• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2016

The effects of freezing and thawing conditions on microbiological quality and microstructure change of inoculated (Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni) and non-inoculated chicken breasts were investigated. Chicken breasts were frozen with air blast freezing (-20, -70, and $-150^{\circ}C$), ethanol ($-70^{\circ}C$) and liquid nitrogen ($-196^{\circ}C$) immersion freezing. There were no significant differences on the populations of L. monocytogenes inoculated with chicken breasts under different freezing conditions. However, air blast freezing ($-20^{\circ}C$) resulted in significant reductions for total aerobic bacteria and C. jejuni compared to the control and other freezing treatments. The frozen samples were thawed with (hot or cold) air blast, water immersion, and high pressure thawing at $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$. the populations of total aerobic bacteria, and yeast and mold in the frozen chicken breast increased by 5.78 and 4.05 log CFU/g after water immersion thawing ($25^{\circ}C$) treatment. After five freeze-thaw cycles, the populations of total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold, and C. jejuni were reduced by 0.29~1.40 log cycles, while there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the populations of L. monocytogenes depending on the freeze-thaw cycles. In addition, the histological examination of chicken breasts showed an increase in spacing between the muscle fiber and torn muscle fiber bundles as the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased. These results indicate that freezing and thawing processes could affect in the levels of microbial contamination and the histological change of chicken breasts.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2015

After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, concerns about radiation by people are increasing rapidly. If people could know how much they will be exposed by radiation, it may help them avoiding it and understand what exactly radiation is. By doing this, we were helping to reduce the anxiety of radiation contamination. In this study, we have researched figures of radioactivity with 'Captus-3000 thyroid uptake measurement systems' in well counter detector system. The materials were measured with Briquette, Shiitake, Pollock, Button type battery, Alkaline battery, Topsoil, Asphalt, Gasoline, Milk powder, Pine, Basalt stone, Pencil lead, Wasabi, Coarse salt, Tuna(can) Cigar, Beer, and then we categorized those samples into Land resources, Water resources, Foodstuff and Etc (Beer classified as a water resources has been categorized into Foodstuff). Also, we selected the standard radiation source linear 137Cs to measure the sensitivity of well counter detector. After that, we took cpm(counter per minute) for the well counter detector of thyroid uptake system's sensitivity. Then we compared the results of each material's cpm and converted those results to Bq/kg unit. There were a little limitation with the measurement equipment because it has less sensitivity than other professional equipment like 'High purity germanium radiation detector'. Moreover, We didn't have many choices to decide the materials. As a result, there are macroscopic differences among the rates of material's spectrum. Therefore, it had meaningful results that showed how much each material had emitted radiation. To compare the material's cpm with BKG, we've compounded their spectrums. By doing that, we were able to detect some differences among the spectrums at specific peak section. Lastly, Button type battery, Alkaline Battery, Briquette, Asphalt and Topsoil showed high value. There were classified emitting high radiation Group A and emitted lower radiation Group B. The Group A, alkaline battery showed higher rate of radiation by 7.67 %, and Button type battery was yield 4.65 % higher rate than BKG. Additionally, Asphalt (8.03 %), Topsoil (3.76 %), Briquette (7.46 %) were yield for higher values. Several samples of the daily supplies were yield little higher, but it seems safe to use in daily lives. In the case of the 'Foodstuff', all of the samples were safe and they were under the radiation limits of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for Food; thus, we highly recommend this study to you as a reference of common daily routine.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2000

