• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.281-302
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• 2023

Carbon is not only an essential element for life but also a key player in climate change. The radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a powerful tool not only to understand the carbon cycle but also to track pollutants derived from fossil carbon, which have a distinct radiocarbon isotope ratio (Δ¹⁴C). Many studies have reported Δ¹⁴C of carbon compounds in streams, rivers, rain, snow, throughfall, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea, which are reviewed in this manuscript. In summary, (1) stream and river carbon in South Korea are largely derived from the chemical weathering of soils and rocks, and organic compounds in plants and soils, strongly influenced by precipitation, wastewater treatment effluents, agricultural land use, soil water, and groundwater. (2) Unprecedentedly high Δ¹⁴C of precipitation during winter has been reported, which can directly and indirectly influence stream and river carbon. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of local contamination sources of high Δ¹⁴C, the results suggest that stream dissolved organic carbon could be older than previously thought, warranting future studies. (3) The ¹⁴C analysis has also been applied to quantify the sources of forest throughfall and PM_2.5, providing new insights. The ¹⁴C data on a variety of ecosystems will be valuable not only to track the pollutants derived from fossil carbon but also to improve our understanding of climate change and provide solutions.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2016

Descriptions are provided of the automated aerosol-type classification and mass concentration calculation algorithm for real-time data processing and aerosol products in Korea Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (KALION, http://www.kalion.kr). The KALION algorithm provides aerosol-cloud classification and three aerosol types (clean continental, dust, and polluted continental/urban pollution aerosols). It also generates vertically resolved distributions of aerosol extinction coefficient and mass concentration. An extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio) of 63.31 sr and aerosol mass extinction efficiency of $3.36m^2g^{-1}$ ($1.39m^2g^{-1}$ for dust), determined from co-located sky radiometer and $PM_{10}$ mass concentration measurements in Seoul from June 2006 to December 2015, are deployed in the algorithm. To assess the robustness of the algorithm, we investigate the pollution and dust events in Seoul on 28-30 March, 2015. The aerosol-type identification, especially for dust particles, is agreed with the official Asian dust report by Korean Meteorological Administration. The lidar-derived mass concentrations also well match with $PM_{10}$ mass concentrations. Mean bias difference between $PM_{10}$ and lidar-derived mass concentrations estimated from June 2006 to December 2015 in Seoul is about $3{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$. Lidar ratio and aerosol mass extinction efficiency for each aerosol types will be developed and implemented into the KALION algorithm. More products, such as ice and water-droplet cloud discrimination, cloud base height, and boundary layer height will be produced by the KALION algorithm.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.129-142
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• 2022

In the past, interest in air pollution was concentrated on greenhouse gases, but in recent years, interest in fine dust has been increasing. The media and environmental organizations continue to emphasize air pollution caused by fine dust. The awareness of fine dust is increasing, and air pollution generated at ports is analyzed to be serious as a domestic factor excluding foreign inflows. Recognizing this, in order to reduce air pollution generated at ports, special laws on improving air quality, such as port areas, have been enacted in Korea, and attempts are being made to curb air pollution caused by ports. In this law, it is a policy that regulates air pollutants generated not only by ships but also throughout ports such as vehicles and unloading machines, and representative are ECA, VSR, and AMP. This study attempted to analyze the effects of these eco-friendly policies at Incheon Port. First of all, a study was conducted to calculate emissions assuming that there was no policy, analyze each policy, and finally calculate and compare actual emissions reflecting all policies. The methodology presented by the European Environmental Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was used, and pollutants to be analyzed were analyzed for sulfur oxides (SO_X), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_X), total floating substances (TSP), fine dust and ultrafine dust (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) and ammonia (NH₃). As a result of the analysis, it was analyzed that the actual emission reflecting all policies was about 4,097 tons/year, which had an emission reduction effect of about 760 tons/year compared to about 4,857 tons/year when the policy was not reflected. When the effects of each policy were analyzed individually, it was found that ECA 4,111 tons/year, VSR 4,854 tons/year, and AMP 4,843 tons of air pollutant emissions occurred The results of this study can be used as basic data and evidence for policy establishment related to the atmospheric environment at Incheon Port.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

