• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2014

Among pre-harvest environmental factors, increasing attention has been paid to the effects of chemical and microbiological factors on fresh produce. The occurrence and prevalence of these factors have been usually studied with regard to the final products at the post-harvesting stage and/or when they are sold in the market. However, the origin and routes of transmission of both factors remain to be clarified. In the present study, we examined the contamination levels of food-borne pathogens and chemical factors such as pesticide residues and heavy metals in 83 and 43 samples, respectively, including various soil, water, and fertilizer samples, as well as post-harvested and processed samples. Among the organic farming samples, only one pesticide, dimethomorph, was detected in the soil sample, however no pesticides were observed from any other samples in organic farming system. Thus, it was thought that might be contaminated from conventional farm land in the vicinity. Whereas many pesticide residues were detected in conventional farming systems such as soil, fertilizer, water, and fresh produce as expected. Furthermore, heavy metals detected from all tested samples did not shown contamination levels higher than the standard limit. We comparatively assessed the levels of contamination by food-borne pathogens on the samples from organic and conventional farming systems, and found aerobic bacteria at approximately 7 log CFU/g, with no significant differences observed between the two systems. Coliforms were present at lower levels than aerobic bacteria. No human pathogens were present among the coliforms detected, indicating that these bacteria are saprophytes without the ability to cause food-borne illnesses. In contrast, among the high-risk food-borne pathogens, only sporadic cells of Bacillus cereus were found on samples of organic farming system. These data extend previous findings that the most prevalent food-borne pathogen is B. cereus and demonstrate that it spreads to whole living plants via soil.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.78-91
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• 2018

In order to understand the distributions of organic matter and heavy metal concentrations in the surface sediment of Jaran Bay, we measured the grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments collected at 15 stations in this bay in November 2014. The sediment consisted of finer sediment such as mud and clay, with 8.6-9.8Ø($9.3{\pm}0.3$Ø) of mean grain size. The concentrations of TOC and TN in the sediment ranged from 1.51-2.39 % ($1.74{\pm}0.22%$) and 0.20-0.33 % ($0.23{\pm}0.03%$), respectively, and did not show spatial difference. The carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) ranged from 5-10, indicating that organic matter in the sediment originated from oceanic sources such as animal by-products from fish and shellfish farms. The concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Mn were much higher in the mouth of the bay than in the inner bay, and the concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn showed an opposite distribution pattern. Based on the results of the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$), pollutant load index (PLI), and ecological risk index (ERI), the surface sediment in Jaran Bay is not polluted or only slightly polluted with Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, whereas it is moderately to strongly polluted with As. In particular, some regions in the bay were identified as having a considerable risk status, indicating that metal concentration in the sediment could impact benthic organisms. Thus, the systematic management for marine and land sources of organic matter and heavy metals around Jaran Bay is necessary in order to ensure seafood safety and maintain sustainable production on shellfish farms.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.3 s.113
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• pp.322-333
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• 2005

Total phosphorus (TP) and suspended solids (SS) were measured in the discharge waters from 5 drainage basins of Lake Yongdam, from April, 2002 till March, 2004. The responses of SS and TP to rainfall were analyzed and their loadings into Lake Yongdam were calculated. The inflowing rivers into Lake Yongdam were the Juja River, the Jeongja River, the Jinan River, the Geum River and the Guryang River. Among these rivers Jinan River showed the highest TP that fluctuated very much according to the flow rate. TP and the flow rates (Q) of each river showed positive correlations with empirical relationsip of $TP\;=\;6.32Q^{0.30}$ for the Juia River, $TP\;=\;8.58Q^{0.49}$ for the Jeongia River, $TP\;=\;307.92Q^{0.10}$, for the Jinan River, $TP\;=\;17.91Q^{0.47}$, for the Geum River, $TP\;=\;20.11Q^{0.53}$ for Guryang River. In April 2002 ${\sim}$ March 2003, phosphorus loadings from the Juja River, the Jeongja River, the Jinan River, the Geum River and the Guryang River were calculated to be 3,677, 11,430, 36,412, 89,651, and 42,226 kgP ${\cdot}$ $yr^{-1}$ respectively. And the specific loadings from the Juja River, the Jeongia River, the Jinan River, the Geum River and the Guryang River were calculated to be 0.3, 2.9, 13.6, 9.3, and 13.0 kgP ${\cdot}$ $km^{-2}$ ${\cdot}$ $yr^{-1}$ respectively. In April 2002 ${\sim}$ March 2004, the suspended particles loading from the Juja River, the Jeongia River, the Jinan River, the Geum River and the Guryang River were 673, 1,232, 4,232, 30,902, 80,202 ton ${\cdot}$ $yr^{-1}$ respectively. The Guryang River showed the largest contribution of SS loading.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of re-establish the amount and major pollution source of swine wastewater from swine farms. The results obtained in this study was summarized as follow; The quantity of wastewater produced from the average volume of swine wastewater was $2.49{\ell}$/head/day and $2.49{\ell}$ in spring, $2.65{\ell}$ in summer, $2.47{\ell}$ in autumn, and $2.35{\ell}$ in winter. The quantity of wastewater production during summer season was higher than of the other seasons. The water pollutant concentration in wastewater of swine farms, $BOD_5$, SS, T-N and T-P, was $4,689\;mg/{\ell}$, $2,122\;mg/{\ell}$, $3,238\;mg/{\ell}$ and $118\;mg/{\ell}$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.320-328
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• 2016

