• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

This study carried out first a component survey on the domestic waste shipped into a waste disposal facility in B city, and then heavy metal analysis of each component according to the SRF standards. Based on this, this study explored the problems with domestic waste and measures to improve them. The results are as follows. The result of the survey of physical components show that paper accounted for the largest proportion with 20.5 %~59.9 %, metals (including batteries) among incombustibles accounted for 0.0~8.3 %, other inorganic substances, glass and ceramics accounted for 0.0~43.7 % and 0.0 %~19.6 % respectively. However, the proportion of coated viny and plastics, which have high lead and cadmium content, was rather high with 2.9 %~30.9 %. This suggests the possibility that actual concentration of lead and cadmium within SRF is likely to be higher. Among the 15 components contained in the waste brought into the waste disposal facility, 10 components (food waste, textiles, vinyl, plastics, wood, rubber and leather, paper, metals, electronic substrates, and nail polish) were analyzed according to assay samples (approximately 0.1 g and 0.3 g). The result of analysis shows that the amount of Cd and Pb detected in coated vinyl for 0.109 g of assay sample was 98.6 mg/kg and 20.6 mg/kg respectively; 117.0 mg/kg and 29.0 mg/kg respectively for 0.313 g of assay sample. This is high contents exceeding the Cd standard. As for wooden component, the amount of Pb was 480.0 mg/kg for 0.3 g of assay sample. This suggests that there always exists the possibility of exceeding the exposure level of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in SRF as long as coated wood and vinyl plastics with high contents of Pb and Cd are shipped into the waste disposal facility; and the local government and the residents need to work hard to improve the situation including development of the machine to sort electronic substrates and batteries for separate collection of the waste of coated vinyl and plastics within domestic waste.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-85
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• 2006

Blood serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in employees who worked at a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), members of residential community who lived near the MSWI (<0.3km) and members of residential community lived far from the MSWI (>10 km). Human blood serum samples were analyzed for all PCB congeners using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The mean levels of total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs in 87 serum samples were 242.77 ng/g lipid and 8.83 TEQ pg/g lipid, respectively. The PCB homologue profiles showed that penta-, hexa-, hepta-chlorinated biphenyls contributed more than 80% of the total PCBs concentration. The most abundant congeners were PCB153, PCB138, PCB180, PCB187, PCB118. A statistical analysis was performed to determine whether there were significant correlations between PCB concentrations and specific variables such as age, gender, smoking habits, occupation, BMI (Body Mass Index) and time of residence. As a result, the age was found to be strongly correlated with serum PCB concentrations. In addition, there were strong correlations between total PCBs and PCB153 (r=0.93, p<.0001), dioxin-like PCBs and PCB118 (r=0.98, p<.0001). So these two congeners are satisfactory indicators for total PCB concentrations and dioxin-like PCBs in human blood respectively.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

The demand of environmental friendly packaging materials such as pulp mold has been increased. The application of the oil palm biomass, EFB (Empty Fruit Bunch) fiber as natural raw materials to the pulp mold could increase the usability of the pulp mold by the reduced production cost brought from the relatively low cost of EFB. The effects of the EFB(Empty Fruit Bunch) fibers on the properties of pulp mold and on the process efficiency were evaluated in this study. The pulp mold samples were prepared with mixture ONP (Old news paper) and EFB by using laboratory wet pulp molder. The changes in the drying efficiency were measured with the changes in the solid contents of pulp mold samples during drying process. The efficiency of the surface coating treatment on the pulp mold depending on the condition of the pulp mold samples were also evaluated in order to improve the water resistance properties of pulp mold. The addition of EFB increased the drying efficiency by providing the bulkier structure and the higher water contact angle, which indicated the better water resistance properties. The water resistance were improved by the surface coating treatments and the application of surface coating on the pulp mold at the higher moisture contents resulted in the higher improvement in the water resistance. The bulkier structure originated from the application of EFB fiber reduced the effects of the surface coating, which could be overcome by the control of surface coating process.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.586-599
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• 2014

During the last two decades, indoor air quality and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been of concern in Korean society due to their nature of potential health impacts. In order to investigate the pollution levels of VOCss in indoor environments, establishment of a solid test method for monitoring the airborne VOCss is essential. In Korea, a method based on adsorbent sampling and GC analysis coupled with thermal desorption was proclaimed as the Korea Standard Method for Indoor Air Quality Test. This study was carried out to examine some inherent problems of the VOCs measurement method. The VOCs method does not describe in detail preparing the standard samples. The standard samples may be prepared by impregnation of either liquid standard solutions or a mixture of standard gases. In this study, we investigated the optimal temperature condition for transferring the liquid standards onto a standard adsorbent tube. As a result, keeping the impregnation temperature at $250^{\circ}C$ will be recommended in regard of the boiling points of multiple target analytes and the thermal stability of the adsorbent. We also demonstrated some problems associated with handling of a syringe used for transferring the standard solutions onto the adsorbent tubes, and a best way to get rid of the syringe problems was suggested. Finally, a number of field works were conducted to evaluate the performance of adsorbent sampling methods. Comparison of different adsorbent tubes, i.e. tube packed with single sorbent (Tenax) and double sorbents (Tenax with Carbotrap), revealed that 30 to 40% differences between the two groups, implying that sampling efficiency is depending on the volatility and the strength of adsorbents. However, duplicate precisions for VOCs sampling with a same type of adsorbent and at same flow rates appeared to be satisfactory to be all within 20%, which is a quality control guideline. Distributed volume precisions were also found to be within a guideline value, 25%, although the precision was in general inferior to the duplicate precision. The Korea indoor VOCs test method should be more refined and improved in many aspects, particularly procedure and instrumentation for preparing the standard samples and specification of quality control assessment.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.475-481
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• 2002

