Uranium-contaminated soil can be effectively decontaminated through acid leaching; however, this process process generates significant amounts of radioactive wastewater. Therefore, developing efficient methods to remove uranium from wastewater is essential to minimize radioactive waste generation. This study investigates the applicability of various precipitation methods for uranium removal from acidic wastewater produced during soil-washing processes. Three methods were evaluated: metal hydroxide (M–OHx) co-precipitation, uranium peroxide (UO4) precipitation, and uranium phosphate (KUO2PO4) precipitation. The M–OHx precipitation method removes uranium by precipitating excess metal ions in wastewater by adjusting the pH. This method is easy to use and has a high removal efficiency. The UO4 and KUO2PO4 precipitation methods involve adding reagents to precipitate uranium in the mineral phase. They enable selective uranium separation and further volume reduction. In the results, M–OHx and KUO2PO4 precipitation methods remove uranium to less than 1 mg∙L−1 within 2 h, demonstrating superior capabilities compared to UO4 precipitation. The optimal method is different depended on the management strategy for the recovered uranium. The M–OHx precipitation method was suitable for permanent disposal, whereas KUO2PO4 could be recycled. Based on these findings, guidelines for the effective treatment of wastewater containing uranium from the soil-washing process can be established.

Uranium-contaminated soil can be cleaned using an acid washing process. However, high-concentration acid washing generates substantial amounts of radioactive waste, making it essential to develop a treatment process using low-concentration acid. This study evaluated the effectiveness of low-concentration sulfuric acid washing for uranium removal from contaminated soil. Experiments were conducted with a 0.05 M sulfuric acid solution. With a mixing ratio of soil to acid solution at 1:5, three consecutive washes were sufficient to remove uranium from contaminated soil to clearance level. During the acid washing process, real-time pH monitoring was performed to analyze the correlation between uranium leaching and pH changes. This led to the establishment of a monitoring-based process control strategy. In conclusion, we identified an effective method for removing uranium from soil under low acid concentration conditions. Consequently, significant reductions in radioactive waste generation are anticipated.

This study investigated the distribution and growth performance of Bolboschoenus planiculmis under varying estuarine environmental conditions. We aimed to determine the optimal planting methods and environmental conditions with respect to salinity, soil texture, and tidal regimes on its growth performance. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in B. planiculmis coverage, shrinking to 955,393 m2 in 2024, representing only 38.59% of that compared to 2004. The plant’s survival rate exhibited a clear salinity gradient: 0 ppt (89±8.01%)>5 ppt (64±4.56%)>15 ppt (37±4.25%)>30 ppt (0±0.00%). Planting density significantly influenced growth, with 24 tubers m-2 yielding the highest number of plants per tuber (14.67±0.33). A planting depth of 5 cm proved optimal for tuber germination and growth. Soil texture analysis demonstrated that a lower sand content promoted growth, with the highest density observed in soil containing 10% sand (435±6.96 plants m-2). Tidal influence also played an important role, with areas experiencing regular tidal fluctuations fostering the most successful growth. Planting tubers or young plants with attached tubers in these tidal zones led to the highest survival rates and biomass.

