• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.27 no.B
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• pp.109-114
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• 2007

Humic substances generally comprise 30-50% of the dissolved organic carbon in water. They can affect water quality adversely in several ways and they are important from a water treatment perspective due to their role as precursors for the formation of chlorination by-products such as trihalomethanes. The objectives of this research are to investigate the characteristics of organic matter using raw water of Chuncheon area, to isolate the humic substance fractions from natural water samples, and characterize the extracted humic substances. Humic substances were fractionated according to "isolation of IHSS aquatic humic and fulvic acids" using XAD resin adsorption technique. Characteristics of humic substances were analyzed through DOC, $UV_{254}$, $SUVA_{254}$, FT-IR spectra, fluorescence analysis.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.70-79
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• 2015

A sample of soil humic acid (HA) was divided by ultrafiltration (UF) into five fractions of different molecular size (UF₁: > 300, UF₂: 100~300, UF₃: 30~100, UF₄: 10~30, UF₅: 1~10 kilodaltons). Apparent average molecular weight (M_w) of the HA fractions were measured using high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), and the chemical and structural properties of the five HA fractions were characterized by elemental compositions (H/C, O/C and w ((2O + 3NH)/ C)) and ultraviolet-visible absorption ratios (SUVA, A_4/6). The organic carbon normalized-sorption coefficients (Koc) for the binding of phenanthrene to the HA fractions were determined by fluorescence quenching and relationship between the sorption coefficients and structural characteristics of the HA fractions were investigated. The elemental analysis and UV-vis spectral data indicated that the HA fractions with higher molecular weights have grater aliphatic character and lower contents of oxygen, while the HA fractions with lower molecular size have greater aromatic character and molecular polarity that correspond to greater SUVA and internal oxidation values (w). The log Koc values (L/kg C) were gradual increased from 4.45 for UF₅ to 4.87 for UF1. The correlation study between the structural descriptors of the HA fractions and log Koc values of phenanthrene show that the magnitude of Koc values positively correlated with $M_w$ and H/C, while negatively correlated with the independent descriptors of the O/C, w, SUVA and A_4/6.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.406-412
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• 2010

Concentrations and speciations of Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acids ($HAA_5$) that can be formed during chlorine disinfection by-product (DBPs) in full-scale drinking water treatment plants were investigated. Jeon-ju D water treatment plant that adopted conventional water treatment processes was chosen for investigation. SUVA values according to water treatment process changes were observed from 1.3 to 2.1. The process average concentrations of THMs was 7.4 ppb, 9.0 ppb and 14.7 ppb respectively, while the average concentrations of $HAA_5$ by each process which are precipitation water, filterater water, treated water, were 15.5 ppb, 14.9 ppb and 25.8 ppb respectively. DBPs concentrations was lower in the winter than summer. The major species of THMs was chloroform and the second highest was bromodichloromethane (BDCM) and the third highest was dibromochloromethane (DBCM). In case of $HAA_5$, the rate of trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) was detected. The species disribution of THMs is related to the change of SUVA and species disribution of $HAA_5$ is related to the concentrations of bromine and injection position of chlorine and injection quantity.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.843-849
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• 2007

Monitoring of NOM characteristics is important for improving removal efficiency of natural organic matter (NOM) in water treatment processes. In this study, several NOM characteristics, which include specific UV absorbance (SUVA), total carbonate content, molecular weight distribution, and fluorescence properties, were measured using samples collected from a pilot-scale water treatment plant consisting of coagulation/flocculation (C/F), filtration, ozonation and granular activated carbon (GAC) processes. The highest removal of NOM was observed in C/F and filtration processes as demonstrated by the reduction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by 25% and 21%, respectively. Despite nearly no change in DOC, however, the lowest SUVA value and the highest total carbohydrate content were observed in the sample from ozonation process. This indicates that non-degradable aromatic compounds become depleted and biodegradable organic compounds are enriched during the process. Comparison of synchronous fluorescence spectra of the samples showed that ozoation process increased protein-like fluorescence while it decreased fulvic-like and terrestrial humic-like fluorescence. Consistently, a slight peak of protein-like fluorescence was observed in the sample from ozonation process. The greatest change in molecular weight distributions of the samples was observed in C/F process. Comparison of size exclusion chromatogram of the samples revealed that NOM fractions with the molecular weight greater than 2000 Da were reduced by over 90% after C/F process. SUVA values and total carbohydrate content of the samples were well correlated with a ratio of protein-like fluorescence and terrestrial humic-like fluorescence intensities with the correlation coefficients of 0.99 and 0.91, respectively. This suggests that synchronous fluorescence properties of NOM could be used as useful tolls for monitoring changes of some NOM characteristics during water treatment processes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2016