The determination of phthalates and adipate in natural mineral water and its container is described. Phthalates and adipate were extracted from natural mineral water by liquid-liquid extraction with methylene chloride, concentrated and then injected in GC-MS (SIM). Phthalates and adipate from 1) PET, cap, label and glue were extracted in Soxhlet with 50 mL of carbon tetrachloride, purified with silicagel and detected with GC-MS (SIM). Peak shapes and quantitation of phthalates and adipate were excellent, with linear calibration curves over a range of $0.1{\sim}10{\mu}g/L$ in water sample ($r^2$ > 0.996) and over a range of $1{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/Kg$ in solid samples ($r^2$>0.994). The detection limits of analytes were $0.002{\sim}0.010{\mu}g/L$ in water and $0.01{\sim}0.02{\mu}g/Kg$ in solid samples. Five kinds of natural mineral water samples, two PETs, two labels, two caps and two glues were quantified by the described procedure. As a results, the concentrations of total phthalates in natural mineral water ranged from ND ~ 1.2 ng/mL. Otherwise, the concentrations of total phthalate extracted from PET ranged from 0.55 ~ 1.2 mg/Kg. We found that the accurate determination of phthalte and adipate in natural mineral water and container must be considered blank correction and the removal of label and glue in PET sample.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.674-681
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• 2009

Characteristics of organic matters (OM) in wastewater and the removal efficiencies were investigated using the influent and the effluent samples collected from 21 wastewater treatment plants. The OM characteristics investigated included biodegradability, humic content, specific UV absorbance (SUVA), the distribution percentage of refractory OM (R-OM), and synchronous fluorescence spectra. The types of wastewater (sewage, livestock waste/night soils, industrial waste) were easily distinguished by comparing the synchronous fluorescence spectra of the influent wastewater. The prominent peak of protein-like fluorescence (PLF) was observed for livestock waste/night soils whereas sewage exhibited a unique fluorescence peak at a wavelength of 370 nm. Irrespective of the wastewater types, the distribution percentage of R-OM increased from the influent to the effluent. Livestock waste/night soils showed the highest removal efficiency among all the three types of wastewater. There was no statistical difference of the removal efficiency between a traditional activated sludge and biological advanced treatment processes. Removal efficiency based on dissolved organic carbon DOC presented good correlations with the distribution percentage of R-OM and fulvic-like fluorescence (FLF) of the influent. The prediction for DOC removal efficiency was improved by using multiple regression analyses based on some selected OM characteristics and mixed liquid suspended solid (MLSS).

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2015

This study was conducted in autumn to determine phosphorus (P) fraction in sediments of Daechung Lake, to elucidate controlling factors for sedimentary P, and to compare with the other areas. For this study, sediment samples were collected at 6 sites only once on November 2014 using ponar grab and analyzed for solid-phase P (Loosely adsorbed, Fe-bound, Al-bound, detrital apatite, and refractory organic P) by sequential extraction. Total phosphorus (TP) was relatively high in front of Daechung Dam and Hoinam where fish farm was run until 1997. The dominant sedimentary P form was Al-bound P, followed by Fe-bound P, which could be released from sediment to water column during suboxic state. Based on principal component analysis, Al-bound P, Fe-bound, and TP were controlled by grain size of sediments. Loosely adsorbed, detrital apatite, and refractory organic P were relatively highly accumulated at the mouth of major tributaries where suspended sediments were delivered. Sedimentary P concentrations in Daechung Lake sediments were not higher than in other lake sediments. Therefore, based on these results, major controlling factors were grain size and input of suspended sediments from tributaries.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.148-148
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• 2003

