• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2013

It is well known that uncertainty associated with soil sampling is bigger than that with analysis. In this research, uncertainties for soil sampling when assessing TPH and BTEX concentration in soils were quantified based on actual field data. It is almost impossible to assess exact contamination of the site regardless how carefully devised for sampling. Uncertainties associated with sample reduction for further chemical analysis were quantified approximately 10 times larger than those associated with core sampling on site. Bigger uncertainties occur when contamination level is low, sample quantity is small, and soil particle is coarse. To minimize the uncertainties on field, homogenization of soil sample is necessary and its procedures are proposed in this research as well.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.482-488
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• 2017

The measurement based on reliable standard operating procedures (SOPs) is important for consistent information. The objective of this study is to investigate reliable SOPs of soil physical methods, including core method for bulk density, Yamanaka hardness, and air permeameter method for air permeability. The coefficients of variation in bulk density (core method), Yamanaka hardness, and air permeability were ranged of 1~6%, 8~13%, and 10~84%, respectively. The variation in situ measurement such as bulk density, hardness, and air permeability due to spatial variability at measuring site was larger due to the number of replicates, organic matter content, and soil texture. Nevertheless, air permeability had different values as different number of replicates, and thus, it is thought that more replicates can result in higher reliability. It suggested that investigation of soil physical properties for the target sites should required to consider about soil texture, organic matter content, and number of replications before measurement. In conclusion, core sampling for bulk density measurement in upland soil recommended to perform in 3 repetitions with 2 inch core, and 3 inch core sampling for higher organic matter content.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.6
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• pp.788-791
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• 2001

An improved double-cylinder hammer-driven sampling device was designed to extract undisturbed soil cores. The improvements consist of 1) separation of hammer from the driving head, 2) a split inside cylinder, and 3) a plastic sample holder. Pushing the sampler deep into the soil before hammering would result in less compression of the sample. Core samples should be taken in soils of medium moisture content. The improved soil core sampler provides sufficiently accurate volumetric soil samples with original soil layers and soil cores of 40cm in length and 5cm in diameter.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2013

Diverse bacteria are known to colonize plants. However, only a small fraction of that diversity has been evaluated for their biopesticide potential. To date, the criteria for sampling and selection in such bioprospecting endeavors have not been systematically evaluated in terms of the relative amount of diversity they provide for analysis. The present study aimed to enhance the success of bioprospecting efforts by increasing the diversity while removing the genotypic redundancy often present in large collections of bacteria. We developed a multivariate sampling and marker-based selection strategy that significantly increase the diversity of bacteria recovered from plants. In doing so, we quantified the effects of varying sampling intensity, media composition, incubation conditions, plant species, and soil source on the diversity of recovered isolates. Subsequent sequencing and high-throughput phenotypic analyses of a small fraction of the collected isolates revealed that this approach led to the recovery of over a dozen rare and, to date, poorly characterized genera of plant-associated bacteria with significant biopesticide activities. Overall, the sampling and selection approach described led to an approximately 5-fold improvement in efficiency and the recovery of several novel strains of bacteria with significant biopesticide potential.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2014

Fine root distribution was investigated in Pinus densiflora stands using soil core sampling and minirhizotrons, and conversion factors and regression equations were developed for converting minirhizotron data into fine root biomass. Fine root biomass was measured by soil core sampling from October, 2012 to September, 2013 once a month except for the winter, and surface area of fine roots was estimated by minirhizotrons from May to August, 2013 once a month. Fine root biomass and surface area were significantly higher in the upper soil layers than in the lower soil layers. Fine root biomass showed seasonal patterns; the mean fine root biomass ($kg{\cdot}ha^{-1}$) in summer (3,762.4) and spring (3,398.0) was significantly higher than that in autumn (2,551.6). Vertical and seasonal patterns of fine root biomass might be related to the soil bulk density, nutrient content and temperature with soil depth, and seasonal changes of soil and air temperature. Conversion factors (CF) between fine root surface area from minirhizotron data and fine root biomass from soil core sampling were developed for the three soil depths. Then a linear regression equation was developed between the predicted fine root biomass using CF and the measured fine root biomass (y = 79.7 + 0.93x, $R^2=0.81$). We expect to estimate the long-term dynamics of fine roots using CF and regression equation for P. densiflora forests in Korea.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.141-151
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• 2022

Soil seed banks as natural storage of plant seeds play an important role in the maintenance and regeneration of watershed. Natural regeneration potential of the soil seed bank of Land use types (LUTs) in Ogun River watershed (ORW) was investigated. ORW was stratified using proportionate sampling technique into Guinea Savannah (GS), Rainforest (RF) and Swamp Forest (SF) Ecological Zones (EZs). Three LUTs: Natural Forest (NF), Disturbed Forest (DF) and Farmland (FL) were purposively selected in GS: GSNF, GSDF, GSFL; RF: RFNF, RFDF, RFFL and SF: SFNF, SFDF, SFFL, respectively. Systematic line transects was used in the laying of the sample plots. Sample plots of 25 m×25 m were established in alternate positions. Ten 1 m×1 m quadrats were randomly laid for soil core sampling from previously randomly selected ten plots. The core samples (10) were pooled per plot in each LUT and placed in individual trays. Ten trays with sterilized soil were used as control. The trays were watered regularly and checked for seedlings emergence fortnightly for 18 months. The experimental design used was 3×3 factorial experiments. ANOVA, Diversity index (H') and Similarity index (SI) were used to analyze the data. There was significant difference in seedling emergence among ecological zones and land use types (p<0.05). A total of 4,400 seedlings emerged from the soil samples. All species were distributed among 32 families. FL in the RF had the highest number of germinated seeds (705±37.33 seedlings) followed by DF in the RF (701±49.6 seedlings). The lowest emergence was in NF of the SF (199±28.41 seedlings). DF in the RF had highest number of species (34) distributed among 22 families. Emergence from soil seed bank of NF in ORW was generally with more of tree species than herbs that were predominant in FL and DF.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2019

