• Title/Summary/Keyword: Biosphere

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Biodegradation of Recalcitrant Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds via Microbial Dechlorination (미생물의 탈염소화 작용에 의한 난분해성 염화방향족 오염물질의 분해)

  • 채종찬;김치경
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.129-138
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    • 1999
  • Chlorinated aromatic compounds are one of the largest groups of environmental pollutants as a result of world-wide distribution by using them as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, solvents, hydraulic and heat transfer fluids, plasticizers, and intermediates for chemical synthesis. Because of their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation, the compounds contaminated ubiquitously in the biosphere has attracted public concerns in terms of serious influences to wild lives and a human being, such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and disturbance in endocrine systems. The biological recalcitrance of the compounds is caused by the number, type, and position of the chlorine substituents as well as by their aromatic structures. In general, the carbon-halogen bonds increase the recalcitrance by increasing electronegativity of the substituent, so that the dechlorination of the compounds is focused as an important mechanism for biodegradation of chlorinated aromatics, along with the cleavage of aromatic rings. The removal of the chlorine substituents has been known as a key step for degradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds under aerobic condition. This can occur as an initial step via oxygenolytic, reductive, and hydrolytic mechanisms. The studies on the biochemistry and genetics about microbial dechlorination give us the potential informations for microbial degradation of xenobiotics contaminated in natural microcosms. Such investigations might provide biotechnological approaches to solve the environmental contamination, such as designing effective bioremediation systems using genetically engineered microorganisms.

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Effect of Attachment Substrate Size on the Growth of a Benthic Microalgae Nitzschia sp. in Culture Condition (실내 배양시 부착기질 크기에 따른 저서성 미세조류 Nitzschia sp.의 성장 특성)

  • Oh, Seok-Jin;Yoon, Yang-Ho;Yamamoto, Tamiji;Yang, Han-Soeb
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.91-95
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    • 2009
  • To understand the effect of attachment substrate on the growth of benthic microalgae, we experimentally investigated the growth of benthic microalgae Nitzschia sp. (Jinhae Bay strain) with additions of glass beads in different sizes. The glass beads used in this study are 0.09-0.15 mm (G1), 0.25-0.50 mm (G2), 0.75-1.00 mm (G3) and 1.25-1.65 mm (G4). No addition of glass beads used as controls. Highest specific growth rate (0.37/day) and maximum cell density ($9,232{\pm}840$ cells/mL) of Nitzschia sp. showed at the smallest glass beads (G1), and the specific growth rate and maximum cell density were decreasing with increasing size of glass beads (specific growth rate and maximum cell density of G4 was 0.24/day and $6,397{\pm}524$ cells/mL, respectively). Moreover, specific growth rate of the control experiment (0.23/day) was significantly lower than their of G1 to G3 experiment. The results indicated that the attachment substrate for benthic microalgae as Nitzschia sp. is important factor which affecting the growth rate as well as cell density. Therefore, the physiological experiment of benthic microalgae seems to be necessary to preliminary experiment, which is addition or not of the attachment suitable substrate and the grain size for the target species of benthic microalgae.

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High-Value Materials from Microalgae (미세조류 유래 고부가 유용물질)

  • 오희목;최애란;민태익
    • Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.95-102
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    • 2003
  • Microalgae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms and abundant in every ecosystem in the biosphere. They are common in aqueous environments including marine, brackish and fresh waters and in some habitats that lack eukaryotic life such as some hot springs and highly alkaline lakes. Microalgal biotechnology that is focused on the microalgae-based production of a variety of useful materials such as pharmaceutical comfounds, health foods, natural pigments, and biofuels is considered as an important discipline with the development of biotechnology. In addition, the mass cultivation of microalgae can also contribute to improving the environmental quality by reducing the concentration of $CO_2$ which is one of major gases lead to global warming. Consequently, it seems that the microalgae can be used as an efficient, renewable, environmentally friendly source of high-value biomaterials such as chemicals, pigments, energy, etc. and the microalgal biotechnology will most likely represent a larger portion of modern biotechnology.

