• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.430-446
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• 2018

To improve understanding of the sources and chemical properties of particulate pollutants on the Korean Peninsula, An Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) measured non-refractory fine particle ($NR-PM_1$) from 2013 to 2015 at Baengnyeong Island and Seoul metropolitan area (SMA), Korea. The chemical composition of $NR-PM_1$ in Baengnyeong island was dominated by organics and sulfate in the range of 36~38% for 3 years, and the organics were the dominant species in the range of 44~55% of $NR-PM_1$ in Seoul metropolitan area. The sulfate was found to be more than 85% of the anthropogenic origin in the both areas of Baengnyeong and SMA. Ratio of gas to particle partition of sulfate and nitrate were observed in both areas as more than 0.6 and 0.8, respectively, representing potential for formation of additional particulate sulfate and nitrate. The high-resolution spectra of organic aerosol (OA) were separated by three factors which were Primary OA(POA), Semi-Volatility Oxygenated Organic Aerosol (SV-OOA), and Low-Volatility OOA(LV-OOA) using positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis. The fraction of oxygenated OA (SOA, ${\fallingdotseq}OOA$=SV-OOA+LV-OOA) was bigger than the fraction of POA in $NR-PM_1$. The POA fraction of OA in Seoul is higher than it of Baengnyeong Island, because Seoul has a relatively large number of primary pollutants, such as gasoline or diesel vehicle, factories, energy facilities. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis revealed that transport from eastern China, an industrial area with high emissions, was associated with high particulate sulfate and organic concentrations at the Baengnyeong and SMA sites. PSCF also presents that the ship emissions on the Yellow Sea was associated with high particulate sulfate concentrations at the measurement sites.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2013

The concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere can directly reflect the environmental pollution. The atmospheric pollution in some Cameroonian cities is increasing with the industrial development and urbanization. Air pollution is inherently complex, containing PM of varied size and composition. This PM exists as a dynamic cloud interacting with sunlight and is modified by the meteorology. The reflectometer and the EDXRF spectrometry are applied to determine the concentration of some specific elements at four sites in the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$. The particular aim of the present work is to put in place data base on air pollution in urban area and elaborate regulations on the emissions issued to industrial and vehicle activities. This study provides an overview of the concentration of black carbon and some specific elements in the air, which have impacts on human health. The measurement was done by distinguishing the size of particle. So that, the particle with aerodynamic diameter between $2.5-10{\mu}m$ (so-called coarse particle) and aerodynamic diameter < $2.5{\mu}m$ (so-called fine particle) were considered to obtain more information about levels of the inhalable fraction of the location. The results obtained in four locations of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$ show that the black carbon concentration is very considerable, the element sulfur is a major pollutant and the concentration of fine particle is very greater. The results obtained of fine and coarse filters range from $5-17{\mu}g/m^3$ and $10-18{\mu}g/m^3$ for the black carbon. S, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Hg are the specific findings of this work. The pollutants with a greater concentration are S, Pb, and Zn. These later seem to be non-uniformly, non-regular in some location and high compared to other countries. This work allows us to make a potential relation between pollutants and emission sources. In this framework, some suggestions have been proposed to reduce emissions for an improvement of the air quality in the environment and thus, the one of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2012

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent and bioaccumulative environmental pollutants. Recently, it is suggested that neurotoxic effects such as motor dysfunction and impairment in memory and learning have been associated with PCB exposure. However, structure relationship of PCB congeners with neurotoxic effects remains unknown. Since PKC signaling pathway is implicated in the modulation of motor behavior as well as learning and memory and the role of PKC are subspecies-specific, we attempted to study the effects of structurally distinct PCBs on the total PKC activity as well as subspecies of PKC in cerebellar granule cell culture model. Cells were exposed to 0, 25 and 50 ${\mu}M$ of PCB-126, PCB-169, PCB-114, PCB-157, PCB-52 and PCB-4 for 15 min. Cells were subsequently analyzed by [$^3H$] phorbol ester binding assay or immunoblotted against PKC-${\alpha}$ and -${\varepsilon}$ monoclonal antibodies. While non-dioxin-like-PCB (PCB-52 and PCB-4) induced a translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ and -${\varepsilon}$ from cytosol to membrane fraction, dioxin-like PCBs (PCB-126, -169, -114, -157) had no effects. [$^3H$] Phorbol ester binding assay also revealed structure-dependent increase similar to translocation of PKC isozymes. While PCB-4 induced translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ and -${\varepsilon}$ was inhibited by ROS inhibitor, the pattern of translocation was not affected in presence of AhR inhibitor. It is suggested that PCB-4-induced PKC activity may not be mediated via AhR-dependent pathway. Taken together, our findings suggest that chlorination of ortho-position in PCB may be a critical structural moiety associated with neurotoxic effects, which may be preferentially mediated via non-AhR-dependent pathway. Therefore, the present study may contribute to understanding the neurotoxic mechanism of PCBs as well as providing a basis for establishing a better neurotoxic assessment.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 2000

