• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.663-673
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• 2017

Heavy metal(loid) contamination of rice is the main issue in abandoned metal mine area with regard to food safety. A field study was conducted in mine area to see if soil amendments treatment including calcium superphosphate, sulfur, steel slag and S-containing fertilizer could reduce As and/or Cd content in rice grain and increase the growth of rice. The As content in brown rice reduced to 60% compared to the control only in $7.0Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of steel slag treatment. Cd reduction in rice was thought to be not the effect of amendments but the result from the difference in growth and development of rice plant and this could be ascribed to low soil Cd availability to rice plant. Compared with control, increased rice yield of cultivar Hwanggeumnuri was 1.3~2.2 and $1.5Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in calcium super phosphate and S-containing fertilizer treatment, respectively and the trend was also observed in cultivar Ungwang. However, steel slag treatment reduced the Ungwang yield by $0.4{\sim}0.9Mg\;ha^{-1}$. Future work will be needed to establish the agricultural measure with which secure the safety and yield of rice simultaneously.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1627-1633
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• 2012

This study was to evaluate the feasibility of recycling the solids separated from swine wastewater treatment process as a fuel source for heat production and to provide a data set on the gas emissions and combustion properties. Also, in this study, the heavy metals in ash content were analyzed for its possible use as a fertilizer. Proximate analysis of the solid recovered from the swine wastewater after flocculation with organic polymer showed high calorific (5,330.50 kcal/kg) and low moisture (15.38%) content, indicating that the solid separated from swine wastewater can be used as an alternative fuel source. CO and NOx emissions were found to increase with increasing temperature. Combustion efficiency of the solids was found to be stable (95 to 98%) with varied temperatures. Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed five thermal effects (four exothermic and one endothermic), and these effects were distinguished in three stages, water evaporation, heterogeneous combustion of hydrocarbons and decomposition reaction. Based on the calorific value and combustion stability results, solid separated from swine manure can be used as an alternative source of fuel, however further research is still warranted regarding regulation of CO and NOx emissions. Furthermore, the heavy metal content in ash was below the legal limits required for its usage as fertilizer.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

The studies on the effect of different plastic properties (e.g., types, shapes, presence of additivies) on the sorption of contaminants in the agricultural environment are limited. In this study, Cu and Pb, the commonly found heavy metals in the environment, were used to investigate the sorption capacities of microplastics (MPs). The Pb sorption capacity increased in the order of polystyrene (PS)<polyethylene (PE)<polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The estimated Cu sorption capacity was greater for the PE films than the PE fragments, while the sorption strength was greater for the PE fragments. This suggests that the shapes of MPs can affect the contaminant sorption capacities. With the PE fragments, the Pb sorption capacity was greater than the Cu sorption capacity by 10-12 times. Also, the Pb and Cu sorption capacities were greater for the PE fragments with additives than the PE fragment without additives. After the sorption of Pb or Cu on MPs, the toxic effects of the Pb or Cu solutions were decreased, suggesting that the toxic effects of contaminants can be affected by the co-presence of MPs in the environment. Overall, the results show that different types and shapes of MPs and the presence of additives can affect the heavy metal sorption capacities of MPs.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.236-242
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the changes of heavy metals in percolated water of paddy soil in which rice was cultivated in conditions of 0%, 5%. 30% addition of bituminous and anthracite fly ash respectively. In cultivated plot, the contents of Fe in percolated water increased gradually during the cultivation. But there was no sharp difference of Fe contents in fly ash treated plots. The contents of Mn in percolated water increased gradually during the cultivation and was high in the cultivated plot. But difference in the contents of Mn among plots not clear. The contents of Zn in percolated water was highest during 20-25 days in the cultivation, thereafter decreased gradually. The fly ash did not cause to increase the contents of Zn in percolated water. The contents of Cu in percolated water decreased through the cultivation. Fly ash treatment did not cause to increase the contents of Cu in percolated water. The contents of Pb in percolated water decreased gradually over the cultivation. Fly ash treatment did not largely influence to Pb percolation. In mid-July. Pb did not almost appeared in percolated water. The contents of Cd was highest about 15 days of the transplant, thereafter decreased gradually. After 40 day of the cultivation, leach of Cd stopped. When fly ashes were applied in paddy soil, the contents of heavy metals in percolated water was not so much compared with control plot. It seems that originally low contents of heavy metals in fly ash and decrease in solubility of heavy metals in a relatively high soil pH make it possible to use fly ash as a soil conditioner.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2014

The object of this study was to evaluate the combined toxic interactions of the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) with six heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Pb). The individual and combined toxic effects were assessed using the Vibrio fischeri assay. In case of the individual toxicity, PFOA was higher toxic than PFOS and toxicity of PFOA and PFOS were lower than heavy metal. In the toxicity of heavy metals, the $Hg^{2+}$ was found to be most toxic followed by $Pb^{2+}$, $Cr^{6+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, and $Cd^{2+}$. The combined toxicity of PFOA or PFOS with $Cr^{6+}$ were synergistic effect because the $EC_{50}$ mix values were less than 1 TU. PFOA + $Zn^{2+}$, PFOS + $Zn^{2+}$, PFOA + $Cd^{2+}$ and PFOS + $Cd^{2+}$ produced addictive effect. Except in these case, all of binary mixtures show antagonistic effect. This study proved potential risk of coexistent with perfluorinated compounds and heavy metals in water environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2002