Environmental Ecological Status of Suncheon Bay and Its Application to the Criteria of UNESCO World Nature Heritage (순천만 연안의 환경생태현황 및 세계자연유산 등재기준 적용 분석)

  • Kim, Kyungwon;Lee, Kyong-Jae;Han, Bong-Ho
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.27 no.5
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    • pp.625-641
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    • 2013
  • This study is analyzed the environmental ecological status of Suncheon Bay and its applicable possibility to the selection criteria of UNESCO World Natural Heritage (hereafter Criteria). The study shows that the formation process of the tidal-flats in Suncheon bay could apply to the Criteria VIII, "to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history." The landscape pattern of Suncheon Bay is deduced various patterns based on 5 biotope types: tidal-flat, rice-paddy, field area, coniferous natural forest, and broadleaf natural forest. Its landscape characteristic is a harmonized composition of various landscape including mountains, rivers, fields, and tidal-flats. It is judged that the unique landscape of Suncheon Bay falls under the criteria VII, "areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance." In addition, Suncheon Bay, the habitat of the Hooded Crane as internationally endangered species, comes under the criteria X, "the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of threatened species." The study shows, however, that any other designation for protected area including national park or biosphere reserve is a prerequisite for designation of World Nature Heritage. In particular, it could evaluate whether it is qualified of the Criteria after the integrated conservation and management to the Sucheon bay as well as the southwestern tidal-flat is preceded.

Reaction of Student for the Field Application of ESE Program - Focusing on the Global Climate Game - (지구계교육 프로그램의 적용에 따른 학습자의 반응 - 지구 기후 게임을 중심으로 -)

  • Kang, Hyun-A;Cho, Kyu-Seong
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.299-308
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    • 2002
  • While the 7th national education curriculum is gradually proceeding, science education tries various teaching-learning method for integration in science education. The first purpose of this study is to investigate Earth Systems Education(ESE), which is approaching method to integrate science education, especially in its focus on planet Earth. Also, the second purpose is to know what the reactions of students are obtained after 'The Global Climate Game' in ESE active learning program is applied to the field. The results of this study are as follows; ESE is to propose the integrated approaching method of searching for natures and ESE teaching-learning method is to try to overcome fixed conventional teaching-learning method focus on the text book, and practical application of ESE teaching-learning method is that we can develope the student-emphasized instructional program through the discussional cooperation-teaming models, role-play instructional models. In this study, 'The Global Climate Game' found that was suitable of understanding about relating of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere composing Earth System. Reaction of most students for ESE was showed a positive change of aspect affective region and ESE active learning program is more efficient to improve schoolwork achivement and students positive attitude toward science subject than conventional teaching-learning method. Thus if ESE active learning program is applied for a long time, the general positive attitude of students concerning science will be increased, and then the students is expected to extend the ability of application of science in their life.

Experimental Studies of the Short-Term Fluctuations of Net Photosynthesis Rate of Norway Spruce Needles under Field Conditions (야외조건하(野外條件下)에서 독일가문비(Picea abies Karst) 침엽(針葉)의 순(純) 광합성률(光合成率)의 단기(短期) 변화(變化)에 대한 실험적(實驗的) 연구(硏究))

