• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.212-222
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• 2015

Experiments were conducted on the immobilization of eight heavy metals (HMs) (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr) during 20-day rotary drum composting of water hyacinth. The Tessier sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the fractionation of HMs. The eco-toxicity risk of HMs was assessed by risk assessment code (RAC). In the results, the bioavailability factor (BAF) for different HMs presented in the following order: Mn > Zn = Fe > Cu > Cr > Cd = Pb > Ni. The total concentration of Pb was higher than that of Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and Cr; however, its BAF was the lowest among these HMs. These results confirmed that the eco-toxicity of HMs depends on bioavailable fractions rather than on the total concentration. The greatest reduction in bioavailability and eco-toxicity risk of HMs occurred in lime 1% and 2% as compared to control and lime 3%. The eco-toxicity risk of Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr was reduced from low risk to zero risk by rotary drum composting. These studies demonstrated the high efficiency of the rotary drum for degrading compost materials and for reducing the bioavailability and eco-toxicity risk of HMs during the composting process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.196-201
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• 2000

The influence of adsorption on cadmium toxicity to soil microorganisms in smectite-rich soils and sediments was quantified as a function of solution and sorbent characteristics. Adsorption and surface complexation experiments were conducted to infer Cd sorption mechanisms to a reference smectite and three fractions of a Veritsol soil, and to elucidate the effects of the surface complexation on Cd bioavailability and toxicity in soils and sediments. Cadmium adsorption isotherms conformed to the Langmuir adsorption model, with adsorptive capacities of the different samples dependent on their characteristics. Equilibrium geochemical modeling (MINTEQA2) was used to predict the speciation of Cd in the soil suspensions using Langmuir and Triple Layer surface complexation models. The influence of adsorption and surface complexation on cadmium toxicity to soil microorganisms was assessed indirectly through the relative change in microbial hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) as a function of total Cd concentration and sorbent characteristics. Adsorption decreased the toxicity of Cd to soil microorganisms. Inner-sphere complexation is more effective than outer-sphere complexation in reducing the bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals in soils and sediments.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.11-17
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• 1998

Cadmium, a major aquatic pollutant in many parts of the world, is toxic and readily accumulated in aquatic organisms. It mainly exists in water as complexes with organic ligands such as dissolved organic carbon and this complexation is known to have effects on the aquatic toxicities. In this study, acute toxicity, histology, and bioaccumulation were studied to evaluate effects of humic acid on cadmium toxicity and bioavailability to fish using Oryzias lalipes and Cyprinus carpio. 96h-LC$_{50}$ of cadmium was 6.38mg/L using Oryzias latipes. However, the mortality showed the dose-dependent decrease when humic acid was added to the test solution. When fish were exposed to 5 mg/L of cadmium, histological changes in the exposed organs (caudal fins, gills, kidney, liver, and gut) of C~lprinus carpio were decreased by humic acid, especially in kidney and liver. Bioaccumulation of cadmium also decreased by treatment of humic acid. It seems that the formation of complexes between cadmium and humic acid may decrease bioavailability of cadmium to fish, and thus reduce the toxic effects of cadmium.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

The success of stabilization treatment in heavy metal contaminated sediment depends on the heavy metal bioavailability reduction through the sequestration of the heavy metals. This study was performed to assess the changes in the bioavailability of Pb or Cd in the Pb or Cd contaminated sediments by using birnessite and hydroxyapatite as stabilizing agents. The toxicity tests were carried out using a microorganism (Vibrio fischeri), an amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and an earthworm (Eisenia foetida). With Vibrio fischeri, the toxicities of both Pb and Cd were reduced by more than ten times in the presence of birnessite and hydroxyapatite compared to that of in the absence of birnessite and hydroxyapatite. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in the contaminated sediments were lethal to Hyalella azteca, however, in the presence of birnessite and hydroxyapatite more than 90%, on average, of Hyalella azteca survived. With Eisenia foetida, the bioaccumulated concentrations of both Pb and Cd were reduced by more than 75%, on average, lower with the addition of birnessite and hydroxyapatite to the contaminated sediments. These results show that the addition of birnessite and hydroxyapatite can reduce the bioavailability of Pb and Cd in contaminated sediments. In addition, the in situ and ex situ performance of birnessite and hydroxyapatite as stabilizing agents can be verified using the toxicity tests with Hyalella azteca and Eisenia foetida, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.404-408
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• 2003

