• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.527-533
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• 2011

Decomposition of compost applied to soils is affected basically by its biological stability; but, many other chemical properties of the compost may also influence compost organic-C mineralization. This study was conducted to investigate the principal substrate quality factors of composts that determine C mineralization of compost with similar stability degree (SD). Three composts samples with similar SD but different chemical properties such as pH, C/N, $K_2SO_4$-extractable C, and molar ratio of $NH_4^+$ to $NO_3^-$ were mixed with an acid loamy soil and $CO_2$ emission was monitored during the laboratory incubation for 100 days. Temporal pattern of cumulative compost organic-C mineralization expressed as % of total organic C ($C_{%\;TOC}$) followed double exponential first order kinetics model and the $C_{%\;TOC}$ ranged from 4.8 to 11.8% at the end of incubation. The pattern of C%TOC among the composts was not coincident with the SD pattern (40.1 to 58.6%) of the composts; e.g. compost with the lowest SD resulted in the least $C_{%\;TOC}$ and vice versa. This result indicates that SD of compost can not serve as a concrete predictor of compost mineralization as SD is subject not only to maturity of compost but also to characteristics of co-composting materials such as rice hull (low SD) and sawdust (high SD). Meanwhile, such pattern of $C_{%\;TOC}$ collaborated with pH, C/N, $K_2SO_4$-extractable C, and molar ratio of $NH_4^+$ to $NO_3^-$ of the composts that are regarded as chemical indices of the progress of composting. Therefore, for better prediction of compost mineralization in soils, it is necessary to consider both SD and other chemical indices (pH, C/N, and molar ratio of $NH_4^+$ to $NO_3^-$).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.604-615
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• 2019

In this study, we produce a new type of the algae soil conditioner(ASC) using discarded algae biomass through a composting process and evaluate its nutritional characteristics. As the main ingredient, the ASCs used algae biomass collected through the coagulation-floating method and made by adding a variety of additional supporting materials (sawdust, pearlite, oilcake etc.). ASCs were divided into 0% in blank, 11.7% in ASC1, 21.6% in ASC2, 37.6% in ASC3, 59.5% in ASC4, and composted during 127 days. ASCs showed a sharp increase in temperature by aerobic microbial reaction, and 6~7 high and low temperature peaks were observed. As a result of physicochemical analysis, mineralization proceeded according to decomposing the organic matter and there was a marked increase not only in macronutrients (TN, P₂O₅, K₂O), but also in secondary macronutrients (CaO, MgO). The microbial community change was found in stage 1 (bacteria, filamentous fungi) → stage 2 (actinomycetes, bacteria) → stage 3 (Bacillus sp.), depending on the maturation process. It was estimated that microbial transition was closely related to temperature change and nutritional behavior. The quality of soil conditioner can be determined according to the maturity of compost process, and it was determined that effective microbial activity could be induced by controlling algae biomass below 59.5% in this study. In conclusion, we found out the possibility of manufacturing and utilizing soil conditioner recycled algae biomass and if further technological development is made on the basis it can be used as an effective soil conditioner.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.695-703
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• 2018

