• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.39-67
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• 2005

In order to properly define the terms such as soil, soil contamination, soil contamination site and remediation, which are the key terms under the Soil Environment Conservation Act(SECA) in Korea, we analyzed the legal definitions of the similar key words in legislations of the developed western countries. The selected countries were the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. The legal definitions of these keywords were very much diversified due to different levels of soil contamination, as well as different industrial, social, and legal backgrounds in each country. However, fair suggestions for definitions of the key terms in SECA were derived from the comparative analyses of these countries. First and foremost, SECA should provide a definition of 'soil' which includes a concept of the natural soil layer produced from soil mineralization processes. Groundwater and sublayer of the groundwater would. be excluded in the boundary of the soil with regards to the Groundwater Act of Korea. Definition of 'soil contamination' of SECA should include a concept of risk assessment(soil contaminants, pathway, and receptors), purpose of land use, and the acquired limitation levels of soil contaminants. Soil contamination activity either industrial or anthropogenic in SECA article2-1, could be substituted for a concept of soil risk assessment. Definition of 'soil contamination site' could derive from amalgamating the concepts of i) soil contamination in conjunction with contaminants, ii) risk assessment, iii) a concept of land use, and iv) knowing limitation of contamination site designation. Definition of 'remediation of contaminated site' should include the objective, intention, action, methodology and limit of the remediation. These suggested definitions would increase the efficacy of soil environment conservation policies, which includes the survey of the potentially contaminated area, remediation, and removal of the site.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2009

Heavy metal pollution may be one of the most serious challenges confront crop production and human health. Therefore, the selection of heavy metal tolerance cultivars which adapted to the contaminated fields will introduced a suitable solution for management this critical environmental risk. The objectives of this research is to assess human health risk using geochemical analyses and exposure assessment of heavy metals in rice cultivars. Risk for inhabitants in the closed mine area was comparatively assessed for As, Cd, Cu and Pb in 10 rice varieties as a major exposure pathway. The average daily dose (ADD) of each heavy metal was estimated by analyzing the exposure pathways to rice and soil. For the non-carcinogenic risk characterization, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated using toxicity indices provided by US-EPA IRIS. The different rice varieties revealed a wide range of HI values from 23.6 to 34.3, indicating that all rice varieties have a high potential toxic risk. The DA rice variety showed the lowest HI value while the TB rice variety the highest. The probabilities of cancer risk for As via rice consumption were varied with rice varieties ranging from 2.0E-03 to 3.5E-03 which exceeded the regulatory acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 set by US-EPA. The DA rice variety also showed the lowest value while the TB rice variety gave the highest value. Our results indicate that risk assessment can be contribute to screen the pollution safe rice cultivars in paddy fields affected by the mining activity.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.290-298
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of applying phytoremediation technology by investigating soil and native plants in waste coal landfills exposed to heavy metal contamination for a long period of time. The ability of native plants to accumulate heavy metals using greenhouse cultivation experiments was alse evaluated. Plants were investigated at an abandoned coal mine in Hwajeolyeong, Jeongseon, Gangwon-do. Two species of native plants (Carex breviculmis. R. B. and Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz.) located in the study area and three Korean native plants (Artemisia japonica Thunb. Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai., and Saussurea pulchella (Fisch.) Fisch.) were cultivated in a greenhouse for 12 weeks in artificially contaminated soil. Soils contaminated with arsenic and lead were generated with arsenic concentration gradients of 25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg kg^-1 and lead concentration gradients of 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg kg^-1, respectively. Results showed that none of the five plants could survive at high arsenic concentration treatment (125 and 250 mg kg^-1) and some plants died in 2000 mg kg^-1 lead concentration treatment soil. The plant translocation factor (TF) was highest in H. hakuunensis in arsenic treatments, and A. japonica in lead treatments, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of plants was more than 1 in all species in arsenic treatment, whereas it was highest in H. hakuunensis. BF for all species was less than 1 in lead treatment. Particularly, in 2000 mg kg^-1 concentration lead treatment, A. japonica accumulated more than 1000 mg kg^-1 lead and was expected to be a lead hyperaccumulator. In conclusion, A. japonica and H. hakuunensis were excellent in the accumulation of arsenic heavy metals, and S. koriyanagi was excellent in lead accumulation ability. Therefore, the above mentioned three plants are considered to be strong contenders for application of the phytoremediation technology.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.492-506
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• 2019

