직경 10 μm 미만의 대기 미립자 물질(particulate matter, PM10)은 다양한 신체기관에서 산화 스트레 스와 염증반응을 유발한다. 본 연구의 목적은 인간 표피 각질형성세포(HEK)에서 PM10에 의해 유도되는 반응 성 산소종(ROS) 생성의 메커니즘을 알아보는 것이다. 배양된 HEK를 PM10에 노출시켰을 때 ROS가 증가하였으며, 이는 항산화제 apocynin에 의해 저해되었다. PM10에 의해 유도되는 ROS 생성에서 NADPH oxidase (NOX) family의 역할을 규명하기 위하여 이들의 mRNA 발현을 분석하였다. PM10은 NOX1, NOX2, dual oxidase (DUOX)1 및 DUOX2의 mRNA 발현을 증가시켰다. 다른 NOX들에 비교하여 DUOX1 및 DUOX2의 발현 수준이 높았으며, 이들 효소의 maturation factors, 즉 DUOXA1와 DUOXA2의 mRNA 발현도 PM10에 의하여 증가하였다. 칼슘 의존성 효소인 DUOX1과 DUOX2가 PM10에 의해 유도되는 ROS의 생성을 매개하는 지 조사하였다. 선택적인 세포내 칼슘 킬레이터인 BAPTA-AM은 PM10 및 칼슘 ionophore A23187에 유도된 ROS 생성을 감소시켰다. 작은 간섭 RNA (siRNA)에 의한 DUOX2의 하향 조절은 PM10에 의해 유도된 ROS의 생성을 감소시켰고 DUOX1 siRNA는 영향이 없었다. PM10은 interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 및 interferon (IFN)-γ 등 사이토카인의 발현을 증가시켰다. siRNA에 의한 DUOX2의 하향 조절은 IFN-γ의 발현을 저해하였지만 다른 사이토카인의 발현은 저해하지 않았다. 본 연구는 PM10에 노출된 HEK의 ROS 생성 및 염증 반응에서 DUOX2가 중요한 역할을 함을 시사한다.
파장변이섬유를 사용한 새로운 반응 위치 측정 양전자방출 단층촬영기기 검출기를 개발하였으며, 이에 대한 최적화 작업을 수행하였다. 섬광체 2개와 파장변이섬유 3개를 사용하고, 파장변이섬유 끝에 센서를 부착하여 최적화 모듈을 설계하였다. 섬광체와 파장변이섬유 및 센서를 연결시키는 연결물질과 섬광체와 파장변이섬유의 반사체 물질에 따른 센서에서의 빛 수집율 및 센서별 빛 수집 비를 통해 최적의 조합을 도출하였다. 연결물질은 에폭시를 사용하고 반사체 물질은 섬광체와 파장변이섬유에서 각각 난반사체 및 거울반사체를 사용한 조합에서, 가장 높은 빛 수집율과 센서별 빛 수집 비를 보였다.
The National Environmental Specimen Bank (NESB) has been sampling and cryogenically preserving various wildlife specimens to monitor bio-accumulations of chemical pollutants since 2010. Recently, the NESB set up a plan to develop reference materials at their facility to assure the analytical quality of and validate the analytical methods for their monitoring samples. One of the crucial characteristics of reference materials is intra- and inter-bottle homogeneity. In this study, we used ANOVA for total mercury concentrations in some samples to validate their homogeneities after milling and homogenization. We examined the intra- and inter-bottle homogeneities of two cryogenically-milled samples (Korean mussel (Mytilus coruscus) and black-tailed gull’s egg (Larus crassirostris). The variations in the total mercury concentrations were not significantly different intra- and inter-bottle (mussel: F=0.74, p=0.67; gull egg: F=1.96, p=0.10). Additionally, the relative standard deviations of the total mercury concentrations showed low values (mussel: 2.02%, gull egg: 1.78%). Therefore, the cryogenic-milling process statistically proves the homogeneity of the materials of mussels and sea gull eggs for chemical analysis for total mercury.
