• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1522-1542
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• 2019

To adapt to environmental changes and to maintain cellular homeostasis, microorganisms adjust the intracellular concentrations of biochemical compounds, including metal ions; these are essential for the catalytic function of many enzymes in cells, but excessive amounts of essential metals and heavy metals cause cellular damage. Metal-responsive transcriptional regulators play pivotal roles in metal uptake, pumping out, sequestration, and oxidation or reduction to a less toxic status via regulating the expression of the detoxification-related genes. The sensory and regulatory functions of the metalloregulators have made them as attractive biological parts for synthetic biology, and the exceptional sensitivity and selectivity of metalloregulators toward metal ions have been used in heavy metal biosensors to cope with prevalent heavy metal contamination. Due to their importance, substantial efforts have been made to characterize heavy metal-responsive transcriptional regulators and to develop heavy metal-sensing biosensors. In this review, we summarize the biochemical data for the two major metalloregulator families, SmtB/ArsR and MerR, to describe their metal-binding sites, specific chelating chemistry, and conformational changes. Based on our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms, previously developed metal biosensors are examined to point out their limitations, such as high background noise and a lack of well-characterized biological parts. We discuss several strategies to improve the functionality of the metal biosensors, such as reducing the background noise and amplifying the output signal. From the perspective of making heavy metal biosensors, we suggest that the characterization of novel metalloregulators and the fabrication of exquisitely designed genetic circuits will be required.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.287-303
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• 1995

Tungsten ore deposits in China show clearly their relationship between granitoids and orebodies. All kinds of different tungsten ore deposits, having the largest ore reserves in the world, occur in China. Major tungsten deposits in 1950'years were locally confined in three provinces such as Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangdong. However, the major tungsten ore deposits are replaced by new tungsten deposits such as Sandahozhuang, Xingluokeng, Shizhuan and Daminghsan deposit which may be larger than the previous major deposits. Tungsten ore deposits of China exhibit obviously the granitoid was the ore-bringer to form tungsten ore deposits. The wolframite-bearing quarz veins in China indicate that tungsten mineralization took place by crystallization of wolframite preferentially unless $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ was introduced from outside into the magma-origin-fluid, since it is understood that the scheelite in the Sangdong ore deposit was preferentially precipitated, because of chemical affinity, from the tungsten fluid in which Fe and Ca ions were as sufficient as to form magnetite, wolframite and scheelite. Tungsten deposits in the world are divided into two systems; W-Mo-Sn system and W-Mo system. Most of tungsten deposits in China dated to about 196-116 Ma belong to the W-Mo-Sn system, while late Cretaceous tungsten deposits such as the Sangdong deposit in Korea belongs to the W-Mo system. The genetic order of tin-tungsten-molybdenum mineralization observed in the Moping tungsten mine in China and the Sangdong in Korea may be attributed to volatile pressures in the same magma chamber. It is assumed from ages of tungsten mineralizations that ore elements such as tin, tungsten and molybdenum might be generated periodically by nuclear fission and fusion in a part of the mantle and the element generated was introduced into the magma chamber. The periodical generation of elements had determined association, depletion and enrichment of tin and molybdenum in tungsten mineralization and it results in little association of cassiterite in tungsten deposit of late Cretaceous ages. Different mechanism of emplacement of the ore-bearing magma has brought various genetic types of tungsten deposits as shown in China and the world.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.645-652
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• 1991

The stability constants$(K_f)$ of the complexes of some transition and post-transition metal ions (Co(Ⅱ), Ni(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ), Zn(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), Pb(Ⅱ), Hg(Ⅱ)) with $N_2O_3$-donor macrocyclic ligand, 1,15-diaza-3,4 : 12,13-dibenzo-5,8,11-trioxacyclooctadecane ($NtnOdienH_4$), have been determined by potentiometry in aqueous solution at $25^{\circ}C$. Log $K_f$ values of the complexes were : Co(Ⅱ): 3.83, Ni(Ⅱ) : 4.56, Cu(Ⅱ) : 7.74, Zn(Ⅱ) : 4.98, Cd(Ⅱ) : 3.91, Pb(Ⅱ) : 6.65, and Hg(Ⅱ) : 14.87. The order of stabilities of transition metal complexes was the same as the natural order of stability proposed by Williams-Irving. In post-transition metal complexes, the order of stabilities was Cd(Ⅱ) < Pb(Ⅱ) < Hg(Ⅱ), and the covalent character in metal ion-donor atoms bonds appeared a dominant factor in the stability. In methanol solution, each metal ion forms 1 : 1 complex, while Ni(Ⅱ) ion forms both 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes. It was confirmed by $^1H-$ and $^{13}C-$NMR spectral study that the nitrogen atoms in the ligand were major contributors for the complexation of post-transition metal ions with the ligand. It was shown, by elementry analysis, electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements, and spectral analysis, that solid Cu(Ⅱ)-and Zn(Ⅱ)-complexes have a distorted octahedral and a tetrahedral structure, respectively.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2019

Silicon solar cells have been widely used as a most promising renewable energy source due to eco-friendliness and high efficiency. As modules of silicon solar cells are connected in series for a practical electricity generation, a large voltage of 500-1,500 V is applied to the modules inevitably. Potential-induced degradation (PID), a deterioration of the efficiency and maximum power output by the continuously applied high voltage between the module frames and solar cells, has been regarded as the major cause that reduces the lifetime of silicon solar cells. In particular, the migration of the $Na^+$ ions from the front glass into Si through the anti-reflection coating and the accumulation of $Na^+$ ions at stacking faults inside Si have been reported as the reason of PID. In this research, the thickness effect of $SiO_x$ layer that can block the migration of $Na^+$ ions on the reduction of PID is investigated as it is incorporated between anti-reflection coating and p-n junction in p-type PERC solar cells. From the measurement of shunt resistance, efficiency, and maximum power output after the continuous application of 1,000 V for 96 hours, it is revealed that the thickness of $SiO_x$ layer should be larger than 7-8 nm to reduce PID effectively.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.447-460
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• 2001

The geothermal waters from the Busan area belong to Na-CI type and are characterized by much higher EC (921 ~6,520${\mu}$S/cm) and TDS (608-3,390 mg/L) than other geothermal waters in Korea. The concentration of majorions shows a weakly positive relationship with temperature except for Mg ion. The concentrations of the major cat ions have the order of Na>Ca>K>Mg. Ca ion is enriched and Mg ion is depleted compared with seawater. All Br concentrations of geothermal water are lower than those of seawater, showing a positive relationship with temperature. Generally geochemical characteristics of geothermal waters of the Busan area indicate that these waters have relatively increased Ca and Sr contents and depleted Mg, Na and K contents caused by seawater interaction with wall rock at depth during deep circulation of seawater. Base on the relationship between major ions and temperature, saline geothermal waters are diluted and are cooled by mixing of groundwaters during ascent. Isotope study and reaction path modeling of the overall geochemical system are required in order to better quantify the evolution and origin of geothermal waters in the Busan area.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.245-257
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• 2016

Although rivers cover only 0.5% of the total land area on the Earth, they are windows that show the integrated effects of watershed biogeochemistry. Studies on the loads and properties of riverine carbon have been conducted because they are directly linked with drinking water quality, and because regional or global net ecosystem production (NEP) can be overestimated, unless riverine carbon loads are subtracted. Globally, ${\sim}0.8-1.5Pg\;yr^{-1}$ and ${\sim}0.62-2.1Pg\;yr^{-1}$ of carbon are transported from terrestrial ecosystems to the ocean via rivers and from inland waters to the atmosphere, respectively. Concentrations, ${\delta}^{13}C$, and fluorescence spectra of riverine carbon have been investigated in South Korea to understand the spatiotemporal changes in the sources. Precipitation as well as land use/land cover can strongly influence the composition of riverine carbon, thus shifting the ratios among DIC, DOC, and POC, which could affect the concentrations, loads, and the degradability of adsorbed organic and inorganic toxic materials. A variety of analyses including $^{14}C$ and high resolution mass spectroscopy need to be employed to precisely define the sources and to quantify the degradability of riverine carbon. Long-term data on concentrations of major ions including alkalinity and daily discharge have been used to show direct evidence of ecosystem changes in the US. The current database managed by the Korean government could be improved further by integrating the data collected by individual researchers, and by adding the major components ions including DIC, DOC, and POC into the database.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.09a
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• pp.121-121
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• 2004

The groundwater in the Pocheon area occurs from both a fractured bedrock aquifer in igneous and metamorphic rocks and an alluvial aquifer with a thickness of <50 m, and forms a major source of domestic and agricultural water supply. In this study, we performed a hydrogeochemical study in order to identify the control of geochemical processes on groundwater quality. For this study, groundwater level and physicochemical parameters (EC, Eh, pH, alkalinity) were monitored once a month from a total of 150 groundwater wells between June 2003 to August 2004. A total of 153 water samples (13 surface water, 66 alluvial groundwater, 74 bedrock groundwater) were also collected and analyzed in February 2004. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is very complex, depending on a number of major factors such as geology, degree of chemical weathering, and quality of recharge water. Hydrochemical reactions such as the leaching of surficial and near-solace soil salts, dissolution of calcite, cation exchange, and weathering of silicate minerals are proposed to explain the chemistry of natural groundwater. Alluvial groundwaters locally have very high TDS concentrations, which are characterized by their chloride(nitrate)-sulfate-bicabonate facies and low Na/Cl ratio. Their grondwater levels are highly fluctuated according to rainfall event. We suggest that high nitrate content and salinity in such alluvial groundwaters originates from the local recharge of sewage effluents and/or fertilizers. Likewise, high concentrations of nitrate were also locally observed in some bedrock groundwaters, suggesting their effect of anthropogenic contamination. This is possibly due to the bypass flow taking place through macropores. Tile degree of the weathering of silicate minerals seems to be a major control of the distribution of major cations (sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium) in bedrock groundwaters, which show a general increase with increasing depth of wells. Thermodynamic interpretation of groundwater chemistry shows that the groundwater in the study area is in chemical equilibrium with kaolinite and Na-montmorillonite, which indicates that weathering of plagioclase to those minerals is a major control of hydrochemistry of bedrock groundwater. The interpretation of the molar ratios among major ions, as well as the mass balance calculation, also indicates the role of both dissolution/precipitation of calcite and Ca-Na cationic exchange as bedrock groundwaters evolves progressively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1074-1081
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• 2016

Mistletoes are hemi-parasitic plant growing on different host tree and shrubs. They are traditionally used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, cough, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and skin infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the contents of phenolics and antioxidant activity of 70% ethanol, 100% methanol and hot water extracts of Jeju camellia mistletoe (Korthalsella japonica Engl.). Ethanol was most effective in extracting total phenols (7,427 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g) and flavonoid (1,777 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/100 g). The free radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) (EC₅₀ = 7.8 mg/ml) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (EC₅₀ = 1.4 mg/ml), and the capacity for chelating metal ions (EC₅₀ = 8.0 mg/ml) and reducing power (EC₅₀ = 14.9 mg/ml) of the samples also higher in ethanolic extracts. The strong correlation (r² = −0.996～−0.881) between antioxidant capacities and the phenolic contents implied that phenolic compounds are a major contributor to the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of Jeju camellia mistletoe. As conclusions, Jeju camellia mistletoe contains bioactive substances with a potential for reducing the physiological as well as oxidative stress and this could explain the suggested cancer preventive effect of these plants as well as their protective role on other major diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 1999

Precipitation samples were collected by the wet-only sampling method in Iksan in the northwest of Chonbuk from March 1995 to February 1997. These samples were analyzed for the concentration of ion components, in addition to pH and electrical conductivity. The annual mean pH of precipitation was 4.8 and the seasonal trend of pH was shown to be low in Fall and Winter(4.5), middle-ranged in Spring(4.7) and high in Summer(5.0). The frequency of pH below 5.6 was about 71%. The seasonal pattern of pH frequency was found to be different in each season. In the case of the pH less than 5.0, the frequency was higher in Spring, Fall and Winter than in Summer, especially higher in Fall than in other seasons. The concentrations of analysed ions showed a pronounced seasonal pattern. However, major ion species for all seasons were $NH^+_4,;Ca^{2+};and;Na^+$ among cations and $SO^{2-}_4,;Cl^-;and;NO^-_3$ among anions. The major acidifying species appeared to be $nss-SO^{2-}_4;and;NO^-_3$, and the main bases responsible for the neutralization of precipitation acidity were $nss-Ca^{2+};and;NH^+_4$. The potential acidity of precipitation, pAi, was found to be between 3.0 and 5.0 for total samples, while the measured pH was approximately between 3.9 and 7.8. The seasonal trend of pAi showed a decreasing order: Summer (4.3), Winter(4.0), Spring and Fall(3.8). During the Fall, both pAi and pH were especially very low, which indicated that during this period the potential acidity of precipitation was high but the neutralizing capacity was low. For Spring, pAi was very low but pH was slightly high. This was likely due to the large amount of $CaCO_3$ in the soil particles transported over a long range from the Chinese continent that were incorporated into the precipitation, and then neutralized the acidifying species with its high concentraton.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.499-502
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• 2004

Groundwater chemistry in a coastal region having complex contaminant sources was investigated. Water analysis data for 197 groundwater samples collected from the uniformly distributed sixty-six wells were used. Chemical analysis rand results indicate that groundwaters show wide concentration ranges in major inorganic ions, reflecting complex hydrochemical processes of pollutants. Due to the complexity of groundwater chemistry, Results illustrate that thirty five percent of the wells do not fit for drinking based on nitrate and chloride concentration in the study area. the samples were classified into four groups based on Cl and NO$_3$ concentrations and the processes controlling water chemistry were evaluated based on the reaction stoichiometry. The results explained the importance of mineral weathering, anthropogenic activities (nitrification and oxidation of organic matters), and Cl-salt inputs (seawater, deicer, NaCl, etc.) on groundwater chemistry. It was revealed that mineral dissolution is the major process controlling the water chemistry of the low Cl and NO$_3$ group (Group 1). Groundwaters high in NO$_3$ (Groups 2 and 4) are acidic in nature, and their chemistry is largely influenced by nitrification, oxidation of organic matters and mineral dissolution. In the case of chloride rich waters (Group 3), groundwater chemistry is highly influenced by mineral weathering and seawater intrusion associated with cation-exchange reactions.