• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.787-799
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation of metallic elements and the control effect of marine pollution caused by ocean dumping in the sediments at a waste disposal area in the Yellow Sea. In July 2009, concentrations of organic matter and metallic elements (Al, Fe, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Hg, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were measured in surface sediments at the site. The ignition loss (IL) in the surface sediments showed a mean value of 15.4%, about 1.5 times higher than the mean value of the sediments in the coastal areas of Korea. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) at some disposal sites exceeded 20 mg $O_2/g{\cdot}dry$, which signifies the initial concentration of marine sediment pollutants in Japan. The disposal sites contain higher concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn than the sediments of bays and estuaries that might be contaminated. The magnitude of both metal enrichment factors (EF) and adverse biological effects suggest that pollution with Cr and Ni occurred due to the dumping of waste in the study area. In addition, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed that the surface sediments were moderately contaminated. By the mid-2000s, when the amount of waste dumped at this site was the highest, the concentration of metallic elements was higher than ever recorded. On the other hand, in 2008-09, the need for environmental management was relatively low compare with the peak. As a result, the quality of marine sediment has been enhanced, considering the effect of waste reduction and natural dilution in the disposal area.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.29-37
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• 2000

Fenton’s oxidation process is one of the most commonly applied processes to the wastewater which cannot be treated by conventional biological treatment processes. However, it is necessary to minimize the cost of Fenton’s oxidation treatment by modifying the treatment processes or other means of chemical treatment. So, as a method for the chemical oxidation of biorefractory or nonbiodegradable organic pollutants, the Photo-Fenton-Reaction which utilizes iron(11)salt. $H_2O$$_2$ and UV-light simultaneously has been proprosed. Therfore, the purpose of this study is to test a removal efficiency of dye-wastewater and treatment cost with Fenton’s and Photo-Fenton’s oxidation process. The Fe(11)/$H_2O$$_2$ reagent is referred to as the fenton’s reagent. which produces hydroxy radicals by the interaction of Fe(11) with $H_2O$$_2$. In this exoeriment, the main results are as followed; 1. The Fenton oxidation was most efficient in the pH range of 3-5. The optimal condition for initial reaction pH was 3.5 for the high CO $D_{Cr}$ & TOC-removal efficiency. 2. The removal efficiency of TOC and CO $D_{Cr}$ increased up to the molar ration between ferrate and hydrogen peroxide 0.2:1, but above that ratio removal efficiency hardly increased. 3. The highest removal efficiency of TOC and CO $D_{Cr}$ were showed when the mole ration of ferrate to hydrogen peroxide was 0.2:3.4. 4. Without pretreatment process, photo-fenton oxidation which was not absorbed UV light was not different to fenton oxidation. 5. And Fenton oxidtion with pretreatment process was similar to Fenton oxidation in the absence of coagulation, the proper dosage of F $e^{2+}$: $H_2O$$_2$ was 0.2:1 for the optimal removal efficiency of TOC or CO $D_{Cr}$ .6. Also, TOC & CO $D_{Cr}$ removal efficiency in the photo-fenton oxidation with pretreatment was increased when UV light intensity enhanced.7. Optimum light intensity in the range from 0 to 1200 W/$m^2$ showed that UV-intensity with 1200W/$m^2$ was the optimum condition, when F $e_{2+}$:$H_2O$$_2$ ratio for the highest decomposition was 0.2:2.5.EX>$_2$ ratio for the highest decomposition was 0.2:2.5.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Down Stream K River has high COD (4-10 mg/L) and high $NH_3$-N concentration (3.5 mg/L during winter period). Although $NH_3$-N itself is not reported harmful at this level, it must be removed to meet drinking water standard (0.5 mg/L). We constructed a pilot plant modifying the processes of conventional drinking water facilities. Prechlorination and powdered activated carbon (PAC) dechlorination was adopted prior to a flocculation tank to remove ammonia and prevent disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formation. Also, GAC processes was included after sand filter to remove residual DOC. This pilot having a capacity of 36 ton/day was operated for one year. The GAC processes were successful to remove ammonia and many organic pollutants (DOC, MBAS, UV-254 nm absorbance, etc). Influent DOC concentrations were very high as 3~6 mg/L throughout the plant operation. It was impossible to achieve 1.0 mg/L effluent DOC, indicating that bed depth (2 m) should be increased to achieve more strict DOC quality standards. When $Cl_2$ dose was well controlled ($Cl_2/NH_3$-N ratio 10~11 on a weight basis), $NH_3$-N removal was 98% and THMs was very low possibly due to low free residual chlorine and PAC dechlorination.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2014

