Chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) are widely used in industry and agriculture as water softeners, detergents, and metal chelating agents. In wastewater treatment plants, a significant amount of chelating agents can be discharged into natural waters because they are difficult to degrade. Since those compounds affect the mobility of radionuclides or heavy metals in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities and radioactive waste disposal, quantification of the amount of ligand is very important for safe nuclear waste management. To predict the behavior of the main complexation in sample matrices of radioactive wastes, it is essential to evaluate the distribution of the metal-chelating species and their stabilities in order to develop analytical techniques for quantifying chelating agents. We have investigated to collect information on the pH speciation of metal chelation and the stability constants of metal complexes depending on three chelating agents (EDTA, DTPA, and NTA). For example, Zhang’s group recently reported that the initial coordination pH of Cu(II) and EDTA4− is delayed with the addition of Fe(III), and the pH range for the stable existence of [Cu(EDTA)]2− is narrowed compared to when it is alone in the sample matrix. The addition of Fe(III) clearly impacts the chemical states of the Cu(II)-EDTA solution. Additionally, Eivazihollagh’s group demonstrated differences in the speciation and stability of Cu(II) species between Cu(II) and three chelating ligands (EDTA, DTPA, and NTA). This study will be greatly helpful in identifying the sample matrix for binding major chelating agents and metals as well as developing chemically sample pretreatment and separation methods based on the sample matrix. Finally, these advancements will enable reliable quantitative analysis of chelating agents in decommissioning radioactive wastes.

Рrecipitation of platinum group metals (Rh, Ru, Pd, so-called MPG) from the melt essentially affects the reliability of installations for vitrification of high-level liquid radioactive waste (HLW). To date, it is difficult to find an approach which allows simultaneous recovery of all three metals. The aim of our work was to select a sorbent that would provide simultaneous up to complete recovery of given metals. The following inorganic materials were tested as sorbents – yellow blood salt (YBS).and hexacyanoferrates of iron, aluminum, copper and nickel. The degree of metal recovery was studied is influenced by the temperature and concentration of nitric acid. Only palladium was completely recovered using YBS. At the same time, specially prepared iron hexacyanoferrate (HCF-Fe) under optimal experimental conditions recovers almost all Pd and more than 95% and 90% of Rh and Ru, respectively. The behavior of fission products, including the main dose-forming components of HLW (Cs, Sr) and Mo, U, Ag, REE) in the course of MPG recovery was studied. The experiments were carried using both multicomponent model solutions and real raffinates. Options for further management of the recovered metals have been worked out. Thus, the proposed method of metal recovery seems promising for the development of a technology for the removal of MPG from nitric HLW during the reprocessing of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) before vitrification. The recovered metals can be probably used in various technological processes. Also, this method can provide the MPG recovery from low-concentration tail solutions.

The semiconductor industry faces physical limitations due to its top-down manufacturing processes. High cost of EUV equipment, time loss during tens or hundreds of photolithography steps, overlay, etch process errors, and contamination issues owing to photolithography still exist and may become more serious with the miniaturization of semiconductor devices. Therefore, a bottom-up approach is required to overcome these issues. The key technology that enables bottom-up semiconductor manufacturing is area-selective atomic layer deposition (ASALD). Here, various ASALD processes for elemental metals, such as Co, Cu, Ir, Ni, Pt, and Ru, are reviewed. Surface treatments using chemical species, such as self-assembled monolayers and small-molecule inhibitors, to control the hydrophilicity of the surface have been introduced. Finally, we discuss the future applications of metal ASALD processes.

