Various radionuclides are released and contaminate soils by the nuclear accidents, nuclear tests and disposal of radioactive waste. Among radionuclides, 137Cs is a harmful radioactive element that emits high-energy β particles and γ rays with a half-life of 30.2 years. 137Cs is difficult to extract because it is fixed to soil particles. For the volume reduction technology development of contaminated soil, this study tried to evaluate the irreversible Cs adsorption capacity of granite-originated soil. The soil sample used in the study was collected from C horizon of the soil developed in Mesozoic mica granite. The soil texture, mineralogy, organic content, pH, EC, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water-soluble cation and anion content of the soil samples were determined. A kinetic adsorption experiment and an isotherm adsorption experiment were performed to understand the overall Cs adsorption characteristics using 133Cs. The desorption of Cs by 0.1 mM KCl was also tested for the sample spiked with 133Cs and 137Cs. The soil sample showed a pH of 6.73, EC of 24.50 μS cm-1, and CEC of 1.34 cmolc kg-1, organic matter of 0.53% and sandy loam in texture. Quartz, feldspar and mica were identified as the major mineral components of bulk sample. The clay fraction consists of mica, hydroxyl-interlayer vermiculite (HIV), vermiculite and kaolinite. In the kinetic adsorption experiment, the Cs adsorption showed fast adsorption rates at the initial stage (6 hours) regardless of the 133Cs concentration, and the adsorption equilibrium state was reached after 48 hours. It was the most suitable for the pseudo second-order model. The 133Cs adsorption increased nonlinearly from low to high concentration, which was well match with the dual site Langmuir model. As a result of the desorption experiment, desorption was not performed up to 1.1 mg kg-1 in the presence of competitive ions K+, which is about 0.035% of CEC calculated by the isotherm model. The adsorption of Cs was controlled by frayed edge sites (FES) at a low concentrations and by basal sites or interlayer sites at a high concentration. Irreversible Cs fixation of by FES may be contributed by mainly weathered mica, and when these minerals are separated from the granite origin soil, the possibility of reducing the contamination concentration and volume of radioactive soil waste can be expected.

Megabenthos samples were collected using 10-min trawls towed at 17 stations from 2015 to 2016. The dominant species (>1% of the total density) were Stegophiura sterea (10.4%) and two subtropical species, Mactrinula dolabrata (9.0%) and Acila divaricate (8.3%), respectively. The community structure of the megabenthos fell into four groups: the southeast, the southernmost region off Jeju Island, the frontal zone of the South Sea with C3, and a diagonal area from the south coast to the western side of Jeju Island. The total numbers of species, diversity, density and biomass were higher in the C3 region of the South Sea. Environmental factor analysis showed that differences in the megabenthos community were related to depth, gravel contents, and sorting value (σ). These results indicate that changes in the marine environmental conditions in the South Sea of Korea affect the megabenthos species’ composition and diversity.

