• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.332-339
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• 2012

Horizontal distributions and their ecotoxicological implications relating to organochlorine compounds (OCs) were determined in surface sediments sampled from the West Nakdong River. The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in surface sediments were in the range of 0.57-3.68, 0.41-8.35, 0.63-1.65, and n.d.-0.56 ng/g, respectively. DDTs represent the major OC in the West Nakdong River. Concentrations of PCBs and DDTs correlate with the total organic carbon (PCBs: r=0.874, p<0.001, and DDTs: r=0.762, p<0.05, respectively), indicating that organic content in the sediments is one of the major factors for influencing horizontal distribution of the organochlorine compounds in this river. Examining the potential poisonous character of the surface sediments to benthic organisms according to the sediment quality guideline (SQG), set out by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we found that the concentrations of total PCBs, p,p'-DDD, and ${\gamma}$-HCH were lower than the effects range-low (ER-L) and the probable effects level (PEL). As a result, it is considered that the effect of organochlorines in the region considered on benthic organisms is very low from the perspective of environmental toxicology. However, in terms of the Canadian SQC, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, and total DDTs, respectively, exceeded the interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG) and the threshold effect level (TEL) in 30%, 17%, and 19%, respectively, of the sediment samples analyzed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.335-344
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• 2012

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) were determined in surface sediments collected from main rivers of Korea. Concentration of HCB in sediments ranged from 0.41 to 3.82 (average 1.58) ng/g, 0.08 to 6.09 (average 0.90) ng/g, 0.02 to 0.97 (average 0.30) ng/g, 0.28 to 0.59 (average 0.42) ng/g and 0.23 to 0.48 (average 0.32) ng/g in Han river, Nakdong river, Geum river, Yeongsan and Seomjin river respectively. The DDTs concentration was ranged from 0.67 to 14.20 (average 4.76) ng/g, N.D. to 10.36 (average 1.81) ng/g, N.D. to 7.26 (average 1.87) ng/g, N.D. to 3.12 (average 1.08) ng/g and 0.02 to 2.04 (average 0.56) ng/g in Han river, Nakdong river, Geum river, Yeongsan and Seomjin river respectively. In comparison with the concentration of HCB and DDTs in other studies, the values in sediments of this study were lower than those of other countries. Comparison with that Sediment quality guideline (SQG) of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the HCB levels of this study were very lower than Effect Range Low (ERL) value. In the case of DDTs, the concentrations of 46 points were higher than ERL (1.58 ng/g). It have not harmful effect on ecosystem of the sediment, however ongoing monitoring of sediments is deemed necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.1045-1051
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• 2005

We developed an orofacial pains diagnosis/therapy system which can enlarge a therapy effect through a new stimulation. Contrary to its established method, this therapy system(DDTS-1) is a treating method which absorbs a surplus ion charge- the cause of an outbreak of a pain-of the human body using a capacitor. Absorbing a surplus ion charge of the human body with effect, it obtained optimal parameters which is control signal to control charging/discharging a capacitor to be 6Hz, and capacitance to be $0.1\~0.33{\mu}F.$ Through clinical demonstration, experimented on among patients-namely dental pain patients, joint disorders patients, and trigeminal neuralgia patients to verification of system. In result, an EAST stimulater had a very low change of abnormal potential against normal potential before/after being placed under medical care. DDTS-1 showed obvious differences that two potentials are one and the same potential or one potential is similar to the other one. DDTS-1 comparing with EAST showed the remedial value of the comparative advantage in all the medical treatment of pains. Therefore, stimulation of DDTS-1 is more effective than the existing electric stimulation. We verified its validity of ion charge absorption in the human body using capacitor which presented the present thesis. That is, we verified theoretical adequacy of control action in a pain, and its efficiency as well as confidence.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1279-1290
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• 2018

