• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.50-64
• /
• 2019

Recently, quantitative analyses of food web structure based on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes are widely applied to environmental assessments as well as ecological researches of various ecosystems, particularly rivers and streams. In the present study, we analyzed carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of POM (both planktonic and attached forms), zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish collected from 6 sites located at Nakdong River. Samples were collected from upstream areas of 5 weirs (Sangju, Gangjeong-Goryeong, Dalseong, Hapcheon-Changnyeong, and Changnyeong-Haman Weirs) and one downstream area of Hapcheon-Changnyeong Weir in dry season (June) and after rainy season (September). We suggested ranges of their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and calculated their trophic levels in the food web to compare their temporal and spatial variations. Trophic levels of organisms were relatively higher in Sangju Weir located at upper part of Nakdong River, and decreased thereafter. However, the trophic levels were recovered at the Changnyeong-Haman Weir, the lowest weir in the river. The trophic level calculated by nitrogen stable isotope ratios showed more reliable ranges when they were calculated based on zooplankton than POM used as baseline. The suggested quantitative ecological information of the majority of biological communities in Nakdong River would be helpful to understand the response of river food web to environmental disturbances and can be applied to various further researches regarding the quantitative approaches for the understanding food web structure and function of river ecosystems as well as restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.23 no.2 s.58
• /
• pp.191-199
• /
• 2005

The community structure, vertical distribution and harpacticoids composition of the meiofauna community were observed from five stations in Marian Cove, King George Island and one station on the northeastern side of Nelson Island. Sample was taken by a free-fall corer in December 2002. Generally, 11 taxa of meiofauna were found, and meiofauna abundance ranged from 322 to 1575 indiv. $10cm^{-2}$ (mean 781 indiv. $10cm^{-2}$). Nematodes were the most dominant group, making up $89\%$ of total meiofauna, followed by harpacticoids $(6.8\%)$. Benthic harpacticoids appeared 19 species of nine families at all the stations, and most various taxa appeared at station B (13 species of seven families). For vertical distribution, more than $70\%$ of meiofauna was concentrated in the upper $0\~2cm$ sediment layers, and the density abruptly decreased with depth in all the stations. Total biomass of meiofauna varied between 41 and $360{\mu}gC\;10cm^{-2}$, and overall mean biomass was $205{\mu}gC\;10cm^{-2}$. Also nematodes had the highest percentage of total maiofauna biomass $(62.4\%)$. The analysis results of Canonical Correspondence Analysis between meiofauna community and sediment grain size showed that polychaets, oligochaets and cumaceans were influenced by silt&cray, and sand, granule and pebble had a influence on harpacticoids, kinorhynchs and ostracods respectively. But nematodes were not affected by sediment grain size.

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

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.91-108
• /
• 2018

An ecological study on subtidal macrobenthic fauna was conducted from 25 stations in the estuarine area of Wando-Doam Bay, southern coast of Korea during August 2013. A total of 186 species was collected with a mean density of $1,229ind./m^2$ and a mean biomass of $265.7g/m^2$. Polychaetes showed the richest benthic fauna comprising 43% of total fauna, whereas mollusks appeared as density- and biomass-dominant fauna accounted for 45% and 48% of the mean density and biomass, respectively. The number of species and mean faunal density were relatively higher at the stations surrounded by Sinjido, Joyakdo and Gogeumdo showing a gradual decrease toward inner bay stations. Species number and density were negatively correlated with bottom water temperature, but they were positively correlated with both the bottom salinity and DO. The most dominant species in terms of density was a semelid bivalve, Theora fragilis which showed a positive correlation with TOC content of surface sediment and its high density occurred around Gogeum-Sinji-Joyakdo area where dense aquaculture facilities exist. In the bay mouth area, an amphipod species, Eriopisella sechellensis showed its higher density at the stations with low organic content but fine grains. The combination of water temperature, salinity, pH of bottom water, water and sulfur content of the surface sediment could explain 71% of the spatial distribution of macrobenthic fauna from the Bio-Env analysis. From the cluster analysis, the study area consisted of 6 distinct station groups lineated from offshore area toward inner area. Ampharete arctica, Goniada maculata, Eriopisella sechellensis, Theora fragilis, Caprella sp. were identified as the main contributing faunas in classification by the SIMPER analysis. From the value of BPI, the benthic communities at the inner and central Wando-Doam Bay were assessed to be in a normal condition whereas those at the outer Wando harbor and Gogeum-Sinji-Joyakdo area were assessed in a poor or very poor condition due to the high concentration of particulate organic matter might be originated from the nearby dense aquaculture facilities. This study indicated that pristine inner bay has been influenced by the organic material supplied from the outer bay. Thus it is necessary to establish an ecological management plan to reduce organic enrichment of sediment from dense aquaculture facilities in the outer bay.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.390-402
• /
• 1995

