• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: Perchlorate(${ClO_4}^-$) is an anion that is extremely water-soluble and environmentally stable. It mostly exists in the form of sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate which are used in rocket fuels, propellants, ignitable sources, air bag inflation systems and explosives. Perchlorate can be taken into the thyroid glands and interfere with iodide uptake. The determination of perchlorate in agricultural products is important due to its potential health impact on humans. The objective of this study was to determine the perchlorate concentrations in the samples of various agricultural products and soils. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, samples of cereal(Rice, Barley, Corn, Bean), vegetable(Spinach, Lettuce, Sesame, Chives, Chili, Pumpkin, Tomato), fruit(Apple, Pear, Tangerine, Grape) were analyzed for perchlorate contents. Perchlorate concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that agricultural products respectively contained perchlorate concentrations in the range of : cereals N.D.~$7.46{\mu}g/kg$, vegetables $0.52{\sim}23.06{\mu}g/kg$, fruits $0.19{\sim}2.66{\mu}g/kg$. Bioconcentration factor was in the order of : vegetables > cereals > fruits. Bioconcentration factor was highest follwed by Sesame 37.88, Corn 21.51, Spinach 10.57, Tangerine 4.39, Chives 2.89 and Lettuce 1.90. The recoveries of perchlorate from spiked agricultural products and soils ranged from 87.72~111.26% and 102.09~111.23%. CONCLUSION(S): The health risk assessment results obtained in this study are lower than the RfD(Reference Dose, 0.0007 mg/kg/body weight/day) value as suggested by the Integrated Risk Information System(US IRIS). Our results indicate that, people currently exposed to perchlorate from agricultural products consumption are considered as safe.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2006

Objectives of this experiment were to select of the optimum water plant and to investigate the removal efficiency of the major nutrients in the constructed wetland by natural purification method for municipal sewage treatment in the farming and fishing village. For the experiment we used "constructed wetland" which was consisted of aerobic (vertical filter system) and anaerobic systems (horizontal filter system). Both systems were filled with gravel and filter media, and grew water plants on top of them. And then, we investigated several items such as sewage treatment efficiency, growth status of water plants and the absorbed amount of inorganic element in water plants with periodical periods. In aerobic area, removal efficiencies of BOD, COD, T-N and T-P were over 92%, 74%, 25% and 57%, respectively, and then when the water is passed through anaerobic area, the efficiency was over 96%, 84%, 44% and 71%, respectively, which was increased more treatment efficiency than that of aerobic area. Absorption amount of nitrogen and phosphorous in Miscanthus sacchariflorus BENTH were the highest in the water plants as 17.7 and 2.41 g/plant in the aerobic area, respectively. Absorption amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in Scirpus tabernaemontani GMEL were the highest in the water plants as 8.7 and 1.13 g/plant in the anaerobic area, respectively. For the selection of optimum water plants in the constructed wetland by natural purification method for municipal sewage treatment, it were observed that there were Miscanthus sacchariflorus BENTH, Phragmites japonica STEUD and Phragmites communis TRINIUS in the aerobic area and were Zizania latifolia TURCZ, Scirpus tabernaemontani GMEL, Typha orientalis PRESL, Iris pseudoacorus L and Cares dispalata BOOTT in the anaerobic area.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to suggest the basic data for establishment of wildflower pastures. The experimental design includes two treatments: Native wildflower pasture (NWP, Kentucky bluegrass + native wildflower 8 species) and Introduced wildflower pasture (IWP, Kentucky bluegass + introduced wildflower 24 species). The field trials were carried out on the experimental pastures plots at Chungnam National University throughout from Sep. 2006 to Dec. 2007. The results obtained are as fellows: In terms of the flower color in the wildflower pastures, the IWP was found more various than the NWP. But such problems as seasonal distribution and continuity were raised and moreover the time of flowering depended mainly upon the spring season. Even though the flower color in the NWP did not show up its variousness, seasonal distribution and continuity were found comparatively satisfactory. To perennially maintain the botanical composition, the variousness of wildflower species are found important after examining locally the beginning rearing and flowering characteristics of wildflowers as well as the basic turfgrass. Moreover, when the wildflower pastures was constructed in autumn, since most of the introduced wildflower were annuals, it maintained various botanical composition before wintering, but after wintering the botanical composition were found simplified due to the winter tolerance. The NWP did not show any problems in the winter tolerance but it could not make the botanical composition diversified. Accordingly, to maintain the wildflower pasture for many years, diversifying wildflower species based upon perennials including annuals seems to be good.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.117-129
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• 2010

