• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2024

The ecosystem provides a diverse array of environmental conditions for organisms, and only those that are capable of successfully adapting to these conditions within their habitats can endure, thrive, and proliferate. Further, the environmental conditions within these habitats can significantly affect the bioavailability of chemicals that are introduced therein, thus resulting in varied adverse impacts on the organisms. The present study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of Yuukianura szeptyckii - a species adapted to riparian - to heavy metals following ISO guideline 11276, with the objective of assessing its potential as an indicator species for ecotoxicological evaluations in riparian habitats. The findings revealed that cadmium and copper both had significant toxic effects depending on their concentrations. For cadmium, the LC₅₀ was 280 mg kg^-1, EC₅₀ was 66 mg kg^-1, and NOEC and LOEC were 25 and 50 mg kg^-1, respectively. For copper, the LC₅₀ was 911 mg kg^-1, EC₅₀ was 151 mg kg^-1, and LOEC was 50 mg kg^-1. Comparative analysis with previous results for the international standard species Folsomia candida and the domestic standard species Allonychiurus kimi indicated that Y. szeptyckii exhibited even greater sensitivity to toxicity values. The adverse effects on survival and reproduction were closely associated with the influx concentration of heavy metals in their bodies. Altogether, the results suggest that Y. szeptyckii is a sensitive species for ecotoxicological assessments in riparian habitats, thus making it suitable as an indicator species, particularly in riparian ecosystems that are characterized by relatively high humidity conditions.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.47-57
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• 2024

Jarosite, a mineral belonging to the alunite family, is found in various low pH environments and can incorporate cations or oxyanions into its structure, either by coprecipitation or substitution. This mineral is sensitive to pH changes and can easily transform into goethite upon geochemical changes, such as an increase in pH. This transformation can release toxic ions from the jarosite, potentially causing additional environmental damage. In addition to potassium (K), sodium (Na) and ammonium (NH₄) can also substitute for cations in jarosite. The formation of jarosites containing these and other cations is significant not only for acid mine drainage but also for the smelting industry. In this study, three different types of jarosites containing various cations were synthesized and the phase transformation of each jarosite to goethite upon pH change were compared. All the jarosites were sensitive to pH changes, showing much higher rates of phase change at pH 8 than at pH 4. At the relatively low pH of 4, the phase transformation of K-jarosite, which is most stable in structure, to goethite was the slowest. For the other two jarosites, the cations have either smaller or larger radii than K ions, resulting in differences in structural stability and they showed more rapid transformations to goethite. However, at pH 8, K-jarosite exhibited a much more rapid transformation to goethite than the other jarosites, which was also evident from the rapid increase in K ions in aqueous solution. The mineral transformation behavior of K-jarosite at higher pH is significantly different from that at lower pH, indicating that the mechanism of the transformation to goethite differs between these conditions, which requires further investigation. The results of this study indicate that the mineral transformation of jarosite in acid mine drainage or smelter waste disposal may significantly influence the behavior of heavy metals. This research provides valuable insights for predicting the behavior of heavy metals in smelting industry waste disposal.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.286-298
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of forest soil acidification on the distribution of exchangeable cations($Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Al^{3+}$) and heavy metals(Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd) in soil, and to understand the relation of the soil chemical properties and the distribution of nutrients and hear metals in fine root and foliage. The results through survey on the long - term change of soil pH and the contents of nutrient and heavy metal in soil, fine root and foliage by 2 sites near Ulsan - Onsan industrial estate and 2 sites in limited development district are summarized as follows : 1. The average forest soil pH(A horizon) in Ulsan had been proceeded down to 3.73 in deciduous forest and 3.86 in coniferous forest in 1994 from 4.45 and 4.78 in 1987, respectively, which indicated serious soil acidification. As comparing soil pH among sites, Dongcheon coniferous forest(pH 4.57) in limited development district showed the highest values and Dangwol deciduous forest(pH 3.19) near Onsan industrial estate showed the lowest values in 1994. 2. Contents of exchangeable calcium in forest soils of limited development district where showed much higher soil pH than industrial estate were 3.5 times more in deciduous forest soil and 11 times more in coniferous forest soil than in industrial estate, and contents of exchangeable magnesium were also 4.5 and 5 times more in limited development district than in industrial estate, respectively. However contents of exchangeable aluminium which had been supposed more in forest soil of industrial estate were more in limited development district. 3. Contents of calcium and magnesium in fine root of deciduous trees(A hirsuta. Q. acutissima) were 3.6 and 1.7 times more in limited development district than in industrial estate, respectively, and those of coniferous trees(P. rigida, P. thunbergii) were 4.6 and 1.5 times more in Limited development district than in industrial estate, respectively. Also contents of calcium and magnesium in foliage of deciduous trees were 1.1 and 2.2 times more in limited development district than in industrial estate, respectively, and those of coniferous trees were 1.8 and 3.3 times more in limited development district, respectively. And contents of aluminium in fine root and foliage were nearly as same as in soil. 4. Ca/Al molar ratios in soil and fine root, which could be related with the dgree of soil acidification and Al toxicity on trees, were Less than 1 in all sites except Dongcheon, suggesting that the soil and fine root in the sites have high sensitivity to soil acidification and the decrease in nutrient uptake and root enlargement. The Ca/Al molar ratios in soil and fine root in coniferous forest were highly correlated with the soil pH one another. 5. Contents of Cu, Zn and Pb in soil, fine root and foliage were more in industrial estate than in limited development district in both deciduous and coniferous forests, however, oppositely contents of Mn and Cd in soil were more in limited development district than in industrial estate.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.3 s.178
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• pp.213-227
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• 2006

