• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.225-241
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• 2007

A closed flux chamber system was used for measuring major greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from tideland and/or wetland soils in estuarine area at Saemankum, Kunsan in southwestern Korea during from months of February to June 2006. Hourly averaged GHG soil emissions were measured two to three times a day during the ebb tide hours only. Site soils were analyzed for soil parameters (temperature, pH, total organic contents, N and C contents in soil) in the laboratory. Soil GHG fluxes were calculated based on the GHG concentration rate of change measured inside a closed chamber The analysis of GHG was conducted by using a Gas Chromatography (equipped with ECD/FID) at laboratory. Changes of daily, monthly GHGs' fluxes were examined. The relationships between the GHG emissions and soil chemical contents were also scrutinized with respect to gas production and consumption mechanism in the soil. Soil pH was pH $7.47{\pm}0.49$ in average over the experimental period. Organic matter contents in sample soil was $6.64{\pm}4.98\;g/kg$, and it shows relatively lower contents than those in agricultural soils in Kunsan area. Resulting from the soil chemistry data, soil nitrogen contents seem to affect GHG emission from the tidal land surface. The tidal soil was found to be either source or sink for the major GHG during the experimental periods. The annual average of $CH_{4}\;and\;CO_{2}$ fluxes were $0.13{\pm}0.86\;mg\;m^{-2}h^{-1}\;and\;5.83{\pm}138.73\;mg\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$, respectively, which will be as a source of these gases. However, $N_{2}O$ emission showed in negative flux, and the value was $-0.02{\pm}0.66\;mg\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$, and it implies tidal land surface act as a sink of $N_{2}O$. Over the experimental period, the absolute values of gas fluxes increased with soil temperature in general. Averages of the ambient gas concentration were $86.8{\pm}6.\;ppm$ in $CO_{2},\;1.63{\pm}0.34\;ppm\;in\;CH_{4},\;and\;0.59{\pm}0.15\;ppm\;in\;N_{2}O$, respectively. Generally, under the presence of gas emission from agricultural soils, decrease of gas emission will be observed as increase in ambient gas concentration. We, however, could not found significant correlation between the ambient concentrations and their emissions over the experimental period. There was no GHG compensation points existed in tide flat soil.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2015

The high time-resolution monitoring data are essential to estimate rapid changes in chemical compositions, concentrations, formation mechanisms, and likely sources of atmospheric particulate matter (PM). In this study, $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate, $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$, and the number concentration of size-resolved PMs were monitored in Fukuoka, Japan by good time-resolved methods during the springtime. The highest monthly average $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate was found in May ($8.85{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$), followed by April ($8.36{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$), March ($8.13{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$), and June ($7.22{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$). The cases exceed the Japanese central government's safety standard for $PM_{2.5}$ ($35{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$) reached 10.11% during four months campaign. The fraction of $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate to $PM_{2.5}$ varied from 12.05% to 68.11% with average value of 35.49% throughout the entire period of monitoring. This high proportion of sulfate in $PM_{2.5}$ is an obvious characteristic of the ambient $PM_{2.5}$ in Fukuoka during the springtime. However, the average fraction of $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate to $PM_{2.5}$ in three rain events occurred during our intensive campaign fell right down to 15.53%. Unusually high $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate (> $30{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$) marked on three days were probably affected by the air parcels coming from the Chinese continent, the natural sulfur in the remote marine atmosphere, and a large number of ships sailing on the nearby sea. The theoretical number concentration of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ in $PM_{0.5-0.3}$ was originally calculated and then compared to $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate. A close resemblance between the diurnal variations of the theoretically calculated number concentration of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ in $PM_{0.5-0.3}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate concentration indicates that the secondary formed $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ was the primary form of sulfate in $PM_{2.5}$ during our monitoring period.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2012

Gelatin/Ag nanoparticle (AgNP) biocomposite was synthesized using the solution plasma process (SPP) that has been recently introduced as an effective method for synthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, gelatin/AgNP biocomposite was synthesized using various concentrations of Ag precursor ($AgNO_3$) and gelatin in the range of 1-5 mM and 1-3% (w/w), respectively, without using any chemical reducing agent. Physical properties of the gelatin/AgNP biocomposites were analyzed using EDS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The results indicated that spherical AgNPs with approximately 12~20 nm in diameter were synthesized successfully in the gelatin matrix by SPP. As the concentration of gelatin was increased (3%, w/w), disperse stability of AgNP was improved and micro-pores of gelatin became smaller and denser in the 3D scaffold. Bactericidal activity of the AgNPs was examined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by measuring zone of growth inhibition and decrease in colony forming unit (CFU). CFUs of S. aureus and E. coli were decreased approximately to 56% and 0%, respectively, by the gelatin/AgNP biocomposite, Ag5G3.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.213-226
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• 2005

