• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

Tidal flats have been regarded to carry out transformation and removal of land-derived organic matter, and this purifying capability of organic matter by tidal flats is one of very important reasons for their conservation. However, integral biogeochemical studies on production and decomposition of organic matter by benthic microbes in tidal flats have been absent in Korea, although the information is indispensable to quantification of the purifying capability. Our major goals in this multidisciplinary research were to understand major biogeochemical processes and rates mediated by diverse groups of microbes dominating material cycles in the tidal flats, and to assess the contribution of benthic microbes to removal of organic matter and nutrients in the tidal flats. Our study sites were Ganghwa and Incheon north-port tidal flats that had been regarded as naturally well reserved and organically polluted, respectively. Our research group measured over 3 years primary production, biomass and community structure of primary producers, abundance and production of bacteria, enzyme activities, distribution of protozoa and protozoan grazing rates, rates of denitrification and sulfate reduction, early sediment diagenesis, primary production and respiration based on oxygen microelectrode. We analyzed major features of each biogeochemical process and their interactions. The results are compiled in the following articles in this special issue: An (2005), Hwang and Cho (2005), Mok et at. (2005), Na and Lee (2005), Yang et at. (2005), and Yoo and Choi (2005).

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2004

T-RFLP analysis and clone sequencing analysis based on bacterial 16S rDNA were conducted to assess bacterial community structure and diversity in two layers (0-1cm, 6-7cm depth) of the sediment from Janghwari intertidal flat in Ganghwa Island. The results of T-RFLP (terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis using restriction enzyme HhaI showed that the T-RFs of various size ($60{\pm}2$) bp-($667{\pm}2$) bp) appeared evenly at the surface sediments but two T-RFs with 60(${\pm}2$)bp and 93 (${\pm}2$)bp predominated at 6-7cm depth. Analysis of partial sequences for 172 clones revealed that 98% of the clones were not matched with the sequences of cultured bacteria strains in the GenBank (${\geq}similarity$ 98%), and approximately 86% of them were classified as different phylotypes. Most clones belonged to $\alpha$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria/Holophaga and green nonsulfur bacteria group. Proteobacteria group occupied the highest proportion in both layers (69% at 0-1cm depth and 46% at 6-7cm depth). $\gamma$-Proteobacteria and $\delta$-Proteobacteria that are associated with oxidation and reduction of sulfur compounds were appeared to be dominant, and comprised 21.5% and 15.7% of total clones, respectively. Overall results indicated that extremely diverse bacterial groups were inhabiting in the sediment of Ganghwa intertidal flat, and bacterial communities associated with the behaviour of sulfur seemed to playa significant role in the biogeochemical environment in this anoxic sediment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.298-307
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• 2023

The annual reproductive cycle of two species, Upogebia major (de Haan 1841) and Austinogebia wuhsienweni (Yu 1931), of the female mud shrimp from the west coast of Korea was investigated using histology. The collected samples were divided into adult and juvenile groups to understand the mature period of age class based on the carapace length(CL). Juvenile Upogebia(CL<25mm) were mostly inactive gonad with early (62%-100%) and late (10%-38%) development stages during the year, whereas the adult shrimp showed a seasonal pattern of gonad maturation(CL≥25 mm). The early and late developmental stages of oocytes were observed in adult Upogebia from November to March and mature eggs appeared from April to October. In adult Ausitnogebia (CL≥15 mm), fully grown oocytes were consistently observed during the study period, in which the ripe stage was found between January and June. On the other hand, most juvenile Austinogebia (CL<15 mm) maintained an immature state in the gonad. Both species of the mud shrimp reproduced from ovigerous females in the adult population and their egg-bearing period was distinguished from January to April for U. major and from July to September for A. wuhsienweni.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.708-715
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• 2003