The geochemical evolution of mine drainage and leachate from waste rock dumps and stream water in Pb-As-rich abandoned Sechang mine area was investigated to elucidate mechanisms of trace metals. Total and sequential extractions were applied to estimate the distribution of trace metals in constituent phases of the waste rocks and to assess the mobility of trace metals according to physicochemical conditions. These discharged waters varied largely in chemical composition both spatially and temporally, and included cases with significant]y low pH (in the range 2.1-3.3), and extremely sulphate (up to 661 mg/l and metal contents (e.g. up to 169 mg/l for Zn, 27 mg/l for As, 3.97 mg/l for Pb, 2.99 mg/l for Cu, and 1.88 mg/l for Cd). Arsenic and heavy metal concentrations at the down-stream of Sechang mine have been decreased nearly to the background level in downstream sites (sites 8 and 16) without any artificial treatments. The oxidation of Fe-sulfides and the subsequent hydrolysis, of Fe(II), with precipitation of poorly crystallized minerals, constituted an efficient mechanism of natural attenuation which reduces considerably the transference of trace metals (i.e. Fe and As) to rivers. The dilution of drainage by mixing with pristine waters provoked an additional decrease of trace metal concentrations and a progressive pH increase. On the other hand, the most soluble cations (i.e. Zn) remained significantly as dissolved solutes until the pH was raised to approximately neutral values. With respect to ecotoxicity, it is likely that the Zn pollution is of particular concern in Sechang mine area. This was confirmed by the sequential extraction experiment, where Zn in wet waste-rock samples occurred predominantly in the exchangeable fraction (65-89% of total), while Pb was the highest in the reducible and carbonate fractions, and Cd, Cu and As in the residual fraction. Pb concentration in the readily available exchangeable fraction (34-48% of total) was dominated for dried waste rock samples. Considering the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals probably decreased in the order of Zn>Pb>Cd>As=Cu.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.1 s.55
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• pp.45-51
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• 2006

