• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.207-208
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• 2000

Since trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) arise from anaerobic degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and TCE, there is interest in creating aerobic remediation systems that avoid the highly toxic VC and cis-DCE which predonominate in anaerobic degradation. However, it seemed TCE could not be degraded aerobically without an inducing compound (which also competitively inhibits TCE degradation). It has been shown that TCE induces expression of both the toluene dioxygenase of p. putida F1 as well as toluene-p-monooxygenase of P.mendocina KRI. We investigated here the ability of PCE, TCE, and chlorinated phenols to induce toluene-o-xylene monooxygenase (ToMO) from P.stutzeri OX1. ToMO has a relaxed regio-specificity since it hydroxylates toluene in the ortho, meta, and para positions; it also has a broad substrate range as it oxidizes o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and naphthalene; chlorinated compounds including TCE, 1, 1-DCE, cis-DCE, trans-DCE, VC, and chloroform : as well as mixtures of chlorinated aliphatics (Pseudomonas 1999 Maui Meeting). ToMO is a multicomponent enzyme with greatest similarity to the aromatic monooxygenases of Burkholderia pickettii PKO1 and P.mendocina KR1. Using P.sturzeri OX1, it was found that PCE induces P.mendocina KR1 Using P.situtzeri OX1, it was found that PCE induces ToMO activity measured as naphthalene oxygenase activity 2.5-fold, TCE induces 2.3-fold, and toluene induces 3.0 fold. With the mutant P.stutzeri M1 which does not express ToMO, it was also found there was no naphthalene oxygenate activity induced by PCE and TCE; hence, PCE and TCE induce the tow path. Using P.putida PaW340(pPP4062, pFP3028) which has the tow promoter fused to the reporter catechol-2, 3-dioxygenase and the regulator gene touR, it was determined that the tow promoter was induced 5.7-, 7.1-, and 5.2-fold for 2-, 3-, 4-chlorophenol, respectively (cf. 8.9-fold induction with o-cresol) : however, TCE and PCE did not directly induce the tou path. Gas chromatography and chloride ion analysis also showed that TCE induced ToMO expression in P.stutzeri OX1 and was degraded and mineralized. This is the first report of significant PCE induction of any enzyme as well as the first report of chlorinated compound induction of the tou operon. The results indicate TCE and chlorinated phenols can be degraded by P.stutzeri OX1 without a separate inducer of the tou pathway and without competitive inhibition.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2008

This paper describes the application of bioluminescence stimulating agents on a genetically engineered microorganism, Pseudomonas putida mt-2 KG1206, to monitor toluene analogs using in groundwater samples from petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites. The maximum bioluminescent response with pure chemicals followed in the order: m-methyl benzyl alchohol > m-toluate > toluene > m-xylene > benzoate > p-xylene > o-xylene. Generally, the bioluminescence production of strain mixed with groundwater samples was dependent on the contaminated total inducer concentrations. However, few samples showed opposite results, where these phenomena may be caused by the complexicity of environmental samples. Two chemicals, SL(sodium lactate) and KNO$_3$, were tested to determine a better bioluminescence stimulant. Both chemicals stimulate the bioluminescence activity of strain KG1206, however, a slightly high bioluminescence was observed with nitrogen chemical. This selected stimulant was then tested on samples collected from contaminated groundwater samples. The bioluminescence activity of all samples mixed with the strain was stimulated with KNO$_3$ amendment. This suggests that the low bioluminescence activity exhibited by the environmental groundwater samples can be stimulated by amending the culture with a proper agent, such as nitrogen compound. These findings would be useful, especially, when strain was used to monitor the groundwater samples contaminated with low inducer contaminants. Overall, the results of this study found the ability of bioluminescence producing bacteria to biosensor a specific group of environmental contaminants, and suggest the potential for more efficient preliminary application of this engineered strain in a field-ready bioassay.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.2021-2026
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• 2009

