• Title/Summary/Keyword: low-carbon

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Soil Classification of Paddy Soils by Soil Taxonomy (미국신분류법(美國新分類法)에 의(依)한 답토양의 분류(分類)에 관한 연구)

  • Joo, Yeong-Hee;Shin, Yong-Hwa
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.97-104
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    • 1979
  • According to Soil Taxonomy which has been developed over the past 20 years in the soil conservation service of the U. S. D. A, Soils in Korea are classified. This system is well suited for the classification of the most of soils. But paddy field soils have some difficulties in classification because Soil Taxonomy states no proposals have yet been developed for classifying artificially irrigated soils. This paper discusses some problems in the application of Taxonomy and suggestes the classification of paddy field soils in Korea. Following is the summary of the paper. 1. Anthro aquic, Aquic Udipsamments : The top soils of these soils are saturated with irrigated water at some time of year and have mottles of low chroma(2 or less) more than 50cm of the soil surface. (Ex. Sadu, Geumcheon series) 2. Anthroaquic Udipsamments : These sails are like Anthroaquic, Aquic Udipsamments except for the mottles of low chroma within 50cm of the soil surface. (Ex. Baegsu series) 3. Halic Psammaquents : These soils contain enough salts as distributed in the profile that they interfere with the growth of most crop plants and located on the coastal dunes. The water table fluctuates with the tides. (Ex. Nagcheon series) 4. Anthroaquic, Aquic Udifluvents : They have some mottles that have chroma of 2 or less in more than 50cm of the surface. The upper horizon is saturated with irrigated water at sometime. (Ex. Maryeong series) 5. Anthro aquic Udifluvents : These soils are saturated with irrigated water at some time of year and have mottles of low chroma(2 or less) within 50cm of the surface soils. (Ex. Haenggog series) 6. Fluventic Haplaquepts : These soils have a content of organic carbon that decreases irregularly with depth and do not have an argillic horizon in any part of the pedon. Since ground water occur on the surface or near the surface, they are dominantly gray soils in a thick mineral regolith. (Ex Baeggu, Hagseong series) 7. Fluventic Thapto-Histic Haplaquepts : These soils have a buried organic matter layer and the upper boundary is within 1m of the surface. Other properties are same as Fluventic Haplaquepts. (Ex. Gongdeog, Seotan series) 8. Fluventic Aeric Haplaquepts : These soils have a horizon that has chroma too high for Fluventic Haplaquepts. The higher chroma is thought to indicate either a shorter period of saturation of the whole soils with water or some what deeper ground water than in the Fluventic Haplaquepts. The correlation of color with soil drainage classes is imperfect. (Ex. Mangyeong, Jeonbug series) 9. Fluventic Thapto-Histic Aeric Haplaquepts : These soils are similar to Fluventic Thapto Histic Haplaquepts except for the deeper ground water. (Ex. Bongnam series) 10. Fluventic Aeric Sulfic Haplaquepts : These soils are similar to Fluventic Aeric Haplaquepts except for the yellow mottles and low pH (<4.0) in some part between 50 and 150cm of the surface. (Ex. Deunggu series) 11. Fluventic Sulfaquepts : These soils are extremely acid and toxic to most plant. Their horizons are mostly dark gray and have yellow mottles of iron sulfate with in 50cm of the soil surface. They occur mainly in coastal marshes near the mouth of rivers. (Ex. Bongrim, Haecheog series) 12. Fluventic Aeric Sulfaquepts : They have a horizon that has chroma too high for Fluventic Sulfaquepts. Other properties are same as Fluventic Sulfaquepts. (Ex. Gimhae series) 13. Anthroaquic Fluvaquentic Eutrochrepts : These soils have mottles of low chroma in more than 50cm of the surface due to irrigated water. The base saturation is 60 percent or more in some subhroizon that is between depth of 25 and 75cm below the surface. (Ex. Jangyu, Chilgog series) 14. Anthroaquic Dystric Fluventic Eutrochrepts : These soils are similar to Anthroaquic Fluvaquentic Eutrochrepts except for the low chroma within 50cm of the surface. (Ex. Weolgog, Gyeongsan series) 15. Anthroaquic Fluventic Dystrochrepts : These soils have mottles that have chroma of 2 or less within 50cm of the soil surface due to artificial irrigation. They have lower base saturation (<60 percert) in all subhorizons between depths of 25 and 75cm below the soil surface. (Ex. Gocheon, Bigog series) 16. Anthro aquic Eutrandepts : These soils are similar to Anthroaquic Dystric Fluventic Eutrochrepts except for lower bulk density in the horizon. (Ex. Daejeong series) 17. Anthroaquic Hapludalfs : These soils' have a surface that is saturated with irrigated water at some time and have chroma of 2 or less in the matrix and higher chroma of mottles within 50cm of the surface. (Ex. Hwadong, Yongsu series) 18. Anthro aquic, Aquic Hapludalfs : These soils are similar to Anthro aquic Hapludalfs except for the matrix that has chroma 2 or less and higher chroma of mottles in more than 50cm of the surface. (Ex. Geugrag, Deogpyeong se ries)

