• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.15-26
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• 1996

It has been studied that a variety of fauna and flora are sensitive biological indicators which reflect the severity of regional pollution of heavy metals, but in the center of part of Taegu City the controversial issue of lead poisoning attributable to the atmosphere which contains an increased concentrations of lead has been raised recently, it is usually hard to find suitable plants or animal in the areas with heavy traffic. Pigeons are ubiquitous in and around Taegu City area, inhabiting even the most densely populated areas with heavy traffic. With its small body size, high metabolic turnover, and rather limited mobility, a pigeon, as a biological indicator is expected. This study was conducted to monitor lead pollution in the Taegu and Kyongju City in Korea. We measured the lead content of the various tissue of three groups of feral pigeon(Columba livia) and soil and atmospheric lead concentration. First group was obtained in heavy traffic area in Taegu City, the second group was obtained a park in Taegu City and the third group was obtained light traffic area in Kyongju City. The air and soil lead concentration of heavy traffic area in Taegu City was $0.11{\mu}g/m^3,\;4.96{\mu}g/g$, that of park in Taegu City was $0.05{\mu}g/m^3,\;2.65{\mu}g/g$ and that of light traffic area in Kyongju City was $0.03{\mu}g/m^3,\;0.01{\mu}g/g$. The lead content of lung, blood, kidney, femur and liver of feral pigeons in heavy traffic area in Taegu City was significantly higher than pigeons obtained in a park in Taegu City and low traffic density area in Kyongju City(p<0.01). But stomach lead content of three group did not reflect a significant difference. In this study positive correlation was found between atmospheric lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's lung(r=0.5040, p<0.001), blood(r=0.3322, p<0.01), kidney(r=0.4824, p<0.001), femur(r=0.7214, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4836, p<0.01). We can also found positive correlation between soil lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's femur(r=0.4850, p<0.001), kidney(r=0.4850, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4386, p<0.01). In the pigeon's tissue there were significant correlations between concentration of lead in the blood and kidney(r=4818, p<0.001), femur(r=0.6157, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.3889, p<0.001). In conclusion, at the heavy traffic area in Taegu City, lead concentrations found in the atmosphere and soil are reflected in the lead concentrations of different tissue of urban pigeons. It is suggested that the tissue of pigeons can be good biological indicators of environmental lead pollution.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.326-344
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• 2011

Although anthropogenic disturbance of 20 years duration affects benthic habitats, few studies have examined its effects on the macrobenthic communities of a bay. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of environmental variables on the macrobenthic communities after the construction of the Hwaong dike. Macrobenthos were collected at 22 sites using a Smith McIntyre grab (0.1 $m^2$) in August 2007 and February 2008. Total organic content was very low around the Hwaong dike. Sediment grain size increased from the Hwaong dike to the outer bay. In total, 317 species of macrobenthic fauna were collected and the mean density was 1,155 ind. $m^{-2}$, both of which were higher than the results of previous studies. The dominant species, $Hetermastus$ $filiformis$, known to be a potential pollution indicator, was more abundant near the Hwaong dike. Conversely, species sensitive to organic pollution, such as the polychaete $Ampharete$ $arctica$ and the ophiuroid $Amphioplus$ $squamata$, exhibited higher mean densities in areas distant from the dike. A cluster analysis indicated that the macrobenthic community was divided into two distinct groups: group I near the dike and group II in the outer bay, which were affected by sediment grain size and total organic content. This study suggests that variations in sediment grain size and organic content after dike construction are important factors controlling the macrobenthic community in Asan Bay.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.490-498
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• 2010

HCFC-22 (chlorodifluoromethane, $CHClF_2$), one of the major components in various refrigeration, is emitted mostly from developing countries, as its consumption is not limited until 2013 by the Montreal Protocol. In addition, HFC-23 (trifluoromethane, $CHF_3$), a by-product in the manufacture of HCFC-22, is also a powerful greenhouse gas. Here, we discuss the regional emission characteristics of these compounds based on high-frequency in-situ measurements using the "Medusa" GC-MS system. HCFC-22 and HFC-23 baseline concentrations measured at Gosan (Jeju Island, Korea) from November 2007 to December 2008 increased by 1.8 ppt/yr and 0.6 ppt/yr, respectively. Pollution events of these compounds were observed, very frequently (e.g., ~2~3 times) at Gosan than baseline levels. All the measurement data were divided into four groups by simultaneously considering the ratio (HFC-23/HCFC-22) and concentration (HCFC-22) at Trinidad Head (TH, California, USA). The residence time of trajectories were then analyzed in each of the four groups. The results exhibited the existence of a strong correlation with air mass origin for each group: 1) Air masses originating from Siberia in the north and from the Pacific in the south had ratios of 0.08~0.12 and concentrations of 196.9~254.3 ppt which is highly comparable to background air at TH. 2) Air masses passing over the Southern China exhibited similar ratios but higher HCFC-22 concentrations. 3) Air masses passing over the Northern China had ratios of 0.12~0.21. 4) Air masses passing over Korea and/or Japan had ratios of 0.01~0.08. Our results suggest that the HFC-23/HCFC-22 ratio can be used as a good indicator for the assessment of the pollution with Chinese origin. We also confirmed differences in air masses traveling over Northern and Southern China, most likely due to differences in air mass travelling speed over these regions before arriving at Gosan. This signature may be treated as one of the critical components in identifying the emission sources from different parts of China.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.238-244
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• 1994

