• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.335-341
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• 2019

Spirulina was cultured in Selenium solution and the total concentration was determined with isotope dilution technique. Low-molecular-weight-Selenium species for the water extract of Spirulina were separated and quantified with HPLC ICP/MS. Water extraction was used first and then protein enzyme (protease XIV) was used to digest and extract for the Se species in both water extract and residue. The total Se was $414.9{\pm}4.0{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ and 77% existed in water extract while 22% remained in residue. Se species in supernatant was mostly inorganic selenate ($222.7{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$). After hydrolysis of protein, SeCys ($15.20{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) and SeMet ($12.13{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) were found. In residue, SeCys and SeMet were found with little inorganic Se. After protein hydrolysis of residue, more of Selenoamino acids SeCys ($9.35{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) and SeMet ($18.23{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) in addition to MeSeCys ($1.5{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) were found. It is thought that inorganic selenium is mostly adsorbed on the surface of spirulina and can be easily removed by a simple distilled water extraction while most of organo-seleniums are remained in residue.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.181-192
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• 2009

Sambucus pendula Nakai, which is an endemic on Ulleung Island of Korea, is characterized by a large pendulous inflorescence and small fruit. A set of 256 individuals were used to investigate the patterns of intraspecific variation of S. racemosa subsp. kamtchatica, S. racemosa subsp. sieboldiana, and S. williamsii including S. pendula using PCA (principal components analysis). This analysis showed that S. pendula was distinct based on its large inflorescence and long peduncle. Our data showed a morphological distinction between subsp. kamtchatica from northeastern areas and subsp. sieboldiana from Jeju Island, but the two taxa overlap in the southern and eastern parts of Korea in terms of chromosome number, color of style, and allozyme data. Our study agrees that S. pendula on Ulleung Island may be the result of genetic drift that occurred during isolation since the Quarternary period. This has been suggested as a reason for the genetic differences observed between two taxa and would explain the unique variation patterns of S. pendula. However, the morphological differentiation between the S. racemosa complex and S. pendula is not considered sufficient to warrant recognition of specific status. Therefore, we recommend that only one polymorphic species of S. racemosa in Eurasia be recognized and that S. pendula be considered a subspecies of S. racemosa.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2021

Magnesium (Mg) present in carbonate minerals as impurities has been used as a geochemical proxy to infer the environmental conditions where the minerals precipitated. The reliability of Mg geochemical proxies requires fundamental understanding of Mg incorporation into minerals based on accurate speciation of Mg ²⁺ in the crystal structure, which is determined mainly by application of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). However, high uncertainties are involved in interpreting the XAS spectra of minerals containing trace amount of Mg ²⁺. Because density function theory (DFT) can predict an XAS spectrum for a crystal structure, DFT calculations can reduce the uncertainties in the interpretation of the XAS spectrum. In this study, we calculated ab initio Mg K-edge absorption spectra of Mg silicates and (hydr)oxides based on DFT and analyzed the correlation between the calculated spectra and Mg structural parameters. Our ab initio Mg K-edge absorption spectra well reproduced the key features of the experimental spectra. The absorption-edge positions of the calculated spectra showed the weak positive correlation with the average Mg-O bond distance or Mg effective coordination number. The current study shows that DFT-based core-level spectroscopy method is a powerful tool in providing standard Mg K-edge spectra of diverse Mg minerals and determining the Mg chemical species within carbonate minerals.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.397-410
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• 2018

When considering the long-term safety assessment of spent-nuclear fuel management, americium is one of the most radio-toxic actinides. Although spectroscopic methods are widely used for the study of actinide chemistry, application of those methods to americium chemistry has been limited. Herein, we purified $^{241}Am$ to obtain a highly pure stock solution required for spectroscopic studies. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of purified $^{241}Am$ were carried out using liquid scintillation counting, and gamma and alpha radiation spectrometry. Highly sensitive absorption spectrometry coupled with a liquid waveguide capillary cell and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy were employed for the study of Am(III) hydrolysis and oxalate (Ox) complexation. $Am^{3+}$ ions under acidic conditions exhibit maximum absorbance at 503 nm, with a molar absorption coefficient of $424{\pm}8cm^{-1}{\cdot}M^{-1}$. $Am(OH)_3(s)$ colloidal particles formed under near neutral pH conditions were identified by monitoring the absorbance at around 506-507 nm. The formation of ${Am(Ox)_3}^{3-}$ was detected by red-shifts of the absorption and luminescence spectra of 4 and 5 nm, respectively. In addition, considerable enhancements of the luminescence intensities were observed. The luminescence lifetime of ${Am(Ox)_3}^{3-}$ increased from 23 to 56 ns, which indicates that approximately six water molecules are replaced by carboxylate ligands in the inner-sphere of the Am(III). These results suggest that ${Am(Ox)_3}^{3-}$ is formed through the bidentate coordination of the oxalate ligands.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2021

