• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.25 no.2_spc
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• pp.16-27
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• 2020

Nitrate contamination has received much attention at local as well as regional scales. The domestic situation is not out of exception, and it has been reported to be very serious, particularly within agricultural areas as a result of excessive usage of nitrogen fertilizers. Meanwhile, nitrate can be naturally attenuated by denitrification in subsurface environments. The denitrification occurs through biotic (biological) and abiotic processes, and numerous previous studies preferentially focused the former. However, abiotic denitrification seems to be significant in specific environments. For this reason, this study reviewed the previous studies that focused on abiotic denitrification processes. Firstly, the current status of nitrate contamination in global and domestic scales is presented, and then the effect of geological media on denitrification is discussed while emphasizing the significance of abiotic processes. Finally, the implications of the literature review are presented, along with future research directions that warrant further investigations. The results of previous studies demonstrated that several geological agents could play a vital role in reducing nitrate. Iron-containing minerals such as pyrite, green rust, magnetite, and dissolved ferrous ion are known to be powerful electron donors triggering denitrification. In particular, it was proven that the rate of denitrification by green rust was comparative to that of biological denitrification. The results indicate that abiotic denitrification should be taken into account for more accurate evaluation of denitrification in subsurface environments.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.536-547
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• 2008

Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS, leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase), a 2-oxoglutarate iron-dependent oxygenase, catalyzed the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the anthocyanin class of flavonoids, from the colorless leucoanthocyanidins to the colored anthocyanidins. The full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of ANS gene (designated as GbANS) were isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time. The full-length cDNA of GbANS contained a 1062-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 354-amino-acid protein. The genomic DNA analysis showed that GbANS gene had three exons and two introns. The deduced GbANS protein showed high identities to other plant ANSs. The conserved amino acids (H-X-D) ligating ferrous iron and residues (R-X-S) participating in 2-oxoglutarate binding were found in GbANS at the similar positions like other ANSs. Southern blot analysis indicated that GbANS belonged to a multi-gene family. The expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that GbANS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba. GbANS was also found to be up-regulated by all of the six tested abiotic stresses, UV-B, abscisic acid, sucrose, salicylic acid, cold and ethylene, consistent with the promoter region analysis of GbANS. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli strain with pET-28a vector. The in vitro enzyme activity assay by HPLC indicated that recombinant GbANS protein could catalyze the formation the cyanidin from leucocyanidin and conversion of dihydroquercetin to quercetin, suggesting GbANS is a bifunctional enzyme within the anthocyanidin and flavonol biosynthetic pathway.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2011

The turbidity in several wells of Samdong-myeon, Ulsan, exceeded potable groundwater standard (1 NTU). Mineralogical analysis showed that the fine suspended particles are ferrihydrite spheres with a size of less than $0.5\;{\mu}m$ and helical iron-oxidizing bacterial filaments, and their aggregates. Ferrihydrite was almost amorphous only showing two electron diffraction rings, and contained Si and P. Helical bacterial filaments were almost replaced by ferrihydrite. The helical bacteria have played an important role in the ferrihydrite formation by becoming the loci for ferrihydrite precipitation as well as oxidizing ferrous iron. The physicochemical conditions of low pH, low redox potential, high Ca concentration, and high alkalinity are consistent with the hydrogeochemical characteristics of carbonate groundwater, implicating that the inflow of deep ferriferous carbonate groundwater and its oxidation have caused the ferrihydrite turbidity in several wells of the study area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.487-494
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of As(V) reduction by aqueous Fe(II), and subsequent As(III) immobilization by the precipitation of As(III) incorporated magnetite-like material [i.e., co-precipitation of As(III) with Fe(II) and Fe(III)]. Experimental results showed that homogeneous As(V) reduction did not occur by dissolved Fe(II) at various pH values although the thermodynamic calculation was in favor of the redox reaction between As(V) and Fe(II) under the given chemical conditions. Similarly, no heterogeneous reduction of sorbed As(V) by sorbed Fe(II) was observed using synthetic iron (oxy)hydroxide (Goethite, ${\alpha}$-FeOOH) at pH 7. Experimental results for the effect of As(V) on the oxidation of Fe(II) by dissolved oxygen showed that As(V) inhibited the oxidation of Fe(II). These results indicate that As(V) could be stable in the presence of Fe(II) under the anoxic or subsurface environments.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 1991