The effect of lime on plant availability of heavy metals in soils amended with industrial sewage sludge (ISS) or pig manure compost (PMC) was investigated. A pot experiment with Altari radish (Raphanus sativus) was conducted. Industrial sewage sludge and Pig manure compost were added at 25 and 50 Mg/ha, and lime was added at 3 Mg/ha. Heavy metal contents of ISS treated soils after experiment were higher than those in control (NPK plot) and PMC treatment. Specially, the contents of copper, zinc, nickel and chromium in the 50 Mg/ha of ISS treated soils were higher 12$\sim$48 times than those in control. Copper, zinc, and nickel contents in Altari radish leaves cultivated at the ISS treated soil exceeded the critical levels of plant toxicity. Copper, zinc, and nickel contents in Altari radish loaves and roots cultivated at the ISS treated soil were reduced by the addition of lime. Copper, zinc, and nickel contents in Altari radish loaves were negatively correlated with soil pH after experiment. It concluded that liming would reduce the uptake of heavy metals by plants and be a temporary method of reclamation at the highly heavy metal accumulated soils by ISS.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.306-314
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• 2022

Background: Due to the rapid aging of the South Korean population, neurological diseases such as dementia are increasing. Many studies have reported that the incidence of dementia is associated with environmental factors along with age. Objectives: This study analyzed the association between cognitive function and ten heavy metals in the body: arsenic, aluminum, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron, copper, zinc, and lead. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, a total of 120 participants who suffered from cognitive impairment were recruited for this study. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Demographic information was obtained through face-to-face questionnaires completed by a trained investigator. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Korean version of the Boston Name Waiting Test. The associations between cognitive function scores and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The average age of the 120 participants was 72.7 years, and 69.2% were female. The mean of the MMSE-K and K-BNT scores were 22.9 and 37.9, respectively. The geometric mean of aluminum (Al) was 8.42 ㎍/L. MMSE-K was associated with iron (Fe), but the significance was removed in the logistic regression based on 24 points. K-BNT was significantly associated with aluminum and the odds ratio for K-BNT above 38 decreased by 45% as the aluminum concentration increased. Conclusions: The association between aluminum and the K-BNT score indicated that aluminum is associated with language-related cognitive decline. Based on this result, further study will be conducted by considering co-exposure effects of heavy metals including aluminum.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.53-63
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• 2003

Objectives of this research were to fractionate heavy metals in soil samples in the upper Okdong River basin and to assess the potential pollution index of each metal fraction. Soil samples were collected from the cultivated land soils and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. pH of cultivated soils ranged from 5.2 to 7.6. Contents of total kelhaldal nitrogen and loss on ignition were in the ranges of 0.6∼2.5%, and 1.9∼12.9%, respectively. Heavy metals in the cultivated land soils were higher in the abandoned closed coal mine near field soils than those in the paddy soils. Total concentrations of metals in the cultivated land soils were in the orders of Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd, exceed the corrective action level of the Soil Environment Conservation Law and higher than the naturals were abundance levels reported from uncontaminated cultivated land soils. Mobile fractions of metals were relatively small compared to the total concentrations. Soil Pollution Assesment Index (SPAI) values of each fraction of metals were leveled from Non polluted to Moderately polluted based on total concentrations. SPAI values of mobil fractions were lower than those of immobile fractions. Results on metal fractions and SPAI values of the cultivated land soils indicate that field soils samples were contaminated with heavy metals and had potential to cause a detrimental effects on plants. A prompt countermeasure to prevent field soils in the abandoned closed coal mine near fields are urgently needed.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2007

An environmental survey from three abandoned metal mine areas was undertaken on to assess the risk of adverse health effects on human exposure to heavy metals influenced by past mining activities. Tailings contained high concentrations of heavy metals may have a impact on soils and waters around the tailing piles. In order to perform the human risk assessment, chemical analysis data of soils, rice grains and waters for As, Cd, Cu and Pb have been used. The HQ values for heavy metals via the rice consumption were significantly higher compared with other exposure pathways in all metal mine areas. The resulting HI values in three mine areas were higher than 9.0, and their toxic risk due to rice ingestion was strong in these mine areas. The cancer risk of being exposed to As by the rice consumption from the A, B and C mine areas was $5.1\;{\times}\;10^{-3}$, $6.8\;{\times}\;10^{-3}$ and $3.1\;{\times}\;10^{-3}$, respectively. The As cancer risk via the exposure pathway of rice ingestion from these mine areas exceeds the acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 set for regulatory purposes. Thus, the daily intakes of rice by the local residents from these mine areas can pose a potential health threat if exposed by long-term As exposure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.450-455
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• 2015

This study compared the heavy metal contents and the effects of extracts from domestic and imported red sea bream on the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of human cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity was measured using the fluorescently sensitive dye, 2’-7’ dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA), and antiproliferative activity against AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cell lines, which was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Domestic red sea bream had a higher mercury content when compared to imported red sea bream, but there was no significant difference in the lead content. Treatments with acetone/methylene chloride (A+M) and methanol (MeOH) extracts from domestic and imported red sea bream dose-dependently decreased the H₂O₂ induced ROS production, compared to the control. The cell viability showed that treatments with the A+M and MeOH extracts had cytotoxicity in the growth of AGS and HT-29 cancer cells. In the case of AGS, the extracts from the domestic red sea bream were higher in inhibiting cancer cell growth, compared to imported red sea bream. Our results demonstrate that the heavy metal contents of domestic and imported red sea bream were below the limit of the Food Code of Korea. The results of the biological activities indicate that the antioxidant activity of extracts from imported red sea bream was more effective, while the extracts from the domestic red sea bream were stronger in cytotoxic activity.