• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-219
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• 2009

Micropollutants, which can be caused by imperfect combustion, are toxic chemical compound that flows into the river system after being contained in road runoff, a non-point source pollutant and accumulates in the body. The micropollutants that have characteristics such as toxicity, persistence, bio-accumulation, long-range transportation behave so similarly to micro particles that they can be removed by means of filtration or absorption. This study has examined the kinds and concentrations of micropollutants contained in deposited road particles. It has revealed that the kinds of micropollutants contained in the clarified supernatant liquid of deposited road particles are heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) composed of two or three benzene rings, including naphthalene and acenaphthalene. Their concentrations have been shown to be low, with 0.418 mg/L, 0.058 mg/L, 0.104 mg/L, 0.014 mg/L, 0.00075 mg/L for Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, respectively and 0.00156 mg/L and 0.00184 mg/L for naphthalene and acenaphthalene.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.434-437
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• 2003

The fate and the behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in the environment are mainly controlled by their interactions with various components of soils and sediments. Due to their large surface area and abundance in many soils, smectites may greatly influence the fate and transport of the contaminants in the environment. In our experiment, PAH sorption by hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA)-modified smectite linearly increased in proportion to the amount of HDTMA added on the clay. However, trimethylammonium (TMA)-modified smectite did not show superiority in its sorption of PAH compared with the HDTMA-smectite or dodecyltrimethylammonium (DTMA)-smectite. Meanwhile, the smectites modified with the same cationic surfactants adsorbed Cd$^{2+}$ (heavy metal) significantly from water at low surfactant loading level, but the Cd$^{2+}$ adsorption linearly decreased as the loading of surfactant increased. The result shows that the sorption tendency of organoclays for organic or inorganic contaminants was significantly influenced by the amount and size of the surfactants added on the clay. It means that the stabilization and configuration of cationic surfactant formed on the clay interlayer according to the loading amount of each surfactant of different sizes may be an important factor in effectively sorbing environmental pollutants.nts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.737-752
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• 2000

Wood-rotting basidiomycetous fungi are the most efficient degraders of lignin on earth. The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been used as a model microorganism in the study of enzymology and its application. Because of the ability of the white-rot fungus to degrade lignin, which has an irregular structure and large molecular mass, this fungus has also been studied in relation to degrading and mineralizing many environmental pollutants. The fungus includes an array of enzymes, such as lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP), cellobiose:quinone oxidoreductase, and $H_2O_2$-producing enzymes and also produces many other components of the ligninolytic system, such as veratryl alcohol (VA) and oxalate. In addition, the fungus has mechanisms for the reduction of degradation intermediates. The ligninolytic systems have been proved to provide reductive reactions as well as oxidative reactions, both of which are essential for the degradation of lignin and organopollutants. Further study on the white-rot fungus may provide many tools to both utilize lignin, the most abundant aromatic polymer, and bioremediate many recalcitrant organopollutants.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.247-253
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• 2007

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major concern because of their potential mutagenic and carcinogenic risks to human beings. One of these harmful, yet commonly observed PAHs is pyrene. Pyrene is one of the 16 PAHs listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants. The purposes of this research are to develop a method of pretreatment for PAH contaminants prior to a typical biological treatment and to demonstrate the biodegradablity of these compounds. Since pyrene is non-polar, hexane was chosen as a solvent to effectively dissolve pyrene. Pyrene solutions were treated with ozone, as it has hish oxidation capacity and electrophilic character. The intermediates and byproducts of pyrene were dissolved in alkaline water at pH 11.4 and neutralized to test for $BOD_5$, COD, and toxicity. These solutions were further ozonated and assessed of biodegradability. The first-order rate constant to was found to be between $0.121day^{-1}$ and $0.081 day^{-1}$, depending on the duration of reozonation. The $BOD_5/COD$ ratio was found to 0.66. The toxicity test showed that after 10 min of reozonation time, the byproducts and intermediates of pyrene were within the lion-toxic range of ${\pm}10%$ inhibition for E-Coli bacteria.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.869-876
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• 2022

