• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.560-568
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• 2007

The objectives of this study were to analyze ecological effects on effluents from the Sagok Stream (Chonnam province) as an abandoned mine drainage through necropsy-based health assessments and fish exposure tests, and to conduct In situ field pilot tests for restoration of stream water. Also, we analyzed water quality including general parameters and heavy metals. The tests were performed three times on April 2005, April 2006, and April 2007. Also, we constructed a reactor facility in the outflowing point of the abandoned mine for the remediation of AMD wastewater. In lab test, death rates in all three treatments were ${\geq}50%$ in the experiments. Necropsybased fish tissue assessments using the Health Assessment Index (HAI), indicated that the most frequently damaged tissue was liver (average: 20.8). Values of Health Assessment Index were lower in the control than any other treatments of T1, T2, and T3 and three treatments showed a distinct toxicity impacts by the AMD. In situ lethal test, concentration of Fe, Al and Zn decreased particularly by 85%, 99% and 94%, respectively through the disposal facility. Values of pH, ranged from 3.1 to 7.0, increased by 2.3 fold (mean=5.1) along with the reduction of metal contents. All fishes in P1 cage died 100% on 3 days later after the experimental setting, while all fishes in the P6 died 100% on 9 days later. Overall, these results evidently provide a key methodology for pilot test using the disposal facility and also clarify the toxicity of AMD once again, so this approach used in the pilot facilities here may reduce the acidic and toxic effects in the abandoned mining drainage.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2018

Mercury (Hg) poses a threat to marine ecosystem due to continuous inflow from various industries and bioaccumulation to higher trophic level via food web. Mercury can adversely affect growth, development, reproduction and metabolism to aquatic organisms. In the present study, acute toxicity and oxidative stress markers (total glutathione content, and activities of GST, GR and GPx) were investigated in brackish water flea Disphanosoma celebensis exposed to HgCl₂ for 24 h. As results, Hg showed negative effect in survival of D. celebensis. 24 h-LC₅₀ value was determined as 0.589 mg/l (95% C.I. 0.521~0.655 mg/l). After exposure to Hg (0.08 and 0.4 mg/l) for 24 h, total glutathione content was significantly decreased, whereas GST, GPx and GR activities were enhanced. These findings indicate that Hg induced oxidative stress in D. celebensis, and oxidative stress markers may be involved in cellular defense against Hg - mediated toxicity. This study provides a better understanding of molecular mode of action of Hg toxicity in this specie and potent of molecular markers for heavy metal monitoring in marine ecosystem.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the activity of nitrogen fixation and accumulation of heavy metal and inorganic matter in Vicia amoena community at lower region in Kumho riverside, including Youngchon, Chimsangyo, Paldalgyo, Talseochon and Kumhogyo. The contents of inorganic matter and heavy metal of Kumho riverside soil increased in the down stream in each organ of the plant growing in the riverside. Generally, V. amoena community showed rapid growth of shoot and high value of Top/Root ratio. V. amoena community showed higher water content of shoot at late growth stage and higher chlorophyll content. The root nodule of V. amoena community appeared in April and increased by 0.30, 0.27, 0.24, 0.06 and 0.14 g/plant, and nitrogen fixation activity of nodule attained 20.1, 16.8, 15.4, 8.5 and 5.3 μmol·C₂H₄·g fw nodule/sup -1/·h/sup -1/ for non-contaminated area Youngchon, Chimsangyo, Paldalgyo, Talseochon and Kumhogyo, respectively, in June:. Nodule formation and nitrogen fixation activity were reduced in the down stream by the soil contamination and heavy metal accumulation and showed minimum values. at Talseochon and Paldalgyo. V. amoena showed growth adaptation against heavy metal toxicity by restricting heavy metal such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe from transport, and by accumulating high Ca ion in shoot, nitrogen and phosphorus in root at late growth stage than those at early one, respectively, but total heavy metal per plant showed higher values in shoot than those in root by high T/R ratio of plant growth.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1158-1163
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• 2006

More than 95% of lead, a environmental heavy metal, entering into blood accumulates in erythrocytes suggesting erythrocytes as an important target of lead toxicity. Recent studies reported that erythrocytes could contribute to blood coagulation via phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in erythrocytes. However, in vivo effects of chronic lead exposure especially by drink-ing water on procoagulant activity of erythrocytes have not been studied yet. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic exposure of lead by drinking water on erythrocytes in rats. Groups of 40 male rats were provided with drinking water containing various concentrations of lead for 4 weeks and complete blood cell count, procoagulant activities of erythrocytes and platelets were evaluated with basic inspections on body weight and food/water consumption. The administration of lead containing drinking water increased the blood lead level (BLL) in a dose-dependent manner up to $22.39{\pm}2.26\;{\mu}g/dL$. Water consumption was significantly decreased while food consumption or body weight gain was not affected. In contrast to the previous findings with acute lead exposure, chronic lead exposure failed to increase PS exposure in erythrocytes with statistical significance although some trends of enhancement were observed. It implies that a certain adaptation might have happened in body during repeated exposure to lead, resulting in attenuation of PS exposure. With this study, we believe that a valuable information was provided for the study on the toxicological significance and the risk assessment of lead contaminated drinking water.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2016