To investigate the bacterial potentials for utilizing dissolved organic matter in highly eutrophic estuary, the annual fluctuations of microbiological and physicochemical environmental parameters were analyzed in Naktong River Estuary. Total bacterial number ranged from 0.33 to $2.09{\times}10^7$ cells/ml, and correlated with the heterotrophic bacterial numbers in more eutrophic sites, especially. Bacterial biovolume and biomass varied between 0.064 and 0.156 2.09${\mu}m^3$/cell, 0.163 and 1.036 ${\mu}g$-C/ml, respectively. Bacterial secondary productivity ranged from 0.24 to 60.86 ${\mu}g$-C/l/h, and showed high correlations with the environmental parameters of pollution indicator. The seasonal variation pattern of bacterial productivity in freshwater sites was high in winter and low in summer, which was interpreted as the results of pollution loads varied with the amount of rainfall. In seawater site, the pattern was different from those of freshwater sites; high in summer and low in winter. In this site, the values of bacterial productivity showed positive correaltions with chlorophyll a, heterotrophic bacterial number, and temperature (r>0.5, p<0.05). These results suggested that the main source of organic matter which influences the bacterial productivity may be allochthonous materials in the upper freshwater zone of Naktong River Barrage, and autochthonous algal excretory products in the lower seawater zone of Naktong River Barrage.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 1986

The study was performed to investigate the effects of gaseous imission of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen fluoride on the growth of rice plant under stressed field conditions. The plants were cultivated in normal paddy fields where are 88 industrial plants operating with 285 smoke stacks emitting pollutants. There has been a number of reported studies (1, 3, 11, 19, 20) which deal with rice plant damages by air pollution under a simulated exposure experimental condition. Furthermore, these experiments were conducted to examine effects of a single pollutant on the plant. Furthermore, these experiments were conducted to examine effects of a single pollutant on the plant. In korea, however, there is no study reported in literature with respect to the in-situ dose-response relationship between rice pant reduction in yields and air pollution. This study is specifically dealt with multiple effects of sulfur dioxde and hydrogen fluoride on various plant growth indicators such as leaf damage, culm height, weight of grain, panicles per hill, spikelets per panicle and percent fertility.It appears that there is a good correlation between ambient concentrations of sulfur oxides and sulfur contents found in leaves with an average correlation coefficient of 0.868 within a 1% significance level. It is interesting to note that a better multiple correlation was found between percent leaf damage and sulfur and fluoride contentd found in leaf with a significance of 1% level. The yearly correlation coefficient ranges from 0.963 to 0.987 with an average being 0.971. It is, therefore, believed that a percent leaf damage may serve as a single indicator of pollutional damages to rice plant cultivating in fields. Regarding other factors to the diminution of rice plant growth in polluted atmosphere, it appears that a significant correlation to culm length and dry weight of grain with a 1% significance level whereas T/R ratio has a good correlation with lead damage within 5% significance level. An evaluation of data observed has demonstrated that both panicles per hill and percent fertility are significantly affected by air pollutants. As expected, hydrogen fluoride has more effects than sulfur oxide. It is, however, interesting to note that spikelets per panicles has slightly been affected while no indication of effects on 1000-grain-weight has been observed. This may lead to a conclusion that a reduction in yield of rice under polluted field conditions may have more been caused by the diminution of panicles per hill and percent fertility rather than by the diminution of spikelets per panicle and grain weight.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 1997

The present study was carried out to investigate the temporal and spatial changes in species composition and abundance of polychaetes in Lake Shihwa. Macrobenthic fauna were collected from eight sampling surveys performed in March, June, September and December of 1994, March and October of 1995, February and August of 1996, using a modified van Veen grab with 0.1 $m^2$ coverage area. Polychaete worms, the most abundant macrofaunal group, comprised of 1~22 species at each investigation; number of species continuously decreased during the survey period. The mean density of polychaete was $794{\pm}1,275\;indiv.{\cdot}m^{-2}$ and showed a large fluctuation over time. The variation in abundance was mainly coupled with the domination of Polydora ligni occupying 83% in total density. The next dominant species were Pseudopolydora kempi (mean density of 31 $indiv.{\cdot}m^{-2}$) and Capitella capitata (mean density of 23 $indiv.{\cdot}m^{-2}$). Abundant polychaetes in Lake Shihwa are known to be tolerant to sediment pollution. Ecological indices such as diversity (H') and dominance (D) also indicated that the number of species significantly decreased and a few species predominated in Lake Shihwa after the dike construction. The azoic zone were extended from the upper reach of Lake Shihwa to the vicinity of the dike over time. The reduced number of species, predominance of pollution indicator species and development of an azoic zone reflect severe deterioration of benthic environments in Lake Shihwa.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.242-245
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• 2004

