Sixty dried agricultural products were collected from February to July 2024. Among these, 16 samples were randomly purchased from large supermarkets and local markets in Gwangju, and 44 were obtained from online marketplaces. Only products labeled with phrases such as “No Food Additives” or “100% Raw Ingredients” were selected for analysis. The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of sulfur dioxide, preservatives, artificial colorants, and toxic heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in dried agricultural products, assess their risk indices, and provide foundational data to establish relevant regulatory standards. The results revealed that sulfite compounds were detected in some samples, with the highest sulfur dioxide concentrations found in gourds (82.99- 1046.95 mg/kg), apricots (10.87-529.45 mg/kg), and konjac powder (23.59-475.92 mg/kg). The highest sulfur dioxide risk index was observed in persimmons, with values ranging from 4.74% to 16.61% for male and 6.26% to 26.84% for female consumers. Sweet potatoes followed, with risk index values of 6.87% and 11.29% for male and female consumers, respectively. All the samples exhibited sulfur dioxide risk indexes below 100%, indicating safety. No preservatives or artificial colorants were detected in any of the samples, suggesting that sulfites can be used as alternatives to preservatives in certain products. The concentrations of lead in dates (9.55-137.09 μg/kg) and gourds (10.76-49.14 μg/kg) and cadmium in gourds (16.36-51.76 μg/kg) were within safe limits, with risk indexes below 100%. This study provides crucial baseline data for evaluating the safety of dried agricultural products. Furthermore, it underscores the need for more comprehensive risk assessments that consider the interactions between sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and consumption patterns. Lastly, it highlights the necessity of strengthening regulatory standards to better protect consumers.

Strains of epiphytic and toxic dinoflagellates were collected from the seawaters surrounding Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands in Korea, and their morphology, molecular phylogeny, and toxicity were analyzed. Each dinoflagellate strain was examined under a microscope for genus-level identification, while species-level confirmation was achieved for Amphidinium operculatum, Ostreopsis sp. (type 1), Protoceratium reticulatum, Coolia canariensis, and C. malayensis through molecular phylogenetic analysis. The genera Gambierdiscus, Heterocapsa, and Prorocentrum were identified based on morphological traits, with Gambierdiscus characterized by a round-flattened shape with distinct thecal plates, Heterocapsa exhibiting a fusiform to oval shape, and Prorocentrum showing an oblong-to-ovate shape. Toxicity assessments for five species involved exposing Artemia salina nauplii to concentration-dependent extracts of the dinoflagellates. At a concentration of 100 ppm, P. reticulatum, A. operculatum, C. canariensis, and Ostreopsis sp. resulted in significant mortality among the nauplii, with survival rates dropping to as low as 0% over a 24-hour period. These findings underscore the potential ecological and toxicological impacts of these species and highlight the necessity for further research to evaluate their behavior under varying environmental conditions. This study marks the first documentation of subtropical epiphytic dinoflagellates in the waters around Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands, encompassing twelve strains from eight epiphytic species. Additionally, we investigated the toxicity of five species, including a toxic planktonic dinoflagellate. The results suggest a potential northeastward shift in their distribution, likely originating from Jeju Island, and being transported by the Tsushima Warm Current through the East Sea. This shift has enabled the successful establishment of populations in these areas under favorable conditions influenced by changes in the oceanic climate.

강도다리 대상 수인성 카드뮴 독성 영향을 확인하기 위해 96시간 동안 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg Cd2+/L 에 노출시켰으며, 96시간 반수치사농도(LC50)는 21.42 mg Cd2+/L로 나타났다. 혈액학적 성상분석에서 Hematocrit와 Hemoglobin은 20 mg Cd2+/L에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 혈장 무기성분에서 calcium은 20 mg Cd2+/L에서 유의적으로 감소한 반면 magnesium은 유의적 변화가 없었다. 혈장 유기성분인 glucose는 카드뮴 노출에 의해 유의적으로 증가하였다. 혈장 효소 성분인 AST, ALT 및 ALP는 수인성 카드뮴 노출에 의해 20 mg Cd2+/L에서 유의적으로 증가하였다. 본 연구를 통해 수인성 카드뮴 급성 노출이 강도다리 혈액학적 성상 및 혈장성분 내 독성을 유발함을 확인하였으며, 이로 인한 사망률 유발 가능성을 예상할 수 있다.