Species composition and distribution patterns of shellfish were investigated in Eoeun and Geojeon tidal flat located in the Saemangeum area on the west coast of Korea from May to October 2000. Nineteen species of shellfish were collected in Geojeon tidal flat. The samples in number of individuals included Umbonium thomasi $(90.0\%)$ and Mactra veneriformis $(5.0\%).$ In Eoeun tidal flat, ten species of shellfish were collected and the dominant species in number of individuals were Potamocorbula amurensis $(55.0\%)$ and U. thomasi $(18.6\%).$ These results were compared with previous studies conducted before the beginning of reclamation in Saemangeum. Compared with the results from 1988, a change In species composition was observed. Laternula flexuosa and Nuttallia olivacea appeared, while Mactra chinensis and Coelomactra antiquata disappeared in the deposition area in Geojeon tidal flat. In the erosion area of Eoeun tidal flat, M. veneriformis and Meretrix lusoria appeared, while Cyclina sinensis disappeared. Based on a cluster analysis, the shellfish community in Eoeun tidal flat was classified into three station groups based on sediment types. Geojeon tidal flat was also classified into three station groups. The distribution of shellfish in the Saemangeum area was closely related to the sediment types.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.757-761
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• 2003

Spatial distribution and biomass of commercial shellfish were investigated in the Saemangeum tidal flat on the west coast of Korea during August 1999. Thirteen species of shellifsh were collected. Major dominant species of the study area were Umbonium thomasi with a density of $6.7\;ind.{\cdot}m^{-2}\;(38.2\%)$, Mactra veneriformis with $6.6\;ind.{\cdot}m^{-2}\;(37.4\%)$ and Reticunassa festiva with $1.3\;ind.{\cdot}m^{-2}\;(7.2\%)$. Commercially important species such as M. veneriformis ($90.7\;ind.{\cdot}m^{-2}\;69.3\%$), M. lusoria ($15.6\;ind.{\cdot}m^{-2}\;11.9\%)$), C. sinensis ($8.7\;ind.{\cdot}m^{-2}\;6.7\%)$) were dominant in total weight. Most of the shellfish were distributed between the mid-littoral and sub-littoral zones, but C. sinensis and L. flexuosa were distributed mainly in the polluted areas of the supra-littoral zone. The spatial distribution pattern of each shellifsh species generally resembles the Mangyeong and Dongjin estuary. Biomass of commercially important species, M. veneriformis, M. lusoria, C. sinensis and Ruditapes philippinarum in the tidal flat (ca. 850 ha) was estimated to be 774, 135, 67 and 10 tons, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.254-260
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• 2014

Sulfur compound includes major electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration. In this study, cultivation-based study on sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria of various wetlands of Korea was attempted. To isolate sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria, anaerobic roll tube method was used to obtain typical black colonies of sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria. Total 11 strains obtained were tentatively identified based on comparative 16S rDNA similarity and physiological property analysis. All sulfate-reducing bacteria (8 strains) belonged to genus Desulfovibrio with >99% 16S rDNA similarities. Three sulfur reducing bacteria were also isolated: two and one isolates were affiliated with Sulfurospirillum and Desulfitobacterium, respectively. These sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria were able to utilize lactate and pyruvate and sulfite and thiosulfate as common electron donors and electron acceptors, respectively. This case study will provide fundamental information for obtaining useful indigenous sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria from Korean wetlands employing various combinations of cultivation conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1110-1117
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• 2014

