• Journal of Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1997

For the recent years, considerable efforts have been made to rationalize the techniques of research and monitoring of biological effects of marine pollutants such as heavy metals, polychlorinate biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organophosphorus pesticides. This study was designed as a part of efforts to investigate the biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions by the changes in lipid components of the flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in Yellow Sea of Korea. Homoglobin levels in serum of cultured and wild flounders in Yellow Sea were significantly lower (5 - 15% and 20 -25 % , respectively) than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Triglyceride (TG) contents in serum of cultured flounders in Yellow Sea were 10 - 40% higher than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol contents in serum of flounders in Yellow Sea were significantly 10-15% and 30-35% (cultured), and 10-20% (wild), respectively, higher than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Atherogenic index (AI) and T-Chol/PL rations in serum of cultured and wild flounders in Yellow sea were significantly 20-45% and 10-!5%, 6-35% and 15-35%, respectively, higher than those of wild flounder in pohang. These results suggest that near-coastal waters as well as neritic waters of the Yellow Sea might be affected by pollutant input.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.554-563
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibility of nutrient release at up and downstream of Kangchun weir, upstream of Yuju and Ipo weir in Namhan River. For this survey, we measured basic characteristics of the sediments (water content, ignition loss, TOC, TP, SRP, TN, phosphorus fractionation) and conducted nutrients release experiments under both aerobic and anaerobic condition. The overlying water from the sediment-water column was analyzed for nutrients (i.e. TP, $PO_4$-P, TN, $NO_3$-N, $NH_3$-N) everyday for 18days. Result of soil texture experiment showed that sediments are Sand. SRP concentration before the release experiment was different with the value after the release experiment. According to this result, we can find that there were more activated release processes in anaerobic condition. $PO_4$-P increased from 1 to 8 days and remained at the maximum value (7~8 days) afterward. The rapidly increase of $PO_4$-P was observed from 1 to 2~3 days whereas the TP continuously increase from 1 to 18 days. The $PO_4$-P release rate calculated by up to 7~8 days data highly correlated with initial SRP concentration with $R^2$=0.8502. $NO_3$-N release rate appears constantly decreasing trend as -5.7~-3.08 $mg/m^2{\cdot}day$, otherwise the $NH_3$-N release rate, by-product of a organic matter decomposition using nitrate as electron acceptor, was 0.57~2.41 $mg/m^2{\cdot}day$. Substantial portion in TN can be induced by organic nitrogen which originated from the tributary passing through non-point pollutant source. Compared with other similar researches, phosphorus and nitrogen release rates obtained in this study can be considered as relatively low values. Since this study targeted the sediments accumulated by one time of flooding season, there are limitation to generalize theses results. Therefore, it is necessary to consistently monitor and investigate the accumulation of nutrients in the sediment for understanding the effect of weir construction on the overlying water quality.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.97-108
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• 2005

Samples of water, soil, and sediment were taken from 10 streams near Andong, Korea in May 2004. To assess the degree of environmental pollution of each stream, chemical pollutants such as total notrogen (T-N), total phosphorus (T-P), chemical oxygen demand (COD), heavy metals, organophosphorus pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, and dioxin-like PCB congeners were analyzed by standard process tests or U.S. EPA methods. In addition, biomarkers originated from insect immune systems of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, were used to analysis of the environmental samples. Except Waya-chun stream showing T-N content of 9.12 mg/L, most streams were contaminated with relatively low levels of overall pollutants in terms of T-N, T-P, and COD, compared to their acceptable environmental levels designated by the Ministry of Environment. Contents of Pb and Cd in samples of each stream were much lower than environmentally permissible levels. However, several times higherconcentrations of Pb and Cd were found in locations at Mi-chun, Kilan-chun, and Hyunha-chun streams, in comparison with other streams. Diazinon, parathion, and phenthoate compounds among organophosphorus pesticides were detected as concentrations of 0.19, 0.40, and $1.13\;{\mu}g/g$, respectively, from soil sample collected in the vicinity of Mi-chun stream. On the other hand, 16 organochlorine pesticides and 12 dioxin-like PCB congeners, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, selected in this study were not found above the limit of detection. Biomarker analyses using insect immune responses indicated that Waya-chun stream was suspected as exposure to environmental pollutants. Limitation and compensation of both environmental analysis techniques are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.406-415
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• 2002