선박운항의 효율성을 감소시키는 생물부착(biofouling)을 방지하기 위해 사용되는 방오시스템(antifouling system)은 연안의 선체 수리, 해상 부착생물 제거 및 재 페인팅과정에서 해양으로 유출될 수 있다. 이에 대한 법적규제는 마련되어 있지 않아, 해양 생태계에 부정적인 영향을 초래할 할 수 있을 것으로 우려되고 있다. 선체청소배출수에 포함된 오염화학 물질과 관련된 잠재적인 독성 위험이 우려됨에도 불구하고, 이에 대한 생물의 독성영향을 보고한 사례는 매우 제한적이다. 본 연구에서는 선체청소배출수에 노출된 넙치 수정란에 대한 발생독성영향을 분석하였다. 현장에서 실제 선체를 청소한 배출수를 채집하여 원수(wastewater)와 페인트 입자를 제거한 여과한 폐수(0.45 μm Lab filter wastewater)로 나누어, 희석 배율(10배, 100배, 1000배)에 따른 치사 및 아치사 수준의 생태독성영향을 평가하였다. 선체청소배출수의 화학조성은 결과, 구리(Cu), 철(Fe), 아연(Zn)이 높은 농도로 확인되었다. 선체청소배출수에 노출된 모든 실험구의 사망률은 유의한 차이가 없었으나, 심장 부종, 척추만곡, 꼬리지느러미 기형, 발달 지연의 아치사 수준의 형태발생기형 영향이 나타난 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 노출 6시간 후 전사체분석을 통해 독성기작을 분석한 결과, 선체청소배출수에 노출된 넙치 배아에서는 Nervous system development, Cell development, Muscle development, Animal organ development pathway와 관련된 유전자들이 유의하게 차등 발현되었다. 본 연구 결과는 선체청소배출수가 연안에 서식하는 넙치의 발생에 미치는 급성독성영향을 규명하여, 연안 해양환경을 보호하기위한 선체청소배출수의 관리기준 마련에 유용한 정보로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

Municipal landfill leachate (MLL) contamination in surface water is a critical global issue due to the high concentration of toxic organics and recalcitrants. The biological treatment of MLL is ineffective due to an elevated concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen, which restricts the production of the recalcitrant degrading laccase enzyme. In this context, integrating an external laccase-anchored carbon catalyst (LACC) matrix system with the microbial system could be an efficient strategy to overcome the drawbacks of conventional biological MLL treatment technologies. In the present study, the LACC matrix was synthesized by utilizing nanoporous activated carbon (NAC) functionalized ethylene diamine (EDA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) (GA/EDA/NAC) matrix for the anchoring of laccase. The maximum anchoring capacity of laccase onto GA/EDA/ NAC was achieved to be 139.65 U/g GA/EDA/NAC at the optimized anchoring time, 60 min; pH, 5; temperature, 30 °C, and mass of GA/EDA/NAC, 300 mg and was confirmed by Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses. Further, the mechanistic study revealed the involvement of covalent bonding in the anchoring of laccase onto the functionalized surface of the GA/EDA/NAC matrix. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of laccase anchoring onto the GA/EDA/NAC matrix were performed to evaluate its field-level application. Subsequently, the sequential microbial system (I-stage bacterial treatment followed by II-stage fungal treatment) and III-stage LACC matrix system could effectively reduce the COD by 94.2% and phenol by 92.36%. Furthermore, the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC–MS) and FT-IR analyses confirmed the effective degradation of organic compounds and recalcitrants by the integrated microbial and LACC matrix system. The study suggested that the application of the LACC matrix system has resulted in the complete treatment of real-time MLL by overcoming the negative interference of elevated ammoniacal nitrogen concentration. Thus, the integrated microbial and LACC matrix approach could be considered to effectively treat the MLL without any secondary pollution generation.