To raise the physical strength of alginate beads, this study manufactured alginate-cellulose bead by adding cellulose to alginate, and wanted to identify whether falginate-cellulose beads were sufficiently efficient in removing heavy metals. To find out optimal amounts of alginate and cellulose injection, this study conducted a pilot study, and repeated experiments proved that alginate 2 w/v% + cellulose 1 w/v% were the optimal amounts in manufacturing beads. Using micro materials tester, this study compared strengths of alginate beads and alginate-cellulose beads. Choosing Cd2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+ as materials to be removed, this study analyzed concentrations of them before and after the treatment. Experiments showed that, compared with alginate beads, the strength of alginate-cellulose beads was 2.26 times stronger, and that the latter could remove 98.22%, 99.99%, and 92.57% of Cd2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, respectively. While addition of cellulose to alginate made the absorption rate drop by about 1%, the beads were still highly efficient in removing heavy metals. Accordingly, it seems that alginate-cellulose beads can be used in removing heavy metals.

Combination of liquid-phase exfoliation and hydrothermal method has progressed in recent years mainly on production of 2D materials. In this study, graphene was successfully synthesized via combinatorial of liquid-phase exfoliation and hydrothermal method with the aid of various conductive surfactants perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylate (PTCA), lithium perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylate (LiPTCA) and sodium perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylate (NaPTCA). The effect of the lithium ( Li+) and sodium ( Na+) cations toward the efficiency of the graphene exfoliation process and its electrical properties was thoroughly investigated. Based on the characterization techniques, it is revealed that NaPTCA is the ideal conductive surfactant to exfoliate graphene sheets. X-ray diffraction spectra verified that the Na+ cation certainly can enhance the exfoliation process by expanding the interlayer spacing. The lateral size of the graphene sheets with Na-PTCA surfactant was the smallest (4.17 μm) as observed from SEM micrograph. The maximum concentration of the graphene yield was achieved up to 0.151 mgmL− 1 in NaPTCA surfactant alongside with excellent electrical conductivity of 746.27 Sm− 1 and relevant specific capacitance of 129 Fg− 1.

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals and their characteristics in the bodies of 2,446 residents living near industrial areas from 2007 to 2015. The concentration of heavy metals showed diverse characteristics according to gender, food types consumed and period of residence. Especially, levels of cadmium and mercury were high in the urine samples of the group that had lived in the local area for a long time. In order to obtain more accurate results, it will be necessary to comprehensively study the influence and effects from such matters related to lifestyle, eating habits and levels of environmental pollutants.

국내 유통 중인 콜라겐 제품 120건을 대상으로 중금속 4종(납, 카드뮴, 비소, 수은) 함량에 대해 조사하였다. 수 은은 금아말감화법을 이용한 수은분석기로 분석하였고 납, 카드뮴, 비소는 ICP-OES를 이용하여 분석하였다. 검사 결 과 납의 평균 함량은 0.097±0.055 mg/kg이었고 건강기능 식품, 기타가공품, 음료류, 과·채가공품에서 각각 평균 0.108±0.052mg/kg, 0.084±0.053 mg/kg, 0.131±0.047 mg/ kg, 0.149 mg/kg 농도로 검출되었다. 카드뮴의 평균 함량 은 0.026±0.011 mg/kg이었으며 검출된 제품은 모두 건강 기능식품이었다. 비소의 평균 함량은 0.097±0.048 mg/kg 이었고 건강기능식품, 기타가공품, 과·채가공품에서 각각 평균 0.091±0.055 mg/kg, 0.133 mg/kg, 0.086 mg/kg 농도 로 검출되었다. 수은의 평균 함량은 0.0025±0.0016 mg/kg 으로 건강기능식품, 기타가공품, 과·채가공품, 캔디류에서 각각 평균 0.0012 mg/kg, 0.0028±0.0018 mg/kg, 0.0013 mg/kg, 0.0031 mg/kg 농도로 검출되었다. 중금속 기준·규 격이 있는 음료류(납 0.3 mg/kg, 카드뮴 0.1 mg/kg) 및 캔 디류(납 0.2 mg/kg)는 모두 기준 이하로 검출되어 적합하 였다. 기준·규격이 없는 제품도 국내외 식품의 중금속 기 준과 보고된 식품 중금속 함량과 비교하였을 때 비교적 안전한 수준이라고 판단되었다.

