• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.303-324
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• 2020

Cocconeis coreana and C. sijunghoensis are described as new based on micromorphological and molecular data. C. coreana is represented by five unialgal cultures from four different freshwater bodies, two from North Korea and three from South Korea. C. sijunghoensis is represented by two unialgal cultures from a brackish water body in North Korea. Except for one, all of the strains auxosporulated and showed an almost quadrupling of size in length and width. Morphologically, these species with their two different elliptical valves belong to the Cocconeis placentula group. The raphe valve has striae with uniseriate areolae continuing across a pronounced submarginal hyaline rim to the edge of the valve. The sternum valve has uniseriate dash-like areolae continuously from the valve face until the valve edge. Micromorphologically, these species possess two different open valvocopulae: only the raphe valvocopula has fimbriae; the sternum valvocopula has none. Based on p-distances of currently available DNA sequence data, i.e., rbcL and 18SV4, both species are pronouncedly different from the epitype strain of C. placentula, with C. coreana closest to the published molecular data of the strain UTEX FD23 named C. placentula from Iowa, USA, while C. sijunghoensis is closest but not the same as the published molecular data of strain D36_012, the epitype strain of C. placentula from Berlin, Germany. Based on scanning electron microscope observations, differentiating features are discussed concerning valvocopula fimbriae, central area, areolation of the sternum valve and on the raphe valve especially between the submarginal hyaline rim and edge.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Nakdong River Estuary is affected by the dam, barrage construction and dredge and reclaim worked artificially. So, we have studied the area input both freshwater and sea water to understand marine environment of Nakdong River estuary related to the effect of artificial work from 2013 to 2015. As a result, The discharge flow to the estuary remarkably decreased before barrage construction and the average of salinity at the estuary increased. So, the brackish water zone reduced under the influence of decreased discharge flow. The major sources of nitrate and silicate were freshwater, phosphate supplied from bottom and the open sea water. The concentration of phosphate and dissolved oxygen (DO) decreased remarkably in spring and summer. we investigated that phosphate in freshwater was removed under the influence of the estuary dam and phosphate in sea water was removed under the influence of phytoplankton. The low concentration of DO was due to decomposition of the organic compound by microorganism after phytoplankton blooms. Generally, the concentrations of chlorophyll-a in summer was higher than spring and fall. Therefore, the change of ecosystem in Nakdong river estuary was due to decrease of freshwater influx, the other change is facing because of the barrage.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.591-602
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• 2018

Clithon retropictus has been designated as an endangered wildlife Class II due to its high value as a biological indicator species capable of judging environmental quality such as salinity, water flow, and ground conditions. However, basic research on its physiological and ecological characteristics is still lacking. As such, this study intended to examine the impact of environmental conditions such as salinity and soil particle size on the size and density of Clithon retropictus at the Yeoncho river estuary. The investigation of the salinity, which is a key variable that affects the distribution of organisms in the estuary, showed that Clithon retropictus could grow at a salinity ranging from 0#x2030; (freshwater) to 25‰ (brackish water). The coarse gravel (19-75mm) tended to increase nearer the upper stream (under the Yeoncho weir), while the proportion of particles smaller than sand (less than 19mm) increased toward the downstream. The population and the size of the individuals decreased rapidly in the downstream where water stagnated near the Yeoncho weir, and the salt water joined. The results indicated that Clithon retropictus had a high tolerance to salinity, but the adaptability was weaker toward the extremes since the population, and the size tended to decrease as the salinity increased. The correlation analysis revealed that both salinity and soil particle size affected the population and individual size. The correlation between the individual size and salinity was -0.242 (P <0.01), indicating that the size decreased with increasing salinity. The correlation between individual size and coarse gravel having a particle size of 19mm or more was 0.420 (P <0.01), indicating that the size increased with increasing the particle size.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2010

The purpose of this paper is to weigh the possibility of endangered Jang-hang wetland at the estuary of Han River to be included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and come up with ways to manage the wetland depending on its biotope patterns. The target area is located between Gimpo bridge and Isanpo I.C. with about $2.7km^2$ area. Through the analysis of RIS(Information Sheet for Ramsar Wetlands), it was known that the wetland is located on the sedimentary topography and formed as a result of sediment at the estuary of the river owing to the concentration of rainfall during summer. The vegetation environment in the area is divided into brackish water and fresh water areas depending on salinity. Rhizosphere soil(RS) of the area was analyzed to be Silt loam while bottom RS to be Sand loam. The plant ecology was composed of 52 families 135 species and 11 varieties and 146 types. Among indigenous species found are Salix koreensis, Phragmites communis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. The analyzed results of the actual vegetation showed that willow community accounts for 37% of the area and rice field is 13.5%. As for animal ecology, total of 62 species and 25,977 individual wild birds were observed. After comparing and analyzing the RIS we compiled with the Ramsar Site designation standards, it turns out that the Jang-hang wetland meets criteria 1(biographic region), criteria 2,3 and 4(species and ecological communities) and criteria 5 and 6(water birds). Thus, Jang-hang wetland is eligible for the Ramsar site. As a result of establishing and evaluating the biotope types for setting management areas, Jang-hang wetland has a total of 13 different types, and the grade I represents 75.4% of the area while the grade III 0.8% of the land status. We categorized four management zones for the wetland depending on the biotope patterns - preservation, restoration, use and buffer zones and suggested management methods for each zone.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.242-257
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• 2019