A Gram-type negative bacteria that can utilize crude oil as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from an activated sludge of a local sewage treatment plant and identified tentatively as belonging to the genus Acinetobacter. The isolate could degrade n-alkanes and unidentified hydrocarbons in crude oil and utilize n-alkanes, hydrophobic substrates, as sole carbon and energy sources. n-Alkanes from tridecane (Cl3) to triacontane (C30) in crude oil were degraded simultaneously with no difference in degradation characteristics between the two close odd and even numbered alkanes in carbon numbers. The linear growth of the isolate and the degradation characteristics of Pr-alkanes suggested that the transport of substrates from the oil phase to the site where the substrates undergo the initial oxidation in microorganism might be the rate limiting in the biodegradation process of crude oil constituents. The remainder fraction of substrates after cultivation was considered to reflect the hydrocarbon inclusions in the cell mass, characteristics in Acinetobacter species, and to control the transport of substrates from crude oil phase. On the basis of the results, the isolate was considered to play an important role in the degradation study of hydrophobic environmental pollutants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.39-49
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• 2008

A study was carried out on the physico-chemical properties of soil and content of heavy metals and benzo(a)pyrene that might have been introduced through by-product fertilizers or air pollution to growing turfgrass at natural turfgrass playgrounds in elementary schools located at the western coast and eastern mountain areas in Jeollabuk-do, Korea. The soil of turfgrass playgrounds is composed of loamy sand, and the CEC and organic matters were very low. Compared to agricultural land in Korea, the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were very low, requiring control in terms of nutrients. The contents of total and fraction heavy metals in soil were found to be background level. The reason may lie in the fact that unpolluted sand soil or sand was used to construct the foundation for the natural grass playground in the first place. However, any change in oxidation-reduction conditions or acceleration of decomposition of organic compounds may release some heavy metals from the soil and be transformed into forms that may be easily absorbed by plants or grass. It is believed that sustained monitoring and environment impact assessments should be carried out. The contents of benzo(a)pyrene in soil showed an average 0.60ng/g with a range between 0.06 to 1.47ng/g. The detected contents were found as background level.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.633-644
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• 1999

Gully pot is a part of urban darainage system to butter the runoff water fluxes from road to rivers and to minimize environmental pollution by prevending over the surrounding area. A series of studies have been carried out concerning the physicochemical characteristics of the sewage sludge sediments sttling down in such a gully pot in order to over to evaluate the contamination for heavy metals such as pb, Zn, Cu and Cd. The roadside soil and sewage sludge samples from gully pots were characterized by XRD analyses and sequential extraction : Zn 2595.7$\mu$g/g; Cd9.8$\mu$/g; Cu602.5$\mu$g/g; Pb260.0$\mu$g/g),because of a long-term accumulation of vehicle- and industrial-related pollutants. Mean Zn concentration in Yeouido (3873$\mu$g/g) and Junggu(3262$\mu$g/g)areas are 4-5 times higher than those in Dobonggu area, suggesting that Zn may be derived from automobile traffic (including the rubber of automobile tires). The mean concentrations of Cu and Cr are very significantly high in Junggu and Gurogu areas, possibly due to the industrial activities in these areas. The low Pb levels throughtotut the whole study areas in Seoul can be accounted for the use of unleaded gasoline since 1987. Sequential extraction experiments illustrate that a major part of Zn is bound to FII and FIII, representing about 88% of the total Zn concentration. Fraction IV, related to orgnic matter, is mostly significant for Cu accounting for 60% of the total Cu, and FII is next in importance. The main carriers of Pb are the fractions III, II and FIV, and in that order. The behavior of Cd is quite different from other elements (Zn, Cu, Pb), and most of the Cd is associated with FV. Changes in the physicochemical environments (such as acidification) may result in severe environmental pollution of surface water and rivers with respect to heavy metals (especially Zn and Cu).

