• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.42-53
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• 2019

Objectives: The Yongpung reservoir in Korea is a crucial facility that supplies water to farms in its surrounding $2km^2$ area. However, its water quality is not suited to the needs of current residents who wish for the availability of environmentally friendly agricultural products and desire to use the waterfront area. The aim of this research was to evaluate the reservoir's fish and benthic macroinvertebrate distributions and determine its water quality and the heavy metal content in its sediment. This basic data can be used to establish environmentally protective plans for the Yongpung reservoir. Methods: Six sites were selected for analysis in this investigation. Three points (YP-1, YP-2, and YP-3) were evaluated for water quality and metal content in sediments; they were located upstream, midstream, and downstream of the reservoir. Samplings of the fish and benthic macroinvertebrate populations were performed at three other sites: St. 1, St. 2, and St. 3. Results: Based on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (T-N) data, the quality of the Yongpung reservoir water corresponds to Class VI (very poor) according to Korea's lake environmental standards. The lead levels measured in the sediment at the midstream and downstream points of the reservoir were 76.7 and 72.7 mg/kg, respectively, while 8 orders, 15 families, and 16 species of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified in the reservoir. The ecological score of the benthic macroinvertebrate community (ESB) was between 8 and 23, denoting poor to very poor environmental conditions. Further, 4 families and 7 species of fish were identified in the reservoir, with Cyprinidae accounting for 94.3% of all observed freshwater fish. Conclusion: Based on these findings, we conclude that management plans, including the removal of lead from the sediment, are necessary to improve the quality of the agricultural water in this reservoir. The T. japonica, which cover almost 30% of the water area, must also be removed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1041-1045
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• 2019

In this study, the KS A ISO Guide 35 was applied to develop analytical standards for heavy metal cadmium using the Korean mussel (Mytilus coruscus) and to evaluate the homogeneity and stability of the sample. Some of the crucial characteristics that reference materials must consist include homogeneity and stability of both intra- and inter-bottles. We tested homogeneity using ANOVA analysis and short-term stability using regression analysis. The variations of cadmium concentrations did not significantly differ between intra- and inter-bottles (F=0.41, p=0.90). For short-term stability verification, cadmium analysis results were not statistically significant as a result of the regression analysis (significance F=0.51, p=0.53). This suggests that we can not dismiss the null hypothesis that there is no significant variation in concentrations of cadmium over time. These results indicated that the cryogenic-milling process has statistically proven the short-term stability for materials from mussels in the chemical analysis of cadmium. Therefore, we propose that the Korean mussel's reference material developed for the proficiency test could be used as a tool to evaluate reliability and consistency in laboratories.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.267-275
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• 2024

Artemisia fukudo Makino belongs to the Asteraceae family, is a halophyte that can grow in salinity soils and is known for its various physiological activities. However, few studies were comparing it according to the growth environment. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity, functional ingredients, and safety of Artemisia fukudo Makino according to the growth environment. Total polyphenol content was the highest in native mature leaves, but 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was higher in cultivated leaves than in native leaves. The total mineral content, excluding sodium, was higher in cultivated than in native leaves. The content of potassium and calcium was higher in cultivated leaves than in native leaves. In addition, heavy metal analysis showed that cultivated leaves were generally lower than those of native leaves. Residual pesticides were not detected in all samples. In conclusion, since there is no significant difference in cultivated leaves compared to native leaves, it was judged that cultivated leaves could be used as a variety to be grown and mass-produced.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.390-395
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• 2004

