• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Benthic animals are important indicators in benthic environmental quality assessment. This study investigated the environmental characteristics and the distribution pattern of benthic animals, and assessed the benthic ecosystem using AMBI (AZTI's marine biotic index) and WQI (water quality index) in the subtidal zone of Muan bay. Samplings were collected from 10 stations in the subtidal zone of Muan bay on summer. In the upper area of Muan bay, grain size was finer and organic content was higher than those of in the lower area. The pollution indicator organism such as Musculista senhousia, Theora fragilis and Lumbrineris longifolia were dominant at some stations. The benthic community was distinguished into three groups of upper, center and lower area of Muan bay, and which were coincided with the results by correlation analysis between organic matter content and benthic health assessment (WQI and AMBI). As a result of this study, the health condition of the subtidal zone in Muan bay were good. However, from the results that benthic animals were not evenly distributed, and also the opportunistic species appeared, the load of organic matter in Muan bay seems to be increasing.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.908-926
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• 2014

This study investigated the community structure and health assessment of macrobenthic assemblages in Wonmun Bay, in the southern coast of Korea. The total number of species and mean density were 170 species and $1,269\;indivuduals/m^2$, respectively. The major dominant species were the bivalve Theora fragilis ($230{\pm}446\;indivuduals/m^2$) and the polychaetes Lumbrineris longifolia ($180{\pm}339\;indivuduals/m^2$), Sigambra tentaculata ($124{\pm}153\;indivuduals/m^2$), Paraprionospio patiens ($104{\pm}293\;indivuduals/m^2$) and Capitella capitata ($82{\pm}223\;indivuduals/m^2$). Community statistics [cluster analysis and nonmetric multidimentional scaling (NMDS) ordination] revealed that the macrobenthic community structure in the study area was classified into three station groups for both seasons. Several biotic indices based on macrobenthic communities have been developed to assess the ecological quality of coastal ecosystems. In this study, the ecological status was assessed by four biotic indices Shannon's H', the AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI), multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI) and the Ecological Conservation Index (ECI). The ecological statuses of the macrobenthic communities in Wonmun Bay were poorer in the summer than in the spring. The results of the present study indicate that three biotic indices ( i.e.; Shannon's H', M-AMBI and ECI ) were better correlated with bottom dissolved oxygen than the AMBI in Wonmun Bay.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 2007

In this work, we compared the characteristics of three benthic biotic indices (BPI, AMBI, BIBI) which indicates the health condition of benthic communities in Masan Bay, Korea where anthropogenic impacts have been concentrated. Also we evaluated the usefulness of these benthic indices and some problems if they were applied to the Korean coastal waters. For this we used the macrozoobenthos data collected using van Veen grab ($0.1\;m^2$) at 21 sites in Masan Bay in February and August 2004. Based on the BPI values, two stations in the inner bay were found in a very hard polluted condition and three stations in the middle bay were also in a highly polluted condition. Only one station located in the bay mouth was in a normal condition. The inner bay stations showed very high AMBI values (${\geq}5.0$), indicating a highly polluted condition. The bay mouth station was assessed in a moderately polluted condition. The overall BIBI values in Masan Bay were in the range between 1.0 and 3.0. The inner bay stations showed low BIBI values (${\leq}2.0$) in the severely degraded condition. The bay mouth station with high BIBI value over 3.0 was assessed as a normal condition. All three benthos indices showed that macrozoobenthic communities in the inner bay were in a seriously polluted condition all year round, and macrobenthic faunas in the bay mouth seemed in a bad healthy condition (slightly polluted) based on AMBI during summer season. These three benthic biotic indices showed the similar assessment result, and thus we consider that each of them is a useful tool for the assessment of coastal benthic ecosystems under the organic enrichment in sediment.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.272-286
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the community structure and health assessment of macrobenthic assemblages in Cheonsu Bay, West Coast of Korea. Total species number was 224 and mean density was $1,940ind./m^2$, both of which were dominated by polychaete worms (111 species and $1,213ind./m^2$). In terms of density, the major dominant species were the bivalve Theora fragilis ($280{\pm}213ind./m^2$), the polychaetes Heteromastus filiformis ($254{\pm}218ind./m^2$), Lumbrineris longifolia ($216{\pm}41ind./m^2$), Mediomastus californiensis ($158{\pm}97ind./m^2$) and the amphipod Eriopisella sechellensis ($167{\pm}100ind./m^2$). As a result of community statistics (cluster analysis and nMDS ordination), the macrobenthic community structure was classified two major groups (inner and mouth of bay) and two stations (station 2 near Ganwol dyke in spring and summer). The Benthic Pollution Index (BPI) and AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) were applied to assess the benthic ecological status. During the sampling periods, the BPI Index values varied between 11 (bad status) and 92 (high status). On the other hand, the AMBI Index values was ranged between 1.34 (good status) and 4.39 (poor status). In conclusion, in terms of the mean BPI and AMBI Index values, the ecological status of Cheonsu Bay were moderate status (ecotone stage) and good status, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate the community structure and health assessment of macrobenthic assemblages in Geoje-Hansan Bay, Southern Coast of Korea. Macrobenthos were collected by van Veen grab sampler at May (spring) and August (summer) 2013. The total species number and mean density were 300 species $7.6m^{-2}$ and $1,994ind.\;m^{-2}$, respectively. The major dominant species were the polychaetes Lumbrineris longifolia ($299{\pm}164ind.\;m^{-2}$), Aphelochaeta monilaris ($100{\pm}57ind.\;m^{-2}$), the bivalve Musculista senhousia ($91{\pm}96ind.\;m^{-2}$) and the polychaete Praxillella affinis ($80{\pm}66ind.\;m^{-2}$). From the community statistics [cluster analysis and nonmetric multidimentional scaling (NMDS) ordination], the macrobenthic community was distinguished into two groups of inner bay (farming ground of near Sandal Island) and channel station(from Hansan Island to Chubong Island) group. In this study, the ecological status was assessed by four biotic indices Shannon's H', the ATZI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI), multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI) and the Environment Conservation Index (ECI). The ecological status of the macrobenthic community in Geoje-Hansan Bay were poorer in the inner bay station than in the channel station. The results of the present study showed that three biotic indices (Shannon's H', M-AMBI and ECI) were valid as an index for evaluating the ecological status than the AMBI.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2021

