• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.305-313
• /
• 1996

In order to investigate the extent and degree of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contamination affected by mining activities of the Dalsung Cu~W mine, sampling of stream sediments and waters has been undertaken up to 1.5 km downstream from the mine at 50~150 meter intervals. Analysis of the samples was carried out using ICP-AES for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Physical and chemical properties of sediments (pH, organic matter contents, cation exchange capacity) and waters (pH, Eh and temperature) were also measured. The properties of the sediment samples were characterized by low pH (3.0~5.5), low organic matter contents (2~5%) and a moderate degree of cation exchange capacity (7~15 meq/100 g) with a high proportion of sand fraction. The pH values of water samples ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 and the Eh levels were in the range of 350~530 mV. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the sediments averaged 3.2 mg/kg, 1,390 mg/kg, 451 mg/kg and 262 mg/kg with the range of 0.6~11.4 mg/kg, 15~3,800 mg/kg, 14~1,330 mg/kg and 63~1,060 mg/kg, respectively. Significant levels of the heavy metals were also found in the water samples with the range of $10{\sim}170{\mu}gCd/l$, $300{\sim}41,600{\mu}gCu/l$, $10{\sim}80{\mu}gPb/l$ and $700{\sim}15,400{\mu}gZn/l$. These elevated concentrations in the sediments and waters may be caused by the weathering of mine waste materials and their high solubilities under acidic and/or oxidizing conditions. Although metal concentrations in the samples decrease with the distance from the mine, heavy metal contamination of sediments and waters were also found at the 1.5 km downstream due to the mobile conditions of the heavy metals, with particular reference to Cd and Zn in stream waters.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.431-436
• /
• 2022

For the safety assessment of microbiological and chemical hazards in katsuobushi, fifteen samples of katsuobushi were purchased from supermarkets. The contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine pathogenic bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), Yersinia enterocolitica and Campylobacter jejuni/coli] were quantitatively or qualitatively assessed. Additionally, the heavy metals (total and methyl mercury) content, radioactivity (¹³¹ I, ¹³⁴ Cs⁺ and ¹³⁷ Cs) were quantitatively assessed. Microbial and chemical analyses were performed using standard methods in Korean food code. The contamination level of total viable bacteria was 2.70 (1.18-4.42) log CFU/g. Coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus were not detected in any samples. Other eight pathogenic bacteria were negative in all samples. The contamination levels of total and methyl mercury were 0.366 (0.227-0.481) and 0.120 (0.002-0.241) mg/kg, respectively. In addition, radioactivity was not detected in any samples. The results will be helpful in revitalizing domestic use and boosting exports of katsuobushi because the microbiological and chemical safety of katsuobushi has been assured. Furthermore, the results may be used as a basis for performing chemical and microbial risk assessments of katsuobushi.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.757-766
• /
• 2012

In this study, we have examined concentration distribution and patterns of PCBs in waters, sediments and soils in an agricultural area of South Korea to investigate the relationship between PCBs sources and concentration levels. The concentration of PCBs in water samples were ranged from lower values below detection limit to 8.25 ug/L and the concentration of PCBs in sediment samples were ranged from lower values below detection limit to 76.67 ug/Kg. The concentration of PCBs in soil samples were ranged from lower values below detection limit to 23.51 ug/Kg. These contamination levels were far below the guideline values suggested for environmental quality assessment. The homologue patterns in samples varied from sample to sample, but isomer patterns were very similar with each other. PCB-138 and PCB-153 were predominant congeners in the soil and sediment, which were similar to the results obtained from previous studies. With these results, the assessment of potential sources of PCBs contamination in the sediments of the Nakdong river basin was performed. The principal components were extracted by Principal Component Analysis(PCA). As the result of PCA, it could be expected that PCBs in samples of this study were more affected by PCB products than combustion processes and mostly affected by already-known sources. The PCBs in the soil and sediment samples were related with commercial PCB products.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2014

