• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.194-203
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• 2021

Background: Surface soil radiation monitoring around nuclear facilities is important to classify and characterize the contaminated areas. A scanning and direct measurement technique can survey the sites rapidly before starting sampling analysis. Materials and Methods: Regarding this, we test and suggest a measurement technique for gross alpha/beta and ⁹⁰Sr activities in surface soil based on a mobile ZnS(Ag)/PVT (polyvinyltoluene) array and a handheld PVT rod, respectively. To detect ⁹⁰Sr selectively in soil mixed with naturally occurring radioactive materials, chosen energy channel counts from the multichannel analyzers were used instead of whole channel counts. Soil samples contaminated with exempt liquid ⁹⁰Sr with 1 Bq·g^-1, 3 Bq·g^-1, and 10 Bq·g^-1 were prepared and hardened by flocculation. Results and Discussion: The mobile ZnS(Ag)/PVT array could discriminate gross alpha, gross beta, and gamma radiation by the different pulse-shaped signal features of each sensor material. If the array is deployed on a vehicle, the scan minimum detectable concentration (MDC) range will be about 0.11-0.17 Bq·g^-1 at 18 km·h^-1 speed, highly sensitive to actual sites. The handheld PVT rod with 12 mm (Φ) × 20 mm (H) size can directly measure ⁹⁰Sr selectively if channels on which energies are from 1,470 and 2,279 keV are gated, minimizing crossdetection of other radionuclides. These methods were verified by measuring soil samples fabricated with homogeneous ⁹⁰Sr concentrations, showing static MDC of 2.16 Bq·g^-1 at a measurement time of 300 seconds. Conclusion: Based on the results, comprehensive procedures using these detectors are suggested to optimize soil sites survey.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.163-170
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• 1994

The experiment was conducted in 1993 to find out a simple prediction method of weeds and to make the prediction models of weeds in paddy fields. The annuals producing fine seeds were apt to emerge at sampling soil only, on the contrary the perennials and the annuals producing large seeds tended not to emerge at sampling soil due to the miss of seeds at sampling. There was no appropriate regression between a total number of weeds emerged at sampling soil and that of weeds occurred in fields. The important annual weeds occurring in fields were able to predict by the number of weeds emerged at sampling soil, but it was difficult to predict the important perennial weeds. In case of Bidens tripartita producing large seeds and Eleocharis kuroguwai producing large tubers, the prediction coefficients were high as above 1.0, and that of Echinochloa crus-galli and Sagittaria pygmaea were comparatively high as 0.175 and 0.172, respectively. However the coefficients of the other weeds were much low as below 0.08. The prediction models for 9 species were made. The model of six species including E. crus-galli, M. vaginalis, R. indica, B. tripartita, E. triandra and S. pygmaea were linear regression with high significance, however that of 3 species including C. difformis, S. juncoides and E. kuroguwai were curve regression with high significance.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.313-325
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• 2011

From October 2009 to June 2010, major greenhouse gases (GHG: $N_2O$, $CH_4$, $CO_2$) soil emission were measured from upland cabbage field at Kunsan ($35^{\circ}$56'23"N, $126^{\circ}$43'14"E), Korea by using closed static chamber method. The measurements were conducted mostly from 10:00 to 18:00LST during field experiment days (total 28 days). After analyzing GHG concentrations inside of flux chamber by using a GC equipped with a methanizer (Varian CP3800), the GHG fluxes were calculated from a linear regression of the changes in the concentrations with time. Soil parameters (e.g. soil moisture, temperature, pH, organic C, soil N) were also measured at the sampling site. The average soil pH and soil moisture were ~pH $5.42{\pm}0.03$ and $70.0{\pm}1.8$ %WFPS (water filled pore space), respectively. The ranges of GHG flux during the experimental period were $0.08\sim8.40\;mg/m^2{\cdot}hr$ for $N_2O$, $-92.96\sim139.38mg/m^2{\cdot}hr$ for $CO_2$, and $-0.09\sim0.05mg/m^2{\cdot}hr$ for $CH_4$, respectively. It revealed that monthly means of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$ flux during October (fall) were positive and significantly higher than those (negative value) during January (winter) when subsoil have low temperature and relatively high moisture due to snow during the winter measurement period. Soil mean temperature and moisture during these months were $17.5{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, $45.7{\pm}8.2$%WFPS for October; and $1.4{\pm}1.3^{\circ}C$, $89.9{\pm}8.8$ %WFPS for January. It may indicate that soil temperature and moisture have significant role in determining whether the $CO_2$ and $CH_4$ emission or uptake take place. Low temperature and high moisture above a certain optimum level during winter could weaken microbial activity and the gas diffusion in soil matrix, and then make soil GHG emission to the atmosphere decrease. Other soil parameters were also discussed with respect to GHG emissions. Both positive and negative gas fluxes in $CH_4$ and $CO_2$ were observed during these measurements, but not for $N_2O$. It is likely that $CH_4$ and $CO_2$ gases emanated from soil surface or up taken by the soil depending on other factors such as background concentrations and physicochemical soil conditions.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.557-568
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• 2012

