• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.66-85
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• 2002

Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with heavy metals. This may be mainly due to a soil contamination by an environmental pollution. The objective of this study is to identify the contents of various heavy metals in the blood from OhJeokSan-Decoction (OD) treated-rats. For this study, 13 kinds of metals including essential and heavy metals, i.e. Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were analyzed by a slight modification of EPA methods and the following results are obtained. ; 1. There is no significant difference between the OD-treated groups and control group in liver, kidney, bone, brain, weight, food intake. 2. The amount of each metal analyzed in the liver are as follows; Al ; $0.235{\sim}4.215mg／kg$, As ; $0.103{\sim}0.461mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.005{\sim}0.010mg／kg$, Co ; $0.017{\sim}0.046mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.137{\sim}0.403mg／kg$, Cu ; $1.736{\sim}4.827mg／kg$, Fe ; $54.472{\sim}381.447mg／kg$, Hg ; not detected, Mn ; $1.159{\sim}2.803mg／kg$, Ni ; $0.007{\sim}0.095mg／kg$, Pb ; not detected, Se ; $0.682{\sim}1.887mg／kg$, Zn ; $10.213{\sim}26.119mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. In control and other experimental group, several metal (Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, As, Cr) has a significant difference, but in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups, there are no significant difference. 3. The amount of each metal analyzed in the kidney are as follows; Al ; $1.712{\sim}31.230mg／kg$, As ; $0.062{\sim}0.439mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.010{\sim}0.062mg／kg$, Co ; $0.000{\sim}0.101mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.125{\sim}0.636mg／kg$, Cu ; $3.385{\sim}12.502mg／kg$, Fe ; $41.148{\sim}99.709mg／kg$, Hg ; $0.000{\sim}0.270mg／kg$, Mn ; $0.433{\sim}2.301mg／kg$, Ni ; $0.000{\sim}0.221mg／kg$, Pb ; $0.000{\sim}0.584mg／kg$, Se ; $0.540{\sim}1.600mg／kg$, Zn ; $8.775{\sim}17.060mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. The concentration of Cu, Se, Cr, and Hg are variated significantly in control and other experimental group, and Cu, Se, Cd, Cr are variated significantly in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups. 4. The amount of each metal analyzed in the bone(tibia and fibula) are as follows; Al ; $9.557{\sim}119.464mg／kg$, As ; $0.139{\sim}12.250mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.000{\sim}0.295mg／kg$, Co ; $0.022{\sim}0.243mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.239{\sim}1.999mg／kg$, Cu ; $0.000{\sim}2.291mg／kg$, Fe ; $240.249{\sim}841.956mg／kg$, Hg ; $0.000{\sim}0.983mg／kg$, Mn ; $0.214{\sim}7.353mg／kg$, Ni ; $5.473{\sim}11.453mg／kg$, Pb ; $0.000{\sim}8.502mg／kg$, Se ; $0.000{\sim}3.005mg／kg$, Zn ; $61.158{\sim}195.038mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. The concentration of Se, Cd are variated significantly in control and other experimental groups, and Se is variated significantly in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups. 5. Exceptionally several metal concentration is increased or decreased. but there is no significant harmful difference of metal concentration in the liver, kidney and bone, from the OD-treated-rats compared to those of the control group even if higher dosage($1{\sim}8$ times dosage of person) of OD was administered. Thus, it is expected that the herbal decoction in the traditional herbal medicine would not lay any burden on the body and the heavy metal toxins would not affect our physiological system. However, other kinds of herbal treatment, such as i.v. and i.p. should be considered in terms of metal toxicity in the body since the level of certain metal.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.9-25
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• 2020