CO I gene sequence analysis was applied to earthworms that had been used as test animals in toxicity test in Institute of Kyeongbook Agrochemicals and earthworms used as vermicomposting agents in the farm of Youngdong province to identify their species names. In terms of molecular species, the former was identified as Eisenia fetida and the latter was Eisenia andrei. Cocoons produced from Eisenia fetida was more than those from Eisenia andrei. And No. of adults developed from eggs of Eisenia fetida was more or less higher than those developed from eggs of Eisenia andrei. These results were contradictory to previous reports on two Eisenia spp.. When Eisenia fetida was crossed with Eisenia andrei, hybridized eggs were produced and adults were developed from those eggs, but cocoons and adults were much less than those from non-crossed Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei. This indicated that two Eisenia spp. were not distinctly different biological species because there was no complete 'reproductive isolation' between Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. However, this also meant that Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei had already been on the tract of speciation.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.30-40
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• 2021

The present study investigates the bioleaching efficiencies of arsenic via contact and non-contact mechanisms. The attachment of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was restricted by a partition system comprising a semi-permeable membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 12-14 kDa. The results were compared for two arsenic concentrations in the system (1.0% and 0.5% w/v) to maintain a homogeneous system. The overall bacterial performance was monitored by comparing total arsenic and iron concentrations, Fe ion speciation, pH, and solution redox potentials in flask bioleaching experiments over a period of 10 d. Our results indicated that bacterial attachment could increase arsenic extraction efficiency from 20.0% to 44.9% at 1.0 % solid concentrations. These findings suggest that the bacterial contact mechanism greatly influences arsenic bioleaching from mine tailings. Therefore, systems involving two-step or non-contact bioleaching are less effective than those involving one-step or contact bioleaching for the efficient extraction of arsenic from mine tailings.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2021

In this study, to investigate the effect of stabilization of Pb-contaminated soil near a smelter site for the reduction of environmental risk of Pb leaching, commercial stabilizers were amended with the Pb-contaminated soil and evaluated leaching characteristics of Pb in soil by TCLP and SPLP leaching test. Also, performing sequential extraction procedure speciation of Pb in the amended soil was investigated. Limestone, AC-2 (Amron), Metafix (Peroxychem) that possess stabilization performance towards heavy metal in soil and mass production is available were selected as candidates. AC-2 contained a CaCO₃ and MgO crystalline phase, while Metafix had a Fe₇S₈ crystalline phase, according to XRD studies. Pb content in SPLP extract was lower than the South Korean drinking water standard for Pb in groundwater at 4% AC-2 and Metafix treatment soil, and TCLP-based stabilization effectiveness was more than 90%. The findings of the sequential extraction method of soil treated with Metafix revealed that fractions 1 and 2 of Pb, which correspond to relatively high mobility and bioavailable fractions, were lowered, while the residual fraction (fraction 5) was raised. As a consequence, the order of performance for Pb stabilization in polluted soil was Metafix>AC-2>limestone.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.530-539
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• 2021