In order to understand the hydrological processes on the mountainous forest, the configuration of soil evaporation (E) out of evapotranspiration (ET) is a challenging and important topic. In this study, we attempted to understand the soil evaporation process for a humid forest hillslope via measuring and analyzing soil moistures with a sampling interval in 2 hours at three locations for 10 days between May 22th and 31th 2009. Two methods were used to estimate soil evaporation in every 2hr; one is a method using soil moisture measurement ($E_{SM}$), the others methods are based on Penman equation (Penman (1948), Staple (1974), Konukcu (2007), Equilibrium Penman ($E_{equili}$)). As a critical parameter in determining $E_{SM}$, the dry surface layer (DSL), was estimated using energy balance equation. The accumulated soil evaporation ($E_{SM}$) of A, B, C points were estimated as 2.09, 1.08 and 2.88 mm, respectively. The estimated evaporation of Penman (1948), Staple (1974), Konukcu (2007), $E_{equili}$ were 4.91, 8.80, 8.63 and 3.28 mm. The proposed method with soil moisture measurement showed lower soil evaporations than the other conventional methods. The increasing soil temperature and interaction between soil and atmosphere due to existence of litter and DSL are considered as dominant factors for soil evaporation. The $E_{SM}$ has the apparent lag time between 2 and 4 hr compared with $E_{equili}$ and net radiation. The DSL and surface resistance ($r_s$) were increased as soil moisture was decreased for in this study. The estimated DSL through the temporal distribution analysis of soil moisture and tension measurements was also similar to that of the energy balance relationship.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 1997

We investigated the content of heavy metals contained in the soil at an Il-Kwang disused mine in Kyung Nam. Three sampling points were selected, each point was digged to 210 or 240cm, sampled each 30cm depth. After air drying, each sample was digested in aqua regia and then analyzed with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer. We determined the content of Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Fe, maximum content of Pb, Cd, and Zn was observed to $(4.6{\pm}0.1){\times}10^3$, 9.4(${\pm}3.6$), and $(2.7{\pm}0.1){\times}10^2{\mu}g/g$ respectively. Mean pH values of soil sampled at No.1, 2, and 3 regions were 3.2, 2.6, and 2.8, respectively. These values are remarkably lower than pH of the conventional standard soil which usually shows pH level around 4.9. At each sampling point, maximum content of heavy metals was observed from 30cm to 60cm depth. The depth profiles of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr showed very similar tendencies to each other, but those of Fe, Cu. and Mn showed different tendencies to former ones.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.369-379
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• 2015

Objectives: The lack of reliable information on environmental pollution and health impacts related to asbestos contamination from abandoned mines has drawn attention to the need for a community health study. This study was performed to evaluate asbestos-related health symptoms among residents near abandoned asbestos mines located in the Chungcheong Provinces. In addition, exposure assessment for asbestos is needed although the exposure to asbestos was in the past. Methods: Past exposure to asbestos among inhabitants near abandoned asbestos mines was estimated by using surface sampling of deposited dust in indoor and outdoor residences. A total of 54 participants were divided into two groups with (34 cases) and without (20 controls) diseases related to asbestos. Surface sampling of deposited dust was carried out in indoor and outdoor residences by collecting 105 samples. Deposited dust for sampling was analyzed by polarization microscope (PLM) and scanning electron microscope?energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) to detect asbestos. Subsequently, the elements of the deposited dust with asbestos were analyzed by SEM-EDX to assess the contribution of sources such as abandoned mines, slate and soil. Results: Among the 105 samples, asbestos was detected by PLM in 29 (27.6%) sampling points, and detected by SEM in 56 (48.6%) sampling points. Asbestos in indoor residences was detected by PLM in four sampling points, and by SEM in 12 sampling points. Asbestos detection in indoor residences may be due to ventilation between indoors and outdoors, and indicates long-term exposure. The asbestos detection rate for outdoor residences in the case group was higher than that in the control group. This can be explained as the case group having had higher exposure to asbestos, and there has been continuous exposure to asbestos in the control group as well as the case group. Conclusion: Past residential asbestos exposure may be associated with asbestosis among local residents near abandoned asbestos mines. Odds ratios were calculated for asbestos detection in outdoor residence by logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio between asbestos detection and asbestosis pulmonum was 3.36 (95% CI 0.90-12.53) (p=0.072), adjusting for age, sex, smoking status and work history with multi-variable logistic regression by PLM analysis method.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.789-800
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• 2013

