• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.62-72
• /
• 2018

In order to provide important information for the efficient management of the identified farm ecosystem in Jinju Bay, we investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of the phytoplankton community using a UPLC pigment analysis and a CHEMTAX program from the timeframe of February 2013 to January 2014. In addition, we measured the available physical and chemical parameters controlling the distribution of the phytoplankton communities. As a result of this comprehensive pigment analysis, it was noted that the Diatoms were the predominant species with an average of 77.1% as noted located in Jinju Bay. It was discovered that during the summer season, the phytoplankton community composition was changed by a reduction of diatoms and noted increases of the Cryptophytes, Prasinophytes, and Dinoflagellates. Especially, it was noted that the Cryptophytes and Prasinophytes were shown with an average of 18.8% and 17.8% in June, respectively. However, it was revealed that the Cryptophytes and Prasinophytes were not shown by a microscopic observation. The phytoplankton community composition was correlated with the temperature and salinity variations as noticed in the Jinju Bay. Therefore, the water temperature and freshwater inputs in the Jinju Bay were important environmental factors for controlling the phytoplankton community composition and the varying Cryptophytes and the noted amounts of Prasinophytes as well.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.310-321
• /
• 2016

This study describes the spatial distribution of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from the fishing ports along Jeju Island. Surface sediment samples from 22 stations revealed the occurrence of 29 species involving the Groups Protoperidinioid (44.8%), Gonyaulacoid (31.0%), Calciodineloid (10.3%), Gymnodinioid (6.9%), Diplosalid (3.5%) and Tuberculodinioid (3.5%). The cyst abundance recorded here is very low ($13{\sim}220cysts\;g-dry^{-1}$) as compared to Korean coastal regions. The abundance of heterothophic cysts increased in several fishing pots with fine sediments and anthropogenic tidal pools. And cyst abundance was well correlated with the grain-size composition of surface sediments. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblages in Jeju fishing ports were characterized by the dominant species, cyst of Gymnodinium sp., cyst of Pyrodinium bahamense and cyst of Scrippsiella trochoidea in 2012, Protoperidinium sp. (Brigantedinium sp.), cyst of Scrippsiella sp./trochoidea and cyst of Gymnodinium sp. in 2014, and Protoperidinium sp. (Echinidinium sp. and Brigantedinium sp.) in 2016. The advent of the toxic dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamense were recorded for the first time in Jeju coastal waters. As a results, we are determined should be to monitoring and management measures for new toxic dinoflegallates from tropical or subtropical reigions and anthropogenic tidal pools by industrial activities.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.157-170
• /
• 2013

We investigated the seasonal succession of phytoplankton assemblages in the eastern part of the South Sea of Korea in relation to surface water masses. The study areas are under the direct influence of the Tsushima Warm Current (TCW) throughout the whole year, with its strength known to be seasonally variable. The region is also influenced by coastal waters (CW) driven from the South Sea of Korea and East China Sea, particularly in summer, as indicated by low salinity in the surface water. Nutrient property of the TCW can reveals whether the origin of the TCW is the nutrient-rich Kuroshio Current or the oligotropic Taiwan Warm Current. Surface chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations displayed a large seasonal variation for all stations, with high values found in spring and autumn and low values in summer and winter. At station M (offshore) and P (intermediate location between M and R), Chl-a concentrations in October were higher than those in March, when spring bloom normally occurs. This may be related to deeper mixed layer depths in October. Diatoms dominated under conditions of high nutrient supply in which Chaetoceros spp. and Skeletonema costatum-like spp. were abundant. S. costatum-like spp. dominated at stations R (onshore station) and P in December when there was greater nutrient supply, especially of phosphate. Flagellates and dinoflagellates dominated at all three stations after diatoms blooms. Dominant species were Scrippsiella trochoid in April and Ceratium furca in October at station R, and Gyrodinium spp. and Gymnodinium spp. at station M during summer, when the effect of the oligotropic Taiwan Warm Current and the oligotropic coastal water from East China Sea were strong. Redundancy analysis showed clear seasonal successions in the phytoplankton community and environmental conditions, in which both principal components 1 and 2 accounted for 69.6% of total variance. Our results suggested that environmental conditions seemed to be determined by the origin of the TCW and the relative seasonal strength of the water masses of the TCW and CW, which may affect phytoplankton growth and compositions in the study area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.287-298
• /
• 2004

