• Review

    Hydrogeochemical Site Descriptive Modeling Development Methodology for Deep Geological Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste: A Review of the Swedish Forsmark Case

    고준위 방사성폐기물 심층처분을 위한 수리지구화학 부지기술모델 설정 및 개발 방법론: 스웨덴 Forsmark 사례를 중심으로

    Ho-Rim Kim, Heewon Jung, SeHyeok Park, Hanna Choi, Hanna Kim, Junseop Oh, Jeong-Hwan Lee, Seong-Taek Yun

    김호림, 정희원, 박세혁, 최한나, 김한나, 오준섭, 이정환, 윤성택

    A hydrogeochemical site descriptive model (SDM) is essential for evaluating the long-term safety of deep geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste (HLW). … + READ MORE
    A hydrogeochemical site descriptive model (SDM) is essential for evaluating the long-term safety of deep geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste (HLW). This review analyzes the hydrogeochemical SDM methodology developed by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) for the Forsmark repository site. The SDM framework integrates quantitative field-based models with process-oriented conceptual models, evolving iteratively from feasibility study through initial and complete site investigation stages. The hydrogeochemical workflow comprises data acquisition and quality management, explorative analysis identifying groundwater types and end-member compositions (Deep Saline, Glacial, Littorina Sea, and Altered Meteoric Waters), quantitative modeling through M3 mixing calculations and PHREEQC geochemical simulations, and interdisciplinary integration with hydrogeological and transport models. The Forsmark SDM successfully characterized the stratified groundwater system, confirmed the long-term stability of reducing and pH-buffering conditions at repository depth, and quantified the role of paleohydrogeological events in shaping present-day hydrochemistry. Based on these findings, methodological considerations for developing a hydrogeochemical SDM in Korea are suggested, including updated thermodynamic database, open-source reactive transport codes, site-specific end-member definition, and global sensitivity analysis for uncertainty quantification. - COLLAPSE
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    30 April 2026

  • Research Article

    Integrated PCA-cluster Framework for Classifying Groundwater Level Variation Types in Rural Area

    PCA-군집분석 통합 기법을 이용한 농촌지역 지하수위 변동 유형 분류

    Sung-Ho Song, Ga-Young Hwang, Hwan-Ho Yong

    송성호, 황가영, 용환호

    This study classified groundwater level variation types in rural areas by analyzing long-term groundwater level time series and hydrogeological variables from 157 … + READ MORE
    This study classified groundwater level variation types in rural areas by analyzing long-term groundwater level time series and hydrogeological variables from 157 monitoring wells. Groundwater level trends and variability were quantified using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, and a multivariate dataset including hydraulic conductivity, elevation, depth, hydrogeological unit (HGU), and pumping rates was used to perform hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The cluster analysis identified four distinct groundwater level variation types-persistent decline, stable increase, low variability, and high variability in highly permeable aquifers-reflecting differences in groundwater response to geological, topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic factors. PCA showed that PC1 was dominated by hydraulic conductivity, while PC2 was primarily governed by groundwater level trend with secondary hydrogeologic influences. These components effectively summarized major groundwater variation patterns. Visualization of the four clusters in the PC1-PC2 space showed clear separation among groups, demonstrating that PCA provides a concise and robust framework for distinguishing groundwater level variation patterns in rural monitoring networks. - COLLAPSE
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    30 April 2026

  • Research Article

    Thermodynamic Eh-pH Analysis of Passivation Product Pathways of NZVI under Various Oxidation Conditions

    산화 조건 변화에 따른 NZVI 부동태화 생성물 형성 경로의 열역학적 Eh-pH 해석연구

    Sunho Yoon, Sungjun Bae

    윤선호, 배성준

    Numerous studies have reported the formation of passivation products of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) under oxic conditions. However, inconsistent observations, particularly regarding … + READ MORE
    Numerous studies have reported the formation of passivation products of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) under oxic conditions. However, inconsistent observations, particularly regarding the formation of magnetite (Fe3O4) and lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), remain unresolved. In this study, the passivation behavior of NZVI under various oxidation conditions was interpreted from a thermodynamic perspective. Fe3O4 was predominantly formed under O2, H2O2, and NO3− conditions, whereas γ-FeOOH was preferentially formed under HCl, persulfate, and HCO3− conditions. By integrating pH-Eh trajectories with Pourbaix diagram analysis, passivation product formation was found to be governed not only by overall oxidizing conditions but also by pH-Eh pathways influenced by coexisting anions. In particular, γ-FeOOH formation is thermodynamically favored along pathways passing through the green rust stability region compared to pathway involving Fe3O4. Under pure O2 purging conditions, Fe3O4 undergoes sequential transformation to γ-FeOOH, indicating that intermediate phases influence the transformation pathway and kinetics. Cr(VI) removal experiments revealed phase-dependent reactivity. Fe3O4 exhibitted reduction-dominated removal, whereas γ-FeOOH showed adsorption-dominated behavior. This indicates that additional electron transfer properties of passivation products control residual reactivity. These findings provide a thermodynamic framework linking phase formation to reactivity and enable improved prediction of NZVI performance under varying geochemical conditions, although the role of green rust requires further experimental validation. - COLLAPSE
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    30 April 2026

