• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.323-333
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• 2009

Parabens are alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which are widely used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutic products as preservatives. Absorbed parabens are metabolized fastly and excreted. Actually human body is exposed to complex mixture of parabens. Safety assessment at various toxicological end points revealed parabens have a little acute, subacute and chronic toxicities. Some reports have argued that as parabens have estrogenic activity, they are associated with the incidence of breast cancer through dermal absorption by cosmetics. There is an inference that antiandrogenic activity of parabens may give rise to a lesion of male reproductive system, but also there is an contrary. At cellular level, parabens may inhibit mitochondrial function of sperms and androgen production in testis, but also there is an contrary. Parabens seem to have little or no toxicity in embryonic development. Parabens can cause hemolysis, membrane permeability change in mitochondria and apoptosis, suggesting cellular toxicity of parabens. Parabens evoked endocrine disruption in several fish species and have toxic effect on small invertebrates and microbes. Therefore, the toxicity of parabens should be considered as a potentially toxic chemical in the freshwater environment. In conclusion, though parabens may be considered as a low toxic chemical, more definite data are required concerning the endocrine disrupting effect of parabens on human body and aquatic animals according to route and term of exposure as well as the residual concentration of parabens.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.409-422
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• 2017

In order to understand the environmental factors affecting the waterbird community in winter, we divided the watershed into 6 sections and investigated the size of the stream, the water quality, benthic invertebrates, and fish including birds. The influences on the community of water birds in Wonju stream were river structure, temperature and water quality. Among the structure of the river, the factors affecting the waterbird community in winter were the width of the stream and the width of the flowing water. The wider the width, the more species and the number of the winter waterbirds were. As the width of river water was wide, the smaller the width and width of the waterway, the fewer the population. The temperature changes of the wintering season affected the community of water birds because it led to freezing of rivers. The sections that were not frozen showed a significant increase and decrease in the temperature drop and rise. The values of pH, water temperature, COD, BOD, TN, TP and total E. coli increased with the increase of the downstream waterbirds population in the water quality survey. The water quality of S6 was affected by the downstream sewage treatment plant The number of wintering waterbirds was also highest. The effluent from the sewage treatment plant seems to have a considerable influence on the water quality. The increase of several items such as TN promotes the nutrition of the river, which leads to the accumulation of organic matter and the proliferation of aquatic organisms. This may be the cause of the increase in winter waterbirds as a food source. The benthic macroinvertebrate communities and fish communities did not show any correlation with the wintering water-birds communities.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2005

Temperature is an important ambient factor affecting the physiology and metabolism of aquatic invertebrates. In this study, we studied about the survival, reproduction and growth effects of 4 different temperatures(16, 20, 24, $28^{\circ}C$) in four Korean cladoceran, Daphnia sp., Daphnia obtusa, Moina macrocopa, Simocephalus vetulus and Daphnia magna as an international standard species. All 5 water flea tested showed that molting time, fecundity and intrinsic rate of natural increase(r) in high temperature condition were higher than those in lower temperature. On the other hand, lower survivals and longer time to start of offspring were showed in high temperature. Our results suggest that the optimal temperatures of Daphnia sp.,, Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus seem to be about $20^{\circ}C$ except for Daphnia obtusa which as showed good survivals and reproductions in $16^{\circ}C$.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.196-200
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• 2006

In this study we investigated fecundity and survivorship of four staple Korean freshwater cladocerans for their whole life to develop a new standard method used for ecological risk assessment of pesticide. The tested Korean freshwater cladocerans were Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia sp., Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus. In addition, standard test species, Daphnia magna endorsed formally by the major international organizations was tested together in order to compare with the reproductive characteristics of Korean cladocerans. A total of 358 young was produced by D. magna, whereas, 297 young was reduced by Daphnia sp. throughout the entire life. The average life span of Daphnia magna was 50 days much longer than any other Korean species. Nevertheless all of the Korean water flea tested showed good fecundity, produced over 60 young for 21 days as the validation criterion for reproduction toxicity test in Ecological Effects Test Guidelines published by USEPA. Especially Moina macrocopa produced their first brood in 4 days. Therefore 10 day reproduction test with Moina macrocopa may be an alternative good method to save cost and time to elucidating the effects of hazardous substances on the reproduction of aquatic invertebrates.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.478-485
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• 2013