XRD patterns of biedellite-nontronite and saponite-iron saponite series were investigated using one-dimensional pattern simulation method. Ethylene-glycolate smectites show stronger 002 and 003 reflections than hydrated specimens do. The intensities of the 002 and 003 reflections change systematically as a function of Fe enrichment in both types of smectites. The intensity ratio of 002/003 increases with increasing. Fe in both dioctahedral to the higher scattering factor of Fe than those of Al and Mg, and the scattering power of various smectites can be compared quantitatively by calculating the scattering factors of octahedral cations. Interlayer cations cause less effect on XRD profile than octahedral cations as Fe do. Although 001 reflections provide informations about the overall scattering power of the octahedral sheet, some ferrous dioctahedtal smectite cannot be distinguished unambiguously from trioctahedral smectites on the basis of XRD profile. Simulation showed that heterogeneous smectites exhibit 001 intensity distribution that is almost identical to that of homogeneous smectites having the average composition of heterogeneous ones. The broadening of 001 reflections may not be useful in evaluating the degree of heterogeneity of smectite unless other factors affecting the broadening are well known.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 1968

A high and low productive paddy soils were waterlogged at $30{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ for 35 days in the laboratory. The relation of pH and Eh changes, ferrous iron and ammonium nitrogen of these soils was studied. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. pH value has been increased for 13 days of incubation and after 13 th day, they maintain their pH value without marked change, and pH value of high productive soil is higher than that of low productive soil by 0.25-0.30. 2. Eh value has been decreased for 10 days of incubation and then they also maintain their Eh value without marked change. Eh value of high productive soil is lower than that of low productive soil by 50-70 mv. 3. In both soils ferrous iron formed under submerged condition increased steeply within 4-5 days of incubation and after that they maintain their content without marked change. The $Fe^{+{+}}$ content of high productive soil is higher than low productive soil by 1.0 mg/1 gr soil. 4. $NH_4{^{-N}}$ formed under submerged condition rapidly increased in the early period of incubation and after that decreased to a certain level and maintain their content, but its content of high productive soil is higher than that of low productive soil by $20-25{\gamma}/1\;gr$ at the early stage and lower at the latter period by $10-15{\gamma}/1\;gr$.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2004

Objectives : Iron (Fe) is an essential element in biological processes; however excessive Fe is harmful to human health. Some air pollutants contain a high level of Fe, and the human lung could therefore be over-exposed to Fe through inhaled air pollutants. This study was performed to investigate the role of metal transporters (divalent metal transporter 1, DMT1, and metal transporter protein 1, MTP1) in the lung under the environments of Fe deficiency in the body and Fe over-exposure in the lung. Methods : Rats were fed Fe deficient (FeD, 2-6 mg Fe/kg) or Fe supplemented (FeS, 120 mg Fe/kg) diet for 4 weeks, followed by a single intratracheal instillation of ferrous sulfate at low (10 mg/kg) or high (20 mg/kg) dose. Fe concentration was analyzed in the serum, lung and liver, and histopathological findings were observed in the lung at 24 hours after Fe administration. The level of DMT1 and MTP1 expression in the lung was analyzed by RT-PCR. Also, the effect of Fe deficiency in the body was evaluated on the level of Fe concentration and metal transporters compared to FeS-diet fed rats at the end of 4-week FeD or FeS diet. Results : The 4-week FeD diet in rats induced an Fe deficiency anemia with decreased serum total Fe, increased unsaturated Fe binding capacity and hypochromic microcytic red blood cells. The concentration of Fe in the lung and liver was lower in the FeD-diet fed rats than in the FeS-diet fed rats. The level of metal transporters mRNA expression was higher in the FeD-diet fed rats than in the FeS-diet. The concentration of Fe in the lung was increased in a dose-dependent pattern after intratracheal instillation of Fe into the rats, while the level of Fe in the serum and liver was not increased in the low-dose Fe administered rats. Therefore, DMT1 and MTP1 mRNA was highly expressed in both FeD-diet and FeS-diet fed rats, after intratracheal instillation of Fe. Conclusions : DMT1 and MTP1 mRNA were more highly expressed in FeD-diet fed rats than in FeS-diet fed rats. The over-exposure of Fe intratracheally induced high expression of metal transporters and increased Fe deposition in the lung in both FeD-diet and FeS-diet fed rats, but did not increase the Fe level of the serum and liver in low-dose Fe administered rats. These results suggest that the role of metal transporters in the lung might be different in a part from the duodenum under the environment of over-exposure to Fe.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.585-592
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• 1999

