• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.446-452
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• 2012

The effect of heavy metals on seedling growth and pigment levels was studied in Arabidopsis using essential (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential metals (Pb and Hg). Generally increasing the concentrations of the metals resulted in a gradual decrease in root and shoot lengths, a decrease in chlorophylls, an increase in anthocyanins and a fluctuation in carotenoid content depending on the metal types. The toxicity of the metals decreased in the following order: Cu > Hg > Pb > Zn > Mn. Among the five metals, Cu was exceptionally toxic and the most potent inducer of anthocyanins. Pb induced the smallest quantity of anthocyanins but it was the strongest inducer of carotenoids. It suggests that the Cu-stressed Arabidopsis may use anthocyanins as its main antioxidants while the Pb-stressed Arabidopsis use carotenoids as its main protectants. All of the five metals induced an accumulation of anthocyanins. The consistent increase in anthocyanin content in the metal-stressed Arabidpsis indicates that anthocyanins play a major role in the protection against metal stresses.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1171-1175
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• 2006

Deposited road particles (DRPs) were analysed for heavy metal concentrations at four different roads in a city, Korea. The samples were collected using a roadway surface vacuum cleaning vehicle which was commonly used in collecting roadway surface particles. Six particle size ranges were analyzed separately for twelve heavy metal elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Al, As, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Hg). At all sampling sites, the high concentration of the heavy metals occurred in the <74um particle size range, which conventional roadway cleaning vehicles do not remove efficiently. The Pb concentration significantly increased with decreasing particle size of DRPs, and other toxic heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Ni) also showed similar results. The heavy metal concentrations in the smaller size fraction of DRPs is important because they are contaminants that are preferentially transported by road runoff during rainfall.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2005

Benthic amphipod, Grandidierella japonica widely inhabits the Korean coastal waters and is developed as a standard test species for sediment toxicity tests. We exposed G. japonica to various pollutants including 4 kinds of inorganic metals (Ag, Cd, Cu and Hg), tributyltin [TBT], ammonia and 7 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds (acenaphthene, chrysene, fluoranthene, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene) to estimate the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and the median lethal concentration (LC50) of each pollutant during the 96-hour acute exposure. Among all tested pollutants, TBT was most toxic to G. japonica, and Rg was most toxic among inorganic metals. The toxicity of pyrene to G. japonica was greatest among PAH compounds, followed by fluoranthene, phenanathrene, acenaphthene, fluorene and naphthalene. The toxicity of PAH compounds was closely related to their physico-chemical characteristics such as $K_ow$ and water solubility. G. japonica responded adequately to pollutant concentrations and exposure durations, and the sensitivity of G. japonica to various inorganic and organic pollutants was generally comparable to other amphipods used as standard test species in ecotoxicological studies, indicating this species can be applied in the assessment of environments polluted by various harmful substances.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 1979

Rice seeds, suweon 264, were germinated under 5 levels of toxic heavy metals, Cd(0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 20ppm), Cu(0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 20, ppm), Cr(0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10ppm), Ni(0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10ppm), Co(0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10ppm), Zn(0, 0.5, 5, 20, 40, ppm), Pb(0, 0.5, 5, 20, 40ppm) and Mn(0, 1, 10, 25, 50, ppm) in culture solution, and then grown with supplying culture solution contained respective concentrations. Germination and growth response to the toxic heavy metals were studied. Results obtained are as follows : 1) The germination injury of rice seeds by excess concentration of toxic heave metal in culture solution occured in Cd and Cu; below 0.05 ppm, Ni; below 0.5 ppm, Mn; below 1.0 ppm, Co and Cr; 0.5-1.0 ppm, and 0.5-5 ppm, Zn and Pb. Thereby, in the order of degrees of the elements toxicity to germination, they were arranged as follows : Cd>Cu>Ni>Co>Cr>Mn>Zn$$\geq_-$$Pb. 2) Toxic heavy metal concentrations in culture solution, which result in decreasing dry weight due to the injury of excess concentration of treated elements, were Cd: below 0.05 ppm, Ni, Cr and Co; below 0.5 ppm, Cu and Zn; 0.5-5 ppm, Pb; 5-20 ppm and Mn; 10-25 ppm. The order was Ni>Cd>Cr>Co>Cu$$\geq_-$$Zn>Pb>Mn. 3) The critical contents of Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co in dry matter, Which result in decreasing dry weight, were considered to be 0.05-15.5, 1.50-25.0, 24.0-28.0, 26.5-62.5, 470-645.0, 231.0-500.0 and below 15.0 ppm, respectively. 4) The contents of Cr, Co, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu and Zn in dry matter by 0.5 ppm treatment concentration of each heavy metals was trace, 15.0, 17.5, 24.0, 25.0, 84.5 and 470.0 ppm, respectively. Thereby, in the order of each element to uptaked by rice seedlings, they were arranged as follow; Zn>Cu>Ni>Pb>Cd>Co>Cr. 5) The hazardous concentrations of root activity by toxic heavy metals in culture solution were Cd; below 0.05, Cu; 0.05-0.5, Cr; below 0.5, Ni; 0.5-1.0, Co; 0.5-1.0, Zn; above 0.5, Pb; 0.5-5.0 and Mn; 1.0-10.0 ppm. The hazardous degree of root activity by toxic heave metals was in the order of Cd>Cu>Cr>Zn>Ni>Co>Pb>Mn.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.2 s.171
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• pp.135-142
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• 2005

