Mi-Jin Chae

Small-Scale Pond Effects on Reducing Pollutants Load from a Paddy Field

BACKGROUND: Water-born pollution loads by agricultural non-point source (NPS) pollution are expected to become intensified due to ongoing precipitation change. Therefore, it is essential to develop a best management practice (BMP) that is suitable to agricultural environments in Korea. This study aimed to develop an environmental-friendly BMP to reduce NPS pollution load by agricultural activities. An eco-friendly way, small drainage pond, was suggested in this study to avoid direct drainage of agricultural runoffs and eventually reduce the amount of pollutants discharged into the surrounding aqua-environment. METHODS AND RESULTS: A small pond (12 m 2 ) was constructed at the corner of a rice paddy field (1,715 m 2 ) located in Suwon, Korea. Water was allowed to drain only via a small drainage pond. Sampling was repeatedly made at two locations, one from an entrance and the other from an exit of a pond, during the rice cultivation period (May to

Contamination Assessment of Water Quality and Stream Sediments Affected by Mine Drainage in the Sambo Mine Creek

BACKGROUND: Mine drainage from metal mining districts is a well-recognized source of environmental contamination. Oxidation of metal sulfides in mines, mine dumps and tailing impoundments produces acidic, metal-rich waters that can contaminate the local surface water and soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: This experiment was carried out to investigate the pollution assessment of heavy metal on the water quality of mine drainage, paddy soils and sediment in lower watershed affected by mine drainage of the Sambo mine. The average concentrations of dissolved Cd (0.018∼0.035 mg/L) in mine drainage discharged from the main waste rock dumps(WRD) was higher than the water quality standards (0.01 mg/L) for agricultural water in Korea. Also, the average concentrations of dissolved Zn, Fe and Mn were higher than those of recommended maximum concentrations (Zn 2.0, Fe 5.0, Mn 0.2 mg/L) of trace metal in irrigation water proposed by FAO (1994). The average contents of Pb and Zn in paddy soils was higher than those of standard level for soil contamination(Pb 200, Zn 300 mg/kg) in agricultural soil by Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea. Also, the concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in sediment were higher than those of standard level for soil contamination (Cd 10, Pb 400, Zn 600 mg/L) in waterway soil by Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea. The enrichment factor (EFc) of heavy metals in stream sediments were in the order as Cd>Pb>Zn> As>Cu>Cr>Ni. Also, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of heavy metals in stream sediments were in the order as Zn>Cd>Pb>Cu>As>Cr>Ni, specially, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of Zn (Igeo 3.1∼6.2) were relatively higher than that of other metals in sediment. CONCLUSION(s): The results indicate that stream water and sediment were affected by mine drainage discharged from the Sambo mine at least to a distance of 1 km downstream (SN-1, SN-2) of the mine water discharge point.

Minimizing Nutrient Loading from SCB Treated Paddy Rice Fields through Water Management

This study was conducted to establish the BMPs (Best Management Practices) for preventing pollutant loadings from paddy rice field applied livestock liquid manure from 2008 through 2011. Cultivated paddy rice fields (Gyeonggi province, Korea) were treated with SCB (Slurry composting and bio-filtration process) liquid fertilizer. The BMPs for paddy rice field developed in this study includes: 1) the controlling a drainage water gate in paddy rice field from right after SCB liquid fertilizer application to 3 weeks after rice transplanting; 2) livestock liquid fertilizer application to paddy rice soils in 20 days before rice transplanting to encourage the utilization of liquid fertilizer; 3) preservation of surface water depth to 5 cm in a paddy field right after SCB liquid fertilizer applied to minimize a water pollution and enhance the utilization of liquid fertilizer; and 4) blocking a water gate at least for 2 days to inactivate E. coli survival. The findings of this study will provide useful and practical guideline to applicators of agricultural soil in deciding appropriate handling and time frames for preventing pollution of water quality for sustainable agriculture.

Effects of Cadmium and Arsenic on Physiological Responses and Copper and Zinc Homeostasis of Rice