This study investigated the ability of Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake (Poaceae), Cyperus ligularis L. (Cyperaceae), Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Mariscus umbellatus (Rottb.) Vahl (Cyperaceae), Fimbistylis miliacea L. (Cyperaceae) and Torulinium odoratum L. (Cyperaceae) to clean up various levels of used motor oil (UMO) contaminated soils. The plants were grown in 2 kg garden soils treated to 0%, 1%, 5% and 10% levels of UMO contamination. The plant growth parameters, chlorophyll contents and dry weight of test plants were measured. The phytoremediation ability of these test plants were assessed by measuring the uptake of hydrocarbons in terms of total hydrocarbon content (THC) as well as their percentage degradation values. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in leaf chlorophyll contents and dry weights of the test plant species planted in UMO contaminated soils. THC as well as the percentage uptake (or degradation) of hydrocarbons were both lowest in C. ligularis but highest in T. odoratum in all cases. The phytoremediation potential of test plants was highest in soils contaminated with 5% UMO. Based on the results of this study, all test plants with the exception of C. ligularis were potentially capable of undertaking phytoremediation. However, B. bladhii and T. odoratum proved most effective in the uptake and degradation of UMO.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.220-225
• /
• 1999

The environmental conditions in smallholder dairy farms especially the effects of dairy wastes on waters and soil were the main objectives of this investigation. Forty-three dairy farms from an older dairy cooperative (Nongpho Dairy Cooperative, NP) were compared with four dairy fauns from relatively new dairy cooperative (Kamphaengsaen Dairy Cooperative, KS) for the quality parameters of water and soil samples during a 12-month period. Forty-three farms at NP were from three geographical areas and three levels farm crowdedness. The results from this study clearly showed that the waste waters from older dairy barns contained much higher levels of organic and inorganic substances which could create environmental pollution if not properly managed. The differences in waste water qualities due to areas and seasons were not significant, while waste water samples from crowded farms tended to contain higher averages of waste water parameters such as COD and BOD. Highly significant correlations between pairs of waste water parameters indicated that certain parameters can be used without the need for chemical analysis of some other parameters. The qualities of well water on dairy farms as well as water samples from public waterways nearby indicated some contamination of dairy wastes such as manure. Storage and sun-drying of dairy manure on bare soil surface could result in the contamination of underground water and nearby water sources. Some recommendations from this study if implemented can prevent environmental pollution in smallholder dairy farms.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.224-230
• /
• 2021

This study assessed the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, fungi, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, and qualitative analysis of Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Vibrio spp. in four frozen-raw sliced fishes (cuttlefish, flatfish, salmon, and shrimp) for sushi production. The total aerobic bacteria, fungi, and coliforms were 2.95-3.38, 1.96-2.88, and 0.92-1.29 log CFU/g, respectively. In particular, shrimp was highly contaminated with total aerobic bacteria (3.38 log CFU/g) and fungi (2.88 log CFU/g). Over 3 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria was also detected in cuttlefish, flatfish, and salmon. Less than 1-2 log CFU/g of E. coli was detected in all frozen samples. S. aureus was detected at 2.25-3.13 log CFU/g in most samples. B. cereus was qualitatively detected at 25% in most samples, except for salmon (0%). Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, and Vibrio spp. were qualitatively detected at 25-50% of all four samples. The microbial contamination levels determined in the current study may be potentially used as basic data to perform microbial risk assessments of frozen-raw sliced fishes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.1136-1144
• /
• 2022

