• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.11
• /
• pp.4246-4251
• /
• 2023

The optimized design of a Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) system, including Delayed Gamma NAA (DGNAA) and Prompt Gamma NAA (PGNAA), has been proposed in this research based on Mevex Linac with 5 MeV electron energy and 50 kW power as a neutron source. Based on the MCNPX 2.6 simulation, the optimized configuration contains; tungsten as an electron-photon converter, BeO as a photoneutron target, BeD₂ and plexiglass as moderators, and graphite as a reflector and collimator, as well as lead as a gamma shield. The obtained thermal neutron flux at the beam port is equal to 2.06 × 10⁹ (# /cm².s). In addition, using the optimized neutron beam, the detection limit has been calculated for some elements such as H-1, B-10, Na-23, Al-27, and Ti-48. The HPGe Coaxial detector has been used to measure gamma rays emitted by nuclides in the sample. By the results, the proposed system can be an appropriate solution to measure the concentration and toxicity of elements in different samples such as food, soil, and plant samples.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.93-104
• /
• 2017

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) is a technical process to capture $CO_2$ from industrial and energy-based sources, to transfer and sequestrate impressed $CO_2$ in geological formations, oceans, or mineral carbonates. However, potential $CO_2$ leakage exists and causes environmental problems. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations after artificial $CO_2$ release. The Environmental Impact Evaluation Test Facility (EIT) was built in Eumseong, Korea in 2015. Approximately 34kg $CO_2$ /day/zone were injected at Zones 2, 3, and 4 among the total of 5 zones from October 26 to 30, 2015. $CO_2$ fluxes were measured every 30 minutes at the surface at 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, and 10m from the $CO_2$ releasing well using LI-8100A until November 13, 2015, and $CO_2$ concentrations were measured once a day at 15cm, 30cm, and 60cm depths at every 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, 5m, and 10m from the well using GA5000 until November 28, 2015. $CO_2$ flux at 0m from the well started increasing on the fifth day after $CO_2$ release started, and continued to increase until November 13 even though the artificial $CO_2$ release stopped. $CO_2$ fluxes measured at 2.5m, 5.0m, and 10m from the well were not significantly different with each other. On the other hand, soil $CO_2$ concentration was shown as 38.4% at 60cm depth at 0m from the well in Zone 3 on the next day after $CO_2$ release started. Soil $CO_2$ was horizontally spreaded overtime, and detected up to 5m away from the well in all zones until $CO_2$ release stopped. Also, soil $CO_2$ concentrations at 30cm and 60cm depths at 0m from the well were measured similarly as $50.6{\pm}25.4%$ and $55.3{\pm}25.6%$, respectively, followed by 30cm depth ($31.3{\pm}17.2%$) which was significantly lower than those measured at the other depths on the final day of $CO_2$ release period. Soil $CO_2$ concentrations at all depths in all zones were gradually decreased for about 1 month after $CO_2$ release stopped, but still higher than those of the first day after $CO_2$ release stared. In conclusion, the closer the distance from the well and the deeper the depth, the higher $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations occurred. Also, long-term monitoring should be required because the leaked $CO_2$ gas can remains in the soil for a long time even if the leakage stopped.

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

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.107 no.4
• /
• pp.351-360
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to analyze the responses of chlorophyll contents and growth of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis seedlings on distance from the well and $CO_2$ flux after the artificial $CO_2$ release. From June 1 to 30, 2016, $CO_2$ gas was injected at the rate of $6L\;min^{-1}$ at the study site in Eumseong. Chlorophyll content was analyzed in the middle of July, 2016, and root collar diameter (RCD), height (H), and biomass were measured in May and December, 2016 after planting 2-year-old P. densiflora and 1-year-old Q. variabilis seedlings in May, 2015. The chlorophyll content of P. densiflora seedlings did not show a significant correlation with $CO_2$ flux, whereas the chlorophyll content of Q. variabilis seedlings showed a significant negative correlation with increasing $CO_2$ flux (P<0.05). The RCD and H growth rates of both species showed the significant difference in the distance from the well of the $CO_2$ anthropogenic release treatment. In particular, the RCD and H growth rate of P. densiflora seedlings and the RCD growth rate of Q. variabilis seedlings increased significantly as the seedlings were closer to the well, but the H growth rate of Q. variabilis seedlings decreased significantly. In addition, as the $CO_2$ concentration in the ground increases, ${\Delta}R/S$ ratio increases in both species, suggesting that the high $CO_2$ concentration in the soil promotes carbon distribution relative to the root part. The results of this study can be used as data necessary to monitor the $CO_2$ leakage and physiological and growth responses of both species to leakage of stored $CO_2$ in the future.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.21-31
• /
• 2012

