• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.148-157
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• 2005

In order to understand distribution characteristics and pollution of heavy metals in the artificial Lake Shihwa in the vicinity of Kyunggi Bay in relation with huge environmental changes, various environmental samples including seawaters, surface sediments and settling particulate matters were collected from Lake Shihwa in 2004. Due to extreme pollutant discharge from various anthropogenic sources such as the Banweol and Shihwa Industrial Complexes and cities, the highest metal concentrations in the samples such as waters, sediments and settling particulate matter were found in inner part of the lake. High metal contents (Cu, Zn and Hg) in sediments were observed at Sts. 2-4 and 9. The contents of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in SPMs were high at St. 5 and low in the outer part of the lake. Spatial distribution of heavy metals were mainly controlled various biogeochemical factors and physical mixing as well as input of industrial and municipal wastewaters. Although tile environmental qualities of heavy metals in the lake have been improved partially due to inflow of outer seawater, it is not clear to reach a good environmental quality. Therefore, further environmental programs should be conducted continuously for environmental improvement.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.185-199
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• 2017

Methane, which is emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources, is a representative greenhouse gas for global warming. Methanotrophs are widespread in the environment and play an important role in the biological oxidation of methane via methane monooxygenases (MMOs), key enzymes for methane oxidation with broad substrate specificity. Methanotrophs have attracted attention as multifunctional bacteria with promising applications in biological methane mitigation technology and environmental bioremediation. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge regarding the biodiversity of methanotrophs, catalytic properties of MMOs, and high-cell density cultivation technology. In addition, we have reviewed the recent advances in biological methane mitigation technologies using methanotrophs in field-scale systems as well as in lab-scale bioreactors. We have also surveyed information on the dynamics of the methanotrophic community in biological systems and discussed the various challenges pertaining to methanotroph-related biotechnological innovation, such as identification of suitable methanotrophic strains with better and/or novel metabolic activity, development of high-cell density mass cultivation technology, and the microbial consortium (methanotrophs and non-methanotrophs consortium) design and control technology.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.117-130
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• 2020

Noises can distort acquired geophysical data, leading to their misinterpretation. Potential noises sources include anthropogenic activity, natural phenomena, and instrument noises. Conventional denoising methods such as wavelet transform and filtering techniques, are based on subjective human investigation, which is computationally inefficient and time-consuming. Recently, many researchers attempted to implement neural networks to efficiently remove noise from geophysical data. This study aims to review and analyze different types of neural networks, such as artificial neural networks, convolutional neural networks, autoencoders, residual networks, and wavelet neural networks, which are implemented to remove different types of noises including seismic, transient electromagnetic, ground-penetrating radar, and magnetotelluric surveys. The review analyzes and summarizes the key challenges in the removal of noise from geophysical data using neural network, while proposes and explains solutions to the challenges. The analysis support that the advancement in neural networks can be powerful denoising tools for geophysical data.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4059-4062
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• 2016

Frequencies of polymorphisms of genes BRCA1 and ТР53 in breast cancer (BC) patients with a BC family history and radiation history were assessed and compared in the Semey region of Kazakhstan. The study included 60 women directly irradiated by the activities of the Semipalatinsk test site with a calculated effective equivalent dose of 500 mSv and their first generation descendants (group BC+Her+Exp); 65 women with family BC and absence of radiological history - the effective equivalent dose due to anthropogenic sources not exceeding 50 mSv (group BC+Her-Exp). The comparison group consisted of 65 women patients with breast cancer without family and radiological history (BC-Her-Exp). The control group comprised 60 women without breast cancer and without family and radiological history (nonBC). We carried out the genotyping of the polymorphisms c.2311T>C, c.4308T>C and 5382insC of the BRCA1 gene and rs1042522 of the ТР53 gene. The frequency of the polymorphism c.2311T>C was significantly higher in patients of the group BC+Her+Exp than in healthy women, and of the polymorphism 5382insC in BC+Her+Exp compared to all other groups. The frequency of the rs1042522 polymorphism of ТР53 was significantly higher in all groups of patients with breast cancer compared with the control group. Differences between groups of women with breast cancer were significant only in BC+Her+Exp vs. BC+Her-Exp. Combinations of polymorphisms of the genes BRCA1 and TP53 predominated in women with a family and radiological history.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.217-234
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• 2009

This study characterized groundwater quality and the influence of agrochemicals in a part of Ilgwang-Myeon agricultural area in Gijang-Gun, Busan Metropolitan City, using factor analyses. From the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd analyses of groundwater samples, the mean concentrations of $Ca^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Fe^{2+}$, $Al^{3+}$, $NO_3\;^-$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4\;^{2-}$, $F^-$, and $SiO_2$ were higher in the 2nd analysis than the other analyses. Pesticide carbofuran and herbicide alachlor were detected at the wells more than a half of all the wells in the 2nd analysis but not in the 4th analysis. This fact may be explained by that a higher precipitation induced higher infiltration rate of contaminants into groundwater during the 2nd survey. According to R- and Q-mode factor analyses, and chemical composition, inorganic constituents excepting $SiO_2$, $HC0_3\;^-$-, and $F^-$ may be influenced by anthropogenic sources (manures, synthetic fertilizers, and domestic wastes), seawater as well as water-mineral interaction. A typical indicator of groundwater contamination, nitrate, exceeds around 4-5 times over the Korean standard for drinking water. Additionally, the influence of seawater diminishes from the seaside to inland.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.422-431
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• 2017

