• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.200-214
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• 1994

In order to clarify the benthic environmental properties as a part of a study on the macrobenthic community in the Chinhae Bay System, water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen (DO) in surface and bottom water layers, mean grain size (${\phi}$) and sediment organic carborn (SOC) in surface sediment were analyzed at twelve stations during the period from June 1987 to May 1990. A high sediment organic carbon and hypoxic condition in bottom water due to the development of summer stratification and fine sediment texture toward the inner bay were important environmental characteristics of Chinhae Bay. Hypoxic conditions began to develop in the inner bay from May, and gradually spread toward the outer bay in summer with a peak in September when half the bay was affected by this oxygen deficiency. Recovery from this hypoxic condition in the bottom layer was observed from the beginning of autumn together with a disappearance of the summer stratification. Principal component analyses were carried out from the following five environmental variables:mean water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen in the bottom layer and mean grain size, sediment organic carbon in surface sediment. The twelve stations were classified into four areal groups based on the analyses. The division of the areal groups had high correlations to the sediment organic carbon content.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 1983

Algal vegetation in the subtidal zone between a small rock output and the Juckdo Island, eastern coast of Korea was investigated at several selected sites. The objectives of the survey were to descirbe the poorly known macroalgae community in this area and correlate the pattern of distribution as well as the change of zonatin with the environmental conditions. The water movement, light intensity and theinclinatin of substrate are considered as the environmental parameters. The upper and mid subtidal zones in sheltered area with less steep rocky surface are dominated by large brown algae Srgassum confusum; in the exposed area are characterised by species of Costaria costata. In the lower subtidal zone, the difference of vegetaton between the sheltered and the exposed areas is not recognized. At this depth the light intensity is an important ecological factor. Six narrow algal zones occur in the sheltered area, whereas two broad belts occur in the exposed area. the biomass value is 4 times greater in the sheltered area than in the exposed area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-200
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• 2003

In order to assess the ecological changes induced by organic pollutants of the Shihwa Lake, BPI (Benthic Pollution Index) based on the benthic faunal community was employed. It was modified from Infaunal Trophic Index (ITI), and recommended as a pollution detecting method for the environmental assessment. The BPI values were calculated from the benthos data, which were collected for three terms: in 1980, before the Shihwa Lake was built up; in 1994-1997, which the Shihwa Lake was completely isolated from the outer seawater; in 1997-1999, after inflow of the outer seawater. Since the Shihwa Dike was constructed in February 1994, the pollution intensity of the lake had been increased from the narrow and inner part of the former Gyeonggi Bay and spread fast along the coast line of the Shihwa Lake. Then, in 1996 it showed the very high BPI levels all around the Lake. This serious polluted condition had been lasted till 1997, when the inflow of the seawater was begun. In 1998, from the nearest part of the Shihwa Gate, the BPI levels gradually became low in most area of the Lake, except its inner and narrow part. These greatly lowered BPI levels mean that the seawater inflow could be assumed to affect positively in the lake. Furthermore, BPI gave the same results from the other environmental assessment based on the abundance and the species richness of macrobenthic community. It shows that BPI could be useful as an effective method to assess the marine environment and evaluate the status of environmental conditions.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.714-723
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the community stability and similarity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Giran stream between August and September 2018, and compare results to those reported by Lee (2004). As relates to the total number of species in each taxon in 2018, 45 species were additionally discovered compared to the 2003 study; the number of EPT taxa increased by 14 species and OCH taxa increased by 18 species. The diversity and richness indexes increased while the dominance index tended to decrease. According to analysis of functional feeding groups, 11 more Gathering-collector species were found, making it the highest functional feeding group with 24 species. According to analysis of functional habitat groups, 15 more clinger species were found than in the past, making it the highest functional habitat group with 41 species. A community stability comparison showed that species belonging to 'Stability Group I' had the highest stability rate at 57.1% in 2003 and 61.5% in 2018. According to the biological water quality assessment, in 2018, the average water quality level at each survey site was 'Ia' and 'Very Good' in terms of environmental conditions. As a result of the similarity analysis between the survey points for the species that appeared, two large groups of similarities were classified (similarity group 1: 2003 sites, similarity group 2: 2018 sites).

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2011

To examine variation in trophic pathways and the characteristics of food webs from organic matters to aquatic insects, we used stable isotopes to study an intermittent stream system of the Inukami River, Japan. The aquatic insects, including Glossosoma spp., Chironominae spp., Stenelmis spp., Rhyacophilla nigrocephala, and Hexatoma spp., were characterized by different feeding strategies. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values for these species indicated that Glossosoma spp. graze upon periphyton; Chironominae and Stenelmis spp. mainly feed on benthic particulate organic matter, and R. nigrocephala and Hexatoma spp., which were identified as predators, feed upon Glossosoma, Stenelmis, and/or Chironominae spp. This suggests that the trophic position of consumers at each station may be determined by the trophic position of basal food sources in situ. For trophic pathways, the ${\delta}^{13}C$ values for both organic matter and aquatic insects tended to gradually decrease, whilst the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values increased from the upper reach to the lower reaches, relative to the physicochemical and geographical conditions. These parameters indirectly influence the flow of energy from organic matter to consumers within food web in an intermittent stream system.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.180-183
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• 2007