Biocide dichlofluanid breaks down quickly and accumulates easily in sediment, potentially causing a persistent impact on various marine organisms. We analyzed the potential toxicity of dichlofluanid on major aquaculture species in Korea, Undaria pinnatifida. Female gametophytes of U. pinnatifida were exposed to dichlofluanid at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg L-1, and their survival and relative growth rate were analyzed. The no observed effect concentration (NOEC), lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC), and median lethal concentration (LC50) for female gametophyte survival were determined as 1, 2, and 10.82 (95% CI: 8.87-13.23) mg L-1, respectively. The NOEC, LOEC, and median effective concentration (EC50) for relative growth rate were 1, 2, and 6.58 (95% CI: 6.03-7.17) mg L-1, respectively. Female gametophytes of U. pinnatifida were expected to experience toxic effects at concentrations above 2 mg L-1 of dichlofluanid. These research findings are expected to serve as important reference data for evaluating the toxicity effects of U. pinnatifida in its early life stages when exposed to dichlofluanid.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (NMPs) are considered one of hazardous contaminants in marine ecosystems due to their toxic effects, such as reproduction disorder and oxidative stress, on marine organisms. Although water temperature is rising due to global climate change, little information on the toxicological interaction between NMPs and temperature is available. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the toxicity of NMPs (polystyrene [PS] beads; 0.05- and 6-μm) on brackish water fleas (Diaphanosoma celebensis) depending on increased temperature (30°C and 35°C) at individual and molecular levels. In the chronic toxicity test, the group exposed to high temperatures showed an earlier first reproduction time compared to the normal temperatures group, but it was delayed by co-exposure to NMPs at 35°C. Notably, the total reproduction decreased significantly only after 0.05-μm PS beads exposure at 30°C. Interaction analysis showed that first reproduction time, modulation of the antioxidantrelated gene (GSTS1), heat shock gene (Hsp70), and ecdysteroid pathway-related genes (EcR_A, EcR_B, and CYP314A1) were closely related to temperature and PS beads size. These results indicate that microplastics have size-dependent toxicity, and their toxicity can be enhanced at high temperatures. In addition, higher temperatures and PS beads exposure may have negative effects on reproduction. This study suggests that various factors such as water temperature should be considered when evaluating the toxicity of microplastics in marine ecosystems, and provides an understanding of the complex toxic interaction between water temperature and microplastics for marine zooplankton.

본 실험은 붕어(Crucian carp, Carassius carassius)(무게 39.7±3.1 g, 전장 14.8±0.5 cm)의 수인 성 니켈 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 및 160 mg Ni2+/l 농도로 96시간 급성 노출을 실시하였다. 수인성 니 켈에 노출된 붕어의 반수치사농도(LC50)는 117.69 mg Ni2+/l으로 나타났다. 혈액학적 성상에서 RBC count는 수인성 니켈 96시간 급성 노출 중 48시간에서 유의적으로 증가한 반면, 96시간에 서 유의적 감소가 나타났다. MCV와 MCH는 96시간에서 80 mg Ni2+/l 농도에서 유의적으로 증 가했다. Calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, AST, ALT 및 ALP 와 같은 혈장 성분은 수인성 니켈 노출에 의해 유의적 변화가 나타났다. 이 연구의 결과는 수인성 니켈 노출 에 따른 붕어의 생존율, 혈액학적 성상 및 혈장 성분의 변화를 확인하고 이는 수인성 니켈의 독성에 의한 것으로 판단했다.

배양실험을 바탕으로 다양한 수온과 염분 조건에서 유독 와편모조류 Alexandrium pacificum (LIMS-PS-2611)의 생장속도와 마비성 패독(PST)의 변화를 조사하였다. A. pacificum는 수온 25℃, 염분 30 psu 조건에서 최대생장속도를 보였으며, 최대생장속도의 70% 이상은 수 온 20~25℃, 염분 25~35 psu 구간에서 나타났다. A. pacificum 체내의 PST 주요성분은 N-sulfocarbamoyl계의 C1+2와 GTX5이었으며, 미량성분 은 carbamate계의 neoSTX이었다. 수온과 염분에 따른 독함량의 변화를 보면, A. pacificum는 수온 20℃, 염분 30 psu의 조건에서는 비교적 낮 은 독 함량을 보였다. 염분의 증가에 따라 독 함량이 증가하는 경향을 나타냈다. 그러나 최대생장속도를 보였던 수온과 염분 조건에서는 낮은 독 함량을 보였다. 따라서 6월 수온이 20-25℃ 범위일 때 발생하는 이매패류 독화현상은 A. pacificum에 의한 영향일 가능성이 있다.

