• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.65-76
• /
• 2019

Despite the expansion of sewage treatment facilities to reduce pollutants in the tributaries of the Han River, water pollution accidents such as fish deaths continue to frequently occur. The purpose of this study was to identify the pollutant sources using water quality and stable isotope ratio (${\delta}^{15}N$, ${\delta}^{13}C$, ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$, ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$) analysis results in the three inflow tributaries (Gulpocheon (GP), Anyangcheon (AY) and Sincheon (SC)) of the Han River. Water quality was analyzed in June and October from 2013 to 2017, and the results showed that the concentrations of nutrients, such as T-N, $NO_3-N$, and T-P, were increased at GP4, AY3, SC3, and SC4, which lie downstream of sewage treatment facilities. The results of ${\delta}^{15}N$ for June 2017 indicated that the source of nitrogen was sewage or livestock excreta at GP4 and SC4, and organic fertilizers at AY3 and SC3. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ results suggested that the source of nitrogen was related to organic sewage, livestock or manure at GP4, AY3 and SC4. Therefore, GP4 and SC4 were more influenced by effluent from sewage treatment facilities than by their tributaries, AY3 and SC3 were considered to be influenced more by their tributary than effluent from sewage treatment facilities. With the results of this study, the source of contamination (sewage treatment facility effluent) of river inflow downstream of Han River could be confirmed using water quality and stable isotope ratio.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.349-357
• /
• 2017

Korean mariculture Undaria pinnatifida was collected during the months of January, February, March, and December of 2010, as well as from January of 2011 to investigate the changes in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$) and heavy metal with respect to it growth and to identify the factors that influence such changes. The blades of U. pinnatifida showed ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ in the range (mean) of -13.11 to -19.42‰ (-16.93‰) and 2.99 to 7.57‰ (4.71‰), respectively. Among samples with the same grow-out period, those that weighed more tended to have higher ${\delta}^{13}C$ suggesting a close association between the carbon isotope ratio and growth rate of U. pinnatifida. Indeed, we found a very high positive linear correlation between the monthly average ${\delta}^{13}C$ and the absolute growth rate in weight ($r^2=0.89$). Nitrogen isotope ratio tended to be relatively lower when nitrogen content in the blade was higher, probably due to the strengthening of isotope fractionation stemming from plenty of nitrogen in the surrounding environment. In fact, a negative linear correlation was observed with the nitrate concentration in the nearby seawaters ($r^2=0.83$). Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, and Fe in the blades showed a rapid decrease in their concentration per unit weight in the more mature U. pinnatifida. Specifically, compared to adult samples, Cu, Hg, and Pb were concentrated by 30, 55, and 73 folds, respectively, in the young blades. Therefore, U. pinnatifida tissue ${\delta}^{13}C$ is as an indirect indicator of its growth rate, while ${\delta}^{15}N$ values and heavy metal concentrations serve as tracers that reflect the environmental characteristics.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.293-297
• /
• 2009

The abuse of methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most serious drug abuses in Asia. And, the prevention of precursor production for abuse drug is one of the most effective drug control system. Isotope ratio analysis at natural abundance levels have been used to establish the environmental source or the geographic origin of various biological and nonbiological materials. Ephedrine, the precursor of MA, is produced by one of three methods; extraction from Ephedra plants, full chemical synthesis or via a semi-synthetic process involving the fermentation of sugar, followed by amination. We investigated the origin of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine based on the carbon and nitrogen values for nineteen pharmaceutical powder materials (PPMs) obtained from pharmaceutical company in Korea by stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry coupled to an elemental analyser (EA-IRMS). The carbon delta values for the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were -24.21~-22.72 (mean=-23.72) $^{\cir}/_{\circ\circ}$ and -23.79~-22.71 (mean=-23.48) $^{\cir}/_{\circ\circ}$. The nitrogen delta values were 3.51~5.55 (4.43) $^{\cir}/_{\circ\circ}$ and 2.24~8.22 (5.42) $^{\cir}/_{\circ\circ}$. These results indicate that PPMs are semi-synthetic products. Therefore the origins of ephedrine(natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic) could be discriminated by using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. we are sure tat this stable isotope ratio analysis can discriminate the origins of precursors of methamphetamine.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.452-458
• /
• 2017

