• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2010

This study was undertaken in an attempt to provide scientific grounds in explaining the causes of environmental and respiratory diseases resulting from air pollutants in Gyeongju and its neighboring areas. In relation to heavy metals, lead (Pb) was $0.0135{\sim}0.1744\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and high in order of Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju while nickel (Ni) was $0.0023{\sim}0.0115\;{\mu}g/m^3$. The concentrations of heavy metals in the investigated areas did not exceed the environmental standards or Guideline Value of Korea or other countries. However, it is considered necessary to apply intensive control to some heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) that show a relatively high level of hazard. Based on the responses to the survey, measured personal interest in environmental pollution and the basic knowledge of the causes of the respiratory diseases was higher in those with a family history of allergic reactions to metals and bronchial asthma. The incidence of allergic disease was higher in those who are currently in poor health state. In addition, the general knowledge of environmental pollutants was higher in those with higher educational level and those with a higher interest in environmental pollution. Personal interest in environmental pollution was higher in those with higher basic knowledge of environmental pollutants. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the awareness through better education and campaigns on environmental pollution.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.377-384
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• 2010

Heavy metal accumulation levels of inhabitant fish, Hemibarbus labeo in Andong and Imha reservoirs were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer and atomic absorption spectrometer. Heavy metal contents of H. labeo from Andong reservoir were higher than those from Imha reservoir. Likewise, relative high contents of As, Cd and Hg were detected in the tissues from Andong reservoir. Among the heavy metals, Al, As and Fe were detected with high concentration in the gill tissues but not in the muscle tissues. Also, the average content of Zn was almost similar in all tissues. In addition, high accumulated level of Al, Cr, Cu and Mn were detected in gill and kidney tissues of H. labeo from Andong reservoir. As a result, the heavy metal contents from the inhabitant fishes, H. labeo, in Andong reservoir showed higher than those in Imha reservoir. We propose that heavy metal contamination in water and in inhabitated fishes is caused from various metals derived from water and sediments in water environment of Andong reservoir.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contents in commercial herbal medicines in Korea. Methods: Monitoring of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury was carried out on 116 samples of eleven types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 71 samples were domestic and 45 were imported. The samples were digested using the microwave method. The heavy metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and a mercury analyzer. ICP-AES was used to analyze lead, arsenic cadmium. Mercury was analyzed by the amalgamation method. Results: The mean values of the heavy metal contents in the herbal medicines were Pb 0.64mg/kg, As 0.26mg/kg, Cd 0.07mg/kg and Hg 0.004mg/kg. Of the total samples, one violated the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) regulatory guidance on heavy metals in herbal medicines. Lead was detected at more than 5mg/kg in one sample. The measured values of arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the herbal medicines showed levels lower than the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic sample surpassed the maximum residue limits for lead. Conclusion: These results will be used to establish the regulation and control of heavy metal contents in herbal medicines. In addition, continuous monitoring is needed to ensure confidence in and the safety of these herbal medicines.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to assess the accurate state of the following: total welding fumes versus welding fumes in the air, respirable particulate mass, and exposure of dockyard welders to heavy metals. In addition, this study provides basic data for proposing improvements to create efficient and appropriate welding environments and to prevent occupational diseases. The subjects of this study were 94 laborers who worked at the block construction sites of large-scale dockyards located in Gyeongnam Province from March 2005 to June 2005. In order to collect samples on total welding fumes in the air and respirable particulate mass from the welders, Methods 0500 and 0600, established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), were used. The metals within the welding fumes were also analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) under Method 7300 from NIOSH. The results of this research are summarized below. The geometric mean concentration of total welding fumes and that of respirable particulate mass were $4.11\;mg/m^3\;and\;3.53\;mg/m^3$, respectively. As a result of comparing the two measurement methods, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the two groups for Ca, Cu, Cr, and Ni; however, there were no differences in Fe, Mg, Zn, Mg, Pb, and Cd. As a result of the analysis, the correlation between Mn and the concentration of heavy metals in the total welding fumes and respirable particulate mass was found to be -0.29, a significant negative correlation. The correlation between other heavy metals, however, was low. Finally, in the same total welding fumes, the correlation of Fe and Mg was high.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.555-560
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• 2014