This study was aimed to enhance the Fe(II) oxidation rate using immobilized cells of Thiobacillus ferroxidans. For this purpose, a medium for the minimization of jarosite formation was developed first. Secondly, cell immobilization in celite beads was carried out. And then, repeated-batch and continuous operatons of Fe(II) oxidation by using immobilization cells were performed. In a series of flask cultures, three types of media were tested: media with a much lower salt concentration than that of the 9K medium; media which contained different nitrogen sources from that of the 9K medium, that is $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$, $NH_4Cl and HNO$_3$; media which contained $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$ as nitrogen and phosphate source, but without $K_2HPO_4$ as nitrogen and phosphate source in the 9K medium. As a result, the M16 medium which contained 3 g/L of $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$ as nitrogen and phosphate source was found to be the optimal one. It sustained good cell growth allowing no jarosite formation. In the repeated-batch operations, the rate of Fe(II) oxidation gradually increased to reach a maximum value as the batch was repeated. As a result of repeated-batch operations. a maximum Fe(II) oxidation rate was 2.33 g/L . h. In the continuous operations, the iron oxidation rate could be increased to 2.14 g/L .h at a dilution rate of 0.25 $h^{-1}$ which is greater than the maximum specific growth rate (0.12 $h^{-1}$) of the bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.212-219
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• 2004

To minimize the danger of soil erosion and settle habitats earlier, afforestation, which vegetates bare slopes, is selected as an environmental recovering technology. Large portions of these areas often are suffered by a bad germination and growth inhibition of sprayed seeds. Afforested materials collected in the normal and damaged sites were not any big difference in chemical characteristics and biological response to ryegrass. But background soil of the damaged site has very low pH (3.6) and high contents of iron and aluminum compared with them of the normal sites. Both germination and root growth of ryegrass were inhibited severely in the water extracts of damaged soils, but not in the water extracts of normal sites. Groundwater collected nearby the damaged sites was very strong acidic (pH 33) and exhibited a high value of electrical conductivity and high contents of iron and aluminum. In the ground water, germinated ryegrass was scarcely grown. In Al standard solution, the root growth of ryegrass was inhibited over 50% in 0.5 mM in pH 3.5-4.5 and in 1.4 mM in pH 5.5, which seems to be related to $Al^{3+}$ activity in solution. In the ferric Fe ($Fe^{3+}$) standard solution, ryegrass growth was inhibited over 50% in the concentration of 14-19 mM in root and 23-25 mM in shoot. This strong tolerance of ryegrass to $Fe^{3+}$ might be concerned with the very low activity of $Fe^{3+}$ at pH 3.5-5.5. In contrast, ryegrass responded very sensitively to ferrous Fe ion ($Fe^{2+}$), especially in root growth: $Fe^{2+}$ concentrations corresponding to 50% growth reduction were 0.3-0.4 mM at pH 3.5-5.5 in roots. This high growth inhibition should be related to the high ion activity of $Fe^{2+}$ irrespective of different pH conditions. In conclusion, low pH and high contents of $Fe^{2+}$ and aluminum seem to be caused by pyrite and be closely related to the growth inhibition of ryegrass seeded in afforested area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 2008

The study presents the results of 1,4-dioxane degradation using zero valent (Fe$^0$) or Fe$^{2+}$ ions with and without UV. During the reaction, the change of [Fe$^{2+}$] and [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)], the concentration ratio of ferrous ion to total iron ion in solution was measured. Less than 10% degradation of 1,4-dioxane was observed by UV-only, Fe$^0$-only, and Fe$^{2+}$-only conditions, and also the changes of [Fe$^{2+}$] and [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] were minimal in each reaction. However, the oxidation of Fe$^0$ was enhanced with the irradiation of UV by approximately 25% and the improvement of 1,4-dioxane degradation was observed. Fenton reaction ($Fe^{2+}+H_2O_2$) showed higher degradation efficiency of 1,4-dioxane until 90 min, which of the degradation was stopped after that time. In the reaction of Fe$^{2+}$ and UV, the ratio of [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] decreased then slowly increased after a certain time indicating the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe$^{2+}$. In case of Fe$^0$ in the presence of UV, the first-order rate constant was found to be 1.84$\times$10$^{-3}$ min$^{-1}$ until 90 min, and then changed to 9.33$\times$10$^{-3}$ min$^{-1}$ when the oxidation of Fe$^{2+}$ mainly occurred. In this case [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] kept decreasing for the reaction. However, the addition of perchlortae (ClO$_4^-$) in the reaction of Fe$^0$ and UV induced the continuous increase of [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] ratio. The results mean the primary degradation factor of 1,4-dioxane is the oxidation by the radicals generated from the redox reaction between Fe$^{2+}$ and Fe$^{3+}$. Also, both UV and ClO$_4^-$ played the role inducing the reduction of Fe$^{3+}$, which is important to degrade 1,4-dioxane by enhancing the generation of radicals.