In this study, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on PM2.5 mass and its five chemical components (NH4 +, NO3 -, SO4 2-, OC, EC) in Busan was evaluated, and compared with that of Seoul. The study period over the recent three years was sub-divided into two periods: Pre-COVID (2018~2019) and COVID (2020) periods, and the differences in observed annual and monthly variations between the two periods were explored here. The results indicated that annual mean PM2.5 mass concentrations decreased during the COVID period by 16% in Seoul and 29% in Busan, and the satellite-observed annual average of aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the Korean Peninsula also decreased by approximately more than 10% compared with that of the Pre-COVID period. All of the five chemical components decreased but no particular changes were found in their fractions occupied during the COVID period. However, over the Lock-down period (2020-March), the sulfate fraction decreased in Seoul, mostly reflecting the recent Chinese trends of aerosol characteristics, whereas the nitrate fraction considerably decreased in Busan, which was attributable to the local emission changes and their variabilities in Busan. Other meteorological characteristics such as higher frequencies of easterly winds in the Busan area during the COVID period were also discussed in comparison with those in the Seoul area.
This study investigated the antioxidant effect of Hermetia illucens larvae using different extraction temperatures and solvents. We found significant differences in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), an in three antioxidant indexes 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 1,1’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) contents, among the samples depending on the extraction temperature and solvent used. The sample extracted with water at 45℃ (HIW-45℃) showed the highest TPC, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP contents, while the sample extracted with water at 90℃ (HIW-90℃) showed the highest TFC. These differences can be due to the different chemical structures of the extracted components. Based on these results, HIW-45℃ was the optimal extraction method for Hermetia illucens. We intend to further investigate the availability of functional materials for Hermetia illucens using this method.
The objective of this study was to develop a management strategy for the recovery of carbon storage capacity of abandoned coal mine forest rehabilitation area. For the purpose, the biomass and stand carbon storage over time after the forest rehabilitation by tree type for Betula platyphylla, Pinus densiflora, and Alnus hirsuta trees which are major tree species widely planted for the forest rehabilitation in the abandoned coal mine were calculated, and compared them with general forest. The carbon storage in abandoned coal mine forest rehabilitation areas was lower than that in general forests, and based on tree species, Pinus densiflora stored 48.9%, Alnus hirsuta 41.1%, and Betula platyphylla 27.0%. This low carbon storage is thought to be caused by poor growth because soil chemical properties, such as low TOC and total nitrogen content, in the soil of abandoned coal mine forest rehabilitation areas, were adverse to vegetation growth compared to those in general forests. DBH, stand biomass, and stand carbon storage tended to increase after forest rehabilitation over time, whereas stand density decreased. Stand' biomass and carbon storage increased as DBH and stand density increased, but there was a negative correlation between stand density and DBH. Therefore, after forest rehabilitation, growth status should be monitored, an appropriate growth space for trees should be maintained by thinning and pruning, and the soil chemical properties such as fertilization must be managed. It is expected that the carbon storage capacity the forest rehabilitation area could be restored to a level similar to that of general forests.
This study was conducted to investigate the distribution characteristics, source identification, and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in particulate matter 10 (PM-10), in Gwangju. PM-10 samples were collected from September 2021 to August 2022 from three sampling sites, one located in each of the following areas: green, residential, and industrial. The average concentrations of PAHs were found to be higher in the industrial area (9.75±6.51 ng/㎥) than in the green (6.90±2.41 ng/㎥) and residential (6.74±2.38 ng/㎥) areas. Throughout the year and across all sites, five-ring PAHs accounted for the largest proportion (29.8–34.5%) of all PAHs. The concentrations of PAHs showed distinct seasonal variations, with the highest concentration observed in winter, followed by autumn, spring, and summer. Source apportionment analyses were performed using diagnostic ratios and principal component analyses, which indicated that coal/biomass combustion and vehicle emissions were the primary sources of PAHs in PM-10. The incremental lifetime cancer risk was estimated for all age groups at all sampling sites, and the results revealed a much lower risk level than the standard acceptable risk level (1×10-6).
Today, environmental pollution has been found to be one of the causes of various diseases, including brain and nervous system diseases. In particular, neurodegenerative diseases have been found to be caused by hyperactivation of immune system cells such as microglia. Preventive and therapeutic measures are needed to suppress them. Hirudo is known as a traditional herbal medicine, based on its multiple biological activities such as anti-eczema and anti-coagulation. In the present study, the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of hirudo extract was investigated in lipopolysccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells and in mice. Hirudo extract significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine (IL-1Ra, KC, MCP-5, and RANTES) expression in a dose-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with hirudo extract suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Moreover, hirudo extract reduced LPS-stimulated microglial acitivation and improved memory impairments. The results demonstrated that hirudo extract exerts anti-neuroinflammation activities, partly through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that hirudo extract might have therapeutic potential with respect to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
In this study, we analyzed seasonal variations in carbon dioxide fluxes, concentrations, and soil temperatures over three years in unvegetated tidal flats in the Beolgyo area. We also investigated the correlations between carbon dioxide fluxes and influencing factors. The average carbon dioxide flux was positive in summer and autumn but negative in winter and spring. A positive correlation was observed between carbon dioxide flux and soil temperature in spring whereas a negative correlation was noted in summer. In summer and autumn, as the soil temperature increased, the carbon dioxide flux decreased. In contrast, in spring and winter, as the soil temperature decreased, the carbon dioxide flux increased. Overall, this study reveals the significant influence of soil temperatures on carbon dioxide fluxes between the surface layer of the tidal flat and atmosphere.
Seventy Pipistrellus abramus samples were caught to analyze their sexual dimorphism and mophological characteristics. The mean HB and FA were 50.86 mm and 34.93 mm, respectively, based on external measurements and skull shape. The length of the TL, Hfcu, and Tra were approximately 70%, 55.6%, and 38% of the HB, Tib, and E, respectively. Both the lambdoid crest and the sagittal crest were well developed and the H.BC was approximately 84% of the W.BC. P2 was inside the toothrow and metacone of canine was clearly visible. According to the analysis of sexual dimorphism, the following characteristics were different in between males and females: WS, C-M3, C-C, M3-M3, LOM, LUC, and i-m3. The WS, C-M3, C-C, M3-M3, LOM, and i-m3 were bigger in females than males, whereas the LUC was bigger in males.