• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2005

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature on the survival, growth and sensitivity of the benthic amphipods, Mandibuluphoxus mai and Monocnrophium acherusicum, which have been recently developed as new sediment toxicity testing species in Korea. The biological performance for each amphipod species was determined by the survival and growth rates at different water temperatures. The influence of temperature on the sensitivity to reference toxicant, Cd, was determined by the comparison of survival rates of amphipods exposed to control and Cd-spiked seawater at different temperatures. Temperature significantly influenced on the survival, growth and Cd sensitivity of both amphipods. Tolerable ranges of temperature for the >80％ individuals of both M. mai and M. acherusicum with sediment substrates were mostly overlapped (13 to 22℃). The daily growth rates of M. mai and M. acherkisicum increased proportionally with temperature up to 20℃ and 25℃. respectively. Similarly, the sensitivities of M. mai and M. acheyusicum to Cd increased with temperature up to 20℃ and 15℃, respectively. Overall results showed that temperature is a substantially important factor potentially influencing the results of lethal and sublethal bioassays using the amphipods. Therefore, defining the adequate ranges of experimental temperature for the toxicity testing species is the pre-requisite for the development of standardized bioassay protocols.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 2012

Eight marine sediments from Busan port in Korea were annually analyzed to examine the concentration distribution of dioxins from 2006 to 2010. Yearly mean concentration of dioxins ranged from 186.3 to $383.3pg\;g^{-1}$ in real values and 5.087 to 8.541 pg-TEQ (Toxicity equivalency) based on dry weight of samples. The dioxin concentration at the site near fishing market was the highest concentration among all sampling sites. Also the dioxin concentration at the sites with various pollutant sources such as large ships, sewage influx and thermal power station as well as fishing market was higher than that of the sites without specific pollutant sources. Another main factor that affects the dioxin concentration is topography characteristics of the bay. The bay has relatively high dioxin concentration because of the lack of the pollutant diffusion. This study demonstrated that the dioxin concentration in the site with pollutant sources and the lack of the pollutant diffusion was relatively high as compared with the other sites. As a result of contribution ratio of dioxin congeners, OCDD (Octachlorodibenzodioxin) in all sites was major contributor in real value, in contrast, dioxin congeners in TEQ values were dominated by 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.178-184
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• 1998

To elucidate contamination levels and distribution of methyl mercury (Me-Hg) in Korean coastal areas, 126 sediment samples were collected from Kyeonggi Bay, Namyang Bay, Chinhae Bay, and Lake Shihwa during 1995-1996, and the Me-Hg concentrations were determined by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS). Contamination levels of Me-Hg in sediments from Kyeonggi Bay, Namyang Bay, Chinhae Bay, and Lake Shihwa were 274 ${\pm}$ 990, 108 ${\pm}$ 24, 294 ${\pm}$ 342, and 1080 ${\pm}$ 760 pg/g, respectively. Concentrations of Me-Hg in sediments were significantly correlated with total organic carbon and sulfur contents, but were independent of mud contents and mean grain size. The highest concentration of Me-Hg (7100 pg/g) was observed at Incheon North Harbor (Site Kl9) in Kyeonggi Bay. This Me-Hg concentration was one or two orders of magnitude higher than those in other Kyeonggi Bay sediments were. The average concentration of Me-Hg in sediments from Lake Shihwa was higher than in those from other study areas. The three peaks of Me-Hg concentrations were observed on three sites (55, 56,and 510) in Lake Shihwa and gradually decreased in distance-dependent manner around these sites. High concentrations of Me-Hg at surface and 10-cm sediment depth in Chinhae Bay maybe due to higher rates of methylation process by active sulfate-reducing bacteria or higher concentrations of total mercury available to sulfate-reducing bacteria.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2007