In 2010 and 2015, total 77 surface sediment samples were collected to assess the anthropogenic effects of trace metals in surface sediments of Garolim Bay, and the physical characteristics (particle size and specific surface area) and geochemical components (major (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Ba) and trace metals (Mn, Cs, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb), organic carbon and calcium carbonate) were analyzed. Mean grain size of Garolim Bay surface sediments ranged from 0.51-5.58 Ø (mean 3.98 Ø) and increased from the inlet of bay to the inner bay, and from the waterway to the land. Most of the metal concentrations except for some elements showed the similar distribution to those of mean grain size and specific surface area. As the particle size decreased and the specific surface area increased, the metal concentration increased. In order to estimate the factors controlling the concentration of trace metals, factor analysis was performed, and three factors were extracted (92.7% of the total variation). Factor 1 accounted for 71.3% of the total variation, which was a grain size factor. Factor 2 accounted for 14.2% of the total variation, Factor 3 accounted for 7.2% of the total variance. Enrichment factor was calculated using the particle size corrected background concentration. Metals with a enrichment factor of 1.5 or higher and the number of samples were 4 for Cr (St. 1, 16, 27, 39) and 1 for Pb (St. 39), but there were little differences in the concentrations of 1M HCl leached metals for these metals. The percentage of 1M HCl leached fraction to total metal concentration decreased in the order of Pb~Co>Cu>Zn~Mn>Ni>Cr. Comparing this value with contaminated and clean sediments in other coastal areas, the percentages for each metal were similar regardless of the trace metal levels in all regions. This fact might be resulted from the reaction between the 1M HCl solution and the different sediment constituents, indicating that there is a limit to apply this percentage of leached metal to the estimation of the contamination extent.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2010

The stabilization process using limestone ($CaCO_3$) and steel making slag as the immobilization amendments was investigated for As contaminated farmland soils around Chonam abandoned mine, Korea. Batch and continuous column experiments were performed to quantify As-immobilization efficiency in soil and the analyses using XRD and SEM/EDS for secondary minerals precipitated in soil were also conducted to understand the mechanism of Asimmobilization by the amendments. For the batch experiment, with 3% of limestone and steel making slag, leaching concentration of As from the contaminated soil decreased by 62% and 52% respectively, compared to that without the amendment. When the mixed amendment (2% of limestone and 1% of steel making slag) was used, As concentration in the effluent solution decreased by 72%, showing that the mixed of limestone and steel making slag has a great capability to immobilize As in the soil. For the continuous column experiments without the amendment, As concentration from the effluent of the column ranged from 50 to $80\;{\mu}g/L$. However, with 2% limestone and 1% steel making slag, more than 80% diminution of As leaching concentration occurred within 1 year and maintained mostly below $10\;{\mu}g/L$. Results from XRD and SEM/EDS analysis for the secondary minerals created from the reaction of the amendments with $As^{+3}$ (arsenite) investigated that portlandite ($Ca(OH)_2$), calcium-arsenite (Ca-As-O) and calcite ($CaCO_3$) were main secondary minerals and the distinct As peaks in the EDS spectra of the secondary minerals can be observed. These findings suggest that the co-precipitation might be the major mechanisms to immobilize As in the soil medium with limestone and steel making slag.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 2008

The mixing treatment process using lime (CaO) and limestone ($CaCO_3$) as the immobilization amendments was applied for heavy metal contaminated filmland soils around Goro abandoned Zn-mine, Korea in the batch and pilot scale continuous column experiments. For the batch experiments, with the addition of 0.5 wt.% commercialized lime or limestone, leaching concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn from the contaminated filmland soil decreased by 70, 77, 94, and 95 %, respectively, compared to those without amendments. For the continuous pilot scale column experiments, the acryl column (30 cm in length and 20 cm in diameter) was designed and granulated lime and limestone were used. From the results of column experiments, with only 2 wt.