• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.446-452
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• 2012

The effect of heavy metals on seedling growth and pigment levels was studied in Arabidopsis using essential (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential metals (Pb and Hg). Generally increasing the concentrations of the metals resulted in a gradual decrease in root and shoot lengths, a decrease in chlorophylls, an increase in anthocyanins and a fluctuation in carotenoid content depending on the metal types. The toxicity of the metals decreased in the following order: Cu > Hg > Pb > Zn > Mn. Among the five metals, Cu was exceptionally toxic and the most potent inducer of anthocyanins. Pb induced the smallest quantity of anthocyanins but it was the strongest inducer of carotenoids. It suggests that the Cu-stressed Arabidopsis may use anthocyanins as its main antioxidants while the Pb-stressed Arabidopsis use carotenoids as its main protectants. All of the five metals induced an accumulation of anthocyanins. The consistent increase in anthocyanin content in the metal-stressed Arabidpsis indicates that anthocyanins play a major role in the protection against metal stresses.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 1996

The heavy metal concentration in mixed and separately collected household food waste, and their compost during the composting period was analysed. The mixed and separately collected food waste had Cd content of 8 mg/kg in spring and its content of 13 mg/kg in winter respectively. Its content was higher than by-product compost limit value(5 mg Cd/kg). Cd concentration in separately collected food waste in a house was higher in January, February, April and May than by-product compost limit value (5 mg Cd/kg). When Cd concentration in the initial composting material was higher than 5 mg/kg, its concentration in the compost of household food waste during the composting period was higher than by-product compost limit value, but it was not accumulated in the compost during the composting period. Fly ash was added to separately collected household food waste to adjust its moisture content for composting. Its addition had moisture conditioning and Cd concentration reducing effect in the compost. The average one month composted fresh compost from the mixed collected household food waste was matured in a pile out of doors for 7 months with turning the pile once a month and its heavy metal concentration was examined. Accumulation of the heavy metals in the compost did not occur during the composting period, because they were washed out during the rainfall.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.141-149
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• 2010

A concern of safety issue for traditional herbal medicine is the possibility of some herbs containing heavy metals responsible for several cases of metal poisoning. In our previous study, the physiological levels of heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, were examined to evaluate a potential risk in patients taking herbal medicine. In this study, the levels of 12 heavy metals, including non-metallic element, Se, were analyzed in hair and compared to the results from the previous study. In the previous study, the levels of Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb in hair showed a significantly lower odds ratio than 1. In this study, however, all metals did not show any significant odds ratio higher or lower than 1 even if 5 of 12 metals showed lower odds ratio than 1. In addition, the levels of metal concentrations, especially for Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, exceeding the WHO reference values were observed in hair. However, any evidence for metal accumulation in hair caused by taking herbal medicines for long duration was not observed in analysis of multiple regression and odds ratio from case-control study. This result would show another possibility for a role of herbs as a non-enzymatic chelator inhibiting the gastrointestinal absorption of heavy metals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.907-915
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• 2018

With the increase of metal usage in various industries, metal pollution and ecological toxicity in the environmental system have become a significant concern. A geo-statistical index has been widely used to determine contamination level with normalization through a background value. In this study, geo-statistical indexes such as an enrichment factor, accumulation index, and potential ecological risk index were used to assess metal pollution in soil at locations associated with shipbuilding manufacturing industries. Metal contamination, especially of Cu and Pb, was observed in some samples located closer to manufacturing sites. Enrichment factor and accumulation (IGEO) values were indicative of concerning levels of soil contamination in specific samples, and the soil contamination could be induced by anthropogenic sources. In further study, after more detailed sampling for soil and potential pollution sources, high interpretation techniques such as Pb isotope analysis and X-ray analysis will be needed to investigate source identification.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.63-68
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• 2004

