• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2024

In Korea, the common remedial process for reclamation of agricultural soils nearby abandoned mines involves chemical soil stabilization followed by covering with clean soil. This study investigated the chemical properties of cover soils and the validity of HCl extraction method in assessing the degree of As and heavy metal stabilization in stabilized soils collected from 14 plots where mine reclamation had been completed. The results revealed there were no major differences in contaminants extraction rate between the stabilized soils and contaminated soils, suggesting HCl extraction procedure is a less feasible method to determine the efficiency of the stabilization. Soil quality indicators including OM, SiO₂, P₂O₅, etc. of the land-covering soils were generally lower than those of stabilized soils that used to be the cultivation layer before the stabilization. Nonetheless, the value of those indicators didn't meet the regulatry limits of agricultural soil. Therefore, future strategy for mine reclamation should concentrate not only on contaminant concentration but also on soil quality parameters for agricultural use of the reclaimed soil.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1530-1543
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• 2024

With an increase in the commercialization of bioplastics, the importance of screening for plastic-degrading strains and microbes has emerged. Conventional methods for screening such strains are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, we suggest a method for quickly and effectively screening plastic-degrading microbial strains through dual esterase assays for soil and isolated strains, using p-nitrophenyl alkanoates as substrates. To select microbe-abundant soil, the total amount of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) included in each soil sample was analyzed, and esterase assays were performed for each soil sample to compare the esterase activity of each soil. In addition, by analyzing the correlation coefficients and sensitivity between the amount of PLFAs and the degree of esterase activity according to the substrate, it was confirmed that substrate pNP-C2 is the most useful index for soil containing several microbes having esterase activity. In addition, esterase assays of the isolated strains allowed us to select the most active strain as the degrading strain, and 16S rRNA results confirmed that it was Bacillus sp. N04 showed the highest degradation activity for polybutylene succinate (PBS) as measured in liquid culture for 7 days, with a degradation yield of 99%. Furthermore, Bacillus sp. N04 showed degradation activity against various bioplastics. We propose the dual application of p-nitrophenyl alkanoates as an efficient method to first select the appropriate soil and then to screen for plastic-degrading strains in it, and conclude that pNP-C2 in particular, is a useful indicator.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2015

We conducted this research to observe the changes of surface morphology and composition of clay minerals influenced by various concentrations of fluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid (HA), a solution of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in water, is a colourless solution that is highly corrosive, capable of dissolving many materials, especially oxides. To do this, we treated several concentrations of HA on the ground soil samples collected from the agricultural experimental station located at Chungnam National University to observe the influence of fluoric acid on the changes of surface structures and elemental composition of clay particles. Generally, microscopic examination showed that the HA can not only attack an edge of clay particles but also start at any point where structural defects and weaknesses predisposed sites to acid. The orderly flake arrangement of clay minerals may reflect certain crystal symmetry elements. The ESEM-EDS results of element composition of clay particles influenced by HA indicated the changes of structures of clay minerals. It is also clear from the formation of etch figures and element composition of clay particles that the product layer at least partially dissolved or disintegrated in the presence of acid. Conclusively, the clay structures can be strongly influenced by concentrations of HA, resulting in changes of physical and chemical properties that can determine the behavior of solute transport as well as mobility of ions in soils.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.195-203
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• 2006

An antagonistic strain, Burkholderia MP-1, showed antimicrobial activity against various filamentous plant pathogenic fungi, yeasts and food borne bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative). The nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene (1491 pb) of strain MP-1 exhibited close similarity (99-100%) with other Burkholderia 16S rRNA genes. Isolation of the antibiotic substances from culture broth was fractionated by ethyl acetate (EtOAc) solvent and EtOAc-soluble acidic fraction. The antibiotic substances were purified through a silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Four active substances were identified as phenylacetic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and 4-hydroxyphenylacetate methyl ester by gas chromatographic-mass spectrum analysis. The minimum inhibition of concentration (MIC) of each active compound inhibited the growth of the microorganisms tested at 250 to $2500{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$. The antimicrobial activity of crude acidic fraction at 1 mg of dry weight per 6 mm paper disc was more effective than authentic standard mixture (four active substances were mixed with the same ratio as acidic fraction) over a wide range of bacterial test.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.453-461
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mixed treatment of compost tea and amino acid liquid fertilizer as a substitute of oil cake for the organic cultivation of maize in Goesan, Chungbuk province. As a result, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents of each organic fertilizer were in the order of oil cake > amino acid fertilizer > compost tea. Each of these organic fertilizers had little influence on the change of soil chemical. Individual treatment of amino acid fertilizer and oil cake for weight of an ear as well as all individual treatments for the fresh weight of 100 kernels showed significant increase, compared to the untreated control. For the corn yield of merchantable quality, each treatment of compost tea, amino acid liquid fertilizer and oil cake increased higher 3.9, 5.4 and 5.9% than untreated control, respectively. On the other hand, as a result of mixed treatment of amino acid fertilizer and compost tea, the change of soil chemical property was insignificant. The mixed treatment, Nonetheless, showed significant increase for stem height to 1st ear, grain setting length in an ear, weight of an ear, and fresh weight of 100 kernels, compared to the oil cake as a control. After all, the corn yield of merchantable quality produced by the mixed treatment was 3.9% higher than the control. Therefore, our study would be considered that the mixed treatment of amino acid and compost tea is one of organic materials that can replace oil-cake in maize.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.311-328
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in soil microorganisms and soil enzymes by split irrigation and organic matter application under no-tillage green house conditions. Soil bacteria and fungi abundances were higher in soybean cake fertilizer than in the soil without the soybean cake fertilizer under whole quantity irrigation. Bacteria and fungi abundances in soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer application rate. Bacteria and fungi amount in the soil increased at half division irrigation in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer compared with whole quantity irrigation. Actinomycete amount in the soil decreased with increasing soybean cake fertilizer with whole quantity irrigation while clearly increased in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Actinomycete amount in soil clearly increased with increasing organic fertilizer input at half division irrigation. Chitinase activity in the soil decreased in soybean cake fertilizer with increasing organic fertilizer input, while increased in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Chitinase activity in the soil increased at half division irrigation compared with whole quantity irrigation regardless of soybean cake fertilizer input. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in the soil was higher in soybean cake fertilizer than in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer with whole quantity irrigation. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in the soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer input, but decreased in above the standard level 66%. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in the soil clearly increased in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer at half division irrigation compared with whole quantity irrigation. N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase activity was higher in soybean cake fertilizer than in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer with whole quantity irrigation. N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase activity in the soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer input, but decreased in above the standard level 66%. N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase activity in the soil was not significantly different at half division irrigation and whole quantity irrigation in organic fertilizer input, while increased at half division irrigation in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Acid phosphatase activity increased at standard level 66% in soybean cake fertilizer, while was not significantly different in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Spore density of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer input at whole quantity irrigation in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer, while decreased above the standard level 66% in organic fertilizer input. However, spore density of AMF in the soil was not significantly different in soybean cake fertilizer regardless of input amount of organic fertilizer. Root colonization rate of AMF in red pepper roots was not significant difference at two irrigations regardless of soybean cake input.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.342-346
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• 2014