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Detection of Potential Flow Paths of Leaked CO2 from Underground Storage Using Electrical Resistivity Survey (전기비저항탐사 방법에 의한 지중 저장 이산화탄소 누출 가능 경로 탐지)

  • Lim, Woo-Ri;Hamm, Se-Yeong;Hwang, Hak-Soo;Kim, Sung-Wook;Jeon, Hang-Tak
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.69-79
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    • 2018
  • The Korean government attempts to reduce $CO_2$ emissions by 37% to 314.7 Mt $CO_2$, down from the estimated 850.6 Mt $CO_2$ until 2030 in order to confront green house effect. In this context, in 2014, Korean government launched $CO_2$ Storage Environmental Management Research (K-COSEM) Center for carrying out pilot-scale research on $CO_2$ leakage from underground $CO_2$ storage facilities. For the detection of $CO_2$ leakage, it is necessary to identify hydrologeological and geophysical characteristics of the subject area. In the study site of Naesan-ri, Daeso-myeon, Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk Province, two times injection tests (June 28-July 24, 2017 and August 07-September 11, 2017) of $CO_2$ and $SF_6$ dissolved waters, respectively, was conducted to understand the leakage behavior of $CO_2$ from underground. The injection well was drilled to a depth of 24 m with a 21-m casing and screen interval of 21~24 m depth. Two times resistivity surveys on August 18, 2017 and September 1, 2017, were conducted for revealing the flow of the injected water as well as the electrical properties of the study site. The study results have shown that the high-resistivity zone and the low-resistivity zone are clearly contrasted with each other and the flow direction of the injected water is similar to natural groundwater flow. Besides, the low resistivity zone is widely formed from the depth of injection to the shallow topsoil, indicating that the weathered zone of high permeability has high $CO_2$ leakage potential.

Geochemical Studies of Geothermal Waters in Yusung Geotheraml Area (유성 지역 지열수의 지구화학적 특성 연구)

  • 김건영;고용권;김천수;배대석;박맹언
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.32-46
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    • 2000
  • Hydrogeochemical and isotope ($\delta$$^{18}$ O, $\delta$D, $^3$H, $\delta$$^{13}$ C, $\delta$$^{34}$ S, $^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr) studies of various kinds of waters (thermal groundwater, deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water) from the Yusung area were carried out in order to elucidate their geochemical characteristics such as distribution and behaviour of major/minor elements, geochemical evolution, reservoir temperature, and water-rock interaction of the thermal groundwater. Thermal groundwater of the Yusung area is formed by heating at depth during deep circlulation of groundwater and is evolved into Na-HCO$_3$type water by hydrolysis of silicate minerals with calcite precipitation and mixing of shallow groundwater. High NO$_3$contents of many thermal and deep groundwater samples indicate that the thermal or deep groundwaters were mixed with contaminated shallow groundwater and/or surface water. $\delta$$^{18}$ O and $\delta$D are plotted around the global meteoric water line and there are no differences between the various types of water. Tritium contents of shallow groundwater, deep groundwater and thermal groundwater are quite different, but show that the thermal groundwater was mixed with surface water and/or shallow groundwater during uprising to surface after being heated at depths. $\delta$$^{13}$ C values of all water samples are very low (average -16.3$\textperthousand$%o). Such low $\delta$$^{13}$ C values indicate that the source of carbon is organic material and all waters from the Yusung area were affected by $CO_2$ gas originated from near surface environment. $\delta$$^{34}$ S values show mixing properties of thermal groundwater and shallow groundwater. Based on $^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr values, Ca is thought to be originated from the dissolution of plagioclase. Reservoir temperature at depth is estimated to be 100~1$25^{\circ}C$ by calculation of equilibrium method of multiphase system. Therefore, the thermal groundwaters from the Yusung area were formed by heating at depths and evolved by water-rock interaction and mixing with shallow groundwater.