Orb-web spiders can be considered as an effective bio-indicative animal to monitor the ecological air pollution of certain habitat since they have limited shifting ability during their life spans. In this study we revealed the fine structural characteristics of booklung in the orb-web spider Nephila clavata, and its bio-indicative significance in the monitoring environmental asbestos exposure. The high resolution scanning electron microscopy results suggest that the cuticular spikes near the atrium could be act as an effective filtering structure for dust materials. Furthermore, inner cuticular spikes which protruded across the air sacs, have the functions not only sustaining appropriate respiratory volume of each air sac but also help to enhance respiratory capacity by maximizing the gross surface area for gas exchange. Interestingly, in spite of short exposure, the asbestose fibrils were effectively captured on the surface of the atrial cuticular spikes. Furthermore, histologic damages were observed due to penetration of asbestos fibrils through air sacs and fixed on the hemolymph space. In addition, although accumulated mass of hemocytes were observed near the fibrils, there were no asbestos bodies or coagulated hemocytes were found on the surface of the fibrils, This could be mainly due to the short exposure period towards asbestos. Briefly, these results indicate the spider's booklung could be valuable tool in the detection ecological air pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.706-714
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• 2017

An investigation of the effects of Pb for domestic anuran embryos were evaluated with the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay; Xenopus (FETAX). Depending on the species, the difference between the embryo size and the embryonic development time was determined. As a result, mortality and malformation rates were increased, malformation patterns were changed and larval body length were decreased in a dose dependent manner of the Pb. The half maximal lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) of the Bufo gargarizans, Hyla japonica, Rana nigromaculata and Bombina orientalis were 0.58, 0.49, 0.52, $0.54mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The half maximal effective concentration ($EC_{50}$) of the Bufo gargarizans, Hyla japonica, Rana nigromaculata and Bombina orientalis were 0.35, 0.74, 0.30, $0.29mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The teratogenic index (TI) were 1.66 in the Bufo gargarizans, 1.81 in the Hyla japonica, 1.73 in the Rana nigromaculata and 1.86 in the Bombina orientalis, respectively. Therefore, the Pb seems likely to have a teratogenic effect in all four species' embryonic development. The Bombina orientalis was the most sensitive to the Pb. This means that the difference between the different species, even if they have all been exposed to the same concentration of pollutants depending on the species. The result above show that the Pb acts as a teratogenic agent in the development of the four domestic frog species.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of nonpoint source pollutants discharge from a small rural watershed. A typical rural area in Gongju City, Korea, was selected as the research site. Water quality and quantity in streams and rainfall samples were analyzed periodically from May to October 2005. Pollutant loads were estimated from a nonpoint source pollution model (AvSWAT, Arcview Soil and Water Assessment Tool). During the rainy season, from June 26 to 30 September 2005 and the dry season, before 26 June and after 30 September 2005, biological oxygen demands and chemical oxygen demands accounted for 91.3% and 93.7% of annual load, respectively, while total-N and total-P were 97.1% and 91.1% of annual load, respectively. The observed stream flow was $66.5m^3sec^{-1}$, while simulation stream flow was $66.2m^3sec^{-1}$. That can be assumed that simulation can be used to estimate the stream flow without practical measurement. However, the runoff trend following the occurrence of a storm event was not recorded properly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.15-30
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• 2019

Changpo Lake was created as a part of a land reclamation for refugee self-helping projects. It shows characteristics of a fresh water lake, and still retains the early appearance of reclamation that surrounding regions have not been developed into farm lands. Shallow wetland has formed around the lake, which provides great conditions for diverse lives, and surrounding earthiness is favorable for growth of vegetation and restoration of the ecosystem. However, as facilities of the Muan International Airport nearby Changpo Lake are expanding and barns are being constructed, artificialness is gradually increasing. Particularly, since pollution sources such as sport facilities, farm lands and barns are scattered around Changpo Lake, pollutants are flowing in constantly. Accordingly, the results for setting up management areas according to the spatial characteristics and creating natural ecological spaces near Changpo Lake, Taebongcheon stream and Hakgyecheon stream are as follows. First, the creation of a natural eco-friendly waterfront space should be promoted by securing the health of the aquatic ecosystem and restoring species and the ecosystem. In addition, a consultative body needs to be formed to lead local residents to participating in river investigation and monitoring, maintenance, and management through role sharing. Second, the basic direction of the spatial management plan is to keep the unique charm of Changpo Lake, maintain harmony with nature, create diverse waterfront areas, and secure the continuity of Changpo Lake and inflow streams. Moreover, the area should be divided into three zones such as a conservation zone, a restoration zone and a waterfront zone, and for each zone, the preservation of vegetation, the creation of ecological wetlands and restoration of the ecotone and ecological nature need to be promoted. Third, facilities and activity programs for each space of Changpo Lake should be operated for efficient management of protected areas. In order to suit the status of each space, biological habitats, water purification spaces, experiential and learning spaces, and convenience and rest spaces should be organized and designated as research, monitoring, education, and tourism areas. Accordingly, points of interest should be set up within the corresponding area. In this study, there are many parts that need to be supplemented for immediate implementation since the detailed plans and project costs for the promotion of programs by area are not calculated. Therefore, it is necessary to make detailed project plans and consider related projects such as water quality, restoration of habitats, nature learning and observation, and experience of ecological environments based on the categories such as research, monitoring, education and tourism in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.781-792
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• 2020