The purpose of this experiment is for investigating how much the amino acid liquid fertilizer and composted liquid manure, culture microorganism effect on the breeding of grasses and knowing the extent of the thatch content through an analysis of the soil. For testing about soil chemical, the quality of grasses, and the extent of the thatch content in the soil, we cultivated 6 kinds of microorganisms having the effect of thatch dissolution and sprayed these 6 microorganisms with composted liquid manure and the amino acid liquid fertilizer on the place Creeping bentgrass have planted. This conduction started from June to October, 2012 and 2013 (The interval: 2 weeks). In the result of the turf growth, there is no big difference between soil chemical and trace element. And we can know Leaf Color Index, Chlorophyll Index and Root Length are almost same as among treatment. In conclusion, the mixing fertilization of culture microorganism and composted liquid manure is better effective than the traditional fertilization. And it can be expected the effect of the quality of grass and Thatch decomposition in soil.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2006

The effects of electrolytes were investigated on the removal efficiency when several different electrolytes were used to change the electrode reaction in an electrokinetic (EK)-Fenton process to remediate phenanthrene-contaminated soil. Electrical potential gradient decreased initially due to the ion entrance into soil and then increased due to the ion extraction from soil under the electric field. Accumulated electroosmotic flow was $NaCl>KH_2PO_4>MgSO_4$ at the same concentration because the ionic strength of $MgSO_4$ was the highest and $Mg(OH)_2$ formed near the cathode reservoir plugged up soil pore to inhibit water flow. When hydrogen peroxide was contained in electrolyte solution, removal efficiency increased by Fenton reaction. When NaCl was used as an electrolyte compound, chlorine ($Cl_2$) was generated at the anode and dissolved to form hypochlorous acid (HClO), which increased phenanthrene removal. Therefore, the electrode reaction of electrolyte in the anode reservoir as well as its transport into soil should be considered to improve removal efficiency of EK-Fenton process.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2005

Several tests were conducted to determine the optimum operational conditions of soil washing techniques for floe-forming arsenic-contaminated soils, collected from D abandoned Iron-mine in Korea. The optimum cut-off size was 0.15 mm $(sieve\;\#100)$, about $94\%$ of the mass of soils. Both sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid were effective to remove arsenic and the optimum mixing ratio (soil [g] : washing solution [mL]) was 1:5 for both washing agents. Arsenic concentrations, determined by KST Methods, for the dried floe solids obtained from flocculation at pH 5-6 were $990\~1,086\;mg/kg$ dry solids, which were higher concentrations than at the other pH values. Therefore, batch tests for sequential washings with or without removing floc were conducted to find the enhancement of washing efficiencies. After removing floe with 0.2 M HCl, sequential washings of 1 M HCl followed by 1 M NaOH showed the best results (15 mg/kg dry soil). The arsenic concentrations of washing effluent from each washing step were about $2\~3\;mg/L$. However, when these acidic and basic effluents were mixed together, arsenic concentration was decreased to be less than $50\;{\mu}g/L$, due to the pH condition of coagulation followed by precipitation for arsenic removal.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.50-61
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• 2018

The current study aimed to review the research trends on forest liming by age, country, and research topics, and seeks to summarize the effects of forest liming on soil, vegetation and water system in forest ecosystems. The recent goals of forest liming have been changed in response to changes in the acid deposition, and related studies have been mainly carried out in Europe and North America, where there is noted a massive forest decline, which was subsequently caused by acid rain. Most forest liming studies are noted to have focused on soil responses, however, the number of studies on the responses of vegetation and water system according to a literature review on the subject were relatively small. Meanwhile, forest liming influenced whole forest ecosystems through interaction between the soil, vegetation and water system as associated with the relevant regions. The changes in soil pH, base saturation, and cation exchange capacity by forest liming were noted as different depending on the soil layer and elapsed time after liming. The responses of vegetation to forest liming were shown in above- and below-ground plant growth and plant nutrient concentration, and also were noted to have varied depending on the available regional plant species and noted specific soil conditions. The chemical properties of the water system were changed similarly to those in the soil, leading to notable changes as seen in the planktons and available fish species in the region. Finally, these results could be used to plan further studies on forest liming, which would significantly benefit regional studies to promote the preservation of the species noted for protection in the region.