Fish field survey, especially fish distribution and their ecological characteristics, was performed in the downstream region of Gyeongan stream during the period of before (June) and after (October) the summer monsoon in 2010. Depending on the characteristics of each site, fyke net or casting net was used for fish sampling. Feeding classification was determined by the analysis of stomach contents. Total number of family and species sampled were 5 and 17, respectively. The dominant family was Cyprinidae (12 species), and relative abundance (RA) of the most dominant species, Lepomis macrochirus and Zacco platypus, was 38% and 24%, respectively. Exotic species and Korean endemic species observed were 3 (423 individuals, RA 44%) and 4 (98 individuals, RA 10%), respectively. Tolerance guild analysis as characteristics of ecological indicators revealed an undoubtedly high percentage (97%), compared to others as reflected by the identification of just one sensitive species. Analysis of trophic guilds showed that L. macrochirus dominated among insectivores (44% RA). The food of L. macrochirus composed of, aquatic insects, benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, Chironomidae, and waterweed. Thus, we determined that L. macrochirus could be classified as insectivores (partially carnivores) in this study. Conversely, Z. platypus consumed Cladocera exclusively, greater than 90% of their feed. We presume that stable isotope analysis would identify the exact position of these species in the food web.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 1999

A study was performed on the susceptibility of Abate@ and Abate-S@ against 3rd instar larvae of 5 species of mosquitoes including Anopheles sinensis, Aedes dorsalis, Culex inatomii, Cx. pipiens pallens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and mosquito larvivorous fishes such as Chinese muddy loaches (Misgurnus muzolepis) and crucian carps (Carassius carassi~4s) in September, 1998. Cx. pipiens larvae showed that the LC5os of both Abatea and Abate-Sa were 0.006 ppm. The LC95 values of this mosquito species appeared 0.070 pprn of Abate@ and 0.035 pprn of Abate-S@ which were more susceptible than the dosage (1.0 ppm) recommended from WHO. An. sinensis larvae appeared 0.009 pprn of LC50 and 0.025 pprn of LCgs. The larvae of Cx. inatomii and Ae. dorsalis showed the most highly susceptible to Abate-S@ among the 5 mosquito species with LC50 values of 1.9 x pprn and 1.1 x pprn respectively, and the LC95 values were 5.2 x 10-hppm and 1.4 x ppm, respectively. On the other hand, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus appeared least affected by Abate-Sa. and was brought 0.048 pprn of LC50 and 0.808 pprn of LCg5. These two insecticides were much less toxic to the fishes than mosquito larvae showing the LC, value of Chinese muddy loaches at 24.145 pprn of Abate and 10.750ppm of Abate-S@. This fish species showed that the LCsos of Abate@ and Abate-S@ were 27.567 pprn and 14.775 ppm, respectively. In case of crucian carps, their LC, values were 7.914 pprn of Abate@ and 6.480 pprn of Abate-S@. Therefore, the maximum safe dosages of the insecticides to the fishes were 8 times as high as the values of LCg5 of the mosquito larvae. This study suggests that Abate@ and Abate-S@ demonstrated highly potential insecticides for further larger scale operational integrated control in some proper aquatic places if other aquatic invertebrates are also safe to the insecticides.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.31-55
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• 2005

Dangsan forests and Rural Community Forests(RCF) have been historical assets for the rural communities of more than 40,000 in Korea and they have provided an identity through the cultural heritage. The Dangsan forests and the RCF are parts of a unique cultural landscape in the rural areas as components of stream landscape. In many cases, the Dangsan forests and the RCF are located close to stream corridors. The objective of this study was to understand the function of the Dangsan forests and the RCF on stream water quality and to evaluate its ecological landscape values. Through the consideration of international concensus and domestic government policy for close-to-nature stream, we could find out that Dangsan forests and RCF's have close relationship with the close-to-nature streams. The water quality of the streams close to the Dangsan forests and the RCF are maintained with local culture. It is also compared to the streams located where Dangsan forests and the RCF are absent. Eight study sites were selected. Water samples were collected at three different locations at each study site. Water samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, total P, total N, dissolved oxygen, EC, BOD, COD and SS. Aquatic invertebrates were observed as water quality indicator species. The results showed that the number of aquatic invertebrate species, GPI, DO, EC, BOD, and SS were significantly improved in stream water due to the presence of the Dangsan forests and the RCF. The role of Dangsan forests and the RCF was evident in the conservation of stream landscape and rural culture as well as in maintaining stream water quality. The management schemes of the streams with Dangsan forests and the RCF's are also suggested.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.150-164
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• 2022

