In this study, mass concentrations and chemical compositions of PM2.5, including water-soluble ions and elements were determined at the 1,100 m-highland of Mt. Hallasan in Jeju Island across four seasons from August 2013 to August 2014. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 12.5±8.41 /m3 with 45.8% of the contribution from eight water-soluble ionic species. Three ionic species (SO4 2-, NH4 +, and NO3 -) comprised 96.2% of the total concentration of ions contained in PM2.5 and were the dominant ions, accounting for 43.5% of the PM2.5 mass at Mt. Hallasan. On the basis of the mass concentration level, seasonal variation, enrichment factor, and relationship among elements, we can presume that Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ba, Nd, and Dy originated mainly from crust or soil and that V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were significantly enriched in PM2.5 owing to the effects of the anthropogenic emissions. These results and the local distribution of emission sources and topographic characteristics near this sampling site suggest that the compositions of PM2.5 collected at the 1100 m-highland of Mt. Hallasan were largely influenced by inflow from outside of Jeju Island.

A proper development of the epididymis during the early postnatal development is required for successful fertility in the adult male. Direct cell-cell communication via connexin (Cx) molecules is a common way of cellular interactions to achieve normal development of a given tissue consisting of different cell types. The present research was attempted to determine the effect of exogenous exposure to estrogenic agonist or antiandrogen at the weaning age on expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis. Male rats were subcutaneously administrated with estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age. The tissue was collected at 4 months of age. Expressional levels of Cx isoforms were determined by a quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical comparison showed significant increases of Cxs31, 32, 37, 40, and 43 transcript amounts by a treatment of 0.015 mg of EB /kg body weight (BW). A treatment of 1.5 μg of EB /kg BW caused a significant decrease of Cx43 gene expression but increases of Cxs26, 31, 32, 37, and 40 transcript levels. Exposure to 500 mg of Flu/kg BW induced an increase of Cx37 expression but significant decreases of Cxs43 and 45 mRNA levels. Expression of Cx37 was increased by a treatment of 5 mg of Flu/kg BW, while transcript levels of Cxs26, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 43 were significantly decreased by same treatment. These results demonstrate that exposure to steroidal compounds at the early developmental age alters expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis.

Cell-cell direct communication through channel-forming molecules, connexin (Cx), is essential for a tissue to exchange signaling molecules between neighboring cells and establish unique functional characteristics during postnatal development. The corpus epididymis is a well-known androgen-responsive tissue and involves in proper sperm maturation. In the present research, it was attempted to determine if expression of Cx isoforms in the corpus epididymis in the adult is modulated by exposure to estrogenic or anti-androgenic compound during the early postnatal period. The neonatal male rats at 7 days of age were subcutaneously injected by estradiol benzoate (EB) at low-dose (0.015 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) or flutamide (Flu) at low-dose (500 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (50 mg/kg body weight). The corpus epididymis collected at 4 months of age was subjected to evaluate expressional changes of Cx isoforms by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of low-dose EB resulted in increases of Cx32, Cx37, and Cx45 transcript levels, while exposure to high-dose EB decreased expression of Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Treatments of Flu caused significant decreases of expression of all examined Cx isoforms, except Cx37 and Cx43 shown no expressional change with high-dose Flu treatment. These findings imply that expression of most Cx isoforms present in the corpus epididymis would be transcriptionally regulated by actions of androgen and/or estrogen during postnatal period.

Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB (0.015 μg/kg body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.

The purpose of this study is to show the geographical distribution and the temporal variation of the emission amount of biogenic volatile organic compounds(BVOCs) emanated from forests at Jeju Island. The total emission amount of BVOCs calculated by using the CORINAIR Methodology is 3612 ton yr-1 at Jeju Island. More than half of BVOCs emissions is come from coniferous forest, and 45 per cent from broad leaved forest. The others is attributed to grassland. Of total emission of BVOCs, isoprene accounts for 28 per cent, monoterpene for 32 per cent, and other VOCs for about 40 percent, respectively. It can be shown that 3000~10000 kg yr-1 of BVOCs is emitted at the zone with dense forest from an altitude of 500 m to the top of Mt. Halla, and less than 1500 kg yr-1 at the zone an altitude of below 500 meters. The monoterpene emission is more than 1500 kg yr-1 due to the existence of a colony of Abies koreana at the place with more than 1500 meters and a community of Pinus thunbergii and Cryptomeria japonica at the elevation of 500~700 m. In the case of isoprene emission, there is 1500~3000 kg yr-1 at the zone of an elevation from 700 m to 1500 m due to dense broad leaved forest and very little of its emission at an elevation of more than 1500 meters because there is hardly broad leaved trees grown. In this study, emission of BVOCs according to the altitude above sea level is estimated under the situation of lack of the data for broad leaved tree. More detailed data and information for the distribution of broad leaved trees are needed in order to calculate more realistic BVOC emission.