Heavy metal concentrations (Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II)) at field and upland soils were investigated with two extraction methods, 0.1mole L$^{-1}$ HCI extraction and HNO$_3$-HCIO$_4$ digestion, in order to estimate soil pollution and to understand their distribution and accumulation characteristics. Through an application of 0.1mole L$^{-1}$ HCI extraction method, the surface horizons of field soils were found to have higher concentrations of heavy metals (except Pb(II)) than those of upland soil. It was also seen that Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were enriched in surface horizon of field soils, whereas upland soils did not show much difference across depth. When the method of HNO$_3$-HCIO$_4$ digestion was used, upland soils showed higher concentrations than those of other soils, and the distribution of heavy metals did not show much difference between horizons of all soils. From these results, it was recognized that, although total natural contents of heavy metals were the largest in upland soil, surface horizons of field soils became gradually polluted with heavy metals. Especially, Cd(II) is considered as a potential metallic pollutant in field soils because of its weak adsorption strength. Concentrations of heavy metals also seemed to be influenced by their adsorption characteristics. When we computed 0.1HCl$_{ext}$HNCL$_{dig}$ ratios to estimate the adsorption strengths of soil heavy metals, their adsorption strengths decreased on the order of Cu(II) > Zn(II)> Pb(II) > Cd(II). The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in field soil, especially Cd(II),are required more detail study because of its importance of land use and complicated mobilization characteristic.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2011

The feasibility study for the stabilization process using 5 amendments was performed to quantify As-immobilization efficiency in farmland soils around Samkwang abandoned mine, Korea. For the batch experiments, with 2% and 3% of granular lime(2-5 mm in diameter), leaching concentration of As from the soil decreased by 86% and 95% respectively, compared to that without the amendment. When 5% and 10% of granular limestone was added in the soil, As concentration decreased by 82% and 95%, showing that lime and limestone has a great capability to immobilize As in the soil. From the results of batch experiments, continuous column(15 cm in dimeter and 100 cm in length) tests using granular lime and limestone as amendments was performed. Without the amendment, As concentration from the effluent of the column ranged from 167 ${\mu}g$/L to 845 ${\mu}g$/L, which were higher than Korea Drinking Water Limit(50 ${\mu}g$/L). However, only with 1% and 2% of lime, As concentration from the column dramatically decreased by 97% for 9 years rainfall and maintained below 50 ${\mu}g$/L. With 5% of limestone and the mixed amendment(1% of lime + 2% of limestone), more than 95% diminution of As leaching from the column occurred within I year rainfall and maintained below 20 ${\mu}g$/L, suggesting that the capability of limestone to immobilize As in the farmland soil was outstanding and similar to that of lime. Results of experiments suggested that As stabilization process using limestone could be more available to immobilize As from the soil than using lime because of low pH increase and thus less harmful side effect.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.91-108
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• 2018

An ecological study on subtidal macrobenthic fauna was conducted from 25 stations in the estuarine area of Wando-Doam Bay, southern coast of Korea during August 2013. A total of 186 species was collected with a mean density of $1,229ind./m^2$ and a mean biomass of $265.7g/m^2$. Polychaetes showed the richest benthic fauna comprising 43% of total fauna, whereas mollusks appeared as density- and biomass-dominant fauna accounted for 45% and 48% of the mean density and biomass, respectively. The number of species and mean faunal density were relatively higher at the stations surrounded by Sinjido, Joyakdo and Gogeumdo showing a gradual decrease toward inner bay stations. Species number and density were negatively correlated with bottom water temperature, but they were positively correlated with both the bottom salinity and DO. The most dominant species in terms of density was a semelid bivalve, Theora fragilis which showed a positive correlation with TOC content of surface sediment and its high density occurred around Gogeum-Sinji-Joyakdo area where dense aquaculture facilities exist. In the bay mouth area, an amphipod species, Eriopisella sechellensis showed its higher density at the stations with low organic content but fine grains. The combination of water temperature, salinity, pH of bottom water, water and sulfur content of the surface sediment could explain 71% of the spatial distribution of macrobenthic fauna from the Bio-Env analysis. From the cluster analysis, the study area consisted of 6 distinct station groups lineated from offshore area toward inner area. Ampharete arctica, Goniada maculata, Eriopisella sechellensis, Theora fragilis, Caprella sp. were identified as the main contributing faunas in classification by the SIMPER analysis. From the value of BPI, the benthic communities at the inner and central Wando-Doam Bay were assessed to be in a normal condition whereas those at the outer Wando harbor and Gogeum-Sinji-Joyakdo area were assessed in a poor or very poor condition due to the high concentration of particulate organic matter might be originated from the nearby dense aquaculture facilities. This study indicated that pristine inner bay has been influenced by the organic material supplied from the outer bay. Thus it is necessary to establish an ecological management plan to reduce organic enrichment of sediment from dense aquaculture facilities in the outer bay.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.3279-3285
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• 2014

