• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.87-100
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• 2016

Biochar, which has high alkalinity, has widely studied for amendment of soil that contaminated with heavy metals. The aim of this study is assessment of amendment for arsenic and heavy metals contaminated acidic agricultural soil using biochar that derived from buffalo weed (A. trifida L. var. trifida). Pot experiments were carried out including analysis of soil solution, contaminants fractionation, soil chemical properties and plant (lettuce) uptake rate. Arsenic and heavy metals concentrations in soil solution showed relatively low in biochar added experiments when compared to the control. In the heavy metals fractionation in soil showed decrease of exchangeable fraction and increase of carbonates fraction; however, arsenic fractionations showed constant. Soil chemical properties indicated that biochar could induce recovery of soil quality for plant growth in terms of soil alkalinity. However, phosphate concentration in biochar added soil decreased due to Ca-P precipitation by exchangeable calcium from biochar. Arsenic and heavy metals uptake rate of plant in the amended experiment decreased to 50% when compared to the control. Therefore biochar derived from buffalo weed can be used as amendment material for agricultural soil contaminated with arsenic and heavy metals. Precipitation of As-Ca and metal-carbonates are major mechanisms for soil amendment using char.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2018

Suitability of aluminium-based water treatment sludge (WTS), a waste product from water treatment facilities, was assessed for removal of heavy metals from an electroplating wastewater which had high concentrations of copper and chromium along with other heavy metals. Batch tests with simulated wastewater in single- and multi-metal solutions indicated the influence of initial pH and WTS dose on removal of six metals namely Cu(II), Co(II), Cr(VI), Hg(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II). In general, removal of cationic metals such as Pb(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) increased with increase in pH while that of anionic Cr(VI) showed a reduction with increased pH values. Tests with multi-metal solution showed that the influence of competition was more pronounced at lower WTS dosages. Column test with diluted (100 times) real electroplating wastewater showed complete removal of copper up to 100 bed volumes while chromium removal ranged between 78-92%. Other metals which were present in lower concentrations were also effectively removed. Mass balance for copper and chromium showed that the WTS media had Cu(II) and Cr(VI) sorption capacities of about 1.7 and 3.5 mg/g of dried sludge, respectively. The study thus indicates that WTS has the potential to be used as a filtration/adsorption medium for removal of metals from metal-bearing wastewaters.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.52-58
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate the contents of heavy metals with respect to the depth, particle size and Tessier et al. method in surface sediment of the Nakdong river. The contents of Cd, Cu & Pb were high or similar with increasing depth, but Mn & Zn were high to middle depth. Generally, the contents of heavy metals were found to be high as the particle size become more small and more deep. Because the more particle size was small, the specific surface area was large, the contents of heavy metals was high for increasing affinity. It was estimated that the types of heavy metals contained in surface sediment by Tessier et al. method was dissimilar with anaerobic condition, pH and degradation of organic matter, etc.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.626-636
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• 2022

Shellfish are exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates that consume various organic and inorganic substances floating in seawater through filter feeding. Heavy metals are known as absorbed and accumulated in seawater. Some of the toxic heavy metals are highly accumulated in seawater, and exposure to them can cause a variety of risks to the human body. Since Koreans like to eat seafood, they are more likely to be exposed to contaminated seafood with heavy metals. In this study, nine types of heavy metals were analyzed on ten different shellfish species in the coastal area of South Korea. The risk assessment was also done on shellfish in which heavy metals were detected. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were identified at an average of 56.7 mg/kg (6.70 to 466 mg/kg) and 13.2 mg/kg (0.064 to 143 mg/kg), respectively. Lead (Pb) average of 0.208 mg/kg (0.000750 to 1.02 mg/kg), cadmium (Cd) average of 0.454 mg/kg (0.0388 to 1.56 mg/kg) and mercury (Hg) average of 0.0266 mg/kg (0.00548 to 0.174 mg/kg) were identified. Additionally, arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and silver (Ag) were also identified as average concentrations of 4.02 (0.460 to 15.0 mg/kg), 0.167 (< limit of quantification [LOQ] to 0.820 mg/kg), 0.281 (< LOQ to 1.46 mg/kg), and 0.158 mg/kg (< LOQ to 1.15 mg/kg). The result indicates that the monitoring results of heavy metals in most shellfish satisfied the Korean standard. However, Pb and Cd have exceeded some foreign standards, such as the United States and the EU. The permissible human exposure calculated using the heavy metal intake and detection amount was lower than the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives human safety standard, and the risk of heavy metals from shellfish consumption was at an acceptable level.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.32-39
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• 2013

