• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.41-52
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• 2022

The leaching of nitrate from soil increases the concentration of elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, in water, causing eutrophication. In this study, the feasibility of using clinoptilolite as an ion-exchange material to reduce nitrate leaching in soil was investigated. Soil samples were collected from three soil depths (0 - 30, 30 - 90, and 90 - 120 cm), and their sorption capacity was determined using batch experiments. The effects of contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature on the removal of NO₃^- were investigated. The results showed that an initial concentration of 25 mg L^-1, a contact time of 120 min, an adsorbent dosage of 5.0 g/100 mL, a pH of 3, and a temperature of 30 ℃ are favorable conditions. The kinetic results corresponded well with a pseudo-second-order rate equation. Intra-particle diffusion also played a significant role in the initial stage of the adsorption process. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process is spontaneous, random, and endothermic. The results suggest that a modification of clinoptilolite effectively reduces the leaching of nitrate in soil.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1009-1016
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of organic fertilizers on soil properties and growth and quality of melon. Organic fertilizer was applied in soil at the rate of 0, 0.5, 1, 2N according to Rural Development Administration guideline in Korea. The fertilizer had no effects on plant growth-rate parameters, including plant height, leaf number, and leaf size. There were minor effects on the fruit quality parameters such as fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, placenta and seed weights, sugar content, and starch content. Ascorbic acid level was decreased as fertilizer level was increased. The level of nitrate in groundwater increased with increased levels of N.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.8-19
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• 2021

In this study, the evaluation standard for nitrate nitrogen contamination degree (WELCUP) was established using six factors that influence the groundwater quality in Jeju Island. To do this, weightings, ranges, and ratings were assigned for each factor and the relative possibility of nitrate nitrogen contamination degree was evaluated using WELCUP index for each well. As a result of calculating the WELCUP index using groundwater quality data of 5,112 wells in Jeju Island for 27 years (1993-2019), all 61 wells with the WELCUP index value higher than 100 are distributed in Daejung and Hangyung watershed with relatively large area of farmland in Jeju Island. In particular, as the ratio of private wells is more than 64%, it is necessary that systematic management is needed for private wells in terms of nitrate nitrogen contamination. Consequently, based on the results of applying the WELCUP evaluation standard, it is necessary to select the prioritization of nitrate nitrogen contamination pathways project for groundwater wells in Jeju Island.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2012

This study suggests a method to grade groundwater quality quantitatively using statistical approaches for evaluating the quality of groundwater in wells included in the Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network (GQMN). The proposed analysis method is applied to GQMN data from 2001 to 2008 for nitrate nitrogen, chloride, trichloroethylene, potential of hydrogen (pH), and electrical conductivity. The analysis results are obtained as groundwater quality grades of the groundwater representing each of the monitoring stations. The degree of groundwater contamination is analysed for water quality parameters, district, and usage. The results show that the degree of groundwater contamination is relatively high by nitrate nitrogen, bacteria and electrical conductivity and at Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, Gyeonggido and Jeollado. The degree of contamination by nitrate nitrogen and trichloroethylene is especially high when the groundwater is used for agricultural and industrial water, respectively. It is evaluated that potable groudnwater in GQMN is significantly vulnerable to nitrate nitrogen and bacteria contamination.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 2014

To evaluate the impact of nitrogen fertigation on crop growth and $NO_3$-N concentration in the soil solution, field experiment for cucumber cultivation during spring and fall season were carried out in on-farm located in Byeongcheon-myeon, Chunan-si, Chungcheonnam-do. Supplying nitrogen of 120-150 mg/L by fertigation device into soil per week reached to maximum yields of cucumber fruits. However, cucumber growth did not show any significant difference between nitrogen levels. Nitrogen supply of 400 mg/L, highest N levels, did not affect cucumber growth. Difference between green values of cucumber leaves using RGB scores were closely related with cucumber yields, and therefore, this results suggests that green values of cucumber leaves could be used as a way of determining the application rates of nitrogen for cucumber cultivation period under fertigation system.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2005