Bimonthly sampling was carried out over the period February 1983 to April 1985 at two stations in Kwang-yang Bay, Korea, in order to study the temporal changes of benthic ploychaete communities. In addition, an important focus of the study was the large-scale reclamation and dredging operations that were taking place for industrial purposes during the study period. The muddy station, located on the main channel, showed high mud content (94%), whereas the sandy station, situated on the north channel of Myodo, demonstrated mud content of 42%. At the muddy station, the number of species and individuals were highest in the early sampling stage, but markedly declined in October 1983, and then gradually increased as in the early state. At the sandy station, the number of species highly oscillated during the entire period. The density was affected by the pectinated Lagis bocki showing particulary high density in February 1983 and 1984. However, the high density in the winter time did not occur in February 1985. The analysis of similarities and clusterings between communities were carried out to evaluate temporal changes in community structure. Significant changes occurred during the study period in the community structures at both stations, but each maintained different patterns of species dominance over time. At the muddy station, this transitionary phase was found in October 1983 but in December 1984 at the sandy station. Comparisons with earlier communities suggest that faunal changes in the dominant species composition occurred from Lumbrineris longifolia to Heteromastus filiformis over this time period. The colonization of this opportunistic pioneer, H, filiformis, seems to manifest environmental disturbances in this bay area.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2012

To compare monthly variations of phytoplankton biomass and community composition between in seawater and sediment of the Gomso Bay (tidal flat: approximately 75%), the photosynthetic pigments were analyzed by HPLC every month in 1999 and every two months in 2000. Ambient physical and chemical parameters (temperature, salinity, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and chemical oxygen demand) were also examined to find the environmental factors controlling structure of phytoplankton community. The temporal and spatial variations of chlorophyll a concentration in seawater were correlated well with the magnitude of freshwater discharge from land. The biomass of microphytobenthos at the surface sediments was lower than that in other regions of the world and 2-3 times lower than phytoplankton biomass integrated in the seawater column. Based on the results of HPLC pigment analysis, fucoxanthin, a marker pigment of diatoms, was the most prominent pigment and highly correlated with chlorophyll a in seawater and sediment of the Gomso Bay. These results suggest that diatoms are the predominant phytoplankton in seawater and sediment of the Gomso Bay. However, the monthly variation of chlorophyll a concentration in seawater at the subtidal zone was not a good correlation with that in sediment of the Gomso Bay. Although pelagic plankton was identified in seawater by microscopic examination, benthic algal species were not found in the seawater. These results suggest that contribution from the suspended microphytobenthos in the tidal flat to the subtidal zone of the Gomso Bay may be low as a food source to the primary consumer in the upper water column of the subtidal zone. Further study needs to elucidate the vertical and horizontal transport magnitude of the suspended microphytobenthos in the tidal flat to the subtidal zone.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.104-109
• /
• 2016

