https://repository.kopri.re.kr/handle/201206/15840 2026-04-08T22:16:43Z 2026-04-08T22:16:43Z Kim Da-Hye Lee Hyemin Kim, Kitae Kim, Sanghee Kim, Ji Hee Ko, Young Wook Hawes Ian Oh Jeong-Eun Kim Jun-Tae https://repository.kopri.re.kr/handle/201206/16253 2025-10-28T09:18:15Z 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Persistent organic pollutants in the Antarctic marine environment: The influence impacts of human activity, regulations, and climate change Authors: Kim Da-Hye; Lee Hyemin; Kim, Kitae; Kim, Sanghee; Kim, Ji Hee; Ko, Young Wook; Hawes Ian; Oh Jeong-Eun; Kim Jun-Tae Abstract: This study investigates the presence, distribution, and potential impacts of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) on the Antarctic marine environment. The analysis results from the King Sejong Station, the Jang Bogo Station, and Cape Evans revealed the highest concentrations of both PFASs and HBCDs at King Sejong Station, indicating the significant influence of human activity. Short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) dominated the seawater samples, with PFPeA at the highest concentration (0.076 ng/L) at King Sejong Station, whereas perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) were prevalent in the sediments, with PFHxS reaching 0.985 ng/g. Total PFASs in benthos ranged from N.D. to 2.40 ng/g ww across all stations. This indicated the effects of long-range transport and glacial meltwater. alpha-HBCD was the most common diastereomer in benthos samples, detected in 58.3% of samples, suggesting its selective persistency. Although risk quotient analysis revealed low immediate risks to lower-trophic organisms, potential risks remain owing to their persistence and bioaccumulation potential. Contaminant patterns changed after regulations: perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels decreased, unregulated PFASs increased, HBCD stereoisomer ratios shifted towards alpha-HBCD dominance, and overall HBCD concentrations declined. Widespread persistence of regulated substances was observed in Antarctic environments, highlighting the need for comprehensive and long-term monitoring strategies. This study provides essential baseline data on contaminant distributions across the Southern Ocean, contributing to our understanding of emerging pollutants in Antarctic regions and informing future environmental protection efforts.

2024-10-01T00:00:00Z Lee, Sook？Young Kim, Ji Hee Kang, Seunghyun Park Kye Chung Cho, Sung Mi Salinas Carla Ximena Rebolledo Lorena Benitez Hugo A. Mejias Tamara Contador Soutullo Alvaro Juri Eduardo Kim, Sanghee https://repository.kopri.re.kr/handle/201206/16254 2025-10-28T09:19:59Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities at Antarctic stations Authors: Lee, Sook？Young; Kim, Ji Hee; Kang, Seunghyun; Park Kye Chung; Cho, Sung Mi; Salinas Carla Ximena; Rebolledo Lorena; Benitez Hugo A.; Mejias Tamara Contador; Soutullo Alvaro; Juri Eduardo; Kim, Sanghee Abstract: BackgroundThe Antarctic environment is susceptible to the introduction of non-native species due to its unique ecosystem, which has evolved under geographical isolation and extreme climatic conditions over an extended period. The recent introduction of the non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis, to maritime Antarctica may pose a potential threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of the mechanical transmission of viruses by T. maculipennis.MethodsWe assessed the potential for the mechanical transmission of viruses using next-generation sequencing (NGS), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and virus isolation methods from T. maculipennis (Tm)-related samples (Tm body-wash fluid and Tm body-ground samples) collected from habitats and sewage treatment facilities located at three research stations in Antarctica.ResultsVirome analysis detected the genomic fragments of human adenovirus (AdV) and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) in Tm-related samples. These viruses are commonly found in human feces. In addition, plant viruses, such as pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), both known indicators of enteric viruses, were identified in all Tm-related samples, likely originating from wastewater. However, the low quantities of AdV and HERV genomes detected in Tm-related samples through qPCR, coupled with the non-viability of AdV in virus isolation tests, indicate that T. maculipennis has limited potential for mechanical transmission under the conditions in the studies.ConclusionsOur study represents the first evaluation of the potential risk of non-native species serving as vectors for viral pathogens in Antarctica. Although the viruses detected were in relatively low quantities and non-viable, this study highlights the importance of further evaluating the risks associated with non-native species, particularly as the likelihood of their introduction increases to Antarctica due to climate change and increased human activity.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z