• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.30 no.3 s.58
• /
• pp.585-598
• /
• 1997

Background : Although there are growing concerns about the adverse health effect of air pollution, not much evidence on health effect of current air pollution level had been accumulated yet in Korea. This study was designed to evaluate the chronic health effect of ai. pollution using Korean Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC) data and air quality data. Medical insurance data in Korea have some drawback in accuracy, but they do have some strength especially in their national coverage, in having unified ID system and individual information which enables various data linkage and chronic health effect study. Method : This study utilized the data of Korean Environmental Surveillance System Study (Surveillance Study), which consist of asthma, acute bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), cardiovascular diseases (congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease), all cancers, accidents and congenital anomaly, i. e., mainly potential environmental diseases. We reconstructed a nested case-control study wit5h Surveillance Study data and air pollution data in Korea. Among 1,037,210 insured who completed? questionnaire and physical examination in 1992, disease free (for chronic respiratory disease and cancer) persons, between the age of 35-64 with smoking status information were selected to reconstruct cohort of 564,991 persons. The cohort was followed-up to 1995 (1992-5) and the subjects who had the diseases in Surveillance Study were selected. Finally, the patients, with address information and available air pollution data, left to be 'final subjects' Cases were defined to all lung cancer cases (424) and COPD admission cases (89), while control groups are determined to all other patients than two case groups among 'final subjects'. That is, cases are putative chronic environmental diseases, while controls are mainly acute environmental diseases. for exposure, Air quality data in 73 monitoring sites between 1991 - 1993 were analyzed to surrogate air pollution exposure level of located areas (58 areas). Five major air pollutants data, TSP, $O_3,\;SO_2$, CO, NOx was available and the area means were applied to the residents of the local area. 3-year arithmetic mean value, the counts of days violating both long-term and shot-term standards during the period were used as indices of exposure. Multiple logistic regression model was applied. All analyses were performed adjusting for current and past smoking history, age, gender. Results : Plain arithmetic means of pollutants level did not succeed in revealing any relation to the risk of lung cancer or COPD, while the cumulative counts of non-at-tainment days did. All pollutants indices failed to show significant positive findings with COPD excess. Lung cancer risks were significantly and consistently associated with the increase of $O_3$ and CO exceedance counts (to corrected error level -0.017) and less strongly and consistently with $SO_2$ and TSP. $SO_2$ and TSP showed weaker and less consistent relationship. $O_3$ and CO were estimated to increase the risks of lung cancer by 2.04 and 1.46 respectively, the maximal probable risks, derived from comparing more polluted area (95%) with cleaner area (5%). Conclusions : Although not decisive due to potential misclassication of exposure, these results wert drawn by relatively conservative interpretation, and could be used as an evidence of chronic health effect especially for lung cancer. $O_3$ might be a candidate for promoter of lung cancer, while CO should be considered as surrogated measure of motor vehicle emissions. The control selection in this study could have been less appropriate for COPD, and further evaluation with another setting might be necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.88 no.4
• /
• pp.510-522
• /
• 1999

