• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.234-242
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• 2014

In this study, gametotoxicity and embryotoxicity experiments using Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus were carried out to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of bisphenol A (BPA). We examined the effects of BPA on fertilization and normal embryogenesis at various concentrations (0, 300, 500, 800, 1000, and 1500 ppb). The results demonstrated that the fertilization rates were not changed. The normal embryogenesis rates were gradually decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and were significantly lowered following 800 ppb BPA treatment ($EC_{50}$=1056.1 ppb, 95% Cl=981.8~1163.9 ppb). The observed effective concentration and the lowest observed effective concentration of the normal embryogenesis rate were 500 ppb and 800 ppb, respectively. The embryos showed retarded development at each tested concentration, indicating the fact the embryonic development was delayed due to the increasing concentrations of BPA. Furthermore, we examined the expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) mRNA at various concentrations of BPA in H. pulcherrimus. Interestingly, it was found that the expression level of GST mRNA was significantly increased in the experimental group exposed to BPA. Based on these results, we suggested that BPA at greater than 800 ppb has a toxic effect during the early embryonic stages of H. pulcherrimus, and GST mRNA may be used as a biomarker for risk assessment of BPA contamination.

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.570-577
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• 2011

We developed insect-resistant GM rice(Bt transgenic rice) by inserting the mCry1Ac1 a modified gene from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. The Bt transgenic rice expressing the Bttoxin mCry1Ac1 was tested for the effects on survival of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and Cyprinus carpio, commonly used as a model organism in ecotoxicological studies. M. anguillicaudatus and C. carpio fed 100% ground rice in suspension, using either Bt rice or non-GM counterpart rice(Nakdong). The Bt rice used for the test were confirmed to have the mCry1Ac1 gene expression by the immuno-strip and ELISA analysis. Feeding test showed that no significant differences in cumulative immobility and abnormal response of M. anguillicaudatus and C. carpio fed on between Bt rice and non-GM counterpart rice. The 96hr-LC₅₀ values showed no difference between Bt rice(>1,000mg/L) and non-GM rice(>1,000mg/L). We concluded that there was no significant difference in toxicity for non-target organisms(M. anguillicaudatus and C. carpio) between Bt rice and non-GM counterparts.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2011

Copper cyanide is a chemical produced in large quantities with 2,500 tonnes being produced in 2006. It is mainly used for electroplating copper, particularly alkali-Cu plate and brass plating. The purpose of this study is to reassess the physicochemical properties and environmental fate of copper cyanide based on reliable data and and to conduct an ecotoxicity test according to the OECD test guidelines as an initial environmental risk assessment (need to state where this was done). Metal containing inorganic substances are not subject to degradation, biodegradation or hydrolysis. Aquatic toxicity tests of copper cyanide were conducted according to OECD test guideline 201, 202 and 203 for green algae, daphnia, and fish, respectively. The following acute toxicity test results were obtained for aquatic species: 0.089 mg $L^{-1}$ (Algae, 72 Hr-$EC_{50}$); 0.21 mg $L^{-1}$ (flea, 48 Hr-$LC_{50}$); 0.62 mg $L^{-1}$ (Fish, 96 Hr-$ErC_{50}$). The chemical possesses properties indicating a hazard for the aquatic environment (acute toxicity in fish, daphnia and algae below 1.0 mg $L^{-1}$). As a result of this study, copper cyanide has become a candidate for detailed risk assessment. Countries that produce this chemical in significant quantities are recommended to perform specific assessments.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

The toxic assessment of the PBDEs (BDE-47, BDE-209) has been comprehensively investigated by using the rates of survival and population growth in the marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis. Chiefly, the survival rate was determined after a measurement of 24 hours of exposure to the BDE-47 (2,2'4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether) and the BDE-209 (2,2',4,4'-Decabromodiphenyl ether) was performed. The BDE-47 reduced survival rate in dose-dependent manner and a significant reduction were noted to have occurred at a concentration of greater than $3.9mg\;L^{-1}$, but the BDE-209 had no effect which was subsequently observed in this study. The population growth rate (r) was determined after 72 hours of exposure to toxicants in the study. It was observed that the r value in the controls (absence PBDEs) was greater than 0.5, and that it decreased as the dose-dependent manner as recorded. The survival rate when exposed to BDE-47 and BDE-209, $EC_{50}$ value was $13mg\;L^{-1}$ and $>1,000mg\;L^{-1}$, and population growth rate was $3.67mg\;L^{-1}$ and $862.75mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. Therefore, the BDE-47 is considered to be 76-235 times more harmful than the BDE-209 as noted. In this study, the ecotoxicological bioassay using a noted survival rate and population growth rate of B. plicatilis can be used as a baseline data for the continued establishment of the environmental quality standard of the incidences of the BDE-47 and BDE-209 in a marine environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.333-342
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to define the toxic effects of phenanthrene (PAHs) on the fertilization and normal embryogenesis rates in the two species of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus and Mesocentrotus nudus). The sperm and fertilized eggs of both sea urchin species were exposed to serial dilutions of phenanthrene for 10 min and 48 hours, respectively. The fertilization rate and normal embryogenesis rate of H. pulcherrimus and M. nudus were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The EC₅₀ for the fertilization rate of H. pulcherrimus and M. nudus was 17.48 mg L^-1 and 16.21 mg L^-1, and the EC₅₀ for the normal embryogenesis rate was 2.99 mg L^-1 and 0.36 mg L^-1, respectively. Between the two species, H. pulcherrimus was more sensitive to phenanthrene exposure, and 48 h normal embryogenesis was the more sensitive endpoint. Therefore, the results of this study demonstrated that the exposure of both sea urchin species to phenanthrene caused alterations in egg fertilization and the early developmental stages.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2014

