• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.16-23
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• 2020

In this work, ²²²Rn activity, major dissolved ions, and microbial community in ground- and surface waters were investigated to characterize groundwater inflow to the stream located in an urban area, Daejeon, Korea. The measured ²²²Rn activities in groundwater and stream water ranged from 136 to 231 Bq L^-1 and 0.3 to 48.8 Bq L^-1, respectively. The spatial distributions of ²²²Rn activity in the stream strongly suggested groundwater inflow to the stream. The change of geochemical composition of the stream water indicated the effect of groundwater discharge became more pronounced as the stream flows downstream. Furthermore, microbial community composition of the stream water had good similarity to that of groundwater, which is another evidence of groundwater discharge. Although groundwater inflow could not be estimated quantitatively in this study, the results can provide useful information to understand interactions between groundwater and surface water, and determine hydrological processes governing groundwater recharge and hydrogeological cycles of dissolved substances such as nutrients and trace metals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2011

Previous studies have shown that plant-based vegetarian diets, which typically contain a variety of antioxidants and dietary fiber, help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. However, some studies have reported that vegetarian diets can lead to deficiencies in protein and trace minerals compared to non-vegetarian diets. This study was conducted to compare anthropometric measurements, blood parameters, dietary intake, and hair mineral status in long-term vegetarians (MV; moderate vegan, LV; lacto-ovo vegetarian) and non-vegetarians (NV). Thirty MV (12 males, 18 females; mean age, $50.58{\pm}5.05$ years), 15 LV (11 males, four females; mean age, $49.45{\pm}4.97$ years), and 30 NV (15 males, 15 females; mean age, $48.90{\pm}3.62$ years) participated. No significant differences were observed for age, height, weight, or body mass index, but body fat was significant lower in MV and LV males than that in NV males. White blood cell counts of MV, LV, and NV male subjects were significantly different. Dietary intake data showed that plant protein and plant iron intake were significantly higher in MV and LV than those in NV. Animal protein, animal fat, and animal iron intake were significantly higher in NV than those in MV and LV. A hair mineral analysis showed that calcium and iron were higher in the hair of MV and LV than those in NV. Zinc concentration in hair was not significantly different among the groups. The results suggest that vegetarian diets are adequate to sustain mineral status to at least the same degree as that of non-vegetarian diets.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2002

Mineral composition and chemical properties of Hwangto (reddish residual soil) that used in feeding of cattles at Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, Korea were examined according to particle size separation such as gravel, sand, silt, coarse clay and fine clay. Mineral composition analyses reveal that gravel and sand are mainly composed of quartz and feldspars and that kaolin mineral and illite are dominant in clay and silt. Iron oxides are mainly included in fine clay. According to chemical analyses of major elements, Al, Fe and $H_2O$ contents are increased with decreasing of particle size. This trend well agrees with increase of clay minerals in smaller particles, Chemical analyses of trace elements indicate that contents of Zn, Rb, Sr, Ba, Pb significantly differ with particle sizes. Ba and Sr are included in feldspars since these elements are abundant in sand containing abundant feldspars. Pb and Sm are abundant in sample before particle size separation, but the contents are significantly decreased after separation. Therefore, most of these elements appear to be existed as removable phase. Nb, La, Th, Ce are more abundant in silt. The contents of all the other trace elements tend to be increased in smaller particles containing more clay minerals. The contents of changeable cations and teachable elements in acid and alkali solutions are high in clay samples. All the above results indicate that using the portion of smaller particle of Hwangto for livestock feed rather than bulk Hwangto can improve cation exchangeable capacity, ion leaching capacity and sorption properties.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.152-161
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical properties of white soil and refined clay sediment, which are produced early in the refining process. The characteristics of the white wares made at the kiln site in Goseong-ri, Chuncheon were also examined. Three groups of materials were examined: white wares excavated from the white wares kiln, raw material from white soil collected from the surface, and a refined clay sediment group. There were also three analysis methods, which were a main components analysis, a trace components analysis, and a mineral analysis. The main components analysis found that the white wares clay was in the RO₂4.04~4.28 and the RO + R₂O 0.30~0.31 mole areas, which were similar to the results for the refined clay sediment. However, the refining process used to produce better quality white wares meant that the large differences in the early white soil raw material appeared in the refined sediment. The mineral phase analysis showed that the crystals detected in the early white soil raw materials and refined clay sediment were almost identical. However, quartz and mullite mineral phases, which can occur above a certain temperature, were detected in the excavated white wares clay. Rare earth elements that were not affected by the pottery making process and the weathering of clay materials were found to have the same origin in all three groups.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2011