This study was conducted to provide important basic information about effective management of the marine environment at major inflow streams in Lake Andong and Lake Imha. The investigation was conducted 8 times from May, 2015 (AD1, AD2, IH1, IH2) to September, 2016 (AD3, AD4, IH3, IH4), and 8 surveyed sites were selected at Lake Andong (4 sites) and Lake Imha (4 sites). The inquiry identified 114 species, $59,913.7inds.\;m^{-2}$ in Lake Andong and 112 species, $39,038.4inds.\;m^{-2}$ in Lake Imha. The results indicate that the number of species and individuals in Lake Andong is more than that in Lake Imha, because Lake Andong has a variety of riparian vegetation and a richness of organic materials. Community analysis at Lake Imha revealed a dominant index of 0.57 (${\pm}0.18$), a diversity index of 2.87 (${\pm}0.31$), an evenness index of 0.73 (${\pm}0.04$), and a richness index of 4.17 (${\pm}0.71$). The results of functional feeding group analysis showed that a high proportion of species and individuals are gathering collectors. The results of functional habitat group analysis showed that a high proportion of species and individuals are clingers. The result of a physico-chemical water assay and dissolved oxygen and electric conductivity tests revealed that these measures increased when the water temperature decreased. The result of Pearson's correlation analysis by biological factors and physico-chemical factors showed that species and electric conductivity are highly correlated with one another. Major inflow streams of Lake Andong and Lake Imha were exposed to various point pollution sources and non-point pollution sources. This implies a necessity for continuous monitoring of the aquatic ecosystems in order to effect systematic water quality management of Lake Andong and Lake Imha.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the sources of infection and modes of transmission of an outbreak of shigellosis that occurred among pupils of 'M' primary school and residents near the school in Kyongju from Sept. 24 to Oct. 24, 1998. Methods : The subjects who completed a questionnaire and a rectal swab for microbiologic examinations were 1,534 persons (781 males, 753 females), including 469 pupils of 'M' primary school (268 males, 201 females). Bacteriological examinations of underground water and simple piped water were done. Results : The attack rate of diarrhea was 28.7% in the subjects from Sept.24 to Oct. 24, 1958. There was no difference in attack rate of diarrhea by gender, but it was significantly higher in the pupils of 'M' primary school than others (p<0.01). The attack rate of diarrhea by resident areas was no different to the pupils of 'M' primary school, but was significantly higher in the residents of Mohwa 2 Ri except pupils that 'M' primary school is located in (p<0.01). The distribution of date of onset revealed the exposure date to be Sept, 22 and 23 in consideration of incubation periods and common source outbreak followed propagative spread in the epidemic curve. The major characteristics of diarrhea were watery (89.1%) in nature, $1\sim3$ days (72.5%) in duration, $2\sim3$ times (63.9%) in frequency. The clinical symptoms among the diarrheal cases included abdominal pain (74.1%), fever (56.4%), headache (55.9%), chill (40.4%) and tenesmus (31.4%). Conclusions : The source of infection was estimated to be contaminated underground water and simple piped water caused by leakage from the cess pool. It is highly necessary that the management of drinking water and cess fools should be done thoroughly.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2009

Aflatoxin (AF) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) are carcinogenic and possible carcinogenic mycotoxins respectively produced by Aspergillus spp or Penicillium spp. The study for contamination survey and proposal for reduction of mycotoxin in red pepper were carried out. 192 samples were collected at such various stages and markets as pre/post-harvest stages, internet shopping mall /super-market and small stakeholder mill/geographically indicated company. As only 2 samples were positive for aflatoxin, so contamination rate was 1.04%. In the meanwhile, contamination rate for ochratoxin A was 21.88% and a various amount of OTA was detected in 42 positive samples. 6 samples were found to be contaminated at higher level than $5\;{\mu}gkg^{-1}$ for ochratoxin A, which was established recently as a maximum permissible limit in korea. There was no difference in degree of contamination with regard to cultivation type because any mycotoxin was not found at all in both organically and conventionally grown red pepper. But, there was statistically significant difference in the process of manufacturing. Finished products were OTA-contaminated at a level of $2.32\;{\pm}\;6.54\;{\mu}gkg^{-1}$(mean ${\pm}$ SD), even though OTA was not detected in deep frozen red peppers right after long term storage. And contamination for OTA was a level of $0.33\;{\pm}\;0.91\;{\mu}gkg^{-1}$(mean ${\pm}$ SD) in red paprika powder after uv sterilization, while the contamination for OTA was $2.78\;{\pm}\;4.49\;{\mu}kg^{-1}$(mean ${\pm}$ SD) in non-uv sterilized powder. In addition, our investigation shows that higher OTA contamination occurred in some of famous brand products sold in super-market and domestic products than products collected through on-line shopping or from small stakeholder mills and imported products respectively, however, difference was not statistically significant.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.378-384
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• 2009

