• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1999

The study on the bacterial distribution was performed to evaluate the bacteriological safety in 4 deep confined aquifers drilled for drinking. All the investigated aquifers were oligotrophic, howevec bacterial densities and activities and the number of indicator bacteria in C-2 boreholes were much higher than those in other boreholes. Fecal pollution was observed in 3 boreholcs except C-1 borehole. The ratio of gram positive bacteria of the C-2 borehole was much lower than those 01 another boreholes. The numbers of total colifonns, fecal coliforms, and fecal Slreptococcus in the C-2 boreholes were 61, 33, 55 CFU (250 ml)$^{-1}$

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2007

Difference of total coliforms (TC) survival time of mixed samples (effluent were mixed by seawater or freshwater) were examined in various conditions. The time taken to achieve a 90% reduction in the TC concentration ($T_{90}$) of effluent, high initial TC concentration and low initial TC concentration samples indicated 143.9, 121.9 and 89.6 hours at $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. At $4^{\circ}C$, log removal rate after 336 hours were 0.96, 1.04, and 1.30. TC survival time of effluent-inoculated seawater sample was longer than that of effluent-inoculated freshwater sample in laboratory. At outdoor condition, TC inactivation curves of effluent-inoculated seawater or freshwater samples showed similar patterns. And both of them were greatly influenced by climate condition. There was not enough evidence that TC survived longer in freshwater than sea water. It was unlikely that the salinity of sea water contributed to the inactivation process of TC.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate awareness of hand washing, hand washing behavior, and the levels of indicator microorganisms on hands of food handlers who work in the food court and cafeteria of a university campus. The three methods used were questionnaire survey by interview, direct observation in restrooms, and microbiological examination according to the Food Code of Korea. A positive attitude toward hand washing compliance was reported by the responded food handlers; however, improper hand washing and poor hand hygiene of the food handlers were recognized by the unnoticed direct observation. Significant differences were found between the questionnaire survey and the direct observation (p < 0.05) in hand washing compliance after using the toilet, duration of hand washing, use of hand washing agent, washing different parts of the hands, hand-drying method, temperature of water, and method of turning off the water. Samples taken from their hands before work showed higher level of standard plate count, total and fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli than those taken after washing with water. After washing hands with antiseptic liquid soap, the bacterial populations including Staphylococcus aureus on hands were dramatically reduced. This study indicates that there is a remarkable difference between the food handlers' awareness of hand washing and their hand washing behavior. Poor hand washing compliance and hand hygiene were indicated by the positive results of total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and S. aureus on hands of some food handlers. The findings of this study suggest that the hand hygiene of the food handlers need to be improved. More training/education on hand washing and hand hygiene of the food handlers should be necessary.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2016

Objectives: To ensure the microbiological safety of groundwater, it was confirmed whether waterborne pathogenic bacteria in groundwater samples tested positive for total coliforms in the Chungcheongnam-do Province region. Methods: Total colony counts, total coliforms and fecal coliforms were tested according to the process mandated by the drinking water quality testing standards of Korea. DNA was extracted from the samples, tested positive for total coliforms, and then subjected to real-time PCR to detect waterborne pathogenic bacteria. Results: A total of 115 samples were inadequate for drinking water. Thirty-one cases (27%) showed positive for fecal coliforms and nine cases (7.8%) showed total colony counts exceeding drinking water standards. Twenty-seven cases (23.5%) showed three items (total colony counts, total coliforms and fecal coliforms). Using the real-time PCR method, waterborne pathogens were detected in 57 cases (49.6%) in 115 samples. Seventy-eight cases of waterborne pathogenic bacteria were detected (including duplications): 27 cases of pathogenic E. coli (EPEC (19), ETEC (5), EHEC (1), EAEC (1) and EIEC (1)); 45 of Bacillus cereus; two of Yersinia spp.; two of Salmonella spp.; one of Staphylococcus aureus; one of Clostridium perfringens. Conclusion: The real-time PCR method can offer rapid and accurate detection of waterborne pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, this assay could be an alternative to conventional culture methods and can further ensure the microbiological safety of groundwater.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2007