다이옥신은 내분비계장애물질(Endocrine disruptor chemicals, EDCs)로 발암성과 성호르몬의 변화, 갑상선 기능 저하 등의 영향들이 보고된 물질이며, PCB 함유제품의 소각, 운송수단의 배기 가스등을 통해 대기로 배출되며 하·폐수 처리장의 처리수 및 제지 공장의 배출수 등의 하천 오염을 통해 해양 오염의 원인이 된다. 본 연구에서는 3차원 생태계 모델(EMT-3D)을 사용하여 울 산만의 Dioxins을 대상으로 민감도 분석 및 오염부하에 대한 해역의 응답성 분석을 수행하여 영향인자를 판별하고 대안에 따른 영향을 평가하였다. 대상해역에서 실측한 용존 Dioxins의 농도와 계산된 용존 Dioxins의 농도를 비교하여 상관계수와 결정계수 값을 고려한 결과 계산치가 비교적 잘 재현된 것으로 사료된다. 용존 Dioxins의 경우, 하천으로부터의 유입부하가 집중된 울산 인근해역에서 가장 높은 농도를 나타내었으며, 만 바깥쪽으로 갈수록 낮아졌다. 입자성 유기물질 내와 식물플랑크톤 체내의 Dioxins의 경우에서도 용 존 Dioxins와 유사한 경향을 나타내었다. 퇴적물 중의 Dioxins 농도는 울산만 동부해역에서보다 울산 인근 해역과 만 중앙부에서 더 높은 농도를 나타내었다. 계수의 민감도 분석을 위해 모델 보정에 적용된 계수값에 대하여 각 계수값의 2배 및 1/2배에 해당하는 값을 증감시켰을 때 나 타나는 상태변수 결과값의 변동량을 산정하였다. 수층의 용존 Dioxins의 경우 입자성 유기탄소에 대한 분배계수의 증감에 따른 농도변화가 가장 크게 나타났으며, 유기입자 내 Dioxins의 경우는 입자성 유기탄소에 대한 분배계수의 증감에 따른 농도변화가 가장 영향이 큰 계수로 나타났다. 식물플랑크톤 체내의 Dioxins의 경우는 식물플랑크톤의 생물농축계수의 증감에 따른 농도변화 가 가장 큰 것으로 나타났으므로, 추후의 Dioxins에 대한 모델 적용 시에는 목적하는 상태변수에 따라 이들 계수에 대한 정밀한 고찰이 필요할 것으로 사료된다. 유입부하의 변화가 대상해역의 용존 Dioxins 및 입자성 유기물질 내 Dioxins에 미치는 영향을 시뮬레이션하기 위하여 하천 및 대기로 부터 유입되는 오염부하의 저감율을 30%, 50%, 80%로 각각 적용하는 시나리오를 구성하였으며, 퇴적물에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 용존 Dioxins은 해역으로의 유입부하를 30% 저감하였을 경우 울산만 중앙부에서의 농도가 감소하는 것으로 나타났 으며 입자성 유기물질 내 Dioxins의 변동은 상대적으로 미미한 것으로 나타났다. 해역으로의 유입부하 50% 저감시의 경우 농도가 감소하는 영역이 확장되어 나타났으며, 해역으로의 유입부하를 80% 저감하였을 경우 대부분의 지역에서 큰 폭의 농도 감소를 나 타내었다. 퇴적물 준설 후 현재 유입부하를 적용할 경우 현재의 퇴적물 농도 수준까지 도달하는 시간을 개략적으로 산정하였다.

Background : This study was carried out to select the medicinal crop having the superior antimicrobial activity against 5 microorganisms among 20 medicinal crops. Methods and Results : Dried plants were extracted by methanol. The extracts of each plant were evaporated under vacuum. The extracts were absorbed into 50㎕ of each extracts on paper disk and diameter of clear zone was confirmed around the colony. The results showed that diameter of the clear zone against Escherichia coli was the widest in Rhus javanica(R. javanica, 16mm), followed by Evening primrose(14.5mm), Chinaberry(13mm) and Giant knotweed(11mm). Also, diameter of the clear zone against Vibrio parahaemolyticu was the widest in R. javanica(26mm), followed by Evening primrose(21mm), chrysanthemum flower(19mm), Chinese pepper(16.5mm), Chidii rhizoma(11.5mm), Curly dock(11.5mm), Comfrey(11mm), Black nightshade(11mm) and Mustard(10mm). Likewise, diameter of the clear zone aginast Proteus mirabilis was the widest in R. javanica(11.5mm), followed by Chinaberry(11mm). Specially, diameter of the clear zone against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus was identified only in R. javanica(12mm and 11mm, respectively). Therefore, R. javanica showed the best excellent antimicrobial activity among 20 medicinal crops. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of R. javanica were 2,725mg/100g and 30.2mg/100g respectively. DPPH and ABTS activity of R. javanica were 92.6% and 98.4%, respectively. Conclusion : These results suggest that R. javanica can be utilized as natural food additives and antioxidant materials because of its powerful antimicrobial action and the high antioxidant activity.