In this study, we examined the influences of pH and total concentration on the speciation of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn) in acid mine drainage. Their labile concentrations were analyzed by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) at both natural pH and adjusted pHs (from 2 to 8). We obtained regression equations for predicting labile concentrations as a function of the water pH and contamination level (total dissolved metal concentration). Our data show that labile Cu depends on both the total concentration and pH, while labile Cd and Zn concentrations are controlled mainly by their total concentration rather than pH. Therefore, the pH variation of AMD may significantly change the toxicity and bioavailability especially of Cu, owing to its speciation change.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 1991

Two new prodrugs of lonazolac, lonazolac acetic acid ester and lonazolac argininate, were prepared and examined for physicochemical properties and biopharmaceutical characteristics. The prodrugs were stable in solid state and lonazolac argininate showed higher dissolution rate than lonazolacca in both artificial gastric and intestinal juices. These prodrugs have higher analgegic effect than that of lonazolac-Ca in mice, and increased anti-inflammatory activities in rats. In addition, ulcerogenic effects and acute toxicity of these prodrugs were lower than those of lonaaolac-Ca. Lonazolac acetic acid ester showed larger area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) than that of lonazolac. Therefore, it was suggested that these prodrugs of lonazolac have advantages over lonzolac-Ca for not only enhanced bioavailability but also decreased ulcerogenic and toxic effects.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2001

There is considerable interest in how microbiological processes can affect the behaviour of metal contaminants in natural and engineered environments and their potential for bioremediation. The extent to which microorganisms can affect metal contaminants is dependent on the identity and chemical form of the metal and the physical and chemical nature of the contaminated site or substance. In general terms, microbial processes which solubilize metals increase their bioavailability and potential toxicity, whereas those that immobilize them reduce bioavailability. The balance between mobilization and immobilization varies depending on the metal, the organisms, their environment and physico-chemical conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.467-472
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• 2009

Seedling growth test is used to assess toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs). This study evaluates toxicity of zinc, zinc oxide NPs on Cucumis sativus using two methods; phytagel and filter paper. From the comparison, phytagel method prevents precipitation of water insoluble NPS. Seeding length was negatively related to the exposed concentration of Zn, ZnO NPs in filter method. The median effective concentrations (EC50) for C. sativus exposed to Zn, ZnO NPs were estimated about 598, 600 mg/L in filter method. Bioaccumulation increased with the exposed concentration of Zn, ZnO NPs in only filter method. The results showed that the filter paper method was much better protocol than phytagel method.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-35
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• 2007

In the last decades, the decrease in biological or chemical availability of sorbed contaminants as contact time passed, is generally accepted. This phenomenon so called as "aging" or "sequestration" is known to directly affect risk of the contaminats. This was observed for mainly for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), but also reported for heavy metals. Aging is known to be directly related to sorption-desorption hysteresis, irreversible sorption, desorption-resistance, nonequilibrium sorption, etc. The decrease in bioavailability due to aging or sequestration indicates realistic decrease in risk potential. Recently a risk-based management concept by scientific evidences but not the simple measurement of contaminant concentration has been attempted to determine environmentally acceptable remedial endpoint. This is because selection of remedial endpoint based on not total concentration but the bioavailability and toxicity of contaminants can reduce both the treatment cost and remedial activities of the contaminated sites. The bioavailability and toxicity of the residual contaminants are highly affected by the fate and transport and also directly affect the exposure pathways and bioaccumulation of contaminants in the living biota. In this paper, scientific feasibility on the risk-based clean-up and management of contaminated sites is reviewed.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2019

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a major metabolite of curcumin, which is obtained from Curcuma longa. THC has various benefits and overcomes the bioavailability issue of curcumin. To establish it as a pharmacologically active molecule, its safety profile has to be determined. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the preclinical safety profile of THC in a 90-day subchronic and reproductive/developmental toxicity study in Wistar rats. THC at oral doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was administered daily for 90 days. Rats in the recovery group were kept for 14 days after treatment termination. The animals were observed for treatment-related morbidity, mortality, and changes in clinical signs, clinical pathology, and histopathology. In the reproductive/developmental toxicity study, THC at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was administered orally to rats and the reproductive/developmental parameters in adult male and female rats and pups were observed. THC at up to 400 mg/kg/day of did not have any significant effect on all parameters in male and female rats in both toxicity studies. Thus, 400 mg/kg/day can be considered as the no-observed-adverse-effect-level of THC in rats.