• 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.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2010

We evaluated the interaction between Cd and Zn in the bioaccumulation of seven clones of Salix caprea, which were exposed both to Cd and Zn alone and to a combination of Cd and Zn. Cadmium (Cd) and Zn concentration in the four treatments were administered in the following order: root > leaf > stem, and obvious differences were noted among the treatments and clones. The leaf Cd concentration of clone BH2 and stem Cd concentration of clone BH5 in the combined Cd and Zn treatment group was increased by 62% and 110%, respectively, relative of that of the Cd alone treatment group. On the other hand, the leaf and stem Zn concentration of clone BH8 in the combined Cd and Zn treatment group was reduced by 66% and 61%, respectively, relative to that of the Zn alone treatment group. Translocation of Cd and Zn from the root was higher in the leaf than in the stem, and the combined Cd and Zn treatment stimulated the translocation of Cd from the root to the leaf and stem, whereas it suppressed the translocation of Zn from the root to the leaf and stem. Therefore, the interaction effects were considered strongly synergistic with Cd in the presence of Zn, but proved antagonistic to Zn in the presence of Cd in the combined Cd and Zn treatment group. The phytoremediation potentials of the seven clones, which were estimated from standard indices of Cd and Zn concentration in Cd and Zn alone and the combined Cd and Zn treatment groups, were highest in clone BH3, and lowest in clone BH5. Therefore, we recognize S. caprea as an appropriate material for phytoremediation, and this is particularly the case with clone BH3. However, further research will be required to evaluate the effects of Cd and Zn on the physiological changes as well as tolerance mechanisms against metal toxicity in S. caprea clones.

• 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 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 2001

Experimental culture of Halocynthia roretzi was carried out near coast by Wolsung from January to August 1997 to investigate accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Cu) by H. roretzi, Water temperature, salinity, pH and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) were $10.7\sim25.2^{\circ}C$, $33.0\sim34.6\%_{\circ},\;8.25\sim8.49\;and\;3.84\ksim7.92\;mg/L$, respectively, The heavy metal accumulation in H. roretzi was in the order of Cu>Pb>Cd. Heavy metal concentrations in the organs showed following order; Gill${\geq}Viscera{\gg}$Gonad>Muscle>Mantle for Cd, $Gill{\geq}Viscera{\gg}$ Gonad> Muscle$ {\geq}$Mantle for Pb and Viscera>Gill${\gg}$ Gonad>Muscle>Mantle for Cu.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to confirm that a bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum can be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in the silt of the marine environment. The clams were collected from the silt of Cheonsu-bay, Buheung-ri, and Tan-island of the West Sea, Korea. To observe the normal structures of the target organs (hepatopancreas and gill), they were dissected out for the immunohistochemical study and the electron microscopy with TEM, SEM, and SEM-EDS. The immunohistochemical study showed that the interdiverticular connective tissues of the hepatopancreas, and the outer epithelium of the gill lamellae was strongly reacted to anti-metallothionein (MT), indicating the presence of MT, a metal-binding protein, involved in metal detoxifying process. According to the examinations under the TEM, the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of the clams collected from polluted area (Tan-island) showed certain changes such as swollen rER, swollen nuclear envelope and inclusion bodies in the nulcei. In the SEM-EDS analysis, tissue of the hepatopancreas showed relatively higher concentration of S, Zn, and Cd. These elements are supposed to be concerning with the MT-reaction in the hepatopancreas. Considering that the coastal bivalve R. philippinarum showed immediate subcellular responses to heavy metal pollution in the overall experiments conducted, this species might act as one of efficient biomarkers for the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2018