This study was conducted to suggest a sustainable farming practice forresource recycling in vegetable gardens of North Korea. In North Korea, farmers are allowed to own private vegetable gardens less than $100m^2$. However, usage of fertilizers in private vegetable gardens is very limited due to economic sanctions by UN security council. If North and South Korea initiated the cooperative action in the near future, agricultural sector would be the highest priority cooperation area. Considering the current North Korean situation in agriculture, we would like to suggest a method for producing organic fertilizer manure. For raw materials for producing manure, we selected corn byproduct, which is the most abundant material, and rabbits' feces, which are easily obtained from individual private farms in North Korea. As we cannot get corn byproducts and rabbits' feces from North Korea, we prepared samples of corn byproducts and rabbits; feces from many places in South Korea. After statistical analysis of variance, there was no significant difference in the T-N contents of corn byproducts from Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeollabuk and Gyeongsangnam-dos, which indicates that the fertilizing quality of corn byproducts does not vary significantly in the spatial scale of South. Korea. In this sense, if we use corn samples from Gyeonggi province, they would not be very different from those of North Korean regions. Physicochemical properties of rabbits' feces were different between those eating feed grains and those eating plants only. Hence, we used rabbits' feces of the rabbits from Yeonchun area, which were fed by plants only. Using three different mixing ratios of corn byproducts and rabbits' feces, composting was conducted for 60 days. The mixing ratio of 1:1 produced the manure with % T-N of 1.98% and OM/N ratio of 31.7 after 30 days of composting, which is comparable to the quality of commercial manure.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Due to the negative impacts of microplastics (MPs) on the ecosystem, the investigation of its occurrence and its treatment from sewage and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have received a lot of attention in the recent years. Most MPs are precipitated and removed with the sludge during the treatment process. Proper sludge management is immensely necessary to avoid MP exposure in the environment. However, the domestic research on this aspect is limited. This study reviews appropriate sludge management approaches to decrease environmental MP exposure. This can be achieved through investigating sludge generation and treatment, regulation laws and government policy trends with an emphasis on WWTPs. The ratio of sludge in sewage treatment plants has been observed to be highest in recycling followed by incineration and landfills. Recycling is the highest in fuel followed by construction materials and composting. For WWTPs, the highest ratio is in recycling followed by fuel and landfills, and recycling is confirmed in the following order: incineration > after composting > after solidification > earthworm breeding. Treatment approaches that can increase the exposure of MPs to the ecosystem are considered to be used in landfills and agricultural fields. However, this method is not appropriate given the insufficient capacity of domestic landfills and the sufficient supply of existing chemical and animal manure fertilizers. Instead, it would be rational in terms of environmental preservation to expand the use of fuel and energy in connection with the new and renewable energy policy, and to actively seek the use of sub-materials for construction materials. In order to secure the basic data for the effectiveness of future planning and revision of related laws, it is required to perform an in-depth investigation of the sludge supply and demand status along with the environmental and economic effects.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.393-401
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• 2009

We isolated and identified a microorganism which was excellent for ammonia oxidation in the biological control of ammonia gas in odor producing materials from organic composting. The isolated strain was tested for growth characteristics and ammonia elimination efficiency under various conditions of temperature, pH, carbon concentration and ammonia concentration. The strain was isolated from a culture broth used in a $NO_2$ producing test with Griess-Ilosvay reagent. The results of 16S rRNA sequence from the isolated strain by using BLANST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and confirming RDP (Ribosomal Database Project II) and ERRD (The European Ribosomal RNA Database) indicate that the strain is related to Delftia sp. UV-Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UVmini-1240) was used as a microbial growth test by measuring turbidity on OD660nm and ammonia concentration was measured by Spectrophotometer (HACH, DR-4000). The optimum growth culture conditions of the ammonia oxidizer Delftia sp. were $30^{\circ}C$, pH 7, glucose concentration 1.00% and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ 0.5 g/l. Ammonia elimination efficiency was over 94% under the same conditions.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.89-98
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• 2001

Present vermicomposting technology needs the broad land. Because of the high land cost, the land saving technology such as multistage must be needed. And present operation practices are mostly based on human power, mechanization and automation is needed. Also, present control practices based on individual experience need the scientific base control system. Even though the rough estimation of organic waste treatment showed that vermicompostiong could obtain more benefits than costs. But, the estimation is based on an ideal case without considering the technical and market. Generally, vermicomposting is considered as the more expensive technology than composting. Therefore, the practical proof the economic factor would be the most important to the market increase. Vermicomposting as the recycling technology has better condition than incineration and landfill. Propagation and advocating focused on its environmentally sound aspects would be needed continuously. Especially, demonstration and distribution of household vermicomposting would be a good approach. Vermicomposting facilities area was becoming larger, and earthworm feeding materials were also expanding to various organic sludges. These trends showed that vermicomposting is being enlightened to treat and recycle the organic wastes.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 1981