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology is recognizing one of method responding the climate change with reduction of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. In Korea, due to its geological characteristics, sub-seabed geological $CO_2$ storage is regarded as more practical approach than on-land storage under the goal of its deployment. However, concerns on potential $CO_2$ leakage and relevant acidification issue in the marine environment can be an important subject in recently increasing sub-seabed geological $CO_2$ storage sites. In the present study effect data from literatures were collected in order to conduct an effect assessment of elevated $CO_2$ levels in marine environments using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) various marine organisms such as microbe, crustacean, echinoderm, mollusc and fish. Results from literatures using domestic species were compared to those from foreign literatures to evaluate the reliability of the effect levels of each biological group and end-point. Ecological effect guidelines through estimating level of pH variation (${\delta}pH$) to adversely affect 5 and 50% of tested organisms, HC5 and HC50, were determined using SSD of marine organisms exposed to the $CO_2$-induced acidification. Estimated HC5 as ${\delta}pH$ of 0.137 can be used as only interim quality guideline possibly with adequate assessment factor. In the future, the current interim guideline as HC5 of ${\delta}pH$ in this study will look forward to compensate with supplement of ecotoxicological data reflecting various trophic levels and indigenous species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.518-527
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to define the toxic effects of diuron and irgarol, which are new-antifouling agents, on the fertilization rate and normal embryogenesis rate in the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. In addition, the study was intended to confirm the hindrance of development in sea urchins. The fertilization rate of H. pulcherrimus was not decreased by the tested concentrations. However, the normal embryogenesis rate was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of normal embryogenesis rate were 7.12 mg L^-1 and 2.31 mg L^-1, respectively. As the embryos developed into pluteus larvae, after 18 h of exposure to diuron and irgarol at EC₅₀, development of the early gastrula stage was delayed, and significant developmental delays were observed after 24 h. After this, continuous developmental delays were observed in the process leading to the early gastrular, gastrular, early pluteus, and pluteus stages. Therefore, the toxic effects of diuron and irgarol on sea urchins were attributed to the delay in the developmental processes in the early life stages. Diuron and irgarol are highly persistent in the environment and have known-well toxic effects on various marine organisms including invertebrates, as shown in this study. Therefore, it is urgent to establish an environmental protection strategy to prevent the pollution of and preserve the marine environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate pesticide residues from fifty streams in Korea. Water samples were collected at two times. Thee first sampling was performed from april to may, which was the season for start of pesticide application and the second sampling event was from august to september, which was a period for spraying pesticides multiple times. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 136 pesticide residues were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and GC/ECD. As a result, eleven of the pesticide residues were detected at the first sampling. Twenty eight of the pesticide residues were detected at the second sampling. Seven pesticides were frequently detected from more than 10 water samples. Ecological risk assessment (ERA) was carried out by using residual and toxicological data. Four scenarios were applied for the ERA. Scenario 1 and 2 were performed using LC50 values and mean and maximum concentrations. Scenarios 3 and 4 were conducted by NOEC values and mean and maximum concentrations. CONCLUSION: Frequently detected pesticide residues tended to coincide with the period of preventing pathogen and pest at paddy rice. As a result of ERA, five pesticides (butachlor, carbendazim, carbofuran, chlorantranilprole, and oxadiazon) were assessed to be risks at scenario 4. However, only oxadiazon was assessed to be a risk at scenario 3 for the first sampling. Oxadiazon was not assessed to be a risk at the second sampling. It seems to be temporary phenomenon at the first sampling, because usage of herbicides such as oxadiazon increased from April to march for preventing weeds at paddy fields. However, this study suggested that five pesticides which were assessed to be risks need to be monitored continuously for the residues.