• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.120-131
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• 2022

Microcystins (MCs) are cyano-toxins mainly produced by cyanobacteria in the genera of Microcystis, Anabaena, and Oscillatoria. The concentrations of MCs in the water bodies and fish tissues taken from the four weirs (Ipo, Gangjeong-goryeong, Baekje, and Juksan) in the four main rivers in Korea, and the health risk of human due to consumption of toxin-detected fish was examined. The maximum values of MCs concentration in the water samples were as follows: Juksan (3.261 ㎍ L^-1), Gangjeong-goryeong (1.014 ㎍ L^-1), Baekje (0.759 ㎍ L^-1), and Ipo (0.266 ㎍ L^-1) weirs. The MC-RR concentration was the highest among the MCs, and MC-YR was not detected. MCs of 0.222~9.808 ㎍ g^-1 dry weight were detected in the liver of 3 out of 215 fishes of 16 species, and below the detection limit in muscle. As a result of comparing the feeding characteristics of the collected fishes and toxin concentrations in water and fish tissue, it was concluded that the biomagnification of MCs through the food chain did not occur. It was judged that there was no health risk due to the consumption of the fish detected the toxin, based on the amount of the fish intake of the Korean people and the allowable daily intake of MCs. However, in order to reduce the health risk due to MCs, further studies should be conducted to analyze the concentration of MCs contained in fish tissues collected at various times in the area dominated by harmful cyanobacteria to obtain data on the exposure of MCs due to fish consumption. In addition, it is necessary to establish the management guidelines for MCs in fish tissues.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.26-35
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• 2004

We investigated the effect of physicochemical environmental factors on the community dynamics of phytoplanktons and bacteria at the Hoeya Dam Reservoir, a drinking water reservoir for Ulsan city. Water samples were collected and analyzed every two to four weeks at three sites along the reservoir from April to October, 2001. During the study period, the Secchi depths were between 0.4 and 3.5 m. At the surface layer of water column, temperature ranged 10.2 ~ $32.0^{\circ}C$, pH 7.3${\sim}$9.6, dissolved oxygen 5.5 ${\sim}$ 12.4 mg $L^{-1}$, $BOD_5$ 0.8 ${\sim}$ 5.0 mg $L^{-1}$, $COD_{Mn}$ 3.7 ${\sim}$ 10.0 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl-a 8.9 ${\sim}$ 60.9 mg $m^{-3}$. At the bottom layer, temperature varied 7.2 ${\sim}$ $28.9^{\circ}C$, pH 7.1 ${\sim}$ 9.3, dissolved oxygen 0.6 ${\sim}$ 9.7 mg $L^{-1}$, $BOD_5$ 0.8 ${\sim}$ 4.5 mg $L^{-1}$, $COD_{Mn}$ 3.9 ${\sim}$ 10.0 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl-a 4.3 ${\sim}$ 81.9 mg $m^{-3}$. The numbers of phytoplanktons were 7.4${\pm}10^2{\sim}2.6{\pm}10^5$ cells $mL^{-1}$ at surface and 2.5${\pm}10^2{\sim}2.4{\pm}10^4$ cells $mL^{-1}$ at bottom, and were positively correlated with water temperature and Chl- a concentration. Genus Stephanodiscus and genus Oscillatoria dominated on April and on May, respectively. Cyanobacterial blooms of Aphanizomenon, Microcystis, Anabaena were observed from June to early September, and thereafter Stephanodiscus and Aulacoseiral dominated again. Total microbial counts ranged 1.73${\pm}10^4{\sim}1.68{\pm}10^5$ cells $mL^{-1}$, and were positively correlated with water temperature and phytoplankton counts at surface water. Heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) ranged 30${\sim}4.1{\pm}10^3$ CFU $mL^{-1}$, and were positively correlated with $BOD_5$ and $NO^3\;^-$-N concentration at bottom water. Unlike the total microbial counts, the numbers of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci as well as HPCs were higher at the bottom than the surface layer and were highest at the upper a site among the three sampling sites. Since the concentrations of fecal coliforms and streptococci were still high at the bottom of site c, where intake for water treatment plant is located, it appeared that special management of water treatment processes may be needed especially after strong rainfall.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2011

