• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.140-147
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• 2010

We investigated the effects of water temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of the harmful algae Chattonella ovata isolated from South Sea, Korea. C. ovata grew under all combinations of water temperatures and salinity, except for all the salinity conditions at the water temperature of $10^{\circ}C$, with the salinity of 7.5 psu and 10 psu at $15^{\circ}C$, and 7.5 psu at $20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$. The maximum specific growth rate was $0.62\;day^{-1}$ at the combination of $30^{\circ}C$ and 30 psu. The results of two-way ANOVA indicated that growth rate depended greatly on the water temperatures while not being affected by interactions with the salinity. This indicates that C. ovata is a stenothermal and euryhaline organism, preferring high water temperatures. C. ovata did not grow at irradiance ${\leq}30\;{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$. Photoinhibition did not occur at $800\;{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$, which was the maximum irradiance used in this study. The irradiance-growth curve was described as $\mu$ = 0.74(I-16.0)/(I+43.9) at $30^{\circ}C$ and 30 psu. The half-saturation light intensity ($K_s$) was $75.9\;{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$ and compensation photon flux density ($I_c$) was $16.0\;{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$, especially this value was comparatively lower than those of Skeletonema costatum and other flagellates previously reported. Therefore, our results indicate that C. ovata has advantageous physiological characteristics for interspecific competition at the embayment and coastal areas of Korea in summer.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.302-313
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• 2012

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, As and Cd) in surface sediments from 96 sites in Masan and Jinhae Bay were studied in order to understand metal contamination. Results show that the surface sediments were mainly enriched by Cu (18-294 ppm), Zn (67-568 ppm), Pb (10-120 ppm) and Cd (0.2-3.5 ppm). The coastal zone of Masan Bay was significantly more contaminated than the non-coastal zone, and spatial distribution pattern suggested additional sources of heavy metal input in the coastal area. The enrichment ratio and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$) have been calculated and the relative contamination levels assessed in the study area. The enrichment ratios of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in Masan Bay have been observed to be relatively high. $I_{geo}$ results reveal that the study area is not contaminated with respect to Fe, Mn, Cr and Ni; moderately to strongly contaminated with Cu, Zn and Pb; and strongly to strong contaminated with Cd. The high contents of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in the study area result from anthropogenic activities in the catchment area. Based on the eight different sediment quality guideline values from USA (ERL, ERM), Canada (TEL, PEL), Australia/New Zealand (ISQG-high, ISQG-low) and Hong Kong (ISQV-low, ISQV-high), sediment quality of Masan and Jinhae Bay was also assessed and characterized.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-40
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• 1993

Fourteen species and four genera of the family Callionymidae from Korea were reviewed and provided a tentative the key to species and genera. The taxonomic position and scientific name of the family Callionymidae were recheked together with states of their distribution. Among them, two species Callionymus kitaharai and C. doryssus previously described by Chyung(1977), were found to be the same species under synonym of Repomucenus huguenini. On the other hand, two species Repomucenus leucopoecilus and Repomucenus sp. were newly added. Seven species, previously reported as the family Callionymidae from Korea, were transferred into another generic name or specific name Draculo mirabilis into Eleucherochir mirabilis, Callionymus joponicus into Callurichthys japonics, Callionymus altivelis into Synchiropus altivelis, Callionymus kitaharai into Repomucenus huguenini, Callionymus richardsoni into Repomucenus curvicornis, Callionymus lunatus into Repomucenus lunatus, Callionymus flagris into Repomucenus oalenciennei. The species of Calliurichthys japonicus, Repomucenus lunatus, Repomucenus curvicornis, Repomucenus huguenini, Repomucenus ualenciennei and Synchiropus altivelis were mainly distributed in the South Sea, while the other species of the family were mainly distributed in the Yellow Sea of Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.453-459
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• 2016

