• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.35-51
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• 2021

Advancements in thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane technology for nanofiltration is crucial for removing pollutants from natural resources. In recent years, various metal-organic framework (MOF) modifications have been tested to overcome the drawbacks that are inevitable with conventional thin-film composite (TFC) and TFN membranes. In general, MIL-101(Cr), UiO-66, ZIF-8, and HKUST-1 [Cu3(BCT2)] are MOFs that were proven to exhibit excellent membrane performance in terms of solvent permeability and solute rejection; their respective studies are reviewed in this article. Other novelties, such as the simultaneous use of different MOFs and unique MOF layering techniques (e.g., dip-coating, spray pre-disposition, Langmuir-Schaefer film, etc.) are also discussed as they present alternate solutions for membrane enhancement and/or preparation convenience. Not only are these MOF-modified TFN membranes frequently shown to improve separation performance from their respective TFC and TFN membranes, but many reports also explain their potential for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process. In this review the thin film nanocomposite nanofiltration membrane is discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.29-42
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• 2022

The government promotes the 2050 carbon-neutral policy. Therefore, the concern to convert livestock manure into energy is increasing for the reduction of greenhouse gases generated in the livestock industry sector. In this study, the economic feasibility of the livestock manure solid fuel power generation facility, which is a major consumer of livestock manure solid fuel, was assessed to expand the demand for livestock manure solid fuel. The production cost of livestock manure solid fuel showed the lowest production cost of 97.4 thousand won/ton when dried using solid fuel at a 200 ton/day scale bio-drying facility. The livestock manure solid fuel power generation facility showed economic feasibility at a REC weight of 1.5 in the case of the bio-drying facility, so it was necessary to set a REC weight of 1.5 or more to expand the demand for livestock manure solid fuel. The conversion of livestock manure into solid fuel has various environmental benefits, such as the reduction of greenhouse gases and the effect of reducing non-point pollutants in the water system. Therefore, in order to expand livestock manure solid fuel production facility, it was required to review the feasibility including various environmental benefits.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 2023

Increased nitrogen in the water system has become an important environmental problem around the world, as it causes eutrophication, algae bloom, and red tide, destroys the water system, and undermines water's self-purification. The most common form of nitrogen in the water system is ammonium ion (NH₄⁺), and the largest portion of ammonium ions comes from wastewater. NH₄⁺ is a major contributor to eutrophication, which calls for appropriate treatment and measures for ammonium removal. This study produced biochar by applying Sorghum × drummondii, a type of biomass with a great growth profile, analyzed the adsorption capacity of Sorghum × drummondii biochar produced from the changing carbonization temperature condition of 200 to 400℃ in the ammonium ion range of 10 to 100 ppm, and used the results to evaluate its potential as an adsorbent. Carbonization decomposed the chemical structure of Sorghum × drummondii and increased the content of carbon and fixed carbon in the biochar. The biochar's pH and electrical conductivity showed high adsorption potential for cations due to electrical conductivity as its pH and electrical conductivity increased along with higher carbonization temperature. Based on the results of an adsorption experiment, the biochar showed 54.5% and 17.4% in the maximum and minimum NH₄-N removal efficiency as the concentration of NH₄-N increased, and higher carbonization temperature facilitated the adsorption of pollutants due to the biochar's increased pores and specific surface area and subsequently improved NH₄-N removal efficiency. FT-IR analysis showed that the overall surface functional groups decreased due to high temperature from carbonization.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

We conducted three experiments to estimate the toxicity of POPs (persistent organic pollutants) on two copepod species (Acartia erythraea and A. omorii) and Artemia sp.; (1) 48 h-LC$_{50}$ of A. omorii with the five PAHs [polycyelic aromatic hydrocarbons anthracene, benzo〔a〕pyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, pyrene〕 which were often detected in the Gwangyang Bay, (2) toxicity of benzo〔a〕pyrene and TBT on Artemia in different temperatures (1$0^{\circ}C$, 15$^{\circ}C$, 2$0^{\circ}C$), (3) effects of benzo〔a〕pyrene and TBT on egg Production rate, hatching rate and fecal Pellet Production of two copepod species (A. erythraea and A. omorii) fed on Heterocapsa triquetra (dinoflagellate) exposed in benzo〔a〕pyrene. Toxic chemicals which were most effective to A. omorii were flueranthene (48 h-LC$_{50}$ 19.20 $\mu\textrm{g}$ L$^{-1}$ ) and benzo〔a〕pyrene (48 h-LC$_{50}$ 29.89 $\mu\textrm{g}$ L$^{-1}$ ). The toxi- city of chemicals to Artemia increased when temperature increased. The toxicity of TBT was about 100 times higher than that of benzo〔a〕pyrene at 15$^{\circ}C$. Food materials (Heterocapsa triquetra) exposed in benzo〔a〕pyrene, affected negatively the rate of egg production, hatching rate and the fecal pellet production of the copepods at the high concentration. It is suggested that an increase in the concentration of benzo〔a〕pyrene might offset the production of copepods in marine ecosystems. This study suggests that copepods may be used as n indicator for early warning of the risk of POPs in marine ecosystems.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.758-763
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• 2014