Salinity of soils in greenhouse has been increased by massive application of fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizer was most popular, and thus nitrate became the majority of soil salinity. Accumulation of nitrate led to deleterious effects on the growth and development of crops and vegetables. Microbial strains able to utilize nitrate and thus remove excess nitrate from farm land soils were isolated from 15 different soils of greenhouses and plastic film houses. Four strains able to grow in medium containing 50 mM $KNO_3$ were isolated, among which only E0461 showed high capacity of nitrate uptake. Nitrate uptake by E0461 was dependent on culture medium and was increased by addition of tryptone and peptone. Although E0461 was able to grow without tryptone and peptone, growth was slow, and no nitrate uptake was observed. Nitrate appeared to facilitate E0461 growth in the presence of tryptone and peptone. Through kinetic analysis, nitrate uptake was measured at various concentrations of nitrate, and half-life was calculated. Nitrate concentration decreased with increasing incubation period, and plot between half-lives and initial concentrations of nitrate fitted to single exponential function. These results suggest one major factor plays an important role in microbial nitrate uptake.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.301-306
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the physiological differences betweenhealthy and wilted plants with respect to nitrate assimilation and ascorbic acid content. Wilting was artificially induced in spinach plants by treating the seeds with nutrient solution containing high nitrogen and low potassium. The plants were cultured in different plots 4 types of media: 1N-1P-1K (control), 6N-1P-0K (0K), 6N-1P-0.5K (0.5K), and 6N-1P-2K (2K). The rate of wilting among the plants was as follows: control, 0%; 2K, 10%; 0.5K, 40%; and 0K, 70%. This shows that under high nitrogen conditions, the lower the amount of potassium provided, higher was the rate of wilting. There were no differences in plant growth among the plants treated with different levels of potassium under high nitrogen conditions.The nitrate content in both the leaves and the roots was higher in plants grown under high nitrogen media than those in the control. Furthermore, the nitrate level decreased with increasing potassium concentration. The ascorbic acid content of spinach under high nitrogen conditions was lower than those of the control.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.399-404
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• 2014

Soil moisture is an important factor for the availability and circulation of nutrients in arable soil. The purpose of this study was to set thresholds moisture content on soil nitrate concentration in the solution for real-time diagnosis. Sandy loam, silt loam, and sandy loam was filled with $1.2g\;cm^{-3}$ at Wagner pots, 0, 100, and $200mg\;L^{-1}$ of $KNO_3$ was saturated. Nitrate in standard solution was recovered about 95% by passing the porous cup. Nitrate concentrations in sampling of soil solution were examined by using a porous cup. The soil solution was higher in accordance with sandy loam> silt loam> clay loam, limited water filled pore space for sampling soil solution was 33.7, 56.4, and 62.2%, respectively. Nitrate concentration in the soil solution was negligible at sandy loam and silt loam during sampling periods, which was decreased about 50~82% in clay loam compared to the initial $NO_3$-N concentration in the saturated $KNO_3$ solution. Over limitation of soil solution sampling, soil EC and $NO_3$-N content were increased with the saturated $NO_3$-N concentration, regardless of soil texture (p<0.05). Conclusively, soil solution by using a porous cup was possible, regardless of the soil texture, which was useful for the diagnosis in nitrate concentration of soil solution. However, because nitrate concentration of soil solution in a clay loam changes, it was necessary for careful attention in order to take advantage for the real-time diagnosis of nitrogen management in soil.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.44-51
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• 2010

Contamination of groundwater from point and non-point sources is one of major problems of water resource manangement in Jeju island. This study characterized groundwater and soil contamination in Hallim area which is one of the areas of significantly contaminated soil and groundwater in Jeju Island. The amount of loaded contaminant (ALC) of Jeju area was estimated as 13,212 ton N/yr and 3,210 ton P/yr, The ALC of Hallim area was amounted to 2,895 ton N/yr and 1,102 ton P/yr, which accounted for 21.9% and 34.3% of the Jeju's ALC, respectively. The soil pH values (5.6-5.9) were not much different in land use areas. By contrat, average cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 14.1 $cmol^+/kg$ was high comparing to the nationwide range of 7.7-10.9 $cmol^+/kg$. Further, Sodium adsorption ratios (SARs) of horse ranch, pasture, and cultivating land for livestock were as high as 0.19, 0.17, and 0.16 respectively, comparing to the other landuse areas. Nitrate nitrogen at 22.2% of total groundwater wells exceeded 10 mg/L (the criteria of nitrate nitrogen for drinking water), averaginged 6.62 mg/L with maximum 28.95 mg/L. Groundwater types belonged to Mg-$HCO_3$, Na-$HCO_3$, Ca-$HCO_3$, and Na-Cl, among which Mg-$HCO_3$ type occupied more than 70% of the total samples, indicating the presence of anthropogenic sources. The concentration of nitrate nitrogen was negatively related to altitude and well depth, and positively related to the concentration of Ca, Mg, and $SO_4$ which might originate from chemical fertilizer. The ratio of nitrogen isotopes was estimated as an average of 8.10$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$, and the maximum value of 17.9$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. According to the nitrogen isotope ratio, the most important nitrogen source was assessed as chemical fertilizer (52.6%) followed by sewage (26.3%) and livestock manures (21.1%).

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2022

This study aims to prepare a technical protocol for identifying the source of nitrate in water using nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) stable isotope ratios. The technical processes for nitrate sources identification are composed of site investigation, sample collection and analysis, isotope analysis, source identification using isotope characteristics, and source apportionment for multiple potential sources with the Bayesian isotope mixing model. Characteristics of various nitrate potential sources are reviewed, and their typical ranges of δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O are comparatively analyzed and summarized. This study also summarizes the current knowledge on the dual-isotope approach and how to correlate the field-relevant information such as land use and hydrochemical data to the nitrate source identification.