Agarases are classified into α-agarase and β-agarase that produce agarooligosaccharides and neoagarooligosaccharides, respectively. Neoagarooligosaccharides have whitening effect of skin, delay of starch degradation, and inhibition of bacterial growth etc. Hence, the object of this study was to isolate a novel agarase producing marine bacterium and characterization of its β-agarase. A novel agar-degrading bacterium was isolated from seashore of Namhae at Gyeongnamprovine, Korea and purely cultured with Marine agar 2216 media. The isolated bacterium was identified as Simiduia sp. SH-4 after 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The enzymatic sample was obtained from culture media of Simiduia sp. SH-4. Enzymatic activity was highly increased from 20(30% relative activity) to 30℃ (100%) and decreased from 30 to 40℃(75%) and so more. Relative activity was 100% at pH 6 while those were about 91% and 59% at pH 5.0 and 7.0, respectively, meaning the enzyme possesses narrow optimal pH range. Hence, the enzyme exhibited the maximal activity with 120.4 units/l at pH 6.0 and 30℃ in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis showed that Simiduia sp. SH-4 produces β-agarase, which hydrolyze agarose to produce biofunctional neoagarooligosaccharides such as neoagarotetraose and neoagarobiose. Hence, broad applications would be possible using Simiduia sp. SH-4 and its enzyme in the food industry, cosmetics and medical fields.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2016

To assess the effects of environmental factors on the sustainability of cultured ark shell Scapharca broughtonii production, we investigated the habitat characteristics of shellfish-farming bays (Gangjin Bay, Yeoja Bay, Keoje Bay and Deukryang Bay). We measured the physiochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chemical oxygen demand and Chlorophyll a) and the geochemical characteristics (chemical oxygen demand, ignition loss, C/N ratio and C/S ratio). Surface sediments were collected from several shellfish-farming bays to examine the geochemical characteristics of both the benthic environment and heavy metal pollution. The grain sizes for Gangjin Bay, Yeoja Bay and Keoje Bay were similar, at the ratio of silt and clay in comparison with Deukryang bay of it. The C/N ratio was more than 5.9, reflecting the range arising from the mix of marine organisms and organic matter. The C/S ratio (more than 4.2) showed that the survey area had anoxic or sub-anoxic bottom conditions. The index of accumulation rate (Igeo) of the metals showed that those research areas can be classified as heavily polluted, heavily to moderately polluted, or more or less unpolluted, respectively. We suggested that the growth of ark shell Scapharca broughtonii in the shellfish-farming bay was effected by the various environmental conditions.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2016

In this study, we isolated a new agar-degrading marine bacterium and characterized its agarase. An agardegrading marine bacterium SH-1 was isolated from seawater, collected from the seashore of Namhae in Gyeongnam province, Korea, and cultured in marine agar 2216 media. It was identified as Maribacter. sp. SH-1 by phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. The extracellular agarase was extracted from culture media of Maribacter sp. SH-1 and characterized. Its relative activities were 56, 62, 94, 100, and 8% at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60℃, respectively, whereas 15, 100, 60, and 21% relative activities were observed at pH 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. Its extracellular agarase exhibited maximum activity (231 units/l) at pH 6.0 and 50℃, in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. Therefore, this agarase would be applicable as it showed the maximum activity at the temperature at which the agar is in a sol state. Furthermore, the agarase activities remained over 90% at 20, 30, and 40℃ after 0.5 h exposure at these temperatures. Thin layer chromatography analysis suggested that Maribacter sp. SH-1 produces extracellular β-agarase, as it hydrolyzes agarose to produce neoagarooligosaccharides, such as neoagarohexaose (34.8%), neoagarotetraose (52.2%), and neoagarobiose (13.0%). Maribacter sp. SH-1 and its β-agarase would be useful for the production of neoagarooligosaccharides, which shows functional properties, like skin moisturizing, skin whitening, inhibition of bacterial growth, and delay in starch degradation.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.539-562
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• 2006

