• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.320-329
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• 2023

Cadmium (Cd), a heavy metal found in the aquatic environment, accumulates in organisms through the food chain. In the study, we investigated the survival rates, measurement of body Cd levels, and expression analysis of the stress response genes (Heat shock protein 70: HSP70 and Heat shock protein 60: HSP60) and antioxidant enzyme Glutathione S-Transferases (GST) on benthic oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex exposed three concentrations of Cd, to analyze the bioaccumulation and changes of stress gene expressions to exposure toxicity of the Cd-spiked sediment. Survival rates of T. tubifex exposed to the Cdspiked sediment were 93% at 0.4 mg kg^-1 Cd, 96% at 1.87 mg kg^-1 Cd, and 93% at 6.09 mg kg^-1 Cd for 10 days. Cd concentration in the body of T. tubifex was higher than that in the sediment. After Cd exposures for 10 days, the body Cd levels were 18.4 mg kg^-1, 13.06 mg kg^-1, and 79.11 mg kg^-1 at exposed three concentrations of Cd, respectively. Upregulation of HSP70 gene expression was observed at all concentrations of exposed Cd as a time-dependent manner, whereas transcriptional expression of the HSP60 gene increased as a timedependent manner in T. tubifex exposed to the relative high concentration (6.09 mg kg^-1) of Cd. However, GST gene expression increased on day 1 at all concentrations after Cd exposures, and then downregulated until 10 days. These results indicate to ecotoxicological and molecular effects in benthic oligochaete worm T. tubifex to Cd-spiked sediment and provide the basic information for the utilization of environmental toxicity assessment using the T. tubifex as a aquatic pollution indicator species.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.21.1-21.7
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• 2016

Objectives The present study analyzes metal contamination in sediment of the East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, which is receiving a huge amount of domestic and industrial wastewater from surrounding areas. The subsequent uptake and accumulation of metals in different macrophytes are also examined in regard to their phytoremediation potential. Methods Metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) were estimated in sediment, water and different parts of the macrophytes Colocasia esculenta and Scirpus articulatus. Results The concentration of metals in sediment were, from highest to lowest, Mn ($205.0{\pm}65.5mg/kg$)>Cu ($29.9{\pm}10.2mg/kg$)>Pb ($22.7{\pm}10.3mg/kg$)>Cd ($3.7{\pm}2.2mg/kg$). The phytoaccumulation tendency of these metals showed similar trends in both native aquatic macrophyte species. The rate of accumulation of metals in roots was higher than in shoots. There were strong positive correlations (p <0.001) between soil organic carbon (OC) percentage and Mn (r =0.771), and sediment OC percentage and Pb (r=0.832). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) also showed a positive correlation (p <0.001) with Cu (r=0.721), Mn (r=0.713), and Pb (r=0.788), while correlations between sediment OC percentage and Cu (r=0.628), sediment OC percentage and Cd (r=0.559), and CEC and Cd (r=0.625) were significant at the p <0.05 level. Conclusions Bioaccumulation factor and translocation factors of these two plants revealed that S. articulatus was comparatively more efficient for phytoremediation, whereas phytostabilization potential was higher in C. esculenta.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.503-510
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• 2016

The accumulation (internal and superficial distribution) of magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) by the green freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) was investigated under autotrophic culture in a stirred photobioreactor. The concentrations of the three forms of Mg²⁺ (dissolved, extracellular, and intracellular) were determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy during the course of C. vulgaris growth. The proportions of adsorbed (extracellular) and absorbed (intracellular) Mg²⁺ were quantified. The concentration of the most important pigment in algal cells, chlorophyll a, increased over time in proportion to the increase in the biomass concentration, indicating a constant chlorophyll/biomass ratio during the linear growth phase. The mean-average rate of Mg²⁺ uptake by C. vulgaris grown in a culture medium starting with 16 mg/l of Mg²⁺ concentration was measured. A clear relationship between the biomass concentration and the proportion of the Mg²⁺ removal from the medium was observed. Of the total Mg²⁺ present in the culture medium, 18% was adsorbed on the cell wall and 51% was absorbed by the biomass by the end of the experiment (765 h). Overall, 69% of the initial Mg²⁺ were found to be removed from the medium. This study supported the kinetic model based on a reversible first-order reaction for Mg²⁺ bioaccumulation in C. vulgaris, which was consistent with the experimental data.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.spc
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• pp.19-30
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• 2014