Soil microbial fuel cells (SMFC) have gained a great attention as an eco-friendly technology that can simultaneously generate electricity and treat organic pollutants from the contaminated soil. We evaluated the effect of electrode spacing and size on the performance of SMFC treating soil contaminated with organic pollutants. Maximum power density decreased with increase in electrode distance or decrease in electrode size, likely due to higher internal resistance. The maximum voltage and power density decreased from 326 mV and $19.5mW/m^2$ with 4 cm of electrode distance to 222 mV and $5.9mW/m^2$ with 9 cm of electrode distance. In case of electrode size test, the maximum voltage and power density generated was 291 mV, $0.34mW/m^3$ when both of anode and cathode area were $64cm^2$ with 4 cm of electrode distance. The maximum voltage decreased by 19~29% when the anode area decreased to $16cm^2$ while only 3~12% of voltage decreased with cathode area decrease. The maximum power density decreased by 49~68% with decreasing anode size, and by 29~47% with decreasing cathode size. These results showed that the anode area had more significant effects than the cathode area on the power generation of SMFC which has a high internal resistance due to a coexistence of soil and wastewater in the reactor.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.281-302
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• 2023

Carbon is not only an essential element for life but also a key player in climate change. The radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a powerful tool not only to understand the carbon cycle but also to track pollutants derived from fossil carbon, which have a distinct radiocarbon isotope ratio (Δ¹⁴C). Many studies have reported Δ¹⁴C of carbon compounds in streams, rivers, rain, snow, throughfall, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea, which are reviewed in this manuscript. In summary, (1) stream and river carbon in South Korea are largely derived from the chemical weathering of soils and rocks, and organic compounds in plants and soils, strongly influenced by precipitation, wastewater treatment effluents, agricultural land use, soil water, and groundwater. (2) Unprecedentedly high Δ¹⁴C of precipitation during winter has been reported, which can directly and indirectly influence stream and river carbon. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of local contamination sources of high Δ¹⁴C, the results suggest that stream dissolved organic carbon could be older than previously thought, warranting future studies. (3) The ¹⁴C analysis has also been applied to quantify the sources of forest throughfall and PM_2.5, providing new insights. The ¹⁴C data on a variety of ecosystems will be valuable not only to track the pollutants derived from fossil carbon but also to improve our understanding of climate change and provide solutions.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.642-648
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• 2012

To evaluate the water quality in Juksancheon constructed wetlands for treating non-point source pollution, the removal rates of nutrients in water and the total amounts of T-N and T-P uptakes by water plants were investigated. Chemical characteristics of T-N and T-P in sediment were investigated. The concentrations of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), SS (Suspended Solids), T-N and T-P in inflow were 0.07~1.47, 0.60~2.65, 0.50~4.60, 1.38~6.26 and $0.08{\sim}0.32mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The removal rates of BOD, COD, SS, T-N, and T-P were -10, 51, 66, -3 and 5%, respectively. The maximum amount of T-N uptake by water plants in August was $368.7mg\;plant^{-1}$ in the $2^{nd}$ treatment stage by Nymphoides peltata, $1314.6mg\;plant^{-1}$ in the $3^{rd}$ treatment stage by Iris pseudacorus, $1160.4mg\;plant^{-1}$ in the $4^{th}$ treatment stage by Nymphaea tetragona GEORGI, respectively. The maximum amount of T-P uptake by water plants in August was $121.7mg\;plant^{-1}$ by Nymphoides peltata in the $2^{nd}$ treatment stage, $268.7mg\;plant^{-1}$ by Iris pseudacorus in the $3^{rd}$ treatment stage and $212.0mg\;plant^{-1}$ by Nymphaea tetragona GEORGI in the $4^{th}$ treatment stage, respectively. Organic matter contents in sediments were not different. Contents of T-N and T-P in sediments were higher in spring. Microbial biomass C:N:P ratios in sediments in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 117~140:1~4:1, 86~126:5~6:1, 68~101:2~6:1 and 47~138:2~4:1, respectively. We could conclude that Juksancheon constructed wetlands show high removal efficiencies of COD and SS. However, improvements of management in winter season should be considered to improve the removal efficiencies of pollutants.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 1984

