• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2007

Risk assessment was carried out in order to improve the remediation and management strategy on a contaminated gunnery site, where a flood control reservoir is under construction nearby. Six chemicals, including explosive chemicals and heavy metals, which were suspected to possess risk to humans by leaching events from the site were the target pollutants for the assessment. A site-specific conceptual site model was constructed based on effective, reasonable exposure pathways to avoid any overestimation of the risk. Also, conservative default values were adapted to prevent underestimation of the risk when site-specific values were not available. The risks of the six contaminants were calculated by API's Decision Support System for Exposure and Risk Assessment with several assumptions. In the crater-formed-area(Ac), the non-carcinogenic risks(i.e., HI values) of TNT(Tri-Nitro-Toluene) and Cd were slightly larger than 1, and for RDX(Royal Demolition Explosives), over 50. The total non-carcinogenic risk of the whole gunnery range calculated to a significantly high value of 62.5. Carcinogenicity of Cd was estimated to be about $10^{-3}$, while that of Pb was about $5\;{\times}\;10^{-4}$, which greatly exceeded the generally acceptable carcinogenic risk level of $10^{-4}{\sim}10^{-6}$. The risk assessment results suggest that an immediate remediation practice for both carcinogens and non-carcinogens are required before the reservoir construction. However, for more accurate risk assessment, more specific estimations on condition shifts due to the construction of the reservoir are required, and more over, the effects of the pollutants to the ecosystem is also necessary to be evaluated.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2003

This research was conducted to present reference data to be used as newly reclaimed tidal land management. We investigated vegetation succession at 4 reclaimed/reclaiming project areas and discussed relationship with soil and vegetation trhrough investigation and analysis soil chemical characteristics at 2 areas. 14 families 58 kinds were investigated. Vegetation were variou at Dea-Ho conservation polt and Seok-Mun National Industrial Area which are maintaining naturally. Vegetation were simple at Hong-Bo and Dongjin and MinKyong river areas which effected sea water. Common species that were investigated at 9 sites were Suaeda asparagoides, Aster tripolium, Phragmites australis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda japonica, Carex scabrifolis. As soil desalinization progressing, soil classified at first saline-soidc soil, the nest saline soil and then normal soil. Chenopodiaceae revealed at about 30 dS/m of soil ECe and existed to 10 dS/m of soil ECe. At about 20 dS/m of soil ECe. Aster tripolium, Calamagrostis epigeios, and Sonchus brachyotus revealed and then non-halophytes and common plants at inland revealed at low soil ECe of about 10 dS/m. However it was not to progress vegetation sucdession and soil desalinization at the same time, owing to input of seeds or plants ect from out-ecosystem. So for promotion of vegetation at newly reclaimed tidal land, we proposed that it was very effective to plant artificially halophytes or suitable species through soil test.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2001

This study aims to compare and analyze the environment of natural parks and Ulleung island using the plant taxa classified by five degrees based on their distributional ranges. The scores differentially given based on the importance of each degree; taxa belonging to the fifth degree are given to 20 scores each, fourth 10, third 5, second 3.3, and first 2.5, respectively. The total assessed scores were ranked as Mt. Halla, Seorak, Jiri, Deokyu, Is. Ulleung, Mt. Sobaek, Odae, Palgong, Chink, Taebaek, Songni, Juwang, Gaya, Duryun, Gaeryong, Bukhan, Naebyeon, Worak, Naejang, Cheongryang, Naeyeon, Myeongii, Jokye, Mudeung, Wolchul, Geumo, Juheul, Biseul, Hwangmae, Jangan, Seonun, Moak, Seonam, Chilgap, and Gibaek, in order, respectively. It is suggested that the natural environments assessing more than 1,000 of total scores such as Mt. Halla and Mt. Deokyu are regarded as the most excellent ones, and those between 700 to 1,000 of total scores such as Is. Ulleung and Mt. Odae are regarded as relatively excellent ones. Natural parks scored between 500 to 700 such as Mt. Palgong and Mt. Gaya are regarded as good ones and parks scored between 300 to 500 such as Mt. Duryun and Mt. Mudeung are regarded as normal ones. The area assessed less than 300 of total scores such as Mt. Wolchul and Mt. Gibaek are regarded as the most inferior ones. The total scores of the national parks are generally higher than those of the provincial and county parks. In addition, Ulleung island has a total of 882.9 scores. Therefore, according to the IUCN the Ulleung island should be included in the criterion of the preservative model of natural ecosystem, suggested by Ministry of Environment. At the same time, Ulleung island should be included to the superior model of natural scenery resources by its uniqueness of topography, geography and natural environments. Ulleung island is assessed as having relatively excellent natural environments as compared with other national parks, suggesting that the island should be designated as a new national park.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.206-216
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• 2018

