• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2010

Field study to find appropriate species for phytoremediation and phytomonitoring with higher plants was carried out at four abandoned metalliferous mines. In order to know the tolerant degree of plant resources collected at heavy metal polluted sites, soil and plants were sampled at same sites and metal concentrations were determined. Most serious heavy metal polluted in the sites was As that showed range from 29.1 to 1372.2 mg $kg^{-1}$ in investigated area. The dominant species were Oenothera biennis, Commelina communis, Persicaria senticosa, Conyza annuus, Artemisia princeps, and Erigeron canadensis. These species were predominant species that were proliferated in any survey area. Compared with other sites, vegetational characteristics of Dal-Seong, a mine site abandoned early in 1973, showed higher diversity index and lower dominance index. Distributions of weed species according to life cycle indicated that the proportions of perennial plants were lowered in every investigated site. Although the polluted areas were distant from each other, similarity indices among these vegetation were relatively similar. These results means the vegetations of abandoned mine areas were beginning stage of vegetational succession, and the vegetations were adversely affected by disturbance with heavy-metals and lack of water in soil.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.456-464
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• 2010

Recently, heavy metals contamination of the agricultural soil and crops surrounding mining areas has been identified as one of the most serious environmental problems in South Korea. The Ministry of the Environment in Korea conducted a Preliminary National Environmental Health Survey (PNEHS) in abandoned metal mines in 2007. The priority for a subsequent detailed examination was ranked from the results of PNEHS. The studied mine which was ranked as being of the highest priority is located in the midwestern part of Korea and was operated from 1911 to 1985. In this study, the contamination levels of the heavy metals in the abandoned metal mine were investigated. From the results, the average daily dose (ADD), target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk of the heavy metals were evaluated. The concentration of arsenic (As) in all of the tailings from the mine was higher than its countermeasure standard of Korea. In particular, the highest concentration of As, 330 mg/kg, was up to 15 times higher than its countermeasure standard. The average concentration of As in agricultural soils was higher than the warning standard of Korea, and higher than its countermeasure standard at six sites. The average concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals in agricultural soil were below the warning standard, but concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) at 4 sites were higher than its warning standard. The average concentration of As in surface water exceeded the warning standard of Korea. The value of the THQ of As for the tailings was higher than the health protection standard 1. The value of THQ of As for the farmlands was lower than the standard, while the hazard index (HI) of As was higher than the standard. The value of target cancer risk (TCR) of As, $6.44{\times}10^{-4}$, were higher than the health protection standard of a lifetime risk for TCR at $1{\times}10^{-6}$. This suggests that the residents around the metal mines are exposed to As pollution with a carcinogenic risk.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.743-753
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• 2020

This study analyzed heavy metal concentration, mineral composition, and spectral characteristics of heavy metal contaminated soil samples of cropland and rice field located in downstream of abandoned Okdong coal mine. X-ray fluorescence analysis detected heavy metal elements including cadmium, copper, arsenic, lead, zinc and nickel in the soils. Both cropland and rice field samples were severely contaminated with arsenic showing higher concentration over the concerned standard. The pollution index of cropland samples was higher than that of rice field samples. X-ray powder diffraction analysis identified that the mineral composition of cropland and rice field samples is similar with quartz, calcite, kaolinite, illite, smectite, magnetite and hematite. The range of organic matter content were more widely distributed in cropland samples. The spectral analysis showed that the reflectance spectra and the absorption features of cropland and rice field samples were alike. The absorption features that appeared near 490nm and 900nm were attributed to the ferric iron, and clay minerals such as kaolinite and smectite caused the absorption features at 1410nm, 1910nm and 2200nm. The reflectance of the soil spectral decreased with an increase in organic content. The absorption depths of both types of soil samples decreased with higher organic matter content at 490nm and 1916nm as well as higher heavy metal concentration.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.68-73
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• 2003

This study performed from 2002 October to 2003 April. The samples were taken at 66 sites, divided into the 6 sections functionally in the southern part of Seoul such as Yangchon-gu, Kangseo-gu, Kuro-gu, Yeongdengpo-gu, Kwanak-gu, Dongjak-gu, Seocho-gu, Kangnam-gu, Songpa-gu, and Kangdong-gu. The result of research showed that each property soil was pH 4.7∼9.5, Cd; 0.391 mg/kg (0.011∼l.081 mg/kg). Cu; 12.35 mg/kg (0.061∼73.62 mg/kg), Pb; 13.04 mg/kg (N.D.∼61.85 mg/kg), Hg; 0.0866 mg/kg (N.D.∼1.353 mg/kg), F; 206.8 mg/kg(47.1∼561.1mg/kg). The minimum and maximum of the concentration with functional soils were Cd; 0.632 mg/kg for multi-purposed soil,0.079 mg/kg for schools, Cu; 21.35 mg/kg for roadside, 2.159 mg/kg for schools, Pb; 24.70 mg/kg for roadside, 1.030 mg/kg for schools, Hg; 0.1780 mg/kg for multi purposed, 0.0087 mg/kg for schools. Especially F was the high concentration at the hills. Also the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg and F at school Zone was detected such as low. area of schools area was detected the low concentrations as the items of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and F. The average concentrations of metals and fluorine in the survey area were below the Preliminary Standard of the Soil Preservation Acts in Korea. To evaluate the soil quality of these area showed as a good qualified results. The results of SQPI (Soil Quality Pollution Index the qualified results as much as 86.4%.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.207-218
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• 2020

