• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-77
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• 2015

In order to survey the seasonal variation of the chemical composition of particulate matter of $2.5{\mu}m$ or less ($PM_{2.5}$), $PM_{2.5}$ was sampled from 8 February 2013 to 31 March 2014 in an industrial area of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Chemical measurements of the sample included: ionic components ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$), carbonaceous components - organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). Also, secondary organic carbon (SOC) was measured based using the EC tracer method, and char-EC and soot-EC were calculated from the analytical results. The data obtained were interpreted in terms of temporal variation. Of the overall mean value of $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration obtained during the study period, ionic components, OC and EC accounted for 45.3%, 19.7%, and 8.0%, respectively. $NO_3{^-}$ showed a unique seasonal distribution pattern due to a dependence on temperature and absolute humidity. It was estimated that an approximate temperature of $14^{\circ}C$, and absolute humidity of $7g/m^3$ were critical for the reversible reaction of $NH_4NO_3(p){\leftrightharpoons}NH_3(g)+HNO_3(g)$. The amount of OC and EC contributing to the monthly $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration was higher in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer. This result could be attributed to the impact of burning biomass, since WSOC and the ratio of char-EC/soot-EC showed a similar pattern during the corresponding period. From the comparison of monthly WSOC/OC values, a maximum ratio of 83% was obtained in August (summer). The WSOC and estimated SOC levels derived from the EC tracer method correlated (R=0.77) in summer. The high occurrence of WSOC during summer was mainly due to the formation of SOC by photochemical reactions. Through long-term observation of $PM_{2.5}$ chemical components, we established that the degree to which the above-mentioned factors influence $PM_{2.5}$ composition, fluctuates with seasonal changes.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2005

A time-series sediment trap was deployed at 1,034 m water depth in the eastern Bransfield Strait for a complete year from December 25, 1998 to December 24, 1999. About 99% of total mass flux was trapped during an austral summer, showing distinct seasonal variation. Biogenic particles (biogenic opal, particulate organic carbon, and calcium carbonate) account for about two thirds of annual total mass flux $(49.2\;g\;m^{-2})$, among which biogenic opal flux is the most dominant (42% of the total flux). A positive relationship (except January) between biogenic opal and total organic carbon fluxes suggests that these two variables were coupled, due to the surface-water production (mainly diatoms). The relatively low $\delta^{13}C$ values of settling particles result from effects on C-fixation processes at low temperature and the high $CO_2$ availability to phytoplankton. The correspondingly low $\delta^{l5}N$ values are due to intense and steady input of nitrates into surface waters, reflecting an unlikely nitrate isotope fractionation by degree of surface-water production. The $\delta^{l5}N$ and $\delta^{l3}C$ values of sinking particles increased from the beginning to the end of a presumed phytoplankton bloom, except for anomalous $\delta^{l5}N$ values. Krill and the zooplankton fecal pellets, the most important carriers of sinking particles, may have contributed gradually to the increasing $\delta^{l3}C$ values towards the unproductive period through the biomodification of the $\delta^{l3}C$ values in the food web, respiring preferentially and selectively $^{12}C$ atoms. Correspondingly, the increasing $\delta^{l5}N$ values in the intermediate-water trap are likely associated with a switch in source from diatom aggregates to some remains of zooplankton, because organic matter dominated by diatom may be more liable and prone to remineralization, leading to greater isotopic alteration. In particular, the tendency for abnormally high $\delta^{l5}N$ values in February seems to be enigmatic. A specific species dominancy during the production may be suggested as a possible and speculative reason.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.979-983
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• 2005

Indoor air quality has been addressed as an important atmospheric environmental issue and has caught attention of the public in recent years in Korea. Good indoor air quality in classrooms favour student's learning ability, teacher and staff's productivity according to other studies. In this study, each classroom at four different schools was chosen for comparison of indoor and outdoor air quality by means of source generation types such as new constructed classroom, using of cleaning agents and purchased furniture. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide $(CO_2)$, formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and particulate matter with diameter less than $10{\mu}m\;(PM_{10})$ were monitored at indoor and outdoor locations during lesson. HCHO was found to be the worst among parameters measured in new constructed classroom, HCHO and TVOCs was worst in classroom with new purchased furniture, and TVOCs was worst in classroom cleaned by cleaning agents, Indoor $(CO_2)$ concentrations often exceeded 1500 ppm indicating importance of ventilation. Active activity of students during break time made the $PM_{10}$ concentration higher than a lesson, Improvements and further researches should be carried out considering indoor air quality at schools is of special concern since children and students are susceptible to poor air quality.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.427-439
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• 2013