Atmospheric aerosol deposition caused by Asian dust (KOSA) events provide nutrients, trace metals, and organic compounds over the Pacific Ocean that enhance ocean productivity and carbon sequestration and, thus, influence the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and climate. Using dust particles obtained from the snow layers on Mt. Tateyama and the surface sand of Loess Plateau in incubation experiments with natural seawater samples on a shipboard, we demonstrate that dust-particle additions enhanced the bacterial growth on the first day of incubation. Gram-positive bacterial group and alpha-proteobacteria were specifically detected form seawater samples including the mineral particles. Although the remarkable dynamics of trace elements and nutrients depend on dust-particle additions, it is possible that organic compounds present in the mineral particles or transported microbial cells could also contribute to an increase in the quantities of bacteria. The chlorophyll concentrations at fractions of every size indicated a similar pattern of change between the seawater samples with and without the dust-particle additions. In contrast, the chlorophyll measurement using submersible fluorometer revealed that the dynamics of phytoplankton composition were influenced by the dust-particles treatments. We conclude that the phytoplankton that uses the bacterial products would increase their biomass. We show that KOSA deposition can potentially alter the structures of bacterial communities and indirectly influence the patterns of marine primary production in the Pacific Ocean.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.122-130
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• 2017

The main purpose of the study was to clarify the properties of individual particles collected at each behavior space of a factory worker. The samplings of size-segregated ($PM_{2.1-1.1}$ and $PM_{4.7-3.3}$) indoor particles were conducted at three different behavior spaces of a factory worker who is engaged in an auto parts manufacturing plant (i.e., his home, his work place in factory, and his favorite restaurant). Elemental specification (i.e., relative elemental content and distribution in and/or on individual particles) was performed by a micro-PIXE system. Every element detected from the coarse particulate matters of home was classified into three groups, i.e., a group of high net-counts (Na, Al, and Si), a group of intermediate net-counts (Mg, S, Cl, K, and Ca), and a group of minor trace elements (P, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb). The results of EF for $PM_{4.7-3.3}$ in home indicated that several heavy metals were generated from the sources within the house itself. An exceptional feature shown in the individual particles in workplace is that Cr, Mn, and Co were clearly detected in both fine and coarse particles. Cluster analysis suggested that the individual coarse particles ($PM_{4.7-3.3}$) collected at the indoor of factory were chemically heterogeneous and they modified with sea-salt, mineral, and artificially derived elements. The principal components in individual coarse particles collected at restaurant were sea-salt and mineral without mixing with harmful trace elements like chromium and manganese. Compared to the indoor fine particles of home and restaurant, many elements, especially, Cl, Na, Cr, Mn, Pb, and Zn showed overwhelmingly high net-counts in those of factory.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was carried out to characterize the 'Kaolinitum' used as mineral medicine before and after physical and chemical manipulation. Methods : The mineralogy of the original raw kaolinitumes with different localities was identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. The concentrations of major, minor and trace elements of samples, furthermore, measured by the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). In order to understand the variety of kaolinitum after thermal treatment, the differential thermal analysis (DTA) and the thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out. Results : According to the result of X-ray diffraction analysis, the kaolinitumes are composed ofcalcite, alunite and quartz. Si and Al are the major ions and heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, As, Ni and Cu are included in the kaolinitumes as trace ions. The concentration of these metals in the samples decreased after physical and chemical manipulation. The weight of kaolinitum was also decreased at $500^{\circ}C$ and about $700^{\circ}C$during experiment of TGA. Conclusion : The results of this study can be used to provide the scientific basis of the medical usage of kaolinitum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.435-444
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• 2003

