• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2004

As a baseline survey for long-term monitoring on environmental change around the Antarctic King Sejong Station, distribution pattern of Deschampsia antarctica Desv., a flowering plant newly colonized were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in both austral summer 2002 and 2003. Dispersal of the seeds and vegetative leaves by skuas might lead to the colonization into this area from neighbors in Maxwell Bay. The pioneer populations were observed around ponds and a stream of the Sejong Point in January 2002, and the maximum dispersal area was four times expanded after a year. Most of the populations were formed on the stable and well-drained substrate, which consisted of moss carpet of Sanionia georgico-uncinata (65%) and pebbles (25%), while only a few young individuals were observed on the unstable and watertight silt-sandy area. Especially, S. georgico-uncinata was being effectively utilized as their primary substrate with the soft, coarse and water-contained leaves. Also the perennial mature plants of D. antarctica were mainly formed on the moss carpet rather than pebbles. A few individuals were grown on other mosses of Polytrichastrum alpinum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Pohlia cruda, and Conostomum magellanicum and on a liverwort of Cephaloziella varians. We expect that dispersal of D. antarctica and the following succession to grass field will be countinuously and dynamically proceeded in this area, with the characteristics of ecological niche against the initial moss populations, on the similar continuity of environmental conditions. The continuous observations are needed with establishment of database on environmental change of micro-habitats, e.g. the water content and nutrients of soil and the underground temperature and permafrost.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.709-716
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• 2011

In order to collect basic data of soil environment in the Vicinity of King Sejong Station, King George Island, Antarctica, the physico-chemical characteristics of soils were investigated. Soil samples were collected in Barton Peninsula from 13 sites according to direction from the Sejong Cape. Soils from 13 sites were divided into three groups. The sand percentage of soils were much higher as above 90% than silt and clay percentages of soils at the all sites. Soil texture was classified sandy (10 sites) and loamy sand (3 sites). In distribution characteristics at different soil particles according to direction, large particles ($>500{\mu}m$) were higher in the order of Group 1 (Marian cove coast regions) > Group 2 (Inland regions) > Group 3 (Maxwell bay coast regions). On the other hand, small particles ($<355{\mu}m$) were higher in the order of Group 3 > Group 2 > Group 1. Chemical characteristic of soils showed significant differences at different areas. pH ranged 4.5-6.7, showing it was slightly acid and EC ranged $0.06-0.16dS\;m^{-1}$. T-N, OM and T-C contents were high at #6, #8, #12 and #13 sites. T-P and P2O5 contents were high at #9 and #12 sites. The results of this study will be helpful to understand soil environment in the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2000

We investigated seasonal variation of microalgal assemblages, sea water temperature, salinity and suspended solid and the parameters measured daily from January 1998 to October 1999 at a nearshore shallow-water in Marian Cove, Maxwell Bay, King George Island, the Antarctic. Annual mean surface water temperature was -0.3$0^{\circ}C$ and the highest water temperature was 4.53$^{\circ}C$ (22 January 1999) and the lowest water temperature was -2.07$^{\circ}C$ (23 August 1998). Annual mean salinity was 33.38 psu, ranging from 42.80 psu (6 January 1999) to 19.50 psu (6 June 1999). Annual mean suspended solid (SS) during two years was 34.14 mgㆍ1$^{-1}$, ranging from 60.62 mgㆍ1$^{-1}$(7 March 1998) to 12.90 mgㆍ1$^{-1}$ (26 December 1998). Chlorophyll $\alpha$ (Chl $\alpha$) concentrations were measured in order to know seasonal variations of microalgae in the surface seawater. Annual mean of total Chl a concentration was 0.55$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$, the highest Chl $\alpha$ concentration (12.16$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$) appeared in 4 October 1998, the lowest Chl $\alpha$ concentration appeared 0.19$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$, Monthly mean total Chl $\alpha$ concentration was high in October 1998 (1.32$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$) and low in July on 1998 (0.28$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$). Annual mean nano-sized Chl $\alpha$ concentration was 0.40$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$, monthly mean nano -sized Chl $\alpha$ concentration was high in November 1998 (0.90$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$), and low in July 1999 (0.22$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$). Annual mean micro-sized Chl $\alpha$ concentration was 0.15$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$ monthly mean micro-sized Chl $\alpha$ concentration was high in October 1998 (0.81$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$), and low July 1998, January, February and September 1999 (0.05$\mu\textrm{g}$ㆍ1$^{-1}$). More than 65% of total Chl $\alpha$ was concentrated during spring and summer time between October and March. Microalgal variation appeared to be due to physical factors of seawater in the Antarctic nearshore from 1998 to 1999. The reason why micro-sized Chl $\alpha$ did not increase during austral summer was the bay had been frozen by decrease of water temperature. We think that total microalgal abundance was decreased because the summer microalgal abundance was determined by variation of water temperature during winter season. [Chl $\alpha$ concentration, Microalgal assembalges, Seasonal variation, the Antarctic nearshore].

