• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.380-389
• /
• 2007

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed in suspended particulate organic matter, macroalgae and macrobenthic invertebrates in order to determine the importance of primary organic matter sources in supporting food webs of rocky subtidal and intertidal macroalgal beds in the Korean coasts. Investigations were conducted at the inter tidal sites within Gwangyang bay, a semi-enclosed and eutrophicated bay, and the subtidal sites of the east coast, a relatively oligotrophic and open environment, in May and June 2005. Water-column suspension feeders showed more negative $\delta^{13}C$ values than those of the other feeding guilds, indicating trophic linkage with phytoplankton and thereby association with pelagic food chains. In contrast, animals of the other feeding guilds, including interface suspension feeders, herbivores, deposit feeders, omnivores and predators, displayed relatively less negative $\delta^{13}C$ values than those of the water-column suspension feeders and similar with that of macroalgae, indicating exclusive use of macroalgae-derived organic matter and association with benthic food chains. Most the macrobenthic species were considered to form strong trophic links with benthic food chains. In addition, the distribution of higher $\delta^{15}N$ values in macrobenthic consumers and macroalgae at the intertidal sites of Gwangyang Bay than those at the subtidal sites of the east coast suggests that anthropogenic nutrients may enhance the macroalgal production at the intertidal sites and in turn be incorporated into the particular littoral food web in Gwangyag Bay. These results confirm the dominant role of macroalgae in supporting rocky subtidal and intertidal food webs in the Korean coasts.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.36-43
• /
• 2016

Wild glass eels found in the Korean peninsula are thought to migrate along the North Equatorial Current and undergo the processes of spawning and incubation in the Mariana Trench. Juveniles of the wild glass eels are collected from the southern and western coasts of the Korean peninsula and used as seeds for aquaculture. To investigate the feeding behavior of wild glass eels, we collected glass eels from the Nakdong River estuary during March and April 2014 and analyzed the total length, wet weight, dry weight, carbon and nitrogen contents, and stable isotope ratio of eels as well as water temperature and salinity. Water temperature in the Nakdong River estuary was $13.2{\pm}1.0$ (mean ${\pm}$ 1SE; range, $10.1{\sim}15.7)^{\circ}C$ and salinity was $24.8{\pm}2.4$ (13.2~34.0), showed a lower range from 13.2 to 30.0 (a mean of 21.2) when the floodgates were opened. The total length of glass eels was $56.5{\pm}0.2$ (51.0~63.6) mm, wet weight was $70.9{\pm}1.4$ (33.6~133.2) mg, and dry weight was $16.5{\pm}0.3$ (10.1~29.1) mg. Carbon and nitrogen contents of glass eels were $51.0{\pm}0.8%$ and $13.9{\pm}0.1%$, respectively. Mean ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of glass eels collected from the Nakdong River estuary were -20.9±0.2‰ and 6.1±0.1‰, displaying similar values to those of leptocephalus, glass eel larvae collected from the North Equatorial Current. Therefore, this result suggest that the glass eels collected from the Nakdong River estuary do not feed on prey after metamorphosis from eel larvae to glass eels their migration.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.510-519
• /
• 2019

The 'Stable Isotope Analysis in R' (SIAR), one of the Bayesian mixing models for stable isotopes, has been proven to be useful for source apportionment of nitrates in rivers. In this study, the contribution ratios of nitrate sources were quantified by using the SIAR based on nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope measurements in the Yeongsan River. From the measurements, it was found that the values of δ¹⁵N-NO₃ and δ¹⁸O-NO₃ ranged from -8.2 ‰ to +13.4 ‰ and from +2.2 ‰ to +9.8 ‰, respectively. We further analyzed the contribution ratios of the five nitrate sources by using the SIAR. From the modeling results, the main nitrate source was found to be soil N (29.3 %), followed by sewage (26.7 %), manure (19.6 %), chemical fertilizer (17.9 %) and precipitation (6.3 %). From the results, it was found that the anthropogenic sources, i.e., sewage, manure and chemical fertilizer contribute 64.2% of the total nitrate inflow from the watershed. Due to the significant correlation of δ¹⁵N-NO₃ and lnNO₃^- in this study, the fractionation factors reflecting the biogeochemical processes of stable isotope ratios could be directly obtained. This may make the contribution ratios obtained in this study more precise. The fractionation factors were identified as +3.64 ± 0.91 ‰ for δ¹⁵N-NO₃ (p<0.01) and -5.67 ± 1.73 ‰ for δ¹⁸O-NO₃(p<0.01), respectively, and were applied in using the SIAR. The study showed that the stable isotope method using the SIAR could be applied to quantitatively calculate the contribution ratios of nitrate sources in the Yeongsan River.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.493-502
• /
• 2013