This study investigates the effect of effluent organic matter (EfOM) from sewage wastewater treatment plants on estrogenic activity reduction of bisphenol A (BPA) by UV photolysis. The EfOM and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SR-NOM) as reference were isolated into hydrophobic (HPO), transphilic (TPI) and hydrophilic (HPI) fractions depending on polarity. The specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) analysis indicated that EfOM showed similar properties to microbially derived organic matters with low hydrophobicity, which is different from SR-NOM having high hydrophobicity. UV irradiation upto 3 hr significantly reduced SUVA values of both EfOM and SR-NOM (p<0.0001), depending on the polarity of organic matters. In the absence of organic matters, the relative estrogenic activity (REA) of BPA ($5.0{\times}10^{-5}M$) was decreased from 86% to 63% by UV photolysis (2 hr). However, the decrease of mean REA was from 68% to 37% in the presence of organic matters, which was significantly independent on the type (EfOM or SR-NOM) and polarity (HPO, TPI or HPI) of organic matters (p>0.05). As a result, the reduced REA by UV photolysis of BPA with and without organic matters was 31% and 23%, respectively, suggesting that both EfOM and SR-NOM accelerated the photolytic reduction of BPA estrogenic activity.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.605-611
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• 2014

This research was carried out to examine the concentration and fate of dissolved organic matter due to the increased detention time in middle and down stream of the Nakdong River. Aldo the characteristics of biodegradation of DOM were investigated according to the various water sources. The approaches used to characterize DOM biodegradability include the changes in DOC concentration and DOM fraction. Long-term biodegradation test for each organic source was also conducted. As the result, maximum 50% of DOC was reduced during the first 30 days of biodegradation tests. After 30 days, biodegradation of organic matter was continuously progressed, as showing continuous reduction of DOC. While DOC concentration was reduced, SUVA values for the organic matters were increased. Properties of dissolved organic matter by water sources also showed decreasing hydrophilic components while showing increased hydrophobic components. The more rapid reduction of the hydrophilic components than hydrophobic components might be due to the preferential degradation of the hydrophilic components by microorganisms during biodegradation process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.746-752
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• 2022

Kiribati, a South Pacific island, and its surrounding countries are gradually submerging to rising sea levels. The sea level continues to change according to the degree of thermal expansion of glaciers and seawater that decreases with increase in temperature. Global warming affects both the amount and volume of seawater, thus increasing sea level. Tidal phenomena occur twice a day to the attraction of celestial bodies such as the moon and the sun. The moon changes the angle of orbiting surface with the Earth equator every 18.6 years, and the magnitude of the tidal force changes depending on the distance between the Earth equator and the moon orbital surface. The University of Hawaii Sea Level Center selected Tarawa, Christmas, Kanton of Kiribati,, Lautoka, Suva of Fiji,Funafuti of Tuvalu, Nuk1u'alofa of Tonga, and Port Vila of Vanuatu. When comparing tide levels for each year for 19 years, the focus was on checking the change in sleep to Tide levels, and rising sea levels was the effect of Tide levels. The highest astronomical tides (HAT) and lowest astronomical tides (LAT) were identified as Tarawa 297.0, 50.8 cm, Christmas 123.8, 19.9 cm, Kanton 173.7, 39.9 cm, Lautoka 240.7, 11.3 cm, Funafuti 328.6, 98.4 cm, Nuk1u'alofa 188.8, 15.5 cm, Port Vila 161.5, -0.5cm, respectively. The Sea level rising speed was Tarawa 3.1 mm/year, Christmas -1.0 mm/year, Kanton 1.6 mm/year, Lautoka 3.1 mm/year, Suva 7.4 mm/year, Funafuti 1.4 mm/year, Nuk1u'alofa 4.2 mm/year, and Port Vila -1.2 mm/year, respectively

