Alpha activities can be used for categorization, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste generated from the operation of nuclear facilities including nuclear power plants. In order to transport and dispose of such low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) to the Wolsong LILW Disposal Center (WLDC) at Gyeongju, the gross alpha concentration of an individual drum should be determined according to the acceptance criteria. In addition, when the gross alpha concentration exceeds 10 Bq/g, the inventory of the comprising alpha emitters in the waste is to be identified. Gross alpha measurements using a proportional counter are usually straightforward, inexpensive, and high-throughput, so they are broadly used to assay the total alpha activity for environmental, health physics, and emergency-response assessments. However, several factors are thoughtfully considered to obtain a reliable approximate for the entire alpha emitters in a sample, which include the alpha particle energy of a particular radionuclide, the radionuclide that is used as a calibration standard, the uniformity of film in a planchet, time between sample collection and sample preparation, and time between sample preparation and counting. Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) have evaluated the inventory of radionuclides in low-level radioactive waste drums to send every year hundreds of them to the WLDC. In this presentation, we revisit the gross alpha measurement results of the drums transported to WLDC in the past few years and compare them with the concentrations of alpha emitters measured from alpha spectrometry and gamma spectrometry. This study offers an insight into the gross alpha measurement for radioactive waste regarding calibration source, self-absorption effect, composition of alpha emitters, etc.

To achieve permanent disposal of radioactive waste drums, the radionuclides analysis process is essential. A variety of waste types are generated through the operation of nuclear facilities, with dry active waste (DAW) being the most abundant. To perform radionuclides analysis, sample pretreatment technology is required to transform solid samples into solutions. In this study, we developed a dry ashing-microwave digestion method and secured the reliability of the analysis results through a validity evaluation. Additionally, we conducted a comparative analysis of the radioactivity of 94Nb nuclides with and without the chemical separation process, which reduced the minimum detectable activity (MDA) level by more than 65-fold for a certain sample.

The decommissioning of nuclear facilities produces various types of radiologically contaminated waste. In addition, dismantlement activities, including cutting, packing, and clean-up at the facility site, result in secondary radioactive waste such as filters, resin, plastic, and clothing. Determining of the radionuclide content of this waste is an important step for the determination of a suitable management strategy including classification and disposal. In this work, we radiochemically characterized the radionuclide activities of filters used during the decommissioning of Korea Research Reactors (KRRs) 1 and 2. The results indicate that the filter samples contained mainly 3H (500–3,600 Bq·g−1), 14C (7.5–29 Bq·g−1), 55Fe (1.1– 7.1 Bq·g−1), 59Ni (0.60–1.0 Bq·g−1), 60Co (0.74–70 Bq·g−1), 63Ni (0.60–94 Bq·g−1), 90Sr (0.25–5.0 Bq·g−1), 137Cs (0.64–8.7 Bq·g−1), and 152Eu (0.19–2.9) Bq·g−1. In addition, the gross alpha radioactivity of the samples was measured to be between 0.32–1.1 Bq·g−1. The radionuclide concentrations were below the concentration limit stated in the low- and intermediatelevel waste acceptance criteria of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, and used for the disposal of the KRRs waste drums to a repository site.

We conducted multi-elements determination of reference material certified by the Inorganic Ventures, IV-26, using iCAP 7400 ICP-OES of Thermo Fisher Scientific. And we statistically evaluated analysis results by introducing the in-house proficiency evaluation method implemented at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Ca, Co, Fe, Mg, Ni, and V were selected as target elements, and extended uncertainty was estimated at a confidence level of about 95% and coverage factor k = 2. Five parameters incurred at manufacturing process (standard solution, calibration curve, repeated measurement and dilution factor of the test sample) were considered when determining the uncertainty. En-score can be calculated using the formula En=(x-X)/(Ulab 2+Uref 2)1/2 described in KS Q ISO 13528, where x, Ulab, X, and Uref are the test results, the uncertainty of the result, and the certified value and the uncertainty of the value. And if the absolute value |En| is less than 1, it can be evaluated as a satisfied value. As a result of ICP-OES analysis, each concentration of the elements to be measured was almost similar to the certified concentration of the reference material, and the uncertainty was slightly different. Also since evaluation on multi-elements determination had an En-score within 1, it was confirmed that the analysis results satisfied En evaluation.