The major purpose of this study is to construct an in-situ soil moisture verification network employing Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) sensors for Cosmic-ray soil moisture observation system operation as well as long-term field-scale soil moisture monitoring. The test bed of Cosmic-ray and FDR verification network system was established at the Sulma Catchment, in connection with the existing instrumentations for integrated data provision of various hydrologic variables. This test bed includes one Cosmic-ray Neutron Probe (CRNP) and ten FDR stations with four different measurement depths (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm) at each station, and has been operating since July 2018. Furthermore, to assess the reliability of the in-situ verification network, the volumetric water content data measured by FDR sensors were compared to those calculated through the core sampling method. The evaluation results of FDR sensors- measured soil moisture against sampling method during the study period indicated a reasonable agreement, with average values of $bias=-0.03m^3/m^3$ and RMSE $0.03m^3/m^3$, revealing that this FDR network is adequate to provide long-term reliable field-scale soil moisture monitoring at Sulmacheon basin. In addition, soil moisture time series observed at all FDR stations during the study period generally respond well to the rainfall events; and at some locations, the characteristics of rainfall water intercepted by canopy were also identified. The Temporal Stability Analysis (TSA) was performed for all FDR stations located within the CRNP footprint at each measurement depth to determine the representative locations for field-average soil moisture at different soil profiles of the verification network. The TSA results showed that superior performances were obtained at FDR 5 for 10 cm depth, FDR 8 for 20 cm depth, FDR2 for 30 cm depth, and FDR1 for 40 cm depth, respectively; demonstrating that those aforementioned stations can be regarded as temporal stable locations to represent field mean soil moisture measurements at their corresponding measurement depths. Although the limit on study duration has been presented, the analysis results of this study can provide useful knowledge on soil moisture variability and stability at the test bed, as well as supporting the utilization of the Cosmic-ray observation system for long-term field-scale soil moisture monitoring.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.239-247
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• 2022

The physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil are factors that affect crop productivity and soil fertility. In Korea, agricultural environment change surveys have been conducted every four years since 1999. The purpose of this study is to investigate the status and changes in the physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil in Chungcheongnam-do. Samples were collected from the exact location of the aforementioned environment survey, and environmental variables (land use, type of crop cultivated) were investigated in relation to the samples. Soil collection was conducted using a core sampler and a single gouge auger. The bulk density of the soil generally increased up to a depth of sampling of 40 cm but decreased thereafter to a depth of 60 cm. Additionally, the bulk density was highest in the upland soil case and stood at 1.59 g·cm^-3, while the lowest value of 1.52 g·cm^-3 was obtained from orchard soil samples. Conversely, the porosity and moisture gradually decreased at soil depths of 0 - 40 cm and increased at depths of 40 - 60 cm. Most of the soil chemical properties generally decreased with an increase the soil depth from 0 to 70 cm, but electrical conductivity (EC) increased up to a depth of 40 cm. Therefore, it is judged that it is necessary to lower the bulk density by supplying organic matter for agricultural land in Chungcheongnam-do.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 2017

Soil disturbance caused by timber harvesting is widely recognized as a potential threat to forest utilization. The degree and extent of soil disturbance is believed to vary with respect to harvesting methods and logging machines. This study has conducted to assess the degree of soil disturbance associated with ground-based cut-to-length (GC) and cable yarding with whole tree (CW) harvesting methods. Soil disturbance was classified using a visual assessment of harvest unit. The properties of soils in different disturbance levels were also evaluated to understand the influence of timber harvesting on soil structure with soil core sampling method. The deep disturbance and soil compaction were observed in sites by 48% and 23% through harvesting areas for GC and CW logging methods, respectively. The results showed that logging machine and number of machine passage had significant influences on soil bulk density and porosity. Soil disturbance types such as rutted, slash cover, and compact were influenced by equipment travel trends in a GC method.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.453-462
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• 2023

Intermediate Geomaterials (IGMs) are natural formation materials that exhibit the engineering behavior (strength and compressibility) between soils and rocks. The engineering behavior of such material is highly unpredictable as the IGMs are stiffer than soils and weaker/softer than rocks. Further, the characterization of such material needs exposure to both soil and rock mechanics. In most conventional designs of geotechnical structures, the engineering properties of the IGMs are either aligned with soils or rocks, and this assumption may end up either in an over-conservative design or under-conservative design. Hence, many researchers have attempted to evaluate its actual engineering properties through laboratory tests. However, the test results are partially reliable due to the poor core recovery of IGMs and the possible sample disturbance. Subsequently, in-situ tests have been used in recent years to evaluate the engineering properties of IGMs. However, the respective in-situ test finds its limitations while exploring IGMs with different geological formations at deeper depths with the constraints of sampling. Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is the strength-based index test that is often used to explore IGMs. Moreover, it was also observed that the coefficient of variation of the design parameters (which represents the uncertainties in the design parameters) of IGMs is relatively high, and also the studies on the probabilistic characterization of IGMs are limited compared with soils and rocks. With this perspective, the present article reviews the laboratory and in-situ tests used to characterize the IGMs and explores the shear strength variation based on their geological origin.