A study was carried out on the level of heavy metals, total coliform and benzo(a)pyrene that may be introduced through by-product fertilizers or air pollution to turfgrass in natural turfgrass playground in elementary schools around the western coast and eastern mountain areas in Jeollabuk-do, Korea. The level of heavy metals found in turfgrass was in the order of Cu > Zn > Pb > Cd. The majority of heavy metals was found in the roots. It is presumed that the absorption of some air pollutants and by-product fertilizers or chemical fertilizers. The level of benzo(a)pyrene showed an average of 0.05ng/g with a range between 0.02 to 0.08ng/g in the leaves. In the meantime, none was detected in the stems, while the average for roots was 0.02ng/g with a range between 0.01 and 0.03ng/g. The level detected is that found background level, however, benzo(a)pyrene can be introduced partly from the unstable combustion of fossil fuel or through vehicle emissions. Total coliform distributed in grass showed an average of 12MPN/100ml with a range between 2 and 36MPN/100ml. The density of total coliform displayed no regional predominance. However, in some urban areas, the density was slightly higher. The feces of pets or by-product fertilizers may have contributed to the input of pathogenic micro-organism. Yet the level was found to be negligible.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2005

This study was performed to examine the disinfection capability of a Rotating Activated Bacillus Contactor (RABC) system, in which the predominant species, Bacillus sp. was expected to have a removal or inactivation effect of total coliforms. In a settling test with mixtures of E. coli and Bacillus sp., a high removal of E. coli was observed at $20{\sim}40^{\circ}C$, while insignificant removal at $10^{\circ}C$. In a batch test, a 4.5% addition of Bacillus sp. to activated sludge considerably enhanced the removal effect of total coliforms, indicating Bacillus sp. played an important role in improving the settlability of the sludge and coliforms. In a pilot scale RABC system, the concentration of total colifroms reduced remarkably in the settling tank, suggesting that total coliforms in the RABC process were eliminated through coagulation and precipitation, probably due to extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Bacillus sp. The fraction of Bacillus sp. in the total cell count in the RABC process was in the range of 4.5%~6.3%. The majority (75%) of the Bacillus sp. in the RABC process was Bacillus subtilis which is known to enhance coagulation and precipitation by producing EPS. Hence, an adoption of a RABC process might be able to eliminate the disinfection unit process from a wastewater treatment system.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.363-369
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• 2009

We developed the Eco medium for Escherichia coli and total coliforms, which was modified by Violet Red Bile (VRB) medium, and derived the standard curve of exponential phase at $OD_{410}$ by using type strains such as E. coli ATCC11303, Enterobacter cloacae KCTC2361, Klebsiella pneumoniae KCTC2241, and Citrobacter freundii KCTC2359. Also, we used total 93 samples of spring and stream water to compare the detection ability of total coliforms between the method using Eco medium and such as most probable number (MPN), and plate count methods. As a result, the qualitative analysis of E. coli and total coliforms using Eco medium contained ortho-nitrophenyl-$\beta$-galactoside (ONPG) and 4-methylumbelliferyl-$\beta$-D-glucuronide (MUG) was same as those of Korean standard methods (Colilert kit). And the colony forming unit (CFU) detected in Eco medium was similar to those of result from MPN and plate count methods. Moreover, the agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of the developed kit was more than 97.5% in comparison with Colilert kit for 350 samples. Thus, the Eco medium can be used both qualitative and quantitative analysis of E. coli and total coliforms.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.454-454
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• 2017

