• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2012

Metal ions, toxic or potentially toxic to biota and human beings, can be immobilized by sorption onto the mineral surfaces in soils and sediments. This article briefly explains theories regarding the chemical properties of mineral surfaces to sorb metal ions and processes of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis for sorption study, and reviews atomic-scale findings on metal sorption on mineral surfaces. The theoretical understanding on the chemistry of mineral surfaces and metal sorption is fundamental to the proper analysis of the atomic-scale spectroscopy to determine the sorption phases. Atomic-scale findings on metal sorption phases discussed here include co-precipitation, ternary complexation, aging effects, and desorption possibilities, as well as outer-sphere complexation, inner-sphere complexation, and surface precipitation.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.103-113
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• 2015

Objective : Five most generally adopting basic oriental prescriptions (yookmijihwangtang, ojeoksan, sipjeondaebotang, samultang, bojoongikgitang) samples were collected from 10 oriental hospitals nationwide and the transferring ratio to aqueous phase (TRAP) were calculated. Method : The samples are grounded evenly and the decocted at $120^{\circ}C$ for 12 min on hot plate and then filtered. The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr and Pb in before and after decoction were measure by ICP/MS and the TRAPs were calculated. Results : The concentrations of As, Cr and Pb in the ground samples before decoction were all below criteria level, and TRAP values were also very low (<10%). For Cd, although some ground samples before decoction showed relatively high concentration level compare to the criteria level, because of their low TRAP (~3%), the actual concentrations in the decoction were quite low compare the criteria level. The Co's concentrations in the ground samples before decoction were all relatively low level. However, the TRAP of Co was astonishingly high value of around 40% average. Conclusion : The toxic heavy metal concentrations in the decoction were very low compare to the criteria level. The TRAPs are less than <10% except Co. The toxic heavy metals in the prescriptions are mainly remained in the residue and the only very small fraction may transferred to the decoctions. Therefore the toxicity of the oriental herbal medicine about the toxic heavy metal may be overstressed. The Co's TRAP turned out to be quite high value (40% average). Since the criteria level wes not established yet, the safety of decoctions according to Co was not fully confirmed.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2001

There is considerable interest in how microbiological processes can affect the behaviour of metal contaminants in natural and engineered environments and their potential for bioremediation. The extent to which microorganisms can affect metal contaminants is dependent on the identity and chemical form of the metal and the physical and chemical nature of the contaminated site or substance. In general terms, microbial processes which solubilize metals increase their bioavailability and potential toxicity, whereas those that immobilize them reduce bioavailability. The balance between mobilization and immobilization varies depending on the metal, the organisms, their environment and physico-chemical conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.565-572
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• 1998

This study estimate the degree of contamination in the streamwater around the Sudokwon landfill site. It was sampled at 10 sites in Jan., Apr., Jul. and Oct., 1996. There were analyzed five kinds of toxic chemical material-CN, AES, PCB, As, Org-p, and four kinds of heavy metal-Pb, Hg, Cd, $C^{+6}$ The result are 1)The COD was generally increased to compare before landfall, 2) The Org-P and PCB were not detected at all points, 3) The concentrations of Pb, $C^{+6}$ and As were lower than the environmental criteria values, 4) The CN, Hg and Cd were over envirommental criteria values. and so emergent regulation is needed, 5) The effects of the streamwater contamination were not only the leachate of the landfall, but also the small factories and agricultural land around the landfill.

• ALGAE
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.471-477
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• 2006

Amphora costata W. Smith 1853 is a down thrown diatom species and also known as metal corrosive ship-fouling organism. A. costata was isolated from Alang ship breaking yard, Alang and evaluated the toxicity tolerance and growth responses of the cultures exposed to different doses of toxic and relatively accessible heavy metals, such as Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb in the constantly monitored laboratory culture conditions. The strongest toxic effect was observed on A. costata exposed to Cd even at relatively low concentrations as compared to other metals. The following trend of decreasing order of toxicity i.e. Cd>Zn>Ni>Co>Pb>Cu>Fe was observed, when they were exposed to equal concentration and expose time.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.243-255
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• 2015