Water flea is a widely used test species in the aquatic ecotoxicity test. In Korea, D. magna is currently used as a standard test species, however that do not inhabit in the Korean aquatic ecosystem. In this study, Daphnia galeata, which is a dominant species in the Korean aquatic ecosystem, was collected from domestic lake and investigated to suggest the D. galeata for ecotoxicity assessment in Korea. We investigated the characteristics, life span, and toxicity sensitivity compared with D. magna. The life span test of D. galeata was performed in this study, and then the results were compared to the sensitivity with D. magna to confirm the applicability for ecotoxicity assessment. The 48h-L(E)C50 values for seven heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn) of D. galeata and D. magna were collected and analyzed. As a results, shorter lifetime, less reproduction, smaller body size of D. galeata were observed compared with D. magna. D. galeata was similar or more sensitive than D. magna for seven heavy metals. Therefore, we propose that D. galeata is a suitable test species for ecotoxicity testing in Korea.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2005

There is now a growing concern about the possible toxicity of heavy metals in cosmetics. Heavy metals can be used as cosmetic ingredients or may be present as low level impurities in some of the raw materials. Chromium derivatives are used as pigments in cosmetics. Chromium is essential and toxic trace elements. Chromium may cause skin allergy. However, the regulations related to cosmetic products give no limit values for Chromium. Hexavalent chromium is significantly more toxic than trivalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium may present a carcinogenic risk at high concentrations. Therefore, it is important to consider oxidation state of chromium when analyze chromium. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentrations of water-soluble trivalent and hexavalent chromium in samples of makeup products, and to assess the safety of cosmetics on the basis of animal sensitization tests using guinea pig. The present study of chromium in 48 makeup products of 12 manufacturers provides a basis for assessing safety of makeup products. Water-soluble hexavalent chromium was not detected in any product. Water-soluble trivalent chromium was detected in only 9 eye shadows out of 48 makeup products, and could not be quantified 3 out of 9 eye shadows. The highest level of water-soluble trivalent chromium was about 10 mg/kg in spite of 90,000 mg/kg of total chromium. The results of animal sensitization tests show that 200 mg/kg of trivalent chromium and 5 mg/kg of hexavalent chromium have no harmful effect. No cross-reaction among these metals was found. Accordingly, the concentrations of water-soluble chromium in makeup products seemed to be safe. The overall results indicate that chromium in cosmetics probably have no significant toxicological effects. However, It is necessary to set guidelines on the maximum permissible concentration of water-soluble chromium in cosmetics.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.548-555
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• 2018

Objectives: We conducted ecological risk assessment for cadmium, a heavy metal and carcinogen, to identify safety standards by environmental media and to determine its impact on ecosystems by estimating and evaluating exposure levels. Methods: Species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) were generated using ECOTOX DB. A hazardous concentration of 5% (HC5) protective of most species (95%) in the environment was estimated. Using this estimate, predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) were calculated for aquatic organisms. Based on the calculated PNECs for aquatic organisms, PNEC values for soil and sediment were calculated using the partition coefficient. Predicted exposure concentrations (PECs) were also calculated from environmental monitoring data with hazard quotients (HQs) calculated using PNECs for environmental media. Results: Chronic toxicity data were categorized into four groups and 11 species. In species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis, HC5 was $0.340{\mu}g/L$. Based on this value, the PNEC value for aquatic organisms was calculated as $0.113{\mu}g/L$. PNEC values for soil and sediments using a partition coefficient were calculated as 15.02 mg/kg and 90.61 mg/kg, respectively. In an analysis of environmental monitoring data, PEC values were calculated as $0.017{\mu}g/L$ for water, 1.01 mg/kg for soil, and 0.521 mg/kg for sediment. Conclusions: HQs were 0.150, 0.067 and 0.006 for water, soil and sediment, respectively. HQs of secondary toxicity were 0.365 for birds and 0.024 for mammals. In principle, it is judged that an HQ above 1 indicates a high level of risk concern while an HQ less than 1 indicates an extremely low level of risk concern. Therefore, with HQs of cadmium in the environment being <1, its risk levels can be considered low for each media.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.27-35
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• 1995