The vascular plants of the 15 sites of Taeanhaean National Park were identified as 493 taxa; 117 families, 326 genera, 436 species, 49 varieties, 6 form, 2 hybrids. The National Park area includes coastal areas and islands, these islands reflects well the floristic characteristics of coastal area and transition area of the middle province and the southern province. The study revealed that Ficus erecta Thunb., Machilus thunbergii S. et Z., Neolitsea sericea (Bl.) Koidz. and Eurya japonica Thunb. etc. were the mainly distributed species in the southern area while Rosa rugosa Thunb., Carex kobomugi Ohwi and Elymus mollis Trin., etc. were mainly distributed species over the coastal dune area. Deciduous and evergreens broad-leaved trees like Acer palmatum Thunb. ex. Murray, Euonymus japonica Thunb. and Camellia japonica L., etc. were all together distributed in Taeanhaean National Park. There are no any Endangered species designated by The Ministry of Environment were not found. The floristic special plants were recorded to a total of 53 taxa; that is, class I species (41 taxa) were containing as Vitex rotundifolia L. Fil., Arisaema heterophyllum Bl. and Arisaema ringins (Thunb.) Schott, etc, class II species (1 taxon) were Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai, class III species (7 taxa) were containing; Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., Salsola collina Pall. and Daphniphyllum macropodum Miq., etc, class IV species (1 taxon) were Angelica japonica A. Gray, class V species (1 taxon) were Utricularia vulgaris var. japonica (Makino) Tamura. The naturalized plants were identified a total of 52 taxa; 17 families, 44 genera, 51 species, 1 form; Solanum carolinense L., Phytolacca americana L. and Oenothera odorata Jacq., etc. Among them the ecosystem disturbance wild animals·plants was identified as Solanum carolinense L. Hypochoeris radicata L. and Solidago altissima L. The study suggests that these areas require management such as physical remove of this ecosystem disturbance field plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.365-380
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• 2009

Flora of vascular plants in mountains located at Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun areas such as Chiak-san(1,288m), Taegi-san(1,261.4m), Obong-san(1,126.2m), Eungbong-san(1,094.9m), Eodab-san(789.4m), Deokgo-san(521.2m), Deokga-san(700.5m) and Seongji-bong(791m) was investigated from April, 2008 to May, 2009, and results from the previous researches in which voucher specimens had been presented from Balgyo-san(998.4m), Oeum-san(930.4m), Baekun-san(1,037.1m) and Chiak-san(1,288m) were included in the list of vascular plants from these areas. This investigations resulted in 804 taxa consisted of 680 species, 1 subspecies, 111 varieties, and 12 forms of 383 genera under 97 families, and totally in 973 taxa (21.14% of all vascular plants in Korea) of 818 species, 1 subspecies, 138 varieties and 16 forms of 418 genera under 105 families on addition of voucher specimens in the previous researches. Forests of the investigated areas were generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and deciduous trees. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were valley from Guryong-sa (temple) to Biro-bong (summit) via Seryeom-pokpo (fall) in Mt. Chiak-san, and Keunseong-gol (valley) and eastern slope from Taegibungyo-teo to Naksu-dae (fall) in Mt. Taegi-san. 10 families with abundantly collected species were Compositae, Graminae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae, Liliaceae, Saxifragaceae, Umbelliferae and Labiatae in order, and they occuied 49.12% of all collected taxa. Endemic plants found in these areas were 38 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Megaleranthis saniculifolia, and Pyrus ussuriensis var. diamantica, and rare and endangered ones were 24 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Viola websteri, Viola diamantica, and Patrina saniculaefolia. Specially designated plants by the Ministry of Environment were 88 taxa including 12 taxa of 5th degree such as Woodsia intermedia, Hanabusaya asiatica, Equisetum pratense, Iris koreana, Lilium cernum, Trillium tschonoskii, Magnolia kobus(cultivated), Gastrodia elata, Polypodium virginianum, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Megaleranthis saniculifolia and Viola websteri. 47 taxa of alien plants were found. As to 609 taxa (13.23% of all vascular plants in Korea) of useful plants, 334 taxa for the edible, 269 taxa for the medicinal, 127 taxa for the ornamental, 332 taxa for the forage, 3 taxa for the industrial raw material, 31 taxa for the timber and 13 taxa for the fiber were classified, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2012

