• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2015

Planktivorous fish which limit zooplankton grazing have been predicted to increase algal biodiesel production in wastewater fed open reactors. In addition, tanks with higher algal diversity have been predicted to be more stable, more productive, and to more fully remove nutrients from wastewater. To test these predictions, we conducted a 14-week experiment in Houston, TX using twelve 2,270-L open tanks continuously supplied with wastewater. Tanks received algal composition (monocultures or diverse assemblage) and trophic (fish or no fish) treatments in a full-factorial design. Monocultures produced more algal and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mass than diverse tanks. More than 80% of lipids were converted to FAME indicating potentially high production for conversion to biodiesel (up to $0.9T\;ha^{-1}y^{-1}$). Prolific algal growth lowered temperature and levels of total dissolved solids in the tanks and increased pH and dissolved oxygen compared to supply water. Algae in the tanks removed 91% of nitrate-N and 53% of phosphorus from wastewater. Monocultures were not invaded by other algal species. Fish did not affect any variables. Our results indicated that algae can be grown in open tank bioreactors using wastewater as a nutrient source. The stable productivity of monocultures suggests that this may be a viable production method to procure algal biomass for biodiesel production.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2019

Habitat-forming species increase spatial complexity and alter local environmental conditions, often facilitating the assembly of plants and animals. We conducted a trait-based approach to algal assemblages associated with the freshwater bryozoan, Pectinatella magnifica. Association with algae leads to the inner bodies of the bryozoans being colored green; this is frequently observed in the large rivers of South Korea. We collected the green-colored gelatinous matrices and phytoplankton from waterbodies of the two main rivers in South Korea. Algal assemblages within the colonies and in the waterbodies were compared using the three diversity indices (richness, diversity, and dominance), and the composition of functional groups (FGs) and morphologically based functional groups (MBFGs) between the colonies within and outside of P. magnifica colonies. The most dominant and common species within the colonies were Oscillatoria kawamurae and Pseudanabaena catenata, both of which were assigned to the same FG (codon S1). Of the algal assemblages within the colonies, the dominance was higher, while the richness and diversity were lower, than those in the waterbodies. There was variation in the compositions of FGs and MBFGs in the waterbodies outside the colonies. Total nitrogen and orthophosphate led to dominance, and were significant factors for the variation in FGs in the waterbodies, whereas there were no such significant factors within the colonies. This trait-based approach to the community structure of associated algae provides the status and habitat gradient of these communities, which are stable, isolated, and consistent with the overgrowth of shade-adapted tychoplanktonic cyanobacteria.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.63-86
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• 2024

This study analyzed the distribution, diversity, and density variation of algal clusters in a freshwater reservoir from an oceanic island and a traditional inland water system to gain insights on future marine freshwater resource management. In the Paldang water system (Han River), despite the upstream Paldang Dam and the downstream Jamsil underwater reservoir being in the same meteorological zone, their algae density patterns varied inversely. The distinct algal cluster structure (diversity/dominance) of Paldang was altered in the downstream reservoir, suggesting that physical devices aid algae management in traditional water systems. In contrast, 24 out of 35 genera (63.2%) identified in the Jeolgol Reservoir (Baeknyeong Island) were unique, lacking regulatory mechanisms, and existing in a complex ecotone. The desmid Chlorophyceae Cosmarium, adapted to higher photosynthetic stress and low temperatures, dominated in January (38.04%) and August (86.45%) during the periods of extreme photosynthetic stress. Jeolgol's annual algal cluster structure (H' 2.097; D 0.259; S' 35) demonstrated higher stability than Paldang (H' 1.125; D 0.448; S' 13) and the Jamsil underwater reservoir (H' 1.078; D 0.469; S' 12), maintaining an H' above 1.5 even during midwinters. No evidence of TN/TP inflow from surrounding soils was observed, even during torrential rainfalls, with phosphorus being the limiting factor for algal growth. TOC, BOD, chlorophyll-a, and turbidity peaked during Cosmarium bloom. Future climate change is expected to cause fluctuations in algal clusters and related water quality factors. The complex transitional nature of the Jeolgol Reservoir, its algal diversity, and the interspecies interactions contribute to the high stability of its algal community.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.420-425
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• 2003

Species composition, community structure and biodiversity of marine benthic community were studied in the intertidal zone of Seoam, Busan. A total of 75 species of benthic marine plants including 4 Cyanophyta, 6 Chlorophyta, 17 Phaeophyta, 47 Rhodophyta and 1 Magnoliophyta are listed. The dominant marine plants were melobesioidean algae, Chondracanthus tenellus, Sargasium thunbergii, Corallina spp., and Phyllospadix japonica and Ulva pertusa was added in summer. Chthamalus challengeri and Mytilus edulis were dominant zoobenthic species in the upper and middle intertidal zone. The algal species diversity index based on coverage was 1.81; 2.25 from frequency; 2.19 from average of total frequency and coverage, and 1.80 from importance value. The algal diversity indices estimated from different sources were quite different. This means that the index value changes depending on the sources used to calculate the species diversity index, indicating how important it is to select the based data and that it is necessary to standardize the methodology when studying later the algal diversity index. On the other hand, the number of species identified in this study has been found to be reduced by 65% at highest, compared with the result of the investigation that was conducted in the coast of Busan.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2021