Mine tailings, which are inevitably formed by the development of manganese nodules, manganese crusts, and hydrothermal seafloor deposits, have attracted attention because of their quantity and potential toxicity. However, there is a lack of data on the quantity of mine tailings being generated, their physicochemical properties, and their effects as environmental hazards and on marine ecosystems in general. The importance of treating mine tailings in an environmentally friendly manner has been recognized recently and related reduction/treatment methods are being considered. In the case of deep-sea mineral resource development, if mine tailings cannot be treated aboard a ship, the issue becomes one of the cost of transporting them to land and solving the problem of environmental pollution there. Therefore, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology conducted research on the harmfulness of mine tailings, their effect on marine ecosystem, the diffusion model of contaminated particles, and candidate purification treatment technologies based on five representative controlling factors: 1) effects of pollution /on the environment, 2) effects of environmental/ biological hazards, 3) diffusion of particles, 4) mineral dressings, and 5) reducing/processing mine tailings. The results of this study can provide a basis for minimizing environmental problems by providing scientific evidences of the environmental effects of mine tailings. In addition, it is also expected that these results could be applied to the treatment of pollutants of different origins and at land-based mining waste sites.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2020

Medical waste is any kind of waste that contains infectious material and recommended not to be transferred for infection control. As a means of disposal, incineration has better points than dumping or landfill in the quantity reduction, odorless and nonhazardous. However, open burning and incineration of health care wastes under bad circumstances, can result in the emission of environmental pollutants to air. A burial of biological waste brings pollution of soil and water. Most of sub divisional hospitals in Fiji transfer their medical wastes to divisional hospitals for incineration. In 2011, 62,518 kg of medical waste was incinerated in the three divisional hospitals. However, some medical wastes are considered as general waste and burnt or sent to landfill site, some are buried on site in some sub-divisional hospitals. In this regards, urgent education is necessary for awareness promotion to relevant personnel in medical waste treatment. On site incineration using small scale incinerator is more recommended than transportation of medical wastes treatment in Fiji. Moreover, remotely controllable and fixable small scale of incinerator is more desirable in sub-divisional hospitals. It is recommended that Fiji government to set up a legal framework for medical waste management (MWM), to develop specific guidelines for MWM, to set up a training system for MWM to ensure that all relevant personnel are trained, to develop a monitoring and supervision system for MWM, to clarify the future financing of MWM activities, and to improve the MWM infrastructure.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-34
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• 2024

Sediment, aquifer materials, surface water, and groundwater from brackish Songji lake affected by salinity of seawater, were collected and a pilot scale column experiment was conducted to simulate the nitrogen transport through the hyporheic zone. Upstream experiments of groundwater displayed that groundwater containing a small amount of salt percolated into aquifers and sediments, maintaining low dissolved oxygen concentrations. In addition, partial denitrification occurred in the aquifer due to salinity and low dissolved oxygen, resulting in the accumulation of NO₂^-. In sediments,nitrogenous compounds were reduced due to adsorption by long residence times or microbial-mediated oxidation/reduction reactions. Downstream experiments of surface water displayed that surface water from the brackish lake, containing high concentrations of dissolved oxygen and salts, infiltrated into the sediments and aquifer, supplying high dissolved oxygen concentrations. This resulted in biological nitrification in the sediments and aquifer, which reduced nitrogen-based pollutants despite the high salt concentration in the surface water. Whereas partial denitrification at low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the upwelling mixing zone was observed by salinity and accumulated NO₂^-, nitrification at high dissolved oxygen concentrations in the downwelling mixing zone was not significantly affected by salinity. These results confirm that salinity in the brackish water lake has some influence on the nitrogen behavior of the hyporheic mixing zone, although nitrogen behavior is a complex combination of factors such as DO, pH, substrate concentration, and organic matter concentration.