Plasma Arc Melter (MSO) system has been developed for the treatment and the stabilization of various kinds of hazardous and radioactive waste into the readily disposable solidification products. Molten salt oxidation system has been developed for the for the treatment of halogen- and sulfurbearing hazardous and radioactive waste without emissions of PCDD/Fs and acid gases. However, PAM system has showed some difficulty in the off-gas treatment system due to the volatilization of radionuclides and toxic metals at extremely high-temperature plasma arc melter and the emissions of acid gases. MSO system has also showed the difficulty in the treatment of spent molten salt into the disposable waste form. Present study discussed the results of organics destruction performance tests for the PAM-MSO combination system, which is proposed and developed to compensate the drawbacks of each system. The worst-case condition tests for the organics destruction were conducted at lowest temperatures and the worst-case condition tests for the retention of metals and radionuclides were conducted at highested temperatures under the range of normal operating condition. For the worst-case organic destruction test, C6H5Cl was selected as a POHCs (Principal Organic Hazardous Constituents) because of its high incinerability ranking and the property of generation of chlorine gases and PCDD/Fs when incompletely destroyed. Simulated concrete waste spiked with 1 L of C6H5Cl was treated and the emissions of 17 kinds of PCDD/Fs and other hazardous gases such as CO, THCs, NOx, SO2 and HCl/Cl2 were measured. For the worst-case condition tests for the retention of metals and radionuclides, Pb and Cs were selected because of its high volatility characteristics. The emissions of PCDD/Fs was extremely lowered than the emission limit and those of other hazardous constituents were below their emission limit. The results of performance tests on the organics destruction suggested that tested PAM-MSO combination system could readily treat PCBs-bearing spent insulation liquid, spent ion-exchange resins used for the treatment of spent decontamination liquid in the decommission process and the concreted debris bearing hazardous organic coating materials. The decontamination factor of Cs and Co were 1.4×105, 1.4×105, respectively. The emisison of Pb was 0.562 ppm. These results suggested that tested PAM-MSO system treated low-level radioactive and pb-bearing mixed waste.

Safe storage of spent nuclear fuel in deep underground repositories needs an understanding of the long-term alteration (corrosion) of metal canisters and buffer materials. We conducted a small-scale laboratory alteration tests on some metal (Cu and Fe) chips by embedding them into the compacted bentonite blocks, which were placed in anaerobic water for 1 year. Some additives like lactate, sulfate, and bacteria were separately loaded into the water to promote biochemical reactions. The bentonite blocks immersed in the water were finally dismantled after 1 year, and they showed that their alteration was insignificant. However, the Cu chip exhibited some microscopic etch pits on its surface, wherein sulfur component was slightly detected. Overall, the Fe chip was more corroded than the Cu chip under the same condition. The secondary phase of the Fe chip was locally found as carbonate materials, such as siderite (FeCO3) and calcite ((Ca, Fe)CO3). These secondary products could imply that the local carbonate production around the Fe chip may be initiated by an evolution (alteration) of bentonite and a diffusive provision of biogenic CO2 gas. These laboratory scale test results suggest that the long-term alteration (corrosion) of metal canister/bentonite blocks in the engineered barrier could be possible and may be promoted by microbial activities.

This study evaluated the migrant and residue tests of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), and antimony (Sb) in 70 tumbler samples. The migration levels of hazardous metals in all the samples were within the migration limits outlined in the Korean standards and specifications for utensils, containers, and packages. Moreover, in all the tumbler samples, only Ni was detected in 0.5% citric acid solution of a food stimulant. The maximum level of Ni 0.0144 mg/L was 14.4% of the migrant specification (not more than 0.1 mg/L), which was relatively safe. The 0.5% citric acid solution was eluted at 4oC, 70oC, and 100oC for 30 min, and only Ni was detected while testing for migration levels according to the temperature variations; all temperature conditions conformed to the standards. The level of Ni migration increased significantly with increasing migration temperature. Regarding the residue level outside the paint-coated tumbler samples, the Pb level was found to range from N.D. to 20638.1323 mg/kg. The risk of Ni was further estimated to be at a safe level of 0.00 to 0.01% compared to the %TDI as a result.