Fescues, which are widely cultivated as grasses and forages around the world, are often naturally infected with the endophyte, Epichloë. This fungus, transmitted through seeds, imparts resistance to drying and herbivorous insects in its host without causing any external damage, thereby contributing to the adaptation of the host to the environment and maintaining a symbiosis. However, some endophytes, such as E. coenophialum synthesize ergovaline or lolitrem B, which accumulate in the plant and impart anti-mammalian properties. For example, when livestock consume excessive amounts of grass containing toxic endophytes, problems associated with neuromuscular abnormalities, such as convulsions, paralysis, high fever, decreased milk production, reproductive disorders, and even death, can occur. Therefore, pre-inoculation with non-toxic endogenous fungi or management with endophyte-free grass is important in preventing damage to livestock and producing high-quality forage. To date, the diagnosis of endophytes has been mainly performed by observation under a microscope following staining, or by performing an immune blot assay using a monoclonal antibody. Recently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular diagnostic method is gaining importance in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and healthcare given the method’s advantages. These include faster results, with greater accuracy and sensitivity than those obtained using conventional diagnostic methods. For the diagnosis of endophytes, the nested PCR method is the only available option developed; however, it is limited by the fact that the level of toxic alkaloid synthesis cannot be estimated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a triplex real-time PCR diagnostic method that can determine the presence or absence of endophyte infection using DNA extracted from seeds within 1 h, while simultaneously detecting easD and LtmC genes, which are related to toxic alkaloid synthesis. This new method was then also applied to real field samples.

By polymerizing acrylonitrile in the presence of ammonium persulfate as an initiator and Pterocladia capillacea-activated carbon (P-AC) as a filler, a composite material polyacrylonitrile/Pterocladia capillacea-activated carbon (PAN/P- AC) was developed. By reacting hydroxylamine with the composite's nitrile groups, the prepared composite was functionalized by amidoximation. FTIR spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis were all applied to thoroughly characterize the fabricated adsorbent. For the treatment of Cr(VI) ions from synthetic solutions, the adsorption properties of amidoximated polyacrylonitrile/Pterocladia capillacea-activated carbon (PAO/P-AC) were investigated. The pH effect, uptake kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamics studies were used to characterize adsorption properties. As a kinetic model analysis, the data confirmed that the pseudo-second-order rate equation matched well the adsorption process. With coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9998, the Tempkin isotherm model had the lowest error, suggesting that it is the best fitted model to describe this adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that Cr(VI) adsorption was endothermic.

Herein, a new and generic strategy has been proposed to introduce uniformly distributed graphitic carbon into the nanostructured metal oxide. A facile and generic synthetic protocol has been proposed to introduce uniformly distributed conducting graphitic carbon into the Co3O4 nanoparticles ( Co3O4 NPs@graphitic carbon). The prepared Co3O4 NPs@graphitic carbon has been drop casted onto the portable screen-printed electrode (SPE) to realize its potential application in the individual and simultaneous quantification of toxic Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions present in aqueous solution. The proposed Co3O4 NPs@graphitic carbon-based electrochemical sensor exhibits a wide linear range from 0 to 120 ppb with limit of detection of 3.2 and 3.5 ppb towards the simultaneous detection of Pb(II) and Cd(II), which falls well below threshold limit prescribed by WHO.

The concentrations of four potentially toxic elements were analyzed in 70 spraint samples of Eurasian otters from the Daechung Lake area. The median concentrations of As, Hg, Ni, and Pb were 1.19, 1.06, 9.95, and 0.37 μg/g dry weight, respectively. A moderate negative correlation was observed between the levels of Hg and Pb (rs = -0.47). The Hg levels showed a weak negative correlation with the distances of the sampling locations from the Daechung Dam (rs = -0.35). This study provides baseline information on the health risks associated with the hazardous elements in otter species.

어류 치어기의 주요 먹이로 생물로 사용되는 해산 로티퍼 (Brachionus plicatilis)의 생존율 및 개체군 성장률을 이용하여, 국내 연안에 잔류하고 있는 것으로 알려진 신방 오물질인 chlorothalonil의 독성을 평가하고자 하였다. B. plicatilis의 생존율은 0.039 mg L-1에서 유의하게 감소하기 시작하여, chlorothalonil의 농도가 증가할수록 감소하는 농도의존성을 나타냈다. 생존율의 무영향농도는 0.020 mg L-1, 최소영향농도는 0.039 mg L-1, 반수영향농도는 0.057 mg L-1로 나타났다. 개체군 성장률 또한 생존율과 마찬가지로 0.313 mg L-1에서부터 농도의존적으로 감소하는 경향을 나타냈다. 개체군 성장률의 무영향농도는 0.156 mg L-1, 최소영향농도는 0.313 mg L-1, 반수영향농도는 0.506 mg L-1 로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과, 해양 생태계 내에서 신방오물질인 chlorothalonil의 잔류 농도가 0.039 mg L-1 이상일 경우 B. plicatilis에게 독성영향을 줄 것으로 예상되며, 본 연구의 생태독성 시험결과를 바탕으로 해양환경 내 chlorothalonil 의 독성을 평가하기 위한 기초연구자료 및 다른 방오물질과의 독성영향을 비교평가할 수 있는 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