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Petrochemistry and Environmental Geochemistry of Shale and Coal from the Daedong Supergroup, Chungnam Coal Field, Korea (충남탄전, 대동누층군의 셰일과 탄질암에 관한 암석화학 및 환경지구화학적 특성)

  • Lee, Chan Hee;Lee, Hyun Koo;Kim, Kyoung-Woong
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.30 no.5
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    • pp.417-431
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    • 1997
  • Characteristics of sedimentary rocks and enrichment of toxic elements in shale and coal from the Chungnam coal field were investigated based upon geochemistry of major, trace and rare earth elements. Shale and coal of the area are interbedded along the Traissic to the Jurassic Daedong Supergroup, which can be subdivided into grey shale, black shale and coal. The coal had been mined, however all the mines are abandonded due to the economic problems. The shale and coal are characterized by relatively low contents of $SiO_2$, and $Al_2O_3$ and high levels of loss-on-ignition (LOI), CaO and $Na_2O$ in comparison with the North American Shale Composite (NASC). Light rare earth elements (La, Ce, Yb and Lu) are highly enriched with the coal. Ratios of $Al_2O_3/Na_2O$ and $K_2O/Na_2O$ in shale and coal range from 30.0 to 351.8 and from 4.2 to 106.8, which have partly negative correlations against $SiO_2/Al_2O_3$ (1.24 to 6.06), respectively. Those are suggested that controls of mineral compositions in shale and coal can be due to substitution and migration of those elements by diagenesis and metamorphism. Shale and coal of the area may be deposited in terrestrial basin deduced from high C/S (39 to 895) and variable composition of organic carbon (0.39 to 18.40 wt.%) and low contents of reduced sulfur (0.01 to 0.05 wt.%). These shale and coal were originated from the high grade metamorphic and/or igneous rocks, and the rare earth elements of those rocks are slightly influenced with diagenesis and metamorphism on the basis of $Al_2O_3$ versus La, La against Ce, Zr versus Yb, the ratios of La/Ce (0.38 to 0.85) and Th/U (3.6 to 14.6). Characteristics of trace and rare earth elements as Co/Th (0.07 to 0.86), La/Sc (0.31 to 11.05), Se/Th (0.28 to 1.06), V/Ni (1.14 to 3.97), Cr/V (1.4 to 28.3), Ni/Co (2.12 to 8.00) and Zr/Hf (22.6~45.1) in the shale and coal argue for inefficient mixing of the simple source lithologies during sedimentation. These rocks also show much variation in $La_N/Yb_N$ (1.36 to 21.68), Th/Yb (3.5 to 20.0) and La/Th (0.31 to 7.89), and their origin is explained by derivation from a mixture of mainly acidic igneous and metamorphic rocks. Average concentrations in the shale and coal are As=7.2 and 7.5, Ba=913 and 974, Cr=500 and 145, Cu=20 and 26, Ni=38 and 35, Pb=30 and 36, and Zn=77 and 92 ppm, respectively, which are similar to those in the NASC. Average enrichment indices for major elements in the shale (0.79) and coal (0.77) are lower than those in the NASC. In addition, average enrichment index for rare earth elements in coal (2.39) is enriched rather than the shale (1.55). On the basis of the NASC, concentrations of minor and/or environmental toxic elements in the shale and coal were depleted of all the elements examined, excepting Cr, Pb, Rb and Th. Average enrichment indices of trace and/or potentially toxic elements (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, U and Zn) are 1.23 to 1.24 for shale and 1.06 to 1.22 for coal, respectively.