  • Bolondinsky, V.;Oltchev, A.;Jin, Hyun O.;Joo, Yeong Teuk;Chung, Dong Jun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.88 no.1
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    • pp.38-46
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    • 1999
  • Canopy structure conductances of a Norway spruce forest in the Solling Hills(Central Germany) and Central Forest Biosphere Reserve(320km to the north-west from Moscow) were derived from LE(latent heat flux) and H(sensible heat flux) fluxes measured(by Eddy correlation technique and energy balance method) and modelled(by one dimensional non-steady-state) SVAT(soil-vegetation-atmosphere-transfer) model(SLODSVAT) using a rearranged Penman-Monteith equation("Big-leaf" approximation) during June 1996. They were compared with canopy stomatal conductances estimated by consecutive intergrating the stomatal conductance of individual needles over the whole canopy("bottom-up" approach) using SLODSVAT model. The result indicate a significant difference between the canopy surface conductances derived from measured and modelled fluxes("top-down" approach) and the stomatal conductances modelled by the SLODSVAT("bottom-up" approach). This difference was influenced by some nonphysiological factors within the forest canopy(e.g. aerodynamic and boundary layer resistances, radiation budget, evapotranspiration from the forest understorey). In general, canopy surface conductances derived from measured and modelled fluxes exceeded canopy stomatal conductance during the whole modelled period, The contribution of the understorey's evapotranspiration to the total forest evapotranspiration was small (up to 5-9% of the total LE flux) and was not depended on total radiation balance of forest canopy. Ignoring contribution of the understorey's evapotranspiration resulted in an overestimation of the canopy surface conductance for a spruce forest up to 2mm/s(about 10-15%).

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The Concentrations of Endocrine Disrupter (PCBs and DDE) in the Serumand Their Predictors of Exposure in Korean Women (일부 한국 성인 여성들의 혈중 내분비계 장애물질 농도 및 그 노출요인의 연구)

  • 민선영;정문호
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.127-137
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    • 2001
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) are halogenated aromatic compounds with the empirical formula $C_{12}$ $H_{10-n}$C $l_{n}$(n=1~10), and are a mixture of possible 209 different chlorinated congeners. PCBs were widely used as dielectric fluids for capacitors and transformers, plasticizers, lubricant inks and paint addirives. Once released into the environment, PCBs persist for years because they are so resistant to degradation. In addition to their persistence in the environment, PCBs in ecological food chains undergo biomagnification because of their high degree of lipophilicity. In 1970s, the worldwide production of PCBs was ceased and the import of PCBs was prohibited since 1983 in Korea. In spite of these actions, many PCBs seems to be still in use. The environmental load of PCBs will continue to be recycled through air, land, water, and the biosphere for decades to come. This study was conducted to measure the concentrations of PCBs in the serum samples of 112 women by GC/MSD and GC/ECD. The main results of this study were as follows. 1. PCBs were detected in all samples. The mean $\pm$SD levels of PCBs in the serum were 3.613$\pm$0.759 ppb, and median were 3.828 ppb. 2. The correlation coefficients of the concentrations of 13 PCB congeners were from minimum, 0.7913 to maximum, 0.9985, and all was significant(p=0.0001). The correlation coefficient between the concentrations of PCBs and p,p'-DDE was 0.9641(p=0.0001). 3. There was a positive association between age and PCBs' concentrations (simple linear regression ; $R^2$=0.86, $\beta$=0.08023, p<0.001). 4. There was a positive association between total lipids in the serum and PCBs' concentrations (simple linear regression ; $R^2$=0.7058, $\beta$=0.00486, p<0.001). 5. For possible predictors of PCBs and p,p' -DDE levels in the serum, age adjusted model (Y=$\beta$$_{0}$+$\beta$$_1$age+ $B_2$X) was applied. For BMI, major residential area, wether to eat caught fish by angling, where to eat caught fish by angling(by parents in the past), fish consumption, meat consumption, meat consumption, and dairy consumption, there was no association. For total conception frequency and lactation frequency and lactation period, there was negative association.ion.

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Amino Acid Composition and characteristic of dissolved organic Compounds in the Yellow Sea (황해의 용존 유기물 특성 및 아미노산 조성)