Since the Framework Act on Resource Circulation was enacted in 2018, the government should establish a National Resource Circulation Master Plan every 10 years, which defines mid- to long-term policy goals and directions on the efficient use of resources, prevention of waste generation and recycling of waste. In addition, we must set mid- to longterm and stepwise targets for the final disposal rate, recycling rate (based on sorted recyclable materials and recycled products), and energy recovery rate of wastes, and relevant measures should be taken to achieve these targets. However, the current industrial waste (IW) statistics have limitations in setting these targets because the final disposal rate and recycling rate are calculated as the ratio of the recycling facility input to the IW generation. In this study, the material flow from the collection stage to the final disposal of industrial waste was analyzed based on the generation of 2016, and the actual recycling amount, actual incineration amount, final disposal amount and their rates were calculated. The effect on the recycling, incineration and final disposal rates was examined by changing the treatment method of nonhazardous wastes from the factory and construction and demolition wastes, which were put in landfills in 2016. In addition, the variation of the waste treatment charge was investigated according to the change of treatment methods. The results of this study are expected to be effectively used to establish the National Resource Circulation Master Plan and industrial waste management policy in the future in South Korea.
There is growing concern over the effects of global warning. In response, the power generation sector must consider a wider range of systems and fuels to generate power. One of the classes of solid fuels that is being increasingly developed is biomass. However, one of the most serious problems that biomass plants face is severe corrosion. To mitigate the problem, various approaches have been proposed in terms of additive utilization. This study is based on the results obtained during the co-combustion of wood chip and waste wood in a circulating fluidized bed boiler (CFBC boiler). The KCl concentration was reduced from 59.9 ppm to 3.9 ppm during the injection of ammonium sulfate, and NOx was reduced by 25.5 ppm from 30.6 ppm to 5.1 ppm. However, SOx increased by 110.2 ppm from 33.2 ppm to 143.4 ppm, and HCl increased by 71.5 ppm from 340.5 ppm to 412.0 ppm. Thus, we confirmed that the attitude of the superheater tube was reduced by 87 ~ 93%, and the injection of ammonium sulfate was effective in preventing high-temperature corrosion.
Chemical batch tests were conducted to investigate the amount of nutrients that were released from the wasted activated sludge during microwave heating. For this study, three types of activated sludge were obtained from A2/O, MLE and oxidation ditch (OD) processes. Polyphosphate-accumulating organisms in the activated sludge have a unique trait: they releases phosphate from the cell when they are exposed to high temperatures. The sludge obtained from the A2/O process released the largest amount of phosphate, followed by those from the MLE and OD processes. The release of phosphate increased with increasing polyphosphate content in the sludge under strongly alkaline or acidic conditions. Furthermore, ammonia and heavy metals were released with phosphorous. The largest amount of ammonia was observed from the sludge obtained from the MLE process. The release of heavy metals strongly depends on the pH conditions. Therefore, the chemical analysis results strongly suggest that both phosphorus and ammonia react with Mg2+ or Ca2+ to form metal complexes such as magnesium ammonium phosphate or hydroxyapatite under alkaline conditions.
Background: Sancho (Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold and Zucc) oil is used as a traditional medicinal material to treat severs stomach inflammation and as a diuretic. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of addition of antioxidants and blended oil the storage stability and safety of the biomaterial.
Methods and Results: The effects of temperature and light on sancho oil were investigated, and the ability of antioxidants in preventing rancidity of the oil was discovered. Under fluorescent light and in darkness, the acidity of the oil was much lower than that under direct sunlight. The addition of antioxidants decreased the acid value of sancho oil; the antioxidant that showed the best results in this regard was 0.5% propolis. The acid value of canola oil, which had the lowest acid value compared with that of other oils, and blended oil, containing 5% canola oil in sancho oil, decreased by 5.5% and 15%, respectively. About one acid value decrease was observed for every 1% increase in blending with canola oil. As the concentration of canola oil increased, the viscosity and the elightness (L valu) of sancho oil increased slightly, while the blueness (b value) decreased.
Conclusions: The results of this study may contribute to ensuring food safety during preservation and the industrialization of the presevation of sancho oil.
Background : Coffee is one of the favorite brewed drink in the world where is distributed in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Southern Asia and Africa. Coffee has an effective antioxidant ability and reported about that. In this study, it was analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to establish the method about content of caffeine, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid in coffee.
