• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.25 no.2_spc
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2020

Monitoring and assessing terminal electron accepting processes (TEAPs) are one of the most important steps to remediate contaminated sites via various in-situ techniques. TEAPs are a part of the microbial respiration reactions. Microorganisms gain energy from these reactions and reduces pollutants. Monitoring TEAPs enables us to predict degradability of contaminants and degradation rates. In many countries, TEAPs have been used for characterization of field sites and management of groundwater wells. For instance, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided strategies for groundwater quality and well management by applying TEAPs monitoring. Denmark has also constructed TEAPs map of local unit area to develop effective groundwater managing system, particularly to predict and assess nitrogen contamination. In case of Korea, although detailed soil survey and groundwater contamination assessment have been employed, site investigation guidelines using TEAPs have not been established yet. To better define TEAPs in subsurface environments, multiple indicators including ion concentrations, isotope compositions and contaminant degradation byproducts must be assessed. Furthermore, dissolved hydrogen concentrations are regarded as significant evidence of TEAPs occurring in subsurface environment. This review study introduces optimal sampling techniques of groundwater and dissolved hydrogen, and further discuss how to assess TEAPs in contaminated subsurface environments according to several contamination scenarios.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.116-121
• /
• 2016

Although proteomic analyses have revealed the presence of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins in the plasma membrane, there have been no in-depth evaluations of the presence or function of OXPHOS I-V in the plasma membrane. Here, we demonstrate the in situ localization of OXPHOS I-V complexes to the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. A portion of the OXPHOS I-V complex proteins was not co-stained with MitoTracker but co-localized with caveolin-3 in the sarcolemma of mouse gastrocnemius. Mitochondrial matrix-facing OXPHOS complex subunits were ectopically expressed in the sarcolemma of the non-permeabilized muscle fibers and C2C12 myotubes. The sarcolemmal localization of cytochrome c was also observed from mouse gastrocnemius muscles and C2C12 myotubes, as determined by confocal and total internal resonance fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Based on these data, we conclude that a portion of OXPHOS complexes is localized in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle and may have non-canonical functions.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.236-240
• /
• 2000

Correlations between mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis activity and overall growth activity of rice (Oryza sativa: cv. Dasan) seedlings during low temperature exposure were studied in order to provide insights into the underlying mechanism for the primary phase of chilling injury in plants. Among cellular membranes involved in energy metabolism, only the mitochondrial inner membrane showed not only physical phase transition at ca. $13^{\circ}C$, as monitored by ESR spin label, but also functional phase transition at the same temperature, as assessed by cytochrome c oxidase activity. The main regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, phosphofructokinase, in situ did not suffer phase transition of its activity at least in the $4{\sim}27^{\circ}C$ range. Low temperature caused a significant accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), which disappeared almost completely on rewarming of the seedlings. Temperature profiles of the steady state levels of G6P and F6P revealed the inflection point appearing at around phase transition temperature of the mitochondrial membrane. The results conform to our previous proposition on the mechanism for the early stage events of chilling injury that the accumulation of glycolytic metabolites in cells due to metabolic imbalance at low temperature gives rise to an excess supply of electrons during rewarming period, which, in turn, results in overproduction of active oxygen in mitochondria.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
• /
• 1999.04a
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 1999

In the United States (U.S.), the monitored natural attenuation (MNA) approach has been used as an alternative remedial option for organic and inorganic compounds retained in soil and dissolved in groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines the MNA as“in-situ naturally-occurring processes include biodegradation, diffusion, dilution, sorption, volatilization, and/or chemical and biochemical stabilization of contaminants and reduce contaminant toxicity, mobility or volume to the levels that are protective of human health and the environment”. The Department of Soil Environment. National Institute Environmental Research (NIER) is in the process for demonstrating the MNA approach as a potential remedial option for the BTEX contaminated site in Uiwang City. The project is charactering the research site in terms of the nature and extend of contamination, biological degradation rate, and geochemical and hydrological properties. The microbial-degradation rate and effectiveness of nutrient and redox supplements will be determined through laboratory batch and column tests. The geochemical process will be monitored for determining the concentration changes of chemical species involved in the electron transfer processes that include methanogenesis, sulfate and iron reduction, denitrification, and aerobic respiration. Through field works, critical soil and hydrogeologic parameters will be acquired to simulate the effects of dispersion, advection, sorption, and biodegradation on the fate and transport of the dissolved-phase BTEX plume using Bioplume III model. The objectives of this multi-years research project are (1) to evaluate the MNA approach using the BTEX contaminated site in Uiwang City, (2) to establish a standard protocol for future application of the approach, (3) to investigate applicability of the passive approach as a secondary treatment remedy after active treatments. In this presentation, the overall picture and philosophy behind the MNA approach will be reviewed. Detailed discussions of the site characterization/monitoring plans and risk-based decision-making processes for the demonstration site will be included.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.207-216
• /
• 2004

