• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2015

Abstract The purpose of study is to identify the relationship between stable isotope composition of reed stems in coastal and understand the structure of the fish community in 10 lagoons along the East Sea. The fish species composition (particularly, anadromous fish species) and relative abundance of trophic guilds was influenced by difference of geomorphic characteristics among lagoons. Reed stems ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values ranged from $-28.40{\pm}0.11$‰ to $-26.87{\pm}0.25$‰ and $-1.09{\pm}1.45$‰ to $12.08{\pm}0.53$‰, respectively. The differences in reed stem ${\delta}^{15}N$ values might be associated with anthropogenic landuse and the geomorphic characteristics among lagoons. These results provide useful information to improve the conservation of fish habitats (biodiversity), preserve lagoon habitats and contribute to watershed management effect against anthropogenic pollution from watershed in these lagoon ecosystems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.347-360
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• 2015

Trace metals(As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) concentrations in surface sediments of Jinhae bay in August of 2013 were measured to investigate the characteristics of trace metals distribution and to evaluate the metal pollution. Assessment for metal pollution was carried out using the sediment quality guidelines(SQGs) such as threshold effects level(TEL) and probable effects level(PEL) proposed by the ministry of onceans and fisheries(MOF) in Korea and geochemical assessment techniques(enrichment factor(EF) and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$)). The mean concentration of trace metals in the sediments are as follows: 11.1 mg/kg for As, 0.52 mg/kg for Cd, 14.1 mg/kg for Co, 69.8 mg/kg for Cr, 57.2 mg/kg for Cu, 3.7 % for Fe, 0.064 mg/kg for Hg, 600 mg/kg for Mn, 40.1 mg/kg for Pb, 167.2 mg/kg for Zn. The spatial distributions of As, Co, Cr and Fe were not distinguished clearly in whole area. However, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn were high in northern area of bay, and Cu and Mn were high in southeastern and eastern area of bay, respectively. The distribution pattern of trace metals, correlation matrix and R-mode factor analyses results revealed that the distribution of trace metals were mainly effected by the sediment grain size(Co, Cr and Fe), redox condition of sediments(Mn) and anthropogenic factors(As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn). Comparing the concentrations of several trace metals(As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) with SQGs from Korea(TEL and PEL), the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb in sediment of northern area of bay were higher than TEL. EF and $I_{geo}$ values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn showed that these metals in sediments are enriched by anthropogenic activities in some areas, and pollution status for Cd, Hg and Pb in northern area and Cu in southeastern area of bay were concerned about current level, although those for As, Mn and Zn were not.

• Atmosphere
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.41-54
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• 2017

Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in $PM_{2.5}$ were measured using Sunset OC/EC Field Analyzer at Seoul Hwangsa Monitoring Center from March to April, 2016. The mean concentrations of OC and EC during the entire period were $4.4{\pm}2.0{\mu}gC\;m^{-3}$ and $1.4{\pm}0.6{\mu}gC\;m^{-3}$, respectively. OC/EC ratio was $3.4{\pm}1.0$. The average concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were $57.4{\pm}25.9$ and $39.7{\pm}19.8{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$, respectively, which were detected by an optical particle counter. The OC and EC peaks were observed in the morning, which were impacted by vehicle emission, however, their diurnal variations were not noticeable. This is determined to be contributed by the long-range transported OC or secondary formation via photochemical reaction by volatile organic compounds at afternoon. A conditional probability function (CPF) model was used to identify the local source of pollution. High concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were observed from the westerly wind, regardless of wind speed. When wind velocity was high, a mixing plume of dust and pollution during long-range transport from China in spring was observed. In contrast, pollution in low wind velocity was from local source, regardless of direction. To know the effect of long-range transport on pollution, a concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) model was analyzed based on a potential source contribution function (PSCF) model in which 75 percentiles high concentration was picked out for CWT analysis. $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, OC, and EC were dominantly contributed from China in spring, and EC results were similar in both PSCF and CWT. In conclusion, Seoul air quality in spring was mainly affected by a mixture of local pollution and anthropogenic pollutants originated in China than the Asian dust.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.56-71
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• 2003