This study was carried out to estimate the BVOCs emissions with the emission factors which reflected the native conditions of forests in Jeju Island. This study made effective use of the previous data for the weather data and the emission rate of each organic volatile component measured at 10 species of conifers and broad leaved trees. The CORINAIR method and the grid system of 1km×1km for whole area of Jeju Island were adopted in calculating the BVOCs emission emitted from forest. The vegetation information for Jeju Island was referred to GIS and a government report. By the results of BVOCs emission for Jeju Island, the 85% of monoterpene emission was emitted from conifers and the others was from broad leaved trees. Most of monoterpene emission was attributed to Pinus thunbergii and Cryptomeria japonica. The broad leaved trees greatly contributed to the isoprene emission and Quercus serrata played a dominant role in emission of isoprene. The total amount of BVOCs emission was estimated as 3612 ton yr-1 in Jeju Island. The 51.1% of total emission was contributed to conifers, the 44.9% to broad leaved trees, and the 4.0% to grassland. Of total emission of BVOCs, monoterpene accounted for 32.3%, isoprene for 28.0%, and OVOCs for 39.7%. The BVOCs emission estimated by this study was less than that estimated by other previous study. This means that it is important to survey the emission rate at native conditions and gather the detailed information for various species of vegetation on target region.

Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an androgen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at 0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 mg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW. A treatment of 50 mg Flu/kg BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.

This study is carried out to propose an empirical equation which can promptly predict the aircraft noise level at a specific point (a receptor) near Jeju international airport by using the information of the flight path data. For this purpose, Analyses of multiple linear regression with the slant distances (SD) calculated from the gate analyses of the flight path data, aircraft noise certification levels with unit of EPNL(effective perceived noise level) and noise levels measured at receptors are performed by SPSS package. From these regression analyses for approach and departure of aircraft, we can propose empirical equations which is statistically significant. The noise levels predicted by these empirical equations are highly correlated the measured data.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic endocrine disrupter. However, depending on a way of treatment, the harmful effects of BPA have not been confirmed. Also, trans-generational effects of BPA on male reproduction are still controversial. Because the reabsorption of testicular fluid in the efferent ductules (ED) and initial segment (IS) is important for sperm maturation, the present study was designed to determine trans-generational effect of BPA administrated orally on expression of water transport-related molecules in the mouse ED and IS. Ethanol-dissolved BPA was diluted in water to be 100 ng (low), 10 ㎍ (medium), and 1 ㎎/㎖ water (high). BPA-containing water was provided for two generations. Expression of ion transporters and water channels in the ED and IS were measured by relative real-time PCR analysis. In the ED, BPA treatment caused expressional increases of carbonic anhydrase II, cystic fibrosis ransmembrane regulator, Na+/K+ ATPase α1 subunit, and aquaporin (AQP) 1. No change of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) 3 expression was detected. BPA treatment at medium dose resulted in an increase of AQP9 expression. In the IS, the highest expressional levels of all molecules tested were observed in medium-dose BPA treatment. Generally, high-dose BPA treatment resulted in a decrease or no change of gene expression. Fluctuation of NHE3 gene expression by BPA treatment at different concentrations was detected. These findings suggest that trans-generational exposure to BPA, even at low dose, could affect gene expression of water-transport related molecules. However, such effects of BPA would be differentially occurred in the ED and IS.

Emission rates of biogenic hydrocarbon emitted from broad-leaved trees grown at Jeju Island were estimated using a dynamic enclosure method. Leaf temperature, PAR and relative humidity were monitored during the sampling time. The emission rates of isoprene and monoterpene were measured for five plants(Carpinus laxiflora, Quercus serrata, Styrax japonicus, Quercus acutissima, Quercus crispula) during the sampling period at the Halla mountain sites. Among five tree species, the highest isoprene emission rate of 10.60 ㎍ gdw-1hr-1 was observed for Quercus serrata. The seasonal emission rates were the highest during summer and the emission of isoprene was highly affected by light and temperature variations. The highest emission rate of isoprene was occurred between 13:00 and 14:00, but isoprene was not emitted in nighttime because of the absence of light.