After having announced legislation for threatened or endangered species on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants in 2005, the Korea Ministry of Environment proposed (in June 2011) amending the list, thereby delisting or reclassifying endangered species using new quantitative criteria for two levels (I and II), as well as status reviews. The new legislation included 40 species remained in their original endangered status, but 19 species were delisted, 5 species were proposed as candidates for delisting, 29 species were given a new endangered listing, and 3 species were proposed for an endangered listing in Korea. We assessed the threatened status of 98 plants using the IUCN Red List Criteria (version 3.1) at the global level, and compared the Ministry's revised criteria with the IUCN Red List Criteria and ESA criteria used in the USA. Most species proposed by the Ministry do not qualify as threatened and one of the major difficulties found in applying IUCN Red List Criteria at the global scale was a lack of knowledge on the status of species at broader geographic scales and the perceived difficulty this causes. Under the current classification process, many endangered species, such as Abeliophyllum distichum, Leontice microrhyncha, Echinosophora koreensis, Leontopodium coreanum, Iris odaesanensis, and Corylopsis coreana at global level were excluded here. Knowledge gaps and uncertainties mean that the number of taxa at high risk of extinction may be substantially greater than is currently understood. Due to a lack of information on its taxonomic status, currently there is controversy over the Red List status of Physocarpus insularis. Also, Caragana koreana, which was an invalidly published name, should be excluded here. Although the Korea Ministry of Environment insisted this procedure was conducted by applying the modified IUCN threat categories and definitions, this evaluation has been carried out based only on subjective views and misapplication of the IUCN Red List Criteria. The current listings by the Korea Ministry of Environment should be challenged. We suggest that broad species concepts on endemic species are applied and also criteria that adequately address the proper quantitative knowledge should be used. It is suggested that the highest priorities for the Red List should be given to endemic species at least in the Korean peninsula first at global scale.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2009

Heavy metal pollution may be one of the most serious challenges confront crop production and human health. Therefore, the selection of heavy metal tolerance cultivars which adapted to the contaminated fields will introduced a suitable solution for management this critical environmental risk. The objectives of this research is to assess human health risk using geochemical analyses and exposure assessment of heavy metals in rice cultivars. Risk for inhabitants in the closed mine area was comparatively assessed for As, Cd, Cu and Pb in 10 rice varieties as a major exposure pathway. The average daily dose (ADD) of each heavy metal was estimated by analyzing the exposure pathways to rice and soil. For the non-carcinogenic risk characterization, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated using toxicity indices provided by US-EPA IRIS. The different rice varieties revealed a wide range of HI values from 23.6 to 34.3, indicating that all rice varieties have a high potential toxic risk. The DA rice variety showed the lowest HI value while the TB rice variety the highest. The probabilities of cancer risk for As via rice consumption were varied with rice varieties ranging from 2.0E-03 to 3.5E-03 which exceeded the regulatory acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 set by US-EPA. The DA rice variety also showed the lowest value while the TB rice variety gave the highest value. Our results indicate that risk assessment can be contribute to screen the pollution safe rice cultivars in paddy fields affected by the mining activity.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the general characteristics such as volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm abnormality on whole semen, RSP-S and RSP-T semen and fractional semen of small size dogs, and the effect of temperature and preservation time and cryoproservation on motility of whole and RSP-S and RSP-T semen. Multiple ejaculates were collected from small dogs by the digital manipulation of penis. 1. The volume per ejaculate semen, sperm of concentration and motility and abnormal sperm rate of 1st fractional semen were 0.65$\pm$0.09 $m\ell$, 4.52$\pm$0.35$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 15.64$\pm$3.85% and 5.50$\pm$0.62%. Also, 2nd fractional semen were 1.25$\pm$0.20$m\ell$, 3.35$\pm$0.48$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 96.25$\pm$4.65% and 4.24$\pm$0.46%. And 3rd fractional semen were 1.45$\pm$0.21$m\ell$, 3.55$\pm$0.52$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 92.82$\pm$4.24% and 4.66 $\pm$0.58%, respectively. 2. The sperm of concentration and motility and abnormal sperm rates of whole, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were 5.45$\pm$0.82$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 95.55 $\pm$4.65%, 4.58$\pm$0.45% and 4.82$\pm$0.36$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 90.10$\pm$3.42%, 6.48$\pm$0.68% and 4.55$\pm$0.45$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 93.25$\pm$3.85%, 4.82$\pm$0.58%, respectively. 3. The motility of whole, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were higher at 4$^{\circ}C$ than at 38$^{\circ}C$. When preservation temperature was at 4$^{\circ}C$, survival rates of RSP-S and RSP-T sperm were 97.54~6.25% at 1~72 hrs, 97.40~5.62% at 1~100 hrs, respectively. 4. The survival rates of slow and rapid frozen 2nd fraction, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were 67.3$\pm$4.45%, 88.8$\pm$4.46% and 46.4$\pm$3.84%, 74.4$\pm$4.20%, respectively. Survival rates was significantly higher in frozen RSP-S and RSP-T semen than that in control group(8.5$\pm$2.12%).