• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.96-106
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• 2017

In this study, measurements of size-segregated particulate matter (PM) emitted from the combustion of rice straw, pine needles, and sesame stem were conducted in a laboratory chamber. The collected samples were used to analyze amounts of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), humic-like substances (HULIS), and ionic species. The light absorption properties of size-resolved water extracts were measured using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. A solid-phase extraction method was first used to separate the size-resolved HULIS fraction, which was then quantified by a total organic carbon analyzer. The results show that regardless of particle cut sizes, the contributions of size-resolved HULIS ($=1.94{\times}HULIS-C$) to PM size fractions ($PM_{0.32}$, $PM_{0.55}$, $PM_{1.0}$, and $PM_{1.8}$) were similar, accounting for 25.2-27.6, 15.2-22.4 and 28.2-28.7% for rice straw, pine needle, and sesame stem smoke samples, respectively. The $PM_{1.8}$ fraction revealed WSOC/OC and HULIS-C/WSOC ratios of 0.51 and 0.60, 0.44 and 0.40, and 0.50 and 0.60 for the rice straw, pine needle, and sesame stem burning emissions, respectively. Strong absorption with decreasing wavelength was found by the water extracts from size-resolved biomass burning aerosols. The absorption ${\AA}ngstr{\ddot{o}}m $ exponent values of the size-resolved water extracts fitted between 300 and 400 nm wavelengths for particle sizes of $0.32-1.0{\mu}m$ were 6.6-7.7 for the rice straw burning samples, and 7.5-8.0 for the sesame stem burning samples. The average mass absorption efficiencies of size-resolved WSOC and HULIS-C at 365 nm were 1.09 (range: 0.89-1.61) and 1.82 (range: 1.33-2.06) $m^2/g{\cdot}C$ for rice straw smoke aerosols, and 1.13 (range: 0.85-1.52) and 1.83 (range: 1.44-2.05) $m^2/g{\cdot}C$ for sesame stem smoke aerosols, respectively. The light absorption of size-resolved water extracts measured at 365 nm showed strong correlations with WSOC and HULIS-C concentrations ($R^2=0.89-0.93$), indicating significant contribution of HULIS component from biomass burning emissions to the light absorption of ambient aerosols.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.102-106
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• 2022

Currently, the demand for real-time monitoring of water quality has increased dramatically. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis is a suitable method for real-time analysis compared with conventional biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) methods in terms of analysis time. However, this method is expensive because of the complicated internal processes involved. The photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based TOC method is simpler as it omits more than three preprocessing steps. This is because it reacts only with organic carbon (OC) without extra processes. We optimized the rate between the TiO2 photocatalyst and binder solution and the TiO2 concentration. The efficiency was investigated under 365 nm UV exposure onto a TiO2 coated substrate. The optimized conditions were sufficient to apply a real-time monitoring system for water quality with a short reaction time (within 10 min). We expect that it can be applied in a wide range of water quality monitoring industries.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.185-197
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• 2011

Sorption of chlorinated pesticides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and atrazine onto natural clays (montmorillonite and zeolite) modified with cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium (HDTMA) and a natural soil was investigated using batch adsorbers. The clays were transformed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by the cation exchange between clay surface and HDTMA up to 100% of the cation exchange capacity (CEC). Physicochemical characteristics of the sorbents such as pH, PZC (point of zero charge), organic carbon content ($f_{oc}$), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were analyzed. Sorption isotherm models such as Freundlich and Langmuir were fitted to the experimental data, resulting Langmuir model ($R^2$ > 0.986) was fitted better than Freundlich model ($R^2$ > 0.973). Sorption capacity ($Q^0$) for 2,4-D and atrazine was in the order of HDTMA-montmorillonite > HDTMA-zeolite > natural soil corresponding to the increase in organic carbon content ($f_{oc}$). The sorption of the pesticides was also affected by pH. The sorption of 2,4-D decreased with the increase in pH, whereas that of atrazine was not changed. This indicated that the sorption capacity ($Q^0$) of 2,4-D and atrazine was not affected by the solution pH because they exist as anionic (deprotonated) forms at pH above pKa. The results indicate that organoclay has a promising potential to reduce chlorinated pesticides in the effluent from golf courses.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2002