As a part of Korea Deep Ocean Study program, we investigated the distribution of planktonic protists in the upper 200 m of the northeast Pacific from $5^{\circ}N$ to $17^{\circ}N$, along $131^{\circ}30'W$. Area of divergence was formed at $9^{\circ}N$ which is boundaries of the north equatorial counter current (NECC) and the north equatorial current (NEC) during this cruise. Chlorophyll-a concentration was higher in NECC than in NEC area. Pico chl-a(<$2\;{\mu}m$) to total chl-a accounted for average 89% in the study area. The contribution of pico chl-a to total chl-a was relatively high in NEC area than in NECC area. Biomass of planktonic protists, ranging from 635.3 to $1077.3\;mgC\;m^{-2}$(average $810\;mgC\;m^{-2}$), was most enhanced in NECC area and showed distinct latitudinal variation. Biomass of HNF ranged from 88.7 to $208.3\;mgC\;m^{-2}$ and comprised 15% of planktonic protists. Biomass of ciliates ranged from 123.6 to $393.0\;mgC\;m^{-2}$ and comprised 25% of planktonic protists. Biomass of HDF ranged from 407.2 to $607.8\;mgC\;m^{-2}$ and comprised 60% of planktonic protists. HDF was the most dominant component in both NECC and NEC areas. Nano-protist biomass accounted for more than 50% of total protists in the both areas. The contribution of nanoprotist to total protists biomass was relatively higher in NEC area than in NECC. The biomass of planktonic protists was significantly correlated with phytoplankton biomass in this study area. The size structure of phytoplankton biomass coincided with that of planktonic protists. This suggested that the structure of the planktonic protists community and the microbial food web were dependent on the size structure of the phytoplankton biomass. However, biomass and size structure of planktonic protist communities might be significantly influenced by physical characteristics of the water column and food concentration in this study area.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.135-140
• /
• 2008

A field survey for dinoflagellate cysts was carried out from May 2000 to November 2002 for the Southwest Sea of Korea. A total dinoflagellate cysts identified were 33 species, which belonged to 17 genera, 31 species, and 2 unidentified species. A cysts density were 16-1,501 cysts-gdry$^{-1}$. The dominant species of dinoflagellate cysts in the Southwestern Sea of Korea were Spiniferites bulloideus and Scrippsiella trochoidea, which are autotrophic species. To investigate the environmental characteristics of the Southwestern Sea of Korea using the dinoflagellate cysts, a principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted using the data collected from a total of 51 stations. From the score distribution map by the PCA, the Southwestern Sea of Korea was largely divided into three regions according to the first primary component and the second primary component. In other words, Group 1 was the western sea area of Mokpo and Jindo, Group 2 was the outer sea area of the South Sea, and Group 3 was the coastal areas of the South Sea around the Archipelago. It was found that this division of sea area was influenced by effects of the sea environment of the coastal areas of Korea. The coastal areas of Mokpo and Jindo that belong to Group 1 were affected by the cold Yellow Sea water. The outer sea area of the central parts of the South Sea that belong to Group 2, which is the boundary between the Southern coastal water of Korea and the Tsushima warm water, was subject to the formation of temperature fronts throughout the year, while Group 3 was affected by the coastal waters of Korea. It was also found that this division was in close relationship with the distribution of sediment facies in the bottom layer. From the above results, the environmental factors that influence the cyst distribution in he Southwestern Sea of Korea were found to include the eutrophication status of the sea area, the physical characteristics of the sea environment such as the flow of sea current and fronts, the sediment facies in the bottom layer, and the appearance volume of motile cells.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.328-338
• /
• 2012

We investigated seasonal changes in the marine environments and phytoplankton communities in the western part of south coastal waters of Korea during May 2009 and February 2010. In multidimensional scaling analysis of in situ data obtained by shipboard observations, the coastal waters comprised four different water masses: Yellow Sea water mass (YW) of low temperature and salinity, and high suspended solids and nutrient concentrations; south-western coastal water mass (SW) of high salinity and nutrient concentrations; Tsushima Current water mass (TW) of low nutrient concentrations, and high temperature and salinity; and closed bay water mass (CW). The spatial extent of these water masses varied according to seasonal environmental characteristics. In particular, at most study sites, TW expanded during autumn toward coastal waters. Phytoplankton abundances peaked during autumn in CW and spring in YW, which coincided with periods of high nutrient concentrations. In particular, diatoms predominated, and attained an abundance of more than 90% in most water masses. However, dinoflagellates in TW comprised a proportion of approximately 20% abundance.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.145-158
• /
• 2008

