인위적 기원 가돌리늄(gadolinium)의 해양 유입 연구 동향 및 향후 연구 방향

Abstract

Gadolinium (Gd), one of a rare earth element (REE), has been widely used worldwide since the 1980s, as a resource material for contrast agents injected into examiners of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. The organic complexed form of Gd shows an extremely stable behavior in natural environment (water), so is known that the artificial Gd from medical uses is not removed from the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and eventually introduced into the ocean through the estuary. Since the 1990s, some previous studies have often been conducted on Gd anomalies in natural water and their effects an artificial origin from land or metropolitan areas, but little research has been potential impacts on the ocean water. In this paper, we review and introduce recent studies related to Gd anomaly in natural water and related marine effects, and also propose the future research directions.