In order to investigate the contamination level and seasonal variation of heavy metals and evaluate the bioavailability of toxic elements, environmental geochemical survey was undertaken at the Dogok Au-Ag-Cu mine area. The main pollution sources in the area were suggested as tailings, mine waste materials and mine water. Elevated levels of $140{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}As,{\;}107{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}Cd,{\;} 3017{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}Cu,{\;}12926{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}Pb,{\;}9094{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg$ Zn(before rainy season) were found in mine tailings. Concentrations of heavy metals in farmland soils exceeded normal level in nature soil (Bowen, 1979). The highest level of heavy metals was found in water samples near the mine tailing dumps regarded as a main pollution source of toxic elements in the area. These concentrations decreased to downstream due to the effect of dilution. From the results of sequential extraction analyses for tailings and soils, non-residual forms of heavy metals were found, which indicate the contamination to be progressing by continuing weathering and oxidation. Cadmium and Zn would be of the highest mobility in all samples. The bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Zn and As using SBET analysis from paddy soils was $53.3{\%},{\;}46.5{\%},{\;}41.0{\%}$ and $37.0\%$, respectively. The farmland soil sample(S3) showed the highest total concentration and bioavailability of heavy metals.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.261-271
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• 1999

Mining activity in the Gubong gold mine started in 1908 and lasted up to recent days. Heavy metals derived from the activity may be porentially toxic to human life and envirinment of this area. Because metal toxicity depends on chemical associations into five operationally defined groups: exchangeable, carbonate, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions, and the Most of heavy metals have significant little significance (alomost<1%). And Cu is mainly associated with the oxidizable from. Total concentration of heavy metals, pH, and mineralogy affect the chemical forms of the metals. Heavy metal concentrations. Significant amounts of metal elements (5∼65.1% in Pb, 6.2∼39.7% in Zn, 8.7∼54.7% in Cd, and 3.6∼24.7% in Cu) were present in carbonate form from mine wastes, contaminated soils and sediments. High pH value and cerussite (Pb bearing carbonate mineral) in mine wastes, contaminated soils and sediments. High pH value and cerussite (Pb beraring varbonate mineral) in mine waste support this result. Areas with high corbonate bound from would have higher potentoal conamination, however, because elements of carbonate bound forms are easily mobilized under lower pH conditions in the surface envionments due to acid to rain soil acidification.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.574-583
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• 2008

The results of HAPs emission data using TRI (Toxic Release Inventory), SODAM (Source Data Management system) were investigated and the emissions of 7 heavy metals from their sources and emission processes were also analyzed. Questionnaire for source data analysis as well as the stack sampling were carried out for 17 factories among 6 selected industrial types. The annual amount of emissions was estimated based on the measured concentration and flow rates. All sources were operated with high efficiency control devices and the concentration levels of all heavy metals were shown to be below 0.1 to of regulation standard. The highest emission source of heavy metals was steel manufacturing industry with the annual emission of 342.9 kg/yr and followed by hazardous waste incinerator, paint manufacturing, nonferrous metal manufacturing, rolling & press goods manufacturing and storage battery manufacturing. In the case of Hg, the emissions were quite significant from electric acros of steel manufacturing industry, although the concentration level was below the emission standard, showing the necessity of specific care for its management.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.1069-1074
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• 2002

The growth and heavy metal experiments revealed oppositive interactions between toxic metals(Zn and Cd) and Mn when the coastal diatom T. pseudonana were used. Cd and Zn inhibited the algal growth rate only at low Mn ion concentrations and this effect could be accounted for an inhibition of cellular Mn take by the toxic metals. Mn and Zn inhibited cellular Cd take and this indicated a reciprocal effects among the metals with respect to metal take. Saturation kinetics modeling of the take data was consistent with two metals competing with each other for binding to the Mn take system and with both Cd and Mn being transported into the cell by that system. Mathematical modeling of Mn and Cd take data revealed evidence fur a Cd efflux system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2012

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

The phenomenon of sediment resuspension in rivers and lakes causes contaminants (heavy metals and nutrients) accumulated in the sediment to leach into the overlying water. As a result, it can lead to changes in toxic effects and eutrophication in the aquatic ecosystem. In this regard, it is important to quantitatively determine the amount of contaminants leached during sediment resuspension. In this study, methods for assessing the amount of released contaminants and the types of contaminants potentially released due to sediment resuspension were studied and summarized. Methods for assessing leaching can be divided into three groups based on the principle of causing resuspension: (i) the oscillating grid chamber method, (ii) the mechanical stirrer method, and (iii) the shaker method. It was confirmed that the types of contaminants that can potentially be released include heavy metals bound to sulfides, as well as exchangeable and labile forms of heavy metals and nutrients. To effectively manage stable aquatic ecosystems in the future, a simplified leaching test method is needed to assess in advance the risks (i.e., changes in toxic effects and eutrophication) that sediment resuspension may pose to aquatic ecosystems.