Carbon cycling and productivity within Weno Island of Micronesia enclosed by the coral reef may be likely self-maintained and insignificantly affected by the open ocean. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of the mangrove known as providing the organic matter and habitats for many organisms in this enclosed area. In order to trace the nutritional source of fauna (mostly invertebrates) in the mangrove forest of Weno island, we analyzed the fatty acid (FA) and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of potential nutritional sources (mangrove leaf & pneumatophore, seagrass leaf & root, surface sediment, and particulate organic matter (POM) in water) and consumers (4 gastropods and anomura). The mangrove and seagrass contained the abundance of 18:2${\omega}$6, and 18:3${\omega}$3, whereas FAs associated with phytoplankton and bacteria were accounted for a high proportion in the surface sediment and POM. FA composition of consumers was found to be similar to those of the surface sediment, mangrove, and seagrass. These were also confirmed through the mixing model of stable isotope for contribution of nutritional sources to consumers. Overall results with the feeding types of investigated mangrove fauna indicate that investigated mangrove fauna obtained their nutrition from the various sources, i.e. the mangrove for Littorina cf. scabra, the microalgae for Strombus sp., and omnivorous Pagurus sp. and Terebralia cf. palustris. However, it is obvious that the nutrition of most species living in the mangrove ecosystem is highly dependent on the mangrove, either directly or indirectly. More detail food-web structure and function of the mangrove ecosystem would be established with the analysis of additional fauna and flora.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2018

It is necessary to develop a mobile water production system in order to provide stable water supply in case of disasters such as floods or earthquakes. In this study, we developed a modular mobile water production system capable of producing water for various uses such as domestic water and drinking water while improving applicability in various raw water sources. The water production system consists of three stages of filtration (sand filtration - activated carbon filtration - pressure filtration) to produce domestic water and an additional reverse osmosis process to produce drinking water. In laboratory and field experiments, the domestic water production system showed excellent treatment efficiency for particulate matter, but showed limitations in the treatment of dissolved substances such as dissolved organic matter. In addition, ultraviolet irradiation was considered as additional disinfection step, because it does not form precipitates of manganese oxides after disinfection. Reverse osmosis process was added to increase the removal efficiency of dissolved substances and the treated water satisfied drinking water quality standards. Fluorescence analysis of dissolved organic matter showed that the fulvic acid-like substances in raw water was successfully removed in the reverse osmosis process. The mobile water production system developed in this study is expected to be used not only in water supply in case of disaster, but also widely used in islands and rural area.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.150-150
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• 2016

Mankind is enjoying a great convenience of their life by the rapid growth of secondary industry since the Industrial Revolution and it is possible due to the invention of huge power such as engine. The automobile which plays the important role of industrial development and human movement is powered by the Engine Module, and especially Diesel engine is widely used because of mechanical durability and energy efficiency. The main work mechanism of the Diesel engine is composed of inhalation of the organic material (coal, oil, etc.), combustion, explosion and exhaust Cycle process then the carbon compound emissions during the last exhaust process are essential which is known as the major causes of air pollution issues in recent years. In particular, COx, called carbon oxide compound which is composed of a very small size of the particles from several ten to hundred nano meter and they exist as a suspension in the atmosphere. These Diesel particles can be accumulated at the respiratory organs and cause many serious diseases. In order to compensate for the weak point of such a Diesel Engine, the DPF(Diesel Particulate Filter) post-cleaning equipment has been used and it mainly consists of ceramic materials(SiC, Cordierite etc) because of the necessity for the engine system durability on the exposure of high temperature, high pressure and chemical harsh environmental. Ceramic Material filter, but it remains a lot of problems yet, such as limitations of collecting very small particles below micro size, high cost due to difficulties of manufacturing process and low fuel consumption efficiency due to back pressure increase by the small pore structure. This study is to test the possibility of new structure by direct infiltration of SiC Whisker on Carbon felt as the next generation filter and this new filter is expected to improve the above various problems of the Ceramic DPF currently in use and reduction of the cost simultaneously. In this experiment, non-catalytic VS CVD (Vapor-Solid Chemical Vaporized Deposition) system was adopted to keep high mechanical properties of SiC and MTS (Methyl-Trichloro-Silane) gas used as source and H2 gas used as dilute gas. From this, the suitable whisker growth for high performance filter was observed depending on each deposition conditions change (input gas ratio, temperature, mass flow rate etc.).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 1993

Daily variation of particulate organic carbon(POC) and some factors controlling its level were examined for a semi-enclosed bay(Wonmun Bay, south coast of Korea), in which a lot of suspended oyster culture farms existed, in September, 1992. Observations were made at hourly interval. In spite of the relatively short survey period, strong short-term variation of POC concentration could be observed. Concentrations of POC were the range of $58{\sim}582{\mu}g/l(average 272{\mu}g/l)$ and their variation pattern was similar to those of chlorophyll a with the range of $0.90{\sim}7.25{\mu}g/l(average 3.35{\mu}g/l)$. The low C/N ratios also suggested that marine microalgae was a major component of POC for Wonmun Bay. Primary production, average $1.97\;gC/m^2/day$, was the main source of POC beacuse the supply of POC via freshwater input and exchange with the outer part of the bay was little. Oyster population also excreted a small amount of POC. About $40\%$ of produced POC was decomposed heterotrophically. Another important cause for the fluctuation of observed POC was tidal cycle. Considerable POC, which amounted $37\%$ of produced POC, was lost from the bay due to flushing by tidal cycle. It was also calculated that about $16\%$ was transported onto the sediment. It seemed that a part of POC was consumed by oyster and other heterotrophs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2024