Methods and Results : Coffee was extracted with 70% EtOH in room temperature and evaporated at 45℃. All standard and sample extract were melted and diluted with 15% MeOH. Mobile phase was prepared using water with 0.01% phosphoric acid and MeOH. All standard and sample were analyzed with gradient elution (0 min : 15% MeOH, 35 min : 30% MeOH). The chromatograms were monitored at 272 and 320 ㎚. HPLC reported linear equation that based on the calibration curve for each standard compound (caffeine : Y = 1.04e + 004X – 3.21e + 003, R2 = 0.999890. chlorogenic acid : Y = 2.86e + 004X – 8.24e + 003, R2 = 0.999891. caffeic acid : Y = 2.07e + 004X – 1.21e + 004, R2 = 0.999894. p-coumaric acid : Y = 3.24e + 004X – 1.10e + 004, R2 = 0.999897). Standard compounds were determined with qualitative and quantitative analysis. The retention time of each peak of standard compounds were separated by chromatogram.
Conclusion : In this study, we determined that the analysis method of compounds in coffee. In addition, we have confirmed that separation about the retention time of each peak of caffeine and chlorogenic acid in different solvent condition depending on acid buffer. This method can be use to determine standard compound in coffee.
Background : Oplopanax elatus Nakai. is distributed in Korea and China. In this study, we have used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to compare the internal standards contents [uracil, adenosine, protocatechuic acid, syringin (eleutheroside B) and scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin)], and compared the antioxidant activity.
Methods and Results : Samples were prepared two different temperature conditions (90℃ and 100℃). Total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents were analyzed while gallic acid and quercetin were used as standard. Anti-oxidant activities were measured by determination of DPPH and reducing power assay. HPLC was reported as five standard compounds equivalent using the following linear equation based on the calibration curve. According to the results, the anti-oxidant effects of Korean O. elatus Nakai. stem extracts in 90℃ water showed more activity than that of Chinese in DPPH assay. However, the amount of internal compounds was higher in Chinese O. elatus Nakai.. The anti-oxidant effects of Korean O. elatus Nakai. stem extracts in 90℃ water showed more activity than Korean O. elatus Nakai. stem extracts in 100℃ water in DPPH assay. In this study, we had found that, at over the 100℃ temperature all the anti-oxidant effects of O. elatus Nakai. extracts were reduced. However, all five standard compounds were detected at similar value.
Conclusion : These results suggests that Korean O. elatus Nakai. has higher anti-oxidant activities which can be use for bioactivity assay.
Background : Arctium lappa L., Compositae plant, has been consumed as a vegetable and beverage in China, Taiwan, and Japan for a long time. Several studies have reported for the burdock to include antioxidant activity, hepato-protective efficacy, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects, anti-microbial and antiviral activity. Thus, A. lappa is considered a promising plant for the treatment of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS and due to the increasing evidence of functional compounds contributions over a variety of health beneficial properties the A. lappa has received increasing scientific interest. The primary aim of the present study was determined antioxidant activities and analysis of standard compound in A. lappa.
Methods and Results : There were five different solvent conditions (100% water, 30% EtOH, 50% EtOH, 70% EtOH, 100% EtOH), extract in the room temperature. Comparatively, 70% EtOH extract showed higher values of DPPH radical scavenging activity than others. As the increasing of EtOH percentage contents, we confirmed increase total phenol and flavonoid contents. The 2,4-di-tert- butylphenol as standard compound was detected by HPLC analysis based on the calibration curve: equation : Y = 8.17e + 003X – 1.43e + 005, R2 = 0.996227. The amount of standard compounds were similar in all each different solvent conditions, but not detected in water extract.
Conclusion : These results showed that A. lappa could be used as potential materials of antioxidant, and should be need more study.
Background : D. lablab is tropical vine grown as a garden annual belonging to Leguminosae, which is used in oriental medicine for coldness like a cooling disease, diarrhea and abdominal pain etc. when it is hot weather in summer and plenty of rainy seasons. In previous study, D. lablab showed an inhibitory activity for trypsin. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was produced by trypsin via a second protease-activated receptor. Therefore, it is considered that there are substances having antioxidant activity in D. lablab.