Heavy metal contaminants in the shooting range are mostly present in a warhead circle or a metal fragment present as a particle, these fine metal particles are weathered for a long period of time is very likely that the surface is present as an oxide or carbon oxide. In particular, lead which is a representative contaminant in the shooting range soil, is present as more fine particles because it increases the softness and is stretched well. Therefore, by physical washing experiment, we conducted a degree analysis, concentration of heavy metals by cubic diameter, composition analysis of metallic substances, and assessment of applicability of gravity, magnetism and floating selection. The experimental results FESEM analysis and the measurement results lead to the micro-balance was confirmed thatthe weight goes outless than the soil ofthe same size in a thinly sliced and side-shaped structure according to the dull characteristics it was confirmed that the high specific gravity applicability. In addition, the remediation efficiency evaluation results using a hydrocyclone applied to this showed a cumulative remediation efficiency of 71%,twice 80%, 3 times 91%. On the other hand, magnetic sifting showed a low efficiency of 17%,floating selection -35mesh (0.5mm)target soil showed a relatively high efficiency to 39% -10mesh (2mm) efficiency was only 16%. The target treatment diameter of soil washing should be 2mm to 0.075mm, which is applied to the actual equipment by adding an additional input classification, which would require management as additional installation costs and processes are constructed. As a result, it is found that the soilremediation of shooting range can be separately according to the size of the warhead. The size is larger than the gravel diameter to most 5.56mm, so it is possible to select a specific gravity using a high gravity. However, the contaminants present in the metal fragments were found to be processed by separating using a hydrocyclone of the soil washing according to the weight is less than the soil of the same particle size in a thinly fragmented structure.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.247-261
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• 2000

The geostatistical analyses for the chemical components of pH, TS, KMnO4 Demand, Cl, SO$_4$ and NO$_3$-N are carried out to understand the groundwater contamination in Pusan. The average values of each component are 7.2 for pH, 336.4mg/$\ell$ for TS, 2.3mg/$\ell$ for KMnO$_4$ Demand, 44.3mg/$\ell$ for Cl, 36.0mg/$\ell$ for SO$_4$, and 4.6mg/$\ell$ for NO$_3$-N. The ratios over the drinking standard of each component are 0.34% for pH, 2.27% for TS, 1.55% for KMnO$_4$ Demand, 1.59% for Cl, 0.57% for SO$_4$, and 3.7% for NO$_3$-N. The highest ratio of NO$_3$-N results from the municipal sewage and exhaust gas of vehicles. The isopleth maps of 6 chemical components show that the high values of groundwater contamination come from the inland of Pusan, and that some high values appear at the coastal area. The isopleth maps of Cl and SO$_4$ related with seawater intrusion also show that the high values appear only at the particular coastal area, not at the whole area. On the isopleth maps of Cl and SO$_4$, the anomalies of the concentration contours were compared with the directions of two large fault zones, the Ilkwang Fault and the Dongrae Fault. Apparently, they don't have the particular correlation. Therefore, it is concluded that the main source of groundwater contamination in Pusan is not the seawater, but the municipal sewage and other sources such as the exhaust gas of vehicles, the contaminated surface water, the waste water of factories, and the leachate of waste landfills.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 1999