Background : A large number of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone influence on the body. These pollutants put a burden on the lung and the sequelae resulting from the oxidative stress are thought to contribute to the development of fibrotic lung disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Also, carbon monoxide generated from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes and has the toxic effect of tissue hypoxia and produce various systemic and neurologic complications. The objective of this study is to compare the difference of pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin(CO-Hb) level between the traffic policemen and clerk policemen. Method : Three hundred and twenty-nine of traffic policemen, and one hundred and thirty clerk policemen were included between 2001 May and 2002 August. The policemen who took part in this study were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included questions on age, smoking, drinking, years of working, work-related symptoms and past medical history. The serum CO-Hb level was measured by using carboxyoximeter. Pulmonary function test was done by using automated spirometer. Additional tests, such as elecrocardiogram, urinalysis, chest radiography, blood chemistry, and CBC, were also done. Results : $FEV_1(%)$ was $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, and $105.7{\pm}1.21%$(p<0.05). FVC(%) was $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, and $102.1{\pm}1.09%$, respectively(p<0.05). Serum CO-Hb level was $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, and $1.8{\pm}0.08%$(p<0.05). After correction of confounding factors (age, smoking), significant variables were FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$ and serum CO-Hb level(%)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Long exposure to air pollution may influence the pulmonary function and serum CO-Hb level. But, further prospective cohort study will be needed to elucidate detailed influences of specific pollutants on pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin level.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.392-404
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• 2015

Objectives: This study measured and analyzed the concentrations of crystalline silica, elemental carbon and the contribution ratio of pollutants which influence environmental and respiratory disease around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu, Korea. Methods: We analyzed the crystalline silica and elemental carbon in the air according to FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NIOSH(National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health) method 5040, respectively. In addition, lead stable isotopes, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were analyzed using MC-ICP/MS(Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer), and IRMS(Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer), respectively. Results: The concentration of crystalline silica in the direct exposure area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0005mg/Sm^3$, but not to exceed the exposure standards of the ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). In the case of the autumn, the direct exposure area was found to show a level 2.5 times higher than the reference area, and on the whole, the direct exposure area was found to have a level 1.4 times higher than the reference area. The concentration of elemental carbon in the direct exposure area and in the reference area were found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0006mg/Sm^3$, and $0.0006{\pm}0.0003mg/Sm^3$, respectively. This study confirmed the contribution ratio of coal raw materials to residentially deposited dusts in the area within 500 meters from the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area with a stable isotope ratio of 24.0%(0.7-62.7%) on average in the case of carbon and nitrogen, and 33.9%(26.6-54.1%) on average in the case of lead stable isotopes. Conclusions: This study was able to confirm correlations with coal raw materials used by the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area. The concentration of some pollutants, crystalline silica, and elemental carbon emitted to the direct-influence area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than in the reference area. Therefore, we need to impose continuous and substantive reduction countermeasures in the future to prevent particulate matter and coal raw materials in the study area. It is time for the local government and authorities to prepare active administrative methods such as the relocation of Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 1995

The vertical profiles of natural ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po and ²³⁴Th activities were measured for the upper 100 m of water column at three stations in the middle region of the Korean East Sea during May 1992. And the distribution of these radionuclides was discussed associated with the formation of warm eddy or water mass. The main thermocline was maintained between the depth of 50 and 100 m at the southern station (Sta. A1), and between the depth of 10 to 50 m at the coastal station of Sockcho (Sta. B10). Contrastingly, a main thermocline at Sta. A10, which locates near the center of warm eddy, was observed below 230 m depth. Between 50 and 220 m depth of Sta. A10 is there a relatively homogeneous water mass of 10.1${\pm}$0.5$^{\circ}C$, which is significantly higher in temperature and lower in nutrient than the other two stations. It seems to be due to sinking of the warm surface water in which nutrients were completely consumed. Both ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po show the highest concentration at Sta. A1 and the lowest at Sta. B10 among the three stations. Also, the ²¹⁰Pb activity is generally higher in the upper layer than in the lower layer, while ²¹⁰Po activity represents the reversed pattern at all three stations. At Sta. A1 and Sta. B10, the activities of ²¹⁰Po relative to its parent ²¹⁰Pb were deficient in the water column above the main thermocline, but were excess below the thermocline. However, the station near the center of warm eddy(Sta. A10), shows no excess of ²¹⁰Po in the depths below 50 m, although its defficiency is found in the upper layer like the other stations. At Sta. A1 and b10. ²³⁴Th activities are slightly lower in the surface mixed layer than in the deeper region However, at Sta. A10, ²³⁴Th activity in the upper 30 m is higher than below 50 m or in the same depth of the other stations, probably because of the high concentration of particulate matter. The residence time of ²¹⁰Po in the surface mixed layer at Sta. A10 is 0.4 year, much shorter than at the other two stations(about one year). Above 100 m depth, the residence times of ²³⁴Th range from 18 to 30 other two stations(about on year). Above 100 m depth, the residence times of ²³⁴Th range from 18 to 30 days at all stations, without significant regional variation. The percentages of recycled ²¹⁰Po within the thermocline are 39% and 92% at Sta. A1 and Sta. B10, respectively. Much higher value at Sta. B10 may be due to a thin thickness of the mixed layer as well as the slower recycling rate of ²¹⁰Po in the main thermocline.