국내 상수도가 보급되지 않은 지역 내 취약 계층은 약 214만 명으로 대부분은 노후관정 및 미신고 관정에서 지하수를 먹는물로 이용하고 있다. 이들은 대부분 미신고 관정이기 때문에 실태파악이 어렵고 정기적인 수질 검사를 실시하지 않아 수질상태에 대한 안전 대책이 미흡한 실정이다. 우리나라의 경우 농촌지역의 관정은 천부지하수의 의존도가 크고 강우에 의한 지표오염물질(축산분뇨, 비료 등)이 관정 내부로 유입 가능성이 매우 높다. 기존 연구에서도 천부지하수 관정의 조사 결과, 질산성질소 및 총대장균군에 의한 수질 오염이 심각하다고 보고된다(Chae et al., 2004; Min et al., 2003). 따라서 상수도 미보급지역 지하수 관정의 지하수 수질 현황을 파악하고, 고농도 오염 관정 및 지역의 경우 정밀조사를 통해 오염 원인을 규명해야 한다. 또한 오염 원인에 대한 향후 개선방안 및 대책안을 마련하여 지하수 수질 안정성 확보를 도모할 필요가 있다. 이를 위해 환경부 산하 국립환경과학원에서는 안심지하수 지원 사업을 2012년 "지하수 안심이용 무료 수질검사 시범사업"부터 시작하여 2016년 "상수도 미보급지역 2016년 안심지하수 지원사업 연구"로 이어지며 수행하였다. 이 사업은 수질분석, 관정내부 탐사, 마을 공용 음용관정 설치지원, 고농도 오염지역 중 시범사업 지역 선정, 고농도 오염지역 수질개선 시범사업으로 구성된다. 수질 분석은 2012년 TA군 내 8개 읍 면의 1,200개 관정, 2013년 경기 북동부권 8개 시 군 11,861개 관정, 2014년 전국 14,494개 관정, 2015년 전국 25,900 관정, 2016년 전국 25,914 관정에 대해 수질 분석을 실시하였다. 수질분석 결과를 바탕으로 고농도 오염지역의 지하수 관정 내부 탐사를 실시하여 소유주에게 주변 환경 개선 조치 및 대민 지원(마을 공용 음용관정 설치)을 수행하고, 시범조사 대상지역을 선정하여 오염지역의 오염원 현황, 수질조사, 지하수 유동 모델링을 실시하여 오염 원인을 파악하였다. 추가로 2014년에는 안심지하수 수질보전 연구로드맵을 작성하여 환경부에 제시하였고, 2015년은 수질개선 사업에 대한 경제성 분석, 수질자료 DB 구축이 완료되었다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2012

Bacteriological examination of spring water in Jeju City was conducted. A total of 21 spring water samples were collected from January to April, 2010. During the study period, the range of temperature was 0.6 to $15.4^{\circ}C$, and the results of the analyses showed that hydrogen ion concentrations (pH) for spring water were 0.43 to 7.9. Salinity levels for the samples averaged from 3.0 to 1.64%, and levels of water-dissolved oxygen were 1.85 to 6.06 mg/l. The range of total coliforms in spring water samples at 21 stations located in the designated spring water were <1.8->1,600 MPN/100 ml. Furthermore, the range of geometric means of total coliforms was 9.9-151.6 MPN/100 ml, while the range of fecal coliforms in spring water samples at 21 stations located in the designated spring water area was <1.8->1,600 MPN/100 ml. Finally, the range of geometric mean of fecal coliforms was 3.1-151.6 MPN/100 ml. The level of microbial contamination was examined in 21 samples for indications of bacterial contamination such as heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella spp. were frequently detected in the spring water. Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and S. aureus were detected in the range of $0-0.5{\times}10^1$, $0-0.1{\times}10^1$, $0-0.1{\times}10^1$, and $0-0.3{\times}10^1$ CFU/ml, respectively, while E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in the examined spring water samples.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.326-334
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to use long-term water quality monitoring data from tributaries of the Nakdong River system to identify problematic substances in tributaries by examining the rate of exceedance and increase in water quality targets. In the Nakdong River system, monitoring is conducted once a month for 38 tributaries that require intensive management, and this data was used to analyze trends in exceeding and increasing target water quality at each point. The analysis items are eight items that can be evaluated based on river water quality standards: DO, BOD, COD, TOC, SS, total phosphorus, fecal coliform, and total coliform. As a result of the analysis, the target water quality exceedance rate was more than 50%, and the items with an increasing trend were TOC, fecal coliform and total E. coli counts, and the items with an exceedance rate of less than 50% but an increasing trend were SS. TOC is believed to be caused by an increase in non-degradable substances, and the continued increase in Total Coliform will require management of Total ColiformTotal Coliform in effluent water from sewage treatment facilities in the future.