Characteristics of photosynthesis-light and photosynthesis-temperature relationships were seasonally compared among 4 species, two temperate Sargassurn (S. ringgoldianum and S. spathulophyllum) and two temperate kelp (Ecklonia cava and Eisenia bicyclis), growing in the same habitat in Oura Bay, Shimoda, central Japan. The photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) curve of each species at the in situ temperature and the photosynthesis-temperature (P-T) curve at near saturation irradiance (400μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1)) were determined by using differential gas-volumeters. Maximum photosynthetic rates (Prnax) for P-I curves of the two Sargassurn species were higher from summer to autumn than from winter to spring, while those of the two kelp species showed little difference among seasons. Net photosynthetic rates (Pn) at 100-400μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1) of the Sargassurn species were higher than those of the kelp species in autumn, spring and summer, while in winter the rates were about the same between the Sargassurn and kelp species. Among seasons, the light saturation index (1k) values, dark respiration rates and light compensation points of Sargassurn species differed more than those of kelp species. Optimum temperature for P-T curves of Sargassurn species was 29℃ and that of kelp species was 27℃ in summer, while in winter the former was 27℃ and the latter was 25℃. Pn at 400 μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1) at 10-33℃ of Sargassurn species were considerably higher than those of kelp species from spring to summer, while from autumn to winter the rates at 5-27℃ were about the same between the two. At supra-optimum temperatures, Pn of kelp species decreased more sharply than those of Sargassurn species in each season. These facts indicate that the two temperate Sargassurn species have a higher potential photosynthetic performance under warmer conditions than the two temperate kelp species even though they grow in the same habitat.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.113 no.1
• /
• pp.88-96
• /
• 2024

This study was conducted to determine the optimal light conditions for the in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration of Osmanthus insularis, a rare plant species in South Korea. Evaluations included the growth performance, leaf morphological features, photosynthetic characteristics, and photosynthetic pigment contents of seedlings grown from April to November under different light conditions (100%, 55%, 20%, and 10% relative light intensity). The shoot lengths and root collar diameters did not differ significantly with relative light intensity. The dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots and the leaf number were highest at 55% relative light intensity. The leaf shape showed morphological acclimation to light intensity, with leaf area decreasing and thickness increasing as the relative light intensity increased. Several leaf parameters, including photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at light saturation point, net apparent quantum yield, and dark respiration, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, were all highest at 55% relative light intensity. Under full light conditions, the leaves were the smallest and thickest, but the chlorophyll content was lower than at 55% relative light intensity, resulting in lower photosynthetic ability. Plants grown at 10% and 20% relative light intensity showed lower chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, as well as decreased photosynthetic and dark respiration rates. In conclusion, O. insularis seedlings exhibited morphological adaptations in response to light intensity; however, no physiological responses indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in shade were evident. The most favorable light condition for vigorous photosynthesis and maximum biomass production in O. insularis seedlings appeared to be 55% relative light intensity. Therefore, shading to approximately 55% of full light is suggested for the growth of O. insularis seedlings.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.28-41
• /
• 2024

The carbon balance serves as a valuable indicator of a plant's physiological status under diverse environmental conditions. We investigated the photosynthetic and respiratory responses of the Asian surfgrass Phyllospadix iwatensis along the northeast coast of the Korean peninsula in response to changing water temperature (ranging from 5℃ to 30℃) to estimate the seasonal whole-plant carbon balance through a series of incubation experiments. The maximum gross photosynthetic rate (P_max) showed a significant difference among the temperature treatments, while there was no significant difference in photosynthetic efficiency (α). The maximum gross photosynthetic rate of P. iwatensis reached its peaks at 20℃ treatment (101.65 μmol O₂ g^-1 DW h^-1) but decreased rapidly at 30℃. The saturation irradiance (I_k), compensation irradiance (I_c), and respiration rate (R) of P. iwatensis exhibited significant differences among the temperature treatments. The saturation irradiance increased up to 20-25℃ (121.59-124.50 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1) and sharply decreased at 30℃. The compensation irradiance and respiration rate increased steadily with rising water temperature. The ratio of P_max to R (P_max:R ratio) was the highest at 5℃ but dramatically decreased at 30℃. The whole-plant carbon balance, calculated based on photosynthetic parameters, respiration rates, and biomass, exhibited distinct seasonal variation, increasing during winter and spring and decreasing during summer and fall, which is consistent with the highest in situ growth in spring and severely limited growth at the highest water temperature conditions. Phyllospadix iwatensis displayed a negative carbon balance during late summer, fall, and winter, but demonstrated a positive carbon balance during spring and early summer. Our findings suggest that the rising seawater temperatures associated with climate change may lead to significant alterations in the seagrass ecosystem functioning along the rocky shores of the Korean east coast.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.33 no.1 s.89
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2000

