• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.22-34
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• 2016

We developed a biologically-derived substance naphthoquinone (NQ) derivate for the eco-safe mitigation of harmful cyanobacteria blooms such as Microcystis and Dolichospermum. NQ was reacted with various substituents ($R_n$) to produce different NQ derivatives. We tested a total of 92 algicidal compounds based on the algicidal activity of Microcystis and Dolichospermum. 22 compounds of NQ were selected as candidates (algicidal activity >80% at $1{\mu}M$). Among them, NQ 40 compound showed the highest algicidal activity of 99.6% and 100% at the optimal concentration of $1{\mu}M$ on Microcystis and Dolichospermum, respectively. No algicidal effects of NQ 40 ($1{\mu}M$) were observed against non-target algae such as Stephanodiscus, Cyclotella and Peridinium. According to the results of acute eco-toxicity assessment, the $EC_{50}$ values of NQ 40 compound for Selenastrum capricornutum and Daphnia magna were 3.2 and $14.5{\mu}M$, respectively, and the $LC_{50}$ for Danio rerio was $15.7{\mu}M$. In addition, for D. magna chronic eco-toxicity assessment, no toxicity toward survival, growth and reproduction was observed. Therefore, we suggested the NQ 40 ($1{\mu}M$) compound as an alternative eco-safe algicidal substance to effectively mitigate harmful cyanobacteria blooms.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1129-1134
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• 2009

Increasing application of nanotechnology highlights the need to clarify nanotoxity and nanoparticles characterization. However, few researches have focused on phytotoxicity of nanoparticles. This study was to examine phytotoxicity on Cumumis sativus seedling and the dissolution of Zn, ZnO nanoparticles in hydroponic culture system. Results of this study; characteristics of Zn, ZnO nanoparticles are more aggregated in nutrient solution than deionized water. C. sativus biomass significantly reduced in the nutrient solution were higher than 100 mg/L, and Zn toxicity showed $Zn^{2+}$> Zn> ZnO NPs. Results of transmission electron microscopy images, Zn and ZnO nanoparticles greatly adhered onto the root cell wall and nanoparticles were observed in the root cell.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.528-532
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• 2012

This study investigated the possibility of phosphogypsum (PG) recycle as an embankment material by eco-toxicity experiments for S. capricornutum, T. suecica and D. magna. The eco-toxicity experiment was studied according to column leachates from PG mixing ratio, and a specific growth rate of S. capricornutum was usually higher than that of T. suecica. For D. magna, 0.3 of toxicity unit was obtained, which indicated the below of toxicity value of 1 at PG50 condition during a 48-hr test. A minor effect of column leachate samples on three organisms was observed. This study suggested that PG was satisfied with the criteria of waste recycle and could be reused at PG30 condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

The effect of sediments in a waste dumping area on marine organisms was evaluated using sediment toxicity tests with a benthic amphipod (Monocorophium acherusicum) and bioluminescent bacterium (Vibrio fischeri) in accordance with the Korean Standard Method for Marine Wastes (KSMMW). Nine sites in the East Sea-Byeong, East Sea-Jeong, and Yellow Sea-Byeong areas were sampled from 2016 to 2019. The test results showed that the relative average survival rate (benthic amphipods) and relative luminescence inhibition rate (luminescent bacteria) were below 30%, which were judged to be "non-toxic." However, in the t-test, a total of 12 benthic amphipod samples (6, 1, 1, and 4 in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) were significantly different (p<0.05) from the control samples. To identify the source of toxicity on benthic amphipods, a simple linear regression analysis was performed between the levels of eight heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in sediments and the relative average survival rate. The results indicated that Cr had the highest contribution to the toxicity of benthic amphipods (p = 0.000, R2 = 0.355). In addition, Cr was detected at the highest concentration at the DB-85 station and exceeded the Marine Environment Standards every year. Although the sediments were determined as "not toxic" according to the ecotoxicity criteria of the KSMMW, the results of the statistical significance tests and toxicity identification evaluation indicated that the toxic effect was not acceptable. Therefore, revising the criteria for determining the toxic effect by deriving a reference value through quantitative risk assessment using species sensitivity distribution curves is necessary in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.783-795
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• 2017

This study measured consumer's recognition, reliability, emotion and images about current eco-marks as well proposed an eco-mark rating scale and mark designs to improve consumer's trust on the fashion product marks. We used a questionnaire survey to collect data from 150 persons about knowledge, interests, and practice on eco fashion products in relation to trustfulness and positive images for three domestic and three international eco-marks. We evaluated and gave eco scores to six fiber-type products (cotton, organic cotton, wool, polyester, biodegradable polyester and nylon) in terms of consumer's use, water & land consumption, waste amount, carbon footprint, and toxicity. We suggested a new 5-level rating scale for eco marks, which quantified the concept of environmental friendliness of fiber products. The design for eco-mark of rating scale showed the total grade with two sub scores of environmental sides and human sides developed with an improved visual understanding for consumers. The design is one through benchmarking the energy-consumption efficiency mark, which is familiar to consumers such as a half circle shape to save environment resources to alarm consumers to environment problems.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.305-313
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• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study is to identify toxicants causing acute toxicity in effluents from the aluminum rolling industry that violate the discharge limits in Korea. Methods: Whole effluent toxicity tests (WET) were conducted on effluent discharged from the aluminum rolling industry following the US EPA WET test methods. We collected effluent samples three times and evaluated acute toxicity by using Daphnia magna. We employed toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedures to identify toxicants causing toxicity in the effluent. Results: No specific chemical groups were identified in the seven different manipulations applied to the of wastewater effluent samples showing 1.3 toxic units (TU) according to the TIE phase I procedures. Water quality parameters for water hardness, electric conductivity and heavy metals (Mn) were 4,322 mg/l as $CaCO_3$, 11.39 mS/cm, and $5,551{\mu}g/l$, respectively. Considering water hardness and reference toxicity, high concentrations of Mn can be disqualified from the causative toxicants. Consequently, high ionic concentrations of $Na^+$(1,648 mg/l), $Ca^{2+}$(1,048 mg/l), $Mg^{2+}$(1,428 mg/l) and $SO_4{^{2-}}$(7,472 mg/l) were identified to be causative toxicants. Water hardness and electric conductivity exceed the $EC_{50}$ value obtained by biological toxicity tests using Daphnia magna. Conclusion: According to TIE procedures, high salt concentration is determined to be a major toxicant in the effluent of agro-industrial wastewater treatment plants receiving wastewater from the aluminum rolling industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2011

