• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.142-162
• /
• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea. Methods: We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (${\geq}18.5kg/m^2$), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin $B_1$, $B_6$, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake. Conclusions: These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.253-261
• /
• 2007

Molecular and cultivation techniques were used to characterize the bacterial communities of biobead reactor biofilms in a sewage treatment plant to which an Aerated Up-Flow Biobead process was applied. With this biobead process, the monthly average values of various chemical parameters in the effluent were generally kept under the regulation limits of the effluent quality of the sewage treatment plant during the operation period. Most probable number (MPN) analysis revealed that the population of denitrifying bacteria was abundant in the biobead #1 reactor, denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria coexisted in the biobead #2 reactor, and nitrifying bacteria prevailed over denitrifying bacteria in the biobead #3 reactor. The results of the MPN test suggested that the biobead #2 reactor was a transition zone leading to acclimated nitrifying biofilms in the biobead #3 reactor. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences cloned from biofilms showed that the biobead #1 reactor, which received a high organic loading rate, had much diverse microorganisms, whereas the biobead #2 and #3 reactors were dominated by the members of Proteobacteria. DGGE analysis with the ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene supported the observation from the MPN test that the biofilms of September were fully developed and specialized for nitrification in the biobead reactor #3. All of the DNA sequences of the amoA DGGE bands were very similar to the sequence of the amoA gene of Nitrosomonas species, the presence of which is typical in the biological aerated filters. The results of this study showed that organic and inorganic nutrients were efficiently removed by both denitrifying microbial populations in the anaerobic tank and heterotrophic and nitrifying bacterial biofilms well-formed in the three functional biobead reactors in the Aerated Up-Flow Biobead process.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.471-477
• /
• 2013

Biochar amendment to agricultural soil is regarded as a promising option to mitigate climate change and enhance soil quality. It could sequester more carbon within the soil system and increase plant yield by changing soil physicochemical characteristics. However, sustainable use of biochar requires comprehensive environmental assessment. In this sense, it is important to measure additional greenhouse gas emission from soils after biochar addition. We investigated emissions of $CO_2$, $N_2O$, and $CH_4$ from incubated soils collected from rice paddy and cultivated grassland after amendment of 3% biochar (wt.) produced from rice chaff. During incubation, soils were exposed to three wet-dry cycles ranging from 5~85% soil gravimetric water content (WC) to investigate the changes in effect of biochar when influenced by different water levels. The $CO_2$ emission was reduced in biochar treatment compared to the control at WC of 30~70% both in rice paddy and grassland soils. This indicates that biochar could function as a stabilizer for soil organic carbon and it can be effective in carbon sequestration. The $N_2O$ emission was also reduced from the grassland soil treated with biochar when WC was greater than 30% because the biochar treated soils had lower denitrification due to better aeration. In the rice paddy soil, biochar addition resulted in decrease in $N_2O$ emission when WC was greater than 70%, while an increase was noted when WC was between 30~70%. This increase might be related to the fact that available nutrients on biochar surface stimulated existing nitrifying bacterial community, resulting in higher $N_2O$ emission. Overall results imply that biochar amendment to agricultural soil can stabilize soil carbon from fast decomposition although attention should be paid to additional $N_2O$ emission when biochar addition is combined with the application of nitrogen fertilizer.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2018

Two planter boxes were monitored during their initial year of operation to be able to assess their stormwater runoff and pollutant reduction capabilities and investigate on the design factors affecting their performance. One of the planter boxes provided 85-100% runoff volume reduction for rainfall less than 15 mm and rainfall intensities lower than 5 mm/hr. This reduced to 50-64% during higher rainfall intensities and depths of up to 50 mm. Suspended solids, organics, nutrients, and heavy metals were satisfactorily removed at a range of 40-95%. The other planter box, however, did not produce outflow in all the events and allowed total capture of stormwater. The uncertainty regarding the fate of the runoff in that case required an investigation of the planter box's actual drainage and underground conditions which was deemed outside the scope of the study. Nonetheless, several design improvements and retrofits were suggested based on the provisions of current design guidelines to ensure that the hydraulic and water quality goals are achieved without potential damage to nearby structures. Moreover, continuous monitoring data is required to provide more accurate design evaluation and can serve as a guide in the construction of similar facilities in the future.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.36 no.2 s.103
• /
• pp.172-180
• /
• 2003

