• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.88-98
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• 2014

Despite of emerging and increasing concerns to microplastics, no standard methodology has not been proposed for determination of microplastics. This study aims to develop the analysis method for microplastics in seawater by overviewing methodologies proposed by previous studies and by assessing some processes in those methodologies which possibly cause uncertainties in microplastic determination. Furthermore, we present preliminary results of distribution characteristics of microplastics in seawater of Incheon/Kyeonggi coastal region which is based on our new methodology. Microplastics in surface microlayer (SML) and subsurface water (SSW) were collected using mesh screen and planktonic nets (trawl net with $330{\mu}m$ mesh size and hand net with $20{\mu}m$ mesh size), respectively. Microplastics with < $300{\mu}m$ was predominant, indicating hand net as the better collection tool for SSW. As for SML, FT-IR based microplastic concentration was well matched with naked-eye based concentration which has been used in most of previous studies. However, a poor relationship was observed for SSW, indicating that concentration data of previous SSW studies should be corrected. Incheon/Kyeonggi bay seawater contained the similar concentration range with those in coastal region of the Nakdong River. Our methodology can be used as a basic tool for further microplatic studies.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contamination level of micro plastics in Korean mackerel and to investigate the detection method of micro plastics in fish. This study analyzed the detection and composition of micro plastics using natural mackerel and wild mackerel. 30% hydrogen peroxide and surfactant were added to GF/C filter paper in order to detect micro plastics in the sea. If micro plastics are exposed to the ocean for a long time, accumulation of heavy metals in the water will make pollutant bioaccumulation more serious. Microscopic consequences The risk to human health of plastics has already been studied by many researchers and the risks to human health already caused by marine microorganisms and zooplankton are becoming clear. The conclusion of this study is that there is a difference between the length and height of the mackerel when it is cooked from the standpoint of food in terms of practical implications. The conclusion of this study is that the probability of micro-plastic-contaminated mackerel to reach and be consumed by end-consumers is low in academic implications. Residual contaminants adsorbed on micro plastics are absorbed by digestive organs and cause disruption, and further research on micro plastics is needed in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.429-436
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• 2019

Since the discovery of the first artificial synthetic plastic, bakelite, polymer materials have been recognized as one of the most innovative fields of research. The plastic debris that is being piled up on the earth (called abandoned plastic litters) is now being observed everywhere on Earth, becoming an increasingly serious environmental threat. The term 'microplastics', created in 2004, now refers to plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm, including all nano-sized plastic particles. However, there is no legal regulation, and there is still a lack of comprehensive definitions that practically include microplastic size standards. In this study, we will refer to "microplastics" as the English name, and look at how to identify these microplastics and propose new definitions that focus on their size. This study is expected to contribute to the domestic consensus on scientific definitions of microplastics.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.211-217
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• 2019

In this study, the change of skin condition was analyzed by skin analysis equipment using scrub cosmetics, and the morphological characteristics of microbead were observed by dermascope and scanning electron microscope. In the dermascope observation, during the process of cleansing, the microbeads attached to the skin existed in close contact with each other or dispersed. The skin after scrubbing was clean and smooth and the fine wrinkles between epidermal keratinocytes were reduced. In the scanning electron microscopic observation, the microbead surface did not have severe bending or rough surface. The skin moisture and oil content were higher than the scrub skin before the scrub, and there was no significant difference in the pH.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Plastics that are used in our daily lives largely end up in the environment. In agricultural environments, plastic wastes and microplastics can be found due to the uses and improper management of plastic products (e.g., vinyl greenhouses and mulching vinyl). Microplastics can also interact with contaminants in the agricultural environment. Therefore, this study was set to investigate the sorption characteristics of tetracycline, one of widely used antibiotics, on microplastics. METHODS AND RESULTS: The sorption tests were carried out with the tetracycline solutions (0-30 mg L^-1) and microplastic films prepared from low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The residual tetracycline concentrations were analyzed and fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The tetracycline sorption patterns on LDPE and PVC films were described better with the Freundlich isotherm model than the Langmuir isotherm model. The isotherm model parameters suggested that the maximum sorption amount of tetracyline was greater for PVC, while the sorption affinity was greater for LDPE. CONCLUSION(S): Different types of microplastics can have different sorption characteristics of tetracycline. Therefore, there is a need for continuous research on the interaction of various types and shapes of microplastics and contaminants in the environment.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.627-634
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• 2023

Tire wear particles(TWPs), regarded as a microplastic, is generated in significant quantities each year and exist in various spaces and have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. Particularly, roadside environments fall within the direct influence of TWPs, necessitating proactive investigation for contamination management and response. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the soil acidity and electrical conductivity(EC) and TWPs in the roadside soil of six sites based on traffic volume. The analysis revealed that the soil in all sites exhibited subacidity, and there were no significant differences in EC. Microscopic and FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of microscopic particles in soil samples that exhibited common visual characteristics of TWPs. In the road with the highest traffic volume, 48,300 TWPs were detected per unit area. Furthermore, a proportional relationship between traffic volume and TWPs particles was established. However, influences other than traffic volume on TWPs particle count within the soil were observed. Therefore, for the management of TWPs contaminated roadside soil, a proactive response is necessary in areas with high traffic volumes. However, in order to effectively address the factors contributing to the generation and dispersion of TWPs, further research is required with a multidimensional approach.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.203-208
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• 2024

