• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2016

In order to reconstruct a benthic foodweb structure and assess the role of benthic microalgaes as a diet source for benthos, we analyzed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of diverse benthos (bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods and fishes) and potential diets (particulate organic matter, sedimentary organic matter, benthic microalgae, seagrass, and macroalgaes) in the intertidal mudflat surrounding Yeongheung Island. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of the diets indicated wide ranges (- 26.5‰ to - 8.4‰) while benthos showed a small range of ${\delta}^{13}C$ values (-12.1‰ to - 17.8‰), although they were in the same range. Except for green algaes among the macroalgaes as well as sedimentary organic matter, ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of the diet candidates ($5.7{\pm}1.0$‰) were lighter in comparison to those of the benthos ($11.8{\pm}1.9$‰). Based on the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ data, the benthos were classified into 3 groups, indicating a different diet and trophic position. But benthic microalgae is the most important diet source for all three benthos groups based on their stable isotope ratios, suggesting benthic microalgae should be a main diet to the intertidal ecosystem. Hence this study highlights that the biomass of benthic microalgae as biological resource should be evaluated for the management of the intertidal ecosystem of Yeongheung Island.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.17-25
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• 2016

In this study, the air quality of underground and overground railway stations was evaluated focusing on the degree of influence of the outside air quality. The measured components were particulate matter ($PM_{10}$), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), formaldehyde (HCHO), ozone ($O_3$), total airborne bacteria (TAB), total volatile organic carbon (TVOC), and Radon (Rn), which are included in the maintenance standards and recommended standards of the Indoor Air Quality Management Act. Also, the indoor/outdoor concentration ratios of $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, and $O_3$ were calculated to estimate the influence of the outdoor air quality. The concentrations of $PM_{10}$ HCHO, TVOC, $NO_2$, and Rn in the underground stations were found to be higher than those in the overground stations. These results indicate that the (present) generation of contaminants are caused by the indoor source of the underground station. The ozone concentration of the overground stations was higher than that of the underground stations, which indicates that the outdoor ozone concentration influenced that of the overground stations directly. Thus, methods of improving the IAQ should take into consideration the types of contamination.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.125-137
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• 2006

Nutrients, chlorophyll-a, particulate organic carbon (POC), and environmental conditions were extensively investigated in the northern East China Sea (ECS) near Cheju Island during three seasonal cruises from 2003 to 2005. In spring and autumn, relatively high concentrations of nitrate ($2.6{\sim}12.4\;{\mu}mol\;kg^{-1}$) and phosphate ($0.17{\sim}0.61\;{\mu}mol\;kg^{-1}$) were observed in the surface waters in the western part of the study area because of the large supply of nutrients from deep waters by vertical mixing. The surface concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in summer were much lower than those in spring and autumn, which is ascribed to a reduced nutrient supply from the deep waters in summer because of surface layer stratification. While previous studies indicate that upwellings of the Kuroshio Current and the Changjiang (Yangtze River) are main sources of nutrients in the ECS, these two inputs seem not to have contributed significantly to the build-up of nutrients in the northern ECS during the time of this study. The lower nitrate:phosphate (N:P) ratio in the surface waters and the positive correlation between the surface N:P ratio and nitrate concentration indicate that nitrate acts as a main nutrient limiting phytoplankton growth in the northern ECS, contrary to previous reports of phosphate-limited phytoplankton growth in the ECS. This difference arises because most surface water nutrients are supplied by vertical mixing from deep waters with low N:P ratios and are not directly influenced by the Changjiang, which has a high N:P ratio. Surface chlorophyll-a levels showed large seasonal variation, with high concentrations ($0.38{\sim}4.14\;mg\;m^{-3}$) in spring and autumn and low concentrations ($0.22{\sim}1.05\;mg\;m^{-3}$) in summer. The surface distribution of chlorophyll-a coincided fairly well with that of nitrate in the northern ECS, implying that nitrate is an important nutrient controlling phytoplankton biomass. The POC:chlorophyll-a ratio was $4{\sim}6$ times higher in summer than in spring and autumn, presumably because of the high summer phytoplankton death rate caused by nutrient depletion in the surface waters.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.294-305
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• 2018