본 연구는 54일 동안 관수량과 오이(‘아시아 은천 F1’)의 생 육, 줄기 수액 흐름, 광합성 특성, 수분 이용 효율에 대한 상대 습도(RH)와 광도의 영향을 평가하였다. 오이는 토양 화분에 서 재배되었으며, 토양 수분 장력계로 자동 제어(－10kPa) 하 여 EC 1.5dS m-1의 양액을 1회 주당(per plant) 265mL 공급하 였다. 처리는 세 조건으로 광도 200μmol·m-2·s-1에 가습 처리 구(HL)와 무가습의 대조구(Control), 광도 350μmol·m-2·s-1 에 가습 처리구(HH)로 설정하였다. 주간(weekly) 평균 RH는 가습 처리구에서 79.5%(VPD 2.4kPa), 무가습 처리구에서 65.5%(VPD 4.0kPa)이었고, 평균 온도는 모든 처리구에서 25℃이었다. 총관수 횟수는 대조구에서 29회, HL처리구에 서 26회, HH처리구에서 27회이었다. HH처리구에서 초장과 마디 수, 엽 생육, 줄기 직경에서 생장이 컸으며, HH처리구에 서 광합성률이 더 높았고, 대조구에서 증산률이 더 높았다. 주 간 엽온은 HH처리구에서 28℃, HL처리구에서 26℃, 대조구 가 23℃였으며, 엽기온차는 HH처리구에서 2℃, HL처리구 에서 0℃, 대조구에서 －3℃ 이였다. 모든 처리구에서 줄기 수액흐름(SFRR)은 광의 유무와 토양수분장력에 영향을 받 아 광주기 시작 전 10%(HH, Control)－30%(HL)에서 광주 기 시작 이후 60%(HH)－90%(Control)로 상승하였고, 관수 후 SFRR은 20－30% 상승폭을 나타냈다. 광 조사 동안 평균 SFRR은 대조구에서 88.5%로 가습처리구보다 높은 경향이 었다. 이상의 결과 오이 토양 포트재배에서 토양수분장력 －10kPa 관수제어시 처리구의 토양 수분장력은 차이가 없음 에도 불구하고 적정 VPD가 유지되면 오이의 생육과 암꽃발 생률이 높았고 광주기 동안 엽기온차, 관수영향은 SFRR에 영 향을 주었다.

본 연구는 기후변화로 인해 사과 과수원에서 발생하는 가뭄 에 대응하기 위한 새롭게 개발된 ‘지중스틱’의 영향을 조사하 였다. 지중스틱이 ‘후지’ 사과나무(Malus domestica Borkh.) 의 증발산량, 상대엽수분함량, 토양체적수분함량에 어떤 영 향을 주는지 스프링클러 관수 방식과 비교하였다. 2022년과 2023년에 지중스틱으로 측정된 일별 증발산량은 스프링클러 보다 각각 37.2%와 71.4% 낮았다. 시간별 평균기온에 따른 2022년과 2023년의 지중스틱 증발산량은 스프링클러보다 48% 및 51% 낮았다. 2023년에 측정된 스프링클러와 지중스 틱의 증발량은 평균기온 15°C에서 0.04L·h-1, 0.03L·h-1였고, 평균기온 40°C에서 0.54L·h-1, 0.14L·h-1였다. 관수 시스템에 따른 ‘후지’ 사과나무의 상대엽수분함량을 조사한 결과, 스프 링클러와 지중스틱을 통해 각각 26L, 16L를 관수하였을 때의 상대엽수분함량은 관수 전과 비교하여 각각 관수 4시간 후, 24시간 후에 유의하게 증가했다. 동일한 시간 동안 스프링클 러와 지중스틱을 통해 관수를 적용한 후, 10cm, 20cm 깊이에 서 토양 체적수분함량(Volumetric Water Contents, VWC) 을 측정하였다. 스프링클러는 깊이에 따른 토양 VWC에 차이 가 없었다. 반면, 지중스틱으로 관수했을 때, 20cm 깊이의 VWC가 10cm 깊이의 토양 VWC보다 더 많이 변화했다. 그 러나 지중스틱의 토양VWC는 스프링클러와 비교하여 낮게 나타났다. 지중스틱과 스프링클러를 이용한 동일시간의 관수 에서 지중스틱의 처리에서 낮은 증발산량을 보였으며, 스프 링클러보다 40% 적은 관수량이 필요한 것으로 조사되었다.

Industries that use or produce radionuclides have unintentionally released these substances into surrounding soils and sediments. To address this problem, Beautiful Environmental Construction (BEC) Co. developed the BEC’s Radioactive Soil Decontamination (BERAD) system to remove contaminants and reduce the volume of radionuclide-contaminated soils. Owing to the limited availability of radioactive isotopes such as 60Co, 90Sr, 137Cs, and uranium-contaminated soil, naturally occurring elements in soil were used in this demonstration. The soil was divided into six size fractions via manual wet sieving and the BERAD system. Then, the concentrations of uranium, cobalt, strontium, cesium, and iron in each fraction were measured. The results of both separations showed that a considerable amount of each element is retained in the finer size fractions (<0.2 mm). After BERAD separation, the corresponding values yielded 53% uranium, 45% strontium, 66% cobalt, and 53% cesium in the fine size (<0.2 mm) fractions of 35% by weight. The study found that the concentrations of these elements increased as the particle sizes decreased. Iron and micaceous minerals played a significant role in retaining the elements. The pilot scale BERAD system yielded results that were similar to those obtained via laboratory wet-sieving and was successfully demonstrated as a soil washing technology.