Heavy metals reduce the photosynthetic efficiency and disrupt metabolic reactions in a concentrationdependent manner. Moreover, by replacing the metal ions in metalloproteins that use essential metal ions, such as Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe, as co-factors, heavy metals ultimately lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These, in turn, cause destruction of the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation, and eventually cause the plant to necrosis. Given the aforementioned factors, this study was aimed to understand the physiological responses of rice to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) toxicity and the effect of essential metal ions on homeostasis. In order to confirm the level of physiological inhibition caused by heavy metal toxicity, hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) plants were exposed with 0-50 μM cadmium (Cd, CdCl₂) and arsenic (As, NaAsO₂) at 3-leaf stage, and then investigated malondialdehyde (MDA) contents after 7 days of the treatment. With increasing concentrations of Cd and As, the MDA content in leaf blade and root increased with a consistent trend. At 14 days after treatment with 30 μM Cd and As, plant height showed no significant difference between Cd and As, with an identical reduction. However, As caused a greater decline than Cd for shoot fresh weight, dry weight, and water content. The largest amounts of Cd and As were found in the roots and also observed a large amount of transport to the leaf sheath. Interestingly, in terms of Cd transfer to the shoot parts of the plant, it was only transported to upper leaf blades, and we did not detect any Cd in lower leaf blades. However, As was transferred to a greater level in lower leaf blades than in upper leaf blades. In the roots, Cd inhibited Zn absorption, while As inhibited Cu uptake. Furthermore, in the leaf sheath, while Cd and As treatments caused no change in Cu homeostasis, they had an antagonist effect on the absorption of Zn. Finally, in both upper and lower leaf blades, Cd and As toxicity was found to inhibit absorption of both Cu and Zn. Based on these results, it would be considered that heavy metal toxicity causes an increase in lipid peroxidation. This, in turn, leads to damage to the conductive tissue connecting the roots, leaf sheath, and leaf blades, which results in a reduction in water content and causes several physiological alterations. Furthermore, by disrupting homeostasis of the essential metal ions, Cu and Zn, this causes complete heavy metal toxicity.

Changes of Chemical Properties in Upland Soils in Korea

Soil testing is one of the major strategies for establishing sustainable agricultural practice as it analyzes nutrient contents of soil and determines the amount of nutrients required for crop growth. Soil testing for the field cultivating regional major crops in Korea has been conducting by National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS), provincial agricultural research & extension services and agriculture technology centers since 2000. 1,006,227 soil samples were analyzed and uploaded on Korean soil information system (http://soil.rda.go.kr) from 2003 to 2013. Soil pH has changed from 6.1 to 6.2. Organic matter (OM), available (Avail.) phosphate and exchangeable (Exch.) K have decreased from 24 to 23 g kg -1 , 541 to 399 mg kg -1 and 0.90 to 0.72 cmolc kg -1 between 2003 and 2013, respectively. Especially, Exch. Ca contents decreased to 5.7 cmolc kg -1 in 2009 and increased to 6.2 cmolc kg -1 in 2013. Ratios of optimal ranges for cropping were 48% for pH, 22% for OM, 26% for Avail. phosphate, and 23, 16, 22% for Exch. K, Ca and Mg in 2013. Ratios of optimal ranges for pH increased and low ranges for OM, Avail. phosphate and Exch. K increased. Frequency distribution was 64% for pH 5.5~7.0, 65% for OM 10~30 g kg -1 , 48% for Avail. phosphate under 300 mg kg -1 and 23, 29, 22% for Exch. K 0.2~0.6, Ca 4.0~6.0 and Mg 1.0~1.5 cmolc kg -1 .

Chemical Properties and Nutrient Loadings of Rainwater during Farming Season

Recently, special attention has been given to acid rain and its problem to environment such as acid precipitation and air pollution in East Asia. In the present study, rainwater samples were collected from Apr to Nov in 2012. The samples were chemically characterized for the assessment of emission sources. Suwon and Yeoju regions, typical agricultural areas in South Korea, were chosen for study sites. Ion composition and cation-affected neutralization were determined to evaluate the contribution of cations to the acidity of rainwater. Ion and electrical conductivity between the measured and the estimated showed high correlation. The cations observed in Suwon and Yeoju were Na + > NH 4 + > K + > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ > H + and Na + > K + > NH 4 + > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ = H + , respectively. The anions of all sites were SO 4 2- > NO 3 - > Cl - . While the amounts of sulfate, one of the major dissolved components of rainwater, were 77.6 and 75.6 ueq L -1 in Suwon and Yeoju, the ones of NSS-SO 4 2- (Non-Sea Salt sulfate) were 83 and 82% in Suwon and Yeoju, respectively. The comparison of observed pH values (pHobs) with the theoretical pH values (pHthe) showed that the neutralization of rain water considerably went along during the study periods. The highest amounts of rainfall throughout the year in Suwon and Yeoju were 572.3 and 484.6 mm in July, and its corresponding nitrogen loadings in Suwon and Yeoju were 5.28 and 3.50 kg ha-1, respectively. The major ion contents for crop growth with SO 4 2- , Ca 2+ , K + and Mg 2+ were 51.7, 5.2, 11.8 and 1.8 kg ha -1 in Suwon and 34.2, 4.0, 4.2 and 1.1 kg ha -1 in Yeoju.