The community structure and health status of macrobenthos assemblages were investigated in the subtidal area of the Nakdong River estuary, Southern Coast of Korea. Benthic fauna samples were collected seasonally at 8 stations in the subtidal area of the Nakdong River estuary from February 2013 to October 2015. During the survey, a total of 380 species and 4,603 ind./m² of macrobenthos in all sampling areas were collected. The major dominant species were the polychaetes Minuspio japonica, Pseudopolydora kempi, Heteromastus filifomis, Capitella capitata, the amphipod Grandidierella japonica and the bivalvia Arcuatula senhousia. Some species of polychaetes found in the study area consisted of opportunistic species that showed high densities when habitat condition was poor. On the other hand, macrobenthos assemblages in the study area were divided into brackish water and marine groups. Abundance was high in the brackish group, while the number of species and diversity index were high in the oceanic group. The three indices (AMBI, M-AMBI, and BHI) in the assessment of health levels based on the ecological characteristics and number of species in macrobenthic were commonly shown to be in good condition in the group of oceanic stations, while relatively poor conditions were reflected in the group of brackish stations. Compared to other indices, the M-AMBI index of the three indices for health assessment was considered to be a relatively more suitable one to assess benthic ecological conditions.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 2012

This study conducted a comparative analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Fosu and Benya lagoons in Ghana, based on the anthropogenic effect on the two lagoons. Salinity, oxygen, temperature, conductivity, turbidity and pH were measured, invertebrate richness and species densities were determined. The AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and multivariate statistics were used to determine the different responses of fauna to pollution. The fauna were categorized into five ecological groups based on the degree of tolerance of the different species to pollution: disturbance-sensitive species; disturbance-indifferent species, disturbance-tolerant species, second-order opportunistic species; and first-order opportunistic species. The Fosu Lagoon supported more pollution tolerant species, whereas the Benya Lagoon had more species that were sensitive to organic enrichment under relatively unpolluted conditions. Chironomus sp., which is adapted to virtually anoxic conditions, was the most abundant in the Fosu Lagoon whereas Nemertea sp. was the most abundant in the Benya Lagoon. The numerical and relative abundance (%) of all 7 taxa in the Fosu Lagoon was 1,359 and 92.35%, respectively. The numerical and relative abundance (%) of all 34 taxa in the Benya Lagoon was 2,459 and 87.52%, respectively. Expectedly, the level of dissolved oxygen in the less saline Fosu Lagoon was higher than that in the more saline Benya Lagoon. The reduced photoperiod and photosynthetic activities of aquatic plants might account for this trend. There is a need to implement comprehensive monitoring and management initiatives for sustaining the ecological health of coastal lagoons in Ghana in order to support the many people that depend upon these ecosystems for their livelihood.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.223-235
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• 2018

