• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.475-489
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• 2010

In order to verify the enhancement of ozone and carbon monoxide (CO) during springtime in East Asia, we investigated weather conditions and data from remote sensors, air quality models, and air quality monitors. These include the geopotential height archived from the final (FNL) meteorological field, the potential vorticity and the wind velocity simulated by the Meteorological Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5), the back trajectory estimated by the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model, the total column amount of ozone and the aerosol index retrieved from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), the total column density of CO retrieved from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT), and the concentration of ozone and CO simulated by the Model for Ozone and Related Chemical Tracers (MOZART). In particular, the total column density of CO, which mightoriginate from the combustion of fossil fuels and the burning of biomass in China, increased in East Asia during spring 2000. In addition, the enhancement of total column amounts of ozone and CO appeared to be associated with both the upper cut-off low near 500 hPa and the frontogenesis of a surface cyclone during a weak Asian dust event. At the same time, high concentrations of ozone and CO on the Earth's surface were shown at the Seoul air quality monitoring site, located at the surface frontogenesis in Korea. It was clear that the ozone was invaded by the downward stretched vortex anomalies, which included the ozone-rich airflow, during movement and development of the cut-off low, and then there was the catalytic photochemical reaction of ozone precursors on the Earth's surface during the day. In addition, air pollutants such as CO and aerosol were tracked along both the cyclone vortex and the strong westerly as shown at the back trajectory in Seoul and Busan, respectively. Consequently, the maxima of ozone and CO between the two areas showed up differently because of the time lag between those gases, including their catalytic photochemical reactions together with the invasion from the upper troposphere, as well as the path of their transport from China during the weak Asian dust event.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.626-633
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• 2017

The present study investigated the effect of a water-washing process, which is part of the acid hydrometallurgical process for recovery of high purity of zinc, on the removal of alkali metals and chlorides (Na, K, Ca, Cl) from Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). Two EAFD samples with different properties were characterized by particle size, XRD and element analysis, and their washing efficiencies (%) on alkali metals and chlorides were compared according to pH, washing time, liquid to solid (L/S) ratio and number of washings. The results show that the alkali metals and chlorides could be effectively removed by the washing (at L/S ration of 3 for more than 30 min., pH 10~11) while minimizing loss of zinc (<0.1%), in which the washing efficiency was Na-78%, K-76%, Cl >99%, respectively. Na and K could be removed up to 97% and 89% respectively by 3 times of repeated washings. With increased sample volume (10 times) of the mixed (1:1, w/w) sample with two types of EAFD, it was confirmed that the pH(10~11) can be used as the main process control parameter for the washing of the alkali metals regardless of EAFD properties.

• Journal of Korea Society of Waste Management
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.670-682
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• 2018

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can be released to humans and the environment through the generation of waste containing engineered nanomaterials (WCNMs) and the use and disposal of nano-products. Nanoparticles can also be introduced intentionally or unintentionally into waste streams. This study examined WCNMs in domestic industries, and target nanomaterials, such as silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, nano silver, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were selected. We tested 48 samples, such as dust, sludge, ash, and by-products from manufacturing facilities and waste treatment facilities. We analyzed leaching and content concentrations for heavy metals and hazardous constituents of the waste. Chemical compositions were also measured by XRD and XRF, and the unique properties of nano-waste were identified by using a particle size distribution analyzer and TEM. The dust and sludge generated from manufacturing facilities and the use of nanomaterials showed higher concentrations of metals such as lead, arsenic, chromium, barium, and zinc. Oiled cloths from facilities using nano silver revealed high concentrations of copper, and the leaching concentrations of copper and lead in fly ash were higher than those in bottom ash. In XRF measurements at the facilities, we detected compounds such as silicon dioxide, sulfur trioxide, calcium oxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. We found several chemicals such as calcium oxide and silicon dioxide in the bottom ash of waste incinerators.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2023