Decline in Extractable Veterinary Antibiotics in Chicken Manure-Based Composts during Composting

Release of veterinary antibiotics (VSs) to agricultural environment through application of animal manure and/or animal manure-based composts to soils is of concern. The current study was conducted to examine decline of VAs during composting the chicken manure. For this, antibiotics free chicken manure (20 kg) and sawdust (10 kg) were added to the bench-scale composting apparatus and then the mixed material was spiked simultaneously with three VAs (chlortetracycline, CTC; sulfamethazine, SMZ; tylosin, TYL) at two different levels (10 and ). Then the decline of VAs was determined using Charm II system during 53 composting period. For comparison, composting only chicken manure was included at VAs concentration of . During composting, the concentration of all three different VAs declined below the prospective guideline values ( for CTC, for SMZ, and for TYL) except CTC at spiking when the chicken manure was composted together with sawdust. Interestingly, CTC at spiking appeared to be declined under the guideline value without sawdust while SMZ was resistant to be declined without sawdust. Unlike CTC and SMZ, TYL showed immediate decline right after spiking TYL to composting materials regardless the spiking concentration and existence of sawdust. Appropriate composting procedure of chicken manure was able to decline the residual VAs in the manure below the prospective guideline value and the importance of organic substances on this decline was perceived.

Effect of Phosphorus on the Cadmium Transfer and ROS-scavenging Capacity of Rice Seedlings

A B S T R A C T Received: August 7, 2017 Revised: August 22, 2017 Accepted: August 22, 2017 Environmental toxicity due to cadmium (Cd) pollution in croplands causes critical problems worldwide. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important crop in Asia, including South Korea, and numerous studies have evaluated the relationship between Cd and antioxidants to alleviate Cd uptake from the soil into plants. However, information about the relationship between phosphorus (P) and antioxidants in rice seedlings is still limited with regard to Cd phytotoxicity. We therefore investigated the physiological responses of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv ‘Dongjin’) seedlings to Cd toxicity and the effect of P application on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant changes. The exposure of rice seedlings to 30 μM Cd inhibited plant growth; increased the contents of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde; and induced Cd uptake by the roots and leaves. Application of P to Cd-exposed seedlings decreased Cd-induced oxidative stress by enhancing the capacity of ascorbate (AsA) production and ROS-scavenging, and decreased Cd transfer from the roots to the leaves. These results suggest that P application alleviated Cd-induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage by restricting Cd translocation from the roots to the leaves and maintaining sufficient levels of AsA.

Effect of Rice Straw Compost on Cadmium Transfer and Metal-ions Distribution at Different Growth Stages of Soybean

In soil-to-plant transfer of heavy metals, the amount absorbed and accumulated varies depending on the environment conditions. The absorption rate of cadmium (Cd) in plants differs considerably depending on the bioavailability of Cd in the soil, while usage by various organic matters is also reported to affect absorption patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the difference in the transfer of essential metal ions and Cd to various plant parts when rice straw compost was used to cultivate soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Daepung). In the two-leaf stage of soybean cultivated in a greenhouse, Cd was mixed in the soil, after which the Cd and essential metal ions contents, and physiological changes of soybean seedlings were studied on the 15th and 25th day. The Cd toxicity in the plant was reduced with the use of rice straw compost. Further, the Cd content varied with the plant part, and was higher in young leaves (3rd and 4th leaf) than in the stem. When analyzed by leaf age, the Cd transfer was highest in young leaves (3rd and 4th leaf), followed by mature leaves (1st and 2nd leaf). While there was no significant difference between plant tissues in the absorption rate of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) when rice straw compost was used against Cd toxicity, the absorption rate of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) showed a significant decline in both the control and rice straw compost treatment conditions, as well as a significant difference between leaf ages. Therefore, these results confirm that the use of rice straw compost against Cd toxicity is effective, and implies that the rate of Cd transfer in the soybean plant varies significantly with leaf age.

Uptake of Heavy Metals by Radish (Raphanus sativus cv. sodamaltari) from the Soils after Long-Term Application of Organic Wastes

This study was carried out to understand the long-term effects of organic waste treatments on the fate of heavy metals in soils originated from the organic wastes and consequent uptake of heavy metals by plant, together with examination of changes in soil properties and plant growth performance. In this study, the soils treated with three different organic wastes (municipal sewage sludge, alcohol fermentation processing sludge, pig manure compost) at three different rates (12.5, 25.0, 50.0 ton ) for 7 years (1994 - 2000) were used. To see the long-term effect, plant growth study and soil examination were conducted twice in 2000 and 2010, respectively. There was no additional treatments of organic wastes for 10 years after the organic waste treatment for 7 years. Compared to plant growth examination conducted in 2000 using radish (Raphanus sativus cv. sodamaltari), it appeared that height, root length and diameter, fresh weight of radish grown in 2010 decreased in the plots treated with municipal sewage sludge and alcohol fermentation processing sludge and that the extent of decrease was higher with increase of sludge application rates. On the other hand, pig compost treatment increased plant height, root length and diameter, fresh weight with increasing application rates. Cu and Pb concentrations in radish root and leaves increased in 2010 compared to those in 2000 while Ni concentrations in root and leaves decreased. Zn concentration was increased only in the soils treated with pig manure compost. Multiple regression analysis among heavy metal species fractions in soils, soil pH, and metal concentrations in radish root and leaves indicated that the metal uptake by radish was governed mainly by the soil pH and subsequent increase of available heavy metal fractions in soils with organic waste treatments.