Tidal flats are continuously contaminated by human activities. This study assessed the bioremediation efficiency of tidal flat soil using microcosm reactors and microorganisms originating from the tidal area. We screened 135 bacterial strains that produce extracellular enzymes from the tidal area located in the North port of Incheon bay. Two bacterial strains (Pseudoalteromonas sp. and IC35 Halothiobacillus neapolitanus IC_S22) were selected and used in the microcosm reactors, which were specially designed to functionally mimic the ecological conditions of the tidal flats. Pseudoalteromonas sp. IC35 was selected based on its relatively high activity of the enzymes amylase, cellulose, lipase, and protease. Halothiobacillus neapolitanus IC_S22 was selected for oxidation of sulfur. The M1 and M2 microcosm reactors were operated by continuous feeding of seawater under the same conditions, but M2 was first inoculated with Pseudoalteromonas sp. IC35 before the seawater feeding. The initial COD in both the M1 and M2 microcosm reactors was 320 mg/l. The final COD was 21 mg/l (M1) and 7 mg/l (M2). The M3 and M4 microcosm reactors were operated by continuous feeding of seawater under the same conditions, but M4 was first inoculated with H. neapolitanus IC_S22. The initial sulfate concentration in both the M3 and M4 microcosm reactors was 660 mg/l, and the maximum sulfate concentration was 1,360 mg/l (M3) and 1,600 mg/l (M4).

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.166-175
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• 2010

Seasonal variation in species composition of estuarine fauna in the Han River estuary was determined by analyzing monthly samples collected on the intertidal flat of Ganghwa Island by a fence net from April to December 2009. Total number of species was 57: 34 species of fishes, 20 species of crustacean, 2 species of cephalopods and 1 species of jellyfish. Of a total of 57 species, Portunus trituberculatus (57.2%), Palaemon gravieri (7.1%), Collichthys lucidus (7.0%), Hemigrapsus sanguineus (6.2%) and Exopalaemon carinicauda (4.7%) were predominated in abundance. Diverse species were occurred in spring and autumn, and abundance was high in autumn. Chelon haematocheilus, Synechogobius hasta, Co ilia nasus, P. gravieri and E. carinicauda were classified as the brackish residence species. P. trituberculatus, C. lucidus, Mugil cephalus and Cynoglossus joyneri were coastal migratory species which use the estuary as nursing and feeding grounds. Diadromous species (such as Takifogu obscurus, Anguilajaponica and Eriocheir sinensis) and freshwater fish (Carassius auratus) were also collected.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.474-482
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to investigate the formation and development processes of beach resort by fabric construction in a island environment. The results are as follows. (1) The research area(Tong-ri beach, Bokil-myon, Chollanam-do)has been transformed to belch by sedimentary environmental change since latter half of 1800's. (2) The mean slope of beach face is 0.96°, and the difference of attitude between beach and mud flat face is 75cm. (3) The mean particle size of beach surface sediment is 3.53$\Phi$. This value is very finer than that of any other beach in Korea peninsula. But its value is coarser than that of mud flat surface sediment. (4) The particle size distribution of core sediment is become changed to fine particle in 70cm depth. This value is corresponded to difference of altitude between beach face and mud flat face. (5) The analysis of aerial photographs after 1970 indicates that sedimentation process was not brisked since 1970's. Consequently, the research ares has been developed by sedimentary environmental change for sea-level rise effect and wave height energy rise effect.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.462-472
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• 2023

We investigated the physio-chemical and geochemical parameters in the spraying shellfish aquacultures (Yeoja and Gangjin Bay) to establish the systematic strategy for effective environmental management. Spatial variation of each parameter showed partially significant difference (P<0.05) between Yeoja and Ganjin Bay, inferring the discriminative progress (i.e., accumulation and degradation) of the autochthonous organic matter within the aquaculture environments. We additionally integrated various properties (e.g., water/sediment quality, natural hazard, and biological health) which may affect the biological growth within the aquaculture habitats based on the biogeochemical cycles related to environmental components and aquaculture species. We used a screening approach (i.e., one out-all out; OOAO) which can permit the assessment of the health levels of aquaculture species, the scoring for other parameters (seawater, sediment, and natural hazard) as three levels (excellent, moderate and poor) depending on the complex interactive properties occurring in the aquaculture environments. Actual, discriminative scores obtained via our case studies may confirm that these stepwise processes are effectively evaluated for optimal health conditions within the aquaculture habitats. Thus, this approach may provide valuable insights for effective environmental management and sustainable growth of aquaculture operation.