• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.625-639
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• 2019

Microplastics are one of the substances threatening the marine ecosystem. Here, we summarize the status of research on the effect of microplastics on marine life and suggest future research directions. Microplastics are synthetic polymeric compounds smaller than 5 mm and these materials released into the environment are not only physically small but do not decompose over time. Thus, they accumulate extensively on land, from the coast to the sea, and from the surface to the deep sea. Microplastic can be ingested and accumulated in marine life. Furthermore, the elution of chemicals added to plastic represents another risk. Microplastics accumulated in the ocean affect the growth, development, behavior, reproduction, and death of marine life. However, the properties of microplastics vary widely in size, material, shape, and other aspects and toxicity tests conducted on several properties of microplastics cannot represent the hazards of all other microplastics. It is necessary to evaluate the risks according to the types of microplastic, but due to their variety and the lack of uniformity in research results, it is difficult to compare and analyze the results of previous studies. Therefore, it is necessary to derive a standard test method to estimate the biological risk from different types of microplastics. In addition, while most of the previous studies were conducted mostly on spheres for the convenience of the experiments, they do not properly reflect the reality that fibers and fragments are the main forms of microplastics in the marine environment and in fish and shellfish. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on additives and POPs (persistent organic pollutants) in plastics, but little is known about their toxic effects on the body. The effects of microplastics on the marine ecosystems and humans could be identified in more detail if standard testing methods are developed, microplastics in the form of fibers and fragments rather than spheres are tested, and additives and POPs are analyzed. These investigations will allow us to identify the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and humans in more detail.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.1034-1042
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• 1996

Various $TiO_2-SiO_2$ composite powders were prepared by the modified sol-gel method using 1-dodecanol as DCCA (Dryng Control Chemical Additive ). Their characterizations were carried out and their photocatalytic catalysis was examined on the evolution reaction of hydrogen. The weight losses at $500^{\circ}C$ of only $TiO_2$ and $SiO_2$ powders were 33. 0wt% and 42.5wt%, respectively, and those of the $TiO_2/SiO_2$ powders ($TiO_2/SiO_2=25/75$, 50/50 and 75/25) were about $70.0{\pm}3.0wt%$. The released substances from the powders were almost organic matters. The as-prepared powders except only $TiO_2$ powder were amorphous. Transformation of anatase to rutil was hindered by $SiO_2$ component and the crystallinity of anatase was decreased with increasing $SiO_2$ contents. The as-prepared powders were bulky states. By heating at $600^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr $TiO_2-SiO_2$ powders ($TiO_2=100%$, $TiO_2/SiO_2=75/25,\;50/50$) showed agglomerates consisted of particles in submicron, but those of $TiO_2/SiO_2=25/75$ and $SiO_2=100%$ were still bulky states. Specific surface area of the powders heat-treated at $600^{\circ}C$ for 1hr was increased with $SiO_2$ concents and their pore sizes were also depended on $SiO_2$ contents. The photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2/SiO_2=75/25$ heat-treated at $600^{\circ}C$ for 1hr was 0.240mo1/h.g-cat as $H_2$ evolution rate. This value was about 2.0 times that of P-25(Degussa P-25) as a standard photocatalyst.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.898-904
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• 2005

Although Euonymus alatus (EA) has been used as traditional medicine for cancer treatment, exact substances involved in curing of the disease are not yet known. Free radical scavenging and reactive oxygen species (ROS) removal activities of aqueous extract components isolated from winged stem of EA in animal cell line were investigated. Aqueous extract of EA (AEEA) was fractionated by ultrafiltration. All fractions mainly consisted of polysaccharide (44.8%), protein (2.1%), small amounts of phenol compounds and organic acids. Antioxidant activity of AEEA increased depending on concentration fractions, as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. ROS removal activity was visualized in Chinese hamster ovary cell line using laser scanning confocal microscope, and AEEA activity increased in order of F IV>F III>F I>F II. These results suggest AETA has bioactive carbohydrates with potentials as functional foods and antioxidants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.300-308
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• 1996