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) stretches two kilometers north and south from the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) of South and North Korea. This area was established as a weapons-free buffer zone when an armistice agreement was signed in 1953. However, there have been several very high-tension military standoffss over the past 65 years. On the South Korean side, civilian access to the Civilian Control Line (CCL) and beyond to the north has been restricted, and natural heritage has been well maintained. Natural heritage is defined as living things, their habitat and non-living things of the ecosystem which deserve to be protected. Research shows that a variety of flora and fauna, their habitat, marshes and geographical structures are found across the DMZ region. Although the DMZ region has not been such a good place for habitat conservation, we can say that this area may be the best location for restoration in terms of its variety of ecosystems and considerable land size. Restoration of course depends on future plans and management policies. This area, including the DMZ and the well-protected north of the CCL, will be the best habitat for endangered species of wild fauna and flora if we classify the various habitat types and create a habitat map. In doing this project, we need to include the estuary of the Han River and the lagoon (brackish water lake) of the East Sea coast. In addition, we must establish long-term plans for conservation and sustainable use and do international scientific research across the DMZ region in collaboration with scientists of South and North Korea and international experts. Mutual cooperation between the two Koreas for investigation and conservation efforts is paramount.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.204-212
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• 2005

Recognition has emerged that nutrient inputs from the submarine discharge of fresh, brackish, and marine groundwaters into the coastal ocean are comparable to the inputs via river discharge. The coastal areas of the Korea peninsula and adjacent seas exhibit particular importance in the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), in terms of the magnitude of SGD and associated continental material fluxes. For example, in the southern sea of Korea, SGD transports excess nutrients into the coastal regions and thus appears to influence ecosystem changes such as the outbreak of red tides. Around volcanic island, Jeju, which is composed of high permeability rocks, the amount of SGD is higher by orders of magnitude relative to the eastern coast of North America where extensive SGD studies have been conducted. In particular, nutrient discharge through SGD exerts a significant control on coastal ecosystem changes and results in benthic eutrophication in semi-enclosed Bang-du bay, Jeju. In the entire area of the Yellow Sea, tile submarine discharge of brackish groundwater and associated nutrients are found to rival the river discharges into the Yellow Sea, including those through Yangtze River, Han River, etc. In the eastern coast of the Korea peninsula, SGD is significantly higher during summer than winter due to high hydraulic gradients and due to wide distribution of high permeability sandy zones, faults, and fractures. On the other hand, in the estuarine water, downstream construction of the dam in the Nakdong River, SGD was highest when the river discharge was lowest (but water level of the dam was highest). This suggests that even though there is no visible freshwater discharge into this estuary, the discharge of chemical species is significant through SGD. On the basis of the results obtained from the coastal areas of the Korea peninsula, SGD is considered to be an important pathway of continental contaminants influencing tidal-flat ecosystems, red tides, and coral ecology. Thus, future costal management should pay great attention to the impact of SGD on coastal pollution and eutrophication.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.6852-6859
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the growth characteristics and distribution pattern of a brackish water clam Corbicula japonica in Seomjin River. Field samples were taken from 14 stations with salinity gradients during spring. Salinity at the bottom layer ranged from 1.0 psu to 32.9 psu, with low salinities in the upper area of the river. In particular, salinity at St.11 was decreased drastically to be ca. 15.0 psu, indicating an intermediate salinity zone. The distribution pattern of C. japonica was related to the salinity gradient, with the highest densities of $2,102ind.m^{-2}$ at Station 13, followed by $1,507ind.m^{-2}$ at Station 11. Here, we focused on the growth characteristics of collected C. japonica collected at two stations with different salinity values. The relationship between shell length and total weight was highly correlated ($R^2=0.91$, P<0.001) at Station 13 compared to that at Station 11 ($R^2=0.72$, P<0.001). On the other hands, the degree of correlation between shell length and shell height (SH) or shell width (SW) at Station 11 (SH: $R^2=0.91$, P<0.001; SW: $R^2=0.69$, P<0.001) was higher than that at Station 13 (SH: $R^2=0.64$, P<0.001; SW: $R^2=0.48$, P<0.001). In addition, fatness index of C. japonica at Station 13 was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that at St. 11 (t-test value=-22.8, p<0.001). This implies that C. japonica at Station 13 might have enhanced their somatic growth, whereas C. japonica at Station 11 might have this kind of defense mechanism their internal organization against the salinity stress. Ecologically, this kind of defense mechanism of C. japonica against salinity flucuation may play an important role in their survival strategy.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.144-154
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• 2018