The nitrogen isotope value in both ammonium and nitrate ion were determined at 9 stations during both June and August 2016, in order to understand the origin of DIN at the Han river. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values in 8 stations (CP, SB, MHC, P4, SJ, SBC, P2, SC) were no significant variation. However ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values in KK (Kyeongan stream) showed significant different in comparison with 8 stations, with an apparent increase of nitrogen isotope values. These results indicate that antropogenic nitrogen source influence on KK station. Also the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ isotope ratio of phytoplankton (Diatom and Cyanobacteria) in KK (Kyeongan stream) showed heavier values, compared to other study stations. These results indicate that nitrogen isotope value in phytoplankton effects by different nitrogen source in study sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the identification of dissolved inorganic nitrogen origin in aquatic environments.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.357-362
• /
• 2000

Stable isotope ratios of oxygen and hydrogen were investigated in southern Yellow Sea in August 1997. Salinity showed good positive correlation with ${\delta}^{18}$O and ${\delta}$. The correlation between ${\delta}^{18}$O and ${\delta}$D is good. From the relationship between these parameters, we obtained two lines of conclusion: 1) seawater of study area I in summer is a mixture of Changjiang Water and modified Kuroshio Water; 2) stable isotopes are very useful tracers in studying property and behavior of water masses in the study area. In case when water masses can not be easily distinguished by T-S analysis, the stable isotopes seem to be powerful tools for this purpose.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.223-227
• /
• 2008

This experiment was conducted to describe the distribution of stable isotope Cd in the mine tailing and uncultivated soils derived from different parent rocks (Igneous rock, Metamorphic rock, and Sedimentary rock) as well as the movement of Cd isotopes from soil to plants, soybean and pepper. The results showed that there was no significant difference in isotopic ratios in soil among the eight kinds of stable isotope of Cd. However the relationship among isotopic ratios of stable isotope of Cd in soils were classified to four types, linear type between $Cd^{106}/Cd^{111}$ and $Cd^{108}/Cd^{111}$, quadratic type between $Cd^{114}/Cd^{108}$ and $Cd^{111}/Cd^{110}$, reverse quadratic type between $Cd^{110}/Cd^{116}$ and $Cd^{108}/Cd^{116}$, and cluster type between $Cd^{110}/Cd^{113}$ and $Cd^{116}/Cd^{113}$. While the individual stable isotopes of Cd in root were remained except on the plot of pepper without mine tailing application. $Cd^{116}$, $Cd^{114}$, and $Cd^{112}$ played active roles among other stable isotopic Cds in bean and red pepper, and $Cd^{116}$ was ranked the highest abundance ratio. Contrary to crop itself, the abundance ratios of $Cd^{116}$ in bean and read pepper roots were decreased, and the ones of other Cds were relatively increased.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.495-508
• /
• 2013

Recently, stable isotopes (${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$) of water are increasingly analyzed using laser-based technologies. These methods have advantages over Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) in that they can be used for in-situ measurements and require much less maintenance and preparation work. Two types of laser-based methods are currently available, which have different analytical principles; OA-ICOS (off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy) and WS-CRDS (wavelength-scanned cavity ring-down spectroscopy). In the WS-CRDS instrument, water is vaporized at controlled environment and transferred to an optical cavity by nitrogen carrier gas, and stable isotopic compositions of water vapor are measured using the degree of absorbance of specific wavelengths and the ratios of attenuation time of the laser intensity with the sensitivity of ppb to tens of ppt level. In this study, we introduce the principle of the WS-CRDS technology and the performance results including stability and comparisons with Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and suggest possible applications of various topics in isotope hydrology.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.242-251
• /
• 2012