This study investigates the design parameters for riverbed filtration (RBF) based on the geochemistry of river water and groundwater. The study area consists of alluvium, and the area is readily affected by non-point sources of chemical contaminants in the surface environment; this is expected to affect the design parameters for RBF. River and groundwater samples were collected at three points along the river flow and at nine points along a transect normal to the river, respectively. The geochemical data indicate that the sources of individual chemical contaminants are industrial facilities and agricultural activity near the study area. In addition, The samples are mainly Ca-Na-$HCO_3$, Ca-Cl, and Ca-$HCO_3$-Cl type waters. The design parameters of RBF in the study area should consider K, $HCO_3$, $NO_3$, and Cl. We divided the study area into three regions based on the concentrations of stable nitrogen isotopes: Region A, the origin of the river and denitrification; Region B, denitrification in the flow direction of tributaries; and Region C, the origin of natural soil, sewage, and anthropogenic pollution.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.195-207
• /
• 2016

Because the high latitude region in the North Pacific is characterized by high primary production in the surface water enriched with nutrients, it is important to understand the variation of surface water productivity and associated nutrient variability in terms of global carbon cycle. Surface water productivity change or its related nutrient utilization rate during the Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG; ca. 2.73 Ma) has been reported, but little is known about such circumstances under gradual climate cooling since the NHG. Bulk nitrogen isotope (${\delta}^{15}N_{bulk}$) of sedimentary organic matter has been used for the reconstruction of nutrient utilization rate in the surface water. However, sedimentary organic matter experiences diagenesis incessantly during sinking through the water column and after burial within the sediments. Thus, in this study we examine the degree of nitrate utilization rate during the early Pleistocene (2.4-1.25 Ma) since the NHG, using the diatom-bound nitrogen isotope (${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$), which is known to be little influenced by diagenesis, from Site U1343 in the Bering slope area. ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$ values range from ~0.5 to 5.5‰, which is lower than ${\delta}^{15}N_{bulk}$ values, but they vary with larger amplitude. Variation patterns between ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$ values and biogenic opal concentration are generally consistent, which indicates that the nitrate utilization rate is closely related to opal productivity change in the surface water. A positive correlation between opal productivity and nitrate utilization rate was observed, which is different from the other high latitude regions in the North Pacific. The main reason for this contrasting relationship is that the primary production in the surface water at Site U1343 is influenced mostly by the degree of sea ice formation. Still, although concerns about diagenetic alteration have been avoided by using ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$, the effects of the preservation state of biogenic opal and the species-dependent isotopic fractionation on ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$ should be assessed in the future studies.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 1973

1. Through out the entire stage of growth, the amount of nutrients, number of tillers and of spikes increased in the Simagcalin treated plot as compared with the control. The treated plot showed healthul growth at the later growing stage. On the other hand, management of irrigation water resulted in raised the grain straw ratio and retarded the culm height about 10%. 2. Application of Simagcalin greatly increased the content of phosphorus and magnesium at the harvesting time. The culm and sheath analyses are recommendable for the determination of magnesium deficiency. 3. The controled irrigation would effect root activity as the main factor, and Simagcalin might act as a secondary factor. 4. While the application of phosphorus may not affect the yield components, The basic elements in Simagcalin may enhance the uptake of nutrients under heavy application of nitrogn.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.467-474
• /
• 2011

In an effort to investigate water pollution characteristics of Juam lake, water samples were collected from three sites (Sites A, B, and C) of Oenam stream which is a typical tributary of rural watershed in the lake and analyzed for N concentration and the corresponding isotope ratio (${\delta}^{15}N$) of ${NO_3}^-$. Concentrations of ${NO_3}^-$ were not dramatically different among the sites; $0.8{\pm}0.2mgNL^{-1}$ (range: $0.0{\sim}4.3mgNL^{-1}$) for Site A, $1.1{\pm}0.2mgNL^{-1}$ ($0.0{\sim}4.3mgNL^{-1}$) for Site B, and $1.1{\pm}0.1mgNL^{-1}$ ($0.1{\sim}2.6mgNL^{-1}$) for Site C. Meanwhile, ${\delta}^{15}N$ tended to decrease with river flow; it was highest for Site A ($45.5{\pm}5.3$‰) followed by Site B ($19.7{\pm}2.0$‰) and Site C ($8.7{\pm}1.5$‰). Such high ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of ${NO_3}^-$ in Site A suggested that ${NO_3}^-$ derived from livestock feedlot (specifically livestock excrete of which ${\delta}^{15}N$ is higher than 10‰) is the predominant pollution sources despite mountainous area occupied the most of land-use in the watershed. Using the two-sources isotope mixing model, it was estimated that the contribution of cropping activities (i.e. fertilization) became greater in down-stream area (Sites B and C) due to the higher agricultural land-use than the up-stream area (Site A). Particularly, during the active cropping season, the low contribution of organic pollution sources indicated that domestic sewage was not the predominant pollution source. Therefore, it was suggested that agricultural sources such as livestock farming and cropping rather than mountainous and residential are the dominant sources of water pollution in the study area. These results could be effectively utilized in elucidating water pollution sources in rural areas and selecting water management practices.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.81-96
• /
• 2011