This paper presents the short-term and long-term measures to determine the fugitive dust concentration in a contaminated site, which is a crucial step for the determination of particulate emission factor (PEF) for risk assessment. As a long-term measure, USEPA method employing Q/C value (inverse of the ratio of the geometric mean air concentration to the emission flux at center of a 0.5-acre square source) seems to be suitable as it reflects regional-specific meteorological conditions. However, it requires nation-wide database collection and interpretation. Use of ASTM method is an alternative as a short-term measure. The method is readily field-applicable as PEF calculation equation is simple and input parameters can be easily derived at the site of interest as well without the nation-wide efforts. Using ASTM method, PEF at the Former Janghang Smelter Site was determined. According to various mode of aggregate size distribution and fractions of vegetative cover, which are the most important factors in PEF calculation, PEF values at the Former Janghang Smelter Site varied greatly. When the mode of aggregate size distribution was set at 0.25 mm, PEF values at the Former Janghang Smelter Site was 5~20 times higher than the default PEF value (i.e., 35 ${\mu}g/m^3$) shown in the current Korean Soil Contamination Risk Assessment Guidance. On contrast, when the mode was set at 2 mm, PEF values at the Former Janghang Smelter Site was 160~640 times lower than the default PEF value in the Korean Guidance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.149-160
• /
• 2007

KoFlux Gwangneung Supersite comprises complex topography and diverse vegetation types (and structures), which necessitate complementary multi-disciplinary measurements to understand energy and matter exchange. Here, we report the results of this ongoing research with special focuses on carbon/water budgets in Gwangneung forest, implications of inter-dependency between water and carbon cycles, and the importance of hydrology in carbon cycling under monsoon climate. Comprehensive biometric and chamber measurements indicated the mean annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of this forest to be ${\sim}2.6\;t\;C\;ha^{-1}y^{-1}$. In conjunction with the tower flux measurement, the preliminary carbon budget suggests the Gwangneung forest to be an important sink for atmospheric $CO_2$. The catchment scale water budget indicated that $30\sim40%$ of annual precipitation was apportioned to evapotranspiration (ET). The growing season average of the water use efficiency (WUE), determined from leaf carbon isotope ratios of representative tree species, was about $12{\mu}mol\;CO_2/mmol\;H_2O$ with noticeable seasonal variations. Such information on ET and WUE can be used to constrain the catchment scale carbon uptake. Inter-annual variations in tree ring growth and soil respiration rates correlated with the magnitude and the pattern of precipitation during the growing season, which requires further investigation of the effect of a monsoon climate on the catchment carbon cycle. Additionally, we examine whether structural and functional units exist in this catchment by characterizing the spatial heterogeneity of the study site, which will provide the linkage between different spatial and temporal scale measurements.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.171-185
• /
• 2013

Wetland has been known as a major biogenic source of $CH_4$ in globe. In a global scale, the amounts of 55~150 Tg $CH_4$ are released into the atmosphere annually from wetlands; and it accounts for about 21% of total $CH_4$ annual global emission. From August 2010 to August 2011, measurements of major greenhouse gas ($CO_2$, $CH_4$, $N_2O$) emissions were conducted from a freshwater wetland at Kunsan ($35^{\circ}56^{\prime}38.94^{\prime\prime}N$, $126^{\circ}43^{\prime}16.62^{\prime\prime}E$), Korea by using floating closed static chamber method. Flux measurements for these gases from western coastal tidal flat at Seocheon ($36^{\circ}07^{\prime}13.85^{\prime\prime}N$, $126^{\circ}35^{\prime}43.18^{\prime\prime}E$), Korea were managed from July 2011 to February 2012 by using closed static chamber method. The average gas fluxes and ranges from freshwater wetland experiment were $0.155{\pm}0.29\;mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ (-0.054~0.942 $mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$) for $CH_4$, $17.30{\pm}73.27\;mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ (-52.44~261.66 $mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$) for $CO_2$, and $0.004{\pm}0.01\;mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ (-0.02~0.07 $mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$) for $N_2O$, respectively. Monthly base flux measurement results revealed that $CH_4$ fluxes during summer months in high water temperature were significantly high, and at least order of one higher than those during other months. The average fluxes and ranges of these greenhouse gases from tidal flat during the experimental period were $0.002{\pm}0.08\;mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ (-0.16~0.22 $mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$) for $CH_4$, $-31.18{\pm}75.33\;mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ (-298.87~101.93 $mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$) for $CO_2$, and $0.001{\pm}0.01\;mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ (-0.017~0.03 $mg\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$) for $N_2O$, respectively. Comparing the results of gas emissions from tidal flat to those from freshwater wetland, we found significantly lower emissions from tidal flat based on the experiment. Physicochemical parameters of water and soil at these experimental plots were also sampled and analyzed for understanding their correlation with these gas emissions.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.273-277
• /
• 2011