Background: Air pollution has led to an increased exposure of all living organisms to fine dust. Therefore, research efforts are being made to devise preventive and therapeutic remedies against fine dust-induced chronic diseases. Methods: Research of the respiratory protective effects of KRG extract in a particulate matter (PM; aerodynamic diameter of <4 ㎛) plus diesel exhaust particle (DEP) (PM4+D)-induced airway inflammation model. Nitric oxide production, expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and IRAK-1, TAK-1, and MAPK pathways were examined in PM4-stimulated MH-S cells. BALB/c mice exposed to PM4+D mixture by intranasal tracheal injection three times a day for 12 days at 3 day intervals and KRGE were administered orally for 12 days. Histological of lung and trachea, and immune cell subtype analyses were performed. Expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung were measured. Immunohistofluorescence staining for IRAK-1 localization in lung were also evaluated. Results: KRGE inhibited the production of nitric oxide, the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and expression and phosphorylation of all downstream factors of NF-κB, including IRAK-1 and MAPK/AP1 pathway in PM4-stimulated MH-S cells. KRGE suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration and number of immune cells, histopathologic damage, and inflammatory symptoms in the BALF and lungs induced by PM4+D; these included increased alveolar wall thickness, accumulation of collagen fibers, and TNF-α, MIP2, CXCL-1, IL-1α, and IL-17 cytokine release. Moreover, PM4 participates induce alveolar macrophage death and interleukin-1α release by associating with IRAK-1 localization was also potently inhibited by KRGE in the lungs of PM4+D-induced airway inflammation model. KRGE suppresses airway inflammatory responses, including granulocyte infiltration into the airway, by regulating the expression of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of IRAK-1 and MAPK pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential of KRGE to serve as an effective therapeutic agent against airway inflammation and respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2023

Background: Since 2019, the Ministry of Environment has implemented a seasonal fine dust management system from December to March, targeting high PM_2.5 levels with the aim of reducing PM_2.5 concentrations and protecting public health. The focus of improving the seasonal management system lies in the atmospheric PM_2.5 levels. Considering the primary goal of protecting public health, it is necessary to analyze the policy effects from an exposure perspective rather than a concentration-based approach. Objectives: This study aims to quantitatively assess the improvement of indoor PM_2.5 levels and the health impacts of the seasonal management system by comparing the periods before and during its implementation in residential environments. Methods: PM_2.5 concentrations within residential environments in a metropolitan area were measured using an optical particle counter (IAQ-C7, K-weather, Ltd, Korea) at one-minute intervals during the pre-implementation period (November 21~25, 2022) and during the implementation period (December 19~23, 2022). Based on the measured PM_2.5 concentrations, a quantitative evaluation of cancer and mortality risks was conducted according to age and gender. Results: The results of comparing indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations before and during the implementation of the seasonal management system showed a decrease of approximately 56.6% and 47.9%, respectively. Health risk assessments revealed that both the safety-limit-based and safety-target-based Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the threshold of 0.1 for children under 19 years of age, both before and after the implementation. The mortality risk decreased by approximately 47.9% after the implementation, with children aged 0-9 showing the highest mortality risk at 0.9%. Conclusions: The findings of this study confirmed the positive health impacts of the seasonal management system across all age groups, particularly children under 19 who are more vulnerable to fine dust exposure.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.247-258
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• 2018

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the degree of air pollution can be evaluated via examination of local plants. Selected sites included two parks in an industrial area, as well as two parks in an urban area. Selected plant samples comprised one-year-old pine shoot leaves. Leaves growing over 2 m from the ground were collected from over 10 pine trees. Leaf surface was analyzed for deposition of 14 trace elements and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including particle size and mass, surface imaging, precipitation-mediated particle removal rate, and concentration. Particle size ranged from 0.4 to $200{\mu}m$, and the volume percentage of particles ${\leq}10$ was 20 %. Deposited particle mass ranged from 0.450-0.825 mg, and precipitation-mediated removal rate ranged from 10.0-27.6 %. Trace element concentration, as measured by ICP/MS after microwave acid digestion, was 18.8-26.3 mg/kg As, 0.08-0.13 mg/kg Be, 0.06-0.08 mg/kg Cd, 4.91-17.8 mg/kg Cr, 5.26-405 mg/kg Cu, 1,930-2,670 mg/kg Fe, 3.03-28.1 mg/kg Pb, 26.9-42.8 mg/kg Mn, 2.66-10.4 mg/kg Ni, 4,560-8,730 mg/kg Al, 2,500-6,120 mg/kg Ba, 5.27-17.8 mg/kg Rb, 40.9-95.3 mg/kg Sr, and 4,030-8,260 mg/kg Zn. Concentration of PAHs, as analyzed by GC/MS/MS after liquid-liquid extraction and purification of deposited particles, ranged from 1.17 to 12.378 mg/kg for ${\Sigma}PAH_{16}$ and from 1.17 to 12.378 mg/kg for ${\Sigma}PAH_7$.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.213-222
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• 2014

