainly used in Korea to control and prevent the damage. In foreign countries, physical barriers are also used to prevent entry to wooden buildings, along with chemical treatments. Physical barriers involve installing nets or particles that termites cannot pass through in the lower part of the building, around the pipes, and between the edges of the building or exterior walls and interior materials. Advantages of a physical barrier are that it is an eco-friendly method, maintains long-term effect after installation, and does not require the use of chemical treatments. Prior to applying physical barriers, studies into the characteristics of termite species must be undertaken. In this study, we evaluated the minimum passage size that each caste of Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis can move through. We found that workers, soldiers, and secondary reproductive termites were able to pass through diameters of 0.7mm, 0.9mm, and 1.1mm respectively. Head height of termites was an important factor in determining the minimum passing size. Results from the current study will be used as a basis to design the mesh size for physical barriers to prevent damage by termites in historical wooden buildings in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1075-1086
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• 2008

In order to investigate the applicability and suitability of the industrial by-products to apply mono-layer cover system for non-sanitary landfill sites, 6 different industrial by-products, such as construction waste, bottom ash, gypsum, blast furnace and steel manufacture slags, and stone powder sludge, were evaluated. Various physicochemical and hydrodynamic properties of the industrial byproducts were investigated. The environmental safety was monitored using batch and long-term leaching tests as well. In addition, the flexibility of plants was observed by cultivating them in the industrial by-products. The results for physicochemical properties indicate that most of the materials considered appeared to be suitable for landfill cover. Particularly, the concentration levels of hazardous elements regulated by the Korean Law for Waste Management did not exceed the regulatory limits in all target materials. In addition, the concentrations of regulated elements for the Korean Soil Conservation Law were examined below the regulatory limits in most of materials considered, except for the stone powder sludge. The results of batch and long-term experiments showed bottom ash and construction waste were the most suitable materials for landfill cover among the industrial by-products considered. The results of plant studies indicate that the bottom ash among industrial by-products considered was most effective in developing vegetation on landfill site, showing fast germination and large growth index. At the final covering system made of mixture of soil and bottom ash, the optimum application rate of farmyard manure was observed to be 40-50 Mg/ha.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4 s.50
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• pp.355-361
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• 2006

Artificially crushed sands occupy approximately 30 percent of the total consumption in South Korea. The demand for the crushed sands is expected to rise in the future. Most manufacturers use granitic rocks to produce the crushed sands. During the manufacturing process, fine fractions (i.e., sludges or particles smaller than 63 microns) are removed through the process of flocculation. The fine fraction occupies about 15% of the total weight. The sludges are comprised of quartz, feldspars, calcite, and various kinds of clay minerals. Non-clay minerals occupy more than 75 percent of the sluges weight, according to the XRD semi-quantification measurement. Micas, kaolinites, chlorite, vermiculite, and smectites occur as minor constituents. The sludges from Jurassic granites contain more kaolinites and $14{\AA}$-types than those from the Cretaceous ones. The chemical analysis clearly shows the difference between the parent rocks and the sludges in chemical compositions. Much of colored components in the sludges was accumulated as the weathering products. Particle size analysis results show that the sludges can be categorized as silt loam in a sand-silt-clay triangular diagram. This result was for her confirmed by the hydraulic conductivity data. In South Korea, the sludges remained after crushed sand production are classified as an industrial waste because of their impermeability, and which is caused by their high silt and clay fractions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.171-179
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• 1999

The $CO_2$-rich waters in the Chojeong area are characterized by low pH (5.0~5.8), high $CO_2$pressure (about 1 atm) and high amounts of total dissolved iou (up to 989 mg/L) and chemically belong to Ca-HC $O_3$type. The oxygen. deuterium and tritium isotope data indicate that the mixing process occurred between $CO_2$-rich water and surface water and/or shallow groundwaters and also suggest that the $CO_2$-rich water has been derived from meteoric waters. According to $\delta$$^{13}$ C values (-8.6~-5.3$\textperthousand$). the $CO_2$ in the water is attributed from deep seated $CO_2$gas. The high dissolved carbon (-14.4~-6.8$\textperthousand$. $\delta$$^{13}$ C) in groundwater of the granitic terrain might be affected by $CO_2$-rich water, whereas the dissolved carbon (-17.9~-15.2$\textperthousand$. $\delta$$^{13}$ C) in groundwater of the metamorphic terrain is likely controlled by soil $CO_2$ and from the reaction with calcite in phyllite. Sulfur isotope data (＋3.5~＋11.3$\textperthousand$,$\delta$$^{34}$ $S_{SO4}$) also support the mixing process between $CO_2$-rich water and shallow groundwater. Strontium isotopic ratio ($^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr) indicates that the $CO_2$-rich water (0.7138~0.7156) is not related to vein calcite (0.7184) of Buak mine or calcite (0.7281~0.7346) in phyllite. By nitrogen isotope ($\delta$$^{15}$ $N_{NO3}$) the sources of nitrogen (up to 55.0 mg/L, N $O_3$) in the $CO_2$-rich water are identified as fertilizer and animal manure. It also indicates the possibility of denitrification during the circulation of nitrogen in the Chojeong area. The possible evolution model of the $CO_2$-rich water based on the hydrochemical and environmental isotopic data was proposed in this study. The $CO_2$-rich waters from the Chojeong area were primarily derived from the reaction with granite by supply of deep seated $CO_2$. and then the $CO_2$-rich water was mixed and diluted with the local groundwater.ter.