Algal genomics approaches provide a massive number of genome/transcriptome sequences and reveal the evolutionary history vis-à-vis primary and serial endosymbiosis events that contributed to the biodiversity of photosynthetic eukaryotes in the eukaryote tree of life. In particular, phylogenomic methods using several hundred or thousands of genes have provided new insights into algal taxonomy and systematics. Using this method, many novel insights into algal species diversity and systematics occurred, leading to taxonomic revisions. In addition, horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) of functional genes have been identified in algal genomes that played essential roles in environmental adaptation and genomic diversification. Finally, algal genomics data can be used to address the pangenome, including core genes shared among all isolates and partially shared strain-specific genes. However, some aspects of the pangenome concept (genome variability of intraspecies level) conflict with population genomics concepts, and the issue is closely related to defining species boundaries using genome variability. This review suggests a desirable future direction to merge algal pangenomics and population genomics beyond traditional molecular phylogeny and taxonomy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1472-1477
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• 2013

Microalgae have been regarded as a natural resource for sustainable materials and fuels, as well as for removal of nutrients and micropollutants from wastewater, and their interaction with bacteria in wastewater is a critical factor to consider because of the microbial diversity and complexity in a variety of wastewater conditions. Despite their importance, very little is known about the ecological interactions between algae and bacteria in a wastewater environment. In this study, we characterized the wastewater bacterial community in response to the growth of a Selenastrum gracile UTEX 325 population in a real municipal wastewater environment. The Roche 454 GS-FLX Titanium pyrosequencing technique was used for indepth analysis of amplicons of 16S rRNA genes from different conditions in each reactor, with and without the algal population. The algal growth reduced the bacterial diversity and affected the bacterial community structure in the wastewater. The following in-depth analysis of the deep-sequenced amplicons showed that the algal growth selectively stimulated Sphingobacteria class members, especially the Sediminibacterium genus population, in the municipal wastewater environment.

• ALGAE
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2003

The community structure of benthic marine algae was investigated at Taean Thermal Power Plant and other places around Taean Peninsula, the west coast of Korea. Total of 100 species including 3 Cyanophyta, 14 Chlorophyta, 18 Phaeophyta, and 65 Rhodophyta were identified. The number of species was highest with 78 species at the Power Plant intake, followed by 61 at the discharge, 56 at Bunjeondo, and 50 at Maoe. It was noteworthy that a subtropical species Caulerpa okamurae was collected at the intake in autumn and it was the first observation in the west coast of Korea. The pattern of vertical algal distribution showed Gloiopeltis furcata occurred in the upper intertidal zone, Sargassum thunbergii and Corallina spp. in the middle and lower zone and Enteromorpha spp. in the lower middle zone. These were all dominant species except for Enteromopha spp., which was subdominant species. Other subdominant species were Chondrus ocellatus and Neorhodomela aculeata. The average diversity indices were between 0.70 and 1.20 at each area based on their dry weight. The similarity index was 0.79 between the algal flora of this study and that of 1987, indicating that the condition of the benthic environment remained unchanged since then. This area maintained its environmental quality, so the algal community remained same with similar structure. This study area seemed a suitable place for long term monitoring of the benthic environment where industrial facilities such as a power plant might affect the benthic algal community.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 2006

Community structure and biodiversity of benthic marine algae were studied in the rocky shore of Phohang New Port, Yeoungil Bay. A total of 79 species of marine algae including 8 Chlorophyta, 23 Phaeophyta and 48 Rhodophyta are listed. The dominant algal species were Corallina pilulifera in all seasons, and Sargassum homeri in winter. Lomentaria catenata, Lomentaria hakodatensis, Grateloupia laceolata, Sargassum thunbergii, Chondria crassicaulis, Ulva pertusa, and Hypnea charoides were subdominant at different seasons. The algal biomass per unit area of the benthic algal community in Pohang New Port under construction was 14506 - 398.93 g dry wt m-2, which means that its annually averaged value is 273.45 g dry wt m-2 . The seasonal change in algal biomass showed highs in winter and spring, and lows in summer and autumn. The algal species diversity (H') based on algal biomass was 2.07 annually in average, with 2.42 in winter, 2.65 in spring, 1.79 in summer and 1.43 in autumn. It was high in winter and spring seasons and low in summer and autumn seasons. It is caused by that spring and winter are the profitable growth time for algae and species components in this study were dominated by the annual or seasonal rather than perennial plants.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2008

The seasonal variation and vertical distribution of the marine algal community were investigated using the quadrat method from February 2006 to January 2007 at 10 sites in Gwangyang Bay, Korea. In total, 48 red, 17 brown, and 13 green algal taxa were identified. The algal vertical distribution in the intertidal zone was characterized by Ulva pertusa, while the upper tidal zone was dominated by Gelidium divaricatum. The middle zone was primarily composed of Enteromorpha linza, Sargassum thunbergii, and Chondracanthus intermedia, whereas Hizikia fusiformis, Sargassum thunbergii, Gelidium amansii, and Corallina pilulifera characterized the low tidal zone. Results of cluster analysis indicated that algal composition fell into two groups, which were composed of species in the inland and open sea. In conclusion, the number of species, diversity, and abundance of vegetation in this area were remarkably reduced compared to previous studies in Gwangyang Bay.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-172
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• 1997

Six phytal harpacticoid species of the genus porcellidium are recorded from 22 algal species in the eastern (Sea of Japan) and southern (Korea Strait) coast of Korea. Among these six species, Porcellidium ofunatense Harris and Iwasaki and Porcellidium gamoi(Harris and Iwasaki) are recorded as new to Korean fauna. Other four species are described as new to science: Porcellidium bipartitum n. sp. found from a single algal species, Procellidium wandoensis n. sp. from ten algal species, Porcellidium acutum n. sp. from five algal species, and Porcellidium brevlcacum n. sp. from two algal species. It is found that the associations between the species of Porcellidium and macroalgae reveal weak specificities.