In order to characterize ion channels present in tomato roots, microsomes were incorporated into an artificial lipid bilayer arranged for electrophysiological analysis. Of the five different ion channels that could be found, a channel of 450 pS conductance was found most frequently. This channel displayed subconductance states of 450, 257 and 105 pS. All subconductance states showed linear current-voltage relationships. At positive holding potentials, high frequency of transient channel openings was observed; however, at negative potentials, the open times were long and open probability high. Po was 0.83 at -40 mV. When an additional 50 mM $K^+\;or\;Na^+$ was added to the cis side of bilayer, the reversal potentials shifted in the negative direction to near -10 mV. Thus, the 450 pS cation channel selects poorly between $K^+\;and\;Na^+$. In the presence of $100\;{\mu}M$ metal ions, the channel activity was severely inhibited by $La^{3+},\;Ba^{2+},\;and\;Zn^{2+}$, and Po was decreased to 0.2 or even less. However, $Al^{3+}\;and\;Cd^{2+}$ decreased the activity by only 20%. Interestingly, each metal ion showed different kinetics of channel inhibition. While $500\;{\mu}M\;La^{3+}$ inhibited the activities of all subconductance state, 1 mM $Zn^{2+}$ inhibited all except the 105 pS state. $Cd^{2+}$ changed the gating of the channel from a long-opening state to brief transient openings even at negative holding potentials. These data represent that the metal ions may have different binding sites on the channel protein and could be useful modulators and probes to investigate structural characteristics as well as the functional roles of the 450 pS channel on the root physiology.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.300-307
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: The Transfer Factor (TF) of heavy metals from soil to plant is important, because TF is an indicator of heavy metal in soils and a factor that quantifies bioavailability of heavy metals to agricultural products. This study was conducted to investigate the transfer ability of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) from soil to agricultural products. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated heavy metals (As, Cd and Pb) concentrations in 9 agricultural products (rice, barely, corn, pulse, lettuce, pumpkin, apple, pear, tangerin) and soil. TF of agricultural products was evaluated based on total and HCl-extractable soil concentration of As, Cd, and Pb. Regression analysis was used to predict the relationship of total and HCl-extractable concentration with agricultural product contents of As, Cd, and Pb. The result showed that TF was investigated average 0.006~0.309 (As), 0.002~6.185 (Cd), 0.003~0.602 (Pb). The mean TF value was the highest as rice 0.309 in As, lettuce 6.185, pear 0.717, rice 0.308 in Cd, lettuce 0.602, pumpkin 0.536 in Pb which were dependent on the vegetable species and cereal is showed higher than fruit-vegetables in As. CONCLUSION(S): Soil HCl-extractable concentration of As, Cd, and Pb had the larger effects on thier contents in agricultural products than total soil concentrations. We suggests that TF are served as influential factor on the prediction of uptake. Further study for uptake and accumulation mechanism of toxic metals by agricultural products will be required to assess the human health risk and need TF of more agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated in pesticide residues and heavy metals in fermented liquor products (wine, beer, makgeolli). Targeted analysis of 400 pesticide residues in the sample was performed using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and LC-MS/MS. The contents of heavy metals (Pb, Cd) were determined by ICP-MS using the microwave method. The mercury was measured using a mercury analyzer. From the analysis of 150 cases, 102 (68.0%) cases of fermented liquor were detected, and 35 pesticide residues (including metalaxyl, mandipropamid, azoxystrobin, and fenhexamid) were detected among the 400 pesticide residues tested. Pb, Cd, and Hg were tested in 150 samples. Lead was detected in 73 samples (48.7%), cadmium in 9 samples (6.0%), and mercury in 36 samples (24.0%). Exposure assessment was conducted to determine the safety of the detected pesticide residues and heavy metals. According to this assessment, the pesticide residues and heavy metals showed very low %ADI values (less than 1%).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2011

Objectives: This study investigated the levels and components of floor-settled dust in two elementary schools located at different sites (one near the Shihwa industrial complex and the other in a rural area) in order to evaluate the amounts of trace metal elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) and microorganisms. Methods: Over twenty settled-dust samples were collected from the two elementary schools. Trace metal elements were extracted from the dust using hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, and the amounts were measured by ICP-OES. Microbiological analysis was performed by bacterial culturing using R2A medium and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Results: The results showed that the amounts of three metal elements (Cr, Pb, and Zn) were significantly different between the schools (${\alpha}$=0.05, p<0.04). In addition, microbial communities in each school were highly correlated with one another. Among the identified microorganisms, a number of potentially opportunistic microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, were found. Conclusions: This study will provide preliminary data for assessing levels and types of chemical and microbiological agents in elementary schools and for further evaluating human health risks associated with the agents.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1984

To preconcentrate trace elements, microgram amounts of 5 heavy metals (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd) were precipitated with 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) and metal oxinates were extracted with stearic acid. And then each of the molten stearic acid extract with stearic acid. And then each of the molten stearic acid extract was poured into a glass ring and cooled for specimen preparation. The obtained specimens were analyzed by X-ray fluorescene spectrometry. And then conditions of precipitation formation and extraction, reproducibility, sensitivity and detection limit were observed. The relative standard deviation of specimen preparation was 1.0~5.7% and the detection limit was 5~$50{\mu}g$/100ml. The proposed preconcentration procedure exhibited a considerable inhancement and simplicity in preparing specimens.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.1669-1674
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• 2012

A novel superabsorbent composite was prepared by intercalation polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) in the presence of montmorillonite (MMT), using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and $N,N'$-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross linker. The superabsorbent composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Maximum absorbency of the composite in distilled water and 0.9% sodium chloride solution was 722 and 108 g/g, respectively. The composite was used for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Maximum amount of adsorption for $Ni^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ was 211.0, 159.6 and 1646.0 mg/g, respectively, and the adsorption was in accordance with both Langmuir and Freundlich model. The composite could be regenerated and reused in wastewater treatment.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.399-415
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• 2014

The intensity of stormwater runoff is particularly acute across cities located in arid climates. During flash floods loose sediment and pollutants are typically transported across sun-hardened surfaces contributing to widespread degradation of water quality. Rapid, dense urbanization exacerbates the problem by creating continuous areas of impervious surfaces, perforated only by a few green patches. Our work demonstrates how the latest techniques in remote sensing can be used to routinely measure urban land cover types, impervious cover, and vegetated areas. In addition, multiple regression models can then infer relationships between urban land use and land cover types with stormwater quality data, initially sampled at discrete monitoring sites, and then extrapolated annually across an arid city; in our case, the city of Phoenix in Arizona, USA. Results reveal that from 30 storm event samples, solids and heavy metal pollutants were found to be highly related with general impervious surfaces; in particular, with industrial and commercial land use types. Repercussions stemming from this work include support for public policies that advocate environmental sustainability and the more recent focus on urban livability. Also, advocacy for new urban construction and re-development that both steer away from vast unbroken impervious surfaces, in place of more fragmented landscapes that harmonize built and green spaces.