This study presents the first investigation of concentrations and congener group patterns of atmospheric short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) throughout East Asia. Based on an absorption rate calibration experiment, a spatial survey of SCCPs was performed using passive air samplers in China, Japan, and South Korea during two separate periods in 2008. The atmospheric concentrations of SCCPs in China were clearly greater than those in Japan and South Korea, both of which exceed the levels determined for other regions of the world. C 10 components were the most abundant type of SCCPs in China, whereas C 11 components were dominant in Japan and South Korea. With respect to the total chlorine content, Cl 6 and Cl 5 were the predominant compounds in China and Japan; however, Cl 6 and Cl 7 were predominant in South Korea. A similar pattern was also found for remote sites within China, Japan, and South Korea, respectively. Together with the back-trajectories calculated for the remote sites, the results indicate that the SCCPs in the air of East Asia were mainly influenced by local sources due to their relatively low long-range atmospheric transport potential compared to other POPs.

No abstract

No abstract

Biogas plant with anaerobic digestion is receiving high attention as a facility for both livestock waste treatment and electric power generation. Objective of this study was to perform life cycle assessment (LCA) of a biogas plant which incorporates swine and food waste (7:3) as source materials for biogas production. In addition, the biogas production process was compared with the prevalent composting method as a reference in the aspects of green house gas (GHG) reduction potential and environmental impact. The biogas method was capable of reducing 52 kg CO 2 eq. emission per ton of swine/food waste, but the composting process was estimated to emit 268 kg CO2 eq. into air. The biogas method was evaluated as more beneficial to the environment by mitigating the impact on abiotic depletion potential (ADP), global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), eutrophication potential (EP), and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), but not to acidification potential (AP).

No abstract

, and Jae E. ABSTRACT: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is acknowledged as a valuable tool to quantify the environment impact of agricultural practice as well as final product (biodiesel) considering whole life cycle of the target product. As a preliminary research of LCA study for rapeseed (Brassica napusL.) biodiesel, the methodological issues which have to be regarded with high priority were dealt with. No life cycle inventory (LCI) based on local data are currently available for LCA of rapeseed cultivation, crushing, and conversion to rapeseed methyl ester (RME) in Korea. In this paper, the life cycle of rapeseed and methodological factors which have to be measured for building LCI of each process are provided and discussed, which are including seed, fertilizer, energy use in rapeseed cultivation environment; and crushing, RME conversion, and transportation in biodiesel production.

No abstract

No abstract