Sea gulls are high trophic level consumers in the coastal environment, and thus, which have been widely used to monitor contamination biomagnified through a food web. However, such monitoring studies using sea gulls have been rare in the Korean literature. The National Environmental Specimen Bank chose eggs of a black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) to serve as an environmental specimen for the long-term monitoring of the coastal ecosystem affected by terrestrial pollutants. Black-tailed gull eggs were collected from Baengnyeongdo, Hongdo and Uleungdo, and their DDTs and total mercury content were determined. The highest concentration of ${\Sigma}DDTs$ was $231.6{\pm}106.1{\mu}g/kg$ wet in Baengnyeongdo, followed by $230.0{\pm}123.8{\mu}g/kg$ wet in Ulleungdo, and $117.7{\pm}18.3{\mu}g/kg$ wet in Hongdo. In addition, total mercury was detected at $414.5{\pm}97.6{\mu}g/kg$ wet in Ulleungdo, $363.9{\pm}123.6{\mu}g/kg$ wet in Hongdo, and $237.5{\pm}42.3{\mu}g/kg$ wet in Baengnyeongdo. Relatively high concentrations of the target pollutants were recorded in specimens from Ulleungdo. Additional comprehensive and prolonged studies are required to elucidate spatial and temporal patterns of contamination in black-tailed gull eggs with regard to monitoring contaminant trends in eggs and prey.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2010

Bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides was studied in sediment dwelling bivalves, Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum), collected from the midwestern coast of Korea. As witnessed by the dominance of tetra- to penta-chlorinated congeners in sediments and the penta- to hexa-chlorinated congener dominance in clams, the profile of PCBs in the sediments and Manila clams differed. Lipid and organic carbon-normalized biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) were determined for organochlorine pesticides. BSAFs of $\beta$-hexachlorocyclohexane ($\beta$-HCH) and $\Sigma$DDTs were in the range of 0.06~1.36 and 0.31~1.06. No clear relationships were found between BSAFs of $\Sigma$DDTs in Manila clams and the concentrations of DDTs in the associated sediment. The accumulated PCBs and organochlorine pesticides were compared in Manila clams and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) collected from 3 sites. Highly chlorinated PCBs were more commonly found in oyster tissues than in clam tissues. The reasons for the different accumulation pattern of organic pollutants in the two organisms are discussed.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2010

Bivalve samples from 30 locations Korean coastal waters were analyzed to characterize the contamination with and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The congeners of PBDE in 30 bivalve samples were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography with a high resolution mass detector. The levels of PBDEs in bivalve samples ranged from 0.092 to 13.5 ng/g wet weight. These values for PBDEs concentrations in bivalves from Korea were higher than or comparable to available values for bivalves from other countries. In the congener profiles, BDE-47 (mean contribution=42.2%) was predominant, followed by BDE-99 (23.1%), BDE-100 (11.9%) and BDE-154 (3.5%). Among the OCs analyzed, $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDTs levels were highest, followed by $\Sigma$HCHs, $\Sigma$CHLs and HCB. The wet weight based $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDTs ranged from 0.28 ng/g to 19.4 ng/g, and from 0.19 ng/g to 4.86 ng/g, respectively. The $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDT slevels in bivalves along the entire Korean coast were lower than those of the USA, and below the Food and Drug Administration (USA. FDA) limits for fish and shell fish. However, the human health criteria and wild life criteria of the USA. Environmental Protection Agency (USA. EPA) were exceeded for DDE and $\Sigma$HCHs at most of the sampling points.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2011