Adsorption onto the surfaces of solid particles is a well known phenomenon that causes the retardation effect of heavy metals in soils. For adequate remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, it is important to investigate the mobility of heavy metals that largely depends on pH conditions in the soil water since adsorption of heavy metals is pH-dependent. In this study, we investigated the transport of Zn ion under various pH conditions in a sandy soil by conducting batch and column tests. The batch test was performed using the standard procedure of equilibrating fine fractions collected from the soil with eleven different initial $ZnCl_2$ concentrations, and analysis of Zn ion in the equilibrated solutions using ICP-AES. The column test consisted of monitoring the concentrations of soil solutions exiting the soil column with time known as a breakthrough curve (BTC). We injected respectively $ZnCl_2$ and KCl solutions with the concentration of 10 g/L as a tracer in a square pulse type under three different pH conditions (7.7, 5.8, 4.1) and monitored the flux concentration at the exit boundary using an EC meter and ICP-AES. The resident concentration was also monitored at the 10cm-depth by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR). The results of batch test showed that ion exchange process between Zn and other cations (Ca, Mg) was predominant. The retardation coefficients obtained from adsorption isotherms (Linear, Freundlich, Langmuir) resulted in the various values ranging from 1.2 to 614.1. No retardation effect but ion exchange was found for the BTCs under all pH conditions. This can be explained by the absence of other cations to desorb Zn ion from soil exchange sites under the conditions of ETC experiment imposing blank water as leachate in steady-state flow. As pH decreased, the peak concentration of Zn increased due to the competition of Zn with hydrogen ions ($H^+$) and the concentrations of other cations decreased. The peak concentration of Zn was increased by 12.7 times as pH decreased from 7.7 to 4.1.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.743-760
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• 2014

This study aimed to isolate and identify freshwater algae from the organic agricultural ecosystems and investigate its biological characteristics to study the possibility of utilizing a biomass freshwater algae in organic farming. In the survey area, average water temperature was $12.4{\sim}28.2^{\circ}C$ and the pH ranges were from 6.1 to 8.5. The solid culture method is more suitable than liquid culture method for isolation of freshwater algae with lower contamination level and higher isolation frequency. A total of 115 strains were isolated from six freshwater algae habitats in nine regions in Korea. BGMM (BG11 Modified Medium) amended with NaNO3 and $KNO_3$ as a nitrogen, and $Na_2CO_3$ as carbon source was designed to isolate and culture freshwater algae. Absorbance of freshwater algae culture has increased dramatically to four days and decreased after eight days after inoculation. CHK008 of the seven isolates showed the highest absorbance in seven days after culturing in BGMM. The optimal pH of BGMM for culturing freshwater algae was pH 6-7. As light intensity increased, growth of freshwater algae increased. Among the five kinds of carbon sources, glucose and galactose promoted good growth of freshwater algae in BGMM. The colony color of purified 16 green algae isolates showed a separation of green, dark and light green, and of them, eleven algae strains showed a strong fluorescent light under fluorescence microscopy. Cell size of the green algae showed a wide range of variation depending on the species. General morphology of the green algae strains was spherical. Chlamydomonas sp. was elliptical, and Chlorella sorokiniana was ellipsoidal and cylindrical. All strains of the green algae except for Chlamydomonas sp. did not have flagella. One isolate of Chlamydomonas sp. and five isolates of C. sorokiniana secreted mucus. Sixteen isolates of 16 green algae were identified as two family and six species, Chlorella vulgalis, C. sorokiniana, C. pyrenoidosa, C. kessleri, C. emersonii, and Chlamydomonas sp. based on their morphological characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2015

Nitrogen (N) loading from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources can lead to excessive growth of macrophytes or phytoplankton in aquatic environment. Many studies have used nitrogen stable isotope ratios to identify anthropogenic nitrogen in aquatic systems as a useful method for studying nitrogen cycle. In this study to evaluate the precision and accuracy of Kjeldahl processes, two reference materials (IAEA-NO-3, N-1) were analyzed repeatedly. Measured the ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values of IAEA-NO-3 and IAEA-N-1 were $4.7{\pm}0.2$‰ and $0.4{\pm}0.3$‰, respectively, which are within recommended values of analytical uncertainties. Also, we investigated spatial patterns of ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ in effluent plumes from a waste water treatment plant in Han River, Korea. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values are enriched at downstream areas of water treatment plant suggesting that dissolved nitrogen in effluent plumes should be one of the main N sources in those areas. The current study clarifies the reliability of Kjeldahl analytical method and the usefulness of stable isotopic techniques to trace the contamination source of dissolved nitrogen such as nitrate and ammonia.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2015