Methods and Results : The seed of dried D. lablab was extracted hot water, and then partitioned with Et2O, EtOAc, n-butanol and aqueous. The aqueous layer was separated from silica gel and Diaion HP-20 liquid chromatography and HPLC-prep, resulting in confirmed two compounds. The two compounds was identified to C14H14N2O4 and stachyose from ESI-MS and 1H- and 13C-NMR. The two compounds was performed the intracellular ROS measurement and the expression of catalase and Cu/Zn SOD. The intracelluar ROS measurement was detected using DCF-DA in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cell. The results were shown that two compounds inhibited intracellular ROS levels to dose-dependent. And the expression of genes was detected quantitative real-time PCR in LPS-trated RAW264.7 cell. Although the two compounds were not significantly different towards the Cu/Zn SOD expression level, the expression level of catalase genes were indicated an increase rate of about 347% in C14H14N2O4 and about 242% in stachyose at 50 ㎍/㎖ compared with LPS-not treated cells.
Conclusion : From the above results, both compounds significantly shown antioxidant activity in dose-dependent by examining the amount of intracellular ROS and the expression levels of SOD and catalase enzymes. As screening ROS inhibition of C14H14N2O4 and stachyose in vitro, they may be a good candidate for regulating the progression of human oxidant stress diseases and warrants further studies.
최근 웰빙이라는 자연친화적인 건강한 삶을 핵심 가치로 추구하면서 실내 공기질의 개선을 위한 다양한 친환경 제품이 개발되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 기존 친환경 도료의 문제점을 해결할 뿐만 아니라 천연방사성 물질인 라돈 저감이 가능한 활성탄 복합 시트를 개발하고 라돈, HCHO, VOCs에 대한 저감 효과를 평가 하였다. 활성탄 복합 시트는 규산나트륨 에멀젼과 활성탄을 혼합하여 활성탄 액상 도료를 제조하고 에어스프레이 공법을 통하여 복합 시트로 제작하였다. 제작된 활성탄 복합 시트에 대한 유해물질 저감 성능을 분석하기 위해 라돈은 환경부 고시, HCHO 및 VOCs는 KCL-FIR-1085 기준에 부합하도록 설계하였다. 실험결과, 제작된 활성탄 복합 시트는 20시간에서 약 90.8%의 라돈 저감 효율을 가지는 것으로 평가되었고, HCHO 및 VOCs는 3시간에서 각 96.7%, 96.6%의 저감 효율이 나타났다.이러한 결과는 실내 공기 질 개선을 위한 제품 개발 시 기초 자료로서 활용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.
In this study, the cement composites incorporating Carbon Nanotube(CNT), Carbon Black(CB), and Carbon Fiber(CF) of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of binder weight were evaluated to provide conductivity. In order to achieve this, compressive strength and electrical resistance were measured. As a result, the conductivity of cement composites incorporating CNTs was more sensitive than that of cement composites containing CB and CF.
The volatile odor compounds emitted form a stuffing agent production process were quantified by ATD and GC-MS, and then odor causing compounds were identified by the method of EOI using each TLV. As the results, 72 odor compounds were detected and total concentration was turned up 87.6 ppmv level. In these compounds, aldehyde group is higher 45.49 ppmv than others group, the next is turn up the order of aliphatics, alcohols, esters, ketones. The EOA of aldehyde group show up 101,720 and 97.2%, respectively, the odor causing compounds were identified each of odor 2-Octenal 28.31%, Hexanal 24.06%, Valeraldehyde 16.07%, Butyraldehyde 9.69%, Heptanal 4.97%, Propionaldehyde 4.64%, Acetaldehyde 3.31%. The TLVs of 7 major odor compounds are lower value level of 0.001∼0.0001 ppmv, odor causing even in trace level. We need to be concerned with reduction of aldehyde compounds in the odor problem by a stuffing agent production process or ironing process of the textile containing a stuffing agent.