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Simultaneous Separation and Determination of $^{l4}C\;and\;^3H$ in Spent Resins from PWR Nuclear Power Plants (가압경수로형 원전에서 발생된 폐수지의 $^{14}C$$^3H$ 동시 분리 및 측정)

  • Park, Soon-Dal;Kim, Jung-Suck;Kim, Jong-Goo;Han, Sun-Ho;Jee, Kwang-Yong
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.5 no.3
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    • pp.179-188
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    • 2007
  • In this work $^{14}C\;and\;^3H$ distribution characteristics of spent resins from nuclear power plants(NPPs), pressurized water reactors(PWRs), was investigated. It was found that the recovery percent of $^{14}C$ by the wet oxidation-acid stripping was $81%{\sim}100%$ for the added activity range of $^{14}C,\;0.72\;Bq{\sim}460\;Bq$, and it was not affected by the kinds of stripping acids, 3N-HCl, $3\;N-HNO_3\;and\;3\;N-H_2SO_4$. And the recovery percent of $^3H$ by distillation using the same apparatus was $81%{\sim}101%$ for the added activity range of $^3H,\;0.60\;Bq{\sim}435\;Bq$. Among the tested stripping acids, 3\;N-HCl, $3\;N-HNO_3\;and\;3\;N-H_2SO_4$, only the trapped $^3H$ solution by distillation in $3\;N-H_2SO_4$ was compatible with the 3H scintillator, Ultimagold XR. Neither of the $^{14}C\;and\;^3H$ trapping solutions from the spent ion exchange resin samples by the wet oxidation-3 $N-H_2SO_4$ stripping contained gamma nuclides. However, some gamma nuclides, $^{60}Co,\;^{134}Cs,\;^{137}Cs\;and\;^{54}Mn$, were found in the trapped $^3H$ solutions of the spent resins by the wet oxidation-3 N-HCl stripping. It was the same for the $^3H$ trapping solutions of the spent resins by Sample Oxidizer(PACKARD MODEL 307). Meanwhile only two nuclides, $^{134}Cs,\;and\;^{134}Cs$, were found in the $^{14}C$ trapping solutions of the spent resins by Sample Oxidizer(PACKARD MODEL 307). It was found that most of the $^{14}C$ in the spent resins existed as inorganic carbon form, more than about 70% of the total $^{14}C$ content. Among the analyzed 30 spent ion exchange resin samples, the average concentration of $^{14}C$ and $^3C$ for the high radioactive samples, 8 samples, was $19000\;Bq/g{\pm}41000\;Bq/g,\;670\;Bq/g{\pm}460\;Bq/g$ and that for the low radioactive samples, 22 samples, was $4.2\;Bq/g{\pm}4.3\;Bq/g,\;6.0\;Bq/g{\pm}5.3\;Bq/g$, respectively. And the average $^{14}C/^3H$ ratio for the high radioactive samples, was higher, 28, than that of low radioactive samples, 0.70. Some linear relationship trend was found between the activity concentrations of $^{14}C\;and\;^3H$.

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Primary Productivity Measurement Using Carbon-14 and Nitrogenous Nutrient Dynamics in the Southeastern Sea of Korea (한국 동남해역의 해양기초생산력 (C$^{14}$ )과 질소계 영양염 동적 관계)

  • 심재형;박용철
    • 한국해양학회지
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.13-24
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    • 1986
  • The daily net primary production by phytoplankton in the southeastern sea of Korea in October 1985 ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/ and averaged to be 1.3 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/. Surface total chlorophyll ranged from 0.97 to 3.59mg chlm$\^$-3/. Primary production by nano-phytoplankton(〈20$\mu\textrm{m}$) ranged from 43 to 97% in the surface layer. Optimum light intensity(Iopt)was around 300 to 700${\mu}$Es$\^$-1/m$\^$-1/. Surface primary production from 9:00 to 15:00 h was evidently inhibited by strong light intensity beyond the Iopt. Phytoplankton near the base of euphotic zone(30-40m) showed extremely low Iopt suggesting adaptation to a low light environment. Since Iopt represents the history of light experience of phytoplankton at a given depth, the extent of variation in I of phytoplankton at different depth seems to be related to the in tensity of turbulence mixing in the surface mixed layer. From the present study, ammonium excretion by macrozooplankton (〉350$\mu\textrm{m}$) contributes from 3 to 19% of daily total nitrogen requirement by phytoplandton in this area. Calculation of upward flux of nitrate to the surface mixed layer from the lower layer, based on the simple diffusion model, approximates 3% of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. However, large portion of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton remains unexplained in this area. In upwelling area near the coast, adjective flux might be the major source for the nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. This study suggests that the major nitrogen source for the phytoplankton growth might come from the pelagic regeneration by nano-and micro-sized heterotrophic plandkon. Enhancement of primary production during the passage of the warm Tsushima Current is discussed in relation with nutrient dynamics and hydrlgraphic processes in this area.