This study was conducted to investigate characteristics of nonpoint pollutant discharges and concentrations in runoff from the urban and agricultural areas in Korea. The analytical parameters used for this study were COD, BOD and SS. This study was conducted during the period from May to August 1981. Nonpoint pollutant mass loadings from the urban area were influenced by the rainfall intensity and the duration of rainfall, and etc. The concentrations of pollutants in the first flush was higher as the discharges increased. It was, however, found that the concentrations of pollutants in the heavy storm runoff were decreased due to the dilution effect. When other rainfall followed a peak rainfall, the concentrations of pollutants were lower than expected, because the first flush conveyed the most of pollutants deposited on the combined sewers. However the concentrations were increased in proportion to the increased flow when a rainfall of higher intensity than the first flush was continued. Yearly area yield rates in kg/ha were estimated to be 690.5(489.9~1,328) of COD, 319.7(226.8~614.8) of BOD, and 831.2(589.7~1,598) of SS. Pollutant sources in agricultural area were of the domestic waste water, manure composting stack, and agricultural solid wastes and etc. In the paddy field, yearly area yield rates in kg/ha were estimated to be 623.4(21.7~114) of COD, 18.65(9.53~34.5) of BOD, and 91.9(46.3~171.8) of SS. In the crop land, however, yearly rates in kg/ha were estimated to be 91.9(46.3~171.8) of COD, 23.09(11.7~42.5) of BOD, and 23.09(11.4~43.4) of SS. Pollutant sources in the feedlot area were originating from the feces of cattle, the cleaning water, the wastes spilled from manure composting stack during rain. Yearly area yield rate in kg/ha was estimated to be 3.804(2,489~6,658) of COD, 2.047(464~2,900) of BOD, and 1.149 (729~1,442) of SS. Pollutant discharges in the forest area were resulted from the organic layer like leaves and others deposited on the surface. Yearly area yield rate in kg/ha was estimated to be 9.86(5.45~18.56) of COD, 3.48(1.67~7.54) of BOD, and 4.64(9.74~10.35) of SS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.413-419
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• 2011

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles were tested as remediation media for groundwater contaminated by organic pollutants (e.g., TCE, trichloroethylene). The contaminated groundwater contained anions ($NO_3^-$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, and $HCO_3^-$) and natural organic matter (NOM). Treatability of commercial NZVI particles (NANOFER 25, Nanoiron, Czech) was tested by using a synthetic groundwater and the field groundwater samples. More than 95% of 1.8 mM TCE was removed within 20 hours with a NZVI dosage of 25 g/L ($k=0.15hr^{-1}$). Repetitive degradation experiments revealed that the removal capacity of NANOFER 25 was 0.19 mmole TCE/g NZVI. TCE degradation reactions were not substantially affected by the presence of each anion with concentrations as high as 100 times the average field concentrations. However, when the four anions ($NO_3^-$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, $HCO_3^-$) were present simultaneously. the degradation reactivity and removal capacity were decreased by 60% ($k=0.069hr^{-1}$) and 10%, respectively. The k value of TCE degradation in the presence of NZVI (25 g/L) with dissovled organic carbon of 2.5 mg/L was also decreased by 84% ($k=0.025hr^{-1}$). In the experiments with the field groundwater, more than 90% of $1.8{\mu}M$ TCE, which is the concentration of TCE at the source zone, was removed within 10 hours with a NANOFER 25 dosage of 25 g/L. The results imply that the contaminated groundwater can effectively be treated by NANOFER 25 with more information on the hydrogeology of the site.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 1997

Lake Shihwa, artificially constructed since 1988, shows a typical two-layered system depending on strong haline density stratification. Sill of the water gate at 6 m depth greatly restricts physical mixing with outer seawater and circulation in the lake, and contributes to the enhancement of anoxic environment in the deeper layer. With this enclosed physical environment, Lake Shihwa receives enormous amounts of organics, ammonia, and other pollutants from the neighboring municipal and industrial complexes through six major streams, thus developing biogeochemical differentiation of anoxic to suboxic environment in the high saline bottom water and highly eutrophicated brackish surface water. This study investigated vertical structures, biogeochemical behaviors and processes of various organic and inorganic compounds around oxic-anoxic interface. Nitrite and nitrate rapidly decreased below the pycnocline where about $1{\times}10^8$ tons of hypoxic bottom water exist. In this bottom layer, ammonium ranged from 75 to 360 ${\mu}M$ mainly resulting from deamination of dissolved organic nitrogen and ammonification of precipitated organic particles. Despite large amounts of surface water discharge and dilution by outer seawater inflow about $3{\times}10^8$ tons from April to August, 1996, bottom layer did not show any improvement of water quality and maintained highly reduced environment. The main reason seems to be imbalance between ineffectiveness of dilution due to shallow depth and large surface area, overloaded POC influx from the eutrophicated surface biological activity, and poor replenishment of oxygen in this artificial lake system. Therefore, as long as current salinity dependent two-layered system maintains with its physical limitations, any improvement of water quality cannot be foreseen in Lake Shihwa.