Every year, approximately 350 million tons of plastic waste are generated worldwide. This waste, can degrade into microplastics, owing to factors such as temperature changes and UV exposure. These smaller plastic particles are increasingly entering the food chain through marine life, thereby raising concerns about their impact on human health. Consequently, there is an increasing need to measure microplastics. Common methods involve direct collection by using a manta trawl equipped with a 330 ㎛ mesh net or performing spectroscopic and thermal analyses on collected samples. However, these methods require complex pre-processing, which risk sample destruction. In this study, we developed a system to directly sample microplastics in aquatic environments by using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Through an analysis of the fluorescence spectra as well as, the with gradient and integration at specific points, we successfully distinguished microplastics of 100, 200, 300, and 500 ㎛ in size, and we also differentiated between polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) types.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.399-411
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• 2020

This study aims to explore how elementary students perceive and approach the issue of plastic debris in marine habitats by examining students' perspectives on the ecosystem and environmental solutions. The study was conducted to 143 Grade Four elementary school students in Seoul. After implementing two class-units on plastic waste, students' constructed responses on the problem of and solutions to plastic debris in marine habitats were collected. Data were analyzed through semantic network analysis and the keywords were visualized to reflect their relationships. Furthermore, students' responses on how they perceive environmental problems were further analyzed based on the following analysis criteria: students' perspectives on the ecosystem, the level of complexity of food chain(s), and the scope of their perspective. Also, student responses on environmental solutions were classified to be either at a personal or social level. Through semantic network analysis, keywords identified for students' perceptions on the problem were the sea, plastic, debris, animals, living things, humans, extinction, while keywords extracted for the solutions were plastic, debris, recycling, disposable, and I. Based on the analysis criteria, it was found that students were well aware of the food chain concept, could perceive the ecosystem as having comprised of both biotic and abiotic factors, and could approach the problem beyond the scope of the marine environment. Also, most students mentioned the solutions only at a personal level. Based on the findings, implications on how to move forward in educating environmental issues related to the ecosystem in science education is further discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.446-453
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• 2021

Background: Plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter (microplastics) are well-known for causing various toxicities such as lung inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. As microplastics become smaller, they can move across cell membranes, the placenta, and the blood-brain barrier. Objectives: We evaluated the toxicities of polyethylene microplastics (PE-PMs) in dams and neonates through intragastric intubation of pregnant ICR mice. Methods: Low concentrations (0.01 mg/mouse/day) and high concentrations (0.1 mg/mouse/day) of polyethylene microplastics were administered from the ninth day of pregnancy to postnatal day seven. The control group was administered with distilled water. On the day of sacrifice, the weight of dams and neonates and the organ weight of neonates was measured. Further, acetylcholinesterase levels and glutathione peroxidase levels were evaluated by using a blood sample obtained on the sacrifice day. Results: No significant difference in the number of neonates was found, but the body weight gain of dams was seen to be lower in the low-dose group. On the other hand, we observed a consecutively declining trend in the weight gain and organ weight of neonates among the high-, control, and low-dose groups. Meanwhile, the serum acetylcholinesterase and glutathione peroxidase level were higher in the low-dose group compared to the control group. Further, the dose-dependent accumulation of microplastics in the organs of neonates revealed the transport of plastic particles from dams to their offspring. Conclusions: Although the exact mechanism of toxicity caused by microplastics could not be confirmed, it was validated that exposure to microplastics during pregnancy and lactation causes its migration between generations and accumulation throughout the body. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the systemic toxicity of microplastics and assessment of co-morbidities such as second-generation toxicity, neurotoxicity, and depression following long-term exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2021

In the flotation process to remove microplastic (MP) particles, the attachment and separation efficiency is determined by the basic physicochemical characteristics of MP particles as well as bubbles. To evaluate the flotation characteristics of MP particles, we carried out a series of simulations using the population balance (PB) model. The initial attachment coefficient (αo) of MP particles was in the range of 0.2-0.275, and it was slightly lower than that of typical particles, such as clay, debris and algae particles, which exist in water bodies, αo, 0.3-0.4. The relative bubble number (RBN) attached to the surface of the typical number of bubbles was 0.30 and 0.32 for MP 30 ㎛ and MP 58 ㎛, respectively. In comparison, the RBN of larger MP particles (138 ㎛) was as high as 0.53. Furthermore, smaller microbubbles were required to separate properly or additional treatment needed to be applied to enhance collision and attachment efficiency since the flotation of MP particles was found to be difficult to treat as high-rate. As a result of comparing the removal rate (experimental value) of MP particles obtained from the batch-type flotation apparatus and the flotation removal rate (predicted value) of MP obtained through the PB model, the final particles by the particle size of MP overall except for the initial separation time area. With respect to the removal efficiency, the observed and predicted values were similar, and it was confirmed that the floating separation characteristics and evaluation of the MP particles through the PB model could be possible.