• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.390-407
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• 2021

The study aims to assess the current status of sustainable clothing habits from the perspective of consumers. Awareness and management behavior regarding microplastics from fashion products and usage of fleece and faux fur were investigated. A random online survey involving 413 women was conducted to figure out their perceptions on microplastics that are shedded from fashion products such as fleece and faux fur. The results indicate that 73.6% were not aware of the fact that microplastic is released during the washing process of fleece and faux fur. Furthermore, only 26.6% of the respondents who were aware of microplastics from clothing washing were making efforts to reduce its emission. The respondents considered product sustainability more in the selection stage than in the management stage (p<.001). The results revealed that, although the respondents were highly aware of the risk of environmental pollution that microplastics pose, they were neither fully cognizant of the fact that microplastics may come from fashion products, nor did they make efforts to reduce its emissions. Compared with respondents in their 20's, respondents in the age of 30-40 years seemed more aware of microplastics from fashion products and exerted more effort to reduce its emission.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 2021

Microplastic contamination in waterbodies is a growing source of concern for researchers and other stakeholders. We investigated oxidative stress and toxicity in goldfish (Carassius auratus) in response to exposure to 1-㎛ diameter micro-polystyrene (MP) at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 beads/mL (MP 0, MP 10, MP 100, and MP 1000 groups) for 7 d (at day 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7). We analyzed the survival rates; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) mRNA expression levels in the liver; SOD and CAT activity in the plasma; caspase-3 mRNA expression in the liver; and the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in plasma. Terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were also conducted to determine apoptosis levels in the liver. All fish in the MP 1000 group died by day 7 and the MP 100 group had a lower survival rate than the MP 10 and MP 0 groups. The mRNA expression as well as SOD, CAT, and caspase-3 activity levels were increased significantly with increases in MP concentration and exposure time. Finally, according to the TUNEL assay, more apoptosis was observed in the MP 1000 group at day 5 than in other groups. In summary, MP concentrations above 100 beads/mL caused death and oxidative stress to goldfish. We conclude that MP can cause oxidative stress and apoptosis in goldfish, which leads to death.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 2024

Microplastics in water resources have been recognized as a serious problem. The discharge of microplastics from wastewater treatment plants is considered a major contributor to environmental pollution in water resources. However, a reliable analytical method for quantifying microplastics in wastewater treatment plants has not yet been established. This study proposes a reliable, quick, and easy analytical method for quantifying microplastics. For the removal of organic particles, preprocessing steps were applied including oxidation, sonication, washing, and sieving. Nile Red staining was used to visualize microplastics, and quantitative analysis was conducted using fluorescent imaging. The stained microplastics were ultimately quantified through image analysis software. Among the preprocessing steps, sonication and washing stages were particularly effective in efficiently removing interfering substances from wastewater, enhancing the accuracy of the microplastic analysis. Additionally, various solvents (methanol, acetone, and N-hexane) for the Nile Red staining solution were tested. When N-hexane was applied as the solvent, the quantity of stained microplastics was lower compared to methanol and acetone. This suggests that N-hexane has a greater potential of reducing false staining and counting of non-plastic particles. In summary, this research demonstrates a robust method for quantifying microplastics in wastewater treatment plants by employing effective preprocessing steps and optimizing the staining process with Nile Red and N-hexane.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.476-484
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• 2024

Although two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell culture models are still widely used as the optimal models for anticancer activity research, three-dimensional (3D) multicellular tumor spheroid (3D MTS) models that can better approximate the tumor environment can offer an alternative to bridge the gap between in vitro and animal model studies. Isoalantolactone is among the sesquiterpene lactones found in medicinal plants, including the roots of Elecampane (Inula helenium L.), and is known to have various pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity. In this study, we investigated whether the anticancer activity of isoalantolactone observed in 2D models could be reproduced in a 3D MTS model derived from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Hep3B cells. According to our results, isoalantolactone inhibited the formation of MTSs in a manner dependent on the treatment concentration, which was accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In particular, as isoalantolactone treatment and the culture time increased, the area of proliferating cells was replaced by cells in which apoptosis was induced. Additionally, in MTSs, isoalantolactone increased the expression of death-receptor-related proteins and the activity of caspase-3, and it decreased the expression of the Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio and total poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, when the production of ROS was artificially blocked, all these changes caused by isoalantolactone were attenuated and the cell survival rate of MTS cells was restored. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the induction of apoptosis in Hep3B cell-derived MTSs by isoalantolactone is achieved through the activation of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways and is ROS-dependent.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.118-124
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• 2021

Many previous studies have focused on revealing the harmfulness of microplastic particles, whereas very few studies have focused on the effects of chemicals, particularly photooxidation product. In this study, products of photodegradation from expanded polystyrene (EPS), compounds produced by photolysis by ultraviolet (UV) light, were investigated. EPS was directly irradiated and photolyzed using a UV lamp, and then the extracted sample was analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Multiple ionization techniques, including electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and atmospheric pressure photoionization, were used. In total, >300 compounds were observed, among which polystyrene monomer, dimer, and oxidized products were observed. In this work, the data presented clearly demonstrate that it is necessary to identify and monitor oxidized plastic compounds and assess their effect on the environment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.67-73
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• 2022

Underwater environmental pollution caused by microplastic particles is considered to be one of the most serious problems in many oceans and countries nearby. Previous academic studies or field technologies tried to remove the micro-sized particles are often energy-consuming and costly, so it is hard to be employed for the actual uses. In this study, the mechanism of removal of micro-sized polyethylene spheres (size in order of 100㎛) using a rising bubble is experimentally investigated. It is found that the particles are either affected by bubble wake, thus translocated close to the water surface, or pushed far away by the surrounding fluid flow, depending on their initial position relative to the bubble. By scrutinizing the visualized behaviors of bubble-particle interaction, we draw the governing parameter, i.e., the polar angle between the particle and the bubble, to determine the effective capturing of the particles with a rising bubble.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2021.06a
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• pp.382-382
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• 2021