In this paper, in order to develop outstanding Pb-free composition ceramics, the $Fe_2O_3$-doped ($Na_{0.525}K_{0.443}Li_{0.037}$)($Nb_{0.883}Sb_{0.08}Ta_{0.037}$)$O_3$ + 0.3 wt% $Bi_2O_3$ + x wt% $Fe_2O_3$ (x= 0~1.0 wt%)(abbreviated as NKL-NST) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been synthesized using the ordinary solid state reaction method. The effect of $Fe_2O_3$-doping on their microstructure and electrical properties were investigated. XRD diffraction pattern studies confirm that $Fe_2O_3$ completely diffused into the NKL-NST lattice to form a new stable soild solution with $Fe^{3+}$ entering the $Nb^{5+}$, $Sb^{5+}$ and $Ta^{5+}$ of B-site. And, phase structure of all the ceramics exhibited pure perovskite phase and no secondary phase was found in the ceramics. The ceramics doped with 0.6 wt% $Fe_2O_3$ have the optimum values of piezoelectric constant($d_{33}$), planar piezoelectric coupling coefficient($k_p$) and mechanical quality factor($Q_m$) : $d_{33}$ = 233 [pC/N], $k_p$= 0.44, $Q_m$= 95. These results indicate that the ($Na_{0.525}K_{0.443}Li_{0.037}$)($Nb_{0.883}Sb_{0.08}Ta_{0.037}$)$O_3$ +0.3 wt% $Bi_2O_3$ + 0.6 wt% $Fe_2O_3$ ceramic is a promising candidate for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.163-176
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• 1998

In this study, airborne particle samples were obtained to determine the concentrations of particulate air pollutants in indoor and outdoor air of public facilities in Taegu area. Total of 12 public facilities, regulated by the Public Sanitary Law, were selected as sampling sites, which include three underground arcades, one railway and two bus terminals, three general hospitals, and three department stores. In each place, sampling was carried out seasonally during the period of October 1994 to July 1995, and four samples per each site per season were collected both indoors and outdoors simultaneously. After determination of suspended particulate matter (SPM) mass concentrations, the particle samples were divided into two parts for subsequent chemical analysis: one for the analysis of trace elements and the other for water soluble ions. Seasonal levels of SPM appeared to be the highest in spring and the lowest in summer both indoors and outdoors, while locational variations of highest in statioyterminals, and lowest in department stores . SPM concentrations indoors and outdoors did not show any significant differences each other in most places . However, there were significant correlations between indoor and outdoor levels of SPM and other chemical species . These results indicates that indoor SPM levels are likely to be significantly affected by outdoor sources in many places. The most significant source of SPM was estimated to be the resuspension of soil/road dust both indoors and outdoors . The concentrations of toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu) in underground arcades appeared to be very much lower than the established air quality guidelines for underground environments. In addition, it is likely that micro-environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and air velocity, play a less significant role than outdoor air quality as a factor affecting the levels of particulate pollutants in indoor environments of public facilities in Taegu area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 1998

The purpose of this research is to investigate the dispersion pattern of gold during skarnization and genesis of gold mineralization in the Sangdong skarn deposits. The Sangdong scheelite orebodies are embedded in the Cambrian Pungchon Limestone and limestone interbedded in the Myobong Slate of the Cambrian age. The tungsten deposits are classified as the Hangingwall Orebody, the Main Orebody and the Footwall Orebody as their stratigraphic locations. Recently, the Sangdong granite of the Cretaceous age (85 Ma) were found by underground exploratory drillings below the orebodies. In geochemisty, the W, Mo, Bi and F concentrations in the granite are significantly higher than those in the Cretaceous granitoids in southern Korea. Highest gold contents are associated with quartz-hornblende skarn in the Main Orebody and pyroxene-hornblende skarn in the Hangingwall Orebody. Also Au contents are closely related to Bi contents. This could be inferred that Au skarns formed from solutions under reduced environment at a temperature of $270^{\circ}C$. According to the multiple regression analysis, the variation of Au contents in the Main Orebody can be explained (87.5%) by Ag, As, Bi, Sb, Pb, Cu. Judging from the mineralogical, chemical and isotope studies, the genetic model of the deposits can be suggested as follows. The primitive Sangdong magma was enriched in W, Mo, Au, Bi and volatiles (metal-carriers such as $H_2O$, $CO_2$ and F). During the upward movement of hydrothermal ore solution, the temperature was decreased, and W deposits were formed at limestone (in the Myobong Slate and Pungchon Limestone). In addition, meteoric water influx gave rise to the retrogressive alterations and maximum solubility of gold, and consequently higher grade of Au mineralization was deposited.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1182-1189
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• 2004