  • 박용철;윤철호
    • 한국해양학회지
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.171-182
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    • 1994
  • Dissolved free amino acid (DFAA) dissolved hydrolyzable amino acid (DHAA) and D/L amino acid racemic ratio in the dissolved organic compounds were studied to investigate the biogeochemical characteristics of dissolved organic compound in the Yellow Sea. Concentration of total DFAA ranged from 0.06 uM to 0.26 uM in the study area. DFAA composition showed that aspiratae, glutamate, serine, glycine and alanine were predominant. According to characteristics of functional group of amino acid, these belonged to hydroponic group. C-18 short column cartridge (Sep-Pak) activated by methanol was used to extract organic macromolecules in the seawater. In operational scheme, macromolecules were divided into two fractions. Geomacromolecule fraction eluted with 50% methanol was used to extract organic macromolecules in the seawater. In operational scheme, macromolecules were divided into two fractions. Geomacromolecule fraction eluted with 50% methanol was moderately hydrophilic and showed characteristics of humic substance in the seawater. Biomacromolecule fraction eluted with 100% methanol was hydrophobic and most abundant in the surface seawater samples. DHAA was much higher than DFAA in this study area. DHAA ranged from 2.05 uM to 6.19 uM in the B-fraction and from 8.13 uM to 24.46 uM in the G-fraction. DHAA was higher in the surface water than in the bottom water where the vertical stratification developed well. The result of HPLC analysis of D/L amino acid showed that low racemic ratio was found in the B-fraction. It implies that the B-fraction is relatively younger than the G-fraction and freshly derived from biosphere.

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Characteristics of the spatio-temporal distributions of water quality and phytoplankton communities in the Isa Stream systems (ISS) (이사천 수계의 수질환경과 식물플랑크톤 군집의 시·공간적 분포 특성)

  • Park, Jong Sick;Cheong, Cheong-Jo;Yoon, Yang Ho
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.39 no.3
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    • pp.273-288
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    • 2021
  • We analyzed the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of water quality and phytoplankton communities in the Isa Stream systems (ISS) from Sangsa Lake to Suncheon Bay. Sangsa Lake showed relatively oligotrophic and mesotrophic conditions, but the freshwater and mixed brackish water zones showed more severe eutrophication than Sangsa Lake and Suncheon Bay due to the influence of industrial waste such as livestock waste. In terms of the phytoplankton community, the number of phytoplankton species was higher in freshwater and mixed brackish water zones than in Sangsa Lake and Suncheon Bay, but the cell density and Chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a) were relatively high in Sanga Lake and Suncheon Bay. In particular, the mesotrophic species Fragilaria crotonensis and Asterionella formosa showed different dominance in the surface and bottom layers, and the influence of A. formosa was significant in the freshwater and mixed brackish water zones in spring and summer. However, Skeletonema costatum-ls, a eutrophic indicator species, dominated in mixed brackish water zones to seawater in autumn and winter. Thus, the severe eutrophication and rapid environmental changes in the ISS could seriously damage the coastal ecosystem in Suncheon Bay. These ecosystem changes are threatening in terms of conservation and management of the UNESCO Suncheon Biosphere Reserve and Yeoja Bay including Suncheon Bay, which recorded the first Ramsar wetland in Korea. Therefore, further research is needed to establish an in-depth management plan.

Morphological Landscape of Patagonia and Atacama in the Andes based on Geotourism (지오투어리즘 관점에서 본 안데스 파타고니아와 아타카마의 지형경관)

  • PARK, Jongkwan
    • Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.15-28
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    • 2013
  • This paper was made on the basis of geotourism to explain morphological characteristics of Patagonia and Atacama region in the Andes through 10-day fieldwork. The Patagonian landscape was focused on the Torres del Paine National Park, Chile and the Los Glacier National Park, Argentina; on the other hand, the Atacama morphological landscape was investigated around the San Pedro de Atacama. Many geomorphological features such as uplift, semiarid and glacier landscapes can be found in Patagonia, so it is strongly recommended to have an opportunity to enjoy these landforms by geotourism. Massive intrusive rock bodies of granite can be shown in those two National Parks declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. And, the Atacama Desert located on the forearc depression in the Andes, Chile has also many geomorphological destinations of arid and volcanic landforms; badland, pediplain, pediment, salt lake and geyser. Especially, huge pediplain is one of the greatest view points in the Atacama Desert. Patagonia and Atacama are the best geographical tourism sites to know diverse tectonic landforms made by the conflict between South American and Pacific plates.