To treat wastewater efficiently by a one-step process of nitrogen removal, a new bacterial strain producing $N_2$ gas from ${NH_4}^+$ under an aerobic condition was isolated and identified. The cell was motile and a Gram-negative rod, and usually occurred in pairs. By 16S-rDNA analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Enterobacter asburiae with 96% similarity. The isolate showed that the capacity of $N_2$ production under an oxic condition was approximately three times higher than that under an anoxic condition. Thus, the consumption of ${NH_4}^+$ by the isolate was significantly different in the metabolism of $N_2$ production under the two different environmental conditions. The optimal conditions of the immobilized isolate for $N_2$ production were found to be pH 7.0, $30^{\circ}C$ and C/N ratio 5, respectively. Under all the optimum reaction conditions, $N_2$ production by the immobilized isolate resulted in reduction of ORP with both the consumption of DO and the drop of pH. The removal efficiencies of $COD_{Cr}$, and TN were 56.1 and 60.9%, respectively. The removal rates of $COD_{Cr}$, and TN were the highest for the first 2.5 hrs with the removal $COD_{Cr}/TN$ ratios of 32.1, and afterwards the rates decreased as reaction proceeded. For application of the immobilized isolate to a practical process of ammonium removal, a continuous operation was executed with a synthetic medium of a low C/N ratio. The continuous bioreactor system exhibited a satisfactory performance at 12.1 hrs of HRT, in which the effluent concentrations of ${NH_4}^+$-N was measured to be 15.4 mg/L with its removal efficiency of 56.0%. The maximum removal rate of ${NH_4}^+$-N reached 1.6 mg ${NH_4}^+$-N/L/hr at 12.1 hrs of HRT(with N loading rate of $0.08\;Kg-N/m^3$-carrier/d). As a result, the application of the immobilized isolate appears a viable alternative to the nitrification-denitrification processes.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.555-569
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• 2004

Size -segregated measurements of aerosol composition using 8-stage DRUM impactor are used to determine the transport of natural and anthropogenic aerosols at Gosan site from 29 March to 30 May in 2002. Separation of ambient aerosols by DRUM impactor offers many Advantages over other standard filtration techniques. Some of the most important advantages are the ability to segregate into details by particle tire, to better preserve chemical integrity since the air stream doesn＇t pars through the deposit, to collect samples as a function of time, and to have a wide variety of impaction surfaces available to match analytical needs. Although the transport of Yellow sand is a well-known phenomenon in springtime, the result of measurement shows that not only soil dust but also anthropogenic aerosols, including sulfur, enriched trace metals such as Pb, Ni, Zn. Cu, Cr, As, Se, Br, are transported to Gosan in springtime. This study combines the size- and time-resolved aerosol composition measurements with isentropic, backward air-mass trajectories in order to identify some potential source regions of anthropogenic aerosols. As a result, during the NYS period, the average concentration of PM$_{10}$ was 46$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, Si, Al. S, Fe, Cl, K, Ca were higher than 1,000 ng/㎥ and Ti was about 100 ng/㎥. The concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu. Pb, Br, Rb, V, Cr, Ni. At, Se ranged between 1 and 70 ng/㎥. More than 50% typical soil elements, tuck as Al, Si, Fe, Cd. Ti, Cr, Cu, Br. were distributed in a coarse particle range(5.0-12${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). In other hand, anthropogenic pollutants, luck as S, N, Vi, were mainly distributed in a fine particle range (0.09-0.56${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). During the YS period, PM$_{10}$ increased about 8 times than NYS period, and main soil elements, such as Al, Si, S, K, V, Mn, Fe also doubled in coarse particle range (1.15-12${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). But Zn, As, Pb, Cu and Se, which distributed in the time aerosols (0.09-0.56${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$), were on the same level with or decreased than NYS period. Finally. except the YS Period, coarse particles (2.5-12${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) are inferred to be influenced by soil, coal combustion, waste incineration, ferrous and nonferrous sources through similar pathways with Yellow Sand. But fine particles have different sources, such as coal combustion, gasoline vehicle, biomass burning, oil or coal combustion, nonferrous and ferrous metal sources, which are transported from China, Korea peninsula and local sources.ces.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.262-272
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• 2005

This study was undertaken to obtain design concentrations for the natural system treating stream water flowing into estuarine lake(Sapgyo). This lake has three major, so called, national-class streams: one is Gokgyo flowing through two medium-size municipal areas and the others are Muhan and Sapgyo placed in mostly rural area nested with some small towns. The results of three year's investigation showed big changes in water quality during the period between dry and wet seasons. Nitrogen concentration usually decreases as the flow rate increases. The change of phosphorus concentration in Gokgyo was the same pattern as nitrogen, but in other two streams it was inversely related with flow rates. This is probably due to the chemical property of the particles washed out from the different stream basins during wet season. It was found that about 40 to 60% of the total nitrogen are in soluble form and on average, 35% of the total phosphorus consists of dissolved-P. Representative concentration of these streams has to be separately determined based on dry and wet season. TDS and SS could be indicating parameters useful to depict and characterize a change of water quality with respect to flow rate because their measurement is easy and also includes a small analytical error. TDS values measured during dry season are related with high nitrogen concentration while during wet season, SS values effectively reflect a high concentration of phosphorus. For design purpose, cumulative concentration distribution graph presented in this paper can be directly or indirectly applied to other streams through a brief comparative and verificative study.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.322-329
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• 2017

