• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 1995

A rainfall runoff model described in this paper which is based on Basin- wide Ecological Model(BAWEM) calculates the fate of afro-chemicals in a watershed located of golf links. The rainfall runoff coefficients of afro-chemicals, which are the dominant parameters to predict the movement of agro-chemicals from soil and turfgrass to downstream water, are estimated. Also, the model is used to estimate the level of health risks the residents around golf links are exposed to. The fidelity of rainfall runoff model of afro-chemicals was validated by the observed data obtained during rainy period. The calculated results from this model were found to be in the same order of that of the observed. The rainfall runoff coefficients of four agro-chemicals used in golf links were 5.4$\times$$10^{-3}$, 1.9$\times$$10^{-3}$, 3.0$\times$$10^{-4}$ and 4.4$\times$$10^{-3}$ for flutolanil, isoprothiolane, chlorpyrifos and simazine, respectively The health risk level to the residents around golf links is evaluated to be rather low:the ratio of estimated dose through drinking water to the 10% of ADI(Acceptable Daily Intake) value or VSD for 10-a life time risk varied in the range of 0.005~0.04 and 0.003~0.11, respectively, for both the annual mean and maximum monthly mean cases.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.6.1-6.10
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• 2016

Objectives This study examined the spatial distribution and the extent of soil contamination by heavy metals resulting from primitive, unconventional informal electronic waste recycling in the Agbogbloshie e-waste processing site (AEPS) in Ghana. Methods A total of 132 samples were collected at 100 m intervals, with a handheld global position system used in taking the location data of the soil sample points. Observing all procedural and quality assurance measures, the samples were analyzed for barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), using X-ray fluorescence. Using environmental risk indices of contamination factor and degree of contamination ($C_{deg}$), we analyzed the individual contribution of each heavy metal contamination and the overall $C_{deg}$. We further used geostatistical techniques of spatial autocorrelation and variability to examine spatial distribution and extent of heavy metal contamination. Results Results from soil analysis showed that heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher than the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency and Dutch environmental standards. In an increasing order, Pb>Cd>Hg>Cu>Zn>Cr>Co>Ba>Ni contributed significantly to the overall $C_{deg}$. Contamination was highest in the main working areas of burning and dismantling sites, indicating the influence of recycling activities. Geostatistical analysis also revealed that heavy metal contamination spreads beyond the main working areas to residential, recreational, farming, and commercial areas. Conclusions Our results show that the studied heavy metals are ubiquitous within AEPS and the significantly high concentration of these metals reflect the contamination factor and $C_{deg}$, indicating soil contamination in AEPS with the nine heavy metals studied.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.13-19
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• 2018

Following the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake, the Pohang Earthquake occurred in 2017, and the south-east region in Korea is under the threat of an earthquake. Especially, in the Pohang Earthquake, the liquefaction phenomenon occurred in the sedimentation area of the coast, and preparation of countermeasures is very important. The soil liquefaction can affect the underground facilities directly as well as various structures on the ground. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the liquefaction risk of facilities and the structures against the possible earthquakes and to prepare countermeasures to minimize them. In this study, we investigated the seismic liquefaction risk about the electric power utility tunnels in the southeast area where the earthquake occurred in Korea recently. In the analysis of seismic liquefaction risk, the earthquake with return period 1000 years and liquefaction potential index are used. The liquefaction risk analysis was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the liquefaction risk was analyzed by calculating the liquefaction potential index using the ground survey data of the location of electric power utility tunnels in the southeast region. At that time, the seismic amplification in soil layer was considered by soil amplification factor according to the soil classification. In the second stage, the liquefaction risk analysis based on the site response analyses inputted 3 earthquake records were performed for the locations determined to be dangerous from the first step analysis, and the final liquefaction potential index was recalculated. In the analysis, the site investigation data were used from the National Geotechnical Information DB Center. Finally, it can be found that the proposed two stage assessments for liquefaction risk that the macro assessment of liquefaction risk for the underground facilities including the electric power utility tunnel in Korea is carried out at the first stage, and the second risk assessment is performed again with site response analysis for the dangerous regions of the first stage assessment is reasonable and effective.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.6_3
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• pp.1847-1859
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• 2022

Wildfires in North Korea can have a directly or indirectly affect South Korea if they go south to the Demilitarized Zone. Therefore, this study calculates the regional optimized Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) based on Local Data Assessment and Prediction System (LDAPS) weather data to obtain forest fire risk in North Korea, and applied it to the cases in Goseong-gun and Cheorwon-gun, North Korea in April 2022. As a result, the suitability was confirmed as the FFDI at the time of ignition corresponded to the risk class Extreme and Severe sections, respectively. In addition, a qualitative comparison of the risk map and the soil moisture map before and after the wildfire, the correlation was grasped. A new forest fire risk index that combines drought factors such as soil moisture, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) will be needed in the future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.187-192
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• 2010