Sediment oxygen demand(SOD) and denitrification rates were measured in four major estuaries(Suncheon Bay, Seomjin river estuary, Goseong stream estuary and Masan Bay) in south coast of Korean peninsula from March of 2009 to May 2010 to estimate organic matter cleaning capacity. SOD was estimated from the temporal dissolved oxygen concentration change and isotopic pairing technique was employed to measure denitrification. Sediment oxygen demand(SOD) was ranged from -5.1 to 24.6 mmole $O_2m^{-2}d^{-1}$ and denitrification rate was ranged from 0.0 to 3.9 mmole $N_2m^{-2}d^{-1}$in the study area. SOD was the highest in Masan Bay(-2.2 to 19.2, average = 10.2 mmole $O_2m^{-2}d^{-1}$) and Suncheon, Goseong, Tae-an and Seomjin followed. Denitrification was also the highest in Masn Bay(0.0 to 3.9, average = 1.0 mmole $N_2m^{-2}d^{-1}$) and Goseong, Seomjin, Suncheon and Taean followed. The effect of benthic photosynthesis by microphytobenthos on denitrification was evident in some season of Tae-an, Seomjin, and Masn Bay. The increased oxygen level produced by photosynthesis stimulated nitrification without severe adverse effect on denitrification and, as a result, coupled nitrification and denitrification was enhanced in these areas. A difference of seasonal patterns of denitrification at each site depended on relative importance of denitrification on different nitrate source($D_w$: nitrate from water column and $D_n$: nitrated produced during nitrification). Denitrification was maximum during spring in Goseong, Suncheon and Masan Bay. On the contrary, denitrification was the highest during summer in Tae-an and Seomjin estuary.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.18-29
• /
• 2016

The effects of water temperature, salinity, water column nutrient contents, and phytoplankton primary productivity on pigment composition and concentration, as well as primary productivity of Pyropia yezoensis Ueda purple lavers were studied at the primary cultivation areas in the Manho (Jindo-Haenam) region on the southwestern coast of Korea in March 2014. The water temperature was $9.1{\sim}9.6^{\circ}C$, salinity was 32.5~33.1, and transparency was 0.7~1.5 m. The shallow euphotic depth resulted from the high turbidity. Water column dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and silicate concentrations were $3.59{\sim}5.73{\mu}M$, $0.16{\sim}0.41{\mu}M$, and $12.41{\sim}13.94{\mu}M$, respectively. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration was $0.51{\sim}1.25{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Nanoplankton ($0.7{\sim}20{\mu}m$ size class) accounted for 58% of the total Chl a concentration. Fucoxanthin was the dominant photosynthetic pigment at all sites. Microplankton ($20{\sim}200{\mu}m$ size class) accounted for 64% of the total fucoxanthin concentration. The primary productivity of phytoplankton was $57.72{\pm}4.67(51.05{\sim}66.71)mg\;C\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$. The nanoplankton ($0.7{\sim}20{\mu}m$ size class) accounted for 77% of the total phytoplankton primary productivity. The calculated phytoplankton primary productivity was $11,337kg\;C\;d^{-1}$. The primary productivity of Pyropia blades was $1,926{\pm}192(1,102{\sim}2,597)mg\;C\:m^{-2}d^{-1}$, i.e., calculated as $39,295kg\;C\;d^{-1}$. The total primary productivity of phytoplankton and Pyropia blades was $50,632kg\;C\;d^{-1}$. The primary productivity of Pyropia blades was 3.5 times greater than that of phytoplankton in the Manho region on the southwestern coast of Korea.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.302-307
• /
• 2014

To examine the trophic ecology of the ascidian Styela clava in an aquaculture system of Korea, stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed monthly in S. clava, coarse ($>20{\mu}m$, CPOM) and fine particulate organic matters ($0.7<<20{\mu}m$, FPOM). CPOM (means: $-18.5{\pm}1.2$‰, $9.3{\pm}0.7$‰) were significantly higher ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values than those ($-20.5{\pm}1.5$‰, $8.4{\pm}0.5$‰) of FPOM. S. clava had mean ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of $-18.9({\pm}1.7)$‰ and $11.6({\pm}0.7)$‰, respectively. S. clava were more similar to seasonal variations in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of FPOM than those of CPOM, suggesting that they rely largely on the FPOM as a dietary source. In addition, our results displayed that the relative importance between CPOM and FPOM as dietary source for the ascidians can be changed according to the availability of each component in ambient environment, probably reflecting their feeding plasticity due to non-selective feeding irrespective of particle size. Finally, our results suggest that dynamics of pico- and nano-size plankton (i.e., FPOM) as an available nutritional source to S. clava should be effectively assessed to maintain and manage their sustainable aquaculture production.