• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.151-163
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• 2003

In this study, we investigated the physiochemical characteristics of temporal estuarine environment formed during the summer flood season (consecutive rainy days with average 50 mm day$^{-1}$ precipitation) in the coastal area of South Sea of Korea. The freshwater from the Seomjin River was characterized by lower temperature, salinity and pH, and high concentrations of COD and nutrients. In the summer flood season, such peculiar Somejin-River freshwater was dispersed southward along the coast of Yeosubando-Dolsando-Geumodo, form-ing temporal estuarine environment (defined as "Coastal Pseudo-Estuary" in this study) throughout the entire study area (as far as 60 km from the Seomjin River mouth). Compared to the winter dry season, the DIN/DIP ratio was almost doubled (16-36) during the summer flood season. This excessive nitrate supply during the summer flood season was probably due to nitrogenous fertilizer. Distribution and behaviors of physiochemical factors in this coastal pseudo-estuarine environment were controlled not only by the runoff of the Seomjun River (physical mixing of river water with seawater) but also by the biogeochemical estuarine processes which are mostly similar to those of the river estuary.r estuary.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.214-226
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• 2013

To understand the changing patterns in phytoplankton communities, we conducted 12 surveys along the Nakdong River, its estuary, and adjacent coastal areas between January 2011 and October 2012 (during the period of barrage construction and sediment dredging). Monthly precipitation ranged from 0 to 502 mm during the survey period, and salinity ranged between 0.1 psu and 0.3 psu in the Nakdong River, regardless of the depth, indicating no seawater influence, while salinity showed large seasonal fluctuations in the estuarine and coastal station, ranging from 0.1 psu to 34.8 psu. A total of 402 phytoplankton species were identified, 178 species from the river and 331 species from the estuary and coastal areas. Phytoplankton standing crop increased in 2012 compared to that in 2011, and was found to be highest in the river, followed by the estuary and coastal areas. Among the top 20 species in frequency of occurrence and dominance, Stephanodiscus spp., Aulacoseira granulata, and Aulacoseira granulata var. angustissima and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were important species along the river-estuary-coastal areas. Diatoms were the major taxonomic group inhabiting the Nakdong river-estuary-coastal areas. A comparison of seasonal dominant phytoplankton species revealed a slight decrease over the years, from 13 species in 2011 to 10 species in 2012. However, no significant difference was found in the diversity of phytoplankton species between the two survey years, although lightly greater diversity was observed in the coastal areas than in the river and estuary. Cluster analysis with community composition data revealed that the community structure varied significantly in 2011 depending on the time of survey, while in 2012, it hardly showed any variation and was simpler. An increase in the phytoplankton standing crop, fewer dominant species, and simpler community structure in 2012 compared to those in 2011 are probably due to the rapid environmental changes along the Nakdong River. To investigate these ecological relationships, it is necessary to conduct further studies focusing on integrated analyses of biocenosis, including phytoplankton with respect to the changes in nutrient distribution, variation of freshwater discharge, and effect area of freshwater in the Nakdong estuary and adjacent coastal areas.