The air pollutants ; $SO_2$, $SO{_4}^{-2}$, $NO{_3}^-$, $Cl^-$ are absorbed into soils through falling with dusts and rain from the atmosphere. The sources of heavy metal contaminants in the environments are agricultural and horticultural materials, sewage sludges, fossil fuel combustion, metallurgical industries, electronics and waste disposal etc.. The soils and hydrosphere can be polluted on the way of the circulation of these heavy metals. Studied pollutant anions are $SO{_4}^{-2}$, $NO{_3}^-$ and $Cl^-$ and heavy metals are Se, Mo, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, V, As, Cu and Ni which are the elements to be concerned with the essentials for plants, with animal and human health. This study is with the aim of selecting the species of roadside trees and green space trees which have excellent absorption of air pollutants and heavy metals from the atmosphere and the soils in the urban area. Two areas are designated to carry out this study : urban area ; Kwangju city and rural area ; the yard of Forest Environment Institute of Chollanam-do, at Sanje-ri, Sampo-myum, Naju city, Chollanam-do (23km away from Kwangju). This study is carried out to understand the movement of anions and heavy metals from the soils to the trees in both areas, the absorption of anions and heavy metals from atmosphere into leaves and the amounts of anions and heavy metals in leaves and fine roots(< 1mm dia.) of roadside trees and green space trees in Kwangju and trees in the yard of Forest Environment Institute of Chollanam-do. The tree species selected for this study in both areas are Ginkgo biloba, Quercus acutissima, Cedrus deodara, Platanus occidentalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Alnus japonica. Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Zekova serrata. Prunus serrulata var. spontanea, and Pinus densiflora. The results of the study are as follows : 1. $SO{_4}^{-2}$, $NO{_3}^-$ and $Cl^-$ concentrations are higher in the soils of the urban area than in those of the rural area, and $NO{_3}^-$ and $SO{_4}^{-2}$ are higher in the leaves than in the roots due to the absorption of the these pollutants through the stomata. 2. Ginkgo biloba, Robinia pseudoacacia. Zekova serrata, Quercus acutissima, and Platanus occidentalis can be adequated to the roadside trees and the environmental trees due to their good absorption of $NO{_3}^-$ and $SO{_4}^{-2}$. 3. Heavy metals in the soils of both areas are in the order of Mn > Zn > V > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cu > Mo> Cd, and in the leaves and roots of the trees in the both areas are in the order of Mn>Zn>Cr>Cu>V>Ni. Both orders are similar ones except V. There are more in the urban soils than in the rural soils in amount of Mn, Zn, Pb, V, Cu. 4. It is supposed that there is no antagonism between Mn and Zn in this study. 5. Se, Co and As are not detected in the soils, the leaves and the roots in both areas. Sn, Mo, Cd and Pb are also not detected in the leaves and roots in spite of considerable amount in the soils of both areas.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.16-24
• /
• 2007

An investigation on the polluted sediments in the Lake Sihwa and the benthos that inhabited on the sediments was conducted. Cost effective remediation alternatives were derived form the results of the investigation. The sediment samples taken from four sampling points out of thirteen showed relatively high heavy metal (particularly copper) concentrations which exceeded the Effects Range Low (ERL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA. The four sampling points were located in front of industrial complexes. Although the heavy metals appeared to have affected the growth of the benthos, the concentration of it did not exceed the criteria of dredging that were developed by Netherlands or the State of Washington, USA. However, contamination by organic matters and sulfur compounds was severe, which exceeded the criteria of dredging that were established in Japan. The sediments taken from the four sampling points which were contaminated with heavy metals showed higher organic matter content in general. The organic matters in the sediments depleted oxygen in summer, which appeared to be fatal to the benthos. A comprehensive analysis on the sediments, benthos, and other environmental impact from the contaminated sediments drew a conclusion that the benthonic environment of the Lake Sihwa needed a stepwise remediation, giving a particular emphasis on the clean up of the sediments upstram of the Lake which could cause odor problems to the nearby residential area.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 1989