  • Research Article

    Stabilization Characteristics of Pb-Contaminated Soil at a Clay-Pigeon Shooting Range using Clam Shell Treatment

    백합조개 껍질 처리 비교를 통한 클레이 사격장 납 오염 토양의 안정화 특성 규명

    Il-Ha Koh, Su Gyeong Lee, Hyo-Joon Lee

    고일하, 이수경, 이효준

    This study investigated the stabilization characteristics of Pb-contaminated soil at a clay pigeon shooting range through a pot experiment using clam shell … + READ MORE
    This study investigated the stabilization characteristics of Pb-contaminated soil at a clay pigeon shooting range through a pot experiment using clam shell treatment. Within 41 days of the treatment, the soil pH increased from 6.9 to 8.1 due to CaCO3 in the clam shell. However, the feasibility of clam shell as a stabilization agent could not be directly confirmed, as Pb was not detected in most leachates, including the control, in both SPLP (synthetic precipitation leaching procedure) and TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure) tests. This indicates that limestone (CaCO3), used as an ingredient in clay pigeon manufacture, had already stabilized the contaminated soil. In Pb fractionation, reducible Pb was the dominant form but significant changes in Pb speciation due to the treatment was not observed. Nevertheless, the total Pb concentration (sum of all fractions) in the treated soil was slightly lower than that in the control soil. This indicates that clam shell could be used as a stabilization agent due to its alkaline properties. The overall results suggest that reducing the loss of contaminated soil particulates should be prioritized over contaminants stabilization for sustainable management of clay pigeon shooting ranges. - COLLAPSE
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    30 April 2026

  • Research Article

    Soil Contamination and Bioconcentration Characteristics around the Seokdam Mine, Korea

    석담광산 주변 토양오염 및 생물농축 특성 연구

    Byeong Cheol Song, Byung Sun Choi, Young Hun Kim, Hee Won Kwon, Jeong Jin Kim

    송병철, 최병선, 김영훈, 권희원, 김정진

    This study evaluated the transfer characteristics and potential exposure of heavy metals among environmental media by comprehensively analyzing soil, water, rice, and … + READ MORE
    This study evaluated the transfer characteristics and potential exposure of heavy metals among environmental media by comprehensively analyzing soil, water, rice, and human biomarkers in agricultural areas affected by the Seokdam mine located in Seomyeon, Hongcheon, Korea. In soils, relatively high concentrations of As (8.8–19.5 mg/kg), Cd (0.1–1.2 mg/kg), and Zn (62.2–134.0 mg/kg) were observed at specific sites, while water samples showed localized contamination with maximum concentrations of As (3.62 μg/L) and Zn (382.93 μg/L). In rice, Cd concentrations averaged 0.11 mg/kg (maximum 0.52 mg/kg), exceeding the standard in some samples, and bioconcentration factors were relatively high for Cd (0.215) and Zn (0.166). Correlation analyses between soil and rice, as well as rice and human biomarkers, showed generally weak relationships, indicating multi-pathway exposure characteristics. These results suggest that the transfer and exposure of heavy metals in abandoned mine areas can occur through a continuous pathway linking water, soil, crops, and humans. - COLLAPSE
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    30 April 2026

  • Research Article

    Comparison and Validation of Human Health Risk Estimation Methods for the Inhalation Pathway of Soil-Derived Volatile Compounds in Indoor Air at Petroleum-Contaminated Sites

    유류오염부지에서 토양유래 실내공기 휘발성물질 흡입경로 인체 위해도 산정 방법의 비교 및 타당성 평가

    Mu Yeol Lee, Young Rang Kim, Yun-ju Jo, Minah Oh, Young Kyu Lee, So Young Moon

    이무열, 김영랑, 조윤주, 오민아, 이영규, 문소영

    In human health risk assessment, indoor vapor inhalation exposure concentration evaluation methods based on field measurements using multiple environmental media, including soil, … + READ MORE
    In human health risk assessment, indoor vapor inhalation exposure concentration evaluation methods based on field measurements using multiple environmental media, including soil, soil gas and indoor air have been proposed to quantify contaminant fluxes and their vapor intrusion from soil to buildings. However, only soil and indoor air are currently considered to evaluate the impact of vapor intrusion in domestic guidelines. This study assessed indoor vapor inhalation exposure concentration and conducted human health risk assessment for BTEX and TPH in soil, soil gas and indoor air samples collected from petroleum-contaminated sites. Calculated vapor inhalation risks based on soil concentrations were approximately 102-103 times higher than those based on soil gas and indoor air. Additionally certain compounds, such as benzene, were not detected in soil samples, indicating the potential omission of target analytes. Vapor inhalation risks based on soil gas and indoor air were generally comparable, whereas naphthalene was detected only in indoor air samples, suggesting potential interference from non-soil sources, such as external infiltration. These results highlight the essential role of soil gas measurements in accurately assessing the vapor intrusion pathway. - COLLAPSE
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    30 April 2026
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