In order to investigate acute toxicity and bioconcentration of heavy metals for a freshwater fish, the fish used in this experiment was goldfish, Carassius auratus. Each ten goldfish was accommonidated in a water and was treated with different concentration of Pb and Cu compound. The 24 $hr-LC_{50}$ was obtained by plotting on the log-normal distribution graph. Furthermore, the combined effect of Pb and Cu was also investigated the fish was treated with Pb or Cu compound only, and Pb and Cu compound together, respectively. These results were summarized as follows: 1. The 24 $hr-LC_{50}'s$ of Pb and Cu were 7.48 mg/l and 0.666 mg/l, respectively. 2. When single or/and combined treatment with Pb(7.0 mg/l) or/and Cu(0.6 mg/l) to Carassius auratus for 24 hours were performed, there was significant difference between the single or/and the combined treatment in their bioaccumulated Cu concentrations. Cu concentrations in goldfish were higher in the combined treatment than in the single treatment. 3. When Carassius auratus was exposed to 0.748 mg/l (1/10 of 24 $hr-LC_{50}$) and 1.496 mg/l of Pb (1/5 of 24 $hr-LC_{50}$) for 7 days, the bioconcentration factors (BCF) were 79.14 and 100.11 for Pb, respectively. The BCF of Pb was obtained as a linearity according to the concentration and exposure time as follows log BCF=1.014 log $P\cdot T$+1.011 ($r^2$=0.9041) where, P: pollutant concentration(mg/l) T: exposure time(day) 4. When Carassius auratus was pxposed to 0.0666 mg/l (1/10 of 24 $hr-LC_{50}$) and 0.1332 mg/l of Cu (1/5 of 24 $hr-LC_{50}$) for 7 days, the bioconcentration factors (BCF) were 55.42 and 63.24 for Cu respectively. The BCF of Cu was obtained as a linearity according to the concentration and exposure time as follows log BCF=0.571 log $P\cdot T$+1.823 ($r^2$=0.8974) where, P: polutant concentration(mg/l) T: exposure time(day)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.282-282
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• 2022

Arsenic (As) is a toxic heavy metal that affects the major rice-growing regions of the world and can cause cancer in humans. Rice paddy fields in South Asia are mostly dependent on arsenic-contaminated water sources due to which rice takes up the arsenic from the soil through roots and accumulates it in plant different parts. Here, we present a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping study to find out candidate genes conferring As toxicity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the seedling stage. Three weeks old, 120 double haploid CNDH lines derived from a cross between the Indica variety Cheongcheong and the Japonica variety Nagdong and their parental lines were used by treating with 25 μM As. After 2 weeks ofAs stress, 5 traits such as; shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), and chlorophyll contents (CHC) were measured. A linkage map of 12 rice chromosomes was constructed from genotypic data DH lines using 778 SSR markers. The linkage map covered a total genetic distance of 2121.7 cM of the rice genome with an average interval of 10.6 cM between markers. A total of seventeen QTLs (LOD>2) were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 using composite interval mapping with trait-increasing alleles coming from both parents. Five QTLs for SL, Two QTLs for RL, Five QTLs for SHL, Three QTLs for RFW, and Two QTLs for CHC were detected. The QTLs related to CHC were selected for forther study.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.513-527
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• 2013

Recently, hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) have been of great concern in Korea, largely due to public awareness on the importance of their impacts on environmental health. A group of HAPs includes a large number of various chemicals such as VOCs, PAHs, PCBs, dioxines, furans, organochlorinated pesticides, and some heavy metals. These groups of pollutants are generally known to have genetic toxicity and to be persistent in the environment. In addition, most of chemicals belong to the category of HAPs are widely distributed not only in air, but also in water and soil environments, and has therefore undergone considerable scrutiny for the last three decades. In this article, environmental implications and management of HAPs in Korea will be reviewed, with a particular emphasis on the monitoring of HAPs in the ambient air. A number of field studies will be introduced, which were recently conducted in large urban and industrial areas. Based on the filed studies, eight pollutants have been suggested to be intensively managed as higher priority pollutants, which are benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acrolein, trichloroethylene, benzo(a)pyrene, hexa-valent Cr, and $PM_{2.5}$. Finally, future directions for a mega scale project for comprehensive monitoring of ambient atmosphere in large urban areas will be suggested. Such an innovative project is believed to provide more realistic information on the nature of the population exposure, which can not be simply identified by emission inventories or source investigations. Therefore, any strategy for the management of HAPs should be developed by not only emission-based approaches, but also observation-based approaches.