Emission rate of monoterpene and isoprene was measured in five commonly growing tree species of conifers(Pinus thunbergii, Abies koreana, Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus densiflora, Chamaecyparis obtusa) at the Halla mountain sites. Dynamic flow enclosure technique was used and gas samples were collected into Tenax tube. The highest and lowest hourly emission rate was observed in Abies koreana (1.86 ㎍/gdw/hr) and Chamaecyparis obtusa (0.52 ㎍/gdw/hr), respectively. The major species of monoterpene from pine trees were α-pinene, β-pinene, β-phellandrene, myrcene. Particularly, d-limonene was abundant in Abies koreana but α-pinene, d 3 -carene and sabinene was in Cryptomeria japonica. Emission rates of isoprene show less significant than those of monoterpene. And also seasonal emission rates of monoterpene were dependent on environmental factors such as temperature.

The purpose of this study is to propose an appropriate method for marking out a boundary line of area damaged by aircraft noise. In an actual situation, there are many gaps between the boundary line of aircraft noise contour and the boundary line of an occupant of a house. Three cases faced in practice are considered in this study. Case Ⅰ is considered the land number together with sub-number. The Tong and Ban (the residential district number in Korea) are considered in Case Ⅱ. In Case Ⅲ, the configuration of ground is examined. The authors expect that the authority of aviation affairs should choose one of these cases and put in force in the near future.

The purpose of this study is to propose an appropriate criterium for proper sound insulation service preventing school classrooms from aircraft noise. The guideline of noise level for school facility by Korean school health law is less than Leq 55 which is less stringent than that of other countries. It has been reported that many students are annoyed and disturbed for their works when they are exposed to the noise level over Leq 55. It is desirable to modify this guideline of indoor noise level for school classroom. The noise level of classroom of which windows are opened was measured relatively high in case the school is located at the outside of the official area damaged by aircraft noise. In order to minimize the influence of aircraft noise on the school classrooms in the vicinity of domestic airport, it is necessary to improve the present criteria of WECPNL 75 for the establishment of the area damaged by aircraft noise from WECPNL 70.

Ozone measurements made from 4 sites in Jeju Island have been analyzed, including those from two urban and two rural locales. The data were analyzed in terms of the seasonal and diurnal trends. It should be clear that the surface ozone levels in Jeju area would be relatively sensitive to the external ozone supply originated from the region of Northeast Asia. It seems to be that due to the reactions of ozone with NOx and CO, the average ozone level in Jeju City appears lower than that in Seogwipo City although Jeju City is the largest city in Jeju Island.

Atmospheric particulate matters were collected by 8-stage non viable cascade impactor from October 2002 to August at Jeju City. Eight water-soluble ionic components (Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, NO3- and SO42-) were analyzed by Ion Chromatography. The concentration of particulate matters and eight water-soluble ionic components were determined to investigate their size distributions. Particulate matters exhibited a tri-modal distribution with peak value around 0.9, 4.0㎛ and 9.5㎛. In summer, the last peak value was lower than other season values likely due to particulate matter scavenged by rain water. Four ionic components (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl-) exhibited a bi-modal distribution in the coarse mode whereas three ionic components (NH4+, K+ and SO42-) in the fine mode, with maximum peak value around 0.9㎛. NO3- was found in both the coarse and the fine mode. The enrichment factor (E.F.) of each ionic components was calculated. Based upon E.F., it is considered that Na+, Cl-, and K+ in coarse paricle mode were delivered form oceanic source, but other components might have other source origins.

This study has been performed to clarify the characteristics of temporal and spatial distribution of surface ozone concentration over Jeju Island, one of the cleanest areas in Korea with low emissions of air pollutants. Ozone data are monitored at four sites in Jeju Island. These monitoring sites are located at two urban area(referred to Ido and Donghong), coastal area(Gosan site) and forest site(Chuna site). Ozone data has been routinely collected at these sites for the late four years. The patterns of seasonal cycle of ozone concentrations at all stations show the bimodal with the peaks on spring and autumn and a significant summer minimum. However, the patterns of diurnal variations at rural station, i.e., Gosan and Chuna sites are considerably different to those at urban stations such as Ido and Donghong sites. The patterns of △O3 variations are very similar with those of monthly mean ozone concentrations and △O3 values are exceeded 30 ppb, at urban stations. This may be that urban stations are more influenced by local photochemical reactions rather than rural stations. In order to assess the potential roles of meteorological parameters on ozone formation, the meteorological parameters, such as radiation, temperature, and wind are monitored together with ozone concentrations at all stations. The relationships of meteorological parameters to the corresponding ozone concentration are found to be insignificant in Jeju Island. However, at Gosan and Donghong stations, when the sea breeze blew toward the station, the ozone concentration is considerably increased.