$^{15}N$-Isotope concentrations of groundwater from l4 wells with different land-use types in Kyonggi Province were measured to investigate the nitrate contamination sources. Water samples were collected monthly from January to December 1997 and analyzed for pH. PC, anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, inorganic phosphate, and bicarbonate), and canons (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium). For the analysis of the $^{15}N/^{14}N$ ratio as ${\delta}^{15}N$, $N_2$ samples were prepared through Kjeldahl-Rittenberg method and were analyzed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (VG Optima IRMS). Reproducibility of the method and precision of the IRMS were below 1.0‰ and 0.1‰, respectively. The ionic composition of each groundwater sample was only slightly different according to the land-use type. The nitrate concentrations of groundwater in cropland or livestock farming areas were higher than those in the residential area. The percentages of nitrate to total anions of groundwater samples from the livestock farming area were higher than those of other areas. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of ammonium sulfate, urea, groundwater sample in the non-contaminated area, and water from the animal manure septic tank were -2.7, 1.4, 5.5, and 27.2‰, respectively. Based on the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values, the sources of nitrate could be classified as originated from chemical fertilizers with ${\delta}^{15}N$ values below 5% and as from animal manure or municipal waste with ${\delta}^{15}N$ values over 10‰. In most cases, contamination sources investigated from ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of groundwater samples were correlated with the specific sources according to the land-use types. However, some ${\delta}^{15}N$ values did not matched the apparent land-use types, and there were seasonal variations of ${\delta}^{15}N$ values within the same well. These results suggest that the groundwater quality was affected by two or more contamination sources and the contribution of each source to the groundwater quality varied depending on the sampling season.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2020

This study characterized the spatial and seasonal patterns of light pollution in the Deogyusan National Park and examined the potential effects of light pollution on ecosystems in the park using light intensities derived from VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) DNB (Day and Night Band) nightlight images collected in January and August 2018. Results showed that the Muju Deogyusan resort had the greatest light intensity than other sources of light pollution in the park, and light intensity of the resort was much higher in January than in August, suggesting that artificial lights in ski slopes and facilities were the major source of light pollution in the park. An analysis of an urban-natural light pollution gradient along a neighboring urban area through the inside of the park indicated that light radiated from a light pollution source permeated for up to 1km into the adjacent area and contaminated the edge area of the park. Of the legally protected species whose distributions were reported in literature, four mammals (Martes flavigula, Mustela nivalis, Prionailurus bengalensis, Pteromys volans aluco), two birds (Falco subbuteo, Falco tinnunculus), and nine amphibians and reptiles (Onychodactylus koreanus, Hynobius leechii, Karsenia koreana, Rana dybowskii, Rana huanrenensis, Elaphe dione, Rhabdophis tigrinus, Gloydius ussuriensis, Gloydius saxatilis) inhabited light-polluted areas. Of those species inhabiting light-polluted areas, nocturnal species, such as Prionailurus bengalensis and Pteromys volans aluco, in particular, were vulnerable to light pollution. These results implied that protecting ecosystems from light pollution in national parks requires managing nighttime light in the parks and surrounding areas and making a plan to manage nighttime light pollution by taking into account ecological characteristics of wild animals in the parks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.347-360
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the degree and extent of heavy metal pollution and the environmental impacts of abandoned Cu mines in Goseong-gun, soils and paddies were collected from the mine area and have been analysed for heavy metal contents. The heavy metal contents were much higher in mountain soils than in paddy soils. Total content of heavy metals decreased in order of Cu>Zn>Pb>As>Cr>Cd in mountain soils whereas Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>As>Cd in paddy soils. The extractable amount of heavy metals by 0.1/1N HCl decreased in order of Cu>Pb>Zn>As>Cd>Cr in mountain soils whereas Pb>Cu>Zn>As>Cd>Cr in paddy soils. Although the extraction ratios were highly various depending on the sampling site, their average values were in order of Cd(16%)>Pb(10%)>Cu(9%)>As(4.5%)>Zn-Cr(${\le}2.5%$). The soils investigated were enriched in heavy metals relative to the averages of earth crust as In order of $As{\ge}Cd$>Pb>Zn>Cu>Cr. Pollution index calculated from total or extractable heavy metals of soils indicated that the heavy metal pollution was restricted to mountain soils around abandoned Cu mines, especially the Samsan I mine. The metal contents of brown rice showed no significantly contaminated level as follows; As $nd{\sim}0.87mg/kg,\;Cd\;0.02{\sim}0.34mg/kg,\;Cu\;1.01{\sim}6.25mg/kg,\;Mn\;13.4{\sim}43.2mg/kg,\;Pb\;0.09{\sim}2.83mg/kg,\;and\;Zn\;16.5{\sim}79.1mg/kg$. From the extraction and dispersion properties of heavy metal with the soil pH ($4.5{\sim}7.8$), it can be deduced the conclusion that the heavy metal pollution is spreading in the study area mainly by the detrital migration of waste ore and gangue minerals rather than the dissolution and circulation of heavy metal.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 1994

