• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.4 s.173
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• pp.451-462
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• 2005

In order to examine the extent of environmental contamination at abandoned Samsanjeil Cu mines in Kosung-kun, Kyeongsangnam-do, we have investigated the contaminations and mobility of toxic trace elements from mine wastes including about 280,000 tonnages of tailings by chemical experiments (total extraction, partial extraction by 0.1N HCI and sequential extraction procedure). Total concentrations of trace elements showed that Cu, As, Co, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in tailings were 14.0, 3.6, 3.1, 2.1, 2.1 and 1.6 times greater than those in background soil, respectively. From the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals decrease in order of $Zn(29.0\%)>Cu(12.3\%)Pb(9.6\%)>Cd(3.0\%)>As=Co(0.0\%)$. Based on the concentrations, chemical speciations of tailings, waste rock and nearby soil, it was revealed that Cu and Zn were the most possible elements to contaminate the surrounding environment in Samsanjeil mine area. In addition, the tailings had total trace metal concentrations below Dutch guideline values except Cu, and they might not affect adverse impact on environment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.756-766
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• 1998

The objectives of this study were to examine the growth pattern and hair trace element contents of healthy infants who were fed breast milk(BF infant) and formula (FF infant) during the first 6 months and its relationship to intake of trace elements. Bimonthyl anthropometric measurements were obtained on 32 infants through 6 months of age. Mean calculated energy, iron, zinc and copper intake from breast milk at 2 months of age were 432.4kcal/d, 0.19mg/d, 1.18mg/d and 0.22mg/d. The values obtained from formular were543.7kcal/d, 6.68mg/d , 2.82mg/d and 0.33mg/d , respectively. In spite of the significantly lower intake of energy and trace elements in BF infants than in FF infants, BF infants showed growth above the average Kroean infant standard growth rate and showed no significant growth rate difference or hair trace element content. Hair iron content in the BF infants at 6 mo. of age was positively related to birth weight and iron intake at 2 mo. of age. In contrast, hair zinc and copper content in the FF infants at 6 mo. of age as negatively related to height increment and weight increment during 6 months, respectively. These results support the suggesting that BF infant's higher iron, zinc and copper intake is attributed to the superior bioabailability of these trace elements from breast milk.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2010

The current study was designed to scientifically evaluate the atmospheric particulate pollution in residences relative to their proximity to a Korean major iron/metal industrial complex (IMIC). This objective was achieved by measuring the concentrations and elemental composition of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters equal to or less than 10 ${\mu}m$(PM10) in industrial ambient air from IMIC and residential ambient air with relative proximities to IMIC. The trace metals were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The industrial mean values exceeded the Korean year/70-${\mu}g/m^3$ standard for PM10, whereas the residential mean values did not. However, the maximum residential values did exceed or were close to the Korean PM10 year standard. For individual elements, the ambient concentrations ranged widely from values in the order of a few $ng/m^3$ to thousands of $ng/m^3$. The residential mean mass concentrations in the PM10 measured in the present study were higher than or similar to those reported in earlier studies. This study suggests that residents in neighborhoods near the IMIC are exposedto elevated particulate levels compared to residents living further away from such a source.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.727-738
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• 1999

Total 76 aerosol samples were collected at Sungsan in Cheju Inland by high volume air sample for 1 year, from May 1995 to April 1996, and were analyzed for major elements(Na, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe) and trace elements(Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, U) by ICP/AES and ICP/MS. This study aims to determine the concentrations of trace metals and their seasonal variations in the atmosphere of Cheju Island, where is the remote area from pollution sources and also is the midway of transport of Asian continental materials into the western North Pacific. The concentrations of Na and Mg contributed by sea-salt aerosols were similar to those in the western part of Cheju island(Kosan) and in the western coast of Korea(Mallipo). They showed the highest value in summer and the lowest in spring and winter. Crustal metals(Al, Fe, Ca, Mn, Co, U) were 2~3 times lower than those of Mallipo. These metals showed the lowest values in summer and the highest in spring. Pollution-derived metals (Zn, Cd and Pb) were 2~4 times lower than those in Malipo. Some elemental ratios in aerosols grouped by three wind directions(north-northwest, east, and south-southwest) such as Fe/Al and Pb/Zn are presented as useful tracers indicating source areas, and their differentiation may be explained by geology and fuel types of source areas.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.405-425
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• 2008