This study was carried out to investigate benthic sedimentary environments and benthic polychaetous communities on the coast of Ulsan, located on the southern East Sea of Korea. This survey was conducted at 15 stations, four times seasonally in January, April, July and October 2016. From the coast to the outer sea, surface sediments turned into fine grained sediments. There were complex coarse-grained sedimentary facies in various forms in the coastal zones while those with mud facies were found in the offshore zone. Organic matter content (LOI) and sulfide amount (AVS) recorded extremely high values, and increased from the coast to the outer sea, showing a similar trend to mud content with depth. The benthic polychaetous community revealed a mean density of $525ind./m^2$, and the total species number of species was 84. The major dominant polychaetous species were Magelona japonica, Lumbrineris longifolia and Heteromastus filiformis throughout the four seasons. Magelona japonica was concentrated predominantly in shallow coastal areas, but was present in all the regions of the survey area. Lumbrineris longifolia showed higher density in offshore regions more than 30 m deep, whereas H. filiformis showed higher density in coastal areas less than 30 m in depth. As a result of cluster analysis, the study area was divided into three ecological areas according to species composition, such as the northern coastal area between Ulsan PortOnsan Port, the southern area around Hoeya River and the outer sea area. Benthic environments in the study area, as determined by AMBI and BPI index, maintained a healthy condition in all four seasons with the AMBI at a level above GOOD and BPI at a level above FAIR. As organic matter accumulation continues to take place in the Ulsan coastal area, it is essential that detailed research activities continue to be carried out and ongoing monitoring be maintained.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.392-407
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• 2006

This study was seasonally undertaken to investigate the benthic polychaetous community along the South-eastern coast of Geoje Is., in February 2004 to November. The macrobenthic fauna showed mean density of 953 md. $m^{-2}$ in February, 1,193 ind. $m^{-2}$ in May, 1,130 ind. $m^{-2}$ in September and 991 ind. $m^{-2}$ in November. Major faunal groups are polychaetes, crustaceans and mollusks, corresponding to 81.6%, 7.9%, 7.0% in total mean density during the sampling seasons, respectively. There was significant difference (two-way ANOVA, p<0.001) among stations in densities of polychaetes. But no significant relationship could be found between the densities of polychaetes and sampling seasons (two-way ANOVA, p>0.05). The density and the species number of polychaetes were high in the coastal area near the Jisepo port, independent of sampling seasons. Several indicator species for the organically enriched environments such as Lumbrineris longifolia, Tharyx sp., Heteromastus filiformis showed high densities during all study periods. Also Magelona japonica included in Ecolgical group I was the most abundant in the whole study period except for February. Cluster analysis on the basis of the species composition showed that the study area could be divided into 3 regions. The density of benthic polychaetes in the coastal area near Jisepo was higher than that in the other assemblages of the study area, due to some predominant opportunistic species, such as Lumbrineris longifolia, Tharyx sp. and Heteromastus filiformis. In addition, the two-way ANOVA showed significant differences among the distribution of AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index) values, both in sampling stations (p<0.001) and seasons (p<0.01). According to the classification proposed by Borja et at. (2000), the study area was slightly disturbed site.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.491-503
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the community structure and health assessment of macrobenthic assemblages in Garorim Bay, West Coast of Korea. Macrobenthos were collected by van Veen grab sampler at May(spring) and July(summer) 2012. A total of 247 species occurred and mean density was $1,625\;ind.\;m^{-2}$, both of which were dominated by annelid polychaetes(120 species and $1,241m^{-2}$). Dominant species were the polychaetes Ampharete arctica, Lumbrineris longifolia, Mediomastus californiensis and Euclymene oerstedi, with a density of 445(${\pm}1,837\;ind.\;m^{-2}$), 103(${\pm}148\;ind.\;m^{-2}$), 55(${\pm}83\;ind.\;m^{-2}$) and 50(${\pm}104\;ind.\;m^{-2}$), respectively. The study area was divided into 3 station group based on the cluster analysis and nMDS ordination. These assemblage were : 1)the group 1 and 2 were associated with coarse sediment dominated stations and 2)the group 3 was connected with a mixed and fine sediment dominated stations group. The BPI and AMBI index were applied to assess the benthic ecological status. The ecological status of the Garorim Bay was "good status(slightly polluted)" to "high status(normal)" at most sampling stations during spring and summer. In conclusion, the two marine biotic index calculated shown that the Garorim Bay had a good ecological status.