This study was conducted to identify factors involved in rooting of Japanese larch cuttings. Cuttings were taken every week from June 24th to July 25th before and after the 10th of July which supposed to be best time for cutting. The content of IAA, carbohydrate, nitrogen and inorganic elements such as $Mg^{{+}{+}}$, $K^+$ and $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ within cutting materials were analyzed. After the cuttings were planted, the root development was observed every week. Cuttings of easy-to-root clones were higher in IAA contents than the cuttings of hard-to-root clones at the time of cuttings were taken. There were significant differences in moisture content of cuttings taken on June 24th and July 25th between easy-to-root and hard-to-root clones, however no significant differences in moisture contents were observed between them taken on the 8th and 15th of July which supposed to be the best time for cutting. Inorganic matters and carbohydrate contents of cuttings taken from hedged trees were higher than those of non-hedged trees. The ratios K/C and C/N of cuttings taken from hedged trees were higher than those of non-hedged trees. Cuttings taken from easy-to-root clones showed higher content of carbohydrate and nitrogen than those of hard-to-root clones. The contents of inorganic elements, such as $Mg^{{+}{+}}$, $K^+$, and $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ in cutting taken from hard-to-root clones were slightly higher than that of easy-to-root clones. The ratio C/N and K/C of cuttings which were taken from easy-to-root clones have shown a similar trend of carbohydrate and nitrogen. These data indicate that there was no one dominant factor that affect rooting of cutting, but many factors such as contents of IAA, carbohydrate, nitrogen, phosphate, and ratios of C/N and K/C appeared to affect on rooting of cuttings variously. Most of root initials were formed from phloem tissue within one week after cutting, and few were formed from callus tissue. Root primordia were developed from root initials within two weeks after cutting, and most of new roots were developed from root primordia within about five weeks after cutting.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2018

In this study, cosmetic materials were developed using a new method of making juice through the fermentation of raw natural materials with microorganisms in order to supplement the advantages and disadvantages of an organic solvent extraction method and a microbial fermentation method. The natural products were selected from two colors (red, green) of paprika known to be rich in various colors and vitamins. The microorganisms used for fermentation were fermented by inoculating paprika with lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum) having sugar-hydrolyzed ability. First, we investigated the changes of physiologically active substances of two kinds of paprika juice and two kinds of fermented paprika juice. Total phenols content and total flavonoids content were higher in the fermented paprika juice than in the paprika juice, and especially in the fermented red paprika juice. Free radical scavenging effect and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect were also showed an excellent antioxidative effect on paprika fermented juice, among which the effect of red paprika fermentation juice was the highest. The expression of MMP-1 in fermented red paprika juice with high antioxidant activity was inhibited by concentration-dependent expression of MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-1 protein. In the glycation experiments with aging, the anti-glycation effect of fermented paprika juice was highly inhibited by the production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which was closely related to the antioxidant effect. In addition, the activity of senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal), an indicator of cell senescence, was measured using human dermal fibroblast (HDF). The results showed that the cell senescence was inhibited when the cells were treated with fermented paprika juice. In conclusion, fermented paprika juice using lactic acid bacteria showed better antioxidative and anti-aging effects than paprika juice. Among them, fermented red paprika juice has the best antioxidant and anti-aging effect and can be applied as natural new material of antioxidant and anti-aging.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.11
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• pp.83-88
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• 1969