This study was performed to investigate present water quality and pollution characteristics of them in the basin area of the Mankyung river near Chonju urban stream. In order to obtain the pollution characteristics of this investigation, the physio-chemical water analysis as temperature, pH, DO, BOD, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, and coliform group and their correlation analysis were determined from March to August 1988. The main results were summarized as follows 1. Each chemical constituent detected in three streams has the following variation range as pH(6.7-7.3), DO(1.3-8.9 mg/l), BOD(1.6-162.5mg/l) and water temperature was dominated by atmospheric temperature. 2. In three streams, concentration range of heavy metal was Cd N.D.-2.8 $\mu$g/l, Cu 1.1-10.2 $\mu$g/l, Pb 2.1-13.2 $\mu$g/l and Zn 25.6-62.2 $\mu$g/l, and was shown the order of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd. 3. In the investigation on the bacteriological pollution-in the three streams. 1) The average number of general bacteria contaminated in the Chonju urban stream was $1.7 \times 10^{5}$ numbers/ml, which was higher than $2.6 \times 10^{2}$ numbers/ml, in the Gosan stream and 1.6 $\times$ 10 numbers/ml in the Mankyung river. 2) The average number of total coliform, fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus contaminated in the Chonju urban stream which was the highest polluted site than those of the other sampling sites were respectively $2.1 \times 10^{5}$, $2.1 \times 10^{5}$ and $9.6 \times 10^{4}$ MPN/100ml. 4. Correlation coefficient between GB and TC in the Chonju stream, Gosan stream and Mankyung river was respectively 0.99, 0.96 and 0.99, Correlation coefficient between TC and FC in Chonju stream, Gosan stream and Mankyung river was respectively 0.99, 0.97 and 0.99 and correlation coefficient between FC and TC was respectively 0.99, 0.91 and 0.99. This results mean positively dose relationship between them. 5. The occupied percentage of FC of TC in the Chonju stream, Gosan stream and Mankyung river was respectively 88.1%, 68.4% and 77.9% and the percentage of Tc of TS was respectively 43.5%, 31.6% and 41.4%. These .results was considered indicative of pollution derived from domestic wastes which had been contaminated by the feces of inhabitants and domestic animals.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.87 no.1
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to figure out the relationships among soil chemical properties and bacterial biomass related to denitrification and sulfur-reducing and the activity of dehydrogenase, and ultimately to consider the usefulness of dehydrogenase activity as a tool for evaluating the dynamics of forest soil ecosystem. Four sites were selected for the collection of soil samples within two regions(Onsan industrial estate as a polluted region and Mt. Mani at Kanghwa island as a clean area) with two forest types (coniferous and deciduous stands). The soils of Mt. Mani showed higher amount of organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus than those collected from Onsan industrial estate, which indicated that the soils were more beneficial for microbial growth than those of Onsan. The dehydrogenase activity was more sensitive than the denitrifying bacteria or sulfur-reducing bacteria since the activity was significantly different between the regions and season while the two bacterial biomass were not significantly different between the two regions. In addition, the dehydrogenase activity showed relatively high correlation coefficients with organic matter(r=0.53, p=0.004), total nitrogen(r=0.41, p=0.008) and C/Ava. P-ratio(r=-0.52, p=0.001), which was thought to be closely related with microbial activity. Thus, the dehydrogenase activity was thought to be a useful index of soil ecosystem dynamics with considering that the technique need to be applied with the same soil texture for the comparison of the activity as other researchers indicated.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.117
• /
• pp.402-412
• /
• 2006

The Shihwa constructed wetland was established to treat the severely polluted water from Banwoul, Donghwa and Samhwa streams. This study was focused on investigating the dynamics of epiphytic algal communities on reed (Phragmites communis) planting area at 5 stations from October 2001 to June 2002. The concentration of total nitrogen and phosphorus of inlet stations from the streams were decreased after flowing through the wetland. However, the TN : TP ratios at all stations were slightly over 16 indicating that the total phosphorus may play some role as a limitation factor. Epiphytic algae on the reed were total 329 taxa which were composed of 295 species, 13 varieties, 3 forma and 18 unidentified species. The species numbers were recorded in the order of Chlorophyceae-Bacillariophyceae-Cyanophyceae-Euglenophyceae-Chrysophyceae. The relative percentage showed a seasonal variation from Cyanophyceae to Bacillariophyceae and to Chlorophyceae. The biomass of epiphytic algae measured by chlorophyll-a concentration ranged from 0.6 to $36.4\;{\mu}g\;cm^{-2}$. Dominant species were 16 taxa which were Lyngbya angusta of Cyanophyceae in the early investigation, and were changed to Stigeoclonium lubricum of Chlorophyceae, and Nitzschia palea of Bacillariophyceae etc. in the late. Species number, standing crops and chlorophyll-a concentrations of epiphytic algae showed higher values at the inlet stations than the stations after flowing through the wetland.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.13-23
• /
• 2000

