• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.4-17
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• 2021

This study analyzed 19 samples of harness fittings and pendants, which were excavated in Tomb No. 15 in Songhyeon-dong, Changnyeong. Harness fittings and pendants are used for ostentation, rather than practicality, and were excavated from ancient tombs in Gaya culture. So, they are considered artifacts that compare the production techniques and raw materials. This study aimed to examine the production techniques and provenience studies of Bihwa Gaya, which is estimated to be from the 5th to 6th centuries. According to the research, harness fittings were made of pure copper and were gilded with Au·Ag alloys on their surfaces. Hg was detected together and plated with a mercury amalgam method. As a result of the pendant (fish scales-pattern, oval and fish-tail shape), analysis showed that Fe in the background metal, Cu in the middle layer, and Au and Ag on the surface were the main components. The method of adhesion between Cu and Au·Ag gilded layers are plated by a mercury amalgamation method. So, it was identified by the gilt-iron·gold·bronze technique. Since the pendant (heart shaped) is found to be the main component of Fe in the background metal and Ag in the surface layer, the metal was made gilt-iron·silver technique. The background metal and gilding were additionally fixed using a rivet. The raw materials of 3 harnesses excavated from Changnyeong are plotted in zone 2 in the southern Korean Peninsula. And 16 harnesses were plotted in Chinese copper ore by Mabuchi Hishao in the Chinese Peninsula.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.948-953
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to analyze harmful heavy metals, sulfur dioxide and residual pesticides in 27 kinds of oriental medical materials. This study was carried out on 27 samples of oriental medical materials. The GC-ECD(Varian, CP-3800) was used to analyze residual pesticides. ICP-OES(Varian, Vista-MPX) was used to analyze lead, arsenic, cadmium. Mercury was analyzed by amalgamation method. A modified Monier-Williams method was used to analyze sulfur dioxide. Arsenic was detected less than 3(mg/kg) in 14 samples and was not detected 13 samples. Lead was detected less than 5(mg/kg) in 15 samples and was not detected 12 samples. Mercury was detected less than 0.2(mg/kg) in 15 samples and was not detected 12 samples. Cadmium was detected more than 0.3(mg/kg) in 3 samples was detected less than 0.3(mg/kg) in 16 samples and was not detected 11 samples. A few residual pesticides was detected, but all residual pesticides was safe. Sulfur dioxide was detected in all samples, but all residual sulfur dioxide was safe.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

For the silver artifacts in the Koryo Dynasty excavated from Neungnae-ri Ganghwa island, the metallographic section analysis and hardness and chemical analysis were conducted. After making samples in the similar ratio of the composition concentration, the changes of the microstructure were checked according to the working method and temperature. The results show that those silver artifacts are Au-Cu alloys with 2 to 6 % of Cu. From the results it is judged that Cu was artificially alloyed with them to keep the proper hardness and identified that they were gilded by the amalgamation process seeing that mercury was included at the guilt layer. Also the porous texture on the surface of them could be formed at over $400^{\circ}C$, therefore, it is assumed the hot working or heat treatment at over $400^{\circ}C$ were performed. In silver artifacts made by the relief and repousse, they have the similar composition analysis to other 7 artifacts but the hardness is lower than pure silver. Consequently from differences in the hardness, it can be inferred that the low hardness of silver artifacts is concerned with manufacturing techniques.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.480-486
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• 2008

