• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2012

With the development of nanotechnology, nano-consumer products have been popularized. For the past 10 years, potential risk of nanomaterials to human and environment have been raised carefully. Especially, workers, who directly handle nanomaterials in laboratories and manfacturers, will lead to direct exposure of nanomaterials. Therefore, direct exposure assessment and field monitoring of nanomaterials are required to assess and manage the nanomaterial exposure to human and environment. In this work, two nano-manufacturing companies, which had plasma and sol-gel processes, were selected to analyze the main exposure source and process with in-situ SMPS (scanning mobility particle sizer) and ex-situ TEM (transmission electron microscopy). The results showed that the colloidal nanoparticle in liquid phase was easily evaporated and monitored by SMPS. Most serious thing is that the workers does not know about the potential risk of nanomaterials, and thus they are not taking proper protection activities, such as PPE (personal protective equipment). Therefore, exposure assessment for nanomaterial handling facilities should be additionally carried out, and nano-safety management protocols are also provided.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.33-42
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• 2020

Emission factors for ammonia and particulate matters (PMs) from livestock buildings are of increasing importance in view of the environmental protection. While the existing emission factors were determined based on the emission inventory of other countries, in situ measurement of emission factors is required to construct an accurate emission inventory for Korea. This study is to report measurements of ammonia and PMs emissions from mechanically-ventilated pig houses, which are common types of pig barns in Korea. Ventilation rates and concentrations of ammonia and PMs were measured at the ventilation outlets of a weaner unit, a growing pig unit and a fattening pig unit to calculated the emission factors. The PMs emission was characterized with different aerodynamic diameters (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and total suspended particulates (TSP)). The measured ammonia emission factors for weaners, growing pigs and fattening pigs were 0.225, 0.869 and 1.679 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively, showing linear increase with pigs' age. The PMs emission factors for three growing stages were 0.023, 0.237 and 0.241 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively for TSP, 0.017, 0.072 and 0.223 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively for PM₁₀, and 0.011, 0.016 and 0.151 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively for PM_2.5. PMs emissions were increased with pigs' age due to increasing feed supply and animal movement. The measured emission factors were smaller than those of the existing emission inventory indicating that the existing ones overestimate the emissions from pig buildings and also suggesting that long-term in situ monitoring at various livestock buildings is required to construct the accurate emission inventory.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.263-275
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• 2023

The Sun-Earth Lagrange point L4 is considered as one of the unique places where the solar activity and heliospheric environment can be observed in a continuous and comprehensive manner. The L4 mission affords a clear and wide-angle view of the Sun-Earth line for the study of the Sun-Earth and Sun-Moon connections from he perspective of remote-sensing observations. In-situ measurements of the solar radiation, solar wind, and heliospheric magnetic field are critical components necessary for monitoring and forecasting the radiation environment as it relates to the issue of safe human exploration of the Moon and Mars. A dust detector on the ram side of the spacecraft allows for an unprecedented detection of local dust and its interactions with the heliosphere. The purpose of the present paper is to emphasize the importance of L4 observations as well as to outline a strategy for the planned L4 mission with remote and in-situ payloads onboard a Korean spacecraft. It is expected that the Korean L4 mission can significantly contribute to improving the space weather forecasting capability by enhancing the understanding of heliosphere through comprehensive and coordinated observations of the heliosphere at multi-points with other existing or planned L1 and L5 missions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 2022

Soil(vadose zone) gas compositions were measured for about 3 days to suggest a method for monitoring and interpreting soil gas data collected around wells from which methane(CH₄) is outflowing. The vadose zone gas samples were collected within 1 m around two test wells(TB2 and TB3) at Pohang and analyzed for CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and O₂ concentrations in situ. CO₂ flux was measured beside TB2. In addition, gas samples from well head in TB2 and atmospheric air samples were collected for comparison. Carbon isotopes of CO₂(δ¹³C_CO2) of samples collected on the last day of the study period were analyzed in the laboratory. The two test wells (TB2 and 3) were 12.7 m apart and only TB3 was cemented to the surface. According to the bio-geochemical process-based interpretation, the relationships between CO₂ and O₂, N₂, and N₂/O₂ of vadose zone gas were plotted between the lines of CH₄ oxidation and CO₂ dissolution. In addition, the CH₄ concentrations of gas samples from the wellhead of the uncemented well (TB2) were 5.2 times higher than the atmospheric CH₄ concentration. High CO₂ concentrations (average 1.148%) of vadose zone gas around TB2 seemed to be attributed to the oxidation of CH₄. On the other hand, the vadose zone CO₂ around the cemented well(TB3) showed a relatively low concentration(0.136%). This difference indicates that the vadose zone gas(including CO₂) around the CH₄ outflowing well were strongly affected by well completion(cementing). This study result can be used to establish strategies for environmental monitoring of soil around natural gas sites, and can be used to monitor leakage around injection and observation wells for CO₂ geological storage. In addition, the method of this study is useful for soil monitoring in natural gas storage and oil-contaminated sites.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2011