본 연구는 절화 국화의 수경재배와 토경관비재배 시 생육 특 성을 비교하기 위하여 실시하였다. 그 결과 초장, 절화의 생체중 과 건물중은 토경관비재배에서 증가하였다. 식물체 내 전질소, 칼륨 및 칼슘의 함량도 토경관비재배에서 더 높았다. 반면에 줄기 직경은 수경재배에서 3.7mm로 증가하였다. 또한 개화소 요일수도 토경관비재배보다 수경재배에서 3일 정도 단축되었 고, 줄기 1개당 꽃 수도 19.6개로 수경재배에서 더 많았다. 결과 적으로 토경관비재배에서 식물체 내 무기염류 함량이 높고, 초장이 길어지고 생체중, 건물중이 증가하였지만 수경재배보다 개화기는 지연되었다. 또한 토경관비재배보다 수경재배에서 줄 기 직경이나 꽃 수 등이 증가하였다. 따라서 재배자의 입장에서 국화 수경재배를 통해 양분과 수분 공급량의 조절에 의한 개화 기의 조절, 조기 개화 및 절화 품질 향상 등의 효과를 기대할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

This study investigated the seasonal variations and environmental factors influencing soil respiration in Quercus mongolica forests at three distinct sites in South Korea: Mt. Jeombongsan, Mt. Namsan, and Mt. Jirisan. Monthly soil respiration rates were measured from 2009 to 2010 using a closed chamber method, alongside assessments of soil temperature, moisture, and organic matter. Results revealed significant seasonal and spatial variability, with the highest respiration rates recorded during summer months. Soil temperature was identified as the primary driver of respiration, showing strong positive correlations across all sites (R2=0.64 - 0.88). The temperature sensitivity (Q10) values ranged from 2.7 at Mt. Namsan to 5.7 at Mt. Jeombongsan, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of cooler, high-altitude forests to warming. Soil moisture had a dual role, promoting respiration at moderate levels but inhibiting it under saturated conditions, particularly at Mt. Jirisan. Soil organic matter content exhibited an inverse relationship with respiration rates, indicating that substrate quality, rather than quantity, predominantly governs microbial activity. Plant-soil interactions, including root respiration and litterfall decomposition, further modulated respiration patterns, with site-specific differences reflecting variations in vegetation density and ecosystem structure. These findings highlight the complexity of soil carbon dynamics in temperate forests and the critical influence of environmental factors and plant-soil processes. The study provides essential insights for improving carbon cycling models and informs climate-resilient forest management strategies. Future research should prioritize long-term monitoring and experimental manipulations to better predict soil respiration under changing climatic conditions.

This study investigated the spatial distribution of dissolved organic carbon and the changes in tidal flat soil characteristics following the flooding season in the closed estuary of the Geumgang River basin. We found that after the flooding season, a brackish water area expanded due to increased river discharge, which also introduced low concentrations of dissolved organic carbon from the river. Dissolved inorganic carbon predominantly originated from the sea in proportion to salinity, indicating that in the closed estuary area, dissolved carbon supplied from the sea remained a significant source even after the flooding season. Additionally, a substantial amount of tidally transported silt and clay was deposited near the estuary dam after the flood, and its effects continued to influence the sediment characteristics downstream in the intertidal zone. As an empirical study in the closed estuary, our results are expected to contribute to conservation measures for the World Heritage Site in the area.

We have performed an experiment to evaluate the efficacy of salt and hot water treatments in soil for managing situations where high-risk plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are detected in farms and flower shops that cultivate foliage plants. The density of Pratylenchus penetrans was reduced by 100% with salt treatments of 20 and 40 kg m-2, while decreases of 95% and 99.8% were observed with treatments of 5 and 10 kg m-2, respectively. In the hot water treatment, Pratylenchus penetrans decreased by 97.6% compared to the initial density. The salt treatment resulted in a decrease in pH and an increase in electrical conductivity (EC) compared to untreated soil. However, other characteristics, including organic matter content, available phosphorus, total nitrogen (T-N) rate, and exchangeable cations, did not differ from the control. In the case of hot water treatment, all properties were similar to those in the untreated group. As a result of this study, salt applications of more than 20 kg m-2 and hot water at 96°C could serve as effective control methods when high-risk PPNs are detected in flower shops and greenhouses located in urban or near-urban areas.