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2000

Vertical measurement of CTDT at about 30 min intervals and spatial surface temperature, salinity, and concentration of suspended particulate matters were conducted to elucidate the character of water column and the dispersal pattern in a floating ice-dominated fjord, Marian Cove, West Antarctica. Marian Cove showed two distinct water layers in terms of turbidity; 1) cold, fresh, and turbid surface plume in the upper 2 m,2) warm, saline, and relatively clean Maxwell Bay inflow between 15-45 m in water depth. Thermal melting of Maxwell Bay inflow and tidewater glacier/floating ices developed the surface mixed layer and the activity of floating ices cause Maxwell Bay inflow to be unstable. Due to the unstable water column, the development of Maxwell Bay inflow and subsequent surface plume are not influenced by tidal frequency. Coastal current generated by strong northwesterly wind may extend warm, saline, and turbid surface plume into the central part of the cove along the northern coast via the western coast of Weaver Peninsula. Terrigenous sediments of meltwaters from the glaciated ice cliffs near the corner of tidewater glacier and some coasts enter into the cove and their dispersion depends upon the hydrographic regimes (tide, wind, wave etc.). At the period of spring tide, the strong wind stress with the northwesterly wind direction reserve suspended sediment-fed surface plume and so allow the possibility of deposition of terrigenous sediments within the basin of cove.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.265-280
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• 2011

The temporal dynamics of the meiofauna community in Marian Cove, King George Island, Antarctica were observed from March 7 to December 21 2007. Nine meiofauna taxa were found, with nematodes the most dominant group, making up 92.97% of the total meiofauna density, followed by harpacticoid copepods (3.18%). Meiofauna abundance ranged from 123 to 874 individuals per 10 $cm^2$ (mean 464 inds.10 $cm^{-2}$), which is lower than that found in some polar and temperate regions. The lowest meiofauna abundance was found in the 26th April sample (III) and the highest meiofauna abundance was found in the March 23rd sample (II). There was no correlation between meiofauna abundance and season. The seasonal changes were likely caused by meltwater runoff, and there were the physical disturbances on the bottom sediment by huge iceberg. Biomass of meiofauna varied between 20.36 and 101.02 ${\mu}gC{\cdot}10\;cm^{-2}$, and overall mean biomass was 54.17 ${\mu}gC{\cdot}10\;cm^{-2}$ during the study periods. More than 80% of meiofauna was concentrated in the upper 2 cm of the sediment, and density decreased with depth. The mean diversity index was 0.37, and the ratio between the abundance of nematodes: and harpacticoids (N/C) ratio ranged from 7.31 to 95.04 (mean 26.39). NMDS analysis divided the community into three groups: A (III, IV, V, VII, VIII), B (II, IX, XI, XII) and C (I, V, X). The results of ANOSIM and SIMPER analysis revealed significant differences in community structure among three groups and major contributed meiofauna taxon in grouping were nematodes and copepods. No significant correlations were observed between major meiofauna taxon and environmental factors. Thirteen species in 12 genera representing nine families of harpacicoids were recorded. Ancorabolidae was the most diverse family, and Heteropsyllidae was the most abundant. The correlation analysis between benthic harpacticoid copepods and environmental factors showed that some species were affected by water temperature, sediment temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a concentration, grain size of the sediments and heavy metal contents of the sediments. These data describe the usefulness of benthic harpacticoid copepods as biological indicator species in Antarctic regions.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2002

Seasonal variations of settling particles and metal fluxes were monitored at a nearshore site of Marian Cove, King Geroge Island, Antarctica from 28th February 1998 to 22nd January 2000. Near-bottom sediment traps were deployed at 30m water depth of the cove, and sampling bottles were recovered every month by SCUBA divers. Total particulate flux and metal concentrations were determined from the samples. Total particulate flux showed a distinct seasonality, high in austral summer and low in austral winter: the highest flux $(21.97g\;m^{-2}d^{-1})$ was found in February of 1999, and the lowest $(2.47g\;m^{-2}d^{-1})$ in September of 1998, when sea surface was frozen completely. Lithogenic particle flux accounted for 90% of the total flux, and showed a significantly negative correlation with the thickness of snow accumulation around the study site. It was suggested that the most of the lithogenic particles trapped in the bottles was transported by melt water stream from the surrounding land. Fluxes of Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, Zn, Cii, Co, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb showed similar seasonal variations with the total flux, and their averaged fluxes were 34000, 9000,960, 180, 13.8, 17.6, 3.0,2.1, 5.4, 0.02, and $1.5nmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ respectively. Among the metals, Cu and Cd showed the most noticeable seasonal patterns. The Cd flux correlated positively with the fluxes of biogenic components while the Cu flux correlated with both the lithogenic and biogenic particle fluxes. The Cu flux peak in the late summer is likely related to a substantial amount of inflow of ice melt water laden with Cu-enriched lithogenic particles. On the other hands, the Cd flux peak in the early spring may be associated with the unusually early occurred phytoplankton bloom.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.146-150
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• 2017

Length and weight relationship (LWR) for dominant Antarctic fishes was determined in two species of the family Nototheniidae; black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) and marbled rockcod (Notothenia rossii). Samples were caught in the offshore sea around King Sejong station located on King George Island, Antarctica in January, 2017. A total of 30 N. coriiceps and 7 N. rossii were caught by fishing rod and hook. Average total length was 266.0 mm for N. coriiceps and 275.4 mm for N. rossii. Average total weight was 283.1g for N. coriiceps and 290 g for N. rossii. In terms of LWR and b value, the results showed that both two species had positive allometries (b>3) in good health. This size information of two dominant Antarctic fishes would be useful for future physiological studies to understand of adaptation mechanism and biological pathway of Antarctic marine organisms.