Cytosine deaminase (cytosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.1) stoichiometrically catalyzes the hydrolytic deamination of cytosine and 5-fluorocytosine to uracil and 5-fluorouracil, respectively. The intracellular cytosine deaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum YK 391 was purified to apparent homogeneity with 272.9-fold purification with an overall yield of $13.8\%$. The enzyme consisted of dimeric polypeptides of 63 kDa, and the total molecular mass was calculated to be approximately 126 kDa. Besides cytosine, the enzyme deaminated 5-fluorocytosine, cytidine, 6-azacytosine, and 5-methylcytosine, but not 5-azacytosine. Optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme reaction were 7.5 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable at pH 6.0 to 8.0, and at 30T for a week. About $70\%$ of the enzyme activity was retained at $60^{\circ}C$ for 5 min. The apparent $K_{m}$ values for cytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-methylcytosine were calculated to be 0.38 mM, 0.87 mM, and 2.32 mM, respectively. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by 1 mM $Hg^{2+},\;Zn^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},\;Pb^{2+},\;and\;Fe^{3+}$, and by o-phenanthroline, $\alpha,\;{\alpha}'$-dipyridyl, p-choromercuribenzoate, N-bromosuccinimide, and cWoramine­T. In addition, the enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by I mM 2-thiouracil, and weakly inhibited by 2-thiocytosine, or 5-azacytosine. Finally, intracellular and extracellular cytosine deaminases from Chromobacterium violaceum YK 391 were found to have a different optimum temperature, apparent $K_{m}$ value, and molecular mass.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2003

Seasonal fluctuations of physico-chemical and biological aspects of the environment were studied in Vladivostok harbour (Golden Horn Bay, the East Sea/Sea of Japan). The benthic community structure was described with a focus on size-spectra (bacteria, meio- and macrofauna) related with the chemical environment and chemical fluxes in sediment and to reveal their possible ecological role in the process of bioremediation of the environment. Samples from two sites with different concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni Cd, Co) and petroleum hydrocarbon were assessed by a number of methods. These included plate counts of culturable bacteria, observation through a scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). These approaches were complemented with microscopic assessments of the diversity of the benthic community. The specific communities had a limited number of species, tolerant to abnormally high levels of toxic compounds. The dominant species were presented by several sho.1-lived small polychaetes (Capitella capitata) and nematodes (Oncholaimium ramosum). The highest population density was recorded in microbenthos, in various diatoms, various physiological groups of bacteria which participate in biomineralization: marine heterotrophic bacteria, which oxidized oil, black oil in addition to groups resistant to heavy metals. They have the entire set of mechanisms for neutralizing the negative effect of those compounds, forming the detrital food web and biogeochemical circulation of material in sediments, which results in the biological self-recycling of sea basins. Macro- and meiobenthic organisms were more sensitive to a greater extent of $H_2S$ and petroleum hydrocarbons than to metal content, but the within-site rankings were the same as those achieved for microbiological analyses.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.119-125
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of pipe network materials and distance on system performance utilizing unused energy sources in large-scale horticulture facility. For this, the modeling was performed with a 100 m long and 100 m wide rectangular shaped glass house having an area of 1ha ($10,000m^2$) using EnergyPlus software. The heat sources considered were air source, geothermal heat, power plant waste heat, sea water heat, and river water. The temperature variation of the fluid with regard to pipe material and distance from the heat source and the resultant heat pump electricity consumptions were calculated. It turned out that the fluid temperature reaching the heat pump increased as the distance from the heat source increased in case of sea water and river water, which have higher temperatures than the surrounding soil, improving the heat pump efficiency. It was vice versa in case of the power plant waste heat. In addition, pipe material of PVC showed the smallest effect on the system performance variation due to the lowest thermal conductivity, compared to PB and HDPE.