• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.344-353
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• 2017

Cambodia is a typical country that a very famous tourist destination in South Asian regions, but water has some serious problems. As a public hygiene point of view, water problems in Cambodia can be roughly classified into two categories. A numbers of the report revealed that thermotolerant coliform(TTC) bacteria and arsenic(As) pollution representative species as a representative pollutant for surface water and ground water problems, respectively. In recent years, home water purifier systems for various filter systems including BSF(Bio-Sand Filter), MF and RO have been spread and adopted in rural areas. However, BSF and composite membrane processes are recognized as an undesirable and representative method due to unreliable efficiency, high cost and maintenance issues. In order to develop a small-scale ceramic filter as a home water purifier, the applicability of two types of gravity ceramic filter using clay and red soil in the part of the Northwest was made and compared in this research.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2017

There is an increasing concern over heavy metal(loid) contamination of soil in agricultural areas including paddy soils. This study was conducted to determine the bioconcentration factor (BCF) for heavy metal(loid)s to brown rice grown in paddy soils vulnerable to heavy metal(loid)s contamination, for the quantitative health risk assessment to the residents living nearby the metal contaminated regions. The samples were collected from 98 sites nationwide in the year 2015. The mean and range BCF values of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in brown rice were 0.027 (0.001 ~ 0.224), 0.143 (0.001 ~ 2.434), 0.165 (0.039 ~ 0.819), 0.028 (0.005 ~ 0.187), 0.006 (0.001 ~ 0.048), and 0.355 (0.113 ~ 1.263), respectively, with Zn showing the highest. Even though the relationship between heavy metal(loid) contents in the vulnerable soils and metal contents in brown rice collected at the same fields was not significantly correlated, the relationship between log contents of heavy metal(loid)s in the vulnerable soils and BCF of brown rice wes significantly correlated with As, Cd, Cu, and Zn in rice. In conclusion, soil environmental risk assessment for crop uptake should consider the bioconcentration factor calculated using both the initial and vulnerable heavy metal(loid) contents in the required soil and the crop cultivated in the same fields.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.481-491
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• 2009

In this study, a comprehensive field monitoring was conducted to understand habitat conditions of fish species in the upper Geum river. Based on the monitoring data, riverine health conditions such as composition ratio of fish species, richness and dominance indexes, bio-diversity (dominance index, diversity, evenness and richness), and index of biological integrity were assessed, and optimal ecological flowrates were estimated using the habitat suitability indexes established for three fish species Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco platypus and Pseudopungtungia nigra selected as icon species using the physical habitat simulation system (PHABSIM). The total number of species sampled was 20 species, and two sensitive species of C. splendidus (22.4%) and Z. platypus (22.0%) dominated the fish community. The estimated IBI values ranged from 34 to 42 with average being 38 out of 50, rendering the site ecologically fair to good health conditions. An optimal ecological flowrate of 9.0 cms was recommended for the representative fish species at the site.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.18.1-18.9
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine a separation method for each arsenic metabolite in urine by using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Methods Separation of the arsenic metabolites was conducted in urine by using a polymeric anion-exchange (Hamilton PRP X-100, $4.6mm{\times}150mm$, $5{\mu}m$) column on Agilent Technologies 1260 Infinity LC system coupled to Agilent Technologies 7700 series ICP/MS equipment using argon as the plasma gas. Results All five important arsenic metabolites in urine were separated within 16 minutes in the order of arsenobetaine, arsenite, dimethylarsinate, monomethylarsonate and arsenate with detection limits ranging from 0.15 to $0.27{\mu}g/L$ ($40{\mu}L$ injection). We used G-EQUAS No. 52, the German external quality assessment scheme and standard reference material 2669, National Institute of Standard and Technology, to validate our analyses. Conclusions The method for separation of arsenic metabolites in urine was established by using HPLC-ICP-MS. This method contributes to the evaluation of arsenic exposure, health effect assessment and other bio-monitoring studies for arsenic exposure in South Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2006

Saemangeum reclamation project was started in 1991 with the purpose of eco-friendly reclamation, but without clear definition of eco-friendliness. This study was carried out to find out the environmental indicators to define and evaluate the eco-friendliness of Saemangeum project. The methodology to identify the indicators included the analysis of similar reclamation projects, professional discussions, and Delphi survey. The eco-friendly indicators are theoretically based on the five elements of eco-friendliness; 1) resource consumption, 2) energy consumption, 3) pollution emission, 4) bio-diversity, 5) social amenity. The 69 indicators were explained in detail for the convenient use of the indicators by the potential users. The 69 indicators were classified into three categories such as pre-evaluation, process evaluation, and post-evaluation. In terms of spatial consideration, the 69 indicators were classified into two categories such as direct influence area and indirect influence area. Also the 69 indicators were classified into 7 categories: 1) sea, 2) lake, 3) agricultural land use, 4) industrial land use, 5) residential land use, 6) tourism land use, and 7) environmental land use. Twenty core indicators were selected from the 69 indicators by surveying the importance of each indicator. The core indicators are recommended in case of time and budget strain. When there are few quantitative data accumulated for the reclamation project, 5 macro indicators are recommended to be used. Macro indicators are qualitative in nature, and may be used in order to evaluate the overall eco-friendliness of a reclamation project.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.373-383
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• 2016