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural experiments were conducted to find out heavy metal accumulation in some selected organs such as the kidney, the digestive gland, and the gill of the Antarctic clam Laternula elliptica and R. philippinarum. According to the immunohistochemical study the subject organs of the clam showed reactions indicating the presence of MT (metallothionein), a metal-binding protein involved in metal detoxifying process. Examination under the transmission electron microscope also revealed that other ligands may play a role in metal accumulating and detoxifying process in L. elliptica and R. philippinarum. In the artificial exposure of the clam to Cd, the clams showed immediate subcellular responses. The level of the anti-MT reactions became higher in the proportion to the degree of pollution of their habitat and to the period of Cd exposure. These suggest that the two species can be used as efficient biomarkers for Cd exposure in the natural environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.260-267
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: The current study was conducted to examine the species specific accumulation of Cd and Pb in 11 crop species (Soybean, Sesame, Corn, Polished rice, Carrot, Potato, Garlic, Spring onion, Chinese leek, Red pepper, Eggplant), through cultivating them under the same condition with metal contaminated soils.METHODS AND RESULTS: Eleven crop species were cultivated in three different soils contaminated with Cd and Pb and harvested. Edible parts of each crop was pretreated and analyzed to determine Cd and Pb concentrations, and subsequently bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were calculated. In general, the crops of which seeds are used as food showed high concentrations of both Cd and Pb. For instance, Cd concentrations in crops cultivated in Soil A was in the order of soybean (0.432 mg kg^-1) > sesame (0.385) > polished rice (0.176) > carrot (0.116) > corn (0.060) > red pepper > (0.047) > potato (0.044) > egg plant (0.025) > garlic (0.023) > spring onion (0.016) > Chinese leek (0.011). BCFs showed the same order.CONCLUSION: From this study, it can be conclude that seeds plants should not be cultivated in Cd and Pb contaminated soils to secure food safety from metal contaminated soils.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

This study focused on evaluating the phytoextraction of heavy metals (Co, Pb, and Zn) induced by bioaugmentation of button mushroom compost (BMC) in Helianthus annuus (sunflower). When the potential ability of BMC to solubilize heavy metals was assessed in a batch experiment, the inoculation with BMC could increase more the concentrations of water-soluble Co, Pb, and Cd by 35, 25, and 45% respectively, compared to those of non-inoculated soils. BMC-assisted growth promotion and metal uptake in H. annuus was also evaluated in a pot experiment. In comparison with non-inoculated seedlings, the inoculation led to an increase in the growth of H. annuus by 27, 25, and 28% in Co-, Pb-, and Zn-contaminated soils, respectively. Moreover, enhanced accumulation of Co, Pb, and Zn in the shoot and root systems was observed in inoculated plants, where metal the translocation from root to the above-ground tissues was also found to be enhanced by the BMC. Evidently, these results suggest that the BMC could be effectively employed in enhancing the phytoextraction of Co, Pb, and Zn from contaminated soils.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.298-305
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• 1990

Based on equal number of cells, supplementation of 10$^{-6}$ M cadimium highly simulated the intracellular amylase. GCT, LDH as well as the glucose and erea content of E carotovora var, carotovaro cells. This was coupled with initiation of highly active GOT, CPK as well as accumulation of cholesterol in the cells. Lanthanum was less active and unable to initiate COT or CPK. Nickel was almost without effect though reduced LDH activity without initiating either enzyme or cholesterol production. Similar stiulations and/or initiations were observed, though to variable extents, when the same concentration of the three elements were supplied to E. carotovora var, citullis or E. toxica. The highest yield of amylase, GPT, GGT or glucose was obtained when E. carotovora var. carotovora was supplemented with Cd + Ni. The highest urea level was recorded in Erwinia carotovara var, cirullis, amended with Cd + La.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference
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• 1999.10c
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• pp.651-656
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the paddy soil and water quality in Boryung freshwater reservoir watershed during the non-cropping season. Soil pH of the Boryung freshwater reservoir watershed were 5.39∼5.78. Total-N and P contents were high by the accumulation of chemical fertilizer partly. Heavy metal content of paddy soils were natural background level. Water pH of the Boryung freshwater reservoir watershed ranged from 6.82 to 8.64. Total-N content affected by a livestock wastes and sewage water were the higher than that of others and total-P content showed below 0.1mg/L. Nitrate nitrogen contents was very high according to the influence a livestock waste and sewage water partly. Heavy metal contents of wateers were natural background level.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.198-207
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• 1999

Five core sediments acquired from the Lake Shihwa are analyzed for variations of sedimentary environment and heavy metal pollution after the Shihwa seawall construction. The depositional environment of the study area is divided into anoxic, oxic and mixed suboxic conditions based on the C/N ratio and C/S ratios of organic matters. Controlling factors for redox condition are the water depth and the difference in industrial effluents supply. Correlations among geochemical elements (Mn, U, Mo) show a distinctive difference and thus can be used as an indicator of redox condition. The content of Al, Ti are dependent on the sediment characteristics, and the contents of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) indicate heavy metal pollution. The concentrations of heavy metals are higher near Shiswa-Banwol industrial complexies than the central part of Lake Shihwa. Especially, the accumulation of the heavy metal at the surface sediments near Shihwa-Banwol industrial complex are two to eight times higher than in the center of Lake Shihwa.