The skin, which is the largest organ of the human body, is in direct contact with pollutants in the surrounding atmosphere. Meanwhile, 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), the most abundant nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in particulate matter, is known to have carcinogenic effects; however, studies on its toxicity in human and canine skin are still needed. In this study, we investigated 1-NP-induced apoptosis and inflammatory pathways in HaCaT cells. In addition, we also measured the cytoprotective effect of methyl gallate (MG), which is widely distributed in medicinal and edible plants and is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MG inhibited 1-NP-induced cell death and apoptosis pathways, including the cleavage of PARP and activation of caspase-3, -7, and -9. MG also suppressed 1-NP-induced COX-2 expression and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and MAPK kinases (MAPKKs). Our findings suggest that 1-NP induces skin toxicity in human and canine through apoptosis and inflammatory responses, and moreover, that this can be prevented by treatment with MG.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.14-22
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• 2004

The effect of cadmium ions on ligninolytic and decolourizing activities in cultures of two white-rot fungi, Cerrena unicolor and Trametes versicolor, were examined. Cadmium was added to the shallow stationary cultures growing on a liquid mineral medium. Both examined strains sorbed Cd ions in the first 24 hr of incubation. An appreciable stimulation of the activity of extracellular laccase (LAC) and inhibition of the extracellular manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) were simultaneously observed when 25 mgL^-1 and 50 mgL^-1 of cadmium ions were added to the cultures. On the other hand, the addition of cadmium ions also resulted in stimulating the decolorization activity of C. unicolor to decolorize Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) in the cultures, but decreasing it in the culture of T. versicolor, which is compared to the inhibition of MnP activity in this fungus. Our data indicate that the presence of Cd(II) ions can affect the ligninolytic activity of white-rot fungi. It was found that C. unicolor is a strain resistant to the presence of Cd ions in the liquid culture media, and has a potential to use this strain for bioremediation of sites contaminated with both heavy metals and aromatic pollutants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.1 s.29
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• pp.43-56
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• 1990

To evaluate the difference of concentration and mutagenicity of organic pollutants between residential and traffic area of Seoul, air samples were collected in Bulkwang (residential) and Shinchon (traffic) area. Samples were analyzed to measure the concentration of extractable organic matters (EOM) and their subfractions and mutagenicities were tested using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also measured by gas-chromatography and compared between two areas. The results were as follows ; 1. While the concentration of total suspended particulate (TSP) in residential area was below the environmental standard in annual average, the concentration in traffic area was above the standard and was up to its maximum $256{\mu}g/m^3$ in November. The difference of TSP concentrations in both areas of each month was statistically significant (P<0.05). 2. The concentration of fine particle in traffic area was significantly higher compare to that in residential area and showed statistically significant monthly difference in both areas (P<0.05). The proportion of concentration of fine particle to TSP was 55-68%. 3. Mean concentrations of EOM in residential and traffic areas were $4.3{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;5.3{\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. The proportion of amount of EOM from fine particle to EOM from TSP was 70-88%. 4. While the percentage of polar neutral organic compounds (POCN) of fine particle in Bulkwang's sample was higher compare to Shinchon's sample, the percentage of aliphatic compounds of fine particle in Shinchon's sample was higher compare to Bulkwang's sample. The percentages of PAH fraction were as low as 6-10% in both areas. 5. The mutagenic activity of nit concentration of organic matters extracted from fine particle was higher compare to that of coarse particle and was increased when metabolically activated with S9. Mutagenicities with metabolic activation calculated by unit air volume were significantly different between residential and traffic area, $17\;revertants/m^3$\;and\;22\;revertants/m^3$ respectively. 6. The concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in fine particle of traffic and residential areas were $3.10ng/m^3\;and\;2.02ng/m^3$ respectively. Sixteen PAHs were higher in samples of traffic area compare to residential area and also concentrations of PAHs in fine particle were higher compare to coarse particle.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.95-110
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• 1992