산악 지역이 대부분인 한국에서는 많은 깎기비탈면이 사회기반시설 건설사업의 일환으로 조성된다. 경주지역에 서는 초기 깎기비탈면 설계 시 깎기비탈면의 안정성을 평가하기 위해 암종 및 지질구조 파악을 위한 시추 및 지표지질 조사를 실시하였다. 또한, RMR (Rock Mass Rating), SMR (Slope Mass Rating), 입체투영법, 한계평형분석 등을 이용 하여 사면안정성을 정량적으로 평가하였다. 본 연구에서는 경주지역의 토사층과 풍화암으로 구성된 깎기비탈면은 총길이 110m, 높이는 10-19 m, 경사도는 51/175-155 (경사/경사방향)로 구성되어 있으며, 시추결과에 따라 3개 구역(A, B, C)으로 구분하였다. 구역 A에서 사면에 대한 수많은 불연속성과 준평행 절리가 관찰되어 평면 파괴의 위험이 있는 것 으로 분석되었으며, 이로 인해 불안정하고 풍화가 심한 깎기비탈면에 대한 보강 작업을 하였다. 한계 평형 분석에 따르 면, 세 구역 모두의 깎기비탈면은 건기와 지진 조건에서 모두 불안정한 것으로 분석되었다. 이 분석을 바탕으로 국토교 통부가 정한 사면 안전 계수 기준과 시공성, 경제적 타당성과 같은 현장 특정 조건을 고려하여 깎기비탈면에 대한 마 이크로파일 보강재를 적용하였다. 이 연구는 복합 비탈면의 안정성평가와 적합한 보강 공법 선택에 실무적 방법론을 제 공하며, 유사 지역의 비탈면 설계 및 관리에 기여할 수 있다.

Runoff inhibitors can be used to suppress soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Their impact on soil ecosystems needs to be assessed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate effects of runoff inhibitors on metabolic activities of soil microbes using starch, cationic starch, guar gum, xanthan gum, and PAM (polyacrylamide) as carbon sources. Responses of soil microbes to carbon sources were analyzed using Biolog EcoPlate. Soil was treated with each carbon source at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0%. Carbon utilization was measured every week for three weeks. Average well color development (AWCD) was increased in the group treated with starch at 0.5 or 1.0% at 3 weeks after treatment. Effect of cationic starch was different depending on treatment period. This effect decreased at 3 weeks after treatment. Guar gum increased AWCD at all concentrations. Reactions of microbes were different depending on the type of carbon source. Xanthan gum increased AWCD at all concentrations, although amino acid decomposition showed no significant difference. On the other hand, PAM decreased AWCD at all concentrations. The Shannon H index representing functional diversity showed a tendency similar to that of AWCD for all treatments. These results indicate that soil treatments can have secondary effects on metabolic function of soil microbes and physical properties of soil.

Tricholoma matsutake is an economically important ectomycorrhizal mushroom, but artificial cultivation remains challenging. While much research has been conducted on the bacteria and fungi associated with T. matsutake, studies on archaea have been limited. This study compared and analyzed the diversity and structural differences of archaeal communities in the fairy ring and non-fairy ring soils using a metabarcoding approach. The alpha diversity analysis revealed that the archaeal community in fairy ring soil had lower diversity compared to non-fairy ring soil, and beta diversity analysis clearly separated the community structures between the two soil types. Among all analyzed soils, Nitrososphaeria (Nitrososphaerota) dominated the archaeal community at class level. In fairy ring soils, Nitrosotalea (Nitrosotaleaceae) was predominant, while in non-fairy ring soils, Nitrosocaldaceae dominated. These results suggest that Nitrosotalea may have a close association with T. matsutake, highlighting the need for further in-depth research on archaea as potential growth promoting microorganism for T. matsutake mycelial growth.

