• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.10.1-10.10
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• 2020

Background: Butaphosphan (BTP) has recently been introduced into the Korean aquaculture sector as a stressattenuating agent. In this study, a sensitive chemical analytical method was established for the detection of BTP in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) tissues. Methods: Utilizing a method employing liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), detection sensitivity, specificity, and precision were satisfactorily established. Temporal changes in the BTP plasma and muscle concentrations were assessed after a single intramuscular injection of BTP (50 and 150 mg/kg) to the olive flounder maintained at 13 ℃ or 22 ℃. Results: High BTP plasma levels were achieved immediately after the injection, and the drug was rapidly eliminated. Additionally, plasma BTP levels were markedly dependent on the elimination rate, which, in turn, seemed dependent on the water temperature, with the drug elimination half-life and mean residence time significantly shorter at 22 ℃ than 13 ℃. Overall, muscle BTP levels were markedly lower than the plasma levels. Notably, muscle levels were not influenced by water temperatures. Muscle BTP concentrations were used to estimate the necessary withdrawal period for drugs used in food fish, with BTP levels maintained far below the possible hazardous limit. Conclusions: In conclusion, the established LC-MS/MS method can be used for BTP residue detection with high sensitivity and reproducibility.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2023

Algal organic matters (AOMs) are challenging to remove using traditional water treatment methods. Additionally, they are recognized as disinfection by product (DBP) precursors during the chlorination process. These compounds have the potential to seriously harm aquatic creatures. Despite the fact that AOMs and DBPs formed from algae can harm aquatic species by impairing their cognitive function and causing behavioral problems, only a few studies on the effects of AOMs and associated DBPs have been conducted. To assess the impact of extracellular organic materials (EOMs) produced by three different hazardous algal species and the chlorinated EOMs on zebrafish, this study used fish acute embryo toxicity (FET) and cognitive function tests. With rising EOM concentrations, the embryo's survival rate and mental capacity both declined. Of the three algal species, the embryo exposed to Microcystis aeruginosa EOM exhibited the lowest survival rate. On the other hand, the embryo exposed to EOMs following chlorination demonstrated a drop in CT values in both the survival rate and cognitive ability. These findings imply that EOMs and EOMs treated with chlorine may have detrimental effects on aquatic life. Therefore, an effective EOM management is needed in aquatic environment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2011

Aquatic contamination by organic pollutants has been a suspected reason for rapid decrease of amphibian populations whose embryonic and larval stages are in an aquatic environment. Amphibian embryos can be a useful model to study the ecoctoxicologial impacts of aquatic pollutants. The obtained toxicological data are useful references for the management of aquatic pollutants in public health because amphibia share many developmental events with terrestrial vertebrates including humans. Safety guidelines for the toxicological effects of aquatic contaminants of chemicals identified as hazardous should be addressed at multiple endpoints. Alkylphenols have been widely-used in agricultural, industrial, and household activities; they contaminate and can persist in aquatic environments. Exposure to alkylphenols results in endocrine disruption in aquatic animals. In this review, we summarize the developmental toxicities of alkylphenols in amphibian embryos and larva according to the exposure route, chemical concentration, duration of exposure, and affected developmental stage together with mechanisms of toxicity and typical patterns of developmental abnormality. The merits of amphibian embryos as a toxicity test model for mid- to long-term exposure to aquatic pollutants are discussed proposed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.185-200
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• 2022

The risk of various hazardous substances in aquatic environment comprises not only the concentration of substances in the environmental medium but also their accumulation in fish through complex food web and the health risks to humans through the fish. In Korea, the monitoring of residual toxicant in aquatic ecosystems began in 2016 following the enforcement of the Acts on registration and evaluation for the management of chemicals used in daily life (consumer chemical products), and attention has been paid to potentially hazardous substances attributed to them. Recently, studies have been carried out to investigate the distribution of these hazardous substances in the ecosystem and calculate their emission factors. These include the accumulation and transport of substances, such as detergents, dyes, fragrances, cosmetics, and disinfectants, within trophic levels. This study summarizes the results of recently published research on the inflow and distribution of hazardous substances from consumer chemical products to the aquatic environment and presents the scientific implication. Based on studies on aquatic environment monitoring techniques, this study suggests research directions for monitoring the residual concentration and distribution of harmful chemical substances in aquatic ecosystems. In particular, this study introduces the directions for research on trophic position analysis using compound specific isotope analysis and trophic magnification factors, which are needed to fulfill the contemporary requirements of selecting target fish based on the survey of major fish that inhabit domestic waters and assessment of associated health risk. In addition, this study provides suggestions for future biota monitoring and chemical research in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2024