% of granulated lime, As, Cd, and Zn leaching concentrations decreased by 63%, 97%, and 98%, respectively. With 2 wt.% of granulated limestone, As leaching concentration reduced from 135.6 to 30.2 ${\mu}g/L$ within 5 months and maintained mostly below 10 ${\mu}g/L$, representing that more than 46% diminution of leaching concentration compared to that without the amendment mixing. For Cd and Zn, their leaching concentrations with only 2 wt.% of limestone mixing decreased by 97%, respectively compared to that without amendment mixing, suggesting that the capability of limestone to immobilize heavy metals in the filmland soil was outstanding and similar to that of lime. From the column experiments, it was investigated that if the efficiency of limestone to immobilize heavy metals from the soil was similar to that of lime, the limestone could be more available to immobilize heavy metals from the soil than lime because of low pH increase and thus less harmful side effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.873-880
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• 2020

After pre-treatment of oyster shells according to particle size (0 ~ 1, 1 ~ 2, 2 ~ 5 mm) and pyrolysis temperature (400(P400), 500(P500), 600(P600), 800(P800)℃), changes in the properties of sediments mixed with pre-treated oyster shells were investigated. The primary component of the oyster shell was changed from CaCO3 to CaO at temperatures above 700℃. The Ca2+ concentration in P800 was 790 mg/L, which was 2 ~ 3 times higher than those in the control and other experimental samples. Ca2+ elution significantly increased at the pyrolysis temperature over than 600℃. In oyster shells pyrolyzed over 600℃, the pH of the pore water increased by 0.1 ~ 0.5, due the hydrolysis of CaO formed by the pyrolysis of CaCO3. The PO4-P of the overlying and pore water in P600 and P800 were 0.1 ~ 0.2 mg/L lower than those of the control. The increased pH and elution of Ca2+ from oyster shells should suppress the upwelling of PO4-P from the sediment. Based on the above results, it was confirmed that the pyrolysis temperature of oyster shells influenced NH3-N and PO4-P concentrations in the sediment; however, the particle size of oyster shells had little effect. The results of this study can be used as a foundation for research on the use of pyrolyzed oyster shells to improve low-contamination coastal benthic environments.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2001

Purpose : For the research of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), fast neutrons generated from the MC-50 cyclotron with maximum energy of 34.4 MeV in Korea Cancer Center Hospital were moderated by 70 cm paraffin and then the dose characteristics were investigated. Using these results, we hope to establish the protocol about dose measurement of epi-thermal neutron, to make a basis of dose characteristic of epi-thermal neutron emitted from nuclear reactor, and to find feasibility about accelerator-based BNCT. Method and Materials : For measuring the absorbed dose and dose distribution of fast neutron beams, we used Unidos 10005 (PTW, Germany) electrometer and IC-17 (Far West, USA), IC-18, ElC-1 ion chambers manufactured by A-150 plastic and used IC-l7M ion chamber manufactured by magnesium for gamma dose. There chambers were flushed with tissue equivalent gas and argon gas and then the flow rate was S co per minute. Using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code, transport program in mixed field with neutron, photon, electron, two dimensional dose and energy fluence distribution was calculated and there results were compared with measured results. Results : The absorbed dose of fast neutron beams was $6.47\times10^{-3}$ cGy per 1 MU at the 4 cm depth of the water phantom, which is assumed to be effective depth for BNCT. The magnitude of gamma contamination intermingled with fast neutron beams was $65.2{\pm}0.9\%$ at the same depth. In the dose distribution according to the depth of water, the neutron dose decreased linearly and the gamma dose decreased exponentially as the depth was deepened. The factor expressed energy level, $D_{20}/D_{10}$, of the total dose was 0.718. Conclusion : Through the direct measurement using the two ion chambers, which is made different wall materials, and computer calculation of isodose distribution using MCNP simulation method, we have found the dose characteristics of low fluence fast neutron beams. If the power supply and the target material, which generate high voltage and current, will be developed and gamma contamination was reduced by lead or bismuth, we think, it may be possible to accelerator-based BNCT.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 1996