The world is transitioning towards sustainable agriculture, which includes reducing chemical fertilizers and increasing the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Red clay, known for its colloidal properties, adsorption, and ion exchange capabilities, has become eco-friendly due to its non-toxic nature. However, when red clay is applied in its insoluble powdered form, its absorption by plants is limited. Processed red clay (PRC) was developed to overcome these limitations, and microbial formulations containing Lactobacillus fermentum (MFcL) were applied alongside it. Chlorophyll content and fluorescence values decreased over time after cucumber transplantation. However, co-application of PRC and MFcL resulted in higher chlorophyll content than PRC alone, suggesting that this combination could alleviate plant growth reduction caused by stress. Although the total yield of cucumbers was highest in the NF group, yield per plant increased by more than 10% in the PRC treatment compared to NF. Additionally, yield was higher when PRC was applied alongside MFcL than with MFcL alone. While the proportion of marketable fruits decreased over time in the NF treatment, it increased in the PRC treatment. Soil analysis revealed that PRC application increased soil pH by 3% and available silicon content by 7.6% compared to NF, while available phosphate levels decreased by 13%. Analysis of microbial density in the soil showed that bacteria levels significantly increased by 2-fold in PRC+MFcL compared to NF, while actinomycetes decreased by 1.5-fold. In conclusion, PRC treatment positively influenced cucumber growth, and co-application with microbial fertilizers demonstrated a synergistic effect.

음식물류폐기물의 퇴비화는 경제적인 자원화 방법이지만, 염분함량이 높아 토양에 투입될 경우 염류집적으로 인한 작물 생육 피해가 우려된다. 바이오차는 양이온교환능력이 높은 물질로 염분피해가 우려되는 토양에 적용 시 Na+이온을 흡착하여 작물생육 피해를 줄여줄 것으로 생각된다. 이에 본 연구는 바이오차와 혼합하여 제조한 음식물류폐기물 혼합 펠렛 퇴비(이하, 음폐혼합펠렛퇴비) 사용 시 배추 생육과 토양에 미치는 영향을 평가하고 이에 따른 무기질비료 절감 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 처리구는 무비구(NF), 무기질비료 반량(NPK0.5), 무기질비료(NPK), 무기질비료+ 음폐퇴비(FWC), 무기질비료+음폐혼합펠렛퇴비(FWCB)이다. 배추 생육조사 결과, FWCB처리구에서 엽장, 엽폭, 구고 및 구폭 모두 가장 높았다. 수량조사 결과 8,300 kg 10a-1로 가장 높게 나타났으며, NPK처리구에 비해 무기질비료를 50% 사용하였으나 수량은 13.6% 높게 나타났다. 토양화학 성 결과 FWCB에서 EC는 0.59 ds m-1, 교환성 Na은 0.35 cmolc kg-1으로 다른처리구보다 높게 나타났으나 적정범위 이내였다. 본 연구결과, 음폐혼합펠릿퇴비의 사용은 작물의 양분 및 유기물공급 뿐만 아니라 바이오차로 인한 양이온 고정 효과로 작물 생산성을 향상시키는 것으로 생각되며, 비료성분의 공급원으로써 배추의 생육 및 생산성을 증진할 수 있는 기술로 활용이 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

서식지에 따른 토양 절지동물 풍부도 및 딱정벌레 다양성 연구를 위해 세 종류의 시료(낙엽층과 토양 혼합, 낙엽층, 토양 시료)를 확보 후 체 털어잡기 하였다. 2023년 6월부터 8월까지 강원도와 충청북도에서 혼합 시료, 낙엽층 시료, 토양 시료 각각 25개씩 총 75개의 시료를 확보하였 다. 딱정벌레목 다양성을 확인한 결과, 세 가지 시료 중에서 혼합 시료에서 가장 높은 풍부도, 종 부유도, Shannon 지수가 나타났다. 이 논문에서 는 체털어잡기의 생태학적 활용 가능성에 대해 논의해 보았다. 토양성 절지동물의 채집과 시료 종류 사이의 연구가 지속적으로 이루어진다면, 최 종적으로 토양생태계 연구의 발전과 이해를 높일 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.