The effects of nearby residents and the public by the residual contamination from the decommissioning of nuclear facilities should comply with the dose criteria, and whether additional remediation action is necessary from the ALARA perspective must be determined. Therefore, we analyzed the requirements of ALARA action levels and performed preliminary ALARA evaluation. The ratio of residual contamination concentration to DCGL was calculated for the basement fill and the building occupancy mode. The results showed that the additional remediation actions below DCGL are not justified. In addition, we analyzed the effect of remediation area. It was noted that the increase of the remediation area showed a positive correlation with the Conc/DCGL value in the basement fill mode. On the other hand, in the building occupancy mode, since the floor area of the building is the target of remediation and has the effect of increasing the same as the evaluation area of the building occupants, but due to the difference in the amount of increase, the Conc/DCGL showed a negative correlation. We expect the approach and method of ALARA evaluation can be utilized for concrete cost-benefit calculation during the decommissioning or at the time of remediation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2011

Nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins produced by some Fusarium species known to be very frequently contaminated in feed. The study for simultaneous analysis and contamination survey in animal feed carried out. All mycotoxins were analysed by using high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass with internal standard. The limits of detection (LOD) were $2.0\;{\mu}g/kg$, $1.0\;{\mu}g/kg$, $1.0\;{\mu}g/kg$ and $0.1\;{\mu}g/kg$ for NIV, DON, T-2 and ZEN, respectively. Two hundred and thirty nine samples of feed were collected. The average concentration of DON was $212.3\;{\mu}g/kg$, $207.8\;{\mu}g/kg$ and $812.1\;{\mu}g/kg$ in chicken, pig and cattle feed, respectively. The average concentration of ZEN was $31.2\;{\mu}g/kg$, $35.6\;{\mu}g/kg$ and $147.2\;{\mu}g/kg$ for them, respectively. Especially, the levels of contamination for DON and ZEN were higher than those of NIV or T-2. And, the levels of contamination for four Fusarium mycotoxins in cattle feed appeared higher than those of pig and chicken feed. It was investigated that the high level of mycotoxin contamination in cattle feed was caused by com gluten feed of ingredients for feed, mainly.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2011

Paprika is a major export of Korea, but biosafety is important if exports are to grow. To date, few paprika biosafety data are available. We evaluated microbiological contamination of paprika, and determined bacterial levels with respect to storage temperature. Mean counts of total aerobic bacteria were $2.3{\pm}0.3\;log_{10}\;CFU/g$, but coliforms were not isolated. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Escherichia coli O157 were also not detected. When bacterial contamination of paprika stored at room temperature or $4^{\circ}C$ for 20 days was evaluated, the numbers of total aerobic bacteria peaked at 14-16 days at room temperature (4 times more than those of $4^{\circ}C$). However, aerobic bacteria grew slowly at $4^{\circ}C$. Coliforms were also detected twice at room temperature, but not upon storage at $4^{\circ}C$. The results indicate that the paprika exported from Korea is relatively biosafe. However, food hygiene issues must be addressed to reduce contamination during storage and distribution.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.334-338
• /
• 2009

To determine the contamination status of Sushi fish and rice, seventy-nine samples of Sushi were collected from wholesale markets and Japanese restaurants within the Seoul area and subsequently analyzed for food-borne pathogens. Total aerobic counts ranged from 4 to 6 log CFU/g for the sliced raw fish, and from 3 to 5 log CFU/g for the boiled rice. Higher levels of contamination were detected in bream and shrimp Sushi versus other types. Coliform counts of 3-4 log CFU/g were detected in the sliced raw fish, whereas levels in the boiled rice were one log CFU/g lower compared to the raw fish. The raw Sushi fish had higher amounts of contamination than the boiled rice, however, E.coli was not detected. The prevalence rates of pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, in the raw fish were 17% and 10%, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence rates in the boiled rice were 11% and 8% for S. aureus and B.cereus, respectively. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were also detected; however, other pathogens such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfrigens, and Yersinia enterocolitica were not detected. Among the high contaminating pathogens, B.cereus was found in 13% of samples from the wholesale markets, while S.aureus was found in 30% of samples from the Japanese restaurants. Therefore, these data suggest that the primary microbial hazard factors for Sushi are S. aureus and B. cereus, in addition to V. parahaemolyticus, and further risk assessments should focus on those pathogens.