Detection and Molecular Characterization of Human Noroviruses in Korean Groundwater Between 2008 and 2010

RT-PCR, nucleotide sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were performed for genotyping and molecular characterization of noroviruses isolated from Korean groundwater. Among 160 samples collected from 80 sites between 2008 and 2010, 14 samples (8.7?%) from 12 sites were positive for noroviruses (NoVs). The percentages of NoV-positive samples in 2008, 2009, and 2010 were 22.2, 3.2, and 0?%, respectively, representing a yearly decrease. GII-positive samples (n?=?9, 5.6?%) outnumbered GI-positive samples (n?=?5, 3.1?%). The genotypes of the GI NoVs were GI.2, GI.5, and GI.6, and the genotypes of the GII NoVs were all GII.4. One sample, HM623465, was very similar to CUK-3 and CBNU2 and two GII.4 sequences isolated from the stool of Korean gastroenteritis patients. A BLASTN search revealed several nucleotide sequences highly similar to those of NoVs isolated in this study. The original isolation sources for these similar NoVs were mostly stool (n?=?731, 80.0?%) and groundwater (n?=?135, 14.8?%), and all the countries from which they were isolated were almost in Asia (96.0?%); specifically, China (n?=?192, 21.0?%), Japan (n?=?383, 41.9?%), Korea (n?=?296, 32.4?%), and other Asian countries (n?=?6, 0.7?%). These results suggest that Korean groundwater might be contaminated with NoVs from the stool of infected patients and that these NoVs in turn cause new cases of gastroenteritis through a typical fecal-oral route with region-specific circulation. Therefore, it is important to properly treat sewage, which may include waterborne viruses and manage point sources in groundwater for national health and sanitation. In addition, continuous molecular surveillance remains important for understanding circulating NoVs.     

Two-step accelerated mineral carbonation and decomposition analysis for the reduction of CO2 emission in the eco-industrial parks

Carbon dioxide（CO2） emissions are a leading contributor to the negative effects of global warming. Globally, research has focused on effective means of reducing and mitigating CO2 emissions. In this study, we examined the efficacy of eco-industrial parks（EIPs） and accelerated mineral carbonation techniques in reducing CO2 emissions in South Korea.First, we used Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index（LMDI） analysis to determine the trends in carbon production and mitigation at the existing EIPs. We found that, although CO2 was generated as byproducts and wastes of production at these EIPs, improved energy intensity effects occurred at all EIPs, and we strongly believe that EIPs are a strong alternative to traditional industrial complexes for reducing net carbon emissions. We also examined the optimal conditions for using accelerated mineral carbonation to dispose of hazardous fly ash produced through the incineration of municipal solid wastes at these EIPs. We determined that this technique most efficiently sequestered CO2 when micro-bubbling, low flow rate inlet gas, and ammonia additives were employed.     

A comparative study on per capita waste generation according to a waste collecting system in Korea

As cities are becoming increasingly aware of problems related to conventional mobile collection systems, automated pipeline-based vacuum collection (AVAC) systems have been introduced in some densely populated urban areas. The reasons are that in addition to cost savings, AVAC systems can be efficient, hygienic, and environmentally friendly. Despite difficulties in making direct comparisons of municipal waste between a conventional mobile collection system and an AVAC system, it is meaningful to measure the quantities in each of these collection methods either in total or on a per capita generation of waste (PCGW, g/(day*capita)) basis. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the difference in per capita generation of household waste according to the different waste collection methods in Korea. Observations on household waste show that there were considerable differences according to waste collection methods. The value of per capita generation of food waste (PCGF) indicates that a person in a city using AVAC produces 60 % of PCGF (109.58 g/(day*capita)), on average, compared with that of a truck system (173.10 g/(day*capita)) as well as 23 %p less moisture component than that with trucks. The value of per capita generation of general waste (PCGG) in a city with an AVAC system showed 147.73 g/(day*capita), which is 20 % less than that with trucks delivered (185 g/(day*capita)). However, general waste sampled from AVAC showed a 35 %p increased moisture content versus truck delivery.     

Supported Pd/Sn bimetallic nanoparticles for reductive dechlorination of aqueous trichloroethylene

A Pd/Sn bimetallic nanoparticles resin (nano-Pd/Sn/resin) was successfully synthesized for reductive transformation of aqueous trichloroethylene (TCE). The physicochemical properties of the prepared resin were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, N(2) isothermal sorption at and X-ray photospectroscopy. The surface-area-normalized rate constants (k(SA)) of Sn particles in the nanoscale range (50-100 nm) were 4.5 times larger than the k(SA) for powdered Sn (0.04 mm). After depositing 1 wt% Pd onto nano-Sn surface, k(SA) was further enhanced by about a factor of 2. Groundwater constituents such as sulfide nitrate and dissolved oxygen had significant negative effects on the rate of TCE degradation by the nano-Pd/Sn/resin. A wet-chemical method regeneration method was observed to effectively restore the reactivity of the poisoned nano-Pd/Sn/resin after dipping in sulfide solution for 2d. In all cases, less than 0.5% of the degraded TCE appeared as chlorinated byproducts including the three dichloroethene isomers. The nano-Pd/Sn/resin technique performs well in transforming TCE into nontoxic hydrocarbons, as compared with other published methods.     