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Biorefinery Based on Weeds and Agricultural Residues (잡초 및 농림부산물을 이용한 Biorefinery 기술개발)

  • Hwang, In-Taek;Hwang, Jin-Soo;Lim, Hee-Kyung;Park, No-Joong
    • Korean Journal of Weed Science
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.340-360
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    • 2010
  • The depletion of fossil fuels, ecological problems associated with $CO_2$ emissions climate change, growing world population, and future energy supplies are forcing the development of alternative resources for energy (heat and electricity), transport fuels and chemicals: the replacement of fossil resources with $CO_2$ neutral biomass. Several options exist to cover energy supplies of the future, including solar, wind, and water power; however, chemical carbon source can get from biomass only. When used in combination with environmental friend production and processing technology, the use of biomass can be seen as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical feedstocks. The biorefinery concept is analogous to today's petroleum refinery, which produce multiple fuels and chemical products from petroleum. A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuels, power, and value-added chemicals from biomass. Biorefinery is the co-production of a spectrum of bio-based products (food, feed, materials, and chemicals) and energy (fuels, power, and heat) from biomass [definition IEA Bioenergy Task 42]. By producing multiple products, a biorefinery takes advantage of the various components in biomass and their intermediates therefore maximizing the value derived from the biomass feedstocks. A biorefinery could, for example, produce one or several low-volume, but high-value, chemical or nutraceutical products and a low-value, but high-volume liquid transportation fuel such as biodiesel or bioethanol. Future biorefinery may play a major role in producing chemicals and materials as a bridge between agriculture and chemistry that are traditionally produced from petroleum. Industrial biotechnology is expected to significantly complement or replace the current petroleum-based industry and to play an important role.

Quantitative Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Consumption of a Whole Paprika Plant (Capsicum annumm L.) Using a Large Sealed Chamber (대형 밀폐 챔버를 이용한 파프리카(Capsicum annumm L.) 개체의 이산화탄소 소비량 측정 및 정량화)

  • Shin, Jong-Hwa;Ahn, Tae-In;Son, Jung-Eek
    • Horticultural Science & Technology
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.211-216
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    • 2011
  • This study was carried out to clarify precise $CO_2$ demands of paprika plants (Capsicum annumm L.) by measuring photosynthesis rates of the leaves in high, low positions, and the $CO_2$ consumption of a whole plant in a large sealed chamber. A photosynthesis measuring system (LI-6400) was used to measure the photosynthetic rates of the leaves located in different positions. A large sealed chamber that can control inside environmental factors was developed for measuring $CO_2$ consumption by a whole paprika plant. With increase of radiation, photosynthetic rates of the leaves in higher position became larger than those in lower position. The $CO_2$ consumption by the plant was estimated by using decrement of $CO_2$ concentration from initial level of 1500 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ in the chamber with increase of integrated radiation. A regression model for estimating $CO_2$ consumption by the plant (leaf area = 7,533.4 $cm^2$) was expressed with integrated radiation (x) and was suggested as $y=-0.06234+3.671^*x/(2.589+x)$ ($R^2=0.9966^{***}$). The photosynthetic rate of the whole plant measured in the chamber was 3.4 ${\mu}mol\;CO_2{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ under 300 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ light intensity, which is in-between photosynthetic rates of the leaves in high and low positions. For this reason, some differences between required and supplied $CO_2$ amounts in greenhouses might occur when depending too much on photosynthetic rates of leaves. Therefore, we can estimate more accurately $CO_2$ amount required in commercial greenhouses by using $CO_2$ consumption model of a whole plant obtained in this study in addition to leaf photosynthetic rate.