In Korea, the government has invested the installation of artificial reefs (ARs) which deploying to enhance the restoration of marine environment and productivity on the coastal area at the part of 222,627ha, from 1971 to 2014 for 44 years. The number of ARs are gradually increasing, while their comparison and corelation analysis were not much studied. Therefore, this study is to analyse temporal variation of ARs which composed of concrete named the Horn triangle reefs were deployed at Pohang, Jangkil-ri, a depth of 5 to 7m, in 2003, was monitored 4 times from 2009 to 2011. In results, the biodiversity investigated that the dominant species was Mollusca Omphalius pfeifferi except in 2009. The different species mainly depend on spatial-temporal variation. In this type of study can be used to the R&D, management and government policy of ARs as well improving marine environment.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.139-146
• /
• 2011

In order to detect the early impacts of the Hebei Spirit oil spill on the subtidal macrozoobenthos, we conducted a benthic survey at 72 stations in the subtidal area of Tae-an, the eastern Yellow Sea from Dec. 18th 2007 to Dec. 22th after 10 days from the Hebei Spirit oil spill. A total of228 species from 72 stations was sampled with mean density of 561 ind $m^{-2}$ and mean biomass of 39.7 gww $m^{-2}$. In this study, Ampelisca occurred as a major dominant fauna in this survey, but did not appear around oil spill areas. Meanwhile some opportunistic polychaete worms like Prionospio bocki, Prionospio cirrifera appeared in the oil spill area, especially near coastal beaches. The overall abundance and biomass of macrozoobenthos decreased after oil spill. However some stations previously disturbed with sand extraction showed a similar macrozoobenthic community structure.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2001

Meiobenthic community structure of tidal flats near the Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant have studied during summer (June) and fall (October) 1997. Examination of sediment samples collected along the transects showed that there were 18 different types of meiobenthos in the study area. The most abundant meiobenthic animals belonged to Phylum Nematoda in both seasons and all transects. However, sediment samples collected near discharge areas, transects A and B, showed relatively lower abundance than other general coastal areas. Another abundant meiobenthic organism is benthic Harpacticoids which is very sensitive to any environmental changes. Polycheats and Ostracods were next abundant meiobenthos which also showed the difference between the study area and other general coastal areas. Only transect C maintained similar meiobenthic abundance and diversity to other coastal areas. Horizontal distribution for transects A and B showed higher densities in upper and mid tidal flat zones. On the other hand, transect C which is located furtherest from the discharges showed an increasing trend in abundance from upper to lower areas. For size distribution analyses showed that animals which fit into the meshsize of 0.125 mm were abundant, Vertical distribution of meiobenthic animals within the sediments for both sampling seasons showed the highest individual numbers in the surface sediment layers of 0-1 cm depth and showed a decreasing trend as sediment gets deeper. Each class of meiobenthos had different vertical profiles. When comparing survey transects A and B with other similar tidal flat areas, this sites seems to a very unstable environment of tidal flats near the Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 1999

The ophemeropterans such as Epeorus pellucidus, Uracanthella rufa and Drunella uculea were dominated in station 1. It was generally showed the stable aquatic communities with low dominance index values throughout the year in station 2. The first dominant species in station 3 were all mayflies with the average DI value of 0.38. The first dominant species of Uracanthella rufa known as relatively tolerant species in station 4. A crustacean species Gammarus spp. have frequently occurred as the 1st or 2nd dominant species in station 5. Limnodrilus socialis, and Chironomus spp. were dominated in stations 6 and 7 Station 1, 2 and 3 were classified as oligosaprobic status according to their average diversity index values ranging from 3.46 to 3.52. Station 7 showed $\alpha$-mesosaprobic water condition with the overall average diversity value of 1.26. In general, the equitability and species richness values in the same sampling areas had close relations with their diversity values. The dendrogram drawn by dissimilarity values among 7 sampling sites indicates that the macrobenthic communities were divided into 3 groups： stations 1, 2, 3 and 4； stations 6 and 7； and station 5 alone.