The purpose of this study was to remove lead and arsenic ions from aqueous solutions using the activated carbon prepared from Citrus limon tree leaves. Characteristics of the prepared adsorbent were studied thoroughly using BET, SEM, EDS and mapping, XRD, and RAMAN analyses. The results of experiments showed that the highest adsorption efficiencies were 97.67% and 95.89% for Pb (II) and As (III), respectively. Additionally, the adsorbent was successfully regenerated four times and therefore it was able to perform the adsorption and desorption processes well. Moreover, the results of adsorption kinetics showed that the pseudo second-order kinetic model was more effective for the description of adsorption mechanism of both metals. Furthermore, the equilibrium studies indicated that Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were desirable for lead and arsenic ions, respectively.

본 연구에서는 실내에서 다양한 수온과 염분 조건에서 유독와편모조류 Alexandrium catenella(Group I)의 생장과 함께 마비성패 독의 함량을 조사하였다. A. catenella의 수온과 염분 최적생장은 각각 20~30℃과 20~30 psu였으며, 광온성과 광염성종으로 나타났다. A. catenella는 낮은 수온 구간(10℃와 15℃)에서 독함량과 독성이 높게 나타났으며, 염분에 따라서는 차이가 크지 않았다. 따라서 15℃이하의 수온에서 본 종주와 같은 생리적인 특성을 가진 유독와편모조류가 우점한다면, 이매패류는 빠르게 독화될 가능성이 있다. 향후 A. catenella의 출현에 따른 마비성패독 예찰·예보를 위해 다양한 환경변화에 따른 A. catenella의 다른 종주와 상업적인 이매패류 독화에 대한 연구가 더 필요한 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구에서는 살균제, 항진균제 등의 의약품을 포함하여 다양한 목적으로 사용되며, 신방오도 료로서의 가능성이 확인된 바 있는 Zinc undecylenate (ZU)를 이용해 연안환경 내 1차 소비자를 대표할 수 있는 성게 2종(H. pulcherrimus, M. nudus)에 대한 독성평가를 실시하였다. 실험결과 ZU에 대한 H. pulcherrimus와 M. nudus의 수정률 EC50은, 각각 11.27 mgl-1과 1.48 mgl-1로 나 타났다. 또한, 정상배아 발생률의 EC50은 각각 0.94 mgl-1와 3.78 mgl-1로 나타났으며, NOEC는 0.20 mgl-1, 0.78 mgl-1를 나타내었다. 본 연구에서 도출된 성게 2종과 문헌조사를 통한 연안양 식생물 2종의 급성독성결과를 이용하여 Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC)를 계산하였 다. PNEC 값은 0.0094 mgl-1로 나타났으며, 위와 같은 결과는 해양환경 오염물질에 대한 환경 보호전략 수립을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 것이다.

본 연구에서는 신방오도료 Diuron과 Irgarol이 해양 무척추동물인 말똥성게 (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus)에게 미치는 독성영향을 10 min-수정률과 64 h-정상 유생발생률의 EC50, NOEC, LOEC 값을 통하여 확인하였으며, 해당 오염 물질이 H. pulcherrimus의 초기발생단계에 미치는 지연효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 실험결과, Diuron과 Irgarol은 시험농도 (40 mg L-1)에서 H. pulcherrimus의 수정률에 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 정상 유생발생률에 대한 EC50값은 각각 7.12 mg L-1, 2.31 mg L-1로 나타났다. 또한, 수정란이 pluteus 유생으로 발달하는 과정에서 반수영향농도의 Diuron과 Irgarol의 노출 경과시간이 18 h에 도달하면, early gastrular stage로의 발달이 지연되기 시작하여, 24 h에서부터 유의미한 발달지연이 확인되었다. 이후 지속적인 발달지연이 관찰되어, Early gastrular-gastrular-early pluteus-pluteus로 이어지는 과정에서 발달지연이 나타났다. Diuron과 Irgarol은 잔류성이 높으며, 본 연구결과와 같이 무척추동물을 포함한 다양한 해양생물 군에 독성영향이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이에, 해양 환경의 오염을 방지하고 보전하기 위하여, 관련된 규정의 마련을 통하여 환경보호 전략이 필요하다.