In this investigation, ecotoxicity of nano and micro metal oxides, namely silica ($SiO_2$) and alumina ($Al_2O_3$), on the growth of green algae (Porphyridium aerugineum Geitler) is discussed. Effects of nano and micro particles on the growth, chlorophyll content and protein content of algae are analysed using standard protocols. Results indicate that $SiO_2$ nano and micro $SiO_2$ particles are non-toxic to P. aerugineum Geitler up to a concentration of 1000 mg/L. In addition, $Al_2O_3$ microparticles are less toxic to P. aerugineum Geitler, whereas $Al_2O_3$ nanoparticles are found to be highly toxic at 1000 mg/L. Moreover, $Al_2O_3$ nanoparticles decrease the growth, chlorophyll content, and protein content of tested algae. In addition, zeta potential and contact angle are also important in enhancing the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles in aquatic environment. This study highlights a new insight into toxicity evaluation of nanoparticles on beneficial aquatic organisms such as algae.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: Metal mines were actively developed in the early twentieth century in Korea; however, most of these mines were closed and abandoned without proper management. Therefore, toxic metal contamination in the vicinity of Korean abandoned metal mines has been reported. A risk assessment for these metals was performed for residents near by abandoned Sanyang metal mine. METHODS AND RESULTS: Soil and groundwater samples were collected from May to October 2007 around the mine. After pretreatment of these samples, metal concentrations were measured and then a risk assessment was performed using the Korean soil-contamination risk assessment guidelines. Cancer risk was the highest from inhalation of Pb-contaminated soil, followed in descending order by As-contaminated soil inhalation and water ingestion. The sum of carcinogenic risks was $3.35{\times}10^{-3}$. The noncarcinogenic risk was observed for inhalation of Hg-contaminated soil (5.71). CONCLUSION: Inhalation of soil in dust was the principal pathway to cause the health risk and most of the risk was attributed to As, Pb,Cd, and Hg contamination.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.227-233
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• 2022

The objective of the study, to develop adsorbent based purifier for removal of radiological and nuclear contaminants from contaminated water. In this regard, 3-aminopropyl silica functionalized with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (APS-EDTA) adsorbent prepared and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Prepared APS-EDTA used for adsorptive studies of Cs(I), Co(II), Sr(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) from contaminated water. The effect on adsorption of various parameters viz. contact time, initial concentration of metal ions and pH were also analyzed. The batch method has been employed using metal ions in solution from 1000-10000 ㎍/L, contact time 5-60 min., pH 4-10 and material quantities 50-200 mg at room temperature. The obtained adsorption data were used for drawing Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms model and both models were found suitable for explaining the metal ions adsorption on APS-EDTA. The adsorption data were followed pseudo second order reaction kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained 1.3037-1.4974 mg/g for above said metal ions. The results show that APS-EDTA have great potential to remove Cd(II), Co(II), Cs(I), Ni(II) and Sr(II) from aqueous solutions through chemisorption and physio-sorption.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.238-244
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• 2012

Toxic effects of heavy metal (Pb, Cr, As) were examined by the hatching rates of fertilized eggs in the oliver flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Eggs were exposed to Pb, Cr, As (0, 10, 100, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000 ppb) and then normal hatching rates were investigated after 48 h. The normal hatching rates in the control condition (not including heavy metal) were greater than 80%, but suddenly decreased with increasing of heavy metal concentrations. Pb, Cr and As reduced the normal hatching rates in concentration-dependent way and a significant reduction occurred at concentration grater than 100, 100, 500 ppb, respectively. The ranking of heavy metal toxicity was Cr>As>Pb, with $EC_{50}$ values of 415, 518 and 1,029 ppb, respectively. The no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) show each 100 bbp and 500 ppb of normal hatching rates in exposed to Pb and As. The NOEC and LOEC of normal hatching rates in Cr were 10 ppb and 100 ppb, respectively. From these results, the normal hatching rates of P. olivaceus have toxic effect at greater than the 100 ppb concentrations in Pb, As and the 10 ppb concentrations in Cr in natural ecosystems. These results suggest that biological assay using the normal hatching rates of P. olivaceus are very useful test method for the toxicity assessment of a toxic substance as heavy metal in marine ecosystems.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.12-17
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• 2013

Heavy metal contamination of soil and water from industrial sources remains a worldwide environmental concern. Concentrations of toxic metals were measured in soil from banks of the Han and Anyang rivers. Pre-monsoon samples contained the highest heavy metal concentrations (Cu > As > Pb > Cd > $Cr^{6+}$; up to 57.80, 38.23, 25.43, 2.21, 0.32 mg/kg, respectively), but concentrations decreased at all sites during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Higher heavy metal concentrations in pre-monsoon samples may be attributed to dust pollution, especially from roads near the river. A gradual reduction in heavy metal concentrations during the rainy season may be due to washing out. The high concentration of metals could cause health problems, especially in residential areas.