• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.83-91
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• 2015

Mine soil contamination by high levels of metal ions that prevents the successful vegetation poses a serious problem. In the study presented here, we used the microbial biocatalyst of urease producing bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii or plant extract based BioNeutro-GEM (BNG) agent. The ability of the biocatalysts to bioremediate contaminated soil from abandoned mine was examined by solid-state composting vegetation under field conditions. Treatment of mine soil with the 2 biocatalysts for 5 months resulted in pH increase and electric conductivity reduction compared to untreated control. Further analyses revealed that the microbial catalysts also promoted the root and shoot growth to the untreated control during the vegetation treatments. After the Sporosarcina pasteurii or plant extract based BNG treatment, the microbial community change was monitored by culture-independent pyrosequencing. These results demonstrate that the microbial biocatalysts could potentially be used in the soil bioremediation from mine-impacted area.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2013

The objectives of this study were to investigate effectiveness of the Compressed Air Jet (CAJ) System for cleaning up shorelines contaminated with crude oils and to examine effects of the system on total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal and microbial community changes before and after remediation of the oil-contaminated shorelines. These data will lead to better understanding of optimized remediation process. About 66% of TPH reduction was observed when the contaminated site was treated with the CAJ System 2, 3, 4, and 5 times. This treatment system was more efficient than the seawater pumping system under similar treatment conditions (by 40%). By the way, little oil degrader communities were observed despite a potential function of the air jet system to stimulate aerobic oil degraders. The apparent low population density of the oil degraders might be as a result of low concentration of TPH as a carbon source and limiting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. It was proposed that the CAJ System would contribute significantly to removal of residual oils on the shorelines in combination with addition of these limiting nutrients.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 2010

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of organic materials on soil organisms. Changes in the community structure, and population density of soil organisms (microbes, nematodes, and microarthropods) were studied in a Korean ginseng field. Phospholipid fatty acids analysis showed that the relative abundances of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes did not differ significantly. The aerobes/anaerobes ratio was the lowest in soils amended with leaf mold, indicating that the decomposition speed was slow. Further, the addition of leaf mold to the soil enhanced the saturated/monounsaturated fatty acid ratio and cyclopropyl fatty acid/precursor ratio, which indicated an increase in environmental stresses. Application of pig manure compost (PMC) had positive effects on the population density of nematodes, and negative effects on that of oribatid mites. The population densities of nematodes, and microarthropods remained relatively low in the plots that had been treated with leaf mold or pig manure compost. It is suggested that pre-planting soil management directed at enhancing the biological decomposition efficiency should be continued over a long period to increase the soil bioactivity in virgin soils.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.448-454
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• 2010

This study investigated the effect of PCE and TCE as electron acceptors on the bacterial composition of dechlorinating communities. The enrichment cultures reductively dechlorinating PCE and TCE were developed from three environment samples using acetate as electron donor. The cultures were prepared by sequential enrichment, which was seeded with sediment and dredged soil. Denatured gradient gel electrophresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene fragment was used to compare the microbial communities of these three enrichment cultures. After incubation for 4 weeks, the removal efficiencies of PCE and TCE were highest from Yeocheon site (87.37% and 84.46%, respectively). PCE and TCE as electron acceptors affected the bacterial diversity and community profiles in the enrichment cultures. DGGE analysis showed that the dominant bacteria in PCE and TCE enrichment were belonged to Clostridium sp., Desulfotomaculum sp., and uncultured bacteria.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2006

In heavily industrialized areas, soil sites are contaminated with high concentrations of heavy metals. These pollutants are highly accumulated to the human body through the food web and cause serious diseases. To remove heavy metals from the soil, a potential strategy is the environmental friendly and cost effective phytoremediation. For the enhancement of remediation efficiency, the symbiotic interaction between the plant and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been attended. In this review, the interaction of the plant and PGPR in the heavy metal-contaminated soil has been reviewed. The physicochemical and biological characteristics of the rhlzosphere can influence directly or indirectly on the biomass, activity and population structure of the rhizobacteria. The root exudates are offered to the soil microbes as useful carbon sources and growth factors, so the growth and metabolism of rhizobacteria can be promoted. PGPR have many roles to lower the level of growth-inhibiting stress ethylene within the plant, and also to provide iron and phosphorus from the soil to plant, and to produce phytohormone such as indole acetic acid. The plant with PGPR can grow better in the heavy metal contaminated soil. Therefore higher efficiency of the phytoremediation will be expected by the application of the PGPR.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.09a
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• pp.133-137
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• 2004

Tetrachloroethylene(PCE) dechlorination was investigated in an anaerobic enrichment culture from landfill soil. Anaerobic PCE dechlorinating microorganisms could convert 150mg/L of PCE via trichloroethylene(TCE) to cir-1,2-dichloroethylene(CDCE) within 2 days at the optimum temperature of 30 to 35$^{\circ}C$. The enrichment culture could dechlorinate TCE but did not degrade other chlorinated aliphatic compounds, such as cDCE, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloro- ethane, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane during 5 days incubation. Several isolates from the enrichment culture did not show dechlorinating activity of PCE. Microbial analysis of the dechlorinating enrichment culture by using Polymerase chain reaction-Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) method showed that at least three microorganisms were related to the anaerobic PCE dechlorination in the enrichment

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2012

The purpose of this research was to optimize electric current production of sediment microbial fuel cells by injecting glucose and to investigate its impact on microbial communities involved. It was shown that injection of proper concentration of glucose could increase electric current generated from sediment microbial fuel cells. When 1,000 mg/L of glucose, as opposed to higher concentrations, was injected, electric current increased up to 3 times. This increase is mainly attributed to the mutual relationship between fermenting bacteria and exoelectrogenic bacteria. Here the organic acids generated by fermenting bacteria could be utilized by exoelectrogenic bacteria, removing feedback inhibition caused by the organic acids. When glucose was injected, the population of Clostridium increased as to ferment injected glucose. Glucose fermentation can have either a positive or negative effect on electric current generation. When exoelectrogenic bacteria may readily utilize the end-product, electric current could increase. However, when the end-product was not readily removed, then detrimental chemical reactions (pH decrease, methane generation, organic acids accumulation) occurred: exoelctrogenic bacteria population declined and non-microbial fuel cell related microorganisms prospered. By injecting a proper concentration of glucose, a mutual relationship between fermenting bacteria, such as Clostridium, and exoelectrogenic bacteria, such as Geobacter, should be fulfilled in order to increase electricity production in mixed cultures of microorganisms collected from the aquatic sediments.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.68-77
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• 2023

The effect of soil damage on the physicochemical characteristics and activity of the soil microbial community is not well known. This study investigates this relationship by analyzing 11 soil samples collected from various points of soil damage across Gyeonggi-do. Soil damage resulted from forest fires, landslides, and development areas, with their impacts most severe on the topsoil layer (0-30 cm). Dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activities were notably higher at locations damaged by forest fires compared to other sites. While enzyme activities in soils influenced by landslides and development areas were relatively low, sites with a pollution history exhibited elevated dehydrogenase activity, likely due to past microbial response to the pollution. Additionally, an assessment of carbon substrate usability by soil microorganisms indicated higher substrate availability in areas impacted by forest fires, contrasting with lower availability in landslide and development sites. Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between organic content of sand and clay and microbial activity. These findings provide valuable insights into soil damage and associated restoration research, as well as management strategies.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.13-21
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• 2017

This study was carried out to evaluate the application effects of fish meal liquid fertilizer on soil characteristics and growth of cucumber for organic cultivation. Cucumber in greenhouse was transplanted on March $31^{th}$ in 2016, and the experimental treatments involve six treatments: No fertilizer, 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L N application by fish meal liquid fertilizer and chemical fertilizer. In the results of soil chemical property, application of 100 mg/L of fish meal liquid fertilizer showed a significant differences in pH, K, and Mg contents. The soil microbial community varied in relation to the fish meal liquid fertilizer treatments. Microbial biomass was lower in the chemical fertilizer than in the liquid fertilizer treatment. Result of principal component analysis obtained from Ecoplate showed that fish meal liquid fertilizer treatments, no liquid fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, and no fertilizer were divided into distinct groups, with the no fertilizer treatment located furthest from the other treatments. There were no significant differences in plant height of cucumber between the fish meal liquid fertilizer treatments and chemical fertilizer treatments. Also, the cucumber yield did not vary significantly between the concentrations of liquid fertilizers, and there were also no significant differences in the yield among the fish meal liquid and chemical fertilizer treatments. In conclusion, it is suggested that the application of fish meal liquid fertilizer can be used as a additional fertilizer for cucumber production with organic culture in greenhouse.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.52-58
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• 2005

In Korea, little attention has been paid to microbial perchloroethylene (PCE) and/or trichloroethylene (TCE) dechlorination activity and identification of microorganisms involved in PCE reductive dechlorination at a PCE-contaminated aquifer. We performed microcosm tests using the groundwater samples from 4 different contaminated sites (i.e. Changwon A, Changwon B, Bucheon and Yangsan) to assess PCE reductive dechlorination activity. We also adapted molecular techniques to screen what types of known reductive dechlorinators are present at the PCE-contaminated aquifers. In the Changwon A and Changwon B active microcosms where potential electron donors such as sodium propionate, sodium lactate, sodium butyrate, and sodium fumarate, were added, ethylene, an end-product of complete reductive dechlorination of PCE, was detected after a period of 90 days of incubation. In the Bucheon and Yangsan active microcosms, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (c-DCE) was accumulated without the production of vinyl chloride (VC) and ethylene. Molecular techniques were used to evaluate the microbial community structures in the Changwon B and Yangsan aquifer. We found two sequence types that were closely related to a known PCE to ethylene dechlorinator, named uncultured bacterium clone DCE47, in the Changwon B site clone library. However, in the Yangsan site clone library, no sequence type was closely related to known PCE dechlorinators reported. It is plausible that microorganisms being capable of completely dechlorinating PCE to ethylene may be present in the Changwon B site aquifer. In this study we find that complete PCE reductive dechlorinators are present at some PCE-contaminated sites in Korea. In an engineering point of view this information makes it feasible to apply a biological reductive dechlorination process for remediating PCE- and/or TCE-contaminated aquifers in Korea.