Waste landfills have been the center of environmental problems and they must be restored due to environmental pollution, disgusting landscape, and cost of management. It is suggested that they be recycled urban space as cities expand. Specially, nonsanitary waste landfills which have no pollution prevention facilities cause serious problems. Restoring the landfills as parks and golf courses, so on makes more benefits because of cheap use land, closeness to urban area, flat topography applicable to parks and golf courses, and high land values after restoration and the changes to local recreation sites. Restoration of waste landfills is a complex, costly, and interdisciplinary work. But, the waste landfill is a manmade ecosystem. Control, restoration and postmanagement of waste landfills are very important problems. The role of vegetation prevents soil erosion, reduces soil water storage, and obstructs leachate seepage. Early restoration makes derelict lands into man park artificially geared to soil, vegetation, landforms and hydrology. But, Ideal restoration is to make stable ecosystem nature-friendly and compatible with surrounding landscape without more management. Landscape is structured hierarchically with patches and stands as small components and forms forest as large components. Therefore, landscape formation of the waste landfills needs much restoration process. There are many ecological restoration techniques for the waste landfills. Those are divided into artificial and natural methods. The artificial method is anthropogenic plantings while the natural method is to trigger and use succession processes. The most important thing in the restoration of waste landfills is to consider the final restoration objectives of each waste landfill. According to these objectives, the depth of covering layer, planting degree, and structural design should be determined. The effective restoration methods should be selected of artificial and natural options.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.353-360
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• 2006

This study identified a particle size distribution (PSD) of fine particulate matter and emission characteristics of V and Ni by the comparison between anthropogenic sources of oil combustion (industrial boiler, oil power plant, etc.) and lab-scale combustion using a drop-tube furnace. In oil combustion source, the mass fraction of fine particles (less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) was higher than that of coarse particles (larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) in $PM_{10}$ (less than 10 micrometers in diameter) as like in lab-scale oil combustion. In addition to this, it was identified that ultra-fine particles (less than 0.1 micrometers in diameter) had a large distribution in fine particles. Toxic metals like V and Ni had large mass fractions in fine particles, and most of all was distributed in ultra-fine particles. Most of ultra-fine particles containing toxic metals have been emitted into ambient by combustion source because it is hard to control by the existing air pollution control device. Hence, we must be careful on these pollutants because it is obvious that these are associated with adverse health and environmental effect.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2018

Air quality conditions and pollution status have been evaluated in the industrial area between Sharjah and Ajman border in UAE. Daily concentrations of $O_3$, CO, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) have been monitored from Sept. 2015 to April 2016. The monthly average concentrations of $O_3$, CO, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, TVOC were within the UAE ambient air quality standards during the survey period. However, $PM_{10}$ and TSP levels exceeded the recommended limits in Sept. 2015, Oct. 2015 and March 2016. Temporal variations in air quality parameters showed highest levels in March 2016 for $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, TVOC and TSP, whereas $O_3$, $SO_2$ and CO showed relatively low values in this month. $PM_{2.5}$ levels in ambient air were above the EPA guideline of $35{\mu}g/m^3$ in all months. $PM_{2.5}$ was the critical ambient air pollutant with Index for Pollutant ($I_p$) values varying from 103-209, indicating Air Quality Index categories of unhealthy for sensitive groups (62.5%) to unhealthy (25%) to very unhealthy (12.5%). The $I_p$ average values of $PM_{2.5}$ decreased from Sept. 2015 to reach lowest value in Dec. 2015 before increasing gradually, peaking in March 2016. These results suggest the potential health risks associated with $PM_{2.5}$ is low in winter, where the prevailing meteorological conditions of lower temperatures, higher humidity, higher wind speed reduced particulate matter. The results revealed the industrial area is impacted by anthropogenic and natural sources of particulate matter.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.638-648
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• 2013

To understand the geochemical characteristics of intertidal sediment in a semi-enclosed bay, we measured various geochemical parameters, including grain size, ignition loss (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and trace metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, and As), in intertidal sediment from three bays (Deukryang Bay, Yeoja Bay, and Gamak Bay) in the southern region of Jeollanam Province. The intertidal sediment in Deukryang Bay consisted of various sedimentary types, such as sand, gravelly muddy sand, mud, and silt, whereas the intertidal sediments in Yeoja and Gamak Bays were composed mainly of mud. The concentrations of IL, COD, AVS and trace metals in the intertidal sediments of the three study regions were relatively high near areas affected by input of stream waters and/or shellfish farming waste. The concentrations of organic matter and trace metals in Gamak Bay were much higher than those in Deukryang and Yeoja Bays, which appears to be due to the influence of anthropogenic pollutants, originating from the city and the industrial complex near Gamak Bay. The evaluation results of organic matter and metal pollution using the sediment quality guidelines showed that the intertidal sediments in the three study regions were not polluted in terms of organic matter and trace metals. In future, sustainable management for sources of organic matter and trace metal is necessary to conserve a healthy benthic ecosystem in intertidal sediments.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1103-1114
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• 2009