94 Cellulase producing strains were isoated from soils, composts, rotten woods and straws, and gastric contents and feces of herbivorous animals in various places. Among them, the strain MC-9, MC-10, MC-53 and MC-61 were found to be highly active in the degradation of carboxy methyl cellulose. Their cultural conditions adequate for the cellulase formation and effects of inorganic salts and various organic substances added to the wheat bran media were investigated. The results obtained are as follows; 1. Optimum conditions for the cellulase formation were MC-9: pH 5.5, temp. $35^{\circ}C$, incubation time 5 days, MC-10: pH 5.5-6.0, temp. $30^{\circ}C$, incubation time 5 days, MC-53: pH 3.5, temp. $30^{\circ}C$, incubation time 5 days, MC-61: pH 3.5-4.0, temp. 30-$35^{\circ}C$, incubation time 5 days. 2. Their cellulase activity in their optimum conditions were MC-9: CMC-LP(liquefying power). 87.7%, CMC-SP(saccharifying power) 3.20 glucose mg./gm. of the cultures/min., MC-10: CMC-LP 82.9%, CMC-SP 2.48 glucose mg./gm. of the cultures/min., MC-53: CMC-LP 72.4%, CMC-SP 1.76 glucose mg./gm. of the cultures/min., MC-61: CMC-LP 87.1%, CMC-SP 2.08 glucose mg./gm. of the cultures/min. 3. Additions of inorganic salts to the wheat bran media were not significant for the cellulase formation, but additions of soybean film and orange-peel pomace promoted the CMC-liquefying power 3 to 5 percent in wheat bran cultures of the strains.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.4-31
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• 2018

The Neolithic pottery excavated from the Jungsandong site has been classified into four types of pottery (I: feldspar type, II: mica type, III: talc type and IV: asbestos type) according to their mineral composition. These four types of potteries generally appear to have undergone incomplete firing, while the level of oxidation in the type I pottery objects, which have a relatively higher clay content, was found to be particularly low. The type III objects, which have a high talc content, are judged to have been somewhat slow in removing carbon because they contain saponite belonging to the smectite group. Of the four types of pottery, type IV showed the highest redness and the most uniform characteristics, thus indicating a good level of oxidation. In particular, fixed carbide (C; 33.7 wt.%) with a thickness of about 1mm, and originating from organic substances, was detected inside the walls of the type I pottery, while the deep radial cracks in the outer surfaces of the pottery are thought to have been caused by repeated thermal shocks. Given that all of the pottery except for the type I artifacts are considered to be have been made for storage purposes, those containing talc and tremolite are easy to done liquid storing vessels based on an analysis of their material characteristics. As for the type II relics, which are composed of various minerals and exhibit poor physical properties, they seem to have been used for simple storage purposes. As domestic talc and asbestos mines were concentrated in the areas of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Chungnam, it seems likely that talc and tremolite were produced as contiguous minerals. Considering the distance between the remains in Jungsandong and these mines and their geographical distribution, there is a possibility - albeit somewhat slight - that these mines were developed for the mining of various minerals. Although ultramafic rock masses - such as serpentine capable of generating talc and tremolite - have not been found in the Jungsandong area, limestone and biotite granite containing mica schist have been identified in the northwestern part of Yeongjong Island, indicating that small rock masses might have formed there in the past. Therefore, it is judged necessary to accumulate data on pottery containing talc and tremolite, other than the remains in Jungsandong, and to investigate the rocks and soils in the surrounding area with greater precision. The firing temperatures of the pottery found at the Jungsandong site were interpreted by analyzing the stability ranges of the mineral composition of each type. As a result, they have been estimated to range from 550 to $800^{\circ}C$ for the type I artifacts, and from 550 to $700^{\circ}C$ for the type I, II and IV artifacts. However, these temperatures are not the only factors to have affected their physical properties and firing temperature, and the types, particle sizes, and firing time of the clay should all be taken into consideration.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.591-603
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• 2022

