• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2023

This investigation delves into the adverse repercussions stemming from the impact of arsenic on steel pipes concealed within soil designated for rice cultivation. Simultaneously, the study aims to ascertain effective techniques for detecting arsenic in the soil and to provide strategies for mitigating the corrosion of steel pipes. The realm of nanotechnology presents promising avenues for addressing the intricate intersection of renewable energy, oil, and environmental pollution from a novel perspective. Nanostructured materials, characterized by distinct chemical and physical attributes, unveil novel pathways for pioneering materials that exert a substantial impact across diverse realms of food production, storage, packaging, and quality control. Within the scope of the food industry, the scope of nanotechnology encompasses processes, storage methodologies, packaging paradigms, and safeguards to ensure the safety of consumables. Of particular note, silver nanoparticles, in addition to their commendable antibacterial efficacy, boast anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory prowess, environmental compatibility, minimal irritability and allergenicity, resilience to microbial antagonism, thermal stability, and robustness. Confronting the pressing issue of arsenic contamination within both environmental settings and the food supply is of paramount importance to preserve public health and ecological equilibrium. In response, this study introduces detection kits predicated upon silver nanoparticles, providing an expeditious and economically feasible avenue for identifying arsenic concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3 ppm within rice. Subsequent quantification employs Hydride Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (HG-AAS), which features a detection threshold of 0.05 ㎍/l. A salient advantage inherent in the HG-AAS methodology lies in its capacity to segregate analytes from the sample matrix, thereby significantly reducing instances of spectral interference. Importantly, the presence of arsenic in the soil beneath rice cultivation establishes a causative link to steel pipe corrosion, with potential consequences extending to food contamination-an intricate facet embedded within the broader tapestry of renewable energy, oil, and environmental pollution.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.237-237
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• 2017

Rice is highly sensitive to salt stress especially in its early growth stage, which thus is one of the major constraints in rice production. In rice plants, salt sensitivity is associated with the accumulation of $Na^+$ in the shoots, especially in the photosynthetic tissues. High salt concentrations in soil cause high $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ transport to the shoot and preferential accumulation of those ions in older leaves, which decreases $K^+$ in the shoot, photosynthetic activity and grain yield. Salt exclusion capacity at the leaf sheath is therefore considered to be one of the main mechanisms of salt tolerance. In addition, it is suspected that the lamina joint might be involved in the salt transport from leaf sheath to leaf blade. This research aims to determine if leaf sheaths of rice exclude a large amount of $Na^+$ only or other ions such as $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Cl^-$ as well, to identify tissues in the leaf sheath, which accumulate $Na^+$, and to examine if the lamina joint is involved in the salt exclusion by the leaf sheath. The rice seedlings of salt tolerant genotype FL478 and salt sensitive genotype IR29 were independently treated with NaCl, KCl, $MgCl_2$ and $CaCl_2$, and Taichung 65 and its near-isogenic liguleless line (T65lg) were treated with NaCl. Then, the content of $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Cl^-$ ions and their specific location were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Ion Chromatograph, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Results showed that leaf sheaths of FL478 and IR29 accumulated a large amount of $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Cl^-$ ons, and thus excluded them from leaf blades when treated with high concentration of each salt. When treated with NaCl, the highest $Na^+$ concentration was found in the basal part of leaf sheaths of both cultivars. Moreover, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the central parenchyma cells of the leaf sheath were the site where most Na, Cl, and K were retained under salinity in the salt tolerant genotype FL478. Also, the concentration of $Na^+$, $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ ions in leaf sheaths and leaf blades was comparable between T65 and T65lg, indicating that the lamina joint may not be involved in the exclusion of $Na^+$, $Cl^-$ and $K^+$ by the leaf sheath from the leaf blade under salinity. Therefore, we conclude that the central parenchyma cells of basal part of leaf sheath are the site that plays a physiological role to exclude $Na^+$ in the shoots of rice without the involvement of the lamina joint.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.356-360
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• 2007

Recently, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) composed of nanoporous $TiO_2$, light-sensitive dyes, electrolytes, and counter electrode have been received much attention. Nanostructured particles with higher surface area for the higher adsorption of Ru (II) dye are required to increase the quantity of light absorption. Also, it has been reported that the key factor to achieve high energy conversion efficiency in the photoelectrode of DSSC is the heat treatment of $TiO_2$ paste with acid addition. In this work, we investigated the influence of acid treatment of $TiO_2$ solar cell on the photovoltaic performance of DSSC. The working electrodes fabricated in this work were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM). In addition, the influence of nanostructured photoelectrode fabricated with the acid-treated paste on the energy conversion efficiency was investigated on the basis of photocurrent-potential curves. It was found that the influence of acid-treated paste on the photovoltaic efficiency was significant.

• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.5-6
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• 2002

The new spectrometer for X-ray Induced Electron Emission Spectroscopy (XIEES) .has been recently developed in KRISS in collaboration with PTI (Russia). The spectrometer allows to perform research using the XAFS, SXAFS, XANES techniques (D.C.Koningsberger and R.Prins, 1988) as well as the number of techniques from XIEES field(L.A.Bakaleinikov et all, 1992). The experiments may be carried out with registration of transmitted through the sample x-rays (to investigate bulk samples) or/and total electron yield (TEY) from the sample surface that gives the high (down to several atomic mono-layers in soft x-ray region) near surface sensitivity. The combination of these methods together give the possibility to obtain a quantitative information on elemental composition, chemical state, atomic structure for powder samples and solids, including non-crystalline materials (the long range order is not required). The optical design of spectrometer is made according to Johannesson true focusing schematics and presented on the Fig.1. Five stepping motors are used to maintain the focusing condition during the photon energy scan (crystal angle, crystal position along rail, sample goniometer rail angle, sample goniometer position along rail and sample goniometer angle relatively of rail). All movements can be done independently and simultaneously that speeds up the setting of photon energy and allows the using of crystals with different Rowland radil. At present six curved crystals with different d-values and one flat synthetic multilayer are installed on revolver-type monochromator. This arrangement allows the wide range of x-rays from 100 eV up to 25 keV to be obtained. Another 4 stepping motors set exit slit width, sample angle, channeltron position and x-ray detector position. The differential pumping allows to unite vacuum chambers of spectrometer and x-ray generator avoiding the absorption of soft x-rays on Be foil of a window and in atmosphere. Another feature of vacuum system is separation of walls of vacuum chamber (which are deformed by the atmospheric pressure) from optical elements of spectrometer. This warrantees that the optical elements are precisely positioned. The detecting system of the spectrometer consists of two proportional counters, one scintillating detector and one channeltron detector. First proportional counter can be used as I/sub 0/-detector in transmission mode or by measuring the fluorescence from exit slit edge. The last installation can be used to measure the reference data (that is necessary in XANES measurements), in this case the reference sample is installed on slit knife edge. The second proportional counter measures the intensity of x-rays transmitted through the sample. The scintillating detector is used in the same way but on the air for the hard x-rays and for alignment purposes. Total electron yield from the sample is measured by channeltron. The spectrometer is fully controlled by special software that gives the high flexibility and reliability in carrying out of the experiments. Fig.2 and fig.3 present the typical XAFS spectra measured with spectrometer.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.207-217
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• 2011

In this study the complex formation reactions between uranium(VI) and 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate (DHB) as a model ligand of humic acid were investigated by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The analysis of the spectrophotometric data, i.e., absorbance changes at the characteristic charge-transfer bands of the U(VI)-DHB complex, indicates that both 1:1 and 1:2 (U(VI):DHB) complexes occur as a result of dual equilibria and their distribution varies in a pH-dependent manner. The stepwise stability constants determined (log $K_1$ and log $K_2$) are $12.4{\pm}0.1$ and $11.4{\pm}0.1$. Further, the TRLFS study shows that DHB plays a role as a fluorescence quencher of U(VI) species. The presence of both a dynamic and static quenching process was identified for all U(VI) species examined, i.e., ${UO_2}^{2+}$, $(UO_2)_2{(OH)_2}^{2+}$, and $(UO_2)_3{(OH)_5}^+$. The fluorescence intensity and lifetimes of each species were measured from the time-resolved spectra at various ligand concentrations, and then analyzed based on Stern-Volmer equations. The static quenching constants (log $K_s$) obtained are $4.2{\pm}0.1$, $4.3{\pm}0.1$, and $4.34{\pm}0.08$ for ${UO_2}^{2+}$, $(UO_2)_2{(OH)_2}^{2+}$, and $(UO_2)_3{(OH)_5}^+$, respectively. The results of Stern-Volmer analysis suggest that both mono- and bi-dentate U(VI)-DHB complexes serve as groundstate complexes inducing static quenching.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.450-464
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• 2016

Objectives: This study developed and validated reference materials (RMs) to analyze metal compounds in blood. Methods: We referred to KoNEHS (Korea National Environmental Health Survey) to estimate concentrations of blood metals (cadmium, Cd; lead, Pb; mercury, Hg) and applied analytical methods (inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy, ICP-MS, for Cd and Pb; graphite furnace - atomic absorption spectrometry, GF-AAS, for Cd and Pb; and direct mercury analyzer, DMA, for Hg). Homogeneity and stability tests were carried out. In addition, certified values and uncertainties of RMs were calculated through internal and external experiments. All RMs were developed and assessed in various forms according to element, analytical method, and two types of concentration levels high concentration for occupational exposure and low concentration for environmental exposure. Results: All samples showed acceptable homogeneity, except for low concentration of Cd in the GF-AAS method. Short- and long-term stabilities were satisfied by ANOVA testing. In the inter-laboratory comparison, robust medians were lower than the certified values of all RMs (robust median/reference value; $1.301/1.327{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, low concentration; $3.152/3.388{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, high concentration; $1.219/1.301{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, low concentration; $3.074/3.321{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, high concentration; $14.473/14.516{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, low concentration; $50.069/50.114{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, high concentration; $12.881/14.147{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, low concentration; $47.015/47.591{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, high concentration; $4.059/4.218{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, low concentration; $11.474/11.181{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, high concentration). Conclusion: This study demonstrates procedures for developing and validating RMs for biomonitoring in the field of the environmental health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.71-80
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• 2001