$N_2O$ and $CH_4$, Greenhouse gas emission, Forest soil, Closed chamber technique, Soil uptake $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ are important greenhouse gases (GHG) along with $CO_2$ influencing greatly on climate change. Their soil emission rates are highly affected by bio-geo-chemical processes in C and N through the land-atmosphere interface. The forest ecosystems are generally considered to be net emission for $N_2O$; however, net sinks for $CH_4$ by soil uptake. Soil $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ emissions were measured at Mt. Taewha in Gwangju, Kyeonggi, Korea. Closed chamber technique was used for surface gas emissions from forest soil during period from May to October 2012. Gas emission measurement was conducted mostly on daytime (from 09:00 to 18:00 LST) during field experiment period (total 25 days). The gas samples collected from chamber for $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ were analyzed by gas chromatography. Soil parameters were also measured at the sampling plot. GHG averages emissions during the experimental period were $3.11{\pm}16.26{\mu}g m^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $N_2O$, $-1.36{\pm}11.3{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $CH_4$, respectively. The results indicated that forest soil acted as a source of $N_2O$, while it acted like a sink of $CH_4$ on average. On monthly base, means of $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ flux during May (spring) were $8.38{\pm}48.7{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$, and $-3.21{\pm}31.39{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$, respectively. During August (summer) both GHG emissions were found to be positive (averages of $2.45{\pm}20.11{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $N_2O$ and $1.36{\pm}9.09{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $CH_4$); which they were generally released from soil. During September (fall) $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ soil uptakes were observed and their means were $-1.35{\pm}12.78{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ and $-2.56{\pm}11.73{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$, respectively. $N_2O$ emission was relatively higher in spring rather than other seasons. This could be due to dry soil condition during spring experimental period. It seems that soil moisture and temperature mostly influence gas production and consumption, and then emission rate in subsoil environment. Other soil parameters like soil pH and chemical composition were also discussed with respect to GHG emissions.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.128-141
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• 2018

Industrial complex releasing huge amounts of dusts, fumes and wastewater containing heavy metal(loid)s could be a source of heavy metal(loid)s pollution in arable soil. Heavy metal(loid)s pollution in arable soil adversely affect crops safety, subsequently human being. Hence, it is important to accurately assess the heavy metal(loid)s pollution in soil using pollution indices. The objectives of this study are 1) to compare assessment methods of heavy metal(loid)s pollution in arable soils located near industrial complex in Gyeongsang provinces and 2) to determine the relationship between concentration of plant available heavy metal(loid)s and chemical properties of soil. Soil samples were collected from 85 sites of arable lands nearby 10 industrial complex in Gyeongsang provinces. The average total concentration of all heavy metal(loid)s of the studied soils was higher than that of Korean arable soils but did not exceed the warning criteria established by the Soil Environmental Conservation Act of Korea. Only six sites of arable soils for the total concentration of As, Cu and Ni exceeded the warning criteria (As: $25mg\;kg^{-1}$, Cu: $150mg\;kg^{-1}$, Ni: $100mg\;kg^{-1}$). The contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$) of the heavy metal(loid)s in arable soils varied among the sampling sites, and the average values of As and Cd were relatively higher than that of other metals. Results of integrated indices of As and Cd in arable soils located near industrial complex indicated that some arable soils were moderately or heavily polluted. The plant available concentration of heavy metal(loid)s was negatively related to the soil pH and negative charge of soil. Available Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations had relatively high correlation coefficient with pH and negative charge of soil when compared with other heavy metal(loid)s. Based on the above results, it might be a good soil management to control pH with soil amendments such as lime and compost to reduce phytoavailability of heavy metal(loid)s in arable soil located near industrial complex.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.393-398
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• 2012