To develope a microbial weed control agent, HCN-producing bacteria were isolated, and their characteristics were investigated. A selected strain of WA15 was identified as Pseudomonas koreensis by morphological, cultural, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene analyses. The conditions for HCN production was investigated by a One-Variable-at-a-Time (OVT) method. The optimal HCN production conditions were tryptone 1%, glycine 0.06%, NaCl 1% , and an initial pH and temperature of 5.0 and 30℃, respectively. The major component for HCN production was glycine. Under optimal conditions, HCN production was about 3 times higher than that of the basal medium. The WA15 strain had physiological activities, such as indoleacetic acid that was associated with the elongation of plant roots and siderophore and ammonification inhibiting fungal growth, and produced hydrolytic enzymes, such as cellulase, pectinase and lipase. The strain was able to inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum, by the synergistic action of volatile HCN and diffusible antimicrobial compounds. A microscopic observation of R. solani that was teated with the WA15 strain showed morphological abnormalities of fungal mycelia, which could explain the role of the antimicrobial metabolites that were produced by the WA15 strain. The volatile HCN produced by the WA15 strain was also found to have insecticidal activity against termites. Our results indicate that Pseudomonas koreensis WA15 can be applied as a microbial agent for weed control and also as a termite repellent. Furthermore, it could be applied as a microbial termiticidal agent to replace synthetic insecticides.
대기 오염은 피부의 산화적 손상, 염증 및 노화를 일으킬 수 있다. 레스베라트롤은 폴리페놀 화합물의 일종으로 항산화, 항염증, 멜라닌 생성 억제 작용 등 다양한 생물학적 활성이 있는 한편 열과 빛에 약한 단점이 있다. 레스베라트릴 트라이아세테이트(RTA)는 레스베라트롤에 비해 안정하고, 피부 안전성과 미백 효능이 보고된 화장품 신소재이다. 본 연구의 목적은 직경 10 μ m 미만 대기 미립자 물질(PM10)에 노출된 인간 표피 각질형성세포(HEK)의 염증 반응에 대한 레스베라트롤과 RTA의 영향을 조사하기 위한 것이다. 배양된 HEK세 포를 레스베라트롤과 RTA의 유무 조건에서 PM10에 노출시키고, 세포 생존율, 반응성 산소종(ROS)의 생성 및 염증성 사이토카인의 발현을 분석하였다. PM10을 처리하였을 때 세포 생존율이 감소하였고 종양괴사인자- α(TNF-α), 인터루킨-1β(IL-1β), 인터루킨-6(IL-6) 및 인터루킨-8(IL-8)의 발현이 증가하였다. 레 스베라트롤과 RTA는 PM10으로 유도된 세포의 사멸과 ROS 생성을 경감시켰다. PM10에 의해 증가되는 여러 염증성 사이토카인의 발현은 레스베라트롤과 RTA에 의해 경감되거나(IL-6), 증진되거나(IL-1β), 변화하지 않았다(TNF-α 및 IL-8). PM10에 의해 유도된 IL-6단백질의 발현이 레스베라트롤과 RTA에 의해 감소되 었다. 본 연구의 결과는 레스베라트롤과 RTA가 대기 미립자 물질에 노출된 피부의 세포 손상과 염증 반응을 조절하는 작용이 있음을 시사한다.
CBCT는 치료부위의 정확도 향상에 유용하지만, 반복적인 사용으로 피폭선량이 높아지는 단점이 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 차폐체를 사용한 모의실험과 선량감소 효과를 데이터화하여 CBCT 시행 시 선량 저감화를 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 한다. 본 연구에서는 MCNPX를 통해 CBCT를 모사하여 광자선을 분석한 후, UF-revised 인체 모의 피폭체를 대상으로 흉복부 촬영 시 장기의 흡수선량을 계산하였다. 이 때, 차폐체(납, 안티몬, 황산바륨, 텅스텐, 비스무 스) 유무와 차폐 재질에 따른 장기선량을 평가하였다. 차폐를 하지 않고 CBCT 촬영을 하였을 경우 유방과 척추에서 선량이 높게 계산되었으며, 식도와 폐에서 선량이 낮게 계산되었다. 차폐체 재질에 따른 선량은 황산바륨, 안티몬, 비스무스, 납, 텅스텐 순으로 선량이 높게 계산되었다. 차폐체 유무에 따른 선량 감소율을 평가해 보면 흉선(73.6%), 유방(59.9%)에서 가장 차폐율이 높고, 폐(2.1%), 척추(12.6%)에서 가장 낮은 차폐율을 보였다.