Microcystins (MCs) produced by cyanobacteria are severe hepatotoxins for mammalian and protein phosphatase inhibitors. Irrigation water for grain and vegetables is often contaminated with cyanobacteria and microcystin during warm seasons. We assessed the effects of various concentrations (0, 0.01 to $10{\mu}gmL^{-1}$) of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and microcystin-RR (MC-RR) exposure on Oryza sativa (rice) and Brassica oleraces var. italica (broccoli). The $EC_{50}$ of leaves and roots of rice was 0.9 and $1.1{\mu}gMC-LRmL^{-1}$, respectively. The no observed effect level (NOEL) of rice was less than $0.1{\mu}gmL^{-1}$ ($100{\mu}gL^{-1}$). The $EC_{50}$ of the stems and roots of broccoli was 8.7 and $7.2{\mu}gMC-RRmL^{-1}$, respectively. There was no difference in the germination rate of broccoli among microcystin-RR concentrations. After exposure to 0, 0.01 to $10{\mu}gmL^{-1}$ MC-RR for seven days, 14, 89 and 154 ng mg-1 (dry weight) MC-RR accumulated in B. oleracea. These $EC_{50}$ values showed that microcystin-LR and -RR affected the growth of rice and broccoli. These findings suggest that MC is carried into terrestrial ecosystems via irrigation, and that the biota of higher ecological niches can be influenced by MC through bioaccumulation. Therefore, a guideline for MC concentrations in irrigation water should be set using the NOEL.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.298-310
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• 2007

This study compared the correlation between the accumulated copper content in earthworms and the copper concentration rate of soil measured using several methods to extract heavy metals from soil. For the experiment, a microcosm soil test was carried out using copper contaminated soil from the vicinity of copper-roofed buildings and earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Soils from the study area were used to produce 6 treatments; control, 1C (contamination level with the lowest treated copper concentration rate), 2C, 4C, 8C, and 16C (contamination level with the highest treated copper concentration rate). Microcosm soil test using the 6 treatments proved that as the copper content in soil and the experiment time increased, the growth rate of and the accumulated copper concentration rate in earthworms increased as well. The degree of the increase corresponded to the order of the treated copper concentration levels in microcosm soils. Standard method of the ministry of environment and EPA method 3051 were used to obtain the copper concentration in soil and the total copper content in soil, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9875~0.9993 between the copper content extracted by the standard method and the total copper content shows high positive correlation. The correlation coefficient of the copper content in soil extracted by the standard method and the accumulated copper content in earthworms, and the correlation coefficient of the total copper content in soil and the accumulated copper content in earthworms were ranged from 0.9193 to 0.9728 and from 0.9282 to 0.9844, respectively, showing highly significant positive correlation. Due to the high correlation between the copper concentration in soil and the accumulated copper content in earthworms, it is concluded that earthworms are suitable to be used as biological indicator species or for bio-monitoring against copper contamination of soil.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2002

In Korea, 2,320 tonnes of acetanilide were mostly wed as intermediates for synthesis in phar-maceuticals or additives in synthesizing hydrogen peroxide, varnishes, polymers and rubber. Only small amount of 120 kg were wed as a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide solution for hair colouring agents in 1998. Readily available environmental or human exposure data do not exist in Korea at the present time. However, potential human exposures from drinking water, food, ambient water and in work places are expected to be negligible because this chemical is produced in the closed system in only one company in Korea and the processing factory is equipped with local ventilation and air filtering system. Acetanilide could be distributed mainly to water based on EQC model. This substance is readily biodegradable and its bioaccumulation is low. Acute toxicity of acetanilide is low since the L $D_{50}$ of oral exposure in rats is 1,959 mg/kg bw. The chemical is not irritating to skin, but slightly irritating to the eyes of rabbits. horn repeated dose toxicity, the adverse effects in rats were red pulp hyperplasia of spleen, bone marrow hyperplasia of femur and decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The LOAEL for repeated dose toxicity in rats was 22 mg/kg/day for both sexes. Acetanilide is not considered to be genotoxic. In a reproductive/developmental toxicity study, no treatment-related changes in precoital time and rate of copulation, impregnation, pregnancy were shown in all treated groups. The NOAELs for reproduction and developmental toxicity (off-spring toxicity) are considered to be 200 mg/kg bw/day and 67 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. Ecotoxicity data has been generated in a limited number of aquatic species of algae (72 hr- $E_{b}$ $C_{50}$; 13.5 mg/l), daphnid (48hr-E $C_{50}$ > 100 mg/l) and fish (Oryzias latipes, 96hr-L $C_{50}$; 100 mg/l). Form the acute toxicity values, the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) of 0.135 mg/1 was derived win an assessment factor of 100. On the basis of these data, acetanilide was suggested as currently of low priority for further post-SIDS work in OECD.in OECD.D.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2004