During the period from April to September 2002, the size distributions of ambient aerosol were measured at the coastal site at Hamduk in Jeju Island. Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Cl- exhibited mostly a bimodal coarse mode size distribution, while ammonium and sulfate were mainly in the fine size range, with maximum at around 0.54㎛. The average molar concentration ratio of ammonium to sulfate for fine particles was equal to 2.0±0.9. Nitrate was evenly found in both the coarse and fine modes. Elements like Al, Fe, Cu, Mg, Na, Ti, Sr and Mn were dominant in coarse particles, with the maximum at around 5.25㎛. S and Pb were mainly in the submicrometer size range. Other elements with a fine and coarse modes were V, Ni, Cu, Ba and Mo. The patterns of the size distributions of trace elements measured at the downtown in Jeju City were very similar to those at the coastal site in Hamduk. However, the amplitude of size fractional concentrations at Jeju City was narrower than that at Hamduk. While the mass median diameters for the chemical species originated from the natural origin such as marine and crust were relatively large, those for ammonium, sulfate, S and Pb were very small.

Aerosol measurement were carried out to investigate the characteristics of its chemical composition directly affected by the local emissions of Jeju City, Jeju Island by using an eight-stage cascade impactor from Dec. 1999 to Aug. 2000. The ambient aerosol concentrations measured at Jeju City were generally very low but the fine particle concentrations were to be higher than the US standard of PM2.5. The majority of sulfate were non sea salt and contained in the fine particles. In the fine particles, the concentrations of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl- and NO3- had a tendency to increase during the springtime rather than the other seasons. However, the springtime sulfate and ammonium concentrations in the fine particles were slightly lower than those during the other seasons. On the other hand, associated with the coarse particles, the concentrations of ionic species except potassium and ammonium were elevated during the springtime. The calcium concentrations in the coarse particles were increased up to 8 times relative to the other seasons.

Samples of size-fractionated PM10 (airborne particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10㎛) were collected at an urban site in Jeju city from May to September 2002. The mass concentration and chemical composition of the samples were measured. The data sets were then applied to the CMB receptor model to estimate the source contribution of PM10 in Jeju area. The average PM10 mass concentration was 28.80㎍/㎥ (24.6~33.49㎍/㎥), and the FP (fine particle with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.1㎛) fraction in PM10 was approximately 8% higher than the CP (coarse particle with aerodynamic diameter greater than 2.1㎛ and less than 10㎛) fraction in PM10. The CP composition was obviously different from the FP composition, that is, the most abundant water soluble species was nitrate ion in the FP, but sulfate ion in the CP. Also sulfur was the most dominant element in the FP, however, sodium was that in the CP. From CMB receptor model results, it was found that road dust was the largest contributor to the CP mass concentration (45% of the CP) and ammonium nitrate, domestic boiler, and marine aerosol were major sources to the CP mass. However, the secondary aerosol was the most significant contributor to the FP mass concentration (45% of the FP). In this study, it was suggested that the contributions of soil dust and gasoline vehicle became very low due to collinearity with road dust and diesel vehicle, respectively.

This study was carried out to investigate the chemical characteristics of rainwater sampled in Cheju City from July 1994 to June 1996. Concentrations of major Ions (Cl^-, SO_4^2-,NO_3^-, Na^+, K^+, Ca^2+, Mg^2+ and NH_4^+) were determined. The pH of rainwater, calculated from the volume weighted H^+ concentration, was found to be 5.61, indicating extensive neutralization of the acidity in the rain. The relative magnitude of average ionic concentrations followed the relation Cl^-> SO_4^2-> Na^+> Ca^2+> NH_4^+> NO_3^-> Mg^2+> K^+. The ions associated with sea salt, namely Na^+ and Cl^-, dominated the total concentration of ions in the rainwater and the SO_4^2- ion accounts for 20% of total concentration. [H^+]/[nss-SO_4^2-+NO_3] ratio and a multiple regression for SO_4^2- and NO_3^- ions against H^+, Ca^2+ and NH_4^suggested that all of SO_4^2+ and NO_3^- in rainwater was not necessarily associated with H_2SO_4, anf HNO_3, but might also occur in combination with NH_4^+ or Ca^2+. The monthly mean concentrations of SO_4^2-, Ca^2+ and NH_4^+ in spring time was higher than those in other seasons. These results may be attributed to the fertilizer application as the local sources and the yellow sand phenomina as a regional-scale sources.