The color and optical properties of seawater are determined by the interaction between dissolved organic and inorganic substances and plankton contained in it. The Ieodo - Ocean Research Institute (I-ORS), located in the East China Sea, is affected by the low salinity of the Yangtze River in the west and the Tsushima Warm Current in the south. Thus, it is a suitable site for analyzing the fluctuations in circulation and optical properties around the Korean Peninsula. In this study, seawater surrounding the I-ORS was classified according to its optical characteristics using the satellite remote reflectance observed with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Aqua and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) bio-Optical Marine Algorithm Dataset (NOMAD) from January 2016 to December 2020. Additionally, the variation characteristics of optical water types (OWTs) from different seasons were presented. A total of 59,532 satellite match-up data (d ≤ 10 km) collected from seawater surrounding the I-ORS were classified into 23 types using the spectral angle mapper. The OWTs appearing in relatively clear waters surrounding the I-ORS were observed to be greater than 50% of the total. The maximum OWTs frequency in summer and winter was opposite according to season. In particular, the OWTs corresponding to optically clear seawater were primarily present in the summer. However, the same OWTs were lower than overall 1% rate in winter. Considering the OWTs fluctuations in the East China Sea, the I-ORS is inferred to be located in the transition zone of seawater. This study contributes in understanding the optical characteristics of seawater and improving the accuracy of satellite ocean color variables.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.spc
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• pp.30-36
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• 2022

A sensor is needed to continuously and automatically measure the change in HNS concentration in industrial facilities that directly discharge to the sea after water treatment. The basic function of the sensor is to be able to detect ppb levels even at room temperature. Therefore, a method for increasing the sensitivity of the existing sensor is proposed. First, a method for increasing the conductivity of a film using a conductive carbon-based additive in a nanoparticle thin film and a method for increasing ion adsorption on the surface using a catalyst metal were studied.. To improve conductivity, carbon black was selected as an additive in the film using ITO nanoparticles, and the performance change of the sensor according to the content of the additive was observed. As a result, the change in resistance and response time due to the increase in conductivity at a CB content of 5 wt% could be observed, and notably, the lower limit of detection was lowered to about 250 ppb in an experiment with organic solvents. In addition, to increase the degree of ion adsorption in the liquid, an experiment was conducted using a sample in which a surface catalyst layer was formed by sputtering Au. Notably, the response of the sensor increased by more than 20% and the average lower limit of detection was lowered to 61 ppm. This result confirmed that the chemical resistance sensor using metal oxide nanoparticles could detect HNS of several tens of ppb even at room temperature.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.421-433
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• 2023

The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) from nuclear power plants takes place in a deep geological repository. The metal canister encasing the SNF is made of cast iron and copper, and is engineered to effectively isolate radioactive isotopes for a long period of time. The SNF is further shielded by a multi-barrier disposal system comprising both engineering and natural barriers. The deep disposal environment gradually changes to an anaerobic reducing environment. In this environment, sulfide is one of the most probable substances to induce corrosion of copper canister. Stress-corrosion cracking(SCC) triggered by sulfide can carry substantial implications for the integrity of the copper canister, potentially posing a significant threat to the long-term safety of the deep disposal repository. Sulfate can exist in various forms within the deep disposal environment or be introduced from the geosphere. Sulfate has the potential to be transformed into sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB), and this converted sulfide can contribute to the corrosion of the copper canister. Bentonite, which is considered as a potential material for buffering and backfilling, contains oxidized sulfate minerals such as gypsum(CaSO4). If there is sufficient space for microorganisms to thrive in the deep disposal environment and if electron donors such as organic carbon are adequately supplied, sulfate can be converted to sulfide through microbial activity. However, the majority of the sulfides generated in the deep disposal system or introduced from the geosphere will be intercepted by the buffer, with only a small amount reaching the metal canister. Pyrite, one of the potential sulfide minerals present in the deep disposal environment, can generate sulfates during the dissolution process, thereby contributing to the corrosion of the copper canister. However, the quantity of oxidation byproducts from pyrite is anticipated to be minimal due to its extremely low solubility. Moreover, the migration of these oxidized byproducts to the metal canister will be restricted by the low hydraulic conductivity of saturated bentonite. We have comprehensively analyzed and summarized key research cases related to the presence of sulfates, reduction processes, and the formation and behavior characteristics of sulfides and pyrite in the deep disposal environment. Our objective was to gain an understanding of the impact of sulfates and sulfides on the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository.