• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.1 s.61
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• pp.46-52
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• 2006

The mercury is among the most highly bioconcentrated toxic trace metals. Many national and international agencies and organisations have targeted mercury for the possible emission control. The mercury toxicity depends on its chemical form, among which alkylmercury compounds are the most toxic. A human cervix uterus cancer cell line HeLa cells was employed to investigate the effect of the toxic heavy metal mercury (Hg) and ionizing radiation. In the in vitro comet assays for the genotoxicity in the HeLa cells, the group of Hg treatment after irradiation showed higher DNA breakage than the other groups. The tail extent moment and olive tail moment of the control group were $4.88{\pm}1.00\;and\;3.50{\pm}0.52$ while the values of the only Hg treatment group were $26.90{\pm}2.67\;and\;13.16{\pm}1.82$, respectively. The tail extent moment and olive tail moment of the only 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 Hg group were $12.24{\pm}1.82,\;8.20{\pm}2.15,\;20.30{\pm}1.30,\;12.26{\pm}0.52,\;40.65{\pm}2.94\;and \;20.38{\pm}1.49$, respectively. In the case of Hg treatment after irradiation, the tail extent moment and olive tail moment of the 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 Hg group were $56.50{\pm}3.93,\;32.69{\pm}2.48,\;62.03{\pm}5.14,\;31.56{\pm}1.97,\;72.73{\pm}3.70\;and \;39.44{\pm}3.23$, respectively. The results showed that Hg induced DNA single-strand breaks or alkali labile sites as assessed by the Comet assay. It is in good agreement with the reported results. The mercury inhibits the repair of DNA. The bacterial formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Epg protein) recognizes and removes some oxidative DNA base modifications. Enzyme inactivation by Hg (II) may therefore be due either to interactions with rysteine residues outside the metal binding domain or to very high-affinity binding of Hg (II) which readily removes Zn (II) from the zinc finger.

• Clean Technology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1996

For the development of biocatalysts and processes for microbial desulfurization of petroleum, more than 60 microbial strains capable of DBT(Dibenzothiophene) degradation were isolated from oil-polluted soils through 3 months of continuous and enrichment cultures. Among them, A23-3 strain could grow on DBT as the only sulfur source, while hexadecane was not utilized as a carbon source. The rate of desulfurization by A23-3 in a DBT-glucose medium was satisfactory. The addition of yeast extract or trace metal solution accelerated the rate of desulfurization about 4.5~6.5 times. In case of actual diesel oil treatment, the specific rate of DBT degradation was $0.045g-DBT\;per\;g-cell{\cdot}hour$. A number of aromatic compounds heavier than $C_{14}$ in diesel oil were also degraded by A23-3. A23-3 strain was evaluated as a good catalyst for the production of low-sulfur, low-aromatic clean diesel oil.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.1248-1256
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of behind $SO_2$ formation and elevated cause of reducing power in purple bamboo salt (PBS) along with an analysis of physicochemical properties, content of sulfur compounds, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), mineral contents of salt type (MSS, mudflat solar salt; BS, bamboo salt), and addition of raw bamboo (RB). $SO_2$ content of 630 ppm was detected in PBS. $SO_2$ was not detected in MSS, BS, or RB, whereas $SO_2$ (782 ppm) from $K_2SO_4$ was detected after heating a NaCl, KCl, $MgCl_2$, $MgSO_4$, MgO, $CaCl_2$, $K_2SO_4$, and $FeSO_4$ with RB. $SO_2$ content of BS increased with baking time, and it originated from BSRB1 (13.88 ppm) to BSRB4 (109.13 ppm). $SO_3{^{2-}}$ originated only from MSSRB4 and BSRB2~BSRB4. Sulfate ion content decreased along with increasing $SO_2$ and sulfite ion contents. ORP increased with baking time of MSS and BS, and it was present at higher levels in BSRB4 (-211.40 mV) of BS than MSS. Insoluble content was higher in BS than MSS. Further, Ca, K, and Mg ion contents decreased in MSS and increased in BS with baking time. BSRB4 had 1.4 fold higher levels of Ca, 1.5 fold higher levels of Mg, and 1.8 fold higher levels of K than BS. Li, Al, Mn, Fe, and Sr in MSS as well as Al, Fe, and Ni in BS increased with baking time. Anions (Cl, $NO_3$, and Br) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) between MSS and BS were not significantly different. These results suggest that the reducing power of BS was due to $SO_2$ and sulfite ion. To increase the amounts of these compounds and reducing power, higher melting temperature and longer baking time are necessary along with BS, which is created by the addition of RB to roasted salt.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2005

This study was conducted to find suitable methods for screening organic resources useful for compost. Twenty-seven industrial and domestic sludges were collected from various cities and industrial areas. Contents of organic matters in the sludges were in the range of 79.3-98.0%, and the contents were much higher than the regulation level (60%) for raw materials of compost. Contents of total nitrogen were in the range of 0.8-2.6%. Contents of Fe and Al were very high. Content of HEM was highest in textile sludge ($257mg\;kg^{-1}$) and the contents in the others were in the range of $12.6-90.3mg\;kg^{-1}$. Content of PAHs was lowest in food sludge ($739.1{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ and pulp-mill sludge had the highest PAHs content ($3461.8{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$). $Microtox^{(R)}$ $EC_{50}$ values were higher in the sludges which were classified as a possible material in composting after analysis and investigation. Lettuce root elongation and $EC_{50}$ values were relatively lower in pulp-mill sludge, sewage sludge 3 (Large city), food sludge and leather sludge. Therefore, mineral nutrients, heavy metals, organic compounds (HEM, PAHs, PCBs), and bioassay ($Microtox^{(R)}$ $EC_{50}$, Relative root elongation test) are recommended to be included in the screening system of raw material of compost in addition to the current regulation with organic matter and 8 heavy metals.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2009

During the past few years, titanium salts were investigated as alternative coagulants for the removal of organic matter of different molecular sizes in contaminated water. The flocculation efficiency of Ti-salt was comparable to those of $FeCl_3$ and $Al_2(SO_4)_3$ salts, commonly used coagulants. Incinerated sludge-$TiO_2$ showed higher surface area and photocatalytic activity than commercially available $TiO_2$. Metal-doped forms were produced by adding coagulant aids such as iron (Fe-), aluminium (Al-) and (Ca-) calcium salts during Ti-salt flocculation to increase pH. Ca- and Al- doped $TiO_2$ showed very high photocatalytic activity compared to Fe-doped $TiO_2$. When tested in a pilot scale plant for treatment of dye wastewater to check practical feasibility of the novel process, the removal ratio of the chemical oxygen demand was comparable to those of commonly used coagulants but the settling of sludge was faster. The $TiO_2$ generated after sludge incineration showed a high photocatalytic activity for degradation of volatile organic compounds and increased the rate of hydrogen production by water photosplitting. $TiCl_4$ coagulant and $TiO_2$ produced from different water sources with different concentrations had low acute toxicity compared to heavy metals and commercial $TiO_2$ when examined based on D. Magna mortality. This paper presents the production, characterisation and the photoactivity of $TiO_2$ produced from Ti-salt flocculated sludge. Different case studies are discussed to highlighted recent advances in this field.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.450-464
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• 2016

Objectives: This study developed and validated reference materials (RMs) to analyze metal compounds in blood. Methods: We referred to KoNEHS (Korea National Environmental Health Survey) to estimate concentrations of blood metals (cadmium, Cd; lead, Pb; mercury, Hg) and applied analytical methods (inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy, ICP-MS, for Cd and Pb; graphite furnace - atomic absorption spectrometry, GF-AAS, for Cd and Pb; and direct mercury analyzer, DMA, for Hg). Homogeneity and stability tests were carried out. In addition, certified values and uncertainties of RMs were calculated through internal and external experiments. All RMs were developed and assessed in various forms according to element, analytical method, and two types of concentration levels high concentration for occupational exposure and low concentration for environmental exposure. Results: All samples showed acceptable homogeneity, except for low concentration of Cd in the GF-AAS method. Short- and long-term stabilities were satisfied by ANOVA testing. In the inter-laboratory comparison, robust medians were lower than the certified values of all RMs (robust median/reference value; $1.301/1.327{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, low concentration; $3.152/3.388{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, high concentration; $1.219/1.301{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, low concentration; $3.074/3.321{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, high concentration; $14.473/14.516{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, low concentration; $50.069/50.114{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, high concentration; $12.881/14.147{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, low concentration; $47.015/47.591{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, high concentration; $4.059/4.218{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, low concentration; $11.474/11.181{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, high concentration). Conclusion: This study demonstrates procedures for developing and validating RMs for biomonitoring in the field of the environmental health.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2012