ATP concentrations far estimating total microbial biomass in the sediment were measured in three different marine sedimentary environments. ATP concentrations were highest in the surface sediment and decreased with increasing sediment depth and distance from the land. The results indicated that the benthic microbial biomass is primarily controlled by nutrient inputs from the overlying water column. Because of the longer residence time and adsorption to the sediment, the variations in organic carbon (OC) contents with sites and depths were not as distinct as that of ATP, and the correlation between OC and ATP was not significant in the coastal sediments. No significant correlation between OC and ATP in the coastal sediments also suggested that microbial biomass in the labile organic-enriched coastal sediment is suppressed by the grazing of higher trophic level such as meiofauna. Overall regional and vertical distribution of ATP indicated that h\`w can be a relevant tool for measuring total microbial biomass in various marine sedimentary environments.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.642-655
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• 2013

In this study, semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), black carbon (BC), and ionic species concentrations were made for the period of April 03~13, 2012, at a South Area Supersite at Gwangju. Possible sources causing the high concentrations of major chemical species in $PM_{2.5}$ observed during a haze episode were investigated. The measurement results, along with meteorological parameters, gaseous pollutants data, air mass back trajectory analyses and PSCF (potential source contribution function) results, were used to study the haze episode. Substantial enhancements of OC, EC, BC, $K^+$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO{_3}{^-}$, $NH{_4}{^+}$, and CO concentrations were closely associated with air masses coming from regions of forest fires in southeastern China, suggesting likely an impact of the forest fires. Also the PSCF maps for EC, OC, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, and $K^+$ demonstrate further that the long-range transport of smoke plumes of forest fires detected over the southeastern China could be a possible source of haze phenomena observed at the site. Another possible source leading to haze formation was likely from photochemistry of precursor gases such as volatile organic compounds, $SO_2$, and $NO_2$, resulting in accumulation of secondary organic aerosol, $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO{_3}{^-}$. Throughout the episode, local wind directions were between 200 and $230^{\circ}C$, where two industrial areas are situated, with moderate wind speeds of 3~5 m/s, resulting in highly elevated concentration of $SO_2$ with a maximum of 15 ppb. The $SO{_4}^{2-}$ peak occurring in the afternoon hours coincided with maximum ambient temperature ($24^{\circ}C$) and ozone concentration (~100 ppb), and were driven by photochemistry of $SO_2$. As a result, the pattern of $SO{_4}^{2-}$ variations in relation to wind direction, $SO_2$ and $O_3$ concentrations, and the strong correlation between $SO_2$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ ($R^2=0.76$) suggests that in addition to the impact of smoke plumes from forest fires in the southeastern China, local $SO_2$ emissions were likely an important source of $SO{_4}^{2-}$ leading to haze formation at the site.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2017

This study describes (1) the impact of positive sampling artifacts caused by not only a filter-based sampling, but also a denuder-based sampling in the determination of particle-phase organic carbon (POC), (2) the effect of sample flow rate on positive artifacts, and (3) an optimum flow rate that provides a minimized negative sampling artifact for the denuder-based sampling method. To achieve the goals of this study, four different sampling media combinations were employed: (1) Quartz filter-alone (Q-alone), (2) quartz filter behind quartz-fiber filter (QBQ), (3) quartz filter and quartz filter behind Teflon filter (Q-QBT), and (4) quartz filter behind carbon-based denuder (Denuder-Q). The measurement of ambient POC was carried out in an urban area. In addition, to determine gas-phase OC (GOC) removal efficiency of the denuder, a Teflon filter and a quartz filter were deployed upstream and downstream of the denuder, respectively with varying sample flow rates: 5, 10, 20, and 30 LPM. It was found that Q-alone sampling configuration showed a higher POC than QBQ, Q-QBT, and Denuder-Q by 12%, 28%, and 23%, respectively at a sample flow rate of 20 LPM due to no correction for positive artifact caused by adsorption of GOC onto the filter. A lower quantity of GOC was collected from the backup quartz filter on QBQ than that from Q-QBT. This was because GOC was not in equilibrium with that adsorbed on the front quartz filter of QBQ during the sampling period. It is observed that the loss of particle number and mass across the denuder increases with decreasing sample flow rate. The contribution o f positive arti facts to POC decreased with increasing sample flow rate, showing 29%, 25%, and 22% for 10, 20, and 30 LPM, respectively. The 20 LPM turns out to be the optimum sample flow rate for both filter and denuder-based POC sampling.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.21.1-21.7
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• 2016