Cheonsu Bay, one of the most important in Korea as a coastal fishery is a semi-enclosed bay that is surrounded by large farmlands and industrial areas. This coastal environment has been affected by anthropogenic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The objectives of this study were to investigate the distribution of PCBs and OCPs in sediment, Manila clams, and mussels from Cheonsu Bay; the accumulation pattern of these chemicals in these bivalves in relation to seasonal changes; and the ecological risk from sediments and the risk to the Korean population from the consumption of these bivalves. The levels of ${\Sigma}PCBs$, ${\Sigma}DDT$, and ${\Sigma}HCHs$ were 69.3-109, 40.3-49.3 and 6.25-17.8 ng/g lipid in Manila clams, and 70.6-159, 38.6-102 and 9.00-13.5 ng/g lipid in Mussels. Significant seasonal variations in PCBs and OCPs concentrations were observed in the two bivalves, suggesting that the accumulation of PCBs and OCPs in these species is related to their spawning times. The dietary intake of these two bivalves and the resulting lifetime cancer risk (LCR) and non-cancer risk were calculated for the human population. The consumption of these bivalves seemed to be safe in relation to human health with negligible LCR and non-cancer risk.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.696-703
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• 2015

We investigated the characteristics of embryonic and abnormal organ development in haploid olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, by comparing egg development and histological sections in haploid and diploid individuals. After the mid-blastula transition, abnormal development was observed in haploid fish, including delayed epiboly and malformation of the germ ring and embryonic body. In haploid flounder, Kupffer’s vesicles are irregularly shaped and of variable size compared to diploids. The embryonic body of haploids was shorter and broader than that of diploids and the tail length and size were variable. Most haploid embryos failed to hatch and the few larvae that did, did not survive for more than 6 h. The histological analysis of haploid larvae revealed deformed development in diverse organs, including the eye, otic vesicles, notochord, and neural tube. These results may be related to an abnormality in the axial system of haploid larvae. This study confirmed that the abnormalities of haploid olive flounder were similar to the reported characteristics of haploid syndrome. The abnormalities are caused by delayed epiboly and involution and deformity of Kupffer’s vesicle during egg development.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.539-546
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• 2010

In nature, the overall effect of heavy metals on the biota can be influenced by a number of environmental factors like soil characteristics and air pollution by elevated $CO_2$. Pillbugs(Isopoda, Armadillium vulgare) take up heavy metals with their food and store them mainly in the vesicles of hepatopancreas. They accumulate certain metals, occuring in relatively large numbers, are easily collected and identified. Therefore, it has been suggested that total body concentration of metals in pillbugs could be positively correlated to the levels of environmental exposure and that pillbugs could be used as biological indicators of metal pollution and global change by $CO_2$. The aim of the study is to determine effects of heavy metal concentrations in soil and elevated $CO_2$ on pillbugs'body accumulation of heavy metal and growth rate. In this study, pillbugs were collected at five sites (N=287) May 2006. Cu and Zn concentrations in pillbugs were higher than in soils (1.39-41.70 times) than in control. The high bioconcentration of lead in Sangam may be partly associated with reclaimed land uses. Pillbugs in low $CO_2$ and Pb condition showed higher growth rate than in elevated $CO_2$ and Pb condition.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.467-479
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• 2013

This study was conducted to find out characterization of spatial distribution of birds observed in river areas. Our bird survey was carried out 4 times at 31 sites from January to September in 2011. A total of 1,609 accumulated individuals belonging to 59 species, 28 families and 11 orders were observed. In the result of spatial autocorrelation analysis using the richness index of the maximum counts of each sites, we confirmed that the distribution of birds in Namdaecheon river was clustered and the tendency of spatial autocorrelation was apparent. The area of each sites within a 200m radius was classified in four biotope categories such as agricultural land, forest, residential area and water area, and the spatial autocorrelation was analysed about four types. In the result of spatial autocorrelation analysis for four biotope categories, all types were showed the positive spatial autocorrelation, but the type of water area was higher than other types. The positive correlation was found between the water area and water birds in statistical significance. However, the forest birds had non-significance values. Therefore, it is appropriate to focus on water birds except for forest birds, when researches of bird distribution in river ecosystem is conducted. The number of bird species and individuals increased as the riverside of water area was to widen. Thus, if the areas of riverside offering the feeding and roosting area increase, it will be accommodated many birds. Also, the areas of riverside should be maintained naturally because it is an important habitats of birds. Our study area is on the outskirts the city of higher rates of forest and agricultural land, it may be unreasonable to apply our results to the whole rivers. If the research about the river flowing around the city will be conducted, it is expected to be useful to the relation study area such as ecological river's restoration.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.975-980
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• 2007

Determination of ethyl carbamate content in imported alcoholic beverages in Korea and an exposure assessment were conducted. In gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring (GC/MS/SIM) analysis, 2.5-39, 8-263, 6.3-112, 11.3-23.5, 53-94, 8.5-38.5, 7-9.5, 21.3-31.5, 5-832.5, and $10.5-364.8\;{\mu}g/L$ of ethyl carbamate were detected in imported beers, sakes, whiskies, vodkas, Chinese liquors, cognacs, tequilas, rums, liqueurs, and wines, respectively. The exposure assessment indicated that the exposure of Korean adults to ethyl carbamate were lower than 20 ng/kg BW per day, (the virtual safe dose) indicating that the amount of ethyl carbamate exposed through fermented food and alcoholic beverages including imported products are currently in the 'no significant risk level'. However, the present low exposure to ethyl carbamate through the imported alcoholic products was not due to the low contents of ethyl carbamate in imported products, but low consumption of the imported products. Therefore, given increasing importation of alcoholic beverages in Korea, reductions of ethyl carbamate content in imported alcoholic beverages, especially non-distilled products, should be required by regulating limits on the ethyl carbamate content in the imported alcoholic beverages.