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof), the causal agent of crown and root rot in strawberry, is the most serious soilborne disease of nursery plants in Korea. The possibility of infection by Fof through runner propagation from infected mother plants of strawberry cv. 'Kumhyang' was assessed in stolons and daughter plants hanging from raised beds. The number of daughter plants from an infected mother plant in plastic house and photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) system, 280 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ was 2.7 and 3.8 plants after 58 days, respectively. However, healthy mother plants produced 6.5 and 8.4 daughter plants, respectively. The pathogen was detected in the uppermost portion of the stolon after 58 days, but was not detected further down the stolon. After 90 days, it was detected in all portions of the stolon between mother and $1^{st}$ daughter plant and in 60% of all $1^{st}$ daughter plants. The pathogen was not detected in the corresponding portions of the non-infected controls. These results show that infected mother plants can transmit Fof to their daughter plants without passing through the soil and $1^{st}$ daughter was used as mother plant in PPF system for propagating healthy plants.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.39 no.4 s.118
• /
• pp.435-444
• /
• 2006

A suite of extracellular enzyme activities involved in organic carbon decomposition were determined in three northern peatlands (a bog, a fen, and a swamp) over a 12 month period along with trace gas ($CO_2$ and $N_2O$) flux and DOC dynamics in the wetlands. The activities varied $0.008-0.066\;{\mu}mole\;g^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, $0.003-0.021\;{\mu}mole\;g^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, $0.003-0.016\;{\mu}mole\;g^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, $0.004-0.047\;{\mu}mole\;g^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, for ${\beta}-glucosidase$, cellobiohydrolase, ${\beta}-xylosidase$, and N-acetylglucosaminidase, respectively. In general, the activities were highest in the forested swamp followed by the fen and the bog. When the data from three wetlands are combined, the enzyme activities exhibited significant positive correlations with trace gas emission and available carbon. Further, the average activity of 4 enzymes explained about 20-40% of the variations of trace gas emssion and available carbon. The results indicate that enzymes related to the mineralization of organic carbon may play an important role in trace gas flux and DOC dynamics in northern peatlands.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.82-90
• /
• 2012

In this study, we investigated the environmental factors and growth characteristics of Sasa borealis community inside a temperate deciduous forest and reviewed its effect on the lower vegetation and natural regeneration. The S. borealis community in the Jungsan-ri region of Jirisan National Park was chosen as the study area, and the vegetation and the environmental factors were investigated. The dominance value, height and foliage layer thickness were investigated as the growth characteristics of S. borealis in the area. As the environmental factors, we investigated the photosynthesis photon flux density (PPFD) of the shrub and ground layers as well as the chemical characteristics of the soil. Additionally, we investigated the flora on the ground layer of the area as well as the number and height of woody plants. The result showed that the height and foliage layer thickness of the S. borealis was closely related to the light conditions but the distribution was not determined simply by the effect of the environment or vegetation of the particular area. This may be deeply related with the unique survival strategy of S. borealis, a vegetably propagated plant, that it can extensively distributed on a heterogeneous resources environment in a forest as multiple culm are interconnected with each other through the rhizomes. The dense dominance and great height of S. borealis reduced the plant species diversity in the ground layer by decreasing the PPFD on the ground surface.