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in marine sediments from Mokpo coastal water of Korea. Total and toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of PCDD/Fs ranged from 19.4 to 175pg/g dry weight and ranged from 0.195 to 2.87 pg WHO-TEQ/g dry weight, respectively. These PCDD/F concentrations were below the safety sediment value (20 pg TEQ/g dry weight) of chronic toxicity. A highly significant correlation between the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and total organic carbon (TOC) in marine sediments was observed. Overall PCDD/F concentrations in the sediments were elevated in rivers and at inner locations close to harbors, indicating that these contaminants derived from local discharges of human activities. PCDD/F concentrations measured in our study were lower than those in several industrialized areas in Korea. Nonparametric multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination showed that combustion processes from industrial complexes are the major source of PCDD/Fs in Mokpo coastal water.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2007

Experimental studies were performed to investigate speciation and leaching potential of heavy metals(Cu, Cd, Pb Zn, Ni) in ten sediment samples collected from Nakdong River. Acid Volatile Sulfide (AVS) and Simultaneously Extractable Metals (SEM) measurements were used to estimate heavy metals that can be leached under anaerobic conditions. Sequential Extraction Procedure (SEP) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) were used to characterize speciation and leaching potential of heavy metals under aerobic conditions. The results show that total concentrations of Cu, Zn and Ni were relatively high in the sediments from points Seongseo industrial complex stream (upper stream) (D), Seongseo industrial complex stream (midstream) (E), Dalseo stream (F), and Nakdong river estuary (J), and that Cd concentrations were higher in all sampling points except for Goriung Bridge (G) and Soosan Bridge (H). SEM and AVS analyses reveal that samples from points Ilsun Bridge (A), Namgumi Bridge (C), and Soosan Bridge (H) have potential of heavy metals leaching, although leachable concentrations are relatively low. The leaching potential of heavy metals in other points was low because of higher concentrations of AVS than SEM. SEP results show that more than 50% of Cu, Zn and Ni were present in residual fraction, which means these metals are less amenable to leaching in anaerobic conditions. On the other hand, more than 50% of Pb and Cd were extracted during the first through third step of the SEP, which means substantial fraction of these metals can be leached upon changing of redox conditions. TCLP tests predict that leaching potential of heavy metals was generally low, which is consistent with the results obtained by AVS and SEM measurements.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.146-149
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Selenium is an essential element for all life forms but can be toxic above certain narrow levels. Prevalent forms of selenium in oxic environment are selenium oxyanions such as selenite and selenate, which may be contaminants in soils and water bodies. Bacterial reduction of more mobile selenium species (selenite or selenate) to less mobile elemental selenium may suggest a benign solution for alleviating toxicity and bioavailability of the selenium species. METHODS AND RESULTS: A facultative anaerobic bacterium, Citrobacter strain SE4-1 was isolated from the contaminated stream sediments and found to effectively reduce selenite to elemental selenium. Aqueous phase of selenite was analyzed by inductively couple plasma spectroscopy and the precipitated sphere-shaped elemental selenium was observed by transmission electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: The bacterial strain SE4-1 isolated in this study suggests a potential role in biogeochemical cycle of selenium by the selenite reduction in the stream environment, and potentials for biotechnological applications to reduceselenium concentrations in selenium-contaminated systems such as wastewater, soil, and groundwater.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.85-94
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• 2015

RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) is the most important explosive contaminant, both in concentration and in frequency, at military shooting ranges in which green technologies such as phytoremediation or constructed wetlands are the best option for mitigation of explosive compounds discharge to the environment. A study was conducted with two identical lab-scale plug flow constructed wetlands planted with Amur silver grass to treat water artificially contaminated with 40 mg/L of toxic explosive compound, RDX. The reactor was inoculated with or without RDX degrading mixed culture to evaluate plant-microorganism interactions in RDX removal, transformation products distribution, and kinetic constants. RDX and its metabolites in water, plant, and sediment were analyzed by HPLC to determine mass balance and kinetic constants. After 30 days of operation, the reactor reached steady-state at which more than 99% of RDX was removed with or without the mixed culture inoculation. The major transformation product was TNX (Trinitroso-RDX) that comprised approximately 50% in the mass balance of both reactors. It was also the major compound in the plant root and shoot system. Acute toxicity analysis of the water samples showed more than 30% of toxicity reduction in the effluent than that of influent containing 40 mg/L of RDX. In the Amur silver grass mesocosm seeded with the mixed culture, the specific RDX removal rate, that is 1st order removal rate normalized to plant fresh weight, was estimated to be 0.84 kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ which is 16.7% higher than that in the planted only mesocosm. Therefore, the results of this study proved that Amur silver grass is an effective plant for RDX removal in constructed wetlands and the efficiency can be increased even more when applied with RDX degrading microbial consortia.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.212-220
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• 2024