Blood and urine mercury level of three workers were monitored during 60~80 days after high exposure to mercury at the silver refining plant. Mercury was used to form silver-mercury amalgam from plating sludge. Workers were exposed to mercury about 70 days at the several processes, such as hand held weaving, vibration table, and heating from the furnace. mercury was analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy-vapor generation technique. Recovery from the biological sample was 95.51% and pooled standard deviation was 0.033. At the time of study, there was no work at the workplace. So, airborne mercury concentration was measured with area sampling 5 days after the work, ranged from 0.1459 to 1.2351 mg/㎥(Arithmatic mean 0.4711 mg/㎥, Geometric mean 0.3566 mg/㎥) at the inside of the plant, that is far above the ACGIH's TLV(0.025 mg/㎥) and ranged from 0.0073 to 0.0330 mg/㎥ at the outdoor. Blood mercury levels at the beginning of the monitoring were 4~14 times greater than the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Biological Exposure Index(ACGIH BEI, 15 ug/L). Blood mercury levels were decreased logarithmically, that is, rapidly at the high level and slowly at the low level but sustained above the level of the ACGIH BEI 60~80 days after the work. Urine mercury levels at the beginning of the monitoring were 8~16 times greater than the ACGIH BEI(35 ug/g creatinine). Urine mercury levels were decreased logarithmically, but correlation between urine level and off-days were lower than those of blood. Decreasing pattern of blood mercury levels were little affected than that of urine levels when the chelating agent, D-penicillamine, was administered. There was correlation between blood mercury level and urine mercury level(0.81~0.83) but it didn\`t mean that the highest blood mercury level corresponded the highest urine mercury level. In our study, Case 1 always shows the highest level in urine but case 3 always shows the highest level in blood. Creatinine correction represented better correlations between urine mercury levels and blood levels, and between urine levels and off-days rather than by urine volume. Spot urine sampling had a wide variation than that of whole day urine sampling. So, We recommend spot urine sampling for screening and whole day urine sampling for exact diagnosis.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2005

Potential for measuring mobile cadmium concentration in sandy soil using polymer magnetic beads with carboxyl groups was investigated. Experiments for extracting cadmium were performed with contaminated soils, de-ionized water and magnetic beads. In this neutral experimental condition, reacting cadmium with magnetic beads indicate total amount of cadmium that can be moved in soil. The results showed that the mobile fraction of cadmium in soil could be combined with magnetic beads in short time. After binding between cadmium and magnetic beads, the beads were separated from soil suspension by outer magnetic force. The bound cadmium was dissolved from magnetic beads by acid solutions, which were then analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). This method can determine mobile heavy metals in sandy soil effectively than existing method which use pollutant chemicals to environments such as EDTA.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2017

Objectives: The pollution status of heavy metals within the soil was investigated with an aim to establishing a sustainable soil environment within parks and amusement facilities installed in urban areas of Gyeonggi-do Province. Methods: As sampling sites, 14 locations were selected from a city with a number of factories near a residential area, a residential area, and a children's park in a city with mixed green areas. Seven kinds of heavy metals, including Cd, Pb, and Hg, and the pH of soil were analyzed three times by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Results: In this study, the pH of the samples from the residential park and industrial park showed 5.7-6.5 and 5.9-7.0, respectively. The overall mean concentration (mg/kg) of heavy metals was Zn (132.8), Ni (73.0), Cu (47.4), Pb (35.9), As (4.84), Cd (0.39), and Hg (0.07), indicating that these concentrations of heavy metals were lower than those for the area 1 standard of soil pollution concern criteria. In addition, the sampling sites in the residential area and the industrial area also showed the same tendency for concentration distribution. Conclusions: We found that the soil pollution class (SPC) of some spots were over 200, which are third and fourth classes. In order to manage a sustainable soil environment in a city park, it is suggested that local governments, the management bodies for these parks, need to manage, supervise, and investigate soil pollution and quickly replace contaminated soil.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.643-650
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• 1999

An artificial photoreceptor composed of bacteriorhodopsin(bR)/flavin complex Langmuir-Blodgett(LB) films was developed by mimicking the human visual system. bR and flavin molecules were deposited onto solid substrate by LB technique, and the deposition of two molecules was proved by UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy(AFM). Based on AFM images and photocurrent generation from the LB films, the optimal conditions for device fabrication were determined. With a series of light illuminations, the generated photocurrent could be detected, and the response characteristics of two molecules could be clearly distinguished from each other. According to the obtained signal shapes, three distinctive regions could be found in the obtained action spectrum. Using a correlation between the photocurrent generation and the wavelength of the input light, it was possible to organize the basic rules to interpret the wavelength of the input light. It is concluded that the proposed artificial photoreceptor would e applicable to the bioelectronic device for color recognition.