Over the last century the mercury (Hg) concentration in the environment has been increased by human activities with inputs from sources such as atmospheric deposition, urban runoff, and industrial effluents. Mercury can be transformed to methylmercury (MeHg) in anaerobic conditions by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and sediments are the principal location for MeHg production in aquatic environments. Interest in bioaccumulation of Hg and MeHg into lower trophic levels of benthic and pelagic organisms stems from public health concerns as these organisms provide essential links for higher trophic levels of food chains such as fish and larger invertebrates. Fish consumption is the major exposure route of MeHg to humans. Recently, it was reported that blood samples in Korea showed much higher Hg levels (5-8 times) than those in USA and Germany. Although this brings much attention to Hg research in Korea, there are very few studies on Hg biogeochemical cycling and bioaccumulation in aquatic environments. Given the importance of Hg methylation and MeHg transfer through food chains in aquatic environments, it is imperative that studies should be done in much detail looking at the fate, transport, and bioaccumulation of Hg and MeHg in the environment. Moreover, there should be long-term monitoring plans in Korea to evaluate the environmental and health effects of Hg and MeHg.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.354-365
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• 2019

Megabenthos samples were collected using 10-min trawls towed at 17 stations from 2015 to 2016. The dominant species (>1% of the total density) were Stegophiura sterea (10.4%) and two subtropical species, Mactrinula dolabrata (9.0%) and Acila divaricate (8.3%), respectively. The community structure of the megabenthos fell into four groups: the southeast, the southernmost region off Jeju Island, the frontal zone of the South Sea with C3, and a diagonal area from the south coast to the western side of Jeju Island. The total numbers of species, diversity, density and biomass were higher in the C3 region of the South Sea. Environmental factor analysis showed that differences in the megabenthos community were related to depth, gravel contents, and sorting value (${\sigma}$). These results indicate that changes in the marine environmental conditions in the South Sea of Korea affect the megabenthos species' composition and diversity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to compare population size of mudfish (Misgurnus mizolepis) between the agricultural practices and to investigate the causes of its differences. We also provided basic information for sustainable use of mudfish population in paddy fields. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mudfish and benthic invertebrates which are diet of mudifish were investigated from 8 sites of organic and conventional rice paddy fields in South Korea. Total number of mudfish were 1,882 individuals in survey sites. Mudfish population were 2.4 times larger in organic paddy fields (1,333 individuals) than in conventional paddy fields (549 individuals). The population size of mudfish was larger in Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do with relatively better environmental conditions than the other 5 sites including Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Benthic invertebrates collected from survey sites were 74 species, 68 genera, 46 families, 19 orders, 6 classes and 3 phyla. According to agricultural practices, benthic invertebrates were identified 66 species, 62 genera, 41 families, 17 orders, 6 classes and 3 phyla in organic paddy fields while there were 66 species, 60 genera, 42 families, 18 orders, 6 classes and 3 phyla in conventional paddy fields. Dominant invertebrates were Chironomidae sp., Branchiopoda sp., Ostracoda sp., and Copepoda sp. There were no differences in dominant species between organic and conventional paddy fields. Population size of mudfish tended to increase with the population size of Chironomidae sp., Branchiopoda sp., Ostracoda sp., and Copepoda sp. But, only population of Chironomidae sp. and Copepoda sp. statistically related to population size of mudfish. The number of individuals of mudfish (Misgurnus mizolepis) was higher at the low rate of urban area than any other surveyed region and was affected by appearance ratio of main preys such as Chironomidae sp. and Ostracoda sp. CONCLUSION(S): The population size of mudfish in rice paddy fields could be affected by environmental conditions and agricultural practices such as organic and conventional methods.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2013

The species composition of the fish community was studied in four streams where fish kills have previously occurred in recent years; Worun Stream, Seo Stream, Jangnam Stream, and the Anyang Stream. The number of fish species varied from 22 to 86% compared to the number of fish species pre-fish kill. The recovery of fish populations in the streams seems to be determined by water quality and the presence of artificial structures in the streams. The Jangnam Stream, where alkaline pH caused a fish kill, showed a high recovery of fish species due to improvements in water quality. Anyang Stream had a low number of species, possibly because dissolved oxygen concentrations were intermittently low. Artificial structures in streams had a negative impact the recovery of fish species, particularly for benthic fish species. It appears that fish populations can recover rapidly when water quality improves or the movement of fish community is unimpeded. However, water quality and artificial structures in many streams in Korea still present adverse conditions for fish survival, deterring the recovery of fish populations. To conserve fish populations in streams, habitat all owing unimpeded movement for fish and controls on pollutant inputs are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 1999

This paper described the results of the characteristics of the near-bottom flow and field analysis of the tidal flats sediment. It was the aim of this paper to grasp current flow of tidal flat's environment and influence factor for environmental change forecast of tidal flats. Field measurement of water velocity, water elevation, bed materials test, and temperature distribution of tidal flat were conducted. Thereafter, current flow, turbidity and temperature distribution of tidal flat sediment have been discussed. The field research results showed that the fluctuating velocity near the seabed before and after its appearance at low tide was strongly affected by the wind wave. The resuspension of the sea-bottom sediment took place with great intensity before and after the appearance of the seabed at low tide. Both the sea water level and the weather condition were a significant influential factors. Such as, temperature and turbidity just on the surface and the shallow layer of seabed sediments were varied largely with time and weather conditions, but that its deeper layers was almost constant. Temperature on the seabed sediments was strongly influenced by irradiance and water depth. The temperature variation of the tidal flat and the variation characteristics of the current flow and turbidity depend greatly on the inhabiting environment of the tidal flat benthic organism.