Background: The extraction methods of DNA from clinical samples are the major obstacle to use the PCR(polymerase Chain Reaction) in routine labortary for early detection of M. tuberculosis. We tried to improve the extraction method of DNA from sputum for establishment of the PCR in routine labortary by reducing the possibility of cross contamination and performing it easily and safely. Methods: We used the $InstaGene^{TM}$ DNA extraction kit(BioRad Co.) using Chelex 100 ion exchange resin for preparation of DNA. We compared InstaGene method in 100 cases of sputum from proteinase K method which is known as the most commonly used method for DNA purification(Experiment 1). And we compared InstaGene method in 98 cases of sputum from Microwave method developed by a company in Korea(Experiment 2). In experiment 1,245bps of IS6110 were amplified and then 188bps were amplified by nested PCR. In experiment 2,536bps in primary PCR and 276bps in nested PCR were amplified and analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis and EtBr staining. Results: When we chose AFB smear, culture, or AFB smear and culture as a standard test, PCR had low specificity and positive predictive value in both experiments. The InstaGene method has higher value in sensitivity and negative predictive value significantly than proteinase K method. The InstaGene method and the Microwave methods were similar in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Conclusion: Even though both methods had lower possibility of cross contamination, shorter time requirement, simplicity, and economic advantages than Proteinase K method, the InstaGene method was a little simpler than the Microwave method. Therefore, in terms of usefulness in clinical application, the Instagene method seems to be the most useful method in DNA extraction for detection of M. tuberculosis using PCR. The reliability of this method will be clarified by further studies with enough clinical samples.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.76-90
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• 2018

To determine the distribution of mercury (Hg) in the coastal surface sediments around the Korean peninsula, the baseline concentration of Hg was estimated, the extent of contamination was assessed, and the factors controlling the distribution were discussed. The concentrations of Hg in surface sediments were significantly high in Jinhae-Masan Bay in the South Sea, Ulsan-Onsan Bay and Yeongil Bay in the East Sea, but Hg in other sediments showed a similar distribution to Cs and relatively very low concentration between 0.21 and $39.5{\mu}g/kg$ ($13.6{\pm}7.80{\mu}g/kg$). Compared to the sediment quality guidelines in Korea, 8 % of the surface sediments (n=282) analyzed in this study exceeded the values of the threshold effects level (TEL), and six sediments collected around Onsan Port were higher than the value of the probable effects level (PEL). The contamination levels of Hg were assessed by the enrichment factors using the baseline concentration (2.06Cs+1.75) based on the residual analysis from the linear regression line for Cs, and further, factors controlling the distribution of Hg were discussed by the comparison with geochemical substances depending upon the Hg enrichment level. Hg concentrations were correlated well with Cs concentration in the range of less than 1.69 of EF implying grain size control, while in the range of 1.69 and 4.03 Hg concentrations were correlated well with Fe oxyhyroxide and organic carbon contents, which indicates Hg was enriched by superior sorption capability. On the meanwhile, samples with higher EFs (4.03 to 74.9) showed fairly positive correlations with other metals (Cu, Zn, Pb) rather than geochemical substances. For samples in Youngil Bay and Ulsan-Onsan Bay (n=30), Hg concentrations were correlated only with other metals rather than geochemical substances implying simultaneous supply of metal particles from metal refineries. But samples at Gosung, Sokcho and Uljin coast were correlated well with organic carbon even though they had high EFs. In addition, samples in Jinhae-Masan Bay with high contents of S were enriched by relatively high sulfide formation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.3 s.178