This study is conducted to know the change in water environment of Lake Hwajinpo from 2000 to 2008 with physico-chemical parameters; salinity, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and total nitrogen and others. And zooplanktons and phytoplanktons were studied from 2007 to 2008. From the water quality data of Lake Hwajinpo from 2000 to 200S; water temperature, salinity, transparency, chemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen ranges are $2.8{\sim}29.4^{\circ}C$, 0.23~33.2‰, $0.2{\sim}1.8\;m$, $0.2{\sim}20.2\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $0.1{\sim}17.4\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and the average values are $18.0^{\circ}C$, 15.7‰, 0.7 m, $5.7\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $8.0\;mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) ranges are $0.024{\sim}0.869\;mg\;L^{-1}$ (average 0.091) and $0.240{\sim}5.310\;mg\;L^{-1}$ (average 1.235). Average TN/TP ratio is 16.4. The annual variations in COD, TP, TN and Chl.${\alpha}$ are compared. COD in 2000 is $4.83\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and 2008 is $1.80\;mg\;L^{-1}$ which is reduced by $0.34\;mg\;L^{-1}$ every year. TP in 2000 is $0.07\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and 2008 is $0.05\;mg\;L^{-1}$ reduced gradually. Yearly reduction in TN is $0.09\;mg\;L^{-1}$, in 2000 and 2008 the values are $1.54\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $0.77\;mg\;L^{-1}$ respectivly. Chl.${\alpha}$ in 2000 is $46.30\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ and $5.78\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ in 2008; yearly reduction is $4.50\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. The tropic state index (TSI) in south and north parts of Lake Hwajinpo in 2000 are 67 and 63 which are reduced to 63 and 59 in 2008 respectively. North and south part of Lake Hwajinpo have 67 species of phytoplankton under 47 families in 2007 and 2008. Dominant species in south part in 2007 are; Asterococcus superbus in May, Lyngbya sp. in September and Trachelomonas spp. in November and in 2008 Anabaena spiroides in August are abundant and varies with time. Zooplankton species in Lake Hwajinpo are 25 of 25 families. Dominant species in south part in May and August 2007 and May and November in 2008 Copepoda larvae and in September 2007 Protozoa spp. of Protozoan and Brachionus plicatilis and Brachionus urceolaris of Cladocera in August 2008. Dominant species in north part Asplanchna sp. of Cladecera in August and November 2007 and rest of the time are larvae of Copepoda. In this way, the water quality of Lake Hwajinpo is changing with slow rate in the long period specially nutrients concentration (TP, TN etc) is decreasing.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.47-56
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• 2004

To understand the effect of nutrient deficiency on the plankton community in three stations with different water qualities in Pal'tang Reservoir, Korea, phytoplanktons(> 10 ${\mu}m$) were cultured in nutrient enrichment Allen's media (AM) and nutrient-deficient Allen's media. A distinct shift in the species composition and biomass of phytoplankton (as chlorophyll- a) showed in all treatments. In particular, it was very interesting that the new development of cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa occurred by the Fe-deficient AM. Except for Si, a community growth (as chlorophyll- a) was inhibited in all nutrient deficient treatments. Species diversity after nutrient deficiency was changed to below 2.0; slightly increased in N and P-deficiency, while decreased in Si and Fe, respectively. As suggested, dominance was entirely opposite to diversity. Therefore, the nutrient deficient effectively induced the succession of species and biomass, phytoplankton community, suggesting a possibility as a reliable tool to control the algal bloom in eutrophic lakes and reservoirs.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.261-270
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• 2016