Background: 2-Ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) is widely used as a flame-retardant plasticizer in the production of polyvinyl chloride, adhesives, and food packaging. This chemical has been frequently detected in water, sediment, and indoor environments, and its lipophilicity raises concerns about bioaccumulation. Objectives: In this study, the effects of EHDPP on the development, behavioral changes, and growth hormone (GH) endocrine system of zebrafish larvae were investigated. Methods: Fertilized embryos were exposed to various concentrations (control, solvent control, 0.07, 0.7, 7, 70, and 700 ㎍/L) of EHDPP for 96 h. Developmental toxicity endpoints were observed daily. Behavioral changes under light-dark-light conditions and changes in hormones and genes related to GH/insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) axis were determined. Results: Significant decreases in survival, body length and moving distance were observed in zebrafish larvae exposed to 70 and 700 ㎍/L EHDPP. The concentrations of GH and IGF-1 were significantly decreased in zebrafish larvae exposed to 70 and 700 ㎍/L EHDPP. This change was well supported by changes in the transcription of genes involved in GH, IGF, IGF receptors, and IGF binding proteins. Conclusions: Our observations showed that exposure to 70 and 700 ㎍/L EHDPP could disrupt the feedback circuits of the GH/IGFs axis, ultimately leading to developmental toxicity, hypoactivity, and mortality.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2010

The contamination of a suite of heavy metals were evaluated in water and sediments of urban stream, Tancheon down the stream. Tancheon is a urban stream which goes all the way across the urban area where various pollution sources are present. The sixteen study sites from seven different areas were designated down the stream. The heavy metal levels of the streams were detected in the order of Zn>Cu>Ni>Pb>Cd>Cr>Sb. There was a difference in the relative order of the concentration ranking in lake sediments. There is a trend that the heavy metal levels are higher at the sites where the construction causes inflow of soil particles to stream. Toxicity tests using pore-water in sediments were conducted for samples collected in some study sites, and pore-water in one site was proven to be toxic to Japanes medaka (Oryzias latipes). The reason may be the fecal pollution rather than heavy metal effect. Strong odor was detected in the sediment whose pore-water samples showed ecotoxicity. We did not observed the increasing concentration of heavy metals down to stream since the soil texture varied in the stream area of our study. Further study is needed to find quantitative relations between the level of contamination and its eco-effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.10 no.1 s.20
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• pp.69-73
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• 2004

Control if Sediment is very important in prawn farm due to the eruption of toxic materials such as unionized $H_{2}S,\;NH_{3}\;and\;NO_3$. In this study, column test was conducted with filter media such as activated carbon, zeolite, oyster shell and iron chloride to evaluate the reduction of toxicity from sediment. ammonia-N($NH_3$) was effectively removed by Zeolite and oyster shell. It was indicated that ammonium ion($NH_4^+$) was removed by ion exchange of zeolite. And the ammonia in the column of oyster shell was existed as the form of $NH_4^+$, which is not toxic for prawn because oyster shell was stably kept at $8{\sim}9g$ of pH. Therefore, some of ammonia($NH_4^+$) was removed by oyster shell. Hydrogen sulfide and COD were effectively removed by adsorption of activated carbon and a partial removal of hydrogen sulfide was accomplished by Oyster shell. Phosphorous was removed by activated carbon, oyster shell and iron chloride. In prawn farm, the concentration of ammonia was increased with increase of pH by algae photosynthesis in the column of activated carbon, zeolite and iron chloride, but it was revealed that pH was stably kept in the column of oyster shell.