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• pp.329-342
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to determine the geochemical characteristics for the stream sediments in the Konyang area. So we can estimate the environment contamination and understand geochemical disaster. We collect the stream sediments samples by wet sieving along the primary channels and slowly dry the collected samples in the laboratory and grind to pass a 200mesh using an alumina mortar and pestle for chemical analysis. Mineralogy, major, trace and rare earth elements are determined by XRD, XRE, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. For geochemical characteristics on the geological groups of stream sediments, the studied area was grouped into quartz porphyry area, sedimentary rock area, anorthosite area and gneiss area. Contents of major elements for the stream sediments in the Konyang area were $SiO_2\;41.86{\sim}76.74\;wt.%,\;Al_{2}O_{3}\;9.92{\sim}30.00\;wt.%,\;Fe_{2}O_{3}\;2.74{\sim}12.68\;wt.%,\;CaO\;0.22{\sim}3.31\;wt.%,\;MgO\;0.34{\sim}3.97\;wt.%,\;K_{2}O\;0.75{\sim}0.93\;wt.%,\;Na_{2}O\;0.25{\sim}1.92\;wt.%,\;TiO_{2}\;0.40{\sim}3.00\;wt.%,\;MnO\;0.03{\sim}0.21\;wt.%,\;P_{2}O_{5}\;0.05{\sim}0.38\;wt.%$. The contents of trace and rare earth elements for the stream sediments were $Cu\;7{\sim}102\;ppm,\;Pb\;15{\sim}47\;ppm,\;Sr\;48{\sim}513\;ppm,\;V\;29{\sim}129\;ppm,\;Zr\;31{\sim}217\;ppm,\;Li\;14{\sim}94\;ppm,\;Co\;5.6{\sim}32.1\;ppm,\;Cr\;23{\sim}259\;ppm,\;Cs\;1.7{\sim}8.7\;ppm,\;Hf\;2.1{\sim}109.0\;ppm,\;Rb\;34{\sim}247\;ppm,\;Sc\;4.5{\sim}21.9\;ppm,\;Zn\;24{\sim}609\;ppm,\;Sb\;0.8{\sim}2.6\;ppm,\;Th\;3{\sim}213\;ppm,\;Ce\;22{\sim}1000\;ppm,\;Eu\;0.7{\sim}5.3\;ppm,\;Yb\;0.6{\sim}6.4\;ppm$. Generally, the contents of $Al_{2}O_{3}\;and\;SiO_2$ had a good relationships with each other in rocks but it had a bad relationships in stream sediments for this study area. The contents of $Fe_{2}O_3$, CaO, MnO and $P_{2}O_{5}$ had a good relationships with major and minor elements in stream sediments of this study area. The contents of Co and V in the stream sediments had a good relationships with other toxic elements.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.3 s.184
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• pp.263-275
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to show the pollution characteristics of hazardous elements from roadside dust in the Gwangju city. We collected 47 samples from November to December in 2004 and separated four groups such as residential area, industrialized area, downtown area and heavy traffic area fer characteristics comparison on hazardous elements. Roadside dust mostly consisted of quartz, albite, microcline, muscovite in XRD analysis. Content of hazardous elements varied: As $3.4{\sim}11.9 ppm$, Cd $0.2{\sim}28.2 ppm$, Co $32{\sim}526 ppm$, Cr $25{\sim}526 ppm$, Cu $11{\sim}375 ppm$, Ni $14{\sim}247 ppm$, Pb $13{\sim}413 ppm$ and Zn $101{\sim}972 ppm$. Average contents of hazardous elements of Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Co>Ni>Cd. Content of hazardous elements was low in residential area, whereas that of heavy metal was much the same in both in heavy traffic area. Content of hazardous elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn was found to be particularly high in industrialized area. According to these results it was possible to presume that industrialized area was affected by industry activity such as machinery, petrochemical, automobile and electronics industry. The SEM analysis, detected Pb, Cr, Ni, and Fe particles in samples of industrialized area contaminated by industry activity. The correlation coefficient table resulted from the samples of roadside dust showed that there was same direction increase of content between elements. In other words, when the content of Cd increase, Cr and Ni increase, as Cr increase, Cu and Ni increase, as Cu increase Ni increase and Pb increase Zn increase. Based on these results it was possible to predict and interpret similar contamination patterns in this study.