Much progress has been made in understanding the subcellular events of the human lung injuries after acute exposure to environmental air pollutants. Host of those events represent oxidative damages mediated by reactive oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxy, free radical. Recently, nitric oxide (NO) was found to be endogenously produced by endothelial cells and cells of the reticulo-endothelial system as endothelialderived relaxation factor (EDRF) which is a vasoactive and neurotransmitter substance. Together with superoxide, NO can form another strong oxidant, peroxonitrite. The relative importance of exogenous sources of $N0/N0_2$ and endogenous production of NO by the EDRF producing enzymes in the oxidative stresses to the heman lung has to be elucidated. The exact events leading to chronic irreversible damage are still yet to be known. From chronic exposure to oxidant gases, progressive epithelial and interstitial damages develop. Type I epithelial cells become thicker and cover a smaller average alveolar surface area while thee II cells proliferate instead. Under acute damages, the extent of loss of the alveolar epithelial cell lining, especially type II cells appears to be a good predictor of the ensuing irreversible damage to alveolar compartment. Interstitial matrix undergo remodeling during chronic exposure with increased collagen fibers and interstitial fibroblasts. However, Inany of these changes can be reversed after cessation of exposure. Among chronic lung injuries, genetic damages and repair responses received particular attention in view of the known increased lung cancer risks from exposure to several air pollutants. Heavy metals from foundry emission, automobile traffics, and total suspended particulate, especially polycystic aromatic hydrocarbons have been positively linked with the development of lung cancer. Asbestos in another air pollutant with known risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, but asbestos fibers are nonauthentic in most bioassays. Studies using the electron spin resonance spin trapping method show that the presence of iron in asbestos accelerates the production of the hydroxy, radical in vitro. Interactions of these reactive oxygen species with particular cellular components and disruption of cell defense mechanisms still await further studies to elucidate the carcinogenic potential of asbestos fibers of different size and chemical composition. The distribution of inhaled pollutants and the magnitude of their eventual effects on the respiratory tract are determined by pollutant-independent physical factors such as anatomy of the respiratory tract and level and pattern of breathing, as well as by pollutant-specific phyco-chemical factors such as the reactivity, solubility, and diffusivity of the foreign gas in mucus, blood and tissue. Many of these individual factors determining dose can be quantified in vitro. However, mathematical models based on these factors should be validated for its integrity by using data from intact human lungs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.870-878
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• 2010

We investigated the concentration and the sources of ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants [i.e., 17 toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), and 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] in waste papers and lumbers from industrial complexes. The total concentrations in waste papers and lumbers ranged from 9.69~176.77 pg/g-dry and 0.14~0.25 pg/g-dry for 17 PCDD/Fs, 109.95~4097.25 pg/g-dry and 28.23~59.88 pg/g-dry for 12 Co-PCBs and 9.30~52.18 ng/g-dry and 0.82~1.82 ng/g-dry for 16 PAHs respectively. Generally, the concentration of these pollutants in waste papers was higher than those in waste lumbers. OCDD was dominant in waste papers and lumbers and the PCDD/F patterns of these samples were similar with that of stack gas. The distribution patterns of Co-PCBs in wastes were related with commercial PCB products, indicating the effect of commercial PCB products on ubiquitous environment. The diagnostic ratios of several PAH compounds in waste paper showed that they were related with pyrogenic sources.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2014

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of ubiquitous hazardous pollutants derived from fossil fuel, various combustion sources and pyrolysis of a wide range of plastics. Because PAHs can be uptake into crop plants, the inhibitory effects on rice and soybean plants were examined in greenhouse and growth chamber experiment. Soil-applied PAHs (phenanthrene of 0, 10, 30, 100 ppm) slightly reduced the plant height and dry weight both in transplanted rice and soybean plant. The inhibitory effect on growth was greater in soybean than rice. Plant height of soybean plants treated by 100 ppm was 58.9 cm and this value was 87.2% of untreated plant. In rice plant, the plant height was less inhibited (96.0% of untreated plant) by 100 ppm at 80 days after treatment (DAT). However, leaf chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence were less inhibited by PAHs at late growth stage (after heading) although the photosynthesis-related parameters were slightly inhibited from 20 DAT to 70 DAT. In agar medium experiment with infant seedlings, inhibition of seedling length and fresh weight by phenanthrene at 100 ppm were greater as compared to the experiment with adult plant in pot. Seedling length and fresh weight were reduced by 54.2% and 33.3% for rice and 27.9% and 13.2% for soybean, respectively. The results reflected that PAHs were more inhibitory during juvenile stage than adult stage and more inhibitory to rice plant than soybean for juvenile stage.