This study was performed to examine the cultivation of Pleurotus florida that forms pinhead between 5 and $25^{\circ}C$, on rice straw substrates in Korea. The highest yield of P. florida sporophores was obtained from the fermented rice straw substrates added 5% rice bran to the rice straw by dry weight basis at the starting of fermentation. The pile turning of materials for uniform fermenting was made three times when the temperature of the pile reached $60^{\circ}C$ during out door composting. The $60^{\circ}C$ row steam was treated 6 hrs for pasterization of the substrates in the cultivating house. The quantity of spawn affected the mycelial growth and the yield of P. florida. The optimum amount of spawn was 10% to the rice straw by dry weight basis mixed with the substrates. P. florida produced normal sphorophores from September to middle of July of the following year.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.354-361
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• 2010

Soil physico-chemical properties and microbial densities are affected by organic sources and soil amendment applied to improve soil environments or quality. Generally organic fertilizer effects on forage crops yield and soil properties are partly due to changes of soil composition. We investigated the effects of swine slurry (SS), swine slurry composting-biofilteration(SCB) and chemical fertilizer(F) with gypsum(G) combinations on soil physico-chemical properties and yields of summer forage crop in the Sukmoon reclaimed tidal land in Korea. The forage crops used in this experiment were corn and sorghum$\times$sudangrass hybrid(hereafter sorghum). Our results showed that the soil physico-chemical properties in the combined (F+G, SS+G, SCB+G) treatments increased contents of organic matter and exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, but exchangeable $Na^+$, $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ reduced to 1-10% for two forage crops, compared to non-combined (F, SS, SCB) treatment. The density of soil microorganism such as bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi, increased significantly by SS+G and SCB+G treatments. This means that treatment of combined organic fertilizer with G lowered salinity levels and improved with microbial growth. The combined treatments also increased the total yields 2.3-6.2% for corn and 2.0-8.7% for sorghum, compared with non-combined treatment. This experiment suggests the combined treatments could increase the total yields of summer forage crops and change of soil physico-chemical properties in the Sukmoon reclaimed tidal land in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.69-84
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• 2023

Despite the continuous installation and regular inspection of waste treatment facilities, complaints about excessive incineration and illegal dumping stench continue to occur at on-site treatment facilities. In addition, field surveys were conducted on the waste treatment facilities currently in operation (6 type) to understand the waste treatment process for each field, to grasp the main operating factors applied to the inspection. In addition, we calculated the material·energy balance for each main process and confirmed the proper operation of the waste disposal facility. As a result of the site survey, in the case of heat treatment facilities such as incineration, cement kilns, and incineration heat recovery facilities, the main factors are maintenance of the temperature of the incinerator required for incineration and treatment of the generated air pollutants, and in the case of landfill facilities Retaining wall stability, closed landfill leachate and emission control emerged as major factors. In the case of sterilization and crushing facilities, the most important factor is whether or not sterilization is possible (apobacterium inspection).In the case of food distribution waste treatment facilities, retention time and odor control during fermentation (digestion, decomposed) are major factors. Calculation results of material balance and energy resin for each waste treatment facility In the case of incineration facilities, it was confirmed that the amount of flooring materials generated is about 14 % and the amount of scattering materials is about 3 % of the amount of waste input, and that the facility is being operated properly. In addition, among foodwaste facilities, in the case of an anaerobic digestion facility, the amount of biogas generated relative to the amount of inflow is about 17 %, and the biogas conversion efficiency is about 81 %, in the case of composting facility, about 11 % composting of the inflow waste was produced, and it was comfirmend that all were properly operated. As a result, in order to improve the inspection method for waste treatment facilities, it is necessary not only to accumulate quantitative standards for detailed inspection methods, but also to collect operational data for one year at the time of regular inspections of each facility, Grasping the flow and judging whether or not the treatment facility is properly operated. It is then determined that the operation and management efficiency of the treatment facility will increase.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-73
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• 1979