This paper reports on the monitoring results of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) in oriental mineral medicines. Levels of Pb, Cd and As were determined using the acid digestion method and ICP-MS. Hg levels were determined using the gold amalgamation method and Automatic mercury analyzer (AMA). The results indicated that, in the case of Pb, 25.81% (24 cases) of the samples were over MRL (5 mg/kg). Pb levels in Calamina, Pumex, and Cinnabaris exceeded MRL (5 mg/kg). In the case of Cd, 9.68% (17cases) of the samples were over MRL (0.3 mg/kg). Cd levels in Calamina, Pumex and Cinnabaris were exceeded MRL (0.3 mg/kg). In case of As, 24.73% (23 cases) of samples exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). As levels in Calamina, Lithargyrum, Vermilionum, Cinnabaris and Chalcocitum exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). In the case of Hg, it was shown that the 76.34% (78 cases) of the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). Hg levels in almost all the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). These results led us to recommend that the domestic commercial law to be legislated to ensure the quality estimation and safety of oriental mineral medicines.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.226-230
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze harmful heavy metals and residual pepsticides in 30 kinds of oriental medical materials. This study was carried out on 32 samples with 30 kinds of Oriental medical materials. The GC-ECD(Varian, CP-3800) was used to analyze residual pepsticides. ICP-OES(Varian, Vista-MPX) was used to analyze lead, arsenic, cadmium. Mercury was analyzed by amalgamation method. Arsenic was detected less than 3(mg/kg) in 21 samples and was not detected 11 samples. Lead was detected less than 5(mg/kg) in 25 samples and was not detected 7 samples. Mercury was detected less than 0.2(mg/kg) in 12 samples and was not detected 20 samples. Cadmium was detected more than 0.3(mg/kg) in 3 samples was detected less than 0.3(mg/kg) in 17 samples and was not detected 12 samples. A few residual pepsticides was detected, but all residual pepsticides was safe.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.4-15
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• 2005

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. The major exposure route of MeHg to humans is via consumption of fish and shellfish which accumulate the chemical through the food web in an aquatic environment. Hair mercury level is an excellent marker for MeHg exposure. We have been conducting a survey on hair mercury contents among general populations from 14 districts to estimate the current Japanese MeHg exposure level. Total mercury levels of all hair samples collected (12923 in total) were analyzed by the oxygen combustion-gold amalgamation method using an atomic absorption mercury detector. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mercury levels were significantly correlated with several covariates, such as sex, age, the amount of daily intake of total fish/shellfish, a preference for certain fish such as tuna or bonito, and artificial waving. The geometric means for the population without artificial waving were 2.47 and 1.65 ${\mu}g/g$ for males (n = 5623) and females (n = 3470), respectively. Hair mercury levels varied with age, and the variations were more significant in males. Since the difference between sexes was not evident at younger ages, some hormonal control might also be involved in the mercury uptake by human hair. The average mercury levels in our hair samples varied among the sampling districts. Tuna is a major carnivorous fish with high mercury accumulations that is often consumed in Japan. The amount of fish consumption and the preference rate far tuna would appear to be responsible far the regional variation in hair mercury levels in Japan. Recently, a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of MeHg was revised by 61st JECFA to 1.6 ${\mu}g/kg/week$, which was about half that of the Japanese standard, and corresponded to a hair level of 2.2 ppm. The distribution of hair mercury levels in Japanese populations in the present study indicated that 25% of the Japanese females of child-bearing age were estimated to be exposed to MeHg over the PTWI level. This would reflect the high Japanese consumption of marine products. However, not only mercury contamination, but also the nutritional benefit may have to be considered when discussing the risk involved in the current level of fish and shellfish consumption in Japan.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 1982

The present study was carried to observe the total mercury contents in fresh-water fishes which were collected from 24 streams in the South-East area, Korea. These total mercury contents were determined by quartz tube combustion gold amalgamation method. The value of total mercury contents in collected fresh-water fishes ranged from 0.02ppm to 0.12ppm and the mean value were 0.07ppm. The total value of mercury contents differed with the fish species showing 0.09ppm in Carassius auratus, 0.10ppm in Coilia ectenes, 0.11ppm in Moroca lagowskii and Squalidus majime and 0.12ppm in Cobitis taenia which were highly more than the mean value of collected fishes. The mean value of the total mercury contents in the Yeong Il Gun (0.09PPm), Gim Hae Gun (0.08ppm) and Meong Ju Gun (0.08ppm) were highly detected than those of other surveyed areas.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.143-160
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• 2021