In order to monitor the possibility of horizontal gene transfer between transgenic rice and microorganisms in a paddy rice field, the gene flow from a bifunctional fusion (TPSP) rice containing trehalose-6-phosphate synthase and phosphatase to microorganisms in soils was investigated. The soil samples collected from the paddy rice field during June 2004 to March 2006 were investigated by multiplex PCR, Southern hybridization, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The TPSP gene from soil genomic DNAs was not detected by PCR. Soil genomic DNAs did not show homologies on the Southern blotting data, indicating that gene transfer did not occur during the last two years in the paddy rice field. In addition, the AFLP band patterns produced by soil genomic DNAs from both transgenic and non-transgenic rice fields appeared similar to each other when analyzed by the NTSYSpc program. Thus, these data suggest that transgenic rice does not give a significant impact on the communities of soil microorganisms, although long-term observation may be needed.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2024

This study assesses forest fire susceptibility in Gangwon-do, South Korea, which hosts the largest forested area in the nation and constitutes ~21% of the country's forested land. With 81% of its terrain forested, Gangwon-do is particularly susceptible to wildfires, as evidenced by the fact that seven out of the ten most extensive wildfires in Korea have occurred in this region, with significant ecological and economic implications. Here, we analyze 480 historical wildfire occurrences in Gangwon-do between 2003 and 2019 using 17 predictor variables of wildfire occurrence. We utilized three machine learning algorithms—random forest, logistic regression, and support vector machine—to construct wildfire susceptibility prediction models and identify the best-performing model for Gangwon-do. Forest and soil map data were integrated as important indicators of wildfire susceptibility and enhanced the precision of the three models in identifying areas at high risk of wildfires. Of the three models examined, the random forest model showed the best predictive performance, with an area-under-the-curve value of 0.936. The findings of this study, especially the maps generated by the models, are expected to offer important guidance to local governments in formulating effective management and conservation strategies. These strategies aim to ensure the sustainable preservation of forest resources and to enhance the well-being of communities situated in areas adjacent to forests. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study are anticipated to contribute to the safeguarding of forest resources and biodiversity and to the development of comprehensive plans for forest resource protection, biodiversity conservation, and environmental management.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.27-36
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• 2024

This study, estimates the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) for the protection of organisms in aquatic and soil environments, considering the mode of action of Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PNECs were derived using the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach to estimate the hazardous concentration for 5% of species (HC5), with applying assessment factors. Chronic toxicity data on PFOS were collected through the USEPA's ECOTOX database and literature reviews, and classified by toxicity endpoints. PNECs were then derived for each of seven toxicity endpoints that met the criteria for SSD fitting. For aquatic organisms, the PNEC for PFOS, based on all available chronic toxicity data, was determined to be 0.53 ㎍/L. The PNECs for development, genetics, enzymes, growth, reproduction, population, and biochemical biomarkers were 0.28, 0.43, 0.83, 0.90, 2.17, 111.17, and 3.53 ㎍/L, respectively. The lowest PNEC was observed when the toxic endpoint was set as development, which is considered to be due to the mode of action of PFOS, known to cause developmental toxicity by disrupting the endocrine system of organisms. For soil organisms, toxicity data were insufficient to estimate PNECs for individual endpoints, so all available data were used to estimate a PNEC of 0.75 mg/kg. Estimating PNECs that consider the mode of action of contaminants is expected to reduce the likelihood of underestimating protection levels for environmental contaminants. Additionally, this study highlights the need for ecotoxicological assessments for individual toxicity endpoints of emerging contaminants, including Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in soil environments.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.444-455
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• 2015

In relation to the utilization and disposal of dredged sediment caused by coastal dredging project, we diagnosed the status of legal standard and system, and proposed the improvement plan. Dredging costal sediment distinguished the usage and the disposal by the Standard for the Beneficial Usage of Dredged Sediment. The site where disposal has been completed could be used as a site for developmental project. In case of the usage of dredged sediment for reclamation, we found that the adaptation of the Standard for Beneficial Usage of Dredged Sediment is appropriate for reclamation considering the characteristic of soil, the differences of variables, and the distinction of standard analysis methods. The current the Standard for Beneficial Usage of Dredged Sediment requires the improvement with the usage of dredging coastal sediment in the following. First, the Standard needs to include the standard of the discrimination for reclamation. Second, the current Standard is necessary to be divided by two levels, it needs to be mitigated considering human health risk. Third, it is necessary to consider both the marine environmental impact assessment and mitigation plan near coastal dredging area.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.39-46
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• 2019

The liquefaction is a phenomenon that the effective stress becomes zero due to the rapidly accumulated excess pore water pressure when a strong load acts on the ground for a short period of time, such as an earthquake or pile driving, resulting in the loss of the shear strength of the ground. Since the Geongju and Pohang earthquake, liquefaction brought increasing domestic attention. This liquefaction can be assessed mainly through the semi-empirical procedures proposed by Seed and Idriss (1982) and the liquefaction risk based on the penetration resistance obtained from borehole DB and SPT. However, the geotechnical information data obtained by the in-situ tests or boring information fundamentally have an issue of the representative of the target area. Therefore, this study sought to construct a ground information database by classifying and reviewing the ground information required for liquefaction assessment, and tried to solve the representative problem of the soil layer that is subject to liquefaction evaluation by performing spatial interpolation using GIS.

• 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.