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities at the Hangang River in Seoul from Jun 2016 to March 2017. During the survey period, there were 56 species of 17 families collected from 5 survey stations. The species that appeared mainly in the brackish water was Coilia nasus, Leiocassis nitidus, Lateolabrax maculata, Repomucenus olidus, Trachidermus fasciatus, Mugil cephalus, Chelon haematocheilus, Synechogobius hastus, Tridentiger bifasciatus and Takifugu obscurus. The migration fish of Anguilla japonica, C. nasus, Plecoglossus altivelis, Hypomesus nipponensis and T. obscurus appeared in this surveyed area. Korean endemic species were 11 species (17.9%) and accounted for a low rate. There were 6 species (10.7%) exotic species including Cyprinus carpio, Carassius cuvieri, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Megalobrama amblycephala, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. The dominant species by stations were Acheilognathus gracilis (St. 1) and Hemibarbus labeo (St. 2, 3, 4, 5). Regarding the tolerance guild according to water quality, there were 3 (7.1%) sensitive species, 24 (42.9%) intermediate species, and 28 (50.0%) tolerance species. Twenty (35.7%) were insectivore species, 18 (32.1%) were omnivore species, 14 (25.0%) were carnivore species, and 4 (7.1%) were herbivore species, indicating the dominating presence of insectivore and omnivore fish species.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.199-213
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• 2008

Saemangeum salt-water Lake has been created by the completion of the sea-dike in April 2006. To monitor the water qualities of the lake during the sea-dike construction, salinity, SS, nutrients(DIN, DIP, DISi), and chlorophyll-$\alpha$ was analyzed for the surface water from 1999 to 2007. Due to the dike construction, weaker tidal current and lesser resuspension of bottom sediment resulted in the marked decrease of the concentrations of SS in the lake water. Consequently the clearer lake water has provided better condition for primary production with deeper penetration of sunlight into the water column and sufficient nutrient content in the water. Finally the chlorophyll-$\alpha$ content became approximately double in the concentration after the dike construction. Highly stimulated algal production with the marked decrease of the concentrations of SS was decreased the concentration of DIP in the surface water. On the other hand the concentration of DIN and DISi in surface water was increased after dike construction due to the expansion of the freshwater and the supply from bottom layer. As a result, the lake revealed an extremely high NIP ratio and a DIP-limited ecosystem. The lake has been transformed from a typical coastal ecosystem to a brackish one. Since the dike completion, the lake has shown a similar change pattern to the Geum River estuary. Due to the salt-wedge intrusion of seawater, it is highly probable to expect the formation of low-oxygen zone at the bottom layer near the river-mouth area of the lake during the summer. Therefore we need a continuous sentinel monitoring of bottom water qualities in the near future.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.335-345
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• 2005

A study on changes on the distribution of vascular hydrophytes and the growth pattern of Schenoplectus triqueter (Scirpus triqueter) was undertaken at the Nakdong River estuary from 2002 to 2004. The change was due to physical alteration of the estuary for the past 25 years. These plant species are the major food sources for winter waterfowl. A total of 32 species of vascular hydrophytes from 17 families were found in the West Nakdong River (freshwater), the main channel of Nakdong River (freshwater) and the Nakdong River Estuary (brackish water). After the construction of the barrage on the estuary in 1987, the number of hydrophytes has remarkably increased to 17 species (5 species in 1985) in the main channel of the River. In particular, a community of Eurale ferox was found at the backwater wetland of the Daejeo side of the main channel. The introduced species of Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes that were epidemic in 2001 at West Nakdong River was not found any more. The other species such as Nymphoides indica, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ruppia spp. were rediscovered. The large area (about 1,300ha) of Zostera spp. was the main sources of food for swans, but disappeared because of direct and indirect impacts of reclamation in the River estuary. Currently, there remains a small patch of Zostera spp. and about 250ha of S. triqueter. Schenoplectus triqueter grew mostly between April-September and tuber formed, between September-October. The growth of S. triqueter up to $60\sim80cm$ in length was observed in 5 sites out of the 7 sites in brackish area. Tubers of S. triqueter were eaten by waterfowls such as swans as winter food. In five sites, tubers took $44\sim57%$ of total biomass in October. Tubers were found in deep layers; $5\sim15cm$ (9%), $15\sim25cm$ (28%), $25\sim40cm$ (55%), below 40cm $(6\sim7%)$. The distribution of vascular hydrophytes has remarkably changed in the Nakdong River Estuary due to the reclamation of the area. In order to determine the extent of changes of the distribution of these plants and the carrying capacity of the area for waterfowl, an intensive research is urgently needed.