In 1957, Schwarz and Foltz discovered that selenium (Se) was an essential trace mineral and nutritionists then started extensive studies to figure out the metabolic function of this element which has been called as toxic mineral. The discovery that glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) contained Se demonstrated a biochemical role for Se as an essential trace element. The major physiological function of Se containing GSH-Px is thought to maintain low levels of $H_2O_2$ and other hydroperoxides in the cell to prevent tissues from peroxidation damages. It is known that the GSH-Px activity is increased when animals were fed high dietary levels of Se. Chemical properties of Se have much in common with sulfur (S) therefore Se would follow the sulfur pathways in its metabolism in animal body. Two sources of Se are available for supplementation of Se in animal feed. Inorganic Se can also exist in selenide (-2), elemental (0), selenite (+4) and selenate (+6) oxidation state with other minerals. When sulfur in S containing amino acids is replaced by Se, organic Se can be made and named "eleno"prior to the name of S containing amino acid, i.e. selenomethionine. Selenium deficiency affects humans as well as animals and dysfunctions such as exudative diathesis, retained placenta, mastitis, liver necrosis, Keshan disease, numerous diseases and cancer. From several centuries ago, Se toxicity was recognized in various animal species and much of the current toxic Se levels has been established largely based upon the controlled toxicity studies used inorganic Se. Toxic effects of Se in animal result in reduced feed intake, growth retardation, ataxia, diarrhea, alopecia and sloughing of hooves. However, several experiments demonstrated that Se deficiencies or toxicities were varied by dietary Se levels and sources. Recent studies demonstrated that the incidence of colorectal and prostate cancer was reduced by approximately 50% when humans consumed 200 ${\mu}g$ of Se daily.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.147-163
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• 2000

The mineralogy and chemical composition of reddish to brownish yellow residual soils, so called "Hwangto" have been examined according to representative host rocks. The result of the study indicates that Hwangto consists of 40-80% clay minerals and various minerals such as quartz, feldspar, hornblende, goethite, and gibbsite. Clay minerals include kaolinite, halloysite, illite, hydroxy interlayered vermiculite (HIV), mica/vermiculite interstratifield mineral and chlorite. The mineralogical constituents and contents of Hwangto were different depending on the types of host rocks. Moreover, the Jurassic granitic rocks contain relatively more kaolin minerals, whereas the Cretaceous granitic rocks contain more HIV and illite. In addition, reddish Hwangto contains relatively more kaolinite and HIV, and yellowish Hwangto contains more illite and halloysite. It is suggested that feldspars and micas of host rocks were chemically weathered into illite, halloysite, illite/vermiculite interstratified minerals, and HIV, and finally into kaolinite. Compared with their host rocks, the major chemical compositions of Hwangto tend to contain more $Al_2O_3,\;Fe_2O_3,\;H_2O$ in amount and less Ca, Mg, and Na. Hwangto contains relatively high amount of trace elements, P, S, Zr, Sr, Ba, Rb, and Ce including considerable amount of Li, V, Cr, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Y, Nb, La, Nd, Pb, Th in excess of 10 ppm. Relatively high amount of most trace elements were detected in the Hwangto. The major and minor chemical compositions of the Hwangto were different depending on the types of host rocks. However, their difference was in the similar range compared with the compositions of host rocks.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.515-522
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• 1997

This study was done to compare serum levels of lipids, trace minerals, ceruloplasmin and ferroxidase activity between female college smokers and nonsmokers. Serum levels of lipids, Cu, Zn, ceruloplasmin and ferroxidase activity were determined in 33 smokers and 42 nonsmokers residing in the Seoul area. Serum levels of TG, total cholesterol and HDl-cholesterol were measured using test kits. Serum Cu Zn were determined by the AAS. Serum ceruloplasimin level and ferroxidase activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods. All data were statistically analyzed by the SAS PC package program. Mean and standard errors were calculated for each item, and the significance of the difference between two groups was evaluated by Student's t-test at p〈0.05. There was no significant difference in levels of total cholesterol, TG, VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL and atherogenic index, but HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower(p$\ll$0.05) in female college smokers than in nonsmokers. Serum zinc level showed no significant difference, whereas copper level was significantly higher in smokers, consequently yielding higher Cu/Zn ratio in smoking college women. Ceruloplasmin level was 32.6mg/dl in smoking college women, which was significantly higher(p$\ll$0.05) than that of 28.6mg/dl in nonsmokers. However, cerulopasmin ferroxidase activity, 0.34U/mg in nonsmokers was higher(p$\ll$0.05) than that of 0.29U/mg in smokers. From these results, it is confirmed that cigarette smoking itself has a very detrimental effect on health and mineral nutritional status although the smoking history is relatively short among college women(pack-years=1.7). (Korean J Community Nutrition 2(4) : 515-522, 1997)