Two pilot-scale biocovers (PBCs) were installed in a landfill, and the methane ($CH_4$) concentrations at their inlets and outlets were monitored for 240 days to evaluate the methane removability. Consequently, the packing materials were sampled from the PBCs, and their potential $CH_4$ oxidizing abilities were evaluated in serum vials. The $CH_4$ concentration at the inlet of the biocovers was observed to be in the range of 23.7-47.9% (average = 41.3%, median = 42.6%). In PBC1, where a mixture of soil, earthworm cast, and compost (7:2:1, v/v) was employed as the packing material, the $CH_4$ removal efficiency was evaluated to be between 60.7-85.5%. In PBC2, which was filled with a mixture of soil, earthworm cast, perlite, and compost (4:2:3:1, v/v), the removal efficiency was evaluated to be between 29.2-78.5%. Although the packing materials had an excellent $CH_4$ oxidizing potential (average oxidation rate for $CH_4=180-199{\mu}g\;CH_4{\cdot}g\;packing\;material^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$), $CH_4$ removal efficiency in PBC1 and PBC2 decreased to the range of 0-30% once the packing materials in the PBCs were clogged and channeled. Furthermore, seasonal effects exhibited no significant differences in the $CH_4$ removal efficiency of the biocovers. The results of this study can be used to design and operate real-scale biocovers in landfills to mitigate $CH_4$ buildup.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2008

This paper describes the application of bioluminescence stimulating agents on a genetically engineered microorganism, Pseudomonas putida mt-2 KG1206, to monitor toluene analogs using in groundwater samples from petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites. The maximum bioluminescent response with pure chemicals followed in the order: m-methyl benzyl alchohol > m-toluate > toluene > m-xylene > benzoate > p-xylene > o-xylene. Generally, the bioluminescence production of strain mixed with groundwater samples was dependent on the contaminated total inducer concentrations. However, few samples showed opposite results, where these phenomena may be caused by the complexicity of environmental samples. Two chemicals, SL(sodium lactate) and KNO$_3$, were tested to determine a better bioluminescence stimulant. Both chemicals stimulate the bioluminescence activity of strain KG1206, however, a slightly high bioluminescence was observed with nitrogen chemical. This selected stimulant was then tested on samples collected from contaminated groundwater samples. The bioluminescence activity of all samples mixed with the strain was stimulated with KNO$_3$ amendment. This suggests that the low bioluminescence activity exhibited by the environmental groundwater samples can be stimulated by amending the culture with a proper agent, such as nitrogen compound. These findings would be useful, especially, when strain was used to monitor the groundwater samples contaminated with low inducer contaminants. Overall, the results of this study found the ability of bioluminescence producing bacteria to biosensor a specific group of environmental contaminants, and suggest the potential for more efficient preliminary application of this engineered strain in a field-ready bioassay.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.58-67
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• 2010

Platy silver powders with varied size and thickness were prepared by polyol process with $PdCl_2$ in ethylene glycol and characterized its properties and investigated the effects of reaction time, $NH_4OH$, PVP(poly-vinylpyrrolidone) and $PdCl_2$. The characteristics of the products were verified by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), high resolution transmitted electron microscopy(HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and particle size analyzer(PSA) and image analyzer. Platy silver powder was prepared about $5.5\;{\mu}m$ of size and $0.2\;{\mu}m$ at 120minute. It was found that the size of powders increased by the increasing of $NH_4OH$ and $PdCl_2$ concentrations, and the thickness of powders was decreased by increasing of PVP concentration.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to evaluate laboratory experiments on arsenic and cadmium removal from tailings using apatite at the Ulsan Abandoned Iron Mine, and to develop a stabilization technique. The results of this study show that the permeability is decreased proportionally to the amount of apatite when it is added below 8%, while this is almost constant when the amount of apatite is added above 10%. The water extraction test from tailings using deionized water for several days shows that pH (7.4-8.4) is almost constant or slightly increased when apatite is added below 8%, while it is slightly decreased when apatite is added above 10%. According to TCLP test, reduction of concentrations of heavy metals in leachate is proportional to amount of apatite added. It seems that precipitates generated from leachate-apatite chemical reaction are not redissolved. As a result, cadmium and arsenic in leachate is mostly removed when apatite is added above 10%, and it is suggested that a proper technique should be selected for field application because either mixed or layered method shows almost same removal efficiencies of cadmium and arsenic in tailings.