Our aim was to investigate the genotoxicity of ambient air in the Krak$\acute{o}$w area after Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident and compare with results from Chernobyl fallout. For the detection of ambient air genotoxicity the technique for screening gene mutation frequency in somatic cells of the $Tradescantia$ stamen hairs ($Trad$-SH assay) was used. Since 11th of March 2011 (Fukushima NPP accident), several pots containing at least 15 shoots of bioindicating plants were exposed to ambient air at 2 sites in the Krak$\acute{o}$w surrounding area, one in the city center, and about 100 pots in a control site (in the glasshouse of the Institute of Nuclear Physics) Continuous screening of mutations was performed. Progenies of 371,090 cells exposed were analyzed. Mutation frequency obtained in the first 10 days has shown a mean control level (GMF*100=$0.06{\pm}0.01$). At scoring period related to influence of a potential Fukushima fallout, a significant increase of gene mutation frequencies above the control level was observed at each site in the range, 0.10~0.33 depending on the location, (mean value for all sites GMF*100=$0.19{\pm}0.05$) that was associated with a strong expression of toxic effects. In the reported studies following the Chernobyl NPP accident monitoring $in$ $situ$ of the ambient air genotoxicity was performed in the period since April $29^{th}$ till June $3^{rd}$ 1986 also with Trad-SH bioindicator. In general, mutation frequency increases due to Chernobyl fallout(GMF*100=$0.43{\pm}0.02$) were corresponding to fluctuation of radioactivity in the air reported from physical measures, and to published reports about increase in chromosome aberration levels. Although, recent data obtained from monitoring of the ambient air quality in the Krak$\acute{o}$w and surroundings are lower when compared to results reported after Chernobyl NPP accident, though results express a significant increase above the control level and also are corresponding with increased air radioactivity reported from physical measurements. Statistically significant in comparison to control increase in gene mutation rates and more prolonged than that after Chernobyl fallout increase of GMF was observed during the period following the Fukushima NPP failure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.149-156
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• 1999

In the United States (U.S.), the monitored natural attenuation (MNA) approach has been used as an alternative remedial option for organic and inorganic compounds retained in soil and dissolved in groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines the MNA as“in-situ naturally-occurring processes include biodegradation, diffusion, dilution, sorption, volatilization, and/or chemical and biochemical stabilization of contaminants and reduce contaminant toxicity, mobility or volume to the levels that are protective of human health and the environment”. The Department of Soil Environment. National Institute Environmental Research (NIER) is in the process for demonstrating the MNA approach as a potential remedial option for the BTEX contaminated site in Uiwang City. The project is charactering the research site in terms of the nature and extend of contamination, biological degradation rate, and geochemical and hydrological properties. The microbial-degradation rate and effectiveness of nutrient and redox supplements will be determined through laboratory batch and column tests. The geochemical process will be monitored for determining the concentration changes of chemical species involved in the electron transfer processes that include methanogenesis, sulfate and iron reduction, denitrification, and aerobic respiration. Through field works, critical soil and hydrogeologic parameters will be acquired to simulate the effects of dispersion, advection, sorption, and biodegradation on the fate and transport of the dissolved-phase BTEX plume using Bioplume III model. The objectives of this multi-years research project are (1) to evaluate the MNA approach using the BTEX contaminated site in Uiwang City, (2) to establish a standard protocol for future application of the approach, (3) to investigate applicability of the passive approach as a secondary treatment remedy after active treatments. In this presentation, the overall picture and philosophy behind the MNA approach will be reviewed. Detailed discussions of the site characterization/monitoring plans and risk-based decision-making processes for the demonstration site will be included.

• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.319-330
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• 2023

As the need for PM type observation increases, Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN), PM samplers analyzes aerosol samples for PM mass concentration and chemical composition, were recently installed at two sites: Yonsei University at Seoul and Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) at Ulsan. These SPARTAN filter samplers and nephelometers provide the PM_2.5 mass concentration and chemical speciation data with aerosol type information. We introduced the overall information and installation of SPARTAN at the field site in this study. After installation and observation, both Seoul and Ulsan sites showed a similar time series pattern with the daily PM_2.5 mass concentration of SPARTAN and the data of Airkorea. In particular, in the case of high concentrations of fine particles, daily average value of PM_2.5 was relatively well-matched. During the Yonsei University observation period, high concentrations were displayed in the order of sulfate, black carbon (BC), ammonium, and calcium ions on most measurement days. The case in which the concentration of nitrate ions showed significant value was confirmed as the period during which the fine dust alert was issued. From the data analysis, SPARTAN data can be analyzed in conjunction with the existing urban monitoring network, and it is expected to have a synergetic effect in the research field. Additionally, the possibility of being analyzed with optical data such as AERONET is presented. In addition, the method of installing and operating SPARTAN has been described in detail, which is expected to help set the stage for the observation system in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.3104-3104
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• 2001