There are differences of Cadmium (Cd) urinary concentration which is considered as indicator of renal tubular dysfunction in other countries, so we have reviewed domestic epidemiological data and suggested Korean health based guidance value (HBGV) for Cd to improve an efficiency of risk management. We decided to apply the WHO calculation model which considered the relationship between dietary intake and Cd concentration in urine sample. It is determined that Cd concentration 2.5 ug/g creatinine in urine as the prevalence of renal tubular dysfunction based on epidemiological data, because there is no renal tubular dysfunction and injury/lesion such as proteinuria at the concentration of 11.63 ug/g creatinine which is the highest Cd concentration in urine from the domestic epidemiological data. It is identified that the ratio between the Cd dietary consumption (8.3~10.4 ug/day) and Cd urinary concentration (0.38 ug/g creatinine) in Korean adult who predicting never been exposed to Cd are 21.8~27.3 and then it is applied to the corresponding model suggested by WHO. Also it is applied that 10% of bioavailability and 50% of excretion rate of absorbed to body (the ratio is 24) were assumed. The estimate of daily Cd consumption level which begins tubular dysfunction is 1 ug/kg bw/day, so we suggest the Korean provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) as 7 ug/kg bw/week.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2009

Characterization of the analysis of forest vegetation, soil environmental conditions and water quality were performed from March 2003 to March 2007. The two basins were characterized by cultivated area (Kaesim reservoir) and mountain area (Jangchan reservoir), and divided into eleven small basins, where dynamics of pollutants, forest vegetation and soil environmental conditions were surveyed. The vegetation can be divided into 10 types by $Z\ddot{u}rich$-Montpellier school's method. Pearson coefficients between vegetation type and water quality were correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) in the Quercus variabilis community at the 5% level and total phosphorus (TP) in the Larix leptolepis plantation at the 1% level. Especially total phosphorous and total nitrogen increased in small basins where the proportion of cultivated and residential area increased. The analysis of influences of pollutant discharge on water quality showed that pollutant charge was very low in forest land area ($Y_{T-P}$=-0.0017X+0.2215, r=0.16, $Y_{COD}$=- 0.0395X+8.5051 r=0.47). The soil types of western area were comparatively simple, but those of eastern area were complicated with regosols, red-yellow soils, lithosoles, etc. The pH, total solid (TS) and volatile substance (VS) of the forest and agricultural land soils collected in each site were 5.4~6.9, 75.8~80.2%, and 3.80%~5.80%, respectively. According to the analytical result of soil environmental conditions, heavy metal contents fell short to the mean value of natural conditions. Runoff amount (Y) and depth of topsoil (X) were negatively correlated, $Y_{ron}=-1.0088X_{top}+35.378$ (r=0.68). The correlation was much lower in up-stream but much higher in down-stream, because permeation into soil particle was larger on down-stream due to its more or less gentle slope. Pearson coefficients between soil pH and water pH were statistically significant at 1% level.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1 s.89
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• pp.51-60
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• 2000

In order to understand the trend and assessment of water pollution, seasonal water quality was determined in the main river and the tributaries from midstream to downstream of the Kum River from March 1998 to June 1999. Among environmental factors, the variation of nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a was distinctive on an aspect of increase and decrease relatively to others, and particularly the impact of inorganic N ${\cdot}$ P inflowing into the main river was observed to be more significant at the Kapchon, Mihochon and Soksongchon among the tributaries. Water quality was highly related to hydrologic factor, and it was more deteriorated when water discharge maintains for a long time below normal flow or relatively at low condition of minimum and drought flow. These phenomena were remarkablee from December to March of the next year. $NH_4$ and SRP were decreased dramatically flowing toward the lower part of the river and chl-a was increased exponentially. While, the variations of $NO_3$ and $BOD_5$ were regular from midstream to downstream and there was no significant difference between the stations. Limiting nutrient for Phytoplankton growth seemed to be P than N because the ratio of TN/TP or DIN/SRP was relatively high as 42 or 544 in the main river, respectively. The main river and tributaries were ranked to be third grade, based on the assessment of BOD as an indirect indicator of organics, but particularly Kapchon was ranked to be over fifth grade. In addition, the inflow of high N ${\cdot}$ P nutrients from tributaries including Kapchon and Mihochon seemed to be major factor of the development of water pollution of the Kum River. On the other hand, persistent bloom of phytoplankton in lower part of the river was observed. As a conclusion, management of water quality for main source of pollution is urgent.