To establish initial response scenarios for nuclear accidents around the Kori nuclear power plants, the potential for radionuclide diffusion was estimated using numerical experiments and statistical techniques. This study used the numerical model WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) and FLEXPART (Flexible Particle dispersion model) to calculate the three-dimensional wind field and radionuclide dispersion, respectively. The wind patterns observed at Gijang, near the plants, and at meteorological sites in Busan, were reproduced and applied to estimates of seasonally averaged wind fields. The distribution of emitted radionuclides are strongly associated with characteristics of topography and synoptic wind patterns over nuclear power plants. Since the terrain around the power plants is complex, estimates of radionuclide distribution often produce unexpected results when wind data from different sites are used in statistical calculations. It is highly probable that in the summer and autumn, radionuclides move south-west, towards the downtown metropolitan area. This study has clear limitations in that it uses the seasonal wind field rather than the daily wind field.
To investigate the distribution characteristics of grain size and organic matter of surface sediments from the Nakdong-Goryeong Mid-watershed, surface sediments were collected and analyzed. The samples were collected from six sited at four different times between May 2013 and May 2014. The were analyzed for grain size, water content, ignition loss, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon and total nitrogen. The surface sediments were mainly composed of medium sand (mean 44.7%) and coarse sand (mean 32.8%) and became coarser in May 2014. Fine sediments at the site NG-2 were poorly sorted and positively skewed, and occur in a tributary environment that is relatively low-energy compared with the other sites. The water content at the studied sites (15.3 ~ 34.9%) averaged 20.25%, and ignition loss (0.4 ~ 5.8%) and total nitrogen (274 ~ 2493 mg/kg) averaged 1.33% and, 696 mg/kg, respectively. These values indicated that the sediments were not seriously contaminated when compared with the sediment pollution evaluation standard of the National Institute of Environmental Research. The chemical oxygen demand (mean 0.17%) was at the non-polluted level compared with United States Environmental Protection Agency sediment quality standards. The total organic carbon (mean 0.18%) at all sites except site NG-2 (lowest effect level) was the no effect level of the Ontario sediment quality guidelines. The COD/IL (0.02 ~ 0.20) and C/N (0.73 ~ 6.76) were less than 1 and 10, respectively. Organic matter in the study area produced naturally from aquatic organisms. Results of principal component analysis showed that fine sediments (very fine sand and silt) were significantly affected by organic matters (ignition loss, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon and total nitrogen). In addition, the highest organic matters content in the study area occurred at the site with the finest sediments (NG-2).
National statistics of solid waste indicate that, although the amount of combustible wastes from household sectors is decreasing, the amount of waste that is buried in landfills increases each year. And the increasing rate of combustible wastes from industrial sectors is higher than the decreasing rate of combustible wastes from household sectors. Combustible waste, once screened, can be used as a potential energy resource contributing to resource circulation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to predict the amount of waste materials to be recovered and recycled by landfill mining and reclamation (LFMR), based on material flow analysis for four existing landfills. In this study, the landfills analyzed by material flow analysis were classified into types 1 to 4 by considering the status of the landfill and incineration situation. In order to perform material flow analysis, volume increase rate and bulk density were applied to the methodology employed in previous studies. In addition, material flow analysis software ‘STAN 2.0’ was used for the analysis. As a result of analyzing the average value of four landfills, the landfilled waste was classified as 93.9 m3 (73.7%) of combustible waste, 9.2 m3 (7.3%) of incombustible waste, and 24.3 m3 (19.1%) of soil matter. So, 73.7% can be incinerated or recovered by energy, 7.3% can be recycled as materials and reclaimed, and 19.1% can be recycled as landfill cover materials based on weight. The results of the material flow analysis carried out in this study are expected to be used to predict the amount of waste materials landfilled to be recovered by the material flow analysis during landfill mining processes.