The biogeochemical information of riverine organic matter gives a detailed and integrated recording of natural and anthropogenic activity within a watershed. To investigate the changes in quality and quantity of organic carbon transporting from mountain to ocean via river channels, we estimated the concentrations of dissolved (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC), and then traced the source origin of POC using stable carbon isotopes ratio before and after summer rainfalls in the Tamjin River and Ganjin Bay, Korea. Along the small watershed, a total of 13 sites including headwaters, dam reservoir, river and estuary were established for the study. We found some interesting findings in the aspect of distribution of DOC/POC concentration changing their origin sources dynamically flowing downstream. In particular, the river channel transport downstream mainly DOC to river mouth, although upper dam reservoir increased POC concentration by phytoplankton production in summer. Whereas, in the river mouth and estuary, POC was dominated not only by local supply from nearby reed saltmarsh, but also by marine phytoplankton production, respectively. The findings can contribute to increasing the understanding of riverine organic carbon transport in upper large dam and lower open estuary system.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.230-239
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• 2004

Using our PM2.5 and PM10 concentration data obtained from Seoul and Busan during winter 2002, we conducted comparative analysis on the role of inorganic ions in constituting airborne particles in two distinctive urban areas. Whereas the mass concentration of fine particle was more significant in Seoul, no such pattern was found in Busan. In addition, when the major components were compared between different particle fractions and between different sites, clear pattern was apparent between those. Although the major components of fine particles were generally compatible each other ($NH{_4}^+$, $NO{_3}^-$, and NSSS), those of coarse fractions were clearly distinguished. Although anthropogenic signatures were still important in Seoul, the influence of oceanic sources was clear in coarse fraction of Busan ($Cl^-$ and $Na^+$). Detailed statistical analysis of our data consistently supports the importance of different source processes between particle modes and source processes.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.415-429
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• 2003

This study was objected to identify the difference of water quality and the characteristics of water contamination in adjacent bed-rock areas of Upper Hwajeonni and Guryongsan Formations in Miwon, Choongchungbuk-do, Korea. Water samples showed mainly (Ca, Mg)-$HCO_3$ type in Upper Hawjeonni Formation and (Ca, Mg)-$SO_4$ and (Ca, Mg)-$HCO_3$ types in Guryongsan Formation indicating the enrichment of $SO_4$ in major compositions. Groundwater quality could be divided into two groups based on the major weathering processes, implied by the ratio of bicarbonate to silica. Carbonate-silicate weathering predominates in Upper Hwajeonni Formation, and silicate weathering in Guryongsan Formation. Stream-water quality also appeared to be controlled by water-rock interaction. Cluster analysis identified three groups of groundwater and four groups of stream-water with distinctive geochemical characteristics. The results of factor analysis indicated that the levels of each chemical constituent in water samples derived from both natural weathering reactions and anthropogenic contamination sources. To delineate the pollution potential of water resources, Modified Pollution Index(M.P.I.) was developed. M.P.I. scores of water samples ranged from -0.08 to 0.18, with mostly positive along the rock quarry in Guryongsan Formation areas. M.P.I. scores appeared to be a useful predictor of metal contamination of water resources.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2016

Under flooded rice fields, methanogens produce methane which comes out through rice stalks, thus rice fields are known as one of the anthropogenic sources of atmospheric methane. Studies have shown that use of manure increases amount of methane emission from rice. To investigate mechanisms by which manure boosts methane emission, comparative soil metagenomics between inorganically (NPK) and pig manure fertilized paddy soils (PIG) were conducted. Results from taxonomy analysis showed that more abundant methanogens, methanotrophs, methylotrophs, and acetogens were found in PIG than in NPK. In addition, BLAST results indicated more abundant carbohydrate mabolisetm functional genes in PIG. Among the methane metabolism related genes, PIG sample showed higher abundance of methyl-coenzyme M reductase (mcrB/mcrD/mcrG) and trimethylamine-corrinoid protein Co-methyltransferase (mttB) genes. In contrast, genes that down regulate methane emission, such as trimethylamine monooxygenase (tmm) and phosphoserine/homoserine phosphotransferase (thrH), were observed more in NPK sample. In addition, more methanotrophic genes (pmoB/amoB/mxaJ), were found more abundant in PIG sample. Identifying key genes related to methane emission and methane oxidation may provide fundamental information regarding to mechanisms by which use of manure boosts methane emission from rice. The study presented here characterized molecular variation in rice paddy, introduced by the use of pig manure.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.51-67
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• 2002

In order to understand behaviors of heavy metals around the artificial Lake Shihwa in the vicinity of Kyunggi Bay in Korea in relation with huge environmental changes due to construction of huge artificial lake, water samples were collected from Lake Shihwa and its tributaries from 1996 to 1998 and analyzed. Due to extreme pollutant discharge from various kinds of anthropogenic sources such as the Banweol and Shihwa Industrial Complexes and cities, the Shihwa and its tributaries have been polluted in waters with various heavy metals. The enrichment factors of particulate heavy metals in water of streams and storm sewers were very high. All of the heavy metals observed in the waters showed relatively high temporal and spatial variations. In surface waters of the lake during the desalination after the dike establishment, spatial distributions of heavy metal concentrations were mainly controlled by various biogeochemical factors as well as input of industrial and municipal wastewaters, while, physical mixing was minor factor Pb and Co showed a strong affinity to particle phase, however the affinity to dissolved phase was dominated in Ni, Cu and Cd. Water quality of the artificial Lake Shihwa has been deteriorated by direct discharge of untreated wastewater and heavy metals have been accumulated in the lake system. Therefore, luther environmental improvement plan should be programmed subsequently.