Benzoyl peroxide is a High Production Volume Chemical, which is produced about 1,371 tons/year in Korea as of 2001 survey. The substance is mainly used as initiators in polymerization, catalysts in the plastics industry, bleaching agents for flour and medication for acne vulgaris. In this study, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) are used for getting adequate information on the physical -chemical properties of this chemical. And hydrolysis in water, acute toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial organisms for benzoyl peroxide were studied. The physical -chemical properties of benzoyl peroxide were estimated as followed; vapor pressure=0.00929 Pa, Log $K_{ow}$ = 3.43, Henry's Law constant=3.54${\times}$10$^{-6}$ atm-㎥/mole at $25^{\circ}C$, the half-life of photodegradation=3 days and bioconcentration factor (BCF)=92. Hydrolysis half-life of benzoyl peroxide in water was 5.2 hr at pH 7 at $25^{\circ}C$ and according to the structure of this substance hydrolysis product was expected to benzoic acid. Benzoyl peroxide has toxic effects on the aquatic organisms. 72 hr-Er $C_{50}$ (growth rate) for algae was 0.44 mg/1.,48 hr-E $C_{50}$ for daphnia was 0.07mg/L and the 96hr-L $C_{50}$ of acute toxicity to fish was 0.24mg/L. Acute toxicity to terrestrial organisms (earth worm) of benzoyl peroxide was low (14 day-L $C_{50}$ = > 1,000 mg/kg). Although benzoyl peroxide is high toxic to aquatic organisms, the substance if not bioaccumulated because of the rapid removal by hydrolysis (half-life=5.2 hr at pH 7 at $25^{\circ}C$) and biodegradation (83% by BOD after 21 days). The toxicity observed is assumed to be due to benzoyl peroxide rather than benzoic acid, which shows much lower toxicity to aquatic organisms. One can assume that effects occur before hydrolysis takes place. From the acute toxicity value of algae, daphnia and fish, an assessment factor of 100 was used to determine the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC). The PNEC was calculated to be 0.7$\mu\textrm{g}$/L based on the 48 hr-E $C_{50}$ daphnia (0.07 mg/L). The substance shows high acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and some information indicates wide-dispersive ore of this substance. So this substance is, a candidate for further work, even if it hydrolysis rapidly and has a low bioaccumulation potential. This could lead to local concern for the aquatic environment and therefore environmental exposure assessment is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 1983

The effects of temperature on the uptake of $^{137}Cs$ from seawater and on the retention after its uptake by the clam Cycling sinensis was investigated under laboratory conditions. The clams exhibited a greater bioaccumulation of $^{137}Cs$ in $25^{\circ}C$-acclimated animals than those acclimated at $15^{\circ}C$. The viscera of the clams reached the highest bioconcentration factor after 14 days uptake from seawater, but the tissue distribution pattern of $^{137}Cs$ was little influenced, if any, by the uptake temperature. The uptake rate slightly decreased with an increase of temperature in order of $10^{\circ}C$. The radionuclide accumulated in clams was released again in a radionuclide-free seawater according to a two-exponential compartment model. A temperature increase of $10^{\circ}C$ reduced the biological half-life of the long-lived component with a factor of about two, whereas it caused no change in the short-lived component.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.164-173
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• 2015

To investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria on the heavy metal adsorption from internal organs and blood, lactic acid bacteria were isolated from human feces. Some strains resistant to heavy metals were selected by incubation in agar media containing each of chrome and cadmium salts. Among them, a strain named KP-3 was ultimately chosen due to its higher growth rate in selective broth medium containing the heavy metals at the concentration of 0.01%. The strain was identified as Lactobacillus sp. based on its morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics. For evaluating the ability to prevent accumulation of heavy metals by selected Lactobacillus sp. strain in vivo, Sprague Dawley rats were fed with heavy metal salts (cadmium, chrome and lead) with or without cultured whole cells for 7 days. The amounts of heavy metals accumulated in liver, kidney and blood were analyzed. As a result, chrome was accumulated to kidney mostly, and lead was frequently found in liver and kidney. Experimental group (rats fed with lactic acid bacteria) showed less accumulation of heavy metal than control group (rats fed with saline solution). The inhibition rates of heavy metal accumulation were calculated to 41.8% (Cd), 33.4% (Cr) and 44.2% (Pb). Especially, feeding lactic acid bacteria strongly reduced accumulation of cadmium in blood. The results showed that feeding Lactobacillus sp. KP-3 could prevent the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the living body.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.672-678
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• 2015

The types of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) being transported by sea in Korea are at about 6,000, HNS transport volume accounts for 19% of total tonnage shipped in Korea, and the increase rate of seaborne HNS trade in Korea is 2.5 times higher than the average increase rate of the world seaborne HNS trade. Reflecting this trend, HNS spill incidents have been frequently reported in Korean waters, and there are increasing social demands to develop HNS management technology for the preparedness, response, post-treatment and restoration in relation to HNS spill incidents at sea. In this study, a risk-based HNS prioritization system was developed and an HNS risk database was built with evaluation indices such as sea transport volume, physicochemical properties, toxicities, persistency, and bioaccumulation. Risk scores for human health and marine environments were calculated by multiplying scores for toxicity and exposure. The top-20 substances in the list of HNS were tabulated, and Aniline was ranked first place, but it needs to be managed not by individuals but by HNS groups with similar score levels. Limitations were identified in obtaining data of chronic toxicity and marine ecotoxicity due to lack of testing data. It is necessary to study on marine ecotoxicological test in the near future. Moreover, the priority list of HNS is expected to be utilized in the development of HNS management technology and the relevant technologies, after the expert's review process and making up for the lack of test data in the current research results.