We analyzed the effects of spatio-temporal variation in the leaf production of oaks on the density and species richness of herbivores, as well as the consumption by herbivores in the east coastal region of Korea, which is an area that has been damaged by forest fires. The main herbivore that feeds on oak leaves was moth larvae. In mid-August the insect larvae showed the highest density and species richness. Approximately 60.5% of total plant-eating insect larvae were present from August to September 2011. Oak leaf production was at its peak from July to August, and the peak damage caused by herbivores was from August to September. Depending on the investigation timing and site of the survey, oak leaf production, larval densities, and species richness showed large variations. The average production of oak leaves between July and August was estimated to be $0.96ton\;ha^{-1}$. The production of oak leaves during this period also showed spatial variations ranging from 0.34 to $1.89ton\;ha^{-1}$. In August, the consumption of oak leaves by the herbivores showed spatial variations ranging from 0.15 to $1.51ton\;ha^{-1}$. Where oak leaves had a higher yield, they tended to increase in density and species richness of the herbivores. As the production of oak leaves increased, so did the overall consumption and consumption rate by the herbivores. This means that the production of oak leaves is highly related to time and space, and there is a concentration response in which the new individuals gather. Research into the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the food sources and their effects on the higher levels of the food web can help us quantitatively understand and evaluate the structure and functions of the burnt ecosystem that is caused by forest fires.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.404-417
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• 2017

In this study, we analyzed response patterns of rotifer community to eutrophic state, and estimated the applicability of rotifer community as an environmental indicator for highly eutrophicated reservoirs. In order to evaluate the relationships among spatial and temporal distributions and the water quality of rotifer community, we selected the Jundae Reservoir and Chodae Reservoir in Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, which are geographically adjacent but have different water quality, particularly in their eutrophic states. For the analyses on their correlations, monthly survey of water quality and rotifer community, was conducted from April to November 2013 in both reservoirs. The rotifer community was divided into different compositions of functional groups as well as species. Functional groups were classified according to the structure and shape of trophi which can represent feeding behavior of rotifer genus. To reflect ecological characteristics of species, body size and habitat preferences were also considered. Species-based composition did not show a consistent tendency with water quality parameters related with eutrophication. On the contrary, functional group composition showed relatively clear group-specific patterns, increasing or decreasing according to the parameters. The results suggest the possible application of rotifer functional group composition as an indicatorforthe lentic systems, especially hyper-eutrophicated reservoirs. The present study can suggest the applicability based on the field observations from the limited time scale and sites, and further studies on feeding behavior of the rotifer functional group and its interactions with environmental variables are necessary for the further application.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1 s.110
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• pp.54-62
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• 2005

The present study was to determine how seasonal rainfall intensity influences nutrient dynamics, ionic contents, oxygen demands, and suspended solids in a lotic ecosystem. Largest seasonal variabilities in most parameters occurred during the two months of July to August and these were closely associated with large spate of rainfall. Dissolved oxygen (DO) had an inverse function of water temperature (r = = = - 0.986, p<0.001). Minimum pH values of<6.5 were observed in the late August when rainfall peaked in the study site, indicating an ionic dilution of stream water by precipitation. Electrical conductivity (EC) was greater during summer than any other seasons, so the overall conductivity values had direct correlation (r = 0.527, p<0.01) with precipitation. Ionic dilution, however, was evident 4 ${\sim}$ 5 days later in short or 1 ${\sim}$ 2 weeks in long after the intense rain, indicating a time-lag phenomenon of conductivity. Daily COD values varied from 0.8 mg $L^{-1}$ to 7.9 mg $L^{-1}$ and their seasonal pattern was similar (r = 0.548, p<0.001) to that of BOD. Total nitrogen (TN) varied little compared to total phosphorus (TP) and was minimum in the base flow of March. In contrast, major input of TP occurred during the period of summer monsoon and this pattern was similar to suspended solids, implying that TP is closely associated (r = 0.890, p<0.01) with suspended inorganic solids. Mass ratios of TN : TP were determined by TP (r= -0.509, p<0.01) rather than TN (r= -0.209, p<0.01). The N : P ratios indicated that phosphorus was a potential primary limiting nutrient for the stream productivity. Overall data suggest that rainfall intensity was considered as a primary key component regulating water chemistry in the stream and maximum variation in water quality was attributed to the largest runoff spate during the summer monsoon.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1 s.110
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• pp.83-94
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• 2005

The objective of the study was to elucidate early life history of Rhinogobius brunneus, based on laboratory observations and field works, along with its courtship and spawning behaviors. The male and female fish matured were sampled for the lab experiments from Gap-Stream, which is one of the tributaries of Geum-River, Korea. The spawning behaviors and courtship of matured adults had a typical pattern; matured males of Rhinogobius brunneus built up spawning nests and had their own territory before the spawning, and the behavior then triggered the egg spawning of female with active courtship. The females attached elliptic egg mass as a single layer, on the stones below the spawning nest. After the spawning, the egg mass was guarded by males only until the hatching. The size of egg fertilized, measured by microscope was about 1.5${\pm}$0.1mm in length and 0.7${\pm}$0.1 mm in the egg's width. According to the lab experiments conducted under four temperature regime, the lapsed time for the hatching was shortened as temperatures increased in the treatments. On the contrary to the hatching time, the average length of newly hatched larvae showed a reverse relation with water temperature. The larvae, considered a final stage of the early life history was about 3.6 mm in total length for water temperature of $18^{\circ}C$, whereas they were between 3.1 mm and 3.2 mm for over $25^{\circ}C$. This indicates that higher water temperature may decrease the growth rate in the early life history. These results may provide valuable information for the population conservation and ecosystem protection under accelerated water pollution and habitat degradations in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.218-231
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• 2012

