• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.19-21
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• 2001

The Shiheung mine was closed in 1972 and has been abandoned since then. Although some restoration work has been done, there still remain mine failings in and around the mine, posing a potential environmental hazard. Mine tailings and the porewater extracted from the tailing were investigated to see any evidence of elemental release and migration to adjacent groundwater and soil in the field. The pHs of the tailing range from 6.24 to 7.23. Calcite in the studied area seems to influence on such neutral pH range. Depth profile of mine tailing demonstrate elements have been leached and removed as a consequence of weathering during disposal. This is also supported by the findings from porewater analysis, corresponding the trends in the mine tailings. The concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn in the tailing porewater exceed the standard value of EPA for drinking water and this implies groundwater can be contaminated through infiltration of the porewaters, which ultimately will be discharged as leachate from the mine tailing. Groundwater samples collected near the mine area do not show high metal concentrations, except for Fe, which were detected over drinking water standard.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.99-102
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• 2001

The soil-to-air fluxes of three PAHs(Phenanthrene, Pyrene, Benzo(a)pyrene) from a laboratory contaminated forest soil were investigated in experimental microcosms. The effects of soil temperature(45$^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, 5$^{\circ}C$) and relative humidity(0%, 100%) were investigated according to existence of the humic layer(O layer) over the mineral layer(A layer). Volatilization flux experiments were carried out for a period of 96 hrs. The resulting PAHs volatilization fluxes from the different conditions were quantified and compared. In the mineral layer, highest volatilization flux among the individual PAHs was Phenanthrene >Pyrene> Benzo(a)pyrene on the conditions of 45 $^{\circ}C$, RH=100%. In the humic layer over the mineral layer, maximum volatilization flux was Phenanthrene on the condition of 45$^{\circ}C$, RH=0%. Results from flux experiments showed that volatilization fluxes of PAHs were dependent on soil temperature. Existance of humic layer over the mineral layer delayed transportation to the air of especially heaveir molecular PAHs. But, if humic layer is contained water sufficiently, it is possible that volatilization fluxes are enhanced by water convective flux according to variation of soil temperature and air relative humidity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2013

Background: In Korea, there is low awareness of the respiratory health problems caused by the use of humidifiers, leading to a lack of governmental measures. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to review cases of varying degrees of humidifier lung and fever in connection with the use of humidifiers and to summarize the probable environmental agents causing these cases. Methods: We searched all articles reporting on humidifier lung, humidifier fever, and humidifier diseases caused by the use of a humidifier both at home and in the workplace. Results: We summarized a number of cases of varying degrees of respiratory diseases resulting from inhalation of water mist of humidifiers containing various species of bacteria and fungi and their toxins. Type of respiratory disease connected with humidifier lung includes interstitial pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, fever and several respiratory symptoms. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Actinomycetes, endotoxins and contaminated humidifier water were the most commonly suspected probable environmental agents causing humidifier lung. In Korea, the use of humidifier biocide is suspected as a likely cause of fatal lung injury including death and lung transplantation. Conclusion: Governmental policy should be devised and measures including a national surveillance system should be taken to prevent humidifier lung caused by the use of humidifiers.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.209-218
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• 2003

Ecosystems in the Keweenaw Peninsula region of Lake Superior, USA, were disturbed by over 500 million tons of copper-rich mine tailings during the period 1850-1968. Metals leaching from these mine residues have had dramatic effects on the ecosystems. Vast acreages of exposed tailings that are over 100 years old remain unvegetated because of the combination of metal toxicity, absence of nutrients, and temperature and water stress. Therefore, it is important to characterize and fractionate solid copper phases for assessing labile forms of copper in soils and sediments contaminated by the mining wastes. X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that calcite, quartz, hematite, orthoclase, and sanidine minerals are present as major minerals, whereas cuprite,tenorite, malachite, and chalcopyrite might be present as copper minerals in the mining wastes. Sequential extraction technique revealed that carbonate and oxide fractions were the largest pools of copper (ca. 50-80%) in lakeshore and wetland stamp sands whereas the organic matter fraction was the largest reservoir (ca. 32%) in the lake sediments. The concentrations of iron and copper were inversely correlated in the oxide fraction suggesting that copper may occur as a surface coating on iron oxides. As particle size and water contents decrease, the percent of the copper bound to the labile carbonate fraction increases.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.515-517
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• 2003

In order to assess the risk of adverse health effects on human exposure to arsenic and heavy metals influenced by past mining activities, environmental geochemical surveys were undertaken in the abandoned metal mine areas (Dongil Au-Ag-Cu-Zn, Okdong Cu-Pb-Zn, Songcheon Au-Ag, Dongjung Au-Ag-Pb-Zn, Dokok Au-Ag-Cu and Hwacheon Au-Ag-Pb-Zn mines). Arsenic and other heavy metals were highly elevated in the tailings from the Dongil, the Songcheon and the Dongjung mines. High concentrations of heavy metals except As were also found in tailings from the Okdong, the Dokok and the Hwacheon mines. These significant concentrations can impact on soils and waters around the tailing dumps. Risk compounds deriving from mine sites either constitute a toxic risk or a carcinogenic risk. The hazard index (H.I.) of As in the Dongil, the Okdong, the Songcheon and the Hwacheon mine areas was higher value more than 1.0. In the Okdong and the Songcheon mine areas, H.I. value of Cd exceeded 1.0. These values of As and Cd were the highest in the Songcheon mine area. Therefore, toxic risks for As and Cd exist via exposure (ingestion) of contaminated soil, groundwater and rice grain in these mine areas. The cancer risk for As in stream or ground water used for drinking water from the Songcheon, the Dongil, the Okdong, the Dongjung and the Hwacheon mine areas was 3E-3, 8E-4, 7E-4, 2E-4 and 1E-4, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2008