In order to investigate the amounts of trace elements flowing into reservoir, and to elucidate the relationship between trace element mobility and fraction size, the stream water and sediment samples were collected from thirty-two sites of the 3rd or 4th order stream within watershed surrounding the Juam reservoir. Chemical analyses of trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) for all samples were completed, and additionally cationi and anion for stream water samples. Considering the distribution of rocks and contamination sources in watershed, the eight stream sediments were selected from typical sites representing study areas, and we determined the concentrations of trace elements according to size fractions ($2\;mm{\sim}200\;{\mu}m$, $200{\sim}100\;{\mu}m$, $100{\sim}50\;{\mu}m$, $50{\sim}20\;{\mu}m$ and < $20\;{\mu}m$). The correlation relationships between concentrations and size fractions of stream sediments were important to identify the hydro-geochemical behavior of trace elements that flow into Juam reservoir. Stream waters showed four water types (Ca-Mg-$HCO_3$, Ca-Na-$HCO_3$-Cl, Ca-Na-$HCO_3-SO_4$, Ca-Na-$HCO_3$) depending on pollution sources such as coal mine, metal mine, farm-land and dwellings. Concentrations of trace elements increased clearly with the decrease in size fractions of stream sediments. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn increased dramatically in silt size (< $20\;{\mu}m$) fraction, while As had high concentrations in sand size ($2\;mm{\sim}100\;{\mu}m$) fraction in downstream sediments of metal mines. These indicate that Cu, Zn, and Pb moved into Juam reservoir easily in the adsorbed form on silt size grain in sediments, and As was transported as As-bearing mineral facies, resulting in its less chance to reach into Juam reservoir.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 1992

The x-ray fluorescence(XRF) is one of the most convenient and widely used techniques for analyzing trace elements in ambient particulate matters. The objects of the study were to estimate the optimum exposure time using the XRF, to investigate the distributions of heavy metal levels in particulate matters, and finally to study seasonal variation for the concentrations of total suspended particulate matters(TSP) and size fractionated particulate matters. The suspended particulate matters had been collected by a cascade impactor having 9 size fragnated stages for 3 years(Dec. 1988 to Nov. 1991) in Kyung Hee University-Suwon Campus. The particulate matters were then collected on each stage by membrane filters. The weight concentrations were determined by the XRF system. Thus, seasonal variations and relationship between concentration and particle size could be investigated. Resulting distribution was bimodal with the coarse and the fine particle groups minimum occurring around 2.1 to 3.3 $\mu$m as an aerodynamic diameter. To determine optimum exposure time of the XRF for various trace inorganic elements, membrane filters and the NIST standard filters were extensively studied. Using a statistical technique, optimum exposure time was estimated for each trace element and overall elements. The time was then determined as 20 seconds for the XRF system. The concentration of TSP was 123.9$\mum/m^3$ on an arithmatic average. The levels of each inorganic metal were Si 2420.0ng/$m^3$, Fe 977.1ng/$m^3$, and so on. The Pb. Zn, and Cu abounded in the fine mode group, while Ca, Fe, Si, Al, and K in the coarse group. Marked seasonal variation of TSP and metal concentrations was observed. The concentration of heavy metals in the fine mode was highest in winter : on the other hand, that in the coarse mode was highest in spring.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.793-800
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• 2007