We analyzed cyanobacterial community including akinete, resting cell, and benthic cyanobacteria in sediment of Bukhan, Namhan-River, Paldang-Lake, and Kyeongan-Stream and compared the physicochemical factors for water and pore water. We also performed cyanobacteria growth potential test through incubating sediment. As a result of physicochemical analysis, the concentrations of nutrients were similar for each depth of Bukhan-River. For Namhan-River and Lake Paldang sites, the concentrations of TP and DTN in bottom and deep water had higher levels. DTN in water body composed of NO3-N(73%) while DTN in pore water composed of NH3-N(77.8%). Benthic cyanobacteria in the sediment such as Oscillatoria tenuis, O. limosa, Phormidium tenue, Pseudanabaena limnetica, and Lyngbya sp. were dominant (between 0.0∼243.3×10³ cells/g, w/w). Cell densities of cyanobacteria in sediment depth of 0∼2 cm in most sites were higher compared to those in other depths. The cell density of cyanobacteria in sediment correlated with pH, conductivity, BOD5, TP, DTP, and chl. a. Increased phytoplankton and organic matters were found to be able to inhibit the growth of benthic cyanobacteria. Results of cyanobacteria growth potential test after incubating sediment revealed that harmful cyanobacteria (Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Microcystis, and Oscillatoria) appeared at 7 days post culturing. Base on these results, the methods used in this study are considered to be able to determine the appearance of harmful cyanobacteria.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.273-281
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• 2014

We conducted the weekly monitoring (December 2012~April 2013) to evaluate the temporal variation and identification of Stephanodiscus spp. that are generally dominant during winter in the Yeongsan River. Phytoplankton species were identified and counted using the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Phytoplankton in the river were grouped into 6 classes (bacillariophyceae, chlorophyceae, cryptophyceae, cyanophyceae, dinophyceae, euglenophyceae), 30 genus and 41 species. Phytoplankton composition showed high abundance of diatoms in winter and Aulacoseira sp., Cyclotella sp. and Stephanodiscus spp. were dominant. Among the species, Stephanodiscus spp. was relatively abundant compared to other diatom species. Stephanodiscus spp. appeared from December 2012 to April 2013 and their abundance peaked in January. Abundance of diatoms especially peaked ($21,080cells\;mL^{-1}$) in January 15, 2013 when Stephanodiscus spp. also bloomed ($20,560cells\;mL^{-1}$). The abundances of Stephanodiscus spp. were gradually decreased from March and reached as low as $60cells\;mL^{-1}$ in April 26. Cyclostephanos (C. invisitatus), Cyclotella (C. meneghiniana), Discostella (D. pseudostelligera, D. woltereckii) and Stephanodiscus (S. hantzschii, S. minutulus, S. parvus) were classified in the circular diatoms. Abundance of S. hantzschii was extremely high compared to S. minutulus and S. parvus.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 1994

A gene coding for a novel putative $\sigma$ factor of RNA polymerase has been identified from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) using Escherichia coli rpoS gene fragment as a probe. The 486 bp rpoS gene fragment was amplified from E. coli genomic DNA by PCR with two synthetic oligonucleotides, the sequences of which were deduced from the amino acid sequences in the regions 2.3 and 4.2 conserved among various bacterial factors. When E. coli genomic DNA fragments were hybridized with cloned rpoS probe, only one band corresponding to rpoS gene (3.2 kb PvuII fragment or 2.3 kb KpnI fragment) was detected. In S. coelicolor, however, two bands were detected both in PvuII digested DNA and SalI digested DNA. 3.5 kb PvuII fragment which binds the rpoS gene probe was cloned (pMS1) from the sublibrary, and the nucleotide sequences of 1.0 kb BamH'/HincII subclone (pBH2) was partially determined. The nucleotide sequences revealed extensive similarity to other $\sigma$ factor genes of S. coelicolor (hrdA, hrdB, hrdC, hrdD), S. aureofaciens (hrdA, hrdB, hrdC, hrdD), Synechococcus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stigmatella aurantiaca, and Anabaena species. The nucleotide sequences in regions 1.2 and 4 were compared with the corresponding regions of 5 known ${\sigma}$ factor genes of S. coelicolor by multiple alignment. It turned out that the cloned gene is most closely related to hrdA showing 88% amino acid similarity in region 1.2 and 75% in region 4.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2008

The seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and water quality were evaluated bimonthly at 7 park ponds in the capital region from October 2004 to August 2005. With out the change of water temperature $(0.4\sim26.0^{\circ}C)$, cyanobacteria dominated in park ponds such as Gyungbokgung Gyunghyaeru and Seokchon reservoir. The standing crops of phytoplankton was significant related with cell densities of cyanobacteria (r=0.993), while they did not significant correlation with environmental factors. Almost of all park ponds in the capital region were classified as eutrophic state with high TP concentrations and TN/TP ratios less than 10. Major dominant cyanobacteria were as followed; Anabaena sp., Aphanocapsa elachista, Lyngbya contorta, Merismopedia elegans, Microcystis aeruginosa, M. wesenbergii, Microcystis sp., Oscillatoria sp., Phormidium tenue, and Plectonema sp. To date, although the concentration of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ and cyanobacterial densities in the capital region was below the 'danger' level of WHO guidelines value, the monitoring of cyanobacterial densities and its toxin (microcystin) in recreational/bath water should be continued.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.12-25
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• 2004

Physicochemical parameters, plankton biomass, and sediment were surveyed from 1998 to 2000 at two months interval in a eutrophic coastal lagoon(Lake Hwajinpo, Korea). The lake is separated from the sea by a narrow sand dune. Littoral zone is well vegetated with leafing-leaved aquatic plants. The lake basin is divided into two subbasins by a shallow sill. It has intrusion of seawater by permeation and stormy waves. Stable chemoclines are formed by salinity difference at 1m depth all the year round. DO was often very low (< 1 mg$O_2\;L^{-1}$) at hypolimnion. Temperature inversions were observed in November. Nitrate and ammonium concentrations were very low(< (1.1 mgN $L^{-1}$), even though TN was usually 2.0 ${\sim}$ 3.5 mgN $L^{-1}$. TN/TP was generally lower than the Redfield ratio. Transparency was 0.2 ${\sim}$ 1.7 m, and COD, TP, and TN of sediment were 3.1 ${\sim}$ 40.3 mg$O_2\;g^{-1}$, 0.91 ${\sim}$ 1.39 mgP $g^{-1}$, and 0.34 ${\sim}$ 3.07 mgN $g^{-1}$, respectively. Phytoplankton chlorophyll- a concentrations were mostly over 40 mg $m^{-3}$. Two basins showed different phytoplankton communities with Oscillatoria so., Trachelomonas sp., Schizochlamys gelatinosa, and Anabaena spiroides dominant in South basin, and with Trachelomons sp., Schroederia so., schizochlamys gelatinosa, and Trachelomonas sp. dominant in the North basin. The seasonal succession of phytoplankton was very fast, possibly due to sudden changes in physical conditions, such as wind, turbidity, salinity and light.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.3 s.117
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• pp.366-377
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• 2006

Environmental gradients and phytoplankton community were studied on a monthly basis, at 3 stations of Lake Yongdam, from April 2002 March 2004. During July to August, thermocline formed at the depth of about 10 m, but it was lowerd depth, in between 25${\sim}$30 m in October. Monthly variations of the epilimnetic (0${\sim}$5 m) TP concentrations at station 1, 2 and 3 were in the range of $5.1{\sim}36.1\;mg\;P\;{\cdot}\;m^{-3}$, $6.1{\sim}77.7\;mg\;P\;{\cdot}\;m^{-3}$ and $6.7{\sim}47.7\;mg\;P\;{\cdot}\;m^{-3}$ respectively; with higher concentrations at the upstream areas showing. Monthly average of the epilimnetic (0${\sim}$5 m) TN concentration at Station 1 was in the range of $0.88{\sim}1.73\;mg\;N\;{\cdot}\;L^{-1}$, and Station 3 was in the range of $0.94{\sim}2.77\;mg\;N\;{\cdot}\;L^{-1}$, which is higher if compared with the values of station 1. Transparency wa:s in the range of 0.8${\sim}$6.7 m, with lower values at upstream areas and higher at the downstream area. As for phytoplankton, during the winter season, diatoms had high appearance rate; during the spring season, Cyclotella comta, Aulacoseira ambigua f. spiralis, A. granulata and similar diatoms, during spring and summer Ankistrodesmus spiralis, Chodatella subsala, Crucigenia irregularis, Coelastrum cambricum, Scenedesmus ecornis v. ecornis.