Ashwagandha is an important ancient medicinal crops, being affected with many diseases, among which leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata has become the constraint resulting in huge yield losses. Continuous usage of chemical methods leads to environment, soil and water pollution. Whereas biological control of diseases is long lasting, inexpensive, eco-friendly and harmless to target organisms. In this context, it is aimed to evaluate five Trichoderma strains viz. Trichoderma virens IMI-392430, T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431, T. harzianum IMI-392432, T. harzianum IMI-392433 and T. harzianum IMI-392434 as bio-control efficacy against A. alternata and growth promoting effect in Ashwagandha. All the Trichoderma strains had varied antagonistic effects against the pathogen. In dual culture technique, the strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 showed maximum percentage inhibition of mycelial growth (54.89%) followed by T. harzianum IMI-392432 (53.83%), T. harzianum IMI-392434 (48.94%) and T. virens IMI-392430, (43.62%) against the pathogen, while the least inhibition percentage was observed with the T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 (36.60%). The culture filtrate of the Trichoderma strain, T. harzianum IMI-392433 recorded highest inhibition on the mycelial growth (39.05%) and spore germination (80.77%) of pathogen and the lowest was recorded in T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 (20.45 and 50%). Moreover, seeds treated with spore suspension of the strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 reduced the percentages of disease severity index significantly. The strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 also significantly increased seed germination %, seedling vigor and growth of Ashwagandha. The correlation matrix showed that root yield per plant of Ashwagandha had significant and positive correlation with plant height (r=0.726^⁎⁎), number of leaf (r=0.514^⁎⁎), number of primary branch (r=0.820^⁎⁎), number of secondary branch (r=0.829^⁎⁎), fresh plant weight (r=0.887^⁎⁎), plant dry weight (r=0.613^⁎⁎), root length (r=0.824^⁎⁎), root diameter (r=0.786^⁎⁎), root dry weight (r=0.739^⁎⁎) and fresh root weight (r=0.731^⁎⁎). The significant and negative correlation (r=-0.336^⁎⁎) was observed with the root yield and percentages of disease severity index. The study recognized that the T. harzianum IMI-392433 strain performed well in inhibiting the mycelial growth and reduced the percentages of disease severity index of pathogen as well as increased the plant growth in Ashwagandha.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2009

Heavy metal pollution may be one of the most serious challenges confront crop production and human health. Therefore, the selection of heavy metal tolerance cultivars which adapted to the contaminated fields will introduced a suitable solution for management this critical environmental risk. The objectives of this research is to assess human health risk using geochemical analyses and exposure assessment of heavy metals in rice cultivars. Risk for inhabitants in the closed mine area was comparatively assessed for As, Cd, Cu and Pb in 10 rice varieties as a major exposure pathway. The average daily dose (ADD) of each heavy metal was estimated by analyzing the exposure pathways to rice and soil. For the non-carcinogenic risk characterization, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated using toxicity indices provided by US-EPA IRIS. The different rice varieties revealed a wide range of HI values from 23.6 to 34.3, indicating that all rice varieties have a high potential toxic risk. The DA rice variety showed the lowest HI value while the TB rice variety the highest. The probabilities of cancer risk for As via rice consumption were varied with rice varieties ranging from 2.0E-03 to 3.5E-03 which exceeded the regulatory acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 set by US-EPA. The DA rice variety also showed the lowest value while the TB rice variety gave the highest value. Our results indicate that risk assessment can be contribute to screen the pollution safe rice cultivars in paddy fields affected by the mining activity.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.141-151
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• 2000

