• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.418-423
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• 2016

Background: This work was to get information about $^{90}Sr$ contamination of the environment by using soil and moss from selected areas in Jeju Island, Korea. Materials and Methods: The activities of $^{90}Sr$ in soil and moss samples were investigated at nine locations of Jeju island, Korea. The soil samples have been collected at 4 sites of Jeju island during June to August of 2013, analyzed for vertical distribution of $^{90}Sr$ activities. The moss samples have been collected at 5 sites of Jeju island during November of 2011 to June of 2012, and analyzed for radioactive $^{90}Sr$. Results and Discussion: The $^{90}Sr$ vertical concentrations in the investigated soil samples were 2.77 to $18.24Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ in eastern part, 1.69 to $18.27Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ in northern part, 3.76 to $13.46Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ in the western part and 1.09 to $8.70Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ in the southern part of the Mt. Halla in Jeju island, respectively. Activities of $^{90}Sr$ show the highest value at the surface soil and decrease with depth. The activity concentration measured was in the range of 79.6 to $363Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ -dry moss. Conclusion: This material is expected to be basis reference for survey of environmental radioactivity in Jeju Island.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.535-542
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• 2016

As one of the most cost-effective methods for surface emission measurements, flux chamber method has been used worldwide. It can be classified into two types: SFC (with slope method) and DFC (with steady-state method). SFC (static flux chamber) type needs only simple equipment and is easy to handle. However, the value of flux might vary with SFC method, because it assumes that the change of concentration in chamber is linear with time. Although more specific equipments are required for DFC (dynamic flux chamber) method, it can lead to a constant result without any ambiguity. We made a self-designed DFC using a small and compact kit, which recorded good sample homogeneity (RSD < 5%) and recovery ( > 90%). Relative expanded measurement uncertainty of this improved DFC method was 7.37%, which mainly came from uncontrolled sweep air. The study shows that the improved DFC method can be used to collect highly reliable emission data from large landfill area.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.605-611
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• 2017

The structure of the actual detector was computed using the code of the PENELOPE. Using the standard mixed sources (450, 1,000 ml), compare the effectiveness of each energy according to various densities and height of the PENELOPE computer simulation, and calculate the effectiveness of the various environmental specimens and apply them to various environmental specimens to determine the lower limit. The values obtained by the obtained value were obtained by applying the obtained efficiency to the actual environmental specimens and obtaining the lower limit values. The density correction factor is 1.155 g of the density correction factor of $0.4g/cm^3$ (59.54keV), 1.153 (661 keV), $1.06g/cm^3$ 1.064 (1,836.04keV), 1.03, and 1.033. It was confirmed that the radioactivity concentration of environmental samples decreased as the amount of specimen was measured increases, and the MDA value decreased as time measured increases.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.431-446
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• 2018

In this study, chemical characteristics of $PM_{2.5}$ samples collected in an agricultural area in Nonsan of Korea were investigated focusing on of black carbon, 3 inorganic ions and 22 trace elements. It was found that the relative error and relative standard deviation of many trace elements fell below 10%, which indicates good analytical accuracy and precision. The mean values of $PM_{2.5}$ in an agricultural area were exceeded by new Korean air quality standard of March 2018. The concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was well correlated with those of black carbon and ions. The concentrations of trace elements were in a wide range of seven orders of a magnitude. Based on these $PM_{2.5}$ data sets, a total of 6 sources were identified using PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization; secondary aerosol (34.4%), soil/road dust (20.1%), biomass burning (16.9%), incineration/fuel combustion (13.2%), vehicle exhaust(12.2%), sea-salt (3.17%). Results of our study indicate that it is very important to control illegal burning activities in agricultural area.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.405-416
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• 2018

In this research, the distribution of Platinum Group Elements (PGEs) at roadside dust in Daejeon, Korea was examined using an ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) technique. For the quality assurance of the determination, method validation based on its accuracy and precision was conducted using SRM (Standard Reference Material). It was found that the relative errors of Pt, Pd, and Rh against each SRM value were -0.7%, -10.0%, and -20.4%, respectively, while relative standard deviations for three elements were less than 10%. The concentrations of Pt, Pd and Rh in roadside dust averaged as $17.4{\pm}9.2{\mu}g/kg$, $283.6{\pm}20.5{\mu}g/kg$, and $7.3{\pm}2.8{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The concentrations of Pt and Rh have significantly higher distribution patterns in the dust at roadside and underground parking lot than those in soil of the background or other urban area. The correlation analysis between concentrations of PGEs in roadside dust indicates that the distribution of Pt and Rh concentration were strongly affected by automobile sources.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.258-268
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• 2014

The test method of aerobic transformation in soil has established based on international test guideline (OECD TG 307). And then, the case study was conducted with [$^{14}C$]butachlor. Butachlor is commonly used herbicide in Korea. [$^{14}C$]Butachlor was treatrd $6.83mgKg^{-1}$ in loamy soil. The treated soil was incubated in flow-through system for 60 days. The mass balance of applied radioactivity (AR) ranged from 91.1 to 95.5% and from 93.0% to 97.7% for non-sterile and sterile soils, respectively. In non-sterile soil, the concentration of [$^{14}C$]butachlor was declined from 94.4% AR at 0 day to 8.4% AR at 60 days after treatment. 2-Chloro-2',6'-diethylacetanilide was the major degradation product detected in soil extract. The calculated $DT_{50}$ and $DT_{90}$ of butachlor were 10.4 days and 34.6 days, respectively. $^{14}CO_2$ and non-extractable soil residue were increased up to 3.5% and 43.5% AR at 60 DAT. There is no significant decrease of the [$^{14}C$]butachlor through the incubation period in sterile soil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.459-467
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• 2016

In order to assess the pollution status and distribution characteristics of PM and PM-bound species, PM10 samples were collected using mini-volume air sampler at the subway cabin in Daejeon city. Measurements of about 24 elements including toxic metals (e.g., As, Cr, Mn, V, Zn) in PM10 were made by instrumental neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence. The average PM10 concentration was $59.3{\pm}14.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in the subway cabin with a range of 42.2 to $97.4{\mu}g/m^3$, while the associated elemental concentrations were varied in the range of $10^{-3}$ to $10^5ng/m^3$. It was found that the concentration of Fe ($12.5{\mu}g/m^3$) was substantially higher than any other element. The Fe concentration was apportioned by about 20% of the PM10 concentration. The results of factor analysis indicate that there are no more than six sources in the cabin (e.g., brake-nonferrous metal particle, resuspended rail dust, fuel combustion, vehicle exhaust, black carbon, Cr-related).

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 1998

The goal of this work was to optimize the liquid scintillation counting techniques for the determination of C-14 in environmental samples such as biological and air samples. Carbon-14 activities in most environmental samples were measured with direct $CO_2$ absorption method. The highest figure of merit was found through the variation of Carbosorb $E^{TM}$ and Permatluor $V^{TM}$ ratio, in the measurement windows. The best condition was 1:1 volume ratio. Average 2.35 g of $CO_2$ was reproducibly absorbed in the 20 ml mixture within 40 min. The counting efficiency determined by repeated analysis of NIST oxalic acid standard and the background count rate were measured to be $58.8{\pm}1.4%$ and $1.88{\pm}0.06\;cpm$, respectively in case of saturated solution. The correction curves of counting efficiency for partially saturated solutions and for saturated solutions with quenching were prepared, respectively. The overall uncertainty of the sample specific activity for near background levels was estimated to be about 7 % for 4 hours counting at 95 % confidence level. The long-term stability of samples has been checked for all the counting techniques over a two week periods, and no apparent change in counting efficiency and background level was found at that time.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.267-276
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• 2015

Several analyses on tritium that is the largest release of gas or liquid radioactive waste from domestic PWR and PHWR NPPs were carried out, such as release comparison, directional frequency of wind and tritium behavior changes in environmental samples. First of all, analysis result showed that tritium released from PHWR was more than ten times as gas and double to three times as liquid in comparison to PWR in 2013. Independent release management in NPP units is needed to precisely control and analyze tritium, since there were 2 units of some NPPs having the same amount of release during analysis. In analysis on frequency of wind direction, average range showed 1.7 to 11.5% by 16-point compass. In case of analysis on sampling points by wind direction, Result showed most of the sampling points are right in places. However, There are some areas needed to examine. In analysis on tritium concentration changes in environmental samples, tritium concentration near NPPs was higher than one far away from NPPs. In case of environmental samples far from PWR, a trace of tritium occur. While, tritium concentration near NPPs was more than or equal to one further from PHWR. In conclusion, tritium occurs considerably in PHWR and is lower than standard in samples. but, it is still detected. Therefore, it is needed to strengthen control in system in NPPs and to consistently monitor tritium in environment.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2009

Gamma spectral results for macroalgae samples taken from the environment of Ulchin nuclear power plants in Korea (east coast), showed 766 keV peaks, which were identified as $^{95}Nb$ by several research institutes. After the enhancement of liquid radioactive waste disposal facility at Ulchin NPP site, the $^{95}Nb$ amount in the liquid radioactive waste outflow has drastically reduced, but the expected reduction in $^{95}Nb$ specific activity from environmental samples did not actually show up on gamma spectroscopy. Detailed re-investigation revealed that along with 766 keV peak, other peaks (63, 92 and 1001 keV) from $^{234}Th-^{234}mPa$ decay series were also detected on spectroscopy, and that the measured half lives of the four peaks were very close to known half life of $^{234}Th-^{234}mPa$ decay series, which is 24.1 day. The measured gamma yield ratios of 766 keV peak to 1001 peak were very close to known ratio 0.35 for $^{234}mPa$. It is concluded that 766 keV peaks on gamma spectroscopy of Ulchin NPP environmental samples were mainly from $^{234}mPa$, which is one of naturally occurring radionuclides.