Many neurotoxigenic clostridia are found in soil. Among animals, birds are especially susceptible to botulism, perhaps because they feed on insects, invertebrate carcasses, and decayed feeds contaminated with spores of Clostridium (C.) botulinum. C. botulinum type C is mainly involved in avian botulism. In the summer of 2005, death of a mute swan (cygnus olor) living in the pond of large bird cage was found in Seoul Grand Park Zoo. The birds presented presumptive clinical signs of botulism, such as ruffled hackle feathers, abnormal posture of the head, weakness, and flaccid paralysis. At that time, pond water in the breeding facilities was drained for 7 days, but there were still remained water containing sediment of feed and feces. Therefore, botulism was suspected and an experimentation were made to detect C. botulinum in the dead mute swan. Gross post-mortem findings of a mute swan showed jelly-like hemorrhagic contents in the intestine, sands and vegetations in the stomach. C. botulinum was isolated from the liver, small intestine and large intestine samples. Botulism was also confirmed by mouse inoculation test with the organ samples. With PCR, a gene encoding C. botulinum type C toxin was detected for the several organs of the mute swan died. These results suggested that death of mute swan was caused by C. botulinum type C.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.330-333
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• 2003

Recently electrokinetic process is known to be a promising remediation technology for the contaminated soils with heavy metals, radionuclides, organic matters, and so on. The contaminants in electrokinetic technology are removed mainly by three mechanisms; electroosmosis, electromigration, and electrophoresis. When direct current is introduced between two electrodes planted in soil, a large amount of hydrogen ions is formed and moves from anode to cathode with the other cations contained in electrolyte. The water flow caused by tile movement of cations is called as electroosmosis. Especially for non-ionic pollutants, the electroosmotic flow(EOF) is the most important removal mechanism among them and transports contaminants from anode to cathode along the water flow. In this study, characteristics of electroosmotic flow was investigated according to the resistance state of soil. The decrease, maintenance, and increase of soil resistance could be obtained by controlling ions in soil. When the resistance of soil was decreasing or maintained, the EOF is proportional to electric current and voltage, respectively and when the resistance was increasing, the EOF is proportional to only electric current not voltage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.1-1
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• 1998

Advanced (Chemical) oxidation processes (AOP) differ from most conventional ones in that hydroxyl radical(OH.) is considered to be the primary oxidant. Hydroxyl radicalcan react non-selectively with a great number of organic and inorganic chemicals. The typical rate constants of true hydroxyl radical reactions are in the range of between 109 to 1012 sec-1. Many processes are possible to generate hydroxyl radical. These include physical and chemical methods and their combinations. Physical means involves the use of high energy radiation such as gamma ray, electron beam, and acoustic wave. Under an applied high energy radiation, water molecules can be decomposed to yield hydroxyl radicals or aqueous electrons. Chemical means include the use of conventional oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone, two of the most efficient oxidants in the presence of promoter or catalyst. Hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst such as divalent iron ions can readily produce hydroxyl radicals. Ozone in the presence of specific chemical species such as OH- or hydrogen peroxide, can also generate hydroxyl radicals. Finally the combination of chemical and physical means can also yield hydroxyl radicals. Hydrogen peroxide in the presence of acoustic wave or ultra violet beam can generate hydroxyl radicals. The principles for hydroxyl radical generation will be discussed. Recent case studied of AOP for water treatment and other environmental of applications will be presented. These include the treatment of contaminated soils using electro-Fenton, lechate treatment with conventional Ponton, treatment of coal for sulfur removal using sonochemical and the treatment of groundwater with enhanced sonochemical processes.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.486-493
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• 2002

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater from a limestone and granite area were studied in the Hwanggangri district, where important fluorite ore deposits are distributed. The geochemical properties of groundwater from limestone and granite are commonly characterized as Ca$^{2+}$-HCO$_3\;^-$ and (Ca$^{2+}$+Na$^+$)-HCO$_3\;^-$ type, respectively. Groundwater, contaminated by mine drainage water from the neighboring ore deposits, has not been observed yet. However, fluoride in groundwater exceeding the drinking water permission level is found in the wells located in a Cretaceous granite area. The concentrations of F in the groundwater show a positive relationship with the values of Na, HCO$_3$, Li and pH. This may suggest that the groundwater come from the decomposition of fluoride-bearing silicate minerals within highly differentiated granitic rocks.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 2011

Recycling of industrial products as the stabilizers can be proper handling of industrial products and has positive side in terms of recycling of wastes. In this study, the final aims were to evaluate the usability as stabilizer of Bio-solids which was generated from contaminated soil with heavy metals after primary process and to compare the treatment efficiency with slag being currently applied in many existing sites. Soluble and exchangeable forms have closely related to pollution of groundwater and plant growth and they can be used to determine the effect of the stabilization efficiency. Slag and Bio-solids were tested to investigate the capacity of stabilizing arsenic. Slag treatment process 4 (PS-ball 5%) showed higher leachate concentration rather to 0.84% compared to treatment 1 (blank) based on an average of 0.63%. The other hand treatment 4 (Bio-solids 5%) showed the lowest soluble and exchangeable forms to 0.57% when Bio-solids was applied to stabilize arsenic. Thus, the leaching of arsenic will be more reduced if the Bio-solids are used as stabilizer in stead of slag which is being currently used in many fields.