The purposes of this study were to develop a small scale post-harvest facility, and consequently to evaluate the effects of applying the facility along with hygiene education on the level of microbial safety in Korean leeks production. A total of 135 samples were collected at three Korean leeks farms in Yangju, Gyeonggi province. Food safety indicators (Aerobic plate count (APC), coliform count, and Escherichia coli) and foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus) on/in the samples were assessed. The microbial load measured as APC with harvesting tools such as comb, chopping board, and knife, at the farms where the small scale post-harvest facility had been operated (Farms A and B) was lower than that at another farm having no post-harvest facility (Farm C) by 1.44~2.33 log CFU / $100cm^2$. Moreover, the chopping board from Farm C was observed being contaminated with B. cereus at 6.03 log CFU / $100cm^2$. The coliform counts from the samples increased by 0.57~1.89 log CFU/g after leeks was submerged in ground water for washing. E. coli was recovered from leeks, soil, and the ground water used in the washing process, while no E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes was detected. Our results indicated that the small scale post-harvest facility developed in this study as well as the hygiene education played an important role in enhancing the level of microbial food safety in the leeks production environment. However, a disinfection technique could be needed during the washing step in order to prevent a potential contamination.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.873-880
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• 2020

After pre-treatment of oyster shells according to particle size (0 ~ 1, 1 ~ 2, 2 ~ 5 mm) and pyrolysis temperature (400(P400), 500(P500), 600(P600), 800(P800)℃), changes in the properties of sediments mixed with pre-treated oyster shells were investigated. The primary component of the oyster shell was changed from CaCO3 to CaO at temperatures above 700℃. The Ca2+ concentration in P800 was 790 mg/L, which was 2 ~ 3 times higher than those in the control and other experimental samples. Ca2+ elution significantly increased at the pyrolysis temperature over than 600℃. In oyster shells pyrolyzed over 600℃, the pH of the pore water increased by 0.1 ~ 0.5, due the hydrolysis of CaO formed by the pyrolysis of CaCO3. The PO4-P of the overlying and pore water in P600 and P800 were 0.1 ~ 0.2 mg/L lower than those of the control. The increased pH and elution of Ca2+ from oyster shells should suppress the upwelling of PO4-P from the sediment. Based on the above results, it was confirmed that the pyrolysis temperature of oyster shells influenced NH3-N and PO4-P concentrations in the sediment; however, the particle size of oyster shells had little effect. The results of this study can be used as a foundation for research on the use of pyrolyzed oyster shells to improve low-contamination coastal benthic environments.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.430-439
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• 2023

UV and O₃ are materials used in the water treatment process, and many studies have been reported to remove organic matters, contaminants, and microorganisms. In this study, we were investigated effects of Chirnomidae (Chironomus flaviplumus, Chironomus riparius), which are contamination indicator species to exposure UV and O₃ for the survival rate, body color change and gene expression response. The survival rate of C. flaviplumus exposed to UV decreased to about 70% after 24 hours, and C. riparius about 50%. There was no change in the survival rate of C. flaviplumus exposed to O₃, and C. riparius decreased to 95% after 10 minutes of exposure, but there was no change during the subsequent exposure time. In addition, UV and O₃ exposure to the two species in body color faded in a time-dependent. In the HSP70 gene expression, C. riparius showed an increase in expression after UV exposure compared to the control group, and a significant difference was shown 12 hours after exposure (P<0.05). C. flaviplumus exposed to O₃ showed a relatively low expression compared to the control group, and showed a significant difference at 10 minutes and 1 hour after exposure (P<0.05). These results reported the ecotoxicological effects on Chironomidae according to UV and O₃ exposure. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as basic data to understand the effects of UV and O₃, which are disinfectants used in water treatment plants, on Chirnomidae entering plants.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.715-728
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• 2023