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.94-104
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• 2001

A pilot study was performed at the experimental field of Konkuk University in Seoul, to examine the feasibility of the constructed wetland system for sewage and the effect of treated sewage irrigation on the paddy rice culture and its soil characteristics. The constructed wetland performed well, in that effluent concentrations of pollutants were significantly lower than concentrations of the influent. Median removal efficiencies of BOD$_{5}$ was about 78% and slightly lower during winter. Removal efficiencies form TN and TP were approximately 48 and 21%, respectively, and relatively less effective than that of BOD$_{5}$. Irrigation of treated sewage to paddy rice culture did not affect adversely in both growth and yield of rice. Instead, plots of treated sewage irrigation showed up to 50% more yield in average than the control plot. It implies that treated sewage irrigation might be beneficial to rice culture rather than detrimental as long as it is treated adequately and used properly. Soil was sampled and analyzed before transplanting and after harvesting. pH was slightly increased due to irrigation water, but it may not be concerned as long as the treated sewage is within the normal range. EC was increased in first year but decreased in second year, therefore salts accumulation in the soil could be less concerned. OM and CES was slightly increased, which might be beneficial on growing plants. TN did not show apparent pattern. Available phosphorus was decreased after rice culture, but the quantity of phosphorus(TP-available phosphorus) was rather increased which implies that excessive phosphorus supply may result in phosphorus accumulation in the soil. Overall, the constructed wetland was thought to be an effective sewage treatment alternative, and treated sewage could be reused as a supplemental source of irrigation water for paddy rice culture without causing adverse effect as long as it is treated adequately and used properly. For full-scale application, further investigation should be followed on environmental risk assessment, tolerable water quality, and fraction of supplemental irrigation.ion.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1199-1211
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• 2013

Mobile sources produce a significant fraction of total anthropogenic emissions in Korea and have harmful effects on air quality. Mobile emissions are intrinsically difficult to estimate due to complicated road networks and variations of traffic volume with location and time. To measure traffic pollutants with high temporal and spatial resolution under real conditions a mobile laboratory was designed. The mobile laboratory provide concentrations of $SO_2$, CO, NO, $NO_2$ and location coordinate value. This approach allowed for pollutant level measurements on many roads within short periods of time. In this study, on-road concentrations of $SO_2$, CO, NO and $NO_2$ were measured using mobile platform measurement along the 25 main roads in Busan to estimate the average air pollution level in short time difference. The measurements were conducted on favorable meteorological days from 2010 to 2012 and the overall concentrations of $SO_2$, CO, NO and $NO_2$ were 0.006, 0.8, 0.182 and 0.055 ppm respectively. The result showed that the concentration of CO, NO and $NO_2$ on road were twice, 18 times and 2.5 times higher than regional air quality monitoring sites mean in same period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1991

Ames test using special strains which are histidine requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimufium , is widely utilized as short-term bioassay to evaluate the genotoxicity of chemicals. This method requires the liver microsome(5-9 fraction) to provide mammalian metabolism of the compounds, Therefore, the mutagenic potency of the chemicals is affected by not only the intrinsic properties of them but also the efficiency of the in vitro microsomal activation system. For this reason, the complex mixtures such as environmental pollutants from occupational sources, natural products or cigarette smoke condensates(CSC) , might be often appeared the false results. Induction of sister chromatid exchange(SCE) in cultured cells is known as another sensitive and powerful tool for the measurement of genotoxicity and the method has also an advantage which is able to apply to the in vitro and in vivo systems. In the present study, the inducibilities of revertant colonies in tester strain TA98 and SCE in human Iymphocytes by positive controls and total particulated materials(TPM) obtained from various brand(domastic and imported) cigarettes were compared in order to investigate whether the results in Ames test are in agreement with those in SCE analysis. The mutagenic activities of well known mutagens such as B(a)P showed excellent dose-response in the both methods although the induction mechanism was different each other, but cyclophosphamide resulted such effect only in SCE analysis. Most TPM tested showed a similar pattern in the mutagenic activities in those methods. However, only two(one imported brand and one domestic sample cigarettes) among the TMP obtained from various cigarettes appeared the higher induction in SCE than Ames test.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1556-1571
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• 1993

Nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$) are air pollutants which are generated from the combustion of fossil fuels. Stage combustion is an effective method to reduce $NO_x$ emissions. The effects of $NO_x$ reduction by stage combustion in a pilot scale combustor(6.6kW) have been investigated using propane gas flames laden with NH$_{3}$ as Fuel-N. The results in this study are follows; (1) $NO_x$ emissions are dependent on the reducing environment of fuel-rich zone regardless of total air ratio. The maximum $NO_x$ reduction is at the stoichiometric ratio of 0.8 to 0.9 in the reducing zone. (2) $NO_x$ reduction is maximum when burnout air is injected at the point where the oxygen in reducing zone is almost consumed. (3) $NO_x$ reduction is dependent upon the temperature of reducing zone with best effect above 950.deg. C in the reducing zone. (4) The fuel stage combustion is more effective to reduce $NO_x$ formation in the wide range of stoichiometric ratio than two stage combustion. (5) The results of this study could be utilized mainly in a design strategy for low $NO_x$ emission from the combustion of high fuel-nitrogen in energy sources ratio than as an indication of the absolute levels of $NO_x$ which can be achieved by stage combustion techniques in large scale facilities.