Comparison of Indoor CO2 Removal Capability of Five Foliage Plants by Photosynthesis (다섯가지 관엽식물의 광합성에 의한 실내 이산화탄소 제거능력 비교)

  • Park, Sin-Ae;Kim, Min-Gi;Yoo, Mung-Hwa;Oh, Myung-Min;Son, Ki-Cheol
    • Horticultural Science & Technology
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    • v.28 no.5
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    • pp.864-870
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    • 2010
  • This study was conducted to determine the effects of foliage plants on reducing indoor carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Five foliage plants such as $Hedera$ $helix$ L., $Ficus$ $benjamina$ L., $Pachira$ $aquatica$, $Chamaedorea$ $elegans$, and $Ficus$ $elastica$ were selected and cultivated in two different growth medium (peatmoss and hydroball). Each plant was placed in an airtight chamber and then treated with the combinations of two different $CO_2$ concentrations (500 or 1,000 ppm) and two different light intensities (50 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). The change of $CO_2$ concentration (ppm) in the airtight chamber during day and night was measured and then converted into the photosynthetic rate (${\mu}mol\;CO_2{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). As the results, each foliage plant reduced $CO_2$ level in the airtight chamber for one hour by photosynthesis. $Pachira$ $aquatica$ and $Ficus$ $elastica$ absorbed $CO_2$ more effectively compared to the other plants. The plants exposed to higher $CO_2$ concentration (1,000 ppm) and higher light intensity ($200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) showed more effective $CO_2$ elimination rate and photosynthetic rate. The plants that have wide leaves and big leaf areas such as $Pachira$ $aquatica$, $Hedera$ $helix$ L.,and $Ficus$ $elastica$ showed higher photosynthetic rate than the other plants that have smaller leaves. Released $CO_2$ concentration by respiration of the plants during the night was very low compared to the absorbed $CO_2$ concentration by photosynthesis during the day. There was no significant difference between peatmoss and hydroball medium on reducing $CO_2$ concentration and increasing photosynthetic rate. In conclusion, this study suggested that foliage plants can effectively eliminate indoor $CO_2$. Optimum environmental control in relation to photosyntheis and usage of right indoor foliage plants having lots of leaves and showing active photosynthesis even under low light intensity like indoor light condition would be required to increase the elimination capacity of indoor $CO_2$.

Impact of Environmental Factors on in vitro Interactions and Niche Overlap between Aspergillus ochraceus and other Storage Fungi (Aspergillus ochraceus와 다른 저장균간의 in vitro 상호작용 및 Niche Overlap에 미치는 환경요인의 영향)

  • Lee, Hyang-Burm;Magan, Naresh;Yu, Seung-Hun
    • The Korean Journal of Mycology
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    • v.27 no.4 s.91
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    • pp.283-288
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    • 1999
  • The effect of water activity ($a_w,\;0.9{\sim}0.995$) and temperature ($18{\sim}30^{\circ}$C) on in vitro growth and interactions between ochratoxin-producing Aspergillus ochraceus and six other fungi (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. niger, Eurotium amstelodami, E. rubrum) isolated from maize grain were investigated. A. ochraceus and each six other species were paired and their interactions given a numerical score to obtain an index of dominance ($I_D$) for each species. Generally A. ochraceus was very competitive and dominant against other fungi. It was, however, dominanted by Alternaria alternata and A. niger at high $a_w\;(0.995\;a_w)$, and mutually antagonistic when paired with E. amstelodami and E. rubrum at low $a_w\;(0.9\;a_w)$. The growth rates of each species were also calculated under the same range of environmental conditions. They were markedly influenced by aw and temperature. At high temperature ($30^{\circ}C$), A. ochraceus grew most rapidly under slightly drier conditions ($0.95\;a_w$), while A. alternata, A. flavus and A. niger did at high water availability level ($0.995\;a_w$). At $18^{\circ}C\;and\;25^{\circ}C$, and high $a_w$ level ($0.995\;a_w$), A. alternata grew fastest, while A. candidus, E. amstelodami and E. rubrum grew very slowly. Using Biolog plates the effect of $a_w$ and temperature on utilization patterns of carbon sources in maize was evaluated. The niche overlap index (NOI) relative to A. ochraceus was determined and compared with that of each interacting species. Under high water available condition ($0.995\;a_w$). the NOI of A. ochraceus was often >0.9, indicative of the coexistence with other interacting species. However, against E. amstelodami and E. rubrum at $18^{\circ}C$, the species had NOI <0.8, indicative of occupation of different niches. At low $a_w\;(0.95\;a_w)$, NOI for A. ochraceus was <0.8 when paired with A. alternata and A. niger also suggested the occupation of different niches.

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