Distribution of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides in sediments, seawater and fish tissues were examined. Concentrations of ${\Sigma}PCBs$ and ${\Sigma}DDTs$ in the intertidal sediments of Asan Bay ranged from $1.90{\sim}3.27\;ng\;g^{-1}$ dw (dry weight) and $0.51{\sim}1.26\;ng\;g^{-1}$ dw, respectively. ${\Sigma}PCBs$ concentrations in the tissue of greenling (Hexagrammos otakii), olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and finespotted flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus) were $1.27{\pm}0.55$, $1.30{\pm}0.71$ and $1.19{\pm}0.43\;ng\;g^{-1}$ ww (wet weight), respectively. The profile of PCBs in the sediments and the 3 species of fish differed as witnessed by the dominance of tetra- to penta-chlorinated congeners in sediments while penta- to hexa-chlorinated congeners dominated in fish. ${\Sigma}DDTs$ concentrations were $0.67{\pm}0.52$, $0.79{\pm}0.61$, $1.58{\pm}1.05\;ng\;g^{-1}$ ww respectively in the tissue of greenling, olive flounder and finespotted flounder. The p,p'-DDE appeared to be the most important metabolite of DDT in studied fishes. The concentrations of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides measured in this study for fish were generally lower than those of previous studies. Compared to the pollutant concentration quality guidelines in marine fish, the environment of Asan Bay appears to be in a healthy state.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2003

In August-September 2001, 15 samples of bottom sediments were collected in the inner, middle and open parts of Amursky Bay near Vladivostok, Russia, and barfin plaice Pleuronectes pinnifasciatus was sampled from the inner and the middle locations of the bay. In the sediments from all three sites elevated concentrations of several heavy metals, i.e. Zn ($102-115{\mu}/g$ dry weight), Ni $(70-73{\mu}g/g)$ and Cu $(27-35{\mu}g/g)$ were discovered. The contents of oil hydrocarbons were very close to or slightly higher than the maximal normal environmental background level, $100{\mu}g/g$ dry weight. The sediments contained negligible amounts of hexachlorocyclohexane, while DDT concentrations were quite high (1.7-16.3ng/g dry weight). Generally, there were no substantial differences in the pollution levels of the locations studied and our results resembled those reported for Amursky Bay in the 1990s. Surprisingly, in 2001 'fiesh' DDT comprised 70-85% of the total DDT content in sediment from all the locations studied. In fish liver total DDTs concentrations were 212.8 and 122.54 ng/g wet weight for the inner and the middle locations, respectively, and 'fresh' DDT comprised 35 and 64% of DDTs, respectively. These results provide evidence of recent input of DDT from an unknown source into the ecosystem of Amursky Bay. Histopathological changes revealed in the plaice liver (vacuolization of hepatocytes, coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes, inflammatory reaction, and necrosis of epithelial cells of bile ducts) are probably connected with an intensive metabolism of DDT in the fish organism. No histological and histomorphometric differences were found in the state of the interrenal tissue. Similar condition of the liver and the interrenal tissue in barfin plaice sampled from the inner and the middle locations of Amursky Bay may be explained by the absence of great differences in the pollution levels of these sites.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.317-329
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• 2006

To assess the contamination status of organochlorine pesticides in the marine environment of Saemangeum, surface seawater and sediments were collected and analyzed. Organochlorine pesticides were widely distributed in the Saemangeum environment, with DDT, HCH and endosulfan II contamination being particularly prevalent. The overall concentrations of DDTs, HCHs, and endosulfan II in surface seawater were in the rage of 0.03-0.65ng/l (mean value: 0.36ng/l), 1.31-4.54ng/l (2.63 ng/l), and not detected (ND)-0.96ng/l (0.49ng/l), respectively. Among the target organochlorine pesticides, endosulfan II showed the hi띤est level at the river mouth flowing into the Saemangeum. Additionally, its negative gradient from the rivers to the outside and a good correlation with $NO_3^-$ indicate that endosulfan ll inflows to the Saemangeum through the river; this conclusion is also supported by the elevated levels of endosulfan II in sediments at the river mouth. In sediment, the concentration of DDTs, HCHs, CHLs, and endosulfan II were in the range of 0.05-1.96 ng/g, 0.03-0.31ng/g, 0.01-0.13ng/g, and ND-0.62ng/g, respectively. Levels of contamination in Saemangeum are relatively lower than the median concentrations previously observed at the Korean coastal regions and sediment quality guidelines suggested by NOAA (Long et at. 1995).