This study is to investigate the environmental levels and trend of dioxins, which was the 3$\^$rd/ year of environmental monitoring research for endocrine disrupting chemicals since 1999. Total 282 samples were analyzed from 115 sites including 26 sites of airs, 43 sites of waters, 11 sites of sediments and 35 sites of soil, which were the same as those of investigated sites in 2000. Sampling period was from June 2001 to June 2002. Target chemicals were seventeen species of 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted PCDD and PCDF congeners and were analyzed by the standard methods, established by National Institute Environmental Research (NIER). The average concentration of dioxins in air decreased from 0.324 pg-TEQ/N㎥ in 2000 to 0.287 pg-TEQ/N㎥ in 2001, and those in water and soil were 0.073pg-TEQ/L and 1.703pg-TEQ/dry g, respectively, which was the less values detected in 2000. In sediment, however, the value was 0.086pg-TEQ/dry g, which was the increase from the value of the year 2000. The concentration range of dioxins in air for 26 sites in 17 regions detected were 0.013∼l.664pg-TEQ/N㎥, 4 sites from those were exceeded the Air Quality Standards of Dioxin in Japan (0.6 pg-TEQ/N㎥). The tolerable daily intake of dioxins was calculated at the highest level (1.664) in air, with referring the soil and food data from Japan, was calculated to be 2.85pg-TEQ/kg/day, which was below the level of 4 pg-TEQ/kg/day suggested in KFDA(Korea). While the average concentration of dioxins in 15 big cities was 0.190 pg-TEQ/N㎥, that in 8 medium/small cities constituting an industrial complex was 0.558 pg-TEQ/N㎥. In water, the concentration range detected were 0∼0.946pg-TEQ/L and the trend of the average concentrations shows an increase from those of 1999 but decreased from those of 2000, any sites however were not exceeded the Water Quality Standards of Dioxin in Japan (1 pg- TEQ/L). In soil. the detected range were 0∼43.333 pg-TEQ/dry g and the average concentration decreased, compared with the results of 2000. According to the monitoring results by land utilization, the detected range were 0∼43.333pg-TEQ/dry g in farmland, 0.017∼0.601 pg-TEQ/dry g in the industrial area, 0.005∼0.049pg-TEQ/dry g in the park and 0.008∼1.825 pg-TEQ/dry g in the rest. In sediment, the detected range increased from 0∼0.244 pg-TEQ/dry g to 0∼0.537 pg-TEQ/dry g, based on the results of 2000. For the proper control of dioxins, continuous monitoring needs to be performed and in addition, the dioxin inventory should be prepared for major sources through the dioxin emission survey. These results would provide sound and solid basis for proper decision making of dioxins management like establishment of environmental quality standards in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in blood and factors controlling their exposure among Koreans. Methods: Study subjects were selected to include 718 members of the general population residing in five metropolitan cities and the Gangwon Province area from August 2008 to January 2009. A questionnaire was administered to investigate lifestyle, socio-demographic characteristics, and other related factors. Blood samples were collected and extracted using solid-phase extraction and anion-exchange methods, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC, Agilent 1200 Series) coupled with a Triple Quad LC-MS/MS system (Agilent 6410). Results: Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in the blood were measured as 1.82 and 6.06 ng/ml, respectively. Mean PFOA and PFOS concentrations generally increased with age in both genders. Blood PFOA concentration was significantly different according to such variables as age, family income, residential district, and province. Blood PFOS concentration was significantly different by such variables as gender, age, lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Also, family income, hazardous facilities, job classification, and province contributed significantly to differences in blood PFOS concentration levels. Conclusions: Blood PFOA and PFOS concentrations in Koreans were similar with those found in Japan, the USA, and Germany, but less than those in Australia. PFOA and PFOS exposure seems to be affected by a variety of factors in Korea. Therefore, investigation is required for each factor to assess the relative contribution of different variables.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.727-736
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• 2022

Ice wedges are subsurface ice mass structures that formed mainly by freezing precipitation with airborne dust and surrounding soil particles flowed through the active layer into the cracks growing by repeating thermal contractions in the deeper permafrost layer over time. These ice masses characteristically contain high concentrations of solutes and solids. Because of their unique properties and distribution, the possibility of harnessing ice wedges as an alternative archive for reconstructing paleoclimate and paleoenvironment has been recently suggested despite limited studies. It is imperative to preserve the physicochemical properties of the ice wedge (e.g., solute concentration, mineral particles) without any potential alteration to use it as a proxy for reconstructing the paleo-information. Thawing the ice wedge samples is prerequisite for the assessment of their physicochemical properties, during which the paleo-information could be unintentionally altered by any methodological artifact. This study examined the effect of thawing conditions and procedures on the physicochemical properties of solutes and solid particles in ice wedge samples collected from Cyuie, East Siberia. Four different thawing conditions with varying temperatures (4 and 23℃) and oxygen exposures (oxic and anoxic) for the ice wedge sample treatment were examined. Ice wedge samples thawed at 4℃ under anoxic conditions, wherein biological activity and oxidation were kept to a minimum, were set as the standard thawing conditions to which the effects of temperature and oxygen were compared. The results indicate that temperature and oxygen exposure have negligible effects on the physicochemical characteristics of the solid particles. However, the chemical features of the solution (e.g., pH, electric conductivity, alkalinity, and concentration of major cations and trace elements) at 4℃ under oxic conditions were considerably altered, compared to those measured under the standard thawing conditions. This study shows that the thawing condition of ice wedge samples can affect their chemical features and thereby the geochemical information therein for the reconstruction of the paleoclimate and/or paleoenvironment.