n situ sediment oxygen demand (SOD), which takes place with the uptake of dissolved oxygen for biological metabolism and chemical oxidation in sediments, ranged from 1.57 to $12.55\;mg\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1}$ in onshore of Lake Paldang from April to November 1999. SOD was influenced by the amount of organics and oxygen diffusion. Comparing the oxygen demands partitioning between overlying water and sediment during initial phase, SOD accounted for $63.8{\sim}94%$ of total oxygen demand in Lake Paldang. The chemical SOD and nitrogenous oxygen demand ranged $1.2{\sim}18.3%$ and $8.3{\sim}51.7%$ of total SOD, respectively. This result indicated that SOD in Lake Paldang occurred mainly by aerobic respiration and nitrification. Although the flow velocity could increase SOD within a certain limit, the effect of sediment depth on SOD was dependent on physicochemical properties of the sediment. This study showed that SOD can represent a significant portion of the total oxygen up-take in Lake Paldang. Therefore, the assessment of SOD might be necessary for the control of water quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.102 no.3
• /
• pp.372-381
• /
• 2013

The leaf growth and physiological characteristics of Forsythia saxatilis were investigated under different relative light intensities (RLI) and fertilization levels in order to find out the optimum environmental conditions for in-situ restoration. RLI and fertilization were four levels (30%, 43%, 63% of full sun and full sun) and three levels (non-fertilization, 2 times and 3 times of average forest soil in Korea), respectively. According to the increase of fertilization level under all RLI, leaf area increased and leaf dry weight and the ratio of leaf dry weight to leaf area decreased. As the fertilization level increased, photosynthetic pigment contents such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid under all RLI decreased. And pigment contents were the highest under full sun in the same fertilization level. Foliar nitrogen content under fertilization was higher than that under non-fertilization, and chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio decreased with the increase of fertilization level under all RLI. The increase of photosynthetic rate was observed with the increase of fertilization level at 63% of RLI and full sun, and dark respiration rate under fertilization was lower than under non-fertilization. Apparent quantum yield was lower at non-fertilization than that of fertilization, and it was highest at 63% of RLI under the same fertilization level. In conclusion, leaf growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis could be improved under higher light conditions and fertilization.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.109 no.3
• /
• pp.271-280
• /
• 2020

This study compared soil CO₂ efflux rates after fertilization, in Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis stands. Compound fertilizers were applied to the forest floor in March 2016, following a one-year calibration period (from March 2015 to February 2016). In situ soil CO₂ efflux rates were measured every month during the two-year study periods, using an infrared gas analyzer with a closed chamber system. Mean annual soil CO₂ efflux rates were higher following fertilizer application in the P. densiflora and Q. variabilis stands (P. densiflora: 2.180 μmol m^-2 s^-1; Q. variabilis: 1.977 μmol m^-2 s^-1) as compared with the rates measured during the calibration period (P. densiflora: 1.620 μmol m^-2 s^-1; Q. variabilis: 1.557 μmol m^-2 s^-1). The mean annual soil CO₂ efflux rates in the unfertilized treatments of both stands were not significantly different between the two-year study periods. The Q₁₀ values of fertilized treatments in Q. variabilis stands were higher in the fertilization period (3.41) than in the calibration period (3.14), whereas the Q₁₀ values in P. densiflora stands did not change between the fertilization and calibration periods. The Q₁₀ values of unfertilized treatments in the Q. variabilis stands were lower during the 2016-2017 period (3.69), than in the 2015-2016 period (3.85), whereas the Q₁₀ values in P. densiflora stands were higher during the 2016-2017 period (3.65), than in the 2015-2016 period (3.15). These results indicate that the increase in soil CO₂ efflux rates in P. densiflora stands could be more sensitive to fertilization compared with the rates in Q. variabilis stands.