• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.397-402
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• 2010

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, gliding, aerobic bacterium, designated $12157^T$, was isolated from the desert of Xinjiang, China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain $12157^T$ grew optimally at pH 7.0 and $30^{\circ}C$. MK-7 was the predominant respiratory menaquinone. The DNA G+C content was 42.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate was mostly related to members of the genus Pedobacter, with similarities ranging from 90.0% to 93.7%. Phylogenetic evidence and the results of phenotypic and genotypic analyses support the establishment of a novel species, Pedobacter xinjiangensis sp. nov., with strain $12157^T$ (=CCTCC AB $208092^T$=NRRL B-$51338^T$) as the type strain.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.E2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2003

The present study details air pollution measurements in the Yellow Sea of East Asia. Large-scale air pollution was observed through satellite images and ground monitors in Chongju-Chongwon of central Korea. Evidence of a duststorm transport and resulting dustfall from the Gobi Desert in north China and Mongolia is shown. Also, transport of anthropogenic air pollutants from China to the Yellow Sea, Korea, and Japan was detected and discussed. It was found that the level of air pollution concentrations at a regional back-ground site increased 2 ∼ 4 times than the values observed with the relatively clean air, when massive air pollution from China moved to the Korean Peninsula. Satellite measurements will be useful for monitoring regional- and global-scale air pollution in the future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1490-1494
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• 2014

To probe the genomic properties of microbes thriving in desert lakes, we sequenced the full genome of a betaproteobacterial strain (SL110) belonging to the understudied genus Caenimonas of the family Comamonadaceae. This strain was isolated from a freshwater lake in the western Gobi Desert, Northern China. Its genome contains genes encoding carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, nitric oxide reductase, and sulfur oxidation enzymes, highlighting the potentially important contribution of this group of bacteria to the cycling of inorganic elements in nature. Unexpectedly, a coenzyme $F_{420}$ biosynthesis gene cluster was identified. A further search for $F_{420}$ biosynthesis gene homologs in genomic databases suggests the possible widespread presence of $F_{420}$ biosynthesis gene clusters in proteobacterial genomes.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.169-181
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to develop geochemical tracers to identify a specific source desert of mineral dust in China using the published data. In addition, we tested the applicability of these tracers to wet-deposits and soil samples collected in Jeju, Korea. Because of similarity in trace elemental compositions of mineral dust from the major arid regions in China, such as Taklimakan, West Ordos (Badain Jaran), East Ordos (Mu Us and Hobq), East Northern China (Horqin), West Northern China (Gurbantunggut), and Chinese Loess Plateau, there has been limited to the use of geochemical data for source identification. Here we propose the four (4) plots using combination of seven (7) geochemical variables as a source indicator to distinguish one from other source regions in China: $\frac{Y}{Tb_N}$ vs. $\frac{Th}{{\Sigma}REE_N}$, $\(\frac{La}{Gd}\)_N$ vs. $\frac{Y}{{\Sigma}REE_N}$, $\frac{Th}{Tb_N}$ vs. $\frac{Y}{Nd_N}$, and $\frac{Th}{Tb_N}$ vs. $\(\frac{Ce}{Ce}\)_N^*$, where $_N$ and $\(\frac{Ce}{Ce}\)_N^*$ stand for values normalized to Post-Archean Average Shale composition and Ce anomaly, respectively. Mineral dusts from aforementioned six major deserts are distinguished one from the others by the combined use of these variables. Jeju rock and soil samples form a separate domain from Chinese mineral dusts in all four plots. In contrast, most of Jeju dust samples were comparable with the West Ordos desert (Badain Jaran) domain, indicative of strong influence of Badain Jaran dust in Jeju in spring season when the mineral dust was collected. A weak positive Ce anomaly in Jeju samples implies minimal local contribution. Our study suggests that the combination of $\frac{Y}{Tb_N}$ vs. $\frac{Th}{{\Sigma}REE_N}$, $\(\frac{La}{Gd}\)_N$ vs. $\frac{Y}{{\Sigma}REE_N}$, $\frac{Th}{Tb_N}$ vs. $\frac{Y}{Nd_N}$, and $\frac{Th}{Tb_N}$ vs. $\(\frac{Ce}{Ce}\)_N^*$ can be used to identify a specific source region of mineral dust in China as well as Jeju mineral particles.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2012

In this study, we investigated the chemical characteristics of soils collected from the several deserts and loess in China known as the typical source areas of Asian dust (the Taklamakan desert, the Alashan desert, the Ordos desert and the Loess Plateau). Based on our analysis, we examined the possibility of adverse effects on environments and human health. In each desert and loess, major elemental compositions of soils did not show large variations, implying that the long-periodic mixing of soils in each area made their chemical compositions homogeneous. Minor elements of soils in each desert and loess showed more complicated patterns with strong correlations each other (e.g., Cr, Cu, As, Co, Ni, V, Y, Sc, Sn, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cs, Li, Th, U). These results thus enable us to discriminate the soil of the Loess Plateau from those of the other deserts in China. The results of sequential extraction experiments for soils showed that the chemical speciation of Fe was dominant in residual fraction (>85%) in all deserts and loess, but the fractions of Mn and Ca chemical speciations were very different in each area. In the case of Mn, the fraction of amorphous Fe-Mn hydroxides (55.4%) in the Central Loess Plateau and the carbonate fraction (33.8%) in Taklamakan desert were higher as much as 2 to 5 times than other deserts. The chemical speciations of Ca are dominant in carbonate fraction in Taklamakan (75.9%) and Alashan (50.5%) deserts, but carbonate fractions of Ca in the Loess Plateau and Ordos deserts were low (6.6% and 2.1%, respectively). According to the mobility of trace elements inferred from the results of sequential extraction procedure, we could classify them into five groups, and the mobility of Cd, Pb and Cu are more than 87%, 33% and 30%, respectively. Therefore, Cd, Pb and Cu in soils of deserts and loess could be easily dissolved when interacted with surface water. As such, they could give adverse effects on surficial environments and human health.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.288-297
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• 2016