Toluene, xylene and styrene are volatile organic solvents that are commonly used in mixtures in many industries. Because these solvents are metabolized and then excreted in urine, their urinary metabolites are thought to be biomarkers of occupational exposure to these solvents. Therefore, a simple, rapid, and yet reliable analytical method for determining the metabolites is required for accurate biological monitoring. In the present study, a simple and rapid HPLC-UV method was developed for the simultaneous determination of eight major metabolites of toluene, xylene and styrene: hippuric acid (HA), mandelic acid (MA), o-, m- and p-methylhippuric acids (o-, m- and p-MHAs), and o-, m- and p-cresols. A monolithic column was employed as the stationary phase and several conditions, including flow rate, composition of mobile phase and column temperature, were variables for the optimization of the chromatographic resolution. All eight metabolites were successfully resolved within 5 minutes in 10% aqueous ethanol containing 0.3% acetic acid and 1.6% $\beta$-cyclodextrin, using a flow rate gradient of 1.0 - 5.0 mL/min at 25 ${^{\circ}C}$. The performance of this method was validated by linearity, intra- and inter-day accuracy, and precision. The linearity was observed with correlation coefficients of 0.9998 for HA, 0.9999 for MA, 0.9989 for o-MHA, 0.9998 for m-MHA, 0.9991 for p-MHA, 0.9997 for o-cresol, 0.9998 for m-cresol, and 0.9986 for p-cresol. The intra- and inter-day precision of the method were less than 5.89% (CV) and the accuracy ranged from 92.95 to 106.62%. The validity was further confirmed by analysis of reference samples that were prepared by the inter-laboratory quality assurance program of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA, Seoul, Korea). All measured concentrations of the analytes agreed with the certified values.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.474-482
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• 2007

Daycare centers are an important indoor environment for pre-school children and exposure area with potential harmful health effects for infants and children who spend most of their daily life. Sampling was undertaken at 29 daycare centers located Seoul in Korea from January, 2006 to December 2006. The target compounds were 7 individual volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, styrene, o-xylene, TVOC). The mean concentrations of TVOC, toluene, m ,p-xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene and styrene in daycare centers were $318.7{\mu}g/m^3$, $51.6{\mu}g/m^3$, $11.7{\mu}g/m^3$, $6.5{\mu}g/m^3$, $4.2{\mu}g/m^3$, $3.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Toluene occupied 17.6 % of the concentration of individual VOCs. The ratio of indoor and outdoor (I/O) of TVOC and toluene were 2.0 and 1.6, respectively. The results of characteristics according to a season of a year, the concentration of TVOC were measured $433.9{\mu}g/m^3$, and these concentrations during third quarter of the year in summer were higher than the other season. In the other four seasons, TVOC were measured 280.5 in winter, 298.3 in spring and $264.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in fall, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.479-494
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• 2020

This study analyses the characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from the painting and printing facilities, as well as ambient VOCs at industrial complexes in Gwangju. The major components of VOCs emissions from painting facilities were toluene, acetone, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, ethyl benzene, o-xylene and m,p-xylene. The printing facilities mostly emitted ethyl acetate, 2-butanone, acetone and toluene. Aromatics (49.9%) and oxygenated VOCs (43.6%) were dominant in painting facilities, while oxygenated VOCs (92.7%) were the largest group in printing facilities. The total hydrocarbon concentration (THC) in printing facilities was approximately six times higher than in the painting facilities. The painting and printing facilities use many solvents. Their THC concentrations differed considerably depending on the type of prevention facilities. To reduce THC, it is necessary to improve the prevention facilities and operating conditions. The dominant species of ambient VOCs in industrial complexes were investigated with toluene, ethyl acetate, 2-butanone, ethyl benzene, m,p-xylene, butyl acetate, o-xylene, hexane and acetone. Factor analysis of ambient VOCs showed that the main sources of the VOCs were organic solvents used in painting, coating, and printing, as well as automobile emissions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 1998

This study was conducted to evaluate the surfactant solutions which influence solvent extraction from light hydrocarbon contaminated soils. Nine characteristic compounds were studied: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, mxylene, p-xylene, n-propylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and n-butylbenzene which were found in gasoline. Adsee-799 and Witbreak DRA-22 showed some extractive capacity for light hydrocarbons from soil. There was no added advantage obtained by using other surfactants in this study. No removal of contaminants from soil was observed when the surfactant concentration was 0.5 percent or below. When the surfactant concentration was 4 percent, the average recovery for some hydrocarbons was 10.8 percent, which was the best obtained at these levels. There was 10 percent surfactant contribution for methanol extraction from soil with the Witbreak DPG-482 and Witbreak DRA-22. This study provided a useful screening technique for procedures that can be used to remediate soils contaminated with light hydrocarbons.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2005