Over-grown seaweeds in Donghae(east sea of Korea peninsula) may impedes ocean environment, however, they can be a good nutrient resources for poultry feeds if they are utilized properly. In this study, seaweeds powder were tested for laying hens\` ration to investigate the effects on egg production rate, egg quality and calcium phosphorus excretion. One hundred 65wks-old brown layers were fed for 5 weeks alotted with seaweeds powder addition to experimental diet by 0(control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%, respectively, and obtained following results; 1. Seaweeds proved a mid-protein low-energy feed resources with planty of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Sr and Fe. 2. Seaweeds addition by 0.5% and 1.0% improved egg production rate and egg-mass output markedly(p<0.05) than control. Seaweeds addition did not alter cholesterol level of yolk and yolk index, however egg shell thickness showed increasing trend by increasing seaweeds addition level. 3. Protein absorption and digestibility in seaweed addition treatments were significantly higher(p<0.05) than control group and protein contents of excreta in 0.5% and 1.0% treatments were reduced(p<0.05), which suggests effective protein metabolism for egg production. Increasing seaweeds addition reduces Ca and P contents in rectum and excreta, suggesting Ca and P utilization improvement in laying hens and lessening soil pollution. 4. In conclusion, seaweeds addition in layers' diet by 1.0% level improves egg-mass production and might be egg quality by increasing metabolism of protein, calcium and phosphorus.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Ground-level ozone ($O_3$) can be a menace for vegetation, especially in Asia where $O_3$ levels have been dramatically increased over the past decades. To ensure food security and maintain forest ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and functional diversity of soil biota, in the over-populated Asia, environmental standards are needed. To set proper standards, dose-response relationships should be established from which critical levels are derived. The predictor of the response in the dose-response relationship is an $O_3$ metric that indicates the dose level to which the plant has been exposed. This study aimed to review the relevant scientific literature and summarize the $O_3$ metrics used worldwide to provide insights for Asia. A variety of $O_3$ metrics have been used, for which we discuss their strengths and weaknesses. The most widely used metrics are based only on $O_3$ levels. Such metrics have been adopted by several regulatory agencies in the global. However, they are biologically irrelevant because they ignore the plant physiological capacity. Adopting AOT40 ($O_3$ mixing ratios Accumulated Over the Threshold of $40nmol\;mol^{-1}$) as the default index for setting critical levels in Asia would be a poor policy with severe consequences at national and Pan-Asian level. Asian studies should focus on flux-based $O_3$ metrics to provide relevant bases for developing proper standards. However, given the technical requirements in calculating flux-based $O_3$ metrics, which can be an important limitation in developing countries, no-threshold cumulative exposure indices like AOT0 should always accompany flux-based indices.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: During the winter, the use of deicers was rapidly increased for reduction of traffic accidents as well as injuries in Korea, whose components are largely comprised of calcium chloride and sodium chloride. Recently, to reduce the adverse effects of chloride-deciers such as pollution of water and soil, and decrease of agricultural productivity, the attention of eco-friendly deciers have been increased. This study aimed to investigate biological effects of magnesium chloride deicer (PC-10) and organic acid deicer (EFD-1) against wheat, barley, and spinach. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the effect of two deciers, PC-10 and EFD-1 on the seed germination and growth of wheat, barley and spinach. EFD-1 showed higher suppression of the germination than PC-10 among tested crop seeds. In demage index of the seedlings of the crops, there was no symptoms in spinach such as spotting and color change of leaves. EFD-1 showed much stronger inhibitory effect on the germination of tested crop seeds than PC-10 when crops were exposed continuously to tested deciers in soils. The growth and shoot and root in examined crops was relatively higher in PC-10 treatment than in EFD-1 treatment when compared to the control. The biomass decrease was found in all examined conditions of deciers. PC-10 showed 23-35% reduction of biomass whereas EFD-1 exhibited 39-84% loss in all examined crops at over 2% concentration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the effects of deicers used in this study by inputting into soil against growing tested crops cause the reduction of germination of seeds, growth, and biomass compared to the control.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.644-658
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• 2021

Understanding the functional traits of dominant species in urban ecosystems provides insight into species' trait adaptation and ecosystem function in response to fragmented and isolated urban vegetation and reduced biological interactions. This study compared means and variances of environmental factors (geographic, meteorological, and soil attributes) and 4 leaf traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry mass content, and leaf shape index) and 7 reproductive traits (fruit width, fruit length, fruit shape, fruit dry weight, fruit dry matter content, seed weight, and seed ratio) measured of 40 Sorbus alnifolia individuals in four mountainous areas south of Seoul downtown, South Korea. We then performed the multivariate analysis of trait combinations. While the measured environmental factors indicated the individuality of the survey sites, the urban vegetation was drier and had a longer growth period. The leaves of S. alnifolia in the urban areas were smaller and heavier, and the fruits produced longer and lighter seeds, showing the traits affected by long urbanization. The study confirmed changes in the growth and reproduction mechanism of the S. alnifolia population under the urban environment, indicating reduced biological interaction due to vegetation fragmentation and isolation. This study provides limited but distinct ecological information about the function and persistence of key species in cities with a reduced scale of biological interactions and many negative environmental factors such as air pollution.