Mercury (Hg) poses a threat to marine ecosystem due to continuous inflow from various industries and bioaccumulation to higher trophic level via food web. Mercury can adversely affect growth, development, reproduction and metabolism to aquatic organisms. In the present study, acute toxicity and oxidative stress markers (total glutathione content, and activities of GST, GR and GPx) were investigated in brackish water flea Disphanosoma celebensis exposed to HgCl₂ for 24 h. As results, Hg showed negative effect in survival of D. celebensis. 24 h-LC₅₀ value was determined as 0.589 mg/l (95% C.I. 0.521~0.655 mg/l). After exposure to Hg (0.08 and 0.4 mg/l) for 24 h, total glutathione content was significantly decreased, whereas GST, GPx and GR activities were enhanced. These findings indicate that Hg induced oxidative stress in D. celebensis, and oxidative stress markers may be involved in cellular defense against Hg - mediated toxicity. This study provides a better understanding of molecular mode of action of Hg toxicity in this specie and potent of molecular markers for heavy metal monitoring in marine ecosystem.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.290-298
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of applying phytoremediation technology by investigating soil and native plants in waste coal landfills exposed to heavy metal contamination for a long period of time. The ability of native plants to accumulate heavy metals using greenhouse cultivation experiments was alse evaluated. Plants were investigated at an abandoned coal mine in Hwajeolyeong, Jeongseon, Gangwon-do. Two species of native plants (Carex breviculmis. R. B. and Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz.) located in the study area and three Korean native plants (Artemisia japonica Thunb. Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai., and Saussurea pulchella (Fisch.) Fisch.) were cultivated in a greenhouse for 12 weeks in artificially contaminated soil. Soils contaminated with arsenic and lead were generated with arsenic concentration gradients of 25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg kg^-1 and lead concentration gradients of 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg kg^-1, respectively. Results showed that none of the five plants could survive at high arsenic concentration treatment (125 and 250 mg kg^-1) and some plants died in 2000 mg kg^-1 lead concentration treatment soil. The plant translocation factor (TF) was highest in H. hakuunensis in arsenic treatments, and A. japonica in lead treatments, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of plants was more than 1 in all species in arsenic treatment, whereas it was highest in H. hakuunensis. BF for all species was less than 1 in lead treatment. Particularly, in 2000 mg kg^-1 concentration lead treatment, A. japonica accumulated more than 1000 mg kg^-1 lead and was expected to be a lead hyperaccumulator. In conclusion, A. japonica and H. hakuunensis were excellent in the accumulation of arsenic heavy metals, and S. koriyanagi was excellent in lead accumulation ability. Therefore, the above mentioned three plants are considered to be strong contenders for application of the phytoremediation technology.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2011

This study is to measure the differences of the trace-metals resulted from the different ecologies, such as nickel(Ni), copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), cadmium(Cd), plumbum(Pb), arsenic(As) and chrome(Cr) remaining in the parts of Korean Yeongdeok Crab (KYC) and Russian Snow Crab (RSC) based on ICP-MS. The recovery rate of each metal certified the reference materials (CRM) was in the average of 81~99%, which corresponded with the level required in Codex. The level of metals in the parts of KYC was in the order of Ni > As > Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd in the both male and female shell; the order of Zn > As > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd in the leg flesh; the order of Zn > As > Cu > Cr > Cd > Ni in the body flesh; the order of Cu > Zn > As > Cd > Cr > Ni in the gill; the order of Cu > As > Zn > Cd > Ni > Cr in the male hepatopancreas; the order of Cu > Zn > As > Cd > Cr > Ni in the female hepatopancreas, thereby showing some differences. It was revealed that the levels of most metals (nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic and chrome) were similar between KYC and RSC except cadmium which was somewhat lower than that of KYC. However, the cadmium in RSC was discovered in high level in most of the parts, two times higher in the hepatopancreas, and four times in the gill. It was also revealed that the trace metal contents were changing according to the size of KYC; the metals with the highest level of Ni in shell, Zn in leg and body flesh, Cu in gill tended to decrease as growing, whereas the cadmium contents tended to increase overall and accumulated the most in hepatopancreas. The results showed there was a possibility that the phenomenon of bioaccumulation within hepatopancreas would increase as growing.