인간이 만들어내는 미세플라스틱은 물환경시스템과 관련하여 다양한 측면에서 영향을 미치고 있지만, 담수환경에서의 미세플라스틱의 생성, 운송, 축적, 그리고 영향 등에 대한 연구는 매우 제한적으로 이루어지고 있다. 담수환경에서의 미세플라스틱에 대한 보다 나은 이해와 관리를 위해서는 미세플라스틱이 어떤 오염원과 유사한 거동을 보이는지, 또 어떤 인간활동과 밀접한 관계를 가지는지 등에 대한 분석하는 것이 매우 중요하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 담수 미세플라스틱의 실측자료가 확보된 한강유역을 대상으로 담수 미세플라스틱과 측정망 수질항목(pH, BOD, DO, T-N, T-P, SS) 및 토지이용과의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 본 연구결과로부터 담수 미세플라스틱의 가능한 거동과 관리방안을 논의하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.465-465
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• 2022

하천 미세플라스틱 측량을 위해 많은 연구자들이 노력하고 있으나 모든 하천에서의 미세플라스틱 실측은 현실적으로 어렵다. 미세플라스틱의 물 환경에 대한 영향을 이해하고 예측하기 위해서는 오염원과 오염원 운송 매개체로서 물 환경에 존재하는 플라스틱의 물리적 거동을 아는 것이 매우 중요하다. 따라서 미세플라스틱의 하천 내 물리적 거동을 과학적으로 규명하고 하천 미세플라스틱오염을 예측가능한 물리모형의 도출이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 물리기반 하천수질모형인 Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program(WASP8)의 Advanced Eutrophication Module을 이용하여 상용 수질 물리모형의 하천에서의 미세플라스틱 거동 모의 가능성을 검토하였다. 이를 위해 미세플라스틱과 유사한 거동을 보이는 수질지표를 대리인자로 하여 기존에 알려져 있는 물리모형(WASP8의 Advanced Eutrophication Module)을 이용해 미세플라스틱의 하천 내 거동을 설명하고 예측 가능한 모델을 개발하고자 한다. 본 연구결과로부터 하천 미세플라스틱 오염 분석 및 예측의 기초자료를 마련한다.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.625-639
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• 2019

Microplastics are one of the substances threatening the marine ecosystem. Here, we summarize the status of research on the effect of microplastics on marine life and suggest future research directions. Microplastics are synthetic polymeric compounds smaller than 5 mm and these materials released into the environment are not only physically small but do not decompose over time. Thus, they accumulate extensively on land, from the coast to the sea, and from the surface to the deep sea. Microplastic can be ingested and accumulated in marine life. Furthermore, the elution of chemicals added to plastic represents another risk. Microplastics accumulated in the ocean affect the growth, development, behavior, reproduction, and death of marine life. However, the properties of microplastics vary widely in size, material, shape, and other aspects and toxicity tests conducted on several properties of microplastics cannot represent the hazards of all other microplastics. It is necessary to evaluate the risks according to the types of microplastic, but due to their variety and the lack of uniformity in research results, it is difficult to compare and analyze the results of previous studies. Therefore, it is necessary to derive a standard test method to estimate the biological risk from different types of microplastics. In addition, while most of the previous studies were conducted mostly on spheres for the convenience of the experiments, they do not properly reflect the reality that fibers and fragments are the main forms of microplastics in the marine environment and in fish and shellfish. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on additives and POPs (persistent organic pollutants) in plastics, but little is known about their toxic effects on the body. The effects of microplastics on the marine ecosystems and humans could be identified in more detail if standard testing methods are developed, microplastics in the form of fibers and fragments rather than spheres are tested, and additives and POPs are analyzed. These investigations will allow us to identify the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and humans in more detail.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2022

The amount of the plastic waste has been increasing according to global demand for plastic. Microplastics are the most hazardous among all plastic pollutants due to their toxicity and unknown physicochemical properties. This study investigates the optimal methodology that can be applied to sewage samples for detecting microplastics before discussing reducing microplastics in MWTPs. In this study, the effect of different pretreatment methods while detecting microplastic analysis of MWTP influent samples was investigated; the samples were collected from the J sewage treatment plant. There are many pretreatment methods but two of them are widely used: Fenton digestion and hydrogen peroxide oxidation. Although there are many pretreatment methods that can be applied to investigate microplastics, the most widely used methods for sewage treatment plant samples are Fenton digestion and H₂O₂ oxidation. For each pretreatment method, there were factors that could cause an error in the measurement. To overcome this, in the case of the Fenton digestion pretreatment, it is recommended to proceed with the analysis by filtration instead of the density separation method. In the case of the H₂O₂ oxidation method, the process of washing with distilled water after the reaction is recommended. As a result of the analysis, the concentration of microplastics was measured to be 2.75ea/L for the sample using the H₂O₂ oxidation method and 3.2ea/L for the sample using the Fenton oxidation method, and most of them were present in the form of fibers. In addition, it is difficult to guarantee the reliability of measurement results from quantitative analysis performed via microscope with eyes. A calibration curve was created for prove the reliability. A total of three calibration curves were drawn, and as a result of analysis of the calibration curves, all R² values were more than 0.9. This ensures high reliability for quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis could determine the series of microplastics flowing into the MWTP, but could not confirm the chemical composition of each microplastic. This study can be used to confirm the chemical composition of microplastics introduced into MWTP in the future research.