A total of 48 samples of street dust were collected in Daegu area during April and May 2006, were sieved below 100 ${\mu}m$, and analysed by ICP for the analysis of 14 elements after an acid extraction. Results obtained from the source assessment of trace elements using enrichment factor showed that Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and V were influenced by natural sources such as soil and dust, while Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were influenced by urban anthropogenic sources such as fuel combustion and waste incineration. The measured values were remarkably higher in components from natural sources than in components from urban anthropogenic sources. The concentrations of trace elements in Daegu area were generally higher than in other foreign cities. Samples originated from industrial and commercial areas had higher concentrations of trace elements and pollution indices of heavy metals than those from residential and green areas. The correlation analysis among trace elements indicated that the correlations among components from urban anthropogenic sources were much significant, while those among components from natural sources were less correlated. In addition there were significant correlations between traffic density and components from urban anthropogenic sources.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.520-528
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• 2005

Two biological Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), KRISS 108-04-001 (oyster tissue) and 108-05-001 (water dropwort stem), were prepared by Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS)during FY '01. The certified values of these materials had been determined by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS) for six elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn). Additional analytical works are now progressing to certify the concentrations of a number of the environmental and nutrimental elements in these CRMs. The certified values in a CRM are usually determined by using a single primary method with confirmation by other method(s) or using two independent critically-evaluated methods. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) plays an important role in the determination of certified values as it can eliminate the possibility of common error sources resulting from sample dissolution. In this study INAA procedure was used in determination of 23 elements in these two biological CRMs to acquire the concentration information and the results were compared with KRISS certified values.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.587-604
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• 2007

In order to investigate the vertical variations and speciations of trace elements, and their correlations in Hoidong reservoir, sediment cores (21-41 cm below surface) and interstitial water samples were collected from five sampling locations. The total average concentrations of trace metals in sediment core samples were $232{\pm}30.8mg/kg$ for Zn, $119{\pm}272mg/kg$ for Cu, $58.4{\pm}4.1mg/kg$ for Pb, $15.7{\pm}3.3mg/kg$ for Ni and $1.6{\pm}0.3mg/kg$ for Cd. The total concentrations of trace metals in core sediments generally decreased toward the center of the Hoidong reservoir. The total concentrations of Mn, Pb and Zn decreased with depth for all the sample locations, while Cu and Fe concentrations increased. The trace metal concentrations of interstitial water sample were in the order of Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn, but Cd, Ni and Pb were not detected. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in the interstitial water samples showed a tendency of increasing toward the bottom of the core, suggesting a possible upward diffusion. This migration of trace metals may lead to their transfer to the sediment-water interface. These trace elements would be subsequently fixed onto amorphous Fe and Mn-oxides and carbonates in the topmost layer of sediment. Based on the $K_D$ values, the relative mobilities of the studied metals were in the order of Mn>Cu>Zn>Fe. Geochemical partitioning confirmed that surface enrichment by trace metals mainly resulted from a progressive increase of the concentrations in the fractions II and III. Copper, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations of interstitial water were closely correlated with their exchangeable fractions of sediments.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.699-708
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• 2005

To characterize the elemental composition of fine particles in urban area, $PM_{2.5}$ was collected by a 3-stage DRUM impactor at Gwangju during spring and summer. Time and size resolved concentrations for 19 trace elements were obtained by synchrotron X-Ray fluorescence analysis. Trace elements in summer were distributed in smaller size range compared to those in spring. Almost trace element concentrations in fine particles were highly increased during the Asian dust. In spring, soil elements such as Si, K, Ca, Ti and Fe had low enrichment factors indicating the dominant influence of soil dust. However, all elements had high enrichment factors in summer implying that these elements could be emitted from the anthropogenic sources. Factor analysis was conducted with the elemental composition data in order to identify anthropogenic sources of aerosols in urban area during spring and summer. Fine particles in spring have several sources such as soil dust originating from China continental region, coal and oil combustion, biomass burning, sea salt, ferrous and nonferrous metal sources. On the other hand, fine particles in summer were influenced by road dust, gasoline vehicle as well as coal and oil combustion, sea salt, ferrous and nonferrous metal sources.