For a biological assessment of Pyeongtaek Reservoir and its major influent streams, an algal growth potential test (AGPT) was conducted with the blue-green algae Microcystis aeruginosa in March, June, September and December, 2000. The range and average value of AGPT were from 0 to 463 mg dw/l and 90 mg dw/l, respectively. For the influent streams in particular, the average of AGPT was the in the Hwangguchi Stream (343 mg dw/l). It decreased to 158, 66, 29, 21, and 21 mg dw/l in the Sojong Stream, Songhwan Stream, Osan Stream, Chinwi Stream, and Ansong Stream, respectively. The AGPT values in the reservoir ranged from 0 to 138 mg dw/1(mean 54 mg dw/1) with a tendency to increase in the upstream, which was close to the influent streams. In general, the AGPT values decreased further in the downstream. Immediately after the abrupt increase in influent discharge in summer, the AGPT value in the downstream almost doubled due to the proliferation of blue-green algae. The water quality of Pyeongtaek Reservoir and its influent streams further deteriorated during the drought period. Similarly, the AGPT value was the highest during this period. The AGPT values showed the closest correlation with the content of P (r = 0.999, p<0,001). Thus, it could be concluded that the content of P is highly effective in the growth of algae. In the Pyeongtaek Reservoir Watershed, the AGPT values varied in space and time. It was also closely related to the nutrient content of influent streams. The AGPT values revealed that the water quality state was hypertrophic (> 20 mg dw/1). Thus, control of the aquatic environment is essential. AGPT is very useful in evaluating the fertility and pollution state of the water as well as determining the nutrients that limit the growth of algae.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.193-201
• /
• 2004

The objective was to evaluate the factors influencing on the growth of children aged 3 - 6 years by mini dietary assessment and anthropometric indices in 556 children and by analyzing mineral contents of hair from 273 children by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean concentration of zinc (Zn) in hair was 68.9 $\pm$ 31.1 ppm and the zinc level of 91 ％ children was less than 60％ of the reference value of 180 ppm. The mean content of lead (Pb) in hair was 1.76 $\pm$ 1.20 ppm, but only 67％ of 273 children was within the reference value of 2 ppm and the lead level of 33％ of children was 2 - 4 times higher than the reference value. The level of Zn was negatively correlated with Pb content (r = -0.305, p 〈 0.01). Hair Zn content, regardless of age, was significantly positively correlated with height (r = 0.214) and body weight (r = 0.159). The height of 95.3％ children was belonged to the normal range of 90 - 109.9％ of standard value and the body weight of 49.8％ children was in the range of 90 - 109.9％ of standard value. However, 8.1 ％ children was overweighted (110 - 119.9％ of standard) and 9.4％ children was obese (120 - 149.9％ of standard) and 0.9％ children was severe obese (〉 150％) which resulted in total 10.3％ obese. Contrary to our expectation, 32.8％ children was underweight (70 - 89.9％ of standard) and 36％ of the underweight children showed the low content of zinc (10 - 49 ppm) in hair. There was no significant correlation between dietary intake of Zn and hair Zn content. Hair Zn content was low even though children consumed greater than 75％ of their requirement for zinc. Regardless of dietary intake of Zn, hair Zn level was rather negatively correlated to the content of Pb in hair. 38.8％ children had an unbalanced diet which resulted in lower intake of calorie, Ca, Zn, vitamin B$_2$ compared with those consuming variety of foods. Therefore, it would be needed that new approach for nutrition education to improve eating habit having the unbalanced diet in preschool children. It might be also suggested to develop new food products to complement the nutrients of Zn, Ca, Fe as snacks or dietary supplement for Korean preschool children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.186-196
• /
• 2013

The objective of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for an adult population for use in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The 24-hour recall data for 2,939 subjects aged 19 years and over from the fourth KNHANES first year (2007) were used to extract the items included in the questionnaire. The FFQ items were developed by selection of major dishes based on the cumulative contribution rate, between-person variability based on the cumulative R2 of energy and 14 nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) and the number of consumers of each dish. In addition, the FFQ items were revised with analysis of 24-hour recall data of the fourth KNHANES second and third year (2008, 2009). Finally, 112 items were included in the FFQ and grouped as follows: rice (5 items), noodles and dumplings (6), breads and rice cakes (8), soups and stews (12), soybeans, eggs, meat and fish (23), vegetables, seaweed and potatoes (27), milk and dairy products (4), fruits (13), beverages (5), snacks (6) and alcoholic beverages (3). The food items of FFQ accounted for an average of 87.0% of energy and 14 nutrient intakes and also accounted for 81.7% of the between-person variability. The frequency range of the FFQ items was classified into nine categories (never or seldom, once per month, 2-3 times per month, once per week, 2-4 times per week, 5-6 times per week, once per day, twice per day and three times per day) and the portion size was divided into three categories (small, medium and large). We expect that this developed dish-based FFQ could be used in assessment of longterm dietary intakes of Korean adults.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
• /
• 2015.05a
• /
• pp.238-238
• /
• 2015