This research focused on the effects of heavy metals on the biomonitoring activity of genetically engineered bioluminescent bacteria, Pseudomonas putida mt-2 KG1206. KG1206 was exposed to single or binary mixtures of different heavy metals as well as soils contaminated with heavy metals. In case of single exposure with different inducer pollutant, the toxicity order was as followings : As(III) > Cd, As(V) >> Cu, Cr(VI). The toxic effects of the binary mixtures was compared to the expected effect based on a simple theory of probabilities. The interactive effects were mostly additive, while in few cases antgonistic and synergistic mode of action was observed for some concentration combinations. No considerable correlation was found between the total metal contents in soils and the bioluminescence activity of each sample. However, statistically significant differences (p = 0.0102) were observed between two groups, classified based on arsenite contamination. These results demonstrate the usage of recombinant bioluminescent microorganism in biomonitoring and the complex interactive effects of metals.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.460-467
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• 2001

Heavy metals, such as Al, As, Cd, Cr Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, V and Zn, were analysed on kidney cortex and medulla of Korean obtained from 154 forensic medical autopsy cadavers. Heavy metals were analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry In kidney cortex, the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Si and Zn were significantly higher than in the kidney medulla (Cd, Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn : p<0.01, AA, Pb, Se, Si : p<0.05). No significant local differences were found between kidney cortex and kidney medulla in the concentrations of As, Cr Fe, Hg, Ni, Sn and V. In kidney cortex and kidney medulla, Cd concentrations correlated positively with age, but Mn concentrations correlated negatively with age. A significantly positive correlation between Cd and Zn, Cd and Cu, Zn and Cu, Al and Si, Se and As was found in kidney cortex and kidney medulla. A significantly positive correlation between Hg and Se was only observed in kidney cortex. These results indicate that the distribution of hazardous heavy metals is similar to that of essential elements in the tissues.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.15-24
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the removal characteristics of heavy metals in Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) using pellet-type Zeolite-StarFish ceramics (ZSF ceramics), in which natural zeolite and starfish were mixed and calcined with wood flour. Kinetic experiment showed the removal reaction of heavy metals by ZSF ceramics reached the equilibrium status within 3 hours. The optimal calcination temperature range for removal of heavy metals was measured to be $800{\sim}1,000^{\circ}C$. The calcination time had little effect on the removal of heavy metal in AMD. The adequate dose of ceramics was shown to be 1.0~1.2 % for removal of heavy metals in AMD. High removal efficiencies of heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) in AMD, more than 95 % except for Pb, were obtained under the condition of dose of ceramics more than 1.0 %. The removal efficiencies of heavy metals increased with increasing mixing concentration of wood flour. The adequate mixing concentration of wood flour was observed to be 10 %. The batch experimental results exhibited that the ZSF ceramics could act as an efficient ceramics for removal of heavy metals in AMD and the wood flour could provide porous ZSF ceramics with enhanced removal efficiency of heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.454-465
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• 1998

This study was to investigate the recognition level of food contamination with residual pesticides and hazardous heavy metals from 365 male and female adults in Taejon area using questionnaires. Among the recognizing level of residual pesticides in overall foods, 69.1% were 'serious', 25.6% were 'average' and 5.3% were 'not serious'. Over 94.7% of the subjects recognized residual pesticides pollution infoods. for hazardous heavy metals in food, 47.8% responsed as 'serious', 40.5% as 'average' and 11.8 as ' not serious' . Over 88.3% of the subjects recognized contaminated pesticides seriously in fruits, 72.1% in vegetables and 51.7% in cereals, whereas 55.7% of the subjects recognized hazardous heavy metal contamination seriously in fruits, 53.4% in vegetables, 40.8% in fishes and shellfishes and 35.0% in seaweeds. The subjects recognized residual pesticides contamination more seriously in overall foods, cereal, potatoes and starches, bean, vegetables and fruits, whereas hazardous heavy metal contamination was recognized more seriously in fishes and shellfishes, and seaweeds food groups. Comparisons were shown based on individuial's occupation. Farmer, forester, iner and fisher showed the lowest recognizing level of food contamination in most food groups. The mean score of the dietary effect by mass media's information on food contamination from residual pesticides and hazardous heavy metals were 3.51±0.96 out of 5 points. By Duncan's multiple range test, sex, age, marriage, food cost per month, concerns about health and nutrition knowledge showed significant differences in the mean effect score at p<0.05. According to a pesticides contamination in several food groups were affected by food cost per month, mass media's information on food contamination, health status, and concerns about health, But a recognition level of hazardous heavy metals in food were affected by income and, food cost per month mass media's information on food contamination, health status, concern about health and nutrition knowledge. People who need to take extreme precautions of food contamination were in order of producers, government officials, homemakers, the consumer's association and consumers.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.441-449
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• 2023

Heavy metals, widely present in the environment, have become significant pollutants due to their excessive use in industries and technology. Their non-degradable nature poses a persistent environmental problem, leading to potential acute or chronic poisoning from prolonged exposure. Recent research has focused on separating heavy metals, particularly from industrial and mining sources. Industries such as metal plating, mining operations, tanning, wood and chipboard production, industrial paint and textile manufacturing, as well as oil refining, are major contributors of heavy metals in water sources. Therefore, removing heavy metals from water is crucial, especially for safe water supply in swimming and water sports. Iron oxide nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective adsorbents for water contaminants, and efforts have been made to enhance their efficiency and absorption capabilities through surface modifications. Nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts can effectively bind with heavy metal ions by modifying the nanoparticle surface with plant components, thereby increasing the efficiency of heavy metal removal. This study focuses on removing lead from industrial wastewater using environmentally friendly, cost-effective iron nanoparticles synthesized with Genovese basil extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles is confirmed through analysis using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction, validating their spherical shape and nanometer-scale dimensions. The method used in this study has a low detection limit of 0.031 ppm for measuring lead concentration, making it suitable for ensuring water safety in swimming and water sports.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the contents of the heavy metals such as cadmium(Cd), copper(Cu), iron(Fe), lead(Pb) and zinc(Zn) in meat and meat products. For this experiment, each 20 samples of beef and pork were collected at slaughterhouse in Seoul areas and 45 samples of meat products(ham, sausage, processed meat and seasoned meat) were purchased from commercial food markets. The contents of the heavy metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry from Jan. to Nov. In 1998. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1. In Korean native beef, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.14$\pm$0.10, Cd : 0.07$\pm$0.02, Cu : 1.73$\pm$0.95, Zn : 42.82$\pm$8.17 and Fe : 67.43$\pm$24.18, respectively. 2. In imported beef, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.03$\pm$0.08, Cd : 0.06$\pm$0.02, Cu : 1.41$\pm$0.62, Zn : 42.93$\pm$4.95 and Fe : 40.06$\pm$12.77, respectively. 3. In pork, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : not detected, Cd : 0.09$\pm$0.02, Cu : 1.08$\pm$0.23, Zn : 19.49$\pm$6.02 and Fe : 30.21$\pm$10.51, respectively. 4. In ham, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : trace, Cd : trace, Cu . 1.19$\pm$0.46, Zn : 13.58$\pm$4.99 and Fe : 31.43$\pm$11.74, respectively. 5. In sausage, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.15$\pm$0.34, Cd : 0.08$\pm$0.05, Cu : 1.15$\pm$0.46, Zn : 13.70$\pm$7.13 and Fe . 27.28$\pm$15.05, respectively. 6. In processed meat, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 0.08$\pm$0.13, Cd : 0.09$\pm$0.04, Cu : 1.28$\pm$0.60, Zn : 14.72$\pm$7.09 and Fe : 24.04$\pm$10.33, respectively. 7 In seasoned meat, mean values of the heavy metals(mg/kg) were Pb : 1.05$\pm$2.21, Cd : 0.13$\pm$0.03, Cu : 1.06$\pm$0.16, Zn : 17.53$\pm$8.72 and Fe : 26.76$\pm$9.02, respectively.