KJC Korea
Journal Central

In Korea, a major contaminant of farmland soils in the vicinity of abandoned mines is arsenic, for which the general soil reclamation method is contaminated soil stabilization and cover the stabilized soil with clean soil at a thickness of 40 cm. In a previous pot experiment study we confirmed the feasibility of a lower thickness (20 cm) of covering soil for such reclamation in abandoned coal mines, where arsenic contamination levels are generally lowerthan in metal mines. In this subsequent study a field experiment including rice plant cultivation in field test plots was conducted. For over 4 months, the transfer of arsenic from the contaminated soil to the unpolished rice grains was reduced by 44% when a clean soil covering with a thickness of 20 cm was applied. The maximum decrease (56%) was shown when the stabilization process was performed before the covering. These results reveal a lower thickness of clean soil covering has a high feasibility and it can increase cost-efficiency in the reclamation of an abandoned coal mine.

This study aims to identify the cause of the red-water occurrence (the phenomenon of water being red) that occurs at some points and sections of rivers in Yongin City. As a result of conducting a preliminary investigation, total three sites were selected as the investigation point as it was found that the red-water occurrence continued. As a result of the investigation, it is judged that the cause of the red-water in Yongin-city river is due to the soil color and iron content of the region. JPS, SBS, and JJS sites all showed that the color of soil is mainly consist of reddish brown and redyellow. The average Fe concentration was 13.75 mg/L, 10.85 mg/L, and 1.31 mg/L, for each sites, and considering that the Fe concentration in general river water was less than 0.5 mg/L, it was confirmed that the concentration was quite high. At the JPS and JJS points, the red-water occurrence occurred mainly in stagnant places, which is believed to be strengthened by the reaction of organic and microorganisms. In the case of SBS, the wateris red, but as a result of observing the actual color, it is judged that the iron component deposited in the pipe causes an optical illusion with a deep red color. In addition, it is believed that the iron concentration can be reduced to the general river water concentration range by removing the particulate iron component through a decrease of more than 95% as a result of filtering with glass fiber filter with particulate iron. As a result of this study, it is necessary to manage the river to maintain the flow, and it is believed that the occurrence of red-water at the survey point can be alleviated through uptake action through planting and agglomeration precipitation and agglomeration filtration methods for particulate iron treatment.

Urban Heat Island (UHI) is caused by an energy imbalance in urban areas, where building design and land cover contribute to its amplification. To mitigate UHI, increasing green space is one of the well known and the most effective approach. This study aims aimed to identify specific components of green spaces that lower temperatures and demonstrate the cooling effects based on their size and composition. Forests within green spaces have had a greater impact on temperature reduction due to shading and blocking solar radiation. Although lakes also contributed to temperature reduction, the effect to cooling intensity was not significant. The cooling distance does not depended on green space size or composition. The study emphasizes that initial temperature has a strongerinfluence on cooling intensity than green space size, highlighting the importance of vegetation type within green spaces to achieve a cooling effect. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planning and the design of green spaces to mitigate the effects of the urban heat island.

This study identified how users of Gwanghwamun Square perceive the space and derived the spatial attributes of Gwanghwamun Square. There are four spatial attributes of Gwanghwamun Square: preservation of the historical environment, beauty of the surrounding landscape, suitability as a resting place, and activation of recreation. The first attribute, preservation of the historical environment, refers to the spaces that reflect the unique characteristics of Gwanghwamun Square and resonate with culture, including the Blue House, Bukaksan Mountain, Gyeongbok Palace, Yukjo Street, King Sejong, and Yi Sun-sin. The second attribute, beauty of the surrounding landscape, is related to the provision of abundant greenery and natural environment without disturbing the surrounding landscape, and includes landscape, sky, and greenery. The third attribute, suitability as a resting place, refers to various landscape facilities and services to enhance visitor comfort, including tables, chairs, shade, planters, rest areas, and fountains. Finally,recreational activation. This is the provision of various experiences, including exhibitions, performances, experiences, and sightseeing. Utilizing the attributes of Gwanghwamun Plaza derived from this study, it will provide important implications for the reconstruction of Gwanghwamun Plaza if future studies on valuation and estimation of Gwanghwamun Plaza are conducted to verify the differences in preferences by type.