The atmospheric aerosols of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island during 2012- 2013. Their ionic and elemental species were analyzed in order to examine the composition variation of the haze aerosols in accordance with the pathway of air mass. The concentrations of $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ increased 2.1~3.7 times in coarse particle and 3.1~6.5 times in fine particle modes, respectively, showing especially high $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations in fine particles during the haze days. The concentrations of S, Zn, Pb and K increased 3.0~5.6 times in coarse particles and 3.2~7.7 times in fine particles during the haze days, on the other hand Al, Fe, and Ca concentrations were high only in coarse particles. Due to the back trajectory analysis, the concentrations of $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ for haze days were high when the inflow pathway of air mass was from China, especially a high increase of $NO_3{^-}$ as through the south of China. The $NO_3{^-}/nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$ concentration ratio was relatively high in coarse mode as air mass inflow from China, but in fine mode it was high as air mass passing through the Korean peninsula.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2020

Recently, as the fine dust is increased and the emission regulations of diesel engines have been tightened, interest in diesel soot filtration devices has rapidly increased. There is specifically a demand for the technological development of higher diesel exhaust gas after-treatment device efficiency. As part of this, many studies were conducted to increase exhaust gas treatment efficiency by improving the flow uniformity of the exhaust gas in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and reducing the pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet of DPF. In this study, the effects of pressure drop by the flow rate and temperature of exhaust gas, DPF I/O ratio, Ash, and PM amount in diesel reduction device were simulated via a 12" diameter DPF and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) using ANSYS Fluent. As the flow rate and temperature decreased, the pressure drop decreased, whereas the PM amount affected the pressure drop more than the ash amount and the pressure drop was lower in anisotropic DPF than isotropic DPF. In the case of DPF flow uniformity, it was constant regardless of the various variables of DPF. In ESC and ETC conditions, the filtration efficiency for PM was similar regardless of anisotropic and isotropic DPF, but the filtration efficiency for PN (particle number) was higher in anisotropic DPF than isotropic DPF.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2006

This study was carried out to compare physical properties of the horticultural substrates measured by the European standard methods (CEN methods) and the Rural Development Administration of Korea methods (RDA methods). Sixty horticultural substrates including 40 marketed substrates and 10 organic and inorganic raw materials such as peat moss, coir dust, rice hull, perlite and zeolite were sampled. The samples were then analyzed for 6 physical properties by both CEN methods and RDA methods. The results of both methods were analyzed by linear regression. Bulk density ($R^2=0.8304$), particle density ($R^2=0.8136$) and porosity ($R^2=0.6374$) values measured by the two methods were highly significant. Whereas those for easily available water (EAW, $R^2=0.3327$), water volume ($R^2=0.2692$) and air volume ($R^2=0.0739$) were not significant. Further research is needed to facilitate the conversion between the two methods.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.15-23
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• 2021

Ventilation shafts are pathways in mines and tunnels for the removal of dust or smoke during underground space construction and operation. In mines, blasting with long blast holes is preferred for the excavation of a ventilation shaft in the 10~20m long crown pillar section. In this case, the bottom part of the blast hole is completely drilled in order to determine the drilling error, and this causes a problem of lowering the explosive charge and blasting efficiency. It is possible to solve the problem of explosive loading and to increase the blast efficiency by covering the curb of the blasthole by using stemming material. In this study, simulations for the blasting of a ventilation shaft were performed with various stemming lengths and the blasthole diameters(45, 76mm) using AUTODYN 2D SPH(Smooth particle hydrodynamics) analysis technique. Also the optimal bottom stemming column was derived by checking the size of the boulder and burden line according to blasting. Analysis result, blasting efficiency is lessened in case of stemming length less than 30cm and the optimal length of the stemming material should be 30cm or higher to achieve high efficiency of blasting.