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the physico-chemical water quality, trophic and tolerance guilds in the control ($C_o$) and impacted streams of the abandoned mine, along with the ecological health, using a multimetric health model and physical habitat conditions of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), during the period of three years, 2005~2007. Also, eco-toxicity ($EE_t$) enclosure tests were conducted to examine the toxic effects on the outflows from the mine wastewater, using the sentinel species of Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, and we compared the biological responses of the control ($C_o$) and treatment (T) to the effluents through a Necropybased Health Assessment Index ($N_b$-HAI). Tissue impact analysis of the spleen, kidney, gill, liver, eyes, and fins were conducted in the controlled enclosure experiments (10 individuals). According to the comparisons of the control ($C_o$) vs. the treatment (T) in physicochemical water quality, outflows from the abandoned mine resulted in low pH of 3.2, strong acid wastewater, high ionic concentrations, based on an electrical conductivity, and high total dissolved solid (TDS). Physical habitat assessments, based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) did not show any statistical differences (p>0.05) in the sampling sites, whereas, the $M_m$-EH model values in a multimetric ecological health ($M_m$-EH) model of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), using fish assemblages, were 16~20 (fair condition) in the control and all zero (0, poor condition) in the impacted sites of mine wastewater. In addition, in enclosure eco-toxicity ($EE_t$) tests, the model values of $N_b$-HAI ranged between 0 and 3 in the controls during the three years, indicating an excellent~good condition (Ex~G), and were >100 (range: 100~137) in the impacted sites, which indicates a poor condition (P). Under the circumstances, organ tissues, such as the liver, kidney, and gills were largely impaired, so that efficient water quality managements are required in the outflow area of the abandoned mine watershed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2008

This research was a preliminary case study to determine the levels of total mercury in the tissues of sentinel species (Zacco platypus) and ecological health in relation to habitat characteristics and chemical conditions. We collected fishes in Gap Stream during June$\sim$October 2007 and analyzed the total mercury from five types of tissues such as liver, kidney, gill, vertebrae and muscle of Zaceo platypus using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). Mean concentrations of total [Hg], based on all tissues, was 67.2 and $20.7\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, in the upstream and downstream site, respectively, indicating 3 times greater level in the upstream. In other words, the levels were higher in the pristine upstream than the downstream influenced by the wastewater disposal plant. Chemical water quality, based on BOD, COD and nutrients (TN, TP) showed that severe degradation occurred in the downstreams than the upstreams. Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish multi-metric model averaged 32, indicating a "good$\sim$fair" condition and varied from 42 (excellent$\sim$good) at S2 to 22 (fair$\sim$poor) at S5 depending on the sites sampled. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) in the all sites averaged 142, which was judged as "good" habitat health, but showed a high variation (181 in Site 2 vs. 67 in Site 5). Overall data suggest that health conditions, based on IBI and QHEI, was better in the upstream sites but the mercury bioaccumulation levels in the fish tissues were opposite. We believe that measurements of various parameters are required for a diagnosis of integrative ecosystem health.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Daecheong Reservoir was made by the construction of a large dam (>15 m in height) on the middle to downstream of the Geum River and the discharge systems have the watergate-spillway (WS), a hydropower penstock (HPP), and two intake towers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the limnological anomalies of turbid water reduction, green algae phenomenon, and oligotrophic state in the lower part of reservoir dam site, and compared with hydro-meteorological factors. Field surveys were conducted in two stations of near dam and the outlet of HPP with one week intervals from January to December 2000. Rainfall was closely related to the fluctuations of inflow, outflow and water level. The rainfall pattern was depended on the storm of monsoon and typhoon, and the increase of discharge and turbidity responded more strongly to the intensity than the frequency. Water temperature and DO fluctuations within the reservoir water layer were influenced by meteorological and hydrological events, and these were mainly caused by water level fluctuation based on temperature stratification, density current and discharge types. The discharges of WS and HPP induced to the flow of water bodies and the outflows of turbid water and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. Especially, when hypoxic or low-oxygen condition was present in the bottom water, the discharge through HPP has contributed significantly to the outflow of phosphorus released from the sediment into the downstream of dam. In addition, HPP effluent which be continuously operated throughout the year, was the main factor that could change to a low trophic level in the downreservoir (lacustrine zone). And water-bloom (green-tide) occurring in the lower part of reservoir was the result that the water body of upreservoir being transported and diffused toward the downreseroir, when discharging through the WS. Finally, the hydropower effluent was included the importance and dynamics that could have a temporal and spatial impacts on the physical, chemical and biological factors of the reservoir ecosystem.