This study is to evaluate the 'Private antidesertification afforestation support project' in the Kubuqi Desert through a survey of local residents and interviews with relevant personnel. Based on this survey, gender, age, and occupational differences in perception of the project were analyzed. In addition, the project was evaluated based on the OECD/DAC criteria using survey results and in-depth interviews with the relevant personnel. The survey analysis results show that the participants answered most of the questions positively, claiming that they were receiving social, economic, and environmental benefits through the project. However, most of the participants answered negatively to questions regarding the understanding of the project and relevant information. Gender differences in perception of the project were not found, whereas, age and occupational differences in perception were found. Older age groups showed higher levels of perception. Participants in the agro-livestock industry and office workers showed higher levels of perception compared to middle/high school students, the unemployed and college students. Teenagers, in particular, showed the lowest level of perception of the project, and thus, promotional activities targeting teenagers should be conducted in the future. Results of this evaluation of the project based on the OECD/DAC's five criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability) showed that the project operated effectively for the most part.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.520-529
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• 2015

The ambient $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected by $PM_{2.5}$ sampler from September 2010 to December 2012 at Daegu University, Gyeongsan. A total of 260 samples were collected and 27 species were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma, ion chromatography, and thermal optical reflectance methods. Factor analysis identified four sources such as biomass burning source/secondary aerosol source, soil source, industry source, and incinerator source/mobile source. Also, backward trajectories were calculated using HYSPLIT 4 (Hybrid single-particle lagrangian integrated trajectory) model and PSCF (Potential source contribution function) model was applied to identify the possible source locations of carbonaceous species and water soluble ions species. PSCF results showed that the possible source locations of most chemical constituents measured in Gyeongsan were the industrial areas in the eastern coast of China, northeast regions of China, the Gobi Desert, and east sea of Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2018

To confirm that Bartonella and Wolbachia were carried by sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) in southern Xinjiang of China, 17 M. ovinus samples, which were collected in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, were randomly selected. In this study, the Bartonella gltA and Wolbachia 16S rRNA gene were amplified through conventional PCR and the sequence of those amplified products, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that Bartonella was carried by all of the 17 sheep keds and Wolbachia was carried by 15 out of them. Bartonella was identified as B. melophagi. Three strains of Wolbachia were supergroup F and 1 strain has not been confirmed yet. It is the first report about Wolbachia supergroup F was found in sheep keds and provided the molecular evidence that B. melophagi and Wolbachia supergroup F were carried by sheep keds in Aksu Prefecture of southern Xinjiang, China. The 2 pathogens were found in sheep keds around Taklimakan Desert for the first time.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.71-71
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• 2020

Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge, the sole species in the genus Xanthoceras, is a flowering plant in the family Sapindaceae. It is an important tree species being a source of edible oil and biodiesel with a capacity as a pioneer of degraded and desert land. Seeds of X. sorbifolia were collected from two plantations and two superior trees in Inner Mongolia; and one plantation and one superior tree in Liaoning, China. An inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis showed genetic variation among four artificial populations in China: two in Inner Mongolia (IM), one in Liaoning (LN), and one in Shandong (SD). The average percentage of polymorphic loci was 81.25 % for these four populations. Based on an analysis of molecular variance, 23 % of the total genetic variation was found among populations, and 77 % within populations. Traits of seeds varied considerably between and among areas, for example two trees produced quite different seeds in several traits although they are adjacent to each other in the same farm. As much attention has not been paid to the traits of seeds, there should be a genetic test to understand this variation. It is necessary to obtain information on seed characteristics first and then provide basic information for further research on the selection of superior trees and provenances.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.301-306
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• 2005

Asian dust was collected in Korea and soils in the arid area of northern China were analysed for its physical and chemical properties, and mineral compositions for in order to interpret the origin of Aeolian soils and estimate the effect of dust wind on the soil environment in Korea. Asian dust was collected at Suwon in Korea from 2002 to 2004. Soil samples were collected from the desert and Loess plateaus around Gobi desert in China. As a result of analysis of desert soil distributed on northern region and Loess soils in China, it was observed that soil pH was about 9, organic matter 11 to $23g\;kg^{-1}$, and CEC 7.1 to $18.4cmolc\;kg^{-1}$, showing a high spatial variation among different sampling locations. About 62 to 80% of particles were composed of quartz and feldspars, 2 to 14% calcite ($CaCO_3$) and dolomite [$Ca{\cdot}Mg(CO_3)_2$], and trace other clay minerals. All the dust particles in Korea were below 50 m in diameter, and the mineral compositions were quartz, mica, feldspar and some clay minerals. Major components of clay mineral of Asian dust was mainly illite as compared to the kaolin of soils in Korea. The base saturation of exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na in the Asian dust was above 250% due to the high content calcite. Most of upland soil in Suwon was thin and sharp type, but Asian dust in Korea was the spherical shape. Asian dusts in Suwon, Korea, did not show a definite mineralogical variation of the dust during the collection period. Difference between the Asian dust collected in Korea and the soils in arid area of China was observed in the physical and chemical properties, especially for particle size distribution, cations such as Ca, Mg, K and Na. However, some similarities were found on the mineral compositions and chemical properties between Asian dust collected in Korea and the loess of China.