The effects of operating condition of soil vapor extraction system and the characteristics of site on the remediation of oil contaminated soil were investigated. Thorough investigation showed that the site was contaminated with gasoline leaked from underground storage tank and the maximum concentration of BTEX and TPH were 1,081 ppm and 5,548 ppm respectively. The leaked gasoline were diffused to 6m deep and the area and volume of the polluted soil were assumed to 170$m^2$ and 1,000$\textrm{m}^3$respectively. The site were consisted of three different vertitical layers, the top reclaimed sandy soil between the earth surface and 3~4m deep, middle silty sand between 3~4m and 6m deep, and the bottom bedrock below the 6m deep. The air pemeability of soil was measured to 1.058-1.077$\times$10$^{-6}$ $\textrm{mm}^2$ by vacuum pump tests. The groundwater which level was 3~4m deep was observed in some areas of this site. The soil vapor extraction system which had 7.5 HP vacuum pump and 8 extraction wells was constructed in this site and operated at 8 hrs/day for 100 days. The BTEX was removed with above 90% efficiency where no groundwater and silty sand were observed. On the contrary, the efficiency of BTEX and TPH were dramatically decreased where groundwater and silty sand were observed. The flow rate of soil air induced by soil vapor extraction system was reduced in deeper soil.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 2005

Vitellogenins(VTGs) are the precursor of egg-yolk proteins in most oviparous species from invertebrates to vertebrates. In oviparose vertebrates, VTGs are synthesized in the liver and transported through the blood to oocytes. In female fish, concentrations of plasma VTG increase rapidly at onset of vitellogenesis in the normal reproductive cycle. Male fishes also possess the gene for VTG, but plasma concentrations of the protein typically remain small, presumably due to low levels of endogenous estrogens. However, exposure of males to exogenous estrogenic mimics can result elevated. Therefore, the VTG in fish can be used as a useful biomarker for appropriate tools of endocrine disrupting compounds effects. In this studies, we prepared the test methods that can measure the plasma VTG level in the gobies that live in polluted area with mimic estrogen. For the purpose, we purified VTG of floating goby(Chaenogobius annularis) and prepared specific monoclonal and polyclonal antisera to yolk protein, then developed a sandwich competitive ELISA system for measurement of plasma VTG levels. Validation for the ELISA system using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against VTG was tested. The absorbance curve of serial dilutions of serum from vitellogenic female was paralleled to the standard curve of VTG, but normal male was not paralleled. The developed sandwich ELISA system was measured for VTG levels in plasma of common goby(Acanthogobius flaviman) and javeline goby(A. hasta) as well as in plasma of floating goby(C. annularis).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.241-248
• /
• 2009

A farming area located near an abandoned copper mine in GuPo-ri, Choongchung province is heavily contaminated with heavy metals such as As, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn of which concentrations are higher than the values typically detected in Korean soil environment. In this work, laboratory and field studies were conducted to examine feasibility of using Ca-citrate-phosphate solution in stabilizing heavy metals in the polluted soils. In laboratory batch experiments with field soil, the addition of Ca-citrate-phosphate solution resulted in decrease of aqueous phase concentration of phosphate and improvement of heavy metal stabilization, compared to those for sterilized soil samples. This indicates that microbial uptake of phosphate may have provided positive effects on availability of phosphate toward heavy metal stabilization. According to microbial community analysis for the field experiment, the use of Ca-citrate-phosphate led to increased diversity of microbial populations, and strict anaerobic microorganisms such as Anaerofilum and Treponema became the most dominant populations in the solution-amended field experiments. These findings suggest that, when Ca-citrate-phosphate is used for heavy metal stabilization in soils, microbial processes may have important roles in improving the stabilization of heavy metals by providing reducing conditions to the treatment locations or/and by making phosphate available to heavy metal stabilization.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.447-465
• /
• 2004

This paper is to analyze citizens' consciousness on urban changes, especially focusing on changes in urban environment, spatial structure, and urban planning, of large cities in S. Korea, that is, Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, and Kwangju in the 1990s. Some significant points can be described as follows. First. The most important factor influencing on the change of urban spatial structure was the expansion of residential area inner and outside of cities promoted by the traditional construction industry, and not development of high-tech industries and their complex or location of multi-national firms which can be emphasized as major factors of new urbanization process of global cities. Secondly, citizens seem to have experienced improvement and deterioration of urban environment simultaneously, emphasizing regulatory environmental policy on the one hand, and recognize the necessity of sustainable urban development within given environmental capacity and restoration of destructed and polluted environment of cities. Thirdly, the building boom of new apartment complex was a major driving force of changing urban spatial structure, but it could neither alleviate a residential gap between the poor and the rich areas nor a relief of traffic congestion. Finally, the urban policy in general was felt somewhat improved by citizens, but not in sectoral details.