The official analytical method for the analysis of harmful heavy metals in Meju, distributed in Korea, employs a strong acid to decompose the organic components. This analysis is time consuming and harmful to the users and/or the environment. This study aimed to develop a new pre-treatment technology using laser ablation, to rapidly analyze harmful heavy metals without using strong acids. The results obtained from this method were validated by the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation guideline (NIFDS, 2016). Moreover, a comparison of the two methods showed that the analytical time for 55 Meju samples was shortened by 96% or more in the new method. The results showed no significant difference in the recovery ranging from 90–120%. The proposed method proved suitable for detecting harmful heavy metals in Meju.

Activated corrosion products deposited on the reactor coolant system in a nuclear power plant should be removed to reduce the radiation exposure to workers. Chemical decontamination processes using organic acids have been widely applied to remove the activated corrosion products. However, they are highly corrosive to the base metal and generate a considerable amount of ion exchange resin waste, which is hard to be treated. In order to resolve this problem, KAERI has been developed a chemical decontamination process using chelate-free inorganic acid, HyBRID (Hydrazine Based Reductive metal Ion Decontamination) process. Especially, the Cyclic SP (Sulfuric acid/Permanganate)- HyBRID process was suggested as the decontamination process for applying to the remove the double oxide layer generated on the reactor coolant system in the pressurized water reactor (PWR). During the Cyclic SP-HyBRID process, the process is continuously applied without discharging or recharging of the decontamination process solution from the primary circuit. Thus, it is necessary to include the removal processes of the decontamination reagents middle of the Cyclic SP-HyBRID process, e.g., ‘Mn removal step’ for removing the permanganate ions and ‘hydrazine decomposition step’ for decomposition of the remaining hydrazine. During these removal processes, the metal ions can also be removed from the process solution. In this study, the behaviors of metals were investigated during the Cyclic SP-HyBRID process. The concentration changes of metal ions in the process solution were analyzed using atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy. The metal precipitates generated during the process were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. From the results of the analysis, it was observed that the metal ions dissolved in the process solution were converted into metal hydroxides and precipitated at the Mn removal process. It was confirmed by equilibrium calculation result that the OH− ions generated at the Mn removal can react with the metal ions and form the metal hydroxides. It is considered that this removal behaviors of the metals can contribute the decontamination performance.

Decontamination of spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear reactors is crucial to reduce the volume of intermediate-level waste. Fuel cladding hulls are one of the important parts due to high radioactivity. Their decontamination could possibly enable reclassification as low-level waste. Fuel cladding hulls used in research reactors and being developed for conventional light water reactors are Al-Mg and Fe-Cr-Al alloys, respectively. Therefore, the recovery of these component metals after decontamination is necessary to reduce the volume of highly radioactive waste. Electrochemical approach is often chosen due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Non-aqueous solvents, such as molten salts (MSs) and ionic liquids (ILs), are preferred to aqueous solvents due to the absence of hydrogen evolution. However, MSs and ILs are limited by high temperature and high synthesis cost, along with toxicity issues. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are synthesized from a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and donor (HBD) and exhibit outstanding metal salt solubility, wide electrochemical window, good biocompatibility, and economic production process. These characteristics make DES an attractive candidate solvent for economic, green, and efficient electrodeposition compared with aqueous solvents such acids or nonaqueous solvents such as MSs or ILs. In this research, the feasibility of electrodeposition of Al-Mg and Fe-Cr-Al alloys in ChCl:EG, the most common DES synthesized from choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG), will be tested. A standard three-electrode electrochemical cell with an Au plated working electrode and Al wires for counter and reference electrodes is utilized. Two electrolyte solutions (Al-Mg and Fe-Cr-Al) are prepared by dissolving 100 mM of each anhydrous metal chloride salts (AlCl3, MgCl2, CrCl3, and FeCl2) in ChCl:EG. Cyclic voltammogram (CV) is measured at 5, 10, 15, and 20 mV·s−1 to observe the redox reactions occurring in the solutions. Electrodeposition of each alloy is performed via chronoamperometry at observed reduction potentials from CV measurements. The deposited surfaces and cross-sections are examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to analyze the surface morphology, cross-section composition, and thickness. Authors anticipate that the presence of different metals will greatly affect the possibility of electrodeposition. It is expected that although all metals are distributed throughout the surface, the morphology, in terms of particle size and shape, would differ depending on metals. Different metals will be deposited by layers of an approximate thickness of a few μm each. This research will illustrate a potential for recovery and electrodeposition of other precious radioactive metals from DES.