To assess the source of oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and clam (Ruditapes phillippinarum), phytoplankton community structures in the water column and sediment, including the composition of phytoplankton in oyster and clam digestive organs were investigated bimonthly from December 2006 to June 2007 in the Taeahn coastal waters. During the sampling period, water temperature and salinity varied from 7 to 23$^{\circ}C$ and 34 to 35 PSU, respectively. Total phytoplankton abundances at St. O in the water column were higher than those at St. J, whereas total phytoplankton abundances at St. O in the sediment were lower. In addition, total phytoplankton abundances in the water column and sediment were observed to be relatively higher in February and April 2007. Among the diatoms, Paralia sulcata was always dominant, accounting for 41$\sim$87% of total phytoplankton, except St. J for February 2007 during the sampling period. The following phytoplankton compositions observed in the digestive organs of oyster and clam appeared: diatoms such as genus Paralia, Navicula, Melosira and Coscinodiscus, Silicoflagellate Dictyocha, dinoflagellates Prorocentrum and Dinophysis. Phytoplankton compositions observed in the digestive organs of oyster and clam corresponded relatively well with the species composition appeared in the water column and sediments of each season. A significant relationship was found between individual weight of oyster or clam and their digestive organs weight, while there was not a close correlation with total phytoplankton amount. We suggest that P. sulcata always dominated as one of important the food source of oyster and clam in the marine ranching ground of Taeahn coastal waters.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.213-224
• /
• 2013

Between May 2006 and November 2009, we investigated the relationship between fluctuations in environmental factors and phytoplankton communities in Saemangeum Artificial Lake, South Korea. Nutrient concentrations in the lake increased because of the inflow of water from Mankyung and Dongjin Rivers during the summer rainy season; in particular, high concentrations were detected at an inner zone close to the estuaries. During the summer rainy season, salinity at the inner zone reduced more rapidly than that at the other zones, and it was similar to the changes in nutrient concentrations. Variations in phytoplankton communities were caused by fluctuations in environmental factors: the abundance of phytoplankton at the inner zone was higher than that at the other zones. Diatoms were the dominant species in the phytoplankton communities. A small centric diatom, Skeletonema costatum like species, was predominant, with a mean abundance of 19.5% in Saemangeum lake. Because of accelerated eutrophication in the lake, phytoplankton abundance increased continuously and the total number of species present in the community decreased. In particular, some dinoflagellates could intermittently cause red tides during low temperature and salinity conditions (at the inner zone). In 2006~2007, a red tide-forming dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum minimum, was the predominant species, while Heterocapsa triquetra, Karlodinium veneficum, and Heterocapsa rotundata were the newly recorded species in late 2008 to early 2009. Therefore, the dynamics of phytoplankton communities under the perennially eutrophic conditions in Saemangeum lake appear to be primarily affected by changes in water temperature and salinity. In particular, the growth of harmful algae may have been accelerated by the low salinity and temperature conditions during the spring season at the inner zone.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.292-303
• /
• 2016

This study described the spatial distributions of marine environmental factors such as water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a concentration and turbidity, and characteristics of phytoplankton community such as species composition, standing crops and dominant species at 19 fishing ports around Jeju Island during the early summer of 2016. I analyzed bio-oceanographical characteristics using principal component analysis (PCA) of the environmental factors and biological parameters. Water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a and turbidity ranged from 17.6 to $20.7^{\circ}C$, from 26.19 to 32.33 psu, from 0.76 to $7.13{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and from 0.51 to 14.49 FTU, respectively. A total of 51 species of phytoplankton belonging to 35 genera were identified. In particular, diatoms and dinoflagellates accounted for more than 56.8% and 27.4% of all the species, respectively. Moreover, the number of phytoplankton species was controlled by salinity. Phytoplankton cell density ranged from $2.9cells\;mL^{-1}$ to $185.9cells\;mL^{-1}$. The dominant species were Navicula spp. Stephanopyxis turris, Eutreptiella gymnastica and Mesodinium rubrum. Environmental factors and the phytoplankton community varied greatly between sampling sites. According to PCA, the biological oceanographic characteristics of the around Jeju Island were characterized by meteorological factors such as air temperature, precipitation and discharge of ground water during early summer.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.164-176
• /
• 2019

For this study, we carried out a field survey on the analysis for the spatial distributions of phytoplankton community in the eleven areas of the Korean South Sea during the early summer of 2018. The results from the study showed that the phytoplankton community consisted of 56 genera and 105 species showing by diatoms with 52.4%, dinoflagellates with 40.0% and other phytoflagellates with 7.6%. The cell density of the phytoplankton ranged from 5.5 to 593.2 cells mL^-1. The species number and cell density of the phytoplankton were high in the eastern waters of the South Sea and low in the western one. The phytoplankton community showed the characteristics of being dominated by the diatoms except in the Geumpo of Namhae, Ocheon-dong of Yeosu and Oenarodo of Goheung. The dominant species of the phytoplankton community were the centric diatoms, Skeletonema costatum-like species (ls), except for the Ocheon-dong and Chungdo of Wando. However, the Ocheon-dong was dominated by toxic dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium catenatum by 41.1% dominance. On the other hand, Keumpo and Oenarodo was by dinoflagellate, Tripos fusus more than 12% dominance in the surface layer. The spatial distribution of the phytoplankton community in the coastal waters of the Korean South Sea in the early summer were determined by the supply of nutrients through precipitation.