The clarification of spatial-temporal patterns of phytoplankton from southern coastal waters during the period of March to November in 2004 was carried out. Total cell numbers were shown in 5,286 cells $ml^{-1}$ on March and reached to encounter a peak of 27,775 cells $ml^{-1}$ on July. Mean cell number was also shown in maximum of 1,587 cells $ml^{-1}$ on July, which recorded approximately two times higher than on June. The cell number of phytoplankton from southmiddle waters attained an abundance of ${\geq}35%$ regardless of months, which was the highest the abundance of phytoplankton in 2004 than any other waters in this study. Southwestern waters were lower the cell number of 2-5 times than those of southmiddle and southeastern waters. In particular, Prorocentrum occurred in southeastern waters on June and the highest cell number of 8,200 cells $ml^{-1}$ around Tongyeong region on July, which was recorded to occupy the value of 60.9% in southeast waters. The abundance of Skeletonema costatum as a dominant taxa in southwest was shown in ${\geq}60%$ on March, July, September, and October, whereas was also recorded to achieve the abundance of above 80% in southmiddle waters on March, July, and September. The majority of the taxa in southeastern waters was diatom: Eucampia zoodiacus, and Chaetoceros spp.. They occupied above 45%. On November, most of southern waters were abundant to Chaetoceros spp. On the basis of cluster analysis using SPSS ver 10.0, phytoplankton occurring on March showed somewhat no correlation with all of southern waters. In contrast to on March, the relationship between southwestern and southmiddle waters was shown on August and November, indicating a distinction from southeastern waters. However, the distance between southwestern/middle and southeastern waters appeared to be less than 5. Consequently, the abundance of phytoplankton in southern waters showed much fluctuations in temporal and spatial assays. In particular, southwestern and southmiddle waters during the periods of summer and winter appeared to be a similar to environmental characteristics.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.338-348
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• 1999

Physical properties of mudbelt sediments in the southeastern inner shelf of Korea are studied from 14 cores. Physical properties, compressional wave velocity, and sediment texture for core sediments are analyzed. The major source of sediment in the study area is the Nakdong River. Fine-grained sediments from the river are transported northeastward by coastal circulation and the Tsushima Current, resulting in a gradual northeastward increase in porosity and a decrease in wet bulk density and velocity. The trend matches well with the bathymetry. The mean grain size appears to be the most important variable to determine the physical properties and velocity. The variations of physical properties with burial depth are dependent more strongly on sediment texture than compaction and/or consolidation. Correlations between the physical properties and the sediment texture show slight deviations from those of the continental terrace sediment in the North Pacific and inner shelf sediment in the South Sea of Korea. The velocity is higher than that of the North Pacific and the South Sea sediments between these areas. This is probably due to differences in sedimentary, environment and mineral compositions. The higher sediment velocity in the study area may also be attributed to the escape of gas from pore space which decreases void ratio.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 1993

Greeling, Hexagrammos otakii Jordan et Starks is commonly found at the coastal waters of Korea and Japan. The authors carried out the artificial insemination in the laboratory on Dec, 17, 1987, and reared the hatched larvae in an aquarium. The eggs were demersal and adhesive, and their diameters were 2.00~2.15mm. Color of yolk was light yellow in the early stage, and then turned to orange before hatching. The yolk had numerous tiny oil globules. Hatching began about 477hours after insemination under water temperature of $10.0{\sim}14.5^{\circ}C$. The newly hatched larvae were elongate in shape and 7.48~8.25mm in total length(TL) with 49~50 myomeres. The larvae absorbed the yolk material and oil globules completely in 5days after hatching and became postlarvae. In 17days after hatching, mean total length of the larvae was 9.85mm, and the caudal notochord flex at $45^{\circ}$. In 23days, total length reached 10.54mm. The part of the fin-fold of the future dorsal and anal fins became high. Spawning season of the Greenling is known to be from November to January in the southern coast of Korea.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.435-445
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• 2011

We investigated geochemical properties, and microbial sulfate- and iron(III) reduction in sediment influenced by the aquaculture of abalone in the Nohwa-do, southern coastal sea in Korea. Concentrations of ammonium, phosphate, and sulfide in the pore-water were higher at farm sites than at control sites. The differences between the 2 types of sites were most apparent in terms of the weights of abalone and the temperature increase during September. Accordingly, the rates of sulfate reduction at the farm sites during September (61 mmol S $m^{-2}d{-1}$) were 3-fold higher than the sulfate reduction during May (20 mmol S $m^{-2}d{-1}$). In contrast, Fe(III) reduction rates were highest at the control sites in May, but its significance was relatively decreased at farm sites during September when sulfate reduction rates were highest. During September, benthic ammonium flux was 3-fold greater at the farm sites (35 mmol N $m^{-2}d{-1}$) than at the control sites (12 mmol N $m^{-2}d{-1}$), and phosphate flux was 8-fold higher at the farm sites (0.018 mmol P $m^{-2}d{-1}$) than at control sites (0.003 mmol P $m^{-2}d{-1}$). Overall results indicated that the inappropriate operation of a large-scale aquaculture farm may result in excess input of biodeposits and high nutrient fluxes from the sediment, thereby decreasing diversity of the benthic ecosystem and deepening eutrophication in coastal waters.