The purpose of the study is to analyze the environmental characteristics of fish acute toxicity that is dependent on the harmfulness of ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quat)-Treated Wood and Oryzias latipes mortality in a comprehensive way, provide objective verification method on the eco-toxicity and environment-friendliness of landscaping materials and methods, and utilize it as a basic datum for evaluation criteria. The main results are summarized as follows : 1. As a result of analysis on the harmfulness characteristics, each experimental plot showed different values respectively. In particular, it has been found that in proportion to the volume of testing materials, COD and Cu increases at a constant rate, compared to the input water. In the plot C with three testing materials, COD increased 67 times more than that of the input water, and Cu increased up to 12.36mg/L. 2. In case of fish toxicity, plot C, B, A all showed a mortality rate of 100%, indicating that fish toxicity is strong. In particular, the mortality rate of each plot within the initial time of one and a half hour showed clearly, which suggests that the fish toxicity is influenced by the increased concentration of hazardous substances depending on the volume ratio of testing materials. 3. As a result of comparison and analysis on the harmfulness and fish toxicity, the harmfulness showed different values on each experimental plot but, we found that the changing rate of values of toxicity of COD and Cu is mutually similar to that of mortality in the initial hour according to the experiment of fish toxicity, which shows that COD and Cu are major factors to increase fish toxicity.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2009

KNI3126 which is the eco-friendly material made by plant extracts - neem and matrine - have been evaluated for efficacies against 6 main pests and toxicity on natural enemies. Insecticidal efficacies of KNI3126 against plant hopper were above 95% at 5 days after treatment (DAT), whereas pesticidal effects against the cotton aphid were above 95% at 3 DAT and slightly decreased at 5 DAT. Insecticidal efficacy against the palm thrips resulted in lower control value as 68.1% than that of chemical insecticides. KNI3126 showed more than 95% control value against diamond back moth, suggesting that it could suppress the population of pest hard to control as eco-friendly material. Mortalities against two-spotted spider mite were about 80% at 1 DAT and over 90% at 5 DAT, respectively. For evaluation of the toxicity on natural enemies, effect against predatory natural enemy was classified as moderate selective toxicity based on the criterion of International Organization of Bio-Control (IOBC), whereas against parasitic natural enemies was found to be relatively safe. Repellent effect was weak against plant hopper, but strong against two-spotted spider mite. In the toxicity test for safety, KNI3126 was classified as the lowest level at acute oral, acute dermal and fish toxicity test and did not induce the irritancy at skin irritation test and eye irritation test.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2010

Toxicity identification and quantification are important factors to evaluate the effect of industrial effluent on the aquatic environment. In order to measure the potential and real toxicity of mixed chemicals in the effluents, the biological method (i.e., WET test) should be used as well as chemical analysis method. In this study, we conducted WET test for various kinds of industrial effluents using aquatic organisms such as water flea (Daphnia magna), algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), fish (Oryzias latipes, Danio rerio), and microorganism (Vibrio fisheri). In addition, we carried out chemical analysis and TIE (Toxicity Identification Evaluation) for effluents in order to identify the substances causing toxicity. Among the 30 kinds of wastewater, S13 showed the highest eco-toxicity and $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ ion were suspected as major compounds causing toxicity for aquatic organisms. In order to confirm these suspected compounds, various confirmation procedures need to be carried out.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2022

This study seeks towards an optimal way to control sulfate ions in semiconductor wastewater effluent with potential eco-toxicity. We developed a system based on ettringite (Ca₆Al₂(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₂·26H₂O). The basic idea is that the pH of the water is raised to approximately 12 with Ca(OH)₂. After, aluminium salt is added, leading to the precipitation of ettringite. Lab-scale batch and continuous experiment results with real semiconductor wastewater demonstrated that 1.5 and 1 of stoichiometric quantities for Ca²⁺ and A³⁺ with pH above 12.7 could be considered as the optimal operation condition with 15% of sludge recycle to the influent. A mixed AlCl₃ + Fe reagent was selected as the beneficial Al³⁺ source in ettringite process, which resulted in 80% of sludge volume reduction and improved sludge dewaterability. The results of continuous experiment showed that with precipitation as ettringite, sulfate concentration can be stably reduced to less than 50 mg/L in effluent from the influent 2,050 ± 175 mg/L on average (1,705 ~ 2,633 mg/L).