In this study, the environmental behavior of malodor pollutants (MPs: $H_2S$, $CH_3SH$, DMS, and DMDS) was investigated around areas influenced by strong anthropogenic processes based on observations and modeling study (a CALPUFF dispersion model). The MP emission concentrations were measured from 8 industrial source regions (tire plants (S1-S3), waste water disposal plant (S4), and oil refinery (S5) in an urban center area and paper mill/incineration plant (S6) and livestock feedlots (S7-S8) in Ungsang area) in Yangsan city during a fall period in 2008 (21 October 2008). Overall, the most MPs emitted from the urban center area were found to affect the malodor pollution in their downwind areas during early morning (06:00 LST) and nighttime (18:00 and 21:00 LST), compared with those in the Ungsang area. For malodor intensity, the most MPs in the urban center area (especially S1 and S2) were found to be a significant contributor, whereas $CH_3SH$ and $H_2S$ in the Ungsnag area (especially S6) were the dominant contributor. The model study showed agreement in the spatial distributions of simulated MPs with those of the observations. The largest impact of MPs in the urban center area on the malodor pollution in its residential areas occurred at S1, S2, and S3 sites during nighttime, while that of MPs in the Ungsang area occurred at S6 and S8 sites. This may be caused mainly by the high MP emissions and in part by wind conditions (prevailing northeasterly winds with low wind speeds of 2-3 m/s).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.808-820
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• 2006

In regard to indoor air quality patterns, the government introduced various polices that were about managing and monitoring quality of indoor air as a major assignment, and also executed 'Indoor Air Quality Management Act' which was presented in the May, 2004. However, among the multi-usage facilities controlled by the Act, the school was not included yet. This study goal was to investigate PM 10 pollution patterns of the high school classrooms using a pattern recognition method based on cluster analysis and disjoint principal component analysis, and further to survey levels of inorganic elements in May, June, and September, 2004. A hierarchical clustering method was examined to obtain possible objects in pseudo homogeneous sample classes by transformation raw data and by applying various distance. Following the analysis, the disjoint principal component analysis was used to define homogeneous sample class after deleting outliers. Then three homogeneous Patterns were obtained as follows: the first class had been separated and objects in the class were considered to be sampled under semi-open condition. This class had high concentration of Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Al, and Na which are related with a soil and a chalk compounds. The second class was obtained in which objects were sampled while working air-conditioners and was identified low concentration of PM 10 and elements. Objects in the last class were assigned during rainy day. A chalk, soil element and various types of anthropogenic sources including combustions and industrial influenced the third class. This methodology was thought to be helpful enough to classify indoor air quality patterns and indoor environmental categories when controlling an indoor air quality.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2012

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), butyltins (BTs), nonylphenol (NP), and fecal sterols concentrations in sediments were investigated from Gunsan coast of Korea to evaluate organic pollution from anthropogenic activities. Sediment toxicity was also examined by bacterial bioluminescence toxicity test (Vibrio fischeri). The concentrations of 16 PAHs in sediments ranged from 67.9 to 425 ng/g dry wt; BTs ranged from 2.79 to 14.1 ng Sn/g dry wt; NP ranged from 20.7 to 2171 ng/g dry wt; and coprostanol, a fecal sterol, ranged from 7.60 to 245 ng/g dry wt. Effective concentration 50% ($EC_{50}$) of sediments ranged from 0.38 to 23.8 mg/mL. Most of the chemicals were present at levels lower than or comparable to the previously reported values from Korea. However, NP levels in the present study were in the high range of levels reported from the Korean coast, and 40% of the measured samples exceeded screening and ecotoxicological values of NP suggested by the Netherlands and Canada. This suggests that an ongoing source of NP is a serious concern in the Gunsan coast. High levels of contaminants were found in the proximity of potential sources, such as the outfall of a wastewater treatment plant for NP, an anthracite-fired power plant for PAHs, and ports for BTs, fecal sterols, and sediment toxicity. This indicates that Gunsan coast has various potential sources of marine sediment contaminants.