To investigate differences in Cd and Zn contents in paddy soils and rice plants polluted by aerial emissions from the Janghang smelter, soil samples in the different directions and at the surface (0-15cm) and subsurface (15-30cm) in 1982 and 1990, and rice plants at the corresponding sampling sites in 1990 were collected from the Janghang Smelter Area. Soil samples were extracted with $4M-HNO_3$ and plant samples were digested with a mixture of $HNO_3$ and $HClO_4$for analyzing by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Cd and Zn contents in soils ranged from 0.09 to 4.42 and from 16.0 to 959.5mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively. The average contents of Cd and Zn in 1990 were higher than those in 1982. The Cd and Zn contents of soils near the center of the smelter were higher than those of soils farther from the center and also decreased in the order of east > north-north east > north east > north. The Cd and Zn levels in surface soils were higher than those in subsurface soils. The contaminated areas of Cd and Zn were within 4km in the east, and within 3km in the north-north east and the north east. Metal contents in brawn rice were the lowest in rice plants. The Cd content of brown rice was one sixth of that in leaf blade and in leaf sheath. The Cd content of leaf blade, stem and panicle axis were significantly correlated with the levels of Zn, Cu and Pb in soils, and Zn content of stem was significantly correlated with the levels of Cu and Pb. The Cd and Zn content in brown rice ranged from 0.05 to 0.25mg $kg^{-1}$ and from 10.5 to 30.9㎎ $kg^{-1}$ in the smelter area, respectively.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.9-25
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• 2020

In 2010 and 2015, total 77 surface sediment samples were collected to assess the anthropogenic effects of trace metals in surface sediments of Garolim Bay, and the physical characteristics (particle size and specific surface area) and geochemical components (major (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Ba) and trace metals (Mn, Cs, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb), organic carbon and calcium carbonate) were analyzed. Mean grain size of Garolim Bay surface sediments ranged from 0.51-5.58 Ø (mean 3.98 Ø) and increased from the inlet of bay to the inner bay, and from the waterway to the land. Most of the metal concentrations except for some elements showed the similar distribution to those of mean grain size and specific surface area. As the particle size decreased and the specific surface area increased, the metal concentration increased. In order to estimate the factors controlling the concentration of trace metals, factor analysis was performed, and three factors were extracted (92.7% of the total variation). Factor 1 accounted for 71.3% of the total variation, which was a grain size factor. Factor 2 accounted for 14.2% of the total variation, Factor 3 accounted for 7.2% of the total variance. Enrichment factor was calculated using the particle size corrected background concentration. Metals with a enrichment factor of 1.5 or higher and the number of samples were 4 for Cr (St. 1, 16, 27, 39) and 1 for Pb (St. 39), but there were little differences in the concentrations of 1M HCl leached metals for these metals. The percentage of 1M HCl leached fraction to total metal concentration decreased in the order of Pb~Co>Cu>Zn~Mn>Ni>Cr. Comparing this value with contaminated and clean sediments in other coastal areas, the percentages for each metal were similar regardless of the trace metal levels in all regions. This fact might be resulted from the reaction between the 1M HCl solution and the different sediment constituents, indicating that there is a limit to apply this percentage of leached metal to the estimation of the contamination extent.