In the field of makeup cosmetics, especially, powder-based foundations such as two-way cake, pact and face powder, the quality of which is known to be strongly influenced by the properties of powder, surface treatment technology is widely used as a method to improve the various characteristics of powder texture, wear properties, dispersion ability and so on. The two-way cake or pressed-powder foundation is one of the familiar makeup products in Asian market for deep covering and finishing purpose. In spite of the relent progress in surface modification method such as composition of powders with different characteristics and application of a diversity of coating ingredient (metal soap, amino acid, silicone and fluorine), this product possess a technical difficulty to enhance both of the adhesion power and spreadability on the skin in addition to potential claim of consumer about heavy or thick feeling. This article is covering the preparation and coating method of nano-vesicle that mimic the double-layered lipid lamellar structure existing between the corneocytes of the stratum corneum in the skin for the purpose of improving both of two important physical characteristic of two-way cake, spreadability and adhering force to skin, and obtining better affinity to skin. Nano-vesicle was prepared using the high-pressure emulsifying process of lecithin, pseudo ceramide, butylene glycol and tocopheryl acetate. This nano-sized emulsion was added to powder-dispersed aqueous phase together with bivalent metal salt solution and then the filtering and drying procedure was followed to yield the nano-vesicle coated powder. The amount of nano-vesicle coated on the powder was able to regulated by the concentration of metal salt and this novel powder showed the lower friction coefficient, more uniform condition of application and higher adhesive powder comparing with the alkyl silane treated powder from the test result of spreadability and wear properties using friction meter and air jet method. Two-wav cake containing newly developed coated powder with nano-vesicle showed the similar advantages in the frictional and adhesive characteristics.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.257-290
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• 2005

Korean energy use in industrial sector has increased more rapidly than other sectors during 1980~2000 periods. Relatively higher increases in industrial sector energy consumption raise questions whether government policy of rationalization of industrial energy use has been effective. In this study, we use 80-85-90 and 90-95-00 constant price input-output table to analyze increases in industrial energy use. Using an adjusted version of structural decomposition model introduced by Chen and Rose (1990), we decompose Changes of energy use into 17 elements. We classify entire industry sector into 32 sectors including four energy sectors (coal and coal products, refined petroleum, electricity and town gas). We then analyze changes of energy use by industrial level to check differences among industrial energy demand structures. Finally, we compare three industries, electronic product manufacturing, metal manufacturing and construction, that represent technology and capital intensive, energy and material intensive and labor and capital intensive industry. As results, we find that high energy using industries make the most effort to reduce energy use. Primary metal, petrochemical and mon-metal industries show improvements in elements such as energy and material productivity, energy and material imports, energy substitution and material substitutions towards energy saving. These results imply that although those industries are heavy users of energy, they put the best effort to reduce energy use relative to other industries. We find various patterns of change in industrial energy use at industrial level. To reduce energy use, electronic product manufacturing industry needs more effort to improve technological change element while construction industry needs more effort to improve material input structure element.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.66-77
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• 2023

