• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.333-338
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to understand the pollution level of the surface sediment of Sihwa Lake by assessing its geochemical characteristics and investigating the spatial distribution of trace metals and organic matter. In the surface sediment of Sihwa lake, the mean grain size was between 2.94 and 6.35 Ø and the main type of sediment was sandy silt. The concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Ni, V and Li among the metal elements in the surface sediment were correlated with the mean crust concentration (p<0.05). Based on the strong correlation between the metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and organic matter (Ignition Loss), the concentrations of these metal elements seem to be controlled by the organic matter dilution effect. The trace metal pollution level, determined by applying the Republic of Korea Marine environmental standard and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's sediment quality guidelines, showed the pollution level of As to be either close to or in excess of the above-mentioned standards at almost all levels. The enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index of As showed that there was an incremental increase of pollution by elements other than V, Cr, Co, Fe, Al and Mn. Moreover, the nearby industrial area and dike were more polluted than the other areas, so the surface sediments in Sihwa lake should be monitored by taking into consideration the geological variations.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.spc
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• pp.4-7
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• 2009

Agricultural soils contaminated by cadmium (Cd) are common problems in Asia due to rapid industrial development, so the risks of Cd exposure from food crops consumption are concerned by public and authorities. The latest data on Cd concentration in plant-based food and the dietary intakes of Cd around the world are presented in this review. In general, Cd concentrations in major plant-based commodities seldom exceed 0.05 mg/kg fresh weight and decline in the order as: cereals > pulses > vegetables > roots and tubers > fruits in Far Eastern region. In Middle Eastern and European regions, the order is vegetables > cereals > roots and tubers > pulses > fruits. Rice has the highest Cd levels among cereals in Asian countries, but in Middle Eastern and European region the highest level of Cd occurred in leaf vegetables. The dietary intakes of Cd from plant-based commodities around the world declined in the order as: cereals > vegetables > roots and tubers > fruits > pulses. Rice is the largest contributor to total dietary Cd intake (58%) in the Far Eastern region and contributed 36% of Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI). For high foodstuffs consumers, intake of Cd from all diets may exceed PTWI, especially for high rice consumers in Asian countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted impact assessment of different maximum levels (MLs) of Cd and demonstrated that each of the four possible MLs for rice had little impact on dietary Cd intake. Since many Cd-contaminated soils in Asian countries still producing crops due to the growing population, the cost-effective techniques for reducing Cd contents in crops especially rice grain are absolutely required.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2005

The phonology and reproductive effort of Zostera marina L. (Dongdae Bay and Aenggang Bay) on the southern coast of Korea were investigated from September 2002 to August 2003. The Dongdae Bay(DB) exhibited a finer sediment grain size with richer organic content than the Aenggang Bay(AB). Water temperature at DB site ranged from $7.5^{\circ}C$ in February to $25.5^{\circ}C$ in August, while water temperature at AB site ranged rrom $6.7^{\circ}C$ in February to $25.2^{\circ}C$ in september. Both populations exhibited a perennial lifB span, but the sexual reproductive effort was significantly higher at DB than AB. The reproductive shoots of DB site were developed from February to June 2003, while those of AB site from March to June 2003. At DB site, the frequency of reproductive shoot ranged from 11 to 33%, whereas reproductive shoot of AB did below 5%. Reproductive structures were larger and more abundant at DB, with the exception of number of fruits and seeds per spadix. Water temperature seems most important to regulate the timing of reproductive phase of Z. marina populations for two study sites.