Thermodynamic behavior of rare metals in the melting process of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration residues

This study aims to identify the thermodynamic behavior of rare metal elements during the melting process of municipal solid waste incineration residues. The fate of several selected rare metal elements was investigated using two approaches: experimental and thermodynamic equilibrium calculation at two actual melting plants. The results revealed that Ag, Bi, Ga, Ge, In, Pd, Sb, Te, and Tl are readily volatilized as chloride and/or gaseous forms and then condensed in melting furnace fly ash. On the other hand, Cr, Ni, Ta, V, and Zr tend to mostly remain in molten slag. Sn is volatilized as SnS (g) under reducing conditions while volatilization is suppressed under oxidizing conditions. Thermodynamically, total volatilization of Mn as MnCl2 (g) occurred with highly available chlorine under oxidizing conditions. However, at the actual plants, only a small proportion was volatilized. As for Co, Mo, and W, no volatilization occurred at the actual plants although the calculations suggest that these elements can form volatile metal chloride and volatilize. Non-equilibrium and heterogeneity of the actual plant melting furnace could explain the discrepancy. This study provided a good qualitative view of the behavior of rare metals in the melting process, but further investigation is required to produce a more accurate simulation and to resolve the discrepancy.     

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as a source of sediment contamination by toxic organic pollutants and fecal sterols in a semi-enclosed bay in Korea

Toxic organic contaminants and a macrobenthic community were assayed in sediments collected near a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall to assess the impact of WWTP discharges on an aquatic environment. Average concentrations of toxic organic contaminants in sediments from 20 locations were 96.7ng TEQ/kg dry matter for PCDD/Fs, 1.84ng TEQ/kg dry matter for dioxin-like PCBs, 29.1microg/kg dry matter for PBDEs, 411microg/kg dry matter for nonylphenols, 1021microg/kg dry matter for fecal sterols, and 928microg/kg dry matter for PAHs. Concentrations of all the organic contaminants and fecal sterols varied widely and there was a clear decrease in concentration gradients with increasing distances from the WWTP outfall. This result suggests that WWTP activities contribute to contamination by organic chemicals. A survey of benthic organisms showed the dominance of a few polychaete species, indicating a deterioration of the macrobenthic community by the WWTP discharge. Non-parametric multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination and Spearman correlation analyses showed that organic contamination is associated with the benthic community structure. For polychaete species, the sensitive species for organic contaminants was Paraprionospio pinnata, while contaminant-tolerant species were Spiochaetopterus koreana and Capitella capitata. BIOENV analyses of all locations suggested PCDDs and PCDFs as the major contaminants influencing the structure of the macrobenthic community. The present study highlights that continuous WWTP discharges contribute to severe organic contamination and risks for the benthic community in an aquatic ecosystem.     

Balancing the energy demand by a resource circulation project in Daejeon,Korea

Demand for sustainable renewable energy is on an increase worldwide, whereas the supply is limited. This paper analyses the feasibility of generating electricity and supplying the surplus steam to Daeduk Industrial Complex, by incinerating the combustible municipal waste generated in Daejeon Metropolitan City. The economic feasibility of surplus biogas generated from the anaerobic digestion of food waste and food waste leachate has been analysed. This study estimated resource circulation facility to supply 23,200 m³/day of biogas generated to Daejeon Combined Heat and Power plant. By 2023, it is expected to supply 25.7 tons of steam per hour all year round. The additional steam demand in Daeduk Industrial Complex is estimated as 101,537 tons/year. Surplus biogas will be supplied through an additional 960-m new installation. The cost of biogas is estimated at 30% of the unit biogas production cost. Daejeon Combined Heat and Power plant expects to make 60% additional profit, and Daeduk Industrial Complex and the communities nearby expect to achieve 10% cost savings. It also reduces the dependence of energy on fossil fuels, contributes to national environmental energy policy in reduction in greenhouse gases, creates competitiveness in local business and reduces corporate tax and generates revenue.     

Quality control for coal combustion products in South Korea through assessed pozzolanic-activity index with long-term property tests

In South Korea, nine million tons of fly ash (FA) are annually produced and approximately 70 % is reutilized for industrial demand. For the prompt reuse and insufficient reclamation site, quality control of FA which is main productive construction material from coal ash is very important. Assessed Pozzolanic-activity Index (API) test which needs only 2 days for evaluation of pozzolanic reaction is currently considered as an alternative of activity index measurement. This paper aims for an applicability of API test for prompt quality control and investigation of domestic FA properties. For the work, FAs from two different power plant types are prepared, and quality tests are carried out based on Korean Standards (KS) methods and API method. Lots of test results are compared with those from API and K-value test for FA with age of 7 days–1 year. From the test results for FA aged 1 year, API results are evaluated to be closely related with those from activity index and K-value, and the correlations are improved with increasing ages regardless of plant types. The applicability of API test is verified and the reduced period of FA quality evaluation can accelerate prompt use and the related process of FA.