The objective of this study is to analyze the biodiversity changes and characteristics of the benthic macroinvertebrate community in the Nakdong River with eight weirs, which was constructed as one of the Four Major River Restoration Projects from May to October 2020. The study also includes the analysis of changes in the major groups of benthic macroinvertebrates for about ten years, from 2010 to 2020. The surveys collected 97 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 83 genera, 52 families, 18 orders, five classes, three phyla, and 128.1 individuals/m². Chironomidae sp. and Tubificidae spp., which are pollutant indicators, dominated throughout the sections. The community analysis result shows the average dominant index and the diversity index of 0.62±0.20 and 1.87±0.63, respectively, and indicated the most stability of the freshwater ecosystem in the upper stream of the Nakdong River. The survey showed dominance by Chironomidae sp. at the center of the Nakdong River weir and the most unstable community in Chilgok and Gangjeong Goryeong weirs. The results of the community stability analysis showed a high distribution of the characteristic group I with high resilience and resistance and small distribution of characteristic group III with low resistance and resilience, indicating a very unstable condition of communities in the Nakdong River weir section. Predators were relatively abundant among the functional feeding groups (FFGs), whereas shredders, gathering-collectors, and filtering-collectors were relatively lower. Among the habitat orientation groups (HOGs), burrowers and climbers were dominant, indicating a wide distribution of groups in ecosystems with low dissolved oxygen. An endangered species level II of Macromia daimoji was found in Sangju and Nakdan weirs. The analysis results for 10 years from 2010 showed that the number of species and populations increased immediately after the dam construction but plummeted in 2016 and are now stabilizing. Chironomidae spp. has been dominant in all sections over the past 10 years, and they are currently maintained at a rate of about 50%. The EPT groups have decreased significantly since 2011, and the Plecoptera and Trichoptera of the group have not yet been restored. The population of Tubificidae spp. showed an increase after construction was completed in 2012 and drastically increased in 2015 and 2020. The species of Cristaria plicata, designated as endangered species level I, has not been observed since 2011 in Hapcheon Changnyeong weir. Moreover, Macromia daimoji was rarely observed in seven weirs until 2015, and it has been confirmed that the current distribution habitat has decreased rapidly.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.246-253
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• 2007

The reproduction toxicity of several pesticides on two Korean water flea was investigated to develop a new standard species used for ecological risk assessment of pesticide. Moina macrocopa and Daphnia sp. were exposed to 4 different types of pesticides over 10 and 21 days, respectively. No-ohserved effect concentration (NOEC) for synthetic pyrethroid, fenpropathrin on Moina macrocopa and Daphnia sp. were 0.17 and $0.06\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. Diazinon, carbofuran and myclobutanil were in the order of their reproduction toxicity to cladocerans tested. There were large differences between Moina macrocopa and Daphnia sp. in their susceptibility to fenpropathrin, diazinon and carbofuran except myclobutanil. Daphnia sp. is more sensitive than M. macrocopa to pesticides tested. Therefore Daphnia sp. may be a good surrogate species to assess the reproduction effect of pesticides on aquatic invertebrates. M. macrocopa also be a good surrogate species because it is one of the most abundant cladocera in agricultural environment, especially rice paddy in Korea. In addition to it's ecological importance of wide spread distribution, it has also economical importance to make possible to shorten period for reproduction test using M. macrocopa due to it's short life cycle.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.246-250
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• 2003

In order to preserve the soundness of agro-ecosystem and products safety in agriculture, this study was evaluated environmental impact in relation to the INM (Integrated Nutrient Management) and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) at paddy fields at Ok-Chun and Yang-Pyung region. By introduction of INM with the application of BB(bulk-blanded) fertilizer based on soil analysis and IPM, the application rate of fertilizer was reduced to about $28.6{\sim}39.4%$ and the yield of brown rice was increased to about $3{\sim}10%$ compared to conventional practices. The concentrations of COD, $NH_4-N$, and $NO_3-N$ in irrigation water flowed to the environmental-friendly agriculture practices were 15.0, 0.67, and 1.39 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of COD, $NH_4-N$, and $NO_3-N$ from paddy fields in drainage water were 12.4, 0.29, and 2.42 mg/L, respectively. The total number of the freshwater invertebrates was higher in field treated with fertilization by prescription with soil testing. Also, the population density of aquatic insects was higher than the other fields at both demonstration villages. In conclusion, it was possible to reduce the amount of fertilizer and agricultural chemicals application, and increase the yield of rice by application of the environmental-friendly agriculture practices.