In monsoon climates, persistent shade is a troublesome weather condition with an impact on the growth and yield of corn (Zea mays L.). We imposed 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of consecutive shade (CS) on Gwangpyeongok and P3394 corn hybrids at the beginning of the kernel filling stages. Shade had little impact on leaf area and dry matter accumulation in the stem and leaves. However, dry matter accumulation in the ear was severely reduced by approximately 28% and 53% after 14 and 28 days of CS, respectively. For the components of grain yield, 7 and 14 days of shade did irreparable damage to the number of filled kernels, the kernel number per ear row, and the percent of filled kernels, but did little damage or reversible damage after removal of the shade to the 100-grain weight and the row number per ear. Shade significantly reduced the relative growth rate (RGR) due to a decrease in the net assimilation rate (NAR). These results suggest that source activity limitation by shade during the kernel filling stages leads to the inhibition of sink activity and size. The yield of biomass, ear, and grain logistically declined as the length of CS increased. Probit analysis revealed that the number of days of CS needed to cause 25% and 50% reductions in grain yield were 3.7 and 23.1, respectively. These results suggest that the plant yield loss induced by shade at the beginning of the kernel filling stages is mainly achieved within the first 7 days of consecutive shade.

Background : This study was conducted to determine the effects of mulching, an environmentally friendly organic cultivation method, on antioxidant compounds and growth in Codonopsis lanceolata. Methods and Results : C. lanceolata was treated by mulching with a non-woven fabric, biodegradable film, or rice husks, as well as hand weeding, and non-treatment. The growth and levels of weed control in C. lanceolata were better in plants cultivated under mulching treatments (non-woven fabric, biodegradable film, and rice husks) than under non-mulching treatments (hand weeding, non-treatment). The contents of antioxidant compounds, such as total flavonoids, phenolics, and anthocyanin, were highest under biodegradable film treatment, followed by non-woven fabric treatment, rice husks treatment, hand weeding, and non-treatment. DPPH and ABTS activity were able to identify to have differences their activity in comparison to antioxidant compounds content by solvent fractions. Mulching treatments produced a higher activity in water and ethyl ether fractions for DPPH scavenging activity and in n-butanol fractions for ABTS scavenging activity compared to other fractions, although total activity of DPPH and ABTS were not increased with mulching treatments. Conclusion : Mulching C. lanceolata with biodegradable film and non-woven fabric is an effective method for improving plant growth and inhibiting the occurrence of weeds as well as increasing antioxidant compound content and changing of antioxidant activity.

Background : This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities and the contents of antioxidant compounds in extracts derived from 24 medicinal crops. Methods and Results : Dried plant materials were extracted by methanol. The extracts of each plant were evaporated under vacuum and stored in deep freeze at -20℃ until use. The levels of total phenolic compounds were much higher in Evening primrose, Houttuynia cordata, Chinaberry, Sumac, Gaeddongssuk, Giant knotweed and Dendropanax morbifera compared with other crops. On the other hand, the total phenolic compound levels in Safflower, Fleeceflower root, Gingko, Black nightshade, Saposhinikovia root, and Maize woody pith were relatively low. The total flavonoid contents were highest in Houttuynia cordata, followed byDendropanax morbifera, Gaeddongssuk, Aralia cordata and Evening primrose. DPPH activity was significantly higher in Gaeddongssuk, Sumac, Chinaberry, Dendropanax morbifera and Evening primrose, and ABTS activity was significantly higer in Sumac, Chinaberry, Evening primrose, Giant knotweed, Gaeddongssuk and Dendropanax morbifera than other plants. The antioxidant activities dertermined in all assays positively correlated with the total phenolic compoubds (0.619≤ r ≤0.895) and flavonoid contents (0.488≤ r ≤0.619) as well as among themselves (r=0.900). Conclusion : These results suggest that Evening primrose, Gaedongssuk, Sumac, Dendropanax morbifera, and Giant knotweed can be utilized as food additives and natural antioxidants due to their strong antioxidant activity.