Quantitative assessment on the impact from North Korean emissions to surface particulate matter(PM) concentration in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), South Korea is conducted using a 3-dimensional chemistry transport model. Transboundary transport of air pollutants and their precursors are important to understand regional air quality in East Asian countries. As North Korea locates in the middle of main transport pathways of Chinese pollutants, quantifiable estimation of its impact is essential for policy making in South Korean air quality management. In this study, the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System is utilized to simulate regional air quality and its sensitivity, using the Comprehensive Regional Emissions inventory for Atmospheric Transport Experiment 2015 and the Clean Air Policy Support System 2013 emissions inventories for North and South Korea, respectively. Contributions were estimated by a brute force method, perturbing 50% of North and South Korean emissions. Simulations demonstrate that North Korean emissions contribute $3.89{\mu}g/m^3$ of annual surface PM concentrations in the SMA, which accounts 14.7% of the region's average. Impacts are dominant in nitrate and organic carbon (OC) concentrations, attributing almost 40% of SMA OC concentration during January and February. Clear seasonal variations are also found in North Korean emissions contribution to South Korea (and vice versa) due to seasonal characteristics of synoptic weather, especially by the change of seasonal flow patterns.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.341-352
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• 1997

Retention ponds have been dug along some of the motorways in France to minimize environmental pollution by keeping pollutants from spreading over the surrounding area. In order to study heavy metal pollution and diagenetic behaviour of sediments, eight core samples were collected from the bottom of a retention pond located along the A-71 motorway in Sologne. The metal concentrations in interstitial waters and extractable metal concentrations in sediment layers using sequential chemical extraction method were determined. The depth distributions of Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations in interstitial water and particulate sediments were studied, and distribution coefficients (KD) were also determined to investigate the environmental mobility of these elements. In addition. the index of geoaccumulation and the Fe-normalized enrichment factor were calculated to differentiate the natural accumulation from the anthropogenic pollution. The vertical concentration profiles of heavy metals in core sediments indicate that surface enrichments (0~2 cm) of Pb, Zn, Cd and organic carbon were always observed at each core sample, due to the early diagenesis. However, the major factor contributing to the accumulation of Cd at the sediment surface is attributed to the dissolution of Cd from polluted roadside soil during periods of rainstorms and its subsequent redeposition on the sediment surface after being carried to the retention pond. A comparison of the KD values indiactes that a decrease in the KD values for Pb and Zn was observed with depth while KD values for Cd increase. According to the KD values. the relative mobility of studied metals was determined as following: Mn>Zn>Cd>Pb, for the upper layer, and Mn>Cd>Zn>Pb, for the lower layers.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.567-577
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• 2019

Due to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, demand for alternative energy is gradually increasing. Among the various methods, a method to convert biomass into alternative fuel has been proposed. The bio-fuel obtained from biomass through pyrolysis process is called pyrolysis oil (PO) or bio-oil. Because PO is difficult to use directly in conventional engines due to its poor fuel properties, various methods have been proposed to upgrade pyrolysis-oil. The simplest approach is to mix it with conventional fossil fuels. However, due to their different polarity of PO and fossil fuel, direct mixing is impossible. To resolve this problem, emulsification of two fuels with a proper surfactant was proposed, but it costs additional time and cost. Alternatively, the use of alcohol fuels as an organic solvent significantly improve the fuel properties such as fuel stability, calorific value and viscosity. In this study, blends of diesel, n-butanol, and coffee ground pyrolysis oil (CGPO) which is one of the promising PO, was applied to diesel generator. Combustion and emissions characteristics of blended fuels were investigated under the entire load range. Experimental results show that ignition delay is similar to that of diesel at high load. Although, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions are comparable to diesel, significant reduction of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions were observed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2014

The origin of particulate organic matter (POM) and food web structure were investigated in Shingu reservoir based on stable isotope analysis from pre-monsoon (July) to post-monsoon (September) 2007. According to the depth in Shingu reservoir, the $^{13}C$ and $^{15}N$ values of POM for pre-monsoon period were nonsignificant distinction, while it was significant variation after rainfall period. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of POM in premonsoon period ranged from -25.1‰ to -26.1‰ in whole water column, but the ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of POM in post-monsoon period showed relatively wide range between -23.2‰ and -27.5‰. The apparently lighter values (average -27.5‰) in near bottom water (7 m water depth) demonstrate that POM in high turbid water in post-monsoon period may be derived from the outside terrestrial plants (allochthonous) through heavy rainfall during the summer monsoon period. After rainfall period, $^{13}C$ and $^{15}N$ values of D. brachyurum showed -23.3‰ and 12.2‰, respectively, while B. longirostris showed -27.1% and 8.7%, respectively. It suggested that D. brachyurum mainly feed on POM in autochthonous organic matter pool, but B. longirostris mainly consumed POM in allochthonous organic matter pool after rainfall period. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were markedly different among secondary consumers. The carp (C. carpio) and catfish (S. asotus) were in the higher trophic level and crucian carp (C. auratus) and mudfish (M. mizolepis) were in the lower trophic level. $^{13}C$ and $^{15}N$ values of Z. platypus didn't significantly changed between before and after rainfall period. But P. parva and C. auratus apparently changed the $^{13}C$ and $^{15}N$ values after rainfall period. It is suggested that P. parva and C. auratus seem to feed allochthonous food source while Z. platypus depend on autochthonous food source.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.193-203
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• 1991