The changes in COD, TOC, T-P, and T-N concentrations were investigated for 2 years in the constructed wetland of Sookcheon, which was installed to improve the water quality of Daecheong reservoir in South Korea. In order to evaluate the pollution level of sediments in the wetland, settling velocity of particulate material (4 times) and sedimet material contents (6 times) were measured. COD and TOC concentrations increased slightly as they passed through wetlands, and T-N and T-P concentration tended to decrease. The material content (COD, T-P, T-N) of aquatic plants was higher in floating-leaved and free-floating macrophytes than emergent macrophytes. As a result of measuring the sedimentation rate of suspended materials, most of the suspended materials introduced into constructed wetlands were sedimented at a rapid rate in the first sedimentation site. In addition, sediment pollution of T-P and T-N in constructed wetland was in severe pollution. The sediments containing a large amount of T-P and T-N were eluted by physical and chemical environmental changes, which is likely to act as internal pollution sources in wetlands.

Wood boring insects are the major problem of many industries, such as hardwood brokers, importers, merchants, and manufacturers of furniture. Phosphine (PH3) is highly toxic to insects and is known to penetrate treated material. In this study, effectiveness of PH3 which is altered methyl bromide, was examined with Monochamus saltuaris, Platypus koryoensis, Cryphalus fulvus, and Xyleborus mutilatus. Fumigation to M. saltuaris, P. koryoensis, C. fulvus, and X. mutilatus was carried in a desiccator (12L) at 20℃ for 24 h. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to M. saltuaris, P. koryoensis, C. fulvus, and X. mutilatus was showed 0.455 mg L-1, 0.804 mg L-1, 0.243 mg L-1 and 0.046 mg L-1 in a desiccator(12L) at 20℃, respectively. M. saltuaris, P. koryoensis, C. fulvus, and X. mutilatus 100 % mortality was showed in a fumigation chamber (10 m3 and 100 m3) at normal temperature. In these results indicates that PH3 described could be useful for fumigant agent of 4 species wood pests.

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is considered one of the main causes of potato losses during harvesting and storage. The pest occur throughout the year and its larvae damage the leaves, twigs and tubers. In this study, we have investigated the effects of ethyl formate (EF) and phosphine (PH3) against P. operculella. Fumigation to all stage of P. operculella was carried in a desiccator system at 5℃ and 20℃ for 24 h. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to all stage of P. operculella was showed 1.953 mg L-1 (eggs), 0.100 mg L-1 (larvae), 4.884 mg L-1 (pupae) and 0.240 mg L-1 (adults) at 20℃, respectively. LC99 of EF to all stage of P. operculella was observed 19.808 mg L-1 (eggs), 6.783 mg L-1 (larvae), 141.476 mg L-1 (pupae) and 3.223 mg L-1 (adults), at 20℃ respectively. Larvae and adults showed the highest susceptibility to PH3 and EF at 20℃. LC99 of PH3 to all stage of P. operculella was showed > 1.5 mg L-1 (eggs), 0.187 mg L-1 (larvae), > 1.5 mg L-1 (pupae) and 0.386 mg L-1 (adults) at 5℃ , respectively. LC99 of EF to all stage of P. operculella was showed 27.479 mg L-1 (eggs), 9.580 mg L-1 (larvae), 55.759 mg L-1 (pupae) and 3.084 mg L-1 (adults) at 5℃, respectively. These results indicated that the fumigant efficiency of PH3 and EF is more effective with treated in room temperatures against termites.

The Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, is distributed in Korea widely. Although, termites are not currently a great problem in Korea, it might be increased commercial losses from imported timber. Phosphine (PH3) is very effective fumigant and is widely used to control pests. Oxygen treatment was found to enhance phosphine toxicity and reduce fumigation time against various life stage of insects. In this study, we determined efficacy of oxygenated phosphine fumigation for controlling R. speratus. Fumigation to adults of R. speratus was carried in a desiccator system at 20.9% (normal), 50% and 80% of oxygen concentration for 24 h. Fumigations under higher oxygen levels greatly increased phosphine toxicity to R. speratus. Mortality of termite was increased 15.0% and 16.2% in the 50.0% and 80.0% oxygen concentration with 0.25 mg L-1 phosphine at 5℃, respectively. 100% mortality was determined in 80.0% oxygen concentration with 0.5 mg L-1 phosphine at 5℃. Oxygenated phosphine fumigations have marked potential to improve insecticidal efficacy against R. speratus. These results merit further study as potential fumigant for control of wood destroying pests.

본 연구는 하수 및 가축분뇨 처리장 방류수, 하천수를 이용하여 반코마이신 내성 장구균(Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci, VRE)의 검출여부를 확인하고 검출된 장구 균의 표현형을 분석함으로써 하천에 대한 공공처리시설 의 방류수에 포함되어있는 엔테로코커스의 영향을 파악 하여 항생제 내성균이 환경에 미치는 영향 및 항생제 내 성 연구에 기초 자료가 되고자 하였다. 엔테로코커스의 동정시험 결과 모두 32균주가 검출되었고 이는 모두 E. faecium으로 동정되었다. Multiplex PCR 시행한 결과 32 균주 모두 Van A 표현형에 해당하는 반코마이신 내성 장 구균으로 확인되었다. 조사지점별 세균의 E. faecium 집 락수의 측정 결과 하수처리장 지역에서 평균적으로 가장 높게 나타났고, 하천 지역의 경우 상류지점에서 하류 지 점으로 갈수록 세균의 colony 숫자도 늘어나는 것으로 조 사되었다. 하수처리장 방류수 시료 26균주에 대한 최소억 제농도 검사 결과, 19개의 항생제 중 내성, 감수성을 보인항생제 수는 각각 14, 5종으로 내성을 보이는 항생제의 수가 약 70% 이상으로 대부분을 차지하였다. 하천 시료 6균주에 대한 최소억제농도 검사 결과, 19개의 항생제 중 내성, 감수성을 보인 항생제 수는 각각 14, 5종으로 내성을 보이는 항생제의 수가 약 70% 이상으로 대부분 을 차지하여 하수처리장 방류수 시료의 검사 결과와 동 일하였다.

Termites are a major problem for home and business owners around the world. Termites gnaw through wood and burrow under the foundations of buildings causing a great deal of damage to the structure of the building. Phosphine (PH3) is very effective fumigant and is widely used to control pests. PH3 rapidly penetrate through treated material, so it replaced many conventional fumigants for treatment of durable materials. In this study, we have investigated the effectiveness of PH3 fumigation on wood pests, Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis. We evaluated two bioassay methods; wooden cube (10×10×10 cm) and insect breeding dish in comparison with effectiveness of PH3 penetrations into the timber block. Fumigation to adults of R. speratus was carried in a desiccator system for 24 h at 5 and 15℃. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to R. speratus in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 5℃ was 0.183 and 0.177 mg L-1, respectively. LC99 of PH3 in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 15℃ was 0.077 and 0.078 mg L-1, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two bioassay methods. Thess results indicate that PH3 described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for termite control.

Methyl bromide (MB) is a widely used fumigant in most of the countries for quarantine purpose. However, MB has been phasing out and under control in many countries because it is listed as an ozone-depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol. In this study, we have investigated the effectiveness of phosphine fumigation on wood pests for developing an MB alternatives. We evaluated two bioassay methods; wooden cube (10×10×10 cm) and normal fumigation procedures in comparison with effectiveness of phosphine (PH3) penetrations into the timber block. Fumigation to adults of Reticulitermes speratus was carried in a desiccator system for 24hr at 5 and 15 ℃. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to R. speratus in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 5℃ was 0.183 and 0.177 mg L-1, respectively. LC99 of PH3 in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 15℃ was 0.077 and 0.078 mg L-1, respectively.