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2007

The runoff characteristics of organic matter in turbid water were investigated in eleven tributary streams of the Han River system, Korea. The flow-weighted event mean concentrations of organic matter ranged from 1.5 to 3.2 mg $L^{-1}$ of DOM and 2.2 of 29.1 mg $L^{-1}$ of POM, respectively. The SUVA value which reflects the proportion of humic substance in organic matters was higher during the rainfall season, meaning that the runoff of refractory form increase in this period. Stable carbon isotope ratios of both POM and DOM were different among streams, which reflect the sources of organic matter. DOM isotope ratios were less depleted of $^{13}C$ than that of POM by approximately 1 to $2%_{\circ}$ ${\delta}^{13}C$ of the several turbid streams (the Mandae Stream, the Jawoon Stream, and the Daegi stream) were heavier than those of clear streams. ${\delta}^{13}C$ values in the turbid upstream tributaries were similar to those of downstream reaches (such as the Soyang River, the Sum River, and the Seo River). From the ${\delta}^{13}C$ analysis of POM it could be calculated that $C_4$ pathway contributed approximately 15.9 to 23.6% of organic matter in several turbid upstream sites, and over 20% in the three sites of large downstream reaches. On the contrary it contributed only 9.1 to 12.8% in clear streams of forest watersheds. In the Soyang River, $C_4$ pathway organic matter contributed 8.8% of the DOM pool.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.194-205
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• 2020

The characteristics and behavior of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were determined by analyzing the molecular weight fractions and fluorescence properties of water samples in the downstream Nakdong River. Biogeochemical water quality parameters and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) were analyzed at five sampling points in the downstream area of the Nakdong River January-August 2019. The molecular weight fractions of the DOM were separated by the Liquid Chromatography-Organic Carbon Detection (LC-OCD). The DOM predominantly comprised humic substances, followed by the building blocks, low molecular weight neutrals and biopolymers. The hydrophobic (aromatic) and hydrophilic properties were shown as coexisting, as most of the SUVA_254nm values were under four. The FDOM was characterized as humic-like (FDOM_H) with allochthonous origin and protein-like (FDOM_P) with autochthonous origin; the FDOM_H with autochthonous origin was also identified. The FDOM_H relies on the aromaticity of the allochthonous organic matter and increases during summer. The FDOM_H and FDOM_P, which depend on the biodegradable dissolved organic matter from phytoplankton, were highly fluorescent in winter. The allochthonous organic matter was the dominant factor contributing to the behavior of the DOM, externally introduced to the river by rainfall. The FDOM only minimally contributed to the behavior of the DOM. It can be explained as the seasonal characteristics of the DOM, varied by the source of the organic matter.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.124-141
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• 2006

Fiji is referred to as the hub of the South Pacific as it lies on the major sea and air transport routes in the region. Tourism, the fastest growing industry within the global economy, is already well established within the country. This paper aims to explore the characteristics of ecotourism in Fiji Islands as a foreign area study. To achieve the objectives, this research carried out a literature review before taking several field surveys in Fiji Islands. Research areas are Raintree Lodge in Suva, Kula Ecopark near Sigatoka, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, Nalesutale Fijian indigenous village near Nadi. Most of all facilities and ecotour programs are developed for environmental, economical and educational effects. The case studies of Fiji present a good model of how to succeed in ecotourism and conservation management to Korea. In addition, this research will provide effective regional policies for the environmental friendly tourism in Korea.