We investigated the changes in chemical properties of paddy field soils at 300 different sampling sites containing 4 topography in Jeonbuk province, Korea. The soil samples were collected 43.0% from local valley and fans, 39.3% from fluvio-marine deposits, 15.0% from alluvial plains, and 2.7% from diluvium sites. The optimal values of soil properties in the total soil samples were as follows: 65.3% of total samples in soil pH value, 48.3% of total samples in cation exchange capacity (CEC) value, and 22.3% of total samples in available phosphorus content, whereas the deficient values of soil properties were 63.3% of total samples in soil organic matter (SOM) content, 75.7% of total samples in available silicate content, and 61.3%, 51.0%, and 59.3% of total samples in exchangeable $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ concentrations, respectively. There were different soil types in the paddy fields: that is, 34.4% immature paddy and 33.6% sandy paddy in the local valley and fans, 57.8% sandy paddy in the alluvial plains, 47.4% normal paddy in the fluvio-marine deposits, and 75.7% immature paddy in the diluvium. Soil textures were also different: 53.5% loam in the local valley and fans, 37.8% sandy loam in the alluvial plains, and 55.1% silty loam in the fluvio-marine deposits. Soil pH and SOM contents were not different among the different topographical sampling sites. However, the mean value of available phosphorus content, 224 mg $kg^{-1}$, was exceeded optimal values in the diluvium. The contents of exchangeable cations were optimal in all the sites, except exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ contents in the local valley and fans. The contents of available silicate ranged between 112 and 127 mg $kg^{-1}$ in all the sites, which were lower than optimal value. In addition, soil pH values were proportionally correlated to the order of available silicate, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, CEC, and exchangeable $K^+$. The contents of SOM were proportionally correlated to the order of CEC, available $P_2O_5$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, and available silicate. The contents of heavy metals, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, were only 10% of the threshold levels of the metals, and As content was about 20 to 30% of the threshold level.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 1999

To get the basic information for the improvement of the optimum levels of upland soil fertility and fertilizer application, the soil samples in two hundred fifteen site were collected from the major condiment vegetable cultivation areas such as red pepper, garlic and onion fields. Physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were investigated. Soil texture distribution of soil samples in red pepper, garlic and onion cultivation areas was in order of loam (L), sandy loam (SL), silt loam (SiL) and clay loam (CL) (35.4, 31.6, 14.9 and 7.0%, respectively). The average pH of soil in garlic and onion cultivation areas were over pH 6.0, whereas in red pepper was under pH 5.5. The frequency distribution of soil pH in total sampling sites were 58.7% in under pH 6.0 and 21.4% in below pH 5.0, in contrast to 10.3% in over pH 7.0. The organic matter contents were in the range of $20{\sim}30g\;kg^{-1}$, and the onion field soils was a little higher than those in red pepper or garlic. The available phosphate contents were in the range of $719{\sim}746mg\;kg^{-1}$ and were not different among in red pepper, garlic and onion. The frequency distribution of available phosphate in total sampling sites were found 62.8% of above $600mg\;kg^{-1}$, which was over the standard level for upland soil improvement, and then 22.3% was exceeded $1,000mg\;kg^{-1}$, especially. In the exchangeable cations, the K and Ca contents in garlic (1.27 and $9.11cmol\;kg^{-1}$) and onion (1.20 and $8.39cmol\;kg^{-1}$) were higher than in red pepper (0.96 and $5.87cmol\;kg^{-1}$), respectively. The Mg contents in garlic field soils ($2.17cmol\;kg^{-1}$) were higher than those in red pepper and onion (1.51 and $1.80cmol\;kg^{-1}$). This exchangeable K, Ca and Mg contents were higher than the standard level for upland soil improvement. The contents of microelement were ranged in $54.3{\sim}60.1mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Fe, $31.3{\sim}42.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Mn, $1.7{\sim}2.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Cu and $4.8{\sim}5.5mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Zn, respectively.