Background: In South Korea, areas around abandoned metal mines are designated as regions with high arsenic (As) contamination. However, studies assessing urinary As exposure, As metabolism, and relevant genetic polymorphisms in residents of these metal mine areas are lacking. Objectives: To identify factors associated with As exposure and evaluate the effects of MTHFR, As3MT, and GSTO1 genetic polymorphisms on As metabolism in residents of abandoned metal mine areas by measuring urinary As species. Methods: Urinary As species (arsenite [As³⁺], arsenate [As⁵⁺], monomethyl arsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid) were isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Four genetic polymorphisms (MTHFR A222V, MTHFR E429A, GSTO1 A140D, As3MT M287T) were analyzed in 144 residents of four areas around abandoned metal mines. Results: The study sample was comprised of 34.7% men and 65.3% women, with a mean age of 70.7±10.9 years. The urinary inorganic As concentration was higher among those consuming more than half locally produced rice (0.31 ㎍/L) than those consuming less than half such rice (0.18 ㎍/L). The urinary dimethylarsinic acid concentration was higher in the group that had consumed seafood in the past day (31.68 ㎍/L) than in those who had not (22.37 ㎍/L). Furthermore, individuals heterozygous in the MTHFR A222V and GSTO1 A140D polymorphism had higher urinary arsenic species concentrations than did individuals with a wild type or homozygous for the variant allele. Conclusions: Consumption of locally produced rice was associated with inorganic As exposure, whereas seafood consumption was associated with organic As exposure among residents of abandoned metal mine areas. There was no clear association between MTHFR A222V and GSTO1 A140D polymorphisms and As metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 1988

The study was intended to know any relations between the rice tolerance to oxyfluorfen and varietal speciation in seed protein composition or any enzymatical allelies with or without chemical treatment. Rice varieties used were Chokoto, Aichiasahi, Agabyeo, IR 3941 and Tablei as the tolerant group, and Mushakdanti, Weld Pally, HP 1033, HP 857, and HP 907 as the susceptible, respectively. Electrophoretic methods used were SDS-PAGE for seed protein, 7% PAGE for isozymes (acid phosphatase and peroxidase from rice seedling) and changes in isoenzyme activity (malate dehydrogenase, peroxidase and esterase) as affected by oxyfluorfen treatment ($10^{-4}M$) was also studied. The results are summarized as follows. -Among 19 bands separated in seed proteins, two different rice groups selected in terms of tolerance were clustered in dissimilarity. This was based on 2 facts in that G band was not present in susceptible varieties and that less activity of H, N, O, P, Q, Rand S band was shown. -Among 4 bands separated in acid phosphatase, the presence of (band and lower activity of B band was specific for tolerant varieties. For 4 minor bands separated in peroxidase, the tolerant varieties had no activity in B band and higher activity in A, C, D bands. -Time-course study of isozymes as affected by $10^{-4}M$ oxyfluorfen showed that Chokoto, the tolerant varieties, had little activity in A band and consistently higher activities in Band C bands for malate dehydrogenase. For 5 bands separated in peroxidase, B band was not found in Chokoto while A, C, D, and E bands were consistently present. Esterase was separated into about 4 bands in which Chokoto had maintained higher activities in A, C and D bands.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2002

The present study is focused on the granite weathering and soil formation, and the heavy metal contamination in soils in the Onsan industrial area. For profile study, soil sampling was conducted on each depth and experimental analyses have been conducted on those samples. X-ray diffraction analyses show that clay minerals consist mainly of kaolin minerals, vermiculite, and minor illite. Most of kaolin minerals in the lower kiwi of the profile consist of halloysite as confirmed by formamide intercalation, but the content of halloysite decreases gradually toward the surface since it has been transformed to kaolinite in the upper part of the profile. Thermal treatment by heating at $110^{\circ}C,\;300^{\circ}C,\;and\;550^{\circ}C$ shows a diffuse and broad peak the between 10 and $14\;{\AA}$ region in X-ray diffractograms. This suggests the possible existence of the hydroxy-Al interlayerecl vermiculite. Na-citrate extraction method reaconfirms this result showing transition of $14\;{\AA}$ peak to $10\;{\AA}$ In by removing the interlayer materials and restoring the vermiculite to its original state. The occurrence of hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite is also supported by soil pH distribution room 3.9 In the lower part to 3.6 in the upper part of the profile. Sequential extraction experiment was conducted to investigate the states of heavy metals in soils. The experiment shows that relatively high amounts of heavy metals are concentrated in the upper part of the profile and that most of them are bound to Fe/Mn oxides and organic matters while less concentration in clay minerals. The result indicates that most of heavy metal pollutants are concentrated in the surface soil and that the low concentrations of heavy metals in clays are mainly due to the low adsorption capacities of clay minerals such as kaolin minerals and hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite in acidified soil condition.