Objectives The present study analyzes metal contamination in sediment of the East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, which is receiving a huge amount of domestic and industrial wastewater from surrounding areas. The subsequent uptake and accumulation of metals in different macrophytes are also examined in regard to their phytoremediation potential. Methods Metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) were estimated in sediment, water and different parts of the macrophytes Colocasia esculenta and Scirpus articulatus. Results The concentration of metals in sediment were, from highest to lowest, Mn ($205.0{\pm}65.5mg/kg$)>Cu ($29.9{\pm}10.2mg/kg$)>Pb ($22.7{\pm}10.3mg/kg$)>Cd ($3.7{\pm}2.2mg/kg$). The phytoaccumulation tendency of these metals showed similar trends in both native aquatic macrophyte species. The rate of accumulation of metals in roots was higher than in shoots. There were strong positive correlations (p <0.001) between soil organic carbon (OC) percentage and Mn (r =0.771), and sediment OC percentage and Pb (r=0.832). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) also showed a positive correlation (p <0.001) with Cu (r=0.721), Mn (r=0.713), and Pb (r=0.788), while correlations between sediment OC percentage and Cu (r=0.628), sediment OC percentage and Cd (r=0.559), and CEC and Cd (r=0.625) were significant at the p <0.05 level. Conclusions Bioaccumulation factor and translocation factors of these two plants revealed that S. articulatus was comparatively more efficient for phytoremediation, whereas phytostabilization potential was higher in C. esculenta.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.701-712
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to determine concentrations and compositions of $PM_{2.5}$ and their characteristic variations at Ieodo Ocean Research Station in the East China Sea and to examine the influence of air pollutants transported from Asia continents. $O_3$ and meteorological parameters were measured since June 2003 and $PM_{2.5}$ filter samples were collected from June 2004 to June 2008. In total, 244 samples were analyzed for water soluble ions and carbonaceous compounds. The mean mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ and $O_3$ were $21.8{\pm}14.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $51.6{\pm}16.1$ ppb, respectively. The average concentrations (mass fractions) of sulfate and ammonium were $6.26{\mu}g/m^3$ (28.74%) and $1.59{\mu}g/m^3$ (7.31%), respectively. Nitrate was considered to be lost through evaporation due to long stay at the station. The mean concentrations of EC and OC were $1.01{\mu}g/m^3$ and $2.34{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, from June 2006 to June 2008. The average OC/EC ratio was 2.31. The organic matter converted from OC by multiplying 2.1 and elemental carbon constituted 22.60% and 4.66% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2010

While increased use of motor cycles in the recent years for various demands could worsen air quality, only few studies have been conducted on estimation of emission factors and characterization of emissions from motorcycle. In this study, emissions from selected six models of motorcycle based on largest market share and production rate were investigated. To investigate gaseous and carbonaceous air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbon (THC), nitrogen oxide ($NO_x$), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC), total 124 motorcycles between 2003 and 2007 model year were tested with regulatory driving conditions, such as CVS-40 and CVS-47 mode. These motorcycles were further sub-categorized based on their displacement (< 50 cc, 50~150 cc, and $\geq$ 150 cc), type of stroke (2- and 4 strokes) and model year (2003~2005 and 2006~2007). Tested motorcycles with recent model year (2006~2007) exhibited less emissions of regulatory gaseous and carbonaceous air pollutants compared to old model year (2003~2005). Chemical analysis showed that CO present in highest concentration followed by THC and $NO_x$ for all tested motorcycles. Interestingly, two strokes motorcycle produced higher THC emission but less CO and $NO_x$ than those of four strokes. For all types of displacement and stroke, emission factors (gram per kilometer) of THC and CO except $NO_x$ with recent model year (2006~2007) showed decreased trend compared to old model year (2003~2005). In addition to this, due to mixed combustion between gasoline fuel and lubricant, two strokes motorcycle showed OC > EC emission trend.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.16-27
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• 2001

We have studied the phosphorus geochemistry in sediments from anoxic environments of Lake Shihwa. The dominant sedimentary phosphorus forms were detrital apatite P and Al-bound p, whereas the amount of Fe-bound P was low because of anoxic condition. Based on the correlation between TP(Total Phosphorus) and OC(Organic Carbon), the behavior of sedimentary phosphorus was influenced by organic matters. It shows that dissolved and solid phosphorus concentrations, the flux of phosphate and the correlation coefficients between sedimentary phosphorus and organic matter In St. Cl were higher than those in St. C2. The results indicate that the concentrations and distributions of phosphorus In sediments were controlled by organic matters.