Yong Chang Jang

Impacts of marine debris on wild animals in the coastal area of Korea.

Over the last decade, marine debris has become a major factor affecting the coastal ecosystem of Korea. This study compiled information regarding how marine debris impacts wildlife in Korea. Cases of marine debris impacting wildlife were collected from experts of various fields and from local participants through an open access website from February 2010 to March 2012. A total of 21 species were affected by marine debris: 18 species of birds, 2 species of mammals, and 1 species of crustacean. Five threatened or protected species were identified: black-faced spoonbill, finless porpoise, water deer, whooper swan, and greater painted snipe. Recreational fishing gears were the types of debris that most frequently impacted wildlife, especially birds. Black tailed gulls were the most vulnerable species to recreational fishing hooks and lines. Although it was preliminary, this study revealed that recreational fishing activities should be prioritized when managing marine debris in Korea.

Estimation of the annual flow and stock of marine debris in South Korea for management purposes

The annual flow and stock of marine debris in the Sea of Korea was estimated by summarizing previous survey results and integrating them with other relevant information to underpin the national marine debris management plan. The annual inflow of marine debris was estimated to be 91,195 tons [32,825 tons (36% of the total) from sources on land and 58,370 tons (64%) from ocean sources]. As of the end of 2012, the total stock of marine debris on all South Korean coasts (12,029 tons), the seabed (137,761 tons), and in the water column (2451 tons) was estimated to be 152,241 tons. In 2012, 42,595 tons of marine debris was collected from coasts, seabeds, and the water column. This is a very rare case study that estimated the amount of marine debris at a national level, the results of which provide essential information for the development of efficient marine debris management policies.

Plastic Marine Debris Used as Nesting Materials of the Endangered Species Black-Faced Spoonbill Platalea minor Decreases by Conservation Activities

해양 생물에 대한 교란은 해양쓰레기의 악영향 중 하나이다. 이 연구에서는 한국의 서해안에 있는 수하암이라는 섬에서 수행된 조사를 바탕으로 플라스틱 해양쓰레기를 포함하고 있는 저어새 둥지의 비율이 계산되었다. 플라스틱을 포함하고 있는 둥지의 비율은 2010년 71%에서 2011년 37%, 2012년 33%로 줄어들었다. 전체 둥지의 개수는 2010년 28개에서 2011년 38개, 2012년 43개로 늘어났다. 이 번식지에 2011년과 2012년에 나뭇가지와 볏짚 등의 자연물 둥지 재료가 공급되었는데, 이런 보호 활동이 위와 같은 변화의 한 원인으로 보인다. 해양쓰레기의 악영향을 줄이기 위해 추가적인 보호 활동이 필요하다.

Estimating the Global Inflow and Stock of Plastic Marine Debris Using Material Flow Analysis: a Preliminary Approach

전세계 플라스틱 해양쓰레기의 유입량과 현존량을 추정하였다. 한국에서 플라스틱 해양쓰레기의 연간 유입량(72,956 톤)은 플라스틱의 연간 소비량(5.2백만톤)의 1.4%로 추정되었다. 유출량이 0이라는 가정과 함께, 이 1.4% 유입률을 1950년부터 2013년까지 전세계 플라스틱 생산량에 적용함으로써, 2013년 전세계 연간 플라스틱 해양쓰레기 유입량은 4.2백만톤이며, 2013년말 현재 플라스틱 해양쓰레기 현존량은 86백만톤으로 추정되었다. 또한 로지스틱 모델에 따라, 석유생산량의 4%가 플라스틱으로 생산될 때 플라스틱 해양쓰레기의 최종 현존량은 199백만톤이 될 것으로 추정되었다. 유입량과 현존량은 전혀 다른 측정단위이기 때문에, 유입 저감 정책의 효과성을 평가할 수 있는 개선된 지표가 필요하다. 또한, 플라스틱 해양쓰레기 오염은 거의 회복불가능하기 때문에, 이를 예방하는 대책의 가치는 훨씬 더 높게 평가되어야 하며, 사전주의의 원칙에 따라 더 강력한 예방 대책이 시행되어야 한다. 본 연구는 제한적인 정보에 근거한 예비 연구에 해당하므로 플라스틱 해양쓰레기의 유입량과 현존량의 경향을 규명하기 위한 추가 연구가 필요하다.

Anti-inflammatory, counteractive, and preventive effects of orally administrated oat extracts on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

The anti-inflammatory effects of oat extracts in vitro and in vivo were determined based on antioxidant functions. To examine the effect of oat extracts in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, MTT assays were used and nitric oxide (NO) production was analyzed based on absorbance and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression levels using Western blot analysis. Immunoglobulin expression levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oat extracts showed significant (p<0.05) antioxidant properties and restored the cell viability of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, compared with controls. NO production and iNOS protein levels were also reduced by oat extracts. DSS (3%)-administered mice manifested symptoms similar to human colitis patients, and oat extracts attenuated the symptoms of colitis. Preventive and therapeutic administration of oat extracts used as antioxidants can ameliorate inflammatory conditions in cells and DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Evaluation of Synurus deltoides for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative activities using In vitro assays

The antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative activities of water and ethanol extracts from leaves of Synurus deltoides (SD) were investigated. Extracts showed strong reductive powers, nitrite-scavenging activities, DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and DNA damage prevention activities. SD extracts also showed strong cellular antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 0.93 and 0.65 mg/mL for water and ethanol extracts, respectively. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against 4 microorganisms. SD extracts showed high inhibitory activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The anti-proliferative activity was dose-dependent against human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and mouse rectum carcinoma cells (CMT-93). In addition, HPLC analyses of SD leaf extracts revealed the presence of different phenolic compounds. SD can be considered as a source of functional foods and pharmaceuticals.