Resveratrol is naturally occurring phytoalexin compounds produced by grape berries, peanuts, pine tree, mulberry fruits and their products in response to stress such as fungal infection, heavy metal ions or UV irradiation. The objective of this study was to determine resveratrol contents in wild-type mulberry leaves (Morus alba L., M. bombycis Koidz, and M. Lhou (Ser.) Koidz) collected from Won-ju, In-je and Yang-yang regions, Gangwon province, Korea. Resveratrol contents in wild-type mulberry leaves were higher in Autumn's than in Spring's, and higher than 16 cultivar's. Among the samples, 'No. 3', collected from Won-ju region and 'No. 7' collected from In-je showed high resveratrol contents of 539 and $491{\mu}g$/100 g DW (dry weight; DW), respectively, through the collection time. Therefore, two mulberry trees might be promising as potent resources for mulberry breeding and functional material development.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.53-63
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the physiological activityof the water extract from EA. The present study was done to investigate the effects of EA on cultured hepatocyte cell system and lipid peroxidation in $A{\beta}$ treatment conditions. Pretreatment of EA attenuated in cell cytotoxicity enhanced by increasing concentrations of $A{\beta}$. MDA level induced by $A{\beta}$ treatment was significantly increased and the level was slightly reduced by pretreatment of EA. The ability of EA to reduce cell death and MDA level induced by $A{\beta}$ suggest that EA may be a protective agent against free radical generating compounds such as $A{\beta}$. EA exhibited anti oxidative activity at all concentration tested.The extract was as good as antioxidative activity of the synthetic antioxidants, butylated hydroxy toluene and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, this was superior to that of natural antioxidant, a-tocopherol. In the presence of heavy metal ions ($Fe^{2+},{\;}Zn^{2+}$), EA showed strong antioxidative activity. The extracts showed about 3075% in the nitrite scavenging effect under pH 1.2 and $37^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr. There was significant difference among concentration of extracts.

• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.364-377
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• 2017

In this study, to improve the low surface area of domestic anthracite as raw materials of activated carbon, characteristics on chemical activation and VOCs adsorption of activated carbon according to mixing ratio of anthracite and lignite. For these, properties of raw materials, parameter characteristics of preparation processes for activated carbon, and VOCs adsorption characteristic of the prepared activated carbon are analyzed. The experimental results showed that, the domestic anthracite had disadvantages of high contents for ash and lead, arsenic, which were exceeded for the heavy metal limits, in the properties of raw materials. To improve these diadvantages, using the mixing ratio of anthracite and lignite, and the optimum conditions for pretreatment, activation, washing, and pellitization process, the activated carbon had a range of BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area of $1,154{\sim}1,420m^2g^{-1}$ with mesopore development and hydrophobic surface property. The carbons were satisfied with the quality standard for granular activated carbon, and had similar physicochemical properties with the commercial activated carbon. The minimum mixing condition for commercial VOCs activated carbon performance must have the caloric value of above $5,640kcal\;kg^{-1}$, and the carbon had higher adsorption capacity with order of xylene > toluene > benzene according to more higher molcular weight and hydrophobic property.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.282-288
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• 1996

Because of the high water content of the household garbage, it is difficult to compost it. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the possibility of using coal fly ash as humidity conditioner for the household garbage composting. The summarized results are as follows : 1. The maximum temperatures were $35^{\circ}C$ in spring, $47^{\circ}C$ in summer, and $43^{\circ}C$ in winter during the composting periods. 2. The mass was reduced to 70.5% after 60 days. The average volume reduced down to 74.7% after 60 days. 3. The seasonal variation of pH values showed a similar tendency and reached 8.5 after 60 days. 4. The water content was reduced at an early stage of composting and not much changed thereafter. It had 49.7% in spring, 33.9% in summer, and 56.5% in winter after 60 days. Ash contents were not much changed during the composting periods. 5. The contents of inorganic compounds were in the range of $0.06{\sim}4.03%$ $P_2O_5$, $0.01{\sim}2.87%$ CaO, $0.18{\sim}1.43%$ MgO, and $0.39{\sim}2.03%$ $K_2O$. Heavy metal contents were in the range of $ND{\sim}14.08$ Hg ${\mu}g/kg$, $ND{\sim}0.80$ Cd mg/kg, $4.99{\sim}28.95$ Cu mg/kg, $ND{\sim}242.62$ Cr mg/kg, $ND{\sim}20.24$ Pb mg/kg, and $ND{\sim}59.87$ Zn mg/kg.