Understanding the response of a crop to water deficiency is the first step towards breeding drought-tolerant varieties. In this study, inbred maize (Zea mays L.) lines KS140 and KS141 were subjected to drought stress by withholding water for 10 days at the V5 or V6 leaf stage. Water-deficient plants experienced a decrease in relative leaf water content, stomatal conductance, net CO2 assimilation rate, and water use efficiency compared to well-watered plants. This was accompanied by a decrease in the relative leaf water content that resulted in severe growth retardation in KS140 and KS141. However, leaf chlorophyll content in KS140 was unchanged. To understand the proteome dynamics during the 10-day drought stress in maize leaves, comparative proteome analysis was carried out between the well-watered and water-withheld leaves. Differential expression was observed for 29 protein spots from KS140 and 14 protein spots from KS141, and these were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Among identified proteins, metabolism and stress related proteins were highly were increased by drought stress. This study provides a protein profile of a Korean maize inbred line during drought stress, which will be valuable for future studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying drought resistance and for development of selective breeding markers for drought tolerance in maize.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the persistence of HCH in atmosphere, soil, sediment and waterof the western and southern regions of Korea. The samples from the western region were collected from Anmyeon Island, and the samples from the southern region were collected from Kimhae and Busan. The concentration of HCH isomers in atmosphere showed the pattern of α-HCH>γ-HCH>ß-HCH. The regions with high HCH concentration in the atmosphere are the regions that have been highly exposed to HCH used in the past, and the areas that have been influenced by the long range transport. The HCH that persists in the soil, water and sediment evaporates into the atmosphere, showing the characteristics of Air-Surface exchange. When the regional concentration distributions arecompared, the concentration of HCH was higher in the atmosphere of a plain and the cities near the plain, than the urban areas. In this study, the ratio of α/γ-HCH was used as an indicator for estimating the source of Technical HCH and Lindane. According to the result, the contribution of Lindane was high in Kimhae plain and Kimhae urban areas. However, in Busan, the contribution of Technical HCH was higher than Lindane. In case of Anmyeon Island, the western region of Korea had high contribution from Tehcnical HCH. In soil and sediment, ß-HCH was dominant. In water, γ-HCH was dominant among other isomers. Such results are due to γ-HCH inLindane. Furthermore, the source of γ-HCH in urban areas is assumed to be the use of medicine, medical supplies and other living supplies. Based on the results of this study, the management of HCH, a newly list up emerging POPs, should be strengthened by further research on sources, fate, persistency, accumulation and exposures and etc. to the risk assessments.

Riptortus clavatus, one of the many insects in major crops, damages pods and seeds, which reduces seed vigor and viability in soybeans. This study was conducted to examine the effect of diversely damaged seeds by R. clavatus on seed germination and seedling emergence and to determine the association of damaged seed with quality and yield of soybean sprouts. All seeds damaged by R. clavatus significantly (P<0.05) reduced seed vigor as measured by the rates of seed germination, germination speed, and seedling emergence. Mean seed germination rate of non-damaged seeds in sprout-soybean varieties was 97.8%, whereas the rates of seeds damaged at different levels, 31-50% and 51-80%, were 23.0 and 5.4%, respectively. The rates of seedling rot and abnormal, incomplete germination significantly (P<0.05) increased as the amount of seeds damaged by R. clavatus increased to 5, 10 and 15% against the total seeds for sprout production. Yield of soybean sprouts from seeds damaged at different levels decreased up to 13% as compared to that in normal seeds. In customer preferences on soybean sprout produce, 84% of customers participated in survey preferred to purchase sprouts from seeds with 5% of damaged seeds, but sprouts produced from seeds with 15% of damaged seeds were intended to purchase only by 22% of the customers. Areas of the seed damaged by R. clavatus were readily infected by pathogens as the seed germinated, resulted in deteriorated quality and reduced yield of sprout produce.

A new sprout-soybean cultivar, "Pungwon" was developed at the Honam Agricultural Research Institute (HARI), and National Institute of Crop Science (NICS) in 2006. "Pungwon" was selected from a cross between S193001 and Suwon 164. The preliminary, advanced, and regional yield trials for evaluation and selection of this line (Iksan 52) were carried out from 2002 to 2006. This cultivar has a determinate growth habit, white flower, grayish brown pubescence, yellow seed coat, yellow hilum, lanceolate leaflet shape and small seed size (10.9 grams per 100 seeds). The maturity date of "Pungwon" is seven days earlier than that of the check variety, "Pungsan". It has a good seed quality for soybean-sprout. The soybean-sprouts grown from "Pungwon" have high isoflavone (5,935 μg/g) and amino acid (160 mg/g) contents. This cultivar has resistance to soybean mosaic virus (SMV), necrotic symptom (SMV-N), and other most troublesome soybean diseases which are bacterial pustule and black root rot. Especially, "Pungwon" has useful characteristics, such as lodging and shattering resistance. The average yield of "Pungwon" was 3.04 ton per hectare, about 7 % higher than the check variety, "Pungsan" at the regional yield trials (RYT) for double cropping.