These studies were conducted to investigate nutrient sources and supplementary materials of synthetic compost media for Agaricus bisporus culture. Investigation were carried out to establish the optimum composition for compost of Agaricus bisporus methods of out-door fermentation and peakheating with rice straw as the main substrate of the media. The incidence and flora of harmful organisms in rice straw compost and their control were also studied. 1. When rice straw was used as the main substrate in synthetic compost as a carbon source. yields were remarkably high. Fermentation was more rapid than that of barley straw or wheat straw, and the total nitrogen content was high in rice straw compost. 2. Since the morphological and physico-chemical nature of Japonica and Indica types of rice straw are greatly dissimilar. there were apparent differences in the process of compost fermentation. Fermentation of Indica type straw proceeded more rapidly with a shortening the compost period, reducing the water supply, and required adding of supplementary materials for producing stable physical conditions. 3. Use of barley straw compost resulted in a smaller crop compared with rice straw. but when a 50%, barley straw and 50% rice straw mixture was used, the yield was almost the same as that using only rice straw. 4. There were extremely high positive correlations between yield of Agaricus bisporus and the total nitrogen, organic nitrogen, amino acids, amides and amino sugar nitrogen content of compost. The mycerial growth and fruit body formation were severely inhibited by ammonium nitrogen. 5. When rice straw was used as the main substrate for compost media, urea was the most suitable source of nitrogen. Poor results were obtained with calcium cyanamide and ammonium sulfate. When urea was applied three separate times, nitrogen loss during composting was decreased and the total nitrogen content of compost was increased. 6. The supplementation of organic nutrient activated compost fermentation and increased yield of Agaricus bisporus. The best sources of organic nutrients were: perilla meal, sesame meal, wheat bran and poultry manure, etc. 7. Soybean meal, tobacco powder and glutamic acid fermentation by-products which were industrial wastes, could be substituted for perilla meal, sesame meal and wheat bran as organic nutrient sources for compost media. B. When gypsum and zeolite were added to rice straw. physical deterioration of compost due to excess moisture and caramelization was observed. The Indica type of straw was more remarkable in increase of yield of Agricus bisporus by addition of supplementing materials than Japonica straw. 9. For preparing rice straw compost, the best mixture was prepared by 10% poultry manure, 5% perilla meal, 1. 2 to 1. 5% urea and 1% gypsum. At spring cropping, it was good to add rice bran to accelerate heat generation of the compost heap. 10. There was significantly high positive correlation (r=0.97) between accumulated temperature and the decomposition degree of compost during outdoor composting. The yield was highest at accumulated temperatures between 900 and $1,000^{\circ}C$. 11. Prolonging the composting period brought about an increase in decomposition degree and total nitrogen content, but a decrease in ammonium nitrogen. In the spring the suitable period of composting was 20 to 25 days. and about 15 days in autumn. For those periods, the degree of decomposition was 19 to 24%. 12. Compactness of wet compost at filling caused an increase in the residual ammonium nitrogen. methane and organic acid during peak heating. There was negative correlation between methane content and yield (r=0.76)and the same was true between volatile organic acid and yield (r=0.73). 13. In compost with a moisture content range between 69 to 80% at filling. the higher the moisture content, the lower the yield (r=0.78). This result was attributed to a reduction in the porosity of compost at filling the beds. The optimum porosity for good fermentation was between 41 and 53%. 14. Peak heating of the compost was essential for the prevention of harmful microorganisms and insect pests. and for the removal of excess ammonia. It was necessary to continue fer mentatiion for four days after peak heating. 15. Ten species of fungi which are harmful or competitive to Agaricus bisporus were identified from the rice compost, including Diehliomyces microsporus, Trichoderma sp. and Stysanus stemoites. The frequency of occurrance was notably high with serious damage to Agaricus bisporus. 16. Diehliomyces microsporus could be controlled by temperature adjustment of the growing room and by fumigating the compost and the house with Basamid and Vapam. Trichoderma was prevented by the use of Bavistin and Benomyl. 17. Four species of nematodes and five species of mites occured in compost during out-door composting. These orgnanisms could be controlled through peakheating compost for 6 hours at $60^{\circ}C$.