Tracksite of pterosaurs, birds, and dinosaurs in Chungmugong-dong in Jinju was designated as a natural monument in 2011 and is known as the world's largest in terms of the number and density of pterosaur footprints. This site has been managed by installing protection buildings to conserve in 2018. About 17% of the footprints of pterosaur, theropod, and ornithopod in this site under management in the 2nd protection building are of great academic value, but observation of footprints has difficulties due to continuous physical and chemical damage. In particular, the accumulation of milk-white contaminants is formed by the gypsum and air pollutant complex. Gypsum remains evaporated with a plate or columnar shape in the process of water circulation around the 2nd protection building, and the dust is from through the inflow of the gallery windows. The aqueous solution of gypsum, consisting of calcium from the lower bed and sulfur from grass growth, is catchmented into the groundwater from the area behind the protection building. Pollen and a few minerals other constituents of contaminants, go through the gallery window, which makes it difficult to expel dust. To conserve the fossil-bearing beds from two contaminants of different origins, controlling the water and atmospheric circulation of the 2nd protection building and removing the contaminants continuously is necessary. When cleaning contaminants, the steam cleaning method is sufficiently effective for powder-shaped milk-white contaminants. The fossil-bearing bed consists of dark gray shale with high laser absorption power; the laser cleaning method accompanies physical loss to fossils and sedimentary structures; therefore, avoiding it as much as possible is desirable.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the changes of amount of S. typhimurium during cooking processes using pork and japchae (a Korean food which is made from meat, vegetables and noodles), and to support a practical application to develop a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) model. The pork was purchased in a retail shop, cut ($0.5\;cm\;{\times}\;10\;cm\;{\times}\;10\;cm$, 25 g), tested for Salmonella contamination (results: negative), inoculated with S. typhimurium ($10^{7}\;CFU/g$), then treated in various conditions related to cooking. Mter thawing for 24 hours in various conditions, the number of S. typhimurium was increased to $10^{10}\;CFU/g$ at a refrigerated temperature ($4~10^{\circ}C$), and to $10^{21}\;CFU/g$ at room temperature ($22~29^{\circ}C$). Mter thawing in a microwave oven for 40 seconds, the number of S. typhimurium increased to $10^{8}\;CFU/g$. During the thawing period, the number of S. typhimurium increased over time. At the refrigerated temperature, the number of the bacteria was $10^{10}\;CFU/g$ after 24 hours, $10^{13}\;CFU/g$ after 48 hours, and $10^{20}\;CFU/g$ after 72 hours. At room temperature the number of bacteria reached $10^{11}\;CFU/g$ in 2 hours, $10^{15}\;CFU/g$ in 4 hours, $10^{16}\;CFU/g$ in 8 hours, $10^{18}\;CFU/g$ in 12 hours, and $10^{21}\;CFU/g$ in 24 hours. Mter cooking in a frying pan (150{\pm}7^{\circ}C$) for 3 minutes, the bacterial count was $10^{16}\;CFU/g$. After cooking in hot water for 20 minutes, the bacterial count was $10^{7}\;CFU/g\;at\;60^{\circ}C,\;10^{6}\;CFU/g\;at\;63^{\circ}C,\;and\;10^{4}\;CFU/g\;at\;65^{\circ}C$. The fried pork was mixed with cooked vegetables, noodles, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and seasonings to make Korean japchae. This process took $10{\pm}2$ minutes. The bacterial count in the japchae increased to $10^{7}\;CFU/g$ from the count of $10^{6}\;CFU/g$ of the fried pork before it was mixed with the other ingredients. These results indicate that the amount of S. typhimurium is effected by various different cooking processes. This study can suggest that pork should be cooked in water at over $65^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes in order to prevent food poisoning, if the pork is contaminated with S. typhimurium. The presence of S. typhimurium in the raw pork is identified in an HA for japchae, and the primary CCP for japchae is inadequate cooking (cooking method and time/temperature). We need to standardize time-temperature-size and amount of pork in cooking japchae, because pork is usually cooked in ordinary frying pans when we make this food.