In order to provide basic data for preparing management standards and to verify the safety of the Chinese oak mushroom-derived moisturizing medium—which is synthesized and imported in large quantities—the presence of 321 residual pesticides, 7 heavy metals, and 3 radioactive materials was analyzed in the moisturizer samples. Examination of residual pesticides in seven moisturizing medium samples prepared using the Chinese oak mushroom and three domestic sawdust samples used for mushroom culture revealed the presence of cypermethrin and iprodione in three moisturizer samples, but the contents of these pesticides were below the standard limits. Zn was detected in ten samples, Cu was detected in nine samples, and Ni was detected in four samples, but their contents were below the standard limits. Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg were not detected in any sample. No radioactive materials were detected in the samples. In addition, fruiting bodies of the oak mushroom were observed in each medium. Examination did not reveal the presence of any residual pesticides or harmful compounds. In this study, the use of the moisturizing medium prepared using the Chinese oak mushroom was found to be safe. As residual pesticides, heavy metals, and radioactivity—even in trace amounts—remain concentrated in the human body, continuous verification of the safety of hazardous substances and pollutants during the systematic cultivation and management of these mushrooms is required.

본 연구를 통해 국내 주요 한약재인 복령의 유해물질에 대한 안전성 확립과 허용기준치 설정의 기초자료를 제공하고자 한다. 국내 유통 중인 복령 10건(국내산 5건, 중국 산 5건)에 대한 잔류농약(321종), 중금속(7종), 방사능(3종), 회분 함량을 분석하였다. 잔류농약은 국내산 1건에서만 농약 성분인 cypermethrin 0.03mg/kg이 검출되었으나 기준치 이하로 나타났다. cypermethrin은 과수 및 원예농업에서 해충 방제의 살 충제로 사용되는 성분이다. 중금속은 Hg를 제외한 Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Hg, Cr가 모든 시료에서 검출됐지만 기준치 이하로 나타났다. Cd는 중국산 1건에서 0.011 mg/kg이 검출되었다. 방사능 농도도 모든 시료에서 MDA값 이하로 나타나 불검출 수준이었으며, 회분 함량도 모든 시료에서 기준치인 1.0% 이하로 나타났다. 이번 조사에서 국내에 유통 중인 복령의 유해물질에 대한 위해성은 안전하게 나타났다. 일반적으로 버섯류는 중금속 함량이 높다고 알려져 있다. 복령은 토양 속에서 생장하는 재배 특성상 유해물질에 항시 노출되어 있으므로 재배, 저장, 유통 등 생산단계 전반에 대한 지속적인 모니터링과 체계적인 관리기준 설정이 필요할 것으로 보인다.

Understanding the distribution of heavy metals in sediment is necessary because labile heavy metals can partition into the water column and bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Here we investigated six heavy metals (Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in sediment cores using a five-step sequential leaching method to examine the occurrence of heavy metals in the sediment. The results showed that all elements, except Mn, are depleted in the exchangeable and carbonate fractions. However, heavy metal concentrations are much higher in the Fe-Mn oxide and organic matter fractions, especially for Cu, indicating enrichment in the organic matter fraction. Furthermore, contamination parameters (contamination factor and geoaccumulation index) indicate that Mn contamination is high, primarily derived from anthropogenic sources, presenting a potential risk to ecosystems in the Nakdong River.