To investigate foodweb of aquatic ecosystem in the Tamjin River, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes ratios of aquatic organisms, as well as environmental indicators based on the water, were determined in this study. Various organisms such as fishes (Coreoperca kawamebari, Zacco platypus, Cobitis lutheri, and Pungtungia herzi) and periphyton (epilithon and epiphyte), and particulate- and coarse particulate organic matters (POM and CPOM) were collected in upper (Tamjin River, Yuchi Stream, and Omcheon Stream) and lower (TJ-1~TJ-5) reaches of Jangheung Dam. The nitrate concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ signature of POM and organisms (invertebrates and fish) were found to be more enriched toward the downstream section of the river. It was determined that allochthonous matter occurring from a tributary alters the chemical character of water, as well as the isotopic signature of organisms contained therein. Attached algae (ephilithon) were identified as a base component of the benthic foodchain further downstream.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.247-256
• /
• 2012

Stable carbon isotope ratio of oil components are known to be unaffected by weathering processes and thus has been widely used to determine the origin of spilled oil. In this study, molecular index and composition of stable carbon isotope in 15 crude oils and petroleum product were analyzed and used as oil fingerprints to determine the discriminating power of each fingerprinting method among target crude oils. Through the fingerprints of alkane distribution only Bintulu and B-C(1%) were distinguishable from other crude oils. The pristane/phytane ratio can classify the crude oils into three groups but differentiation of crude oils within a group was impossible using the ratio. The crude oils of A.L., A.S.L., Foroozan and B-C(1%) were differentiated from the other oils using PAH source recognition indexes of C2D/C2P and C3D/C3P. The usage of 4-mD/1-mD and 2/3-mD/1-mD ratio was able to distinguish A.S.L., Bintulu and Oman from the other crude oils. However the PAH source recognition ratios in the other crude oils were similar and thus they were impractical to be used for source identification among the target crude oils. Stable carbon isotope ratios of alkanes were able to uniquely specify each crude oil in the plot of ${\delta}^{13}C_{C21}$ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{C25}$ except A.L., A.M., Qatar-Marine, B-C(1%). The oil fingerprinting method using stable carbon isotope ratios of individual alkane compounds showed more discriminating power among the target crude oils than the conventional source recognition indexes of PAHs or alkanes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.266-272
• /
• 2007

A rapid analytical method was developed to quantify very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs, C22:0, C24:0, C26:0) in human plasma with good sensitivity and specificity using tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) derivatization and stable isotope GC-MS selective ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM). Two-hundred and fifty ${\mu}L$ of plasma was fortified with deuterated stable isotope internal standards (d3-C22:0, d3-C24:0, d3-C26:0) and standard mixtures of chloroform and methanol, and then extracted with hexane and acetonitrile. To upper layer of liquid-liquid-extraction, N-(t-Butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide was added and then heated to $60^{\circ}C$ for 30 min to produce the TBDMS derivatives. Derivatives of VLCFAs were analyzed by GC-MS/SIM. Calibration curves showed a linear relationship for the target compounds in the concentration range of $10^{-4}{\sim}2{\times}10^3\;{\mu}g/mL$ with the correlation coefficient ranging from 0.996 to 0.999. The limit of quantification for the plasma was $10^{-4}{\sim}2{\times}10^{-4}\;{\mu}g/mL$ (S/N=3). When applied to the plasma specimens of patients with peroxisomal disorder, X-linked adrenoleucodystropy (ALD, Mckusick 202370), the method clearly differentiated normal subjects from ALD patients. The C24:0/C22:0 and C26:0/C22:0 ratios were significantly elevated in the plasma of patients with X-linked ALD compared to normal subjects. The new developed method might be useful for a rapid and sensitive diagnosis of X-linked ALD and other peroxisomal disorders.