Nanoparticles are commonly used to avoid the opaque white color of TiO₂ based sunscreen. However, a dispersing agent is typically required because of the tendency of the nanoparticles (NPs) to agglomerate. Stearic acid is one kind of dispersing agent often used for sunscreen products. However, according to the MSDS data sheet on stearic acid, stearic acid is highly hazardous to aquatic life and causes irritation on human skin. To avoid this problem, in this study a safer organic dispersing agent extracted from Korean seaweed has been studied to disperse TiO₂ nanoparticles, and further use as an active agent in sunscreen products. The presence of phytochemicals in seaweed extract, especially alginate, can disperse TiO₂ nanoparticles and improve TiO₂ dispersion properties. Results show that seaweed extract can improve the dispersion properties of TiO₂ nanoparticles and sunscreen products. Reducing the agglomeration of TiO₂ nanoparticles improves sunscreen properties, by making it less opaque white in color, and increasing UV protection value. It was also confirmed that adding seaweed extract into sunscreen products had no irritating effects on the human skin, making it more desirable for cosmetics application.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.277-289
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• 2024

Climate change has led to a significant increase in jellyfish populations globally, causing various problems. For power plants that use nearby seawater for cooling, the intrusion of jellyfish into intake systems can block the flow, leading to reduced output or even shutdowns. This issue is compounded by other small marine organisms like shrimp and salps, making it urgent to develop solutions to prevent their intrusion. This study addressed the problem using the BioSonics DT-X 120 kHz scientific fish finder to conduct preliminary tank experiments. We also deployed underwater acoustic and camera buoys around the intake of nuclear power plant, utilizing a bidirectional communication system between sea and land to collect data. Data collection took place from July 31, 2023 to August 1, 2023. While harmful organisms such as jellyfish and salps were not detected, we successfully gathered acoustic data on small fish measuring backscattering strength (SV). Analysis showed that fish schools were more prominent in the evening than during the day. The highest fish distribution was observed at 3:30 AM on July 31 with an SV of -44.8 dB while the lowest was at 12:30 PM on the same day with an SV of -63.4 dB. Additionally, a solar-powered system was used to enable real-time data acquisition from sea buoys with smooth communication between the land server and the offshore buoy located 1.8 km away. This research developed an acoustic-based monitoring system for detecting harmful organisms around the intake and provided foundational data for preventing marine organism intrusion and planning effective measures.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.196-200
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• 2006

In this study we investigated fecundity and survivorship of four staple Korean freshwater cladocerans for their whole life to develop a new standard method used for ecological risk assessment of pesticide. The tested Korean freshwater cladocerans were Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia sp., Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus. In addition, standard test species, Daphnia magna endorsed formally by the major international organizations was tested together in order to compare with the reproductive characteristics of Korean cladocerans. A total of 358 young was produced by D. magna, whereas, 297 young was reduced by Daphnia sp. throughout the entire life. The average life span of Daphnia magna was 50 days much longer than any other Korean species. Nevertheless all of the Korean water flea tested showed good fecundity, produced over 60 young for 21 days as the validation criterion for reproduction toxicity test in Ecological Effects Test Guidelines published by USEPA. Especially Moina macrocopa produced their first brood in 4 days. Therefore 10 day reproduction test with Moina macrocopa may be an alternative good method to save cost and time to elucidating the effects of hazardous substances on the reproduction of aquatic invertebrates.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.737-747
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• 2006

Ministry of Environment (MOE) of Korea has been implementing the water quality management policy to focus on the control of organic matters (BOD and COD) for 28 years since 1978 when the water quality standards had been established. However, the government and the public have begun to recognize the necessity of creating the best water environment for people and aquatic life, and also formulating the various measures of water pollution, Consequently, MOE of Korea is establishing the basic plan of water environment management, with the vision of "Clean Water, Eco River 2015." The major targets of water environment management plan are to maintain ecosystem health and to protect water quality from various hazardous substances in water bodies. In order to achieve the major targets, it is essential to amend the water quality standards, which bring about the systematic management of various pollutants and healthy ecosystem. Introduction of the new techniques of water environment assessment is also prerequisite to maintain sustainable water environment. These can be accomplished under the consideration of following suggestions in environmental quality standards. First, several criteria should be complemented in water quality standards; they include the improvement of the current water quality classification system, the strengthening and supplement of relevant parameters considering human health in the standards, the introduction of biotic indices, and management standards on eutrophication. Secondly, it should be considered to introduce the biological water quality standards using biotic indices and the management standards for sediments. Lastly, it needs to introduce or develop an ecological status classification which could be used in the assessment of the water environment as a whole.