어류 양식장 퇴적물 중 유기물과 중금속의 오염상태를 파악하기 위하여 통영-거제 연안 어류 양식장 퇴적물 중 총유기탄소 (TOC), 총질소(TN), 중금속(As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn)을 조사하였다. 양식장 퇴적물 중 TOC와 TN의 평균농도는 각각 22.7 mg/g과 3.4 mg/g로 남해안의 반폐쇄적인 내만보다 높았다. 퇴적물 중 중금속의 평균농도는 비소(As) 10.5 mg/kg, 카드뮴(Cd) 0.37 mg/kg, 크롬(Cr) 82.9 mg/kg, 구리(Cu) 127 mg/kg, 철(Fe) 4.19 %, 수은(Hg) 0.041 mg/kg, 망간(Mn) 596 mg/kg, 납(Pb) 39.5 mg/kg, 아연(Zn) 175 mg/kg였으며, 이중 Cd, Cu의 농도는 인접한 남동해 연안의 패류양식해역보다 3배 이상 높았다. 퇴적물 기준을 이용한 오염평가 결과, 대부분의 어류 양식장에서 TOC와 중금속 중 Cu 농도가 기준을 초과하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 전체 중금속 농도를 고려한 오염부하량지수(PLI)와 생태계위해 도지수(ERI) 결과는 일부 어류 양식장 퇴적물이 저서생물에 극심한 부정적인 생태 영향을 줄 수 있는 상태(disastrous risk)인 것으로 파악되었다. 따라서, 어류 양식장 퇴적물은 유기물 및 일부 중금속에 의한 오염된 상태를 보이고 있어, 양식장 퇴적환경을 개선하고 퇴적물내 유기물 및 중금속의 주된 오염원을 파악하는 한편 오염부하량을 저감하는 종합적인 관리대책이 필요하다.

2020년 경기도내 대형매장과 베이킹 전문매장 등에서 유통 중인 홈베이킹 조리기구 69건(폴리에틸렌테레프탈레이트(PET)제, 불소수지(FR)제, 가공셀룰로스제, 고무제, 종이제, 금속제, 유리제)을 대상으로 유해금속 9종(납, 카드 뮴, 비소, 아연, 니켈, 안티몬, 게르마늄, 6가크롬, 알루미늄)의 용출량 및 알루미늄의 식품으로의 이행량을 조사하여 홈베이킹 조리기구의 안전관리를 위한 기초자료로 활용하고자 하였다. 홈베이킹에서 사용되는 69건의 조리기구는 식품용 기구 및 용기·포장 공전의 용출규격 기준에 모두 적합하였다. 금속제의 니켈이 최대 0.009 mg/L 검출 되었으나 기준에 적합하였고 이외 유해금속은 불검출이었다. 규격 기준 이외의 금속에서 주로 용출된 유해금속은 알루미늄으로 7개의 재질에서 모두 용출되었으며, 4% 초산으로 용출된 종이제(1.417 mg/L)와 가공셀룰로스제 (5.069 mg/L)에서 높은 용출량을 보였다. 홈베이킹에서 주로 사용되는 조리조건인 180˚C, 30분 용출실험 결과, 식품용 기구 및 용기·포장 공전에 따른 용출실험 대비, 종이제의 알루미늄의 용출량이 7.2배 유의하게 증가하였다 (P<0.05). 이외 납 등 다른 유해금속이 추가로 검출되었다. 180˚C, 30분으로 용출온도가 증가하여도 식품용 기구 및 용기·포장 공전의 용출규격 기준에는 모두 적합하였다. 알루미늄의 위해도 평가결과, 종이제 > 금속제 > FR제 > 고무제 및 유리제 > PET제 및 가공셀룰로스제 순으로 나타났으며, 전체 위해도는 0.000-0.045% 수준으로 국민생활 건강에 위해를 끼치지 않는 안전한 수준으로 확인되었다. 홈베이킹 조리기구의 용출량 조사결과, 유해금속은 안전하게 관리되고 있는 것을 확인하였고, 본 연구의 결과는 향후 식품용 기구 및 용기·포장의 안전관리를 위한 과학적인 근거자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.