Background: Along with the increase in consumer interest in and consumption of tattoo products, the controversy over harmful heavy metals associated with the use of tattoo cosmetics is also increasing. Therefore, investigation of hazardous metals in these tattoo products is needed. Objectives: This study was performed to provide useful data for establishing reasonable standards to securely manage tattoo cosmetics, tattoo stickers, and tattoo inks distributed in the market. Methods: Thirteen kinds of hazardous metal contents (Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Se, Ba, Zn, Sn, and Hg) were analyzed for 23 tattoo cosmetics, ten tattoo stickers, and 16 tattoo inks. Hg was measured through the combustion-gold amalgamation method, and other hazardous metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acidic decomposition using a microwave apparatus. Results: The detected ranges of Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, and Hg in tattoo cosmetics were 0.07~1.18, 0.06~0.41, ND~0.07, 0.01~3.44, 0.12~2.75, and ND~0.01 ㎍/g, respectively. All of the hazardous metals detected were below the recommended maximum standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The mean amount of Pb detected in tattoo stickers for children was 0.24 ㎍/kg and Cd was not detected, meaning both metals met the recommended criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in all measured metals between children's tattoo stickers and adults' tattoo stickers. In the results of the study on the hazardous metal content of tattoo inks, four products (25%) for Pb, one product (6%) for As, 13 products (81%) for Ni, four products (25%) for Cu, and five products (31%) for Zn exceeded the recommended standards approved by the government. The highest predicted exposure amount for hazardous metals exceeding the recommended level of tattoo inks in a single tattooing was 5.69 ㎍/kg for Ni, 8.51 ㎍/kg for Zn, 0.44 ㎍/kg for Pb, 8.07 ㎍/kg for Cu, 0.44 ㎍/kg for As, and 71.36 ㎍/kg for Ba. Conclusions: It is necessary to prepare criteria for content limitation for the management of Co, Cr, Ba and Se tattoo cosmetics, and tattoo inks require thorough quality control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.464-469
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• 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate a knowledge on food components of muscle and adductor muscle of pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii) as pearl processing byproducts. The concentrations of mercury and chromium as heavy metal were not detected in both pearl oyster muscle and adductor muscle, and those of cadmium and lead were 0.06 ppm and 0.11 ppm in only pearl oyster muscle, respectively. Thus, the heavy metal levels of pearl processing byproducts were below the reported safety limits. The volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content and pH of pearl oyster muscle were 11.6 mg/100g and 6.31 and those of abductor muscle were 8.6 mg/100 g and 6.33, respectively. It was concluded that pearl oyster muscle and adductor muscle might not invoke health risk in using food resource. The contents of crude protein (16.5%) and total amino acid (15,691 mg/100 g) of adductor muscle were higher than those of muscle (11.2% and 10,131 mg/100 g) and oyster (12.1% and 11,213 mg/100 g) as a control. The contents of calcium and phosphorus were 95.4 mg/100 g and 116.0 mg/100 g in muscle, 75.2 mg/100g and 148.1 mg/100 g in adductor muscle, respectively. The calcium level based on phosphorus was a good ratio for absorbing calcium. The free amino acid contents and taste values were 635.5 mg/100 g and 40.2 in muscle, and 734.9 mg/100 g and 24.1 in adductor muscle, respectively, but that (882.8 mg/100 g and 40.2) of oyster was higher than those of pearl processing byproducts. Based on the results of physicochemical and nutritional properties, pearl oyster muscle and adductor muscle can be utilized as a food resource.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.159-170
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• 2014

The effect of substances discharged from copper alloy mesh on the survival rate, growth, and health status of Sebastes schlegeli was investigated. Survival rate of experimental group was 10% higher than control group. There was no significant difference in weight gain and SGR between control group and experiment group (P<0.05). Glucose concentration was lower in the experimental group than that in the control group. GOT and GPT contents did not show significant difference during experiment except for the early three months of experiment (P<0.05). Ammonia concentration had not significantly changed in the experimental group, but it had increased until four months of experiment and then decreased afterwards in the control group. TCHO had decreased in the experiment group compared with that of control group. Copper and zinc contents had increased as compared with those in the initial stage of experiment with no significant difference between experiment group and control group (P<0.05). Histological analysis for the liver revealed that liver tissues were not particularly different from those in control group. There were no significant differences in survival rate, growth, and hematological characteristic between control group and experiment group (P<0.05). Though copper and zinc were accumulated as compared with those during the initial stage of experiment, the levels were lower than permissible levels for copper and zinc. As a result, copper alloy mesh would not adversely affect on the survival rate, growth, and health status of fishes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2010

Although chemical sedimentation and ion exchange are usually applied to the treatment of heavy metal ions and radioactive cations, they have some serious disadvantages like a great consumption of chemicals, the disposal of valuable metals, and the secondary pollution of soil by the solid-waste. The advanced countries recently have studied the electrochemical ion exchange, combined electrochemical reduction and ion exchange, for the development of the alternative technique. This study has been performed to investigate the optimum condition for the preparation of the nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCNFe) which is an electrochemical ion exchanger. NiHCNFe film was deposited on the surface of nickel plate by chemical method or electrochemical method. The morphology and composition of NiHCNFe were observed by SEM and EDS, respectively. The peak current density of NiHCNFe was measured from the cyclic voltammograms of the continuous oxidation-reduction reaction in a parallel plane ion exchange electrode reactor. It was found that the chemical preparation method was better than the electrochemical method. The concentrated NiHCNFe was apparently deposited on nickel plate when dipping in the preparing solution for 118 h, especially. It also had a best durable performance as an ion exchange electrode.