The Seoul Baekje Museum has been conducting excavations at the Ancient Tomb Complex in Seokchon-dong, Seoul (Historic Site No. 243), known to be tombs of the royal family and the ruling class during the Hanseong period of the Baekje Kingdom. In this study, gold earrings that were revealed during the excavation underwent scientific analysis and conservation treatment. Stereo microscopy, SEM, X-ray imaging, CT, and XRF were applied in the analysis, and the characteristics, internal structure, and composition of the earrings as well as their production method were investigated. The results confirmed that the main hoops of the gilt-bronze earrings were made of copper cores gilt using mercury amalgamation. The findings also revealed that the hexahedron in the middle pendant was made by connecting small rings using molten gold powder, and the pendant sphere at the end was formed by soldering two hemispheres. As for the two thin-hoop earrings, they showed similar surface compositions but were made using different methods, with one made from a copper core wrapped with a gold plate and the other made by bending a gold rod. The gold content varied depending on the item and the place of measurement, but overall the earrings showed a relatively high gold content of approximately 19 to 21K. The purity of the golden earrings and the sophisticated manufacturing techniques applied indicate the high status of the buried person and of the tomb complex in Seokchong-dong.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.24
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

This paper presents the process of re-conservation and the results of research on the production method of the Iron Sword with Ring Pommel with Three-Pointed Leaf Decoration, one of the excavation findings from Tomb No. 55 in the Dalseong Ancient Tomb Complex in Daegu. This iron sword is a double weapon with two large swords housed within a single sheath. Four smaller swords are attached to the surface of the sheath, two on the upper portion and the other two below. It is the only such two-in-one weapon excavated intact thus far from an ancient Korean tomb. The records show that it underwent conservation treatment twice in the past. In this study, it was subjected to conservation treatment again to replace the stiffener in some cracking areas, and its material, composition, and production method were analyzed by CT, XRF analysis, and stereoscopic microscopy. The sword is mainly made of copper, but the golden component contains both gold and mercury, which suggests that the copper was plated in gold using mercury amalgamation. The examination of the production methods indicates that it was intended more to demonstrate the authority of its owner rather than to serve any practical use. The two upper small swords on the sheath were made in the same manner as the main swords, and the two small lower swords were cut from a single metal sheet. The sheath was made by cutting two metal sheets. Supports were used to attach the two small swords to the upper portion of the sheath, while the lower portion of the sheath was slit to allow the other two small swords to be inserted into it. The ring pommels of the main swords have a three-pointed leaf decoration. As for the other designs, the handle of the main sword features a series of semicircles, the decorative bands on the sheath have waves in dots, and the fish tail of the sheath shows diagonal lines of dots.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 1988

In 1987, the level of heavy metals were determined ina total of 200 samples of 9 species of shellfish of Korea. The samples were collected at the fish. markets by 10 Public Institute of Health. The samples were whelk (Buccinum striatiBBimum), oyster (Crassostrea gigas), ark shell(Tegillarca granesa), shartnecked clam (Venerupis semidecussta), hard clam (Meretrix lusoria), top shell (Turbo cornutus), abalone (Haliotis gigantea), ark shell (Scapharea broughtonii), sea-mussel (Mytilus conuscus gould), respectively. The levels of total mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, copper, zinc and manganese were determined. The total mercury levels were determined by mercury analyzer using the combustion gold amalgamation method. The arsenic level were determined by spectrophotometry using colorimetric sil ver diethyldithiocarbamate method after dry ash dige8tion of the samples with magnesium oxide and magnesium nitrate. The levels of other metals were determined by inductively coupled pluma spectrophotometry after wet digestion of the samples with nitric acid and su1furic acid. The results were summerized as follows; 1. The overallranges and mean(ppm) were; Hg, ND-O.221 (0.036); Pb, 0.05-1.51 (0.37); Cd, 0.02-1.86 (0.61); As, 0.5-3.97 (1.22); Cu, 0.14-54.16 (4.93); Zn, 7.40-207.17 (30.09); Mn, 0.13-s.72 (3.40). 2. The levels of all 6 metals were found to be below the maximum permissible Iimits set by the Japan lor mercury, the Netherland for lead the Hong Kong for cadmium. The Finland for Arsenic no statutory Iimits for Zn and Mn in shellfish in any countries. 3. The results show that all the 9 species of shellfish studied, none have accumulated levels dangerous enough to pose a health problem.roblem.