As a typical example of simultaneous analysis of the odorous compounds, the volatile organic compounds from inventory sources in Seongseo industrial area were concentrated and analyzed with thermal desorber/GC/MSD, and major malodorous compounds were estimated. Odor intensity and odor concentration was analyzed simultaneously During a period from November in 2002 to December in 2003, this study was conducted to evaluate malodor emission characterization in major treatment facilities. The major components were Dimethyl sulfide, Dimethyl disulfide, Methyl mercaptane, Ammonia, Benzene, Toluene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, Styrene, 1,2,4­T.M.B and 1,3,5-T.M.B. Among the six major inventory sources, the odor unit concentration of Night-soil disposal facilities was the highest, $669\~2344\;ou/m^{3}.$

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 2018

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) were well known as ozone precursors from photochemical reactions and contribute to the formation of photochemical smog which pose health hazards. Also, some of these compounds directly affect the human health due to their toxicity such as benzene. In this study, BTEX ratios and correlation of $C_2$-benzenes (xylenes, ethylbenzene) in vehicle exhaust from recreational vehicle (RV) and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) were characterized using a chassis dynamometer. VOCs were collected by tedlar bag and a GC/MS system was used for their quantification. Among all of the BTEX, toluene has the highest concentration(more than 30% in composition of BTEX). The average ratio of toluene to benzene emissions (T/B ratio=2.2) was found in vehicle exhaust. The average m,p-xylene/ethylbenzene and m,p-xylene/o-xylene ratios were 1.0 and 3.0 respectively. As a result, it showed a good correlation between the $C_2$-benzenes ($R^2=0.98{\sim}0.99$). In the future, it can be used as a marker for effect evaluation to atmospheric environment by vehicle exhaust.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.414-422
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• 2010

In forensic examinations of question document, analysis about inks components and the dating of ink entries is often of considerable importance and forensic examination of inks is principally concerned with the classification and comparison of chemically complex mixtures. The authenticity about inks analysis of a questioned document may be examined through the analysis of inks used to TLC, HPLC/MS, GC/MS, LDI/MS. We collected 56 difference types of black ballpoint pen inks manufactured from 5 country groups. We identified major 6 species volatile organic components (VOCs), ethylbenzene ($0.089-0.244\;{\mu}g$/mL), o-xylene ($0.072-0.331\;{\mu}g$/mL), m,p-xylene ($0.062-0.318\;{\mu}g$/mL), benzene ($0.003-0.173\;{\mu}g$/mL), 1,1-dichloroethylene ($0.003-0.295\;{\mu}g$/mL), toluene ($0.007-0.484\;{\mu}g$/mL) using HS-SPME GC/MS. The results of this study indicated that determined VOCs of black ballpoint pen inks could make a discriminating tool of inks analysis for forensic question document and can supply methodology for classification and identification of between ballpoints pen inks.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 2013

This study investigated the concentrations of odourous compounds in air, leachate, stream and well in and around Taju-Bello dumpsite. Meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity) and six odour families comprising sulphur ($H_2S$), ammonia ($NH_3$), aromatic (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, p-xylene, m-xylene), aliphatic (hexane), oxygenated (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde) and halogenated (tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, carbontetrachloride) compounds were measured. Meteorological parameters suggested low dispersal of pollutants at L1 with possible perspiration and suffocation from exposure to high temperature, relative humidity and low wind velocity. The trend of abundance of odourous compounds at studied locations is of the order dumpsite (L1) > leachate (L4) > 100 m away from dumpsite (L2) > 200 m away from dumpsite (L3) > stream (L5) > well (L6). $H_2S$, Oxygenated and aromatic compounds were the major contributors to odour strength in these locations. Correlation, factor and cluster analyses of the data revealed similarities of sources as biogenics and xenobiotics inherent in the wastes as the main sources of these odourous compounds.