KODOS (Korea Deep ocean Study)-89 sediments, recovered from western part of Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone in north Pacific, show two distinctly colored layer zones: surface yellow brown layer (unit A) and subsurface dark brown layer (unit B), and roughly recognized as Quaternary and Tertiary in age, respectively. Geochemical characteristics are also different in those two units. Smectite, water, micronodule, and heavy metal contents are higher in unit B, while POC content is higher in unit A. High smectite and low POC contents in unit B are due to the longer formation period of smectite, almost decomposition of labile organic matter in unit B relative to unit A. High water content in unit B is caused by coarse fabric which results from higher content of spicules and spines. Additionally, stronger electrostatic repulsion force caused by high smectite content also supports high water content in unit B relative to unit A. Variations in heavy metal contents are closely related to the amount of micronodule, which has higher metal contents than that of sediment. Therefore, we conclude that the differences of geochemical characteristics in unit A and unit B are resulted from the different diagenetic durations of unit A and unit B.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.91-106
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• 2021

Daily PM_2.5 was collected during summer period in 2020 in Gwangju to investigate its chemical and light absorption properties. In addition, real-time light absorption coefficients were observed using a dual-spot 7-wavelength aethalometer. During the study period, SO₄^2- was the most important contributor to PM_2.5, accounting for on average 33% (10-64%) of PM_2.5. The chemical form of SO₄^2- was appeared to be combination of 70% (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 30% NH₄HSO₄. Concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis indicated that SO₄^2- particles were dominated by local pollution, rather than regional transport from China. A combination of aethalometer-based and water-extracted brown carbon (BrC) absorption indicated that light absorption of BrC due to aerosol particles was 1.6 times higher than that due to water-soluble BrC, but the opposite result was found in absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) values. Lower AAE value by aerosol BrC particles was due to the light absorption of aerosol BrC by both water-soluble and insoluble organic aerosols. The BrC light absorption was also influenced by both primary sources (e.g., traffic and biomass burning emissions) and secondary organic aerosol formation. Finally the ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of NH₄⁺, C-H groups, SO₄^2-, and HSO₄^2-. The presence of HSO₄^2- supports the result of the estimated composition ratio of inorganic sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) and bisulfate (NH₄HSO₄).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.330-344
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• 2015

Semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ mass, organic and elemental carbon were made for the period of January to October 2014, at six national air monitoring stations in Korea. OC and EC concentrations showed a clear seasonal variation with the highest in winter (January) and the lowest in summer (August). In winter, the high carbonaceous concentrations were likely influenced by increased fuel combustion from residential heating. OC and EC concentrations varied by monitoring stations with 5.9 and $1.7{\mu}g/m^3$ in Joongbu area, 4.2 and $1.2{\mu}g/m^3$ in Honam area, 4.0 and $1.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in Yeongnam area, 3.7 and $1.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in Seoul Metropolitan area, 3.0 and $0.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in Jeju Island, 2.9 and $0.7{\mu}g/m^3$ in Baengnyeong Island respectively. The concentrations of OC and EC comprised 9.6~ 15.5% and 2.4~ 4.7% of $PM_{2.5}$. Urban Joongbu area located adjacent to the intersection of several main roads showed the highest carbon concentration among six national air monitoring station. On the other hand, background Baengnyeong Island showed the lowest carbon concentration and the highest OC/EC ratio (4.5). During the haze episode, OC and EC were enhanced with increase in $PM_{2.5}$ about 1.3~ 3 and 1.3~ 4.0 times respectively. The concentrations of OC, EC in the Asian dust case are about 1~ 2.4 times greater than in the nondust case. The origins of air mass pathways arriving at Seoul, using the backward trajectory analysis, can be mostly classified into 6 groups (Sector I Northern Korea including the sea of Okhotsk, Sector II Northern China including Mongolia, Sector III Southern China, Sector IV South Pacific area, Sector V Japan, Sector VI Southern Korea area). When an air mass originating from northern China and Mongolia, the OC concentrations were the most elevated, with a higher OC/EC ratio (2.4~ 3.3), and accounting for 17% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass on average.