This study aimed to understand seasonal and geographical characteristic of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ (chl-${\alpha}$), COD (chemical oxygen demand) and Escherichia coli at Gwangyang Bay during the period from February 2010 to November 2012. The bay is divided into three different zones based on the pollutant levels and geographical characteristics. During the study periods, water temperature, salinity, Chl. ${\alpha}$, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) varied in the range of $4.68-28.63^{\circ}C$, 1.94-33.84 psu, 0.31-35.10 ${\mu}gL^{-1}$, and 0.70-13.35 $mgL^{-1}$, respectively. Total chl-a concentration were high at the zone I, which can be characterized as a semi-enclosed eutrophic area, and it were low at the zone III, which is influenced by low nutrients of surface warm water current from offshore of the bay. The high concentration of COD was observed at inner bay during the four seasons and the water quality level was kept to be bad condition during spring season at the zone II, which is influenced by Seomjin River water. The highest colony form of E. coli was recorded to be 3550 $cfuL^{-1}$ during summer at station 1 (zone I), whereas it was relatively kept low level during all seasons at the zone III. As a result, the E. coli was correlated with water temperature (r=0.31 p<0.05) and salinity (r=-0.55 p<0.05), implying that those parameters have play an important crucial role in proliferation of E. coli. Consequently, our results indicated that the E. coli can be significantly promoted within pollutant sources including the high nutrients supplied by rive discharge during spring and summer rainy seasons in semi-enclosed area of Gwangyang Bay.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.789-792
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• 2010

Major impacts of climate change expert that soil erosion rate may increase during the $21^{st}$ century. This study was conducted to assess the potential impacts of climate change on soil erosion by water in Korea. The soil loss was estimated for regions with the potential risk of soil erosion on a national scale. For computation, Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) with rainfall and runoff erosivity factors (R), cover management factors (C), support practice factors (P) and revised USLE with soil erodibility factors (K) and topographic factors (LS) were used. RUSLE, the revised version of USLE, was modified for Korean conditions and re-evaluate to estimate the national-scale of soil loss based on the digital soil maps for Korea. The change of precipitation for 2010 to 2090s were predicted under A1B scenarios made by National Institute of Meteorological Research in Korea. Future soil loss was predicted based on a change of R factor. As results, the predicted precipitations were increased by 6.7% for 2010 to 2030s, 9.5% for 2040 to 2060s and 190% for 2070 to 2090s, respectively. The total soil loss from uplands in 2005 was estimated approximately $28{\times}10^6$ ton. Total soil losses were estimated as $31{\times}10^6$ ton in 2010 to 2030s, $31{\times}10^6$ ton in 2040 to 2060s and $33{\times}10^6$ ton in 2070 to 2090s, respectively. As precipitation increased by 17% in the end of $21^{st}$ century, the total soil loss was increased by 12.9%. Overall, these results emphasize the significance of precipitation. However, it should be noted that when precipitation becomes insignificant, the results may turn out to be complex due to the large interaction among plant biomass, runoff and erosion. This may cause increase or decrease the overall erosion.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2009

Detailed information on soil characteristics is of great importance for the use and conservation of soil resources that are essential for human welfare and ecosystem sustainability. This paper introduces soil inventory of Korea focusing on national soil database establishment, information systems, use, and future direction for natural resources management. Different scales of soil maps surveyed and soil test data collected by RDA (Rural Development Administration) were computerized to construct digital soil maps and database. Soil chemical properties and heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils including vulnerable agricultural soils were investigated regularly at fixed sampling points. Internet-based information systems for soil and agro-environmental resources were developed based on 'National Soil Survey Projects' for managing soil resources and for providing soil information to the public, and 'Agroenvironmental Change Monitoring Project' to monitor spatial and temporal changes of agricultural environment will be opened soon. Soils data has a great potential of further application in estimation of soil carbon storage, water capacity, and soil loss. Digital mapping of soil and environment using state-of-the-art and emerging technologies with a pedometrics concept will lead to future direction.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2021

Water in the Mulgol pond on Dokdo (island), Korea, was historically used for drinking water, but now it has been no longer used for this purpose due to regionally low water quality. Since 2007, this pond has been covered with a metal lid to protect from pollutants of seabirds, indicating limited light penetration into the Mulgol pond. Here, we investigated water quality in the pond and potential relationships of nitrogen components and microbes in May, June, August, and November 2020. The source salinity ranged from 1.39 to 1.57 psu. Suspended solids (0.8~5.1 mg L^-1) and chlorophyll-a (<0.01~0.49 ㎍ L^-1) remained low. The concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was between 35.9 and 47.2 mg L^-1. Thus, water in the Mulgol pond proves to be brackish water with low chlorophyll-a and high nutrients. This unique environment may be established by limited light intensity, sea fog (or seawater), and fecal pellets from many seabirds. Although the light source (800~8000 lux) was exposed to the four subsamples, chlorophyll-a concentrations were below <0.5 ㎍ L^-1 during the incubation periods. This result suggests that the biomass of phytoplankton does not increase along with an increase in light intensity. Furthermore, the content of nitrate constituted more than 90% of DIN, and a significant negative correlation between nitrate concentration and bacterial abundance was shown in May and June 2020 during the light exposure experiments (R=-0.762, p<0.05). Thus, it is possible that bacteria may be a significant agent to reduce nitrate concentration in the Mulgol pond, the relationship between nitrate concentration and bacterial abundance may vary seasonally.