There are demands for water environmental analysis of discharge processes in paddy fields, however, it is not fully understood in nutrients discharge process for watershed modeling. As hydrological processes both surface and ground water and agricultural water managements are so complex in paddy fields, the development of lowland paddy fields watershed model is more difficult than upland watershed model. In this research, the improvement of SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model for a paddy watershed was conducted. First, modification of surface inundated process was developed in improved pot hole option. Those modification was evaluated by monitoring data. Second, the monitoring data in river and drainage channel in lowland paddy fields from 2012 to 2014 were analyzed to understand discharge characteristics. As a case study, Imbanuma basin, Japan, was chosen as typical land and water use in Asian countries. In this basin, lowland paddy fields are irrigated from river water using small pumps that were located in distribution within the watershed. Daily hydrological fluctuation was too complex to estimate. Then, to understand surface and ground water discharge characteristics in irrigation (Apr-Aug) and non-irrigation (Sep-Mar) period, the water and material balance analysis was conducted. The analysis was composed two parts, watershed and river channel blocks. As results of model simulation, output was satisfactory in NSE, but uncertainty was large. It would be coming from discharge process in return water. The river water and ground water in paddy fields were exchanged each other in 5.7% and 10.8% to river discharge in irrigation and non-irrigation periods, respectively. Through this exchange, nutrient loads were exchanged between river and paddy fields components. It suggested that discharge from paddy fields was not only responded to rainfall but dynamically related with river water table. In general, hydrological models is assumed that a discharge process is one way from watershed to river. However, in lowland paddy fields, discharge process is dynamically changed. This function of paddy fields showed that flood was mitigated and temporally held as storage in ground water. Then, it showed that water quality was changed in mitigated function in the water exchange process in lowland paddy fields. In future, it was expected that hydrological models for lowland paddy fields would be developed with this mitigation function.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.261-272
• /
• 2020

Approvals for cultivation and import of genetically modified (GM) crops have dramatically increased around the world. Comparative compositional studies are an important aspect of safety assessments of products from GM crops and are based on substantial equivalence. Compositional analyses focus on determining similarities and differences between the compositions of the GM crops and their conventional counterparts, and thereby assessing the compositional equivalence of GM crops and their conventional comparators. The analytes, such as major constituents, key nutrients, and antinutrients, are generally determined on a crop-specific basis according to the OECD consensus document. The use of standard methods throughout the processes, such as selection of comparators, field trials, analytical methods, and statistical data analysis, is crucial. In this study, we showed the general framework of compositional studies. Literature for compositional studies of GM crops conducted abroad and in Korea was reviewed to obtain information about analytes, conventional counterparts, cultivation year, location, and statistical methods. The studies conducted abroad assessed for commercial release of GM crops such as soybean, maize, and cotton, while domestic studies were mainly performed for research in rice. In addition, we suggested a guidance for conventional comparators and field trials applicable to the domestic situation.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.391-405
• /
• 2020

Leaching chracteristics of Andong-dam sediment was conducted for heavy metal and nutrients. Five mixed sediment samples were prepared and leaching was conducted under aerobic and anaerobic condition for 60 days. Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Hg, As, Fe, Mn, phosphorus, and nitrogen were analyzed at each sampling time. The leaching rate of phosphorus was higher in anaerobic condition comparing with that of under aerobic condition. Some samples showed higher than the water-quality level IV. In case of As and Cd which showed highest contamination level in the sediment, leached concentration were 0.028 mg/L and 0.003 mg/L in maximum, respectively. The leached concentration is below than the lake water quality standard of Korea. Other heavy metals including Cu, Pb, and Cr also showed similar trend. Five step sequential extraction showed that easily extractable 1-2 step portion such as ion-exchangeable and adsorbed one was less than 10% and the most of the portion was residual. For As and Cd, the residual portion were 80% and 95% respectively indicating the risk by the heavy metal leaching into the lake for a short period was not high in comparing with the contamination levels.