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is an environmentally hazardous pollutant that originates from various sources. PM is comprised of solid particles and liquid droplets of diverse composition and size. Hazardous chemical compositions of PM include elemental and organic carbon, organic compounds, biological compounds and metals. Upon acute and chronic PM exposure, toxic contaminants enter and accumulate within physiological systems and prompt cell structure changes accompanied with intracellular endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid accumulation, and cell cycle arrest. Ultimately, these cellular response leads to the development of key characteristics of aging. In addition, PM internalization enhances autophagy reflux and lysosomal dysfunction, which is involved in cell aging. Previous studies have emphasized a positive association between PM and increased mortality or decreased lifespan, although these are evidenced mostly by observational studies. Direct evidence of the link between PM and aging is still limited. This review evaluates the evidence from not only observational studies but also in vitro and in vivo evidence of PM on aging progression and age-related diseases development. This evidence is based on age-associated cellular changes including endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, adipose accumulation, autophagy, which strengthen the association between PM exposure and aging. Understanding the underlying cellular responses under PM may allow for the development of new therapeutic targets for PM-induced aging.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2010

The spatial variability in the food chain structure of an estuarine environment(Nanakita estuarine, Japan) was investigated using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope. Potential organic matter sources(TP:Terrstrial Plant, MPOM:Marine particulate organic matter, BMA:Benthic microalgae, EPOM:Estuarine particulate organic matter), sedimentary organic matter and benthic invertebrates(Nuttallia olivacea and Nereidae) were sampled at four locations with different tidal flat types(e.g. sanddy, sanddy-muddy and muddy). The main objective of the present study was to determine food sources of Nuttallia olivacea and Nereidae along with small-scale spatial variability within the community of benthic invertebrates. TP(${\delta}^{13}C=-26.6{\pm}0.76$ and ${\delta}^{15}N=2.7{\pm}0.31$) and EPOM(${\delta}^{13}C=-25.5{\pm}0.13$ and ${\delta}^{15}N=5.2{\pm}0.46$) were isotopically distinct from BMA(${\delta}^{13}C=-16.3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N=6.2$) and MPOM(${\delta}^{13}C=-19.6{\pm}0.08$ and ${\delta}^{15}N=8.9{\pm}1.70$). ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of sedimentary organic matter showed a distinct gradient in the range of -27.4 to -22.8‰ with a declining trend from the upstream to the downstream stations. The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of benthic invertebrates in the study site was -22.8 to -18.4‰ for ${\delta}^{16}C$ and 8.1 to 11.9‰ or ${\delta}^{15}N$, respectively. Mixing model(Isosource) calculations based on stable isotope measurements showed that benthic invertebrates of Nuttallia olivacea and Nereidae were found to be dominated by MPOM and BMA in stations. Whereas, TP and EPOM showed little influence to benthic invertebrates. The current result suggests that the different contribution for benthic invertebrates should be affected by both seasonal variation and physical factor among stations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2000

Ozonation and advanced oxidation($H_2O_2/O_3$) process were investigated under various experimental conditions to improve the efficiency of biological filter used for the treatment of recycled wastewater from aquaculture. Ammonia removal followed the first-order reaction whose reaction rate constant(k) was $2.0{\times}10^{-2}min^{-1}$ in ozonation. The ammonia removal rate increased according as the bicarbonate alkalinity is increased. About 46% $NH_3$ was oxidized by ozone at 200 mg/L as $CaCO_3$. When alkalinity existed in wastewater, ammonia removal rate by advanced oxidation was very low due to the inhibition effect of bicarbonate. However, when initial pH was adjusted to about 8.2 by 0.1 N KOH, ammonia removal rate was improved higher than that by ozonation. Especially. ammonia removal rate was the highest at $H_2O_2/O_3$ of 0.25 and about 90% of ammonia was removed in 30 min at this ratio as pH was maintained over 9. In the case of wastewater containing ammonia and organic constituents, ammonia removal efficiency by both ozonation and advanced oxidation decreased seriously because organic constituents consumed the oxidant faster than ammonia. In addition the optimal $H_2O_2/O_3$ ratio was changed. Like ammonia removal, DOC(dissolved organic carbon) increased for first 10 min and then decreased slowly because the particulate organic constituents were oxidized rapidly and then produce DOC. Even when the ammonia concentration by twice, oxidation of DOC was not retarded.