This study was conducted to assess water quality of Dae stream in Busan using the periphyton. Species of the higher rank 10% in standing crops were Cymbella ventricosa, Aulacoseira granulata, Gomphonema olivaceum, Synedra ulna through the study. In addition, Fragilaria intermedia ill the station 1 and 2, and Nitzschia palea in the station 3 and 4 dominated the periphyton community respectively. These species mainly appeared in the urban stream. Where input of pollutant is forecasted, standing crops of dominant species are investigated very highly. Also, standing crops of Nitzschia palea were higher in the pollution area such as polysaprobic than any other area. Water quality by the saprobic index were oligosaprobic in the station 1, $\beta$-mesosaprobic in the station 2 and 3, and $\alpha$- mesosaprobic in the station 4. These results suggests that the pollution of Dae stream gradually increased with downstream due perhaps to the loading of sewage from the new residental complex.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.419-424
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to study the relationship between exposure to nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) in the ambient air and breast cancer incidence. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was performed based on the MOOSE guideline for review of observational studies. We searched five online databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Scopus) from their conception to June 2014. A pooled estimate of the correlation between $NO_2$ exposure and breast cancer incidence was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 654 titles were retrieved in the initial search of the databases. Further refinement and screening of the retrieved studies produced a total of five studies from four countries. The studies included three ecological studies (aggregate level) and two individual based studies (one prospective cohort and the other one a case-control study). The ecological studies were pooled and the meta-analysis of correlation coefficient without z transformation showed a pooled estimate of r = 0.89 with 95% CI of 0.84 to 0.95. Using z transformation, the pooled r was 1.38 with 95%CI of 1.11 to 1.59. No significant heterogeneity between studies was observed. Following a sensitivity analysis and the removal of each study from pooled analysis we did not see any significant change in the pooled estimate. Conclusions: It was concluded that there is a tendency toward a weak association between exposure to $NO_2$ in ambient air and breast cancer at the individual level and a significant association at the aggregate level.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.441-453
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• 2015

In this paper, according to the illuminance at night with artificial lighting in downtown Seoul, trees flowering and leaf growth rate was performed as a case study to examine whether there is a difference. The illuminance was measured at 78 points on a total of 26 points, the range of illuminance were divided into three groups considering land use, Group A (plots 1-7) were 4.90 ~ 112.50 lx, Group B (plots 8 to 18) were 0.45 ~ 42.40 lx, group C (plots 19 to 26) were 0.28 ~ 22.10 lx. According to the One-way ANOVA on illuminance difference, the survey groups were classified into three groups. To survey the ratio of the flowering Prunus yedoensis and Rhododendron spp. and to survey the ratio of leaf growth Zelkova serrata, Ginkgo biloba, and Acer palmatum each 30 individuals were investigated. Rhododendron spp. to study the ratio of the flowering and Acer palmatum to study the ratio of leaf growth were determined to be useful as indicator woody species according to the correlation. The higher illuminance of night lighting is, the faster flowering and leaf growth of trees will be by correlation between the mean illuminance of each group and the flowering and leaf growth of trees. In the future, should be made a more detailed study of how much affect to the trees with some impact on the level of light pollution at night lighting.

• Atmosphere
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.439-454
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• 2020

This study investigates the change in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and World Health Organization (WHO) air quality index (AQI) in East Asia (EA) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). AQI is an indicator of increasing levels about health concern, divided into six categories based on PM2.5 annual concentrations. Here, we utilized the ensemble results of UKESM1, the climate model operated in Met Office, UK, for the analysis of long-term variation during the historical (1950~2014) and future (2015~2100) period. The results show that the spatial distributions of simulated PM2.5 concentrations in present-day (1995~2014) are comparable to observations. It is found that most regions in EA exceeded the WHO air quality guideline except for Japan, Mongolia regions, and the far seas during the historical period. In future scenarios containing strong air quality (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5) and medium air quality (SSP2-4.5) controls, PM2.5 concentrations are substantially reduced, resulting in significant improvement in AQI until the mid-21st century. On the other hand, the mild air pollution controls in SSP3-7.0 tend to lead poor AQI in China and Korea. This study also examines impact of increased in PM2.5 concentrations on downward shortwave energy at the surface. As a result, strong air pollution controls can improve air quality through reduced PM2.5 concentrations, but lead to an additional warming in both the near and mid-term future climate over EA.