The research described here was undertaken with the aim of monitoring, optimizing and ultimately controlling the production of heterofermentative microbes used as starters in the salami industry. The use of starter cultures in the fermented meats industry is a well-established technique used to shorten and standardize the ripening process, and to improve and control the organoleptic quality of the final product. Starter cultures are obtained by the submerged cultivation of suitable microorganisms in stirred, and sometimes aerated, fermenters where monitoring of key physiological parameters such as the concentration of biomass, substrates and metabolites suffers from the general lack of real-time measurement techniques applicable to aseptic processes. In this respect, the results of the present work are relevant to all submerged fermentation processes. Previous work on the application of on-line NIR spectroscopy to the lactic acid fermentation (Dosi et al. - Monreal NIR1995) had successfully used a system based on a measuring cell included in a circulation loop external to the fermenter. The fluid handling and sterility problems inherent in an external circulation system prompted us to explore the use of an in-line system where the NIR probe is immersed in the culture and is thus exposed to the hydrodynamic conditions of the stirred and aerated fluid. Aeration was expected to be a potential source of problems in view of the possible interference of air bubbles with the measurement device. The experimental set-up was based on an in-situ sterilizable NIR probe connected to the instrument by means of an optical fiber bundle. Preliminary work was carried out to identify and control potential interferences with the measurement, in particular the varying hydrodynamic conditions prevailing at the probe tip. We were successful in defining the operating conditions of the fermenter and the geometrical parameters of the probe (flow path, positioning, etc.) were the NIR readings were reliable and reproducible. The system thus defined was then used to construct and validate calibration curves for tile concentration of biomass, carbon source and major metabolites of two different microorganisms used as salami starters. Real-time measurement of such parameters coupled with the direct interfacing of the NIR instrument with the PC-based measurement and control system of the fermenter enabled the development of automated strategies for the interactive optimization of the starter production process.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.572-584
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• 2007

The quantification of ammonia concentrations has received a lot of scientific attention. Numerous devices for the quantification of $NH_3$ in the ambient air have been developed to provide more technical possibilities for research in abating $NH_3$ emission from various source processes. For the proper quantification of $NH_3$, a number of sampling methods have been discussed by grouping them into different categories based on the principle of functioning. In general, active samplers employ pumps to draw air in, while passive samplers are exposed to air over a certain period of time to obtain integrated signature of $NH_3$. In case of the former, impingers and absorption flasks can be employed simultaneously with suitable absorbents to capture $NH_3$ passing through them. The methods of analysis include both in-situ and laboratory determination. In the laboratory, colorimetric or ion chromatographic methods are generally used for its quantification. In the field, a number of real time analyzers have been proven to be useful. These real time analyzers can be grouped according to their principle of operation. These analyzers may use the principle of spectroscopy (e.g. DOAS), photoacousticics (e.g. photoacoustic monitor) or Chemiluminescence ($NO_x$ analyzer). The automated annular denuder sampling system with on-line analyzer is also suitable for continuous monitoring of ammonia in air.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

A case study of monitoring and analysis of surface settlement induced by tunneling of Tabriz metro line 2 (TML2) is presented in this paper. The TML2 single tunnel has been excavated using earth pressure balanced TBM with a cutting-wheel diameter of 9.49 m since 2015. Presented measurements of surface settlements, were collected during the construction of western part of the project (between west depot and S02 station) where the tunnel was being excavated in sand and silt, below the water table and at an average axis depth of about 16 m. Settlement readings were back-analyzed using Gaussian formula, both in longitudinal and transversal directions, in order to estimate volume loss and settlement trough width factor. In addition to settlements, face support and tail grouting pressures were monitored, providing a comprehensive description of the EPB performance. Using the gap model, volume loss prediction was carried out. Also, COB empirical method for determination of the face pressure was employed in order to compare with field monitored data. Likewise, FE simulation was used in various sections employing the code Simulia ABAQUS, to investigate the efficiency of numerical modelling for the estimating of the tunneling induced-surface settlements under such a geotechnical condition. In this regard, the main aspects of a mechanized excavation were simulated. For the studied sections, numerical simulation is not capable of reproducing the high values of in-situ-measured surface settlements, applying Mohr-Coulomb constitutive law for soil. Based on results, for the mentioned case study, the range of estimated volume loss mostly varies from 0.2% to 0.7%, having an average value of 0.45%.