• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.31-41
• /
• 2011

To optimize the natural chemical agents against nuisance phytoplankton, we examined algal removal activity (ABA) of Plant-Mineral Composite (PMC), which already developed by our teams (Kim et al., 2010), on various conditions. The PMC are consisted of extracted-mixtures with indigenous plants (Camellia sinensis, Quercusacutissima and Castanea crenata) and minerals (Loess, Quartz porphyry, and natural zeolite), and characterized by coagulation and floating of low-density suspended solids. A simple extraction process was adopted, such as drying and grinding of raw material, water-extraction by high temperature-sonication and filtering. All tests were performed in 3 L plastic chambers varying conditions; six different concentrations ($0{\sim}1.0\;mL\;L^{-1}$), six light intensities ($8{\sim}1,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$), three temperatures ($10{\sim}30^{\circ}C$), four pHs (7~10), five water depths (10~50 cm), and three different waters dominated by cyanobacteria, diatom, and green algae, respectively. Results indicate that the highest ABA of PMC was seen at $0.05\;mL\;L^{-1}$ in treatment concentrations, where showed a reduction of more than 80% of control phytoplankton biomass, while $1,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ in light intensity (>90%), $20{\sim}30^{\circ}C$ temperature (>60%), 7~9 in pH (>90%), below 50 cm in water depth (>90%), and cyanobacterial dominating waters (>80%), respectively. Over the test, ABA of PMC were more obvious on the algal biomass (chlorophyll-${\alpha}$) than suspended solids, suggesting a selectivity of PMC to particle size or natures. These results suggest that PMC agents can play an important role as natural agents to remove the nuisant algal aggregates or seston of eutrophic lake, where occur cyanobacterial bloom in a shallow shore of lake during warm season.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.61-71
• /
• 2007

The photosynthetic characteristics and primary production by phytoplankton in open waters of two wetlands (the Banwol and the Donghwa wetland) of Sihwa Constructed Wetland with different water chemistry were investigated to provide the information for the wetland management considering the water treatment efficiency. During the study period (from March to October, 2005) the primary productivity in open waters ranged from 481 to 11,275 mgC $m^{-2}$ $day^{-1}$, which is very high compared with the eutrophic level of 600mgC $m^{-2}$ $day^{-1}$. From the analysis of the photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) model parameters, the photosynthetic characteristics may be affected by different concentration and ratio of nutrient (N and P) between two wetlands. Assimilation number (AN) was higher in the Donghwa wetland (average AN: 8.5gC $gChl^{-1}$ $hr^{-1}$) with high P and low N/P ratio than the Banwol wetland (average AN: 5.8gC $gChl^{-1}$ $hr^{-1}$) with high N and high N/P ratio. This result indicates that AN may be concerned with phosphorus than nitrogen and low NIP ratio. Positive correlation (R=0.81) was observed between the initial slope and AN, implying that AN was high in case of phytoplankton having more active photosynthesis ability under low light. On the other hand, maximum photosynthesis (Pmax) was related positively with chlorophyll a concentration showing correlation coefficient of 0.47. In this study, considering the high primary production through phytoplankton photosynthesis in open waters of Sihwa Constructed Wetland, the produced organic matter by phytoplankton may affect the water quality within wetland and its efficiency of water treatment. Also, the photosynthetic characteristics may be affected by different nutrient enrichment (especially phosphorus) of wetlands. This study suggests that the production by phytoplankton and its characteristics in open water of constructed wetland for water treatment should be considered to improve the removal efficiency of organic matter.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.33 no.3 s.91
• /
• pp.260-266
• /
• 2000

Water quality parameters were surveyed in Lake Andong. Turbidity, temperature, secchi disc transparency (SD), phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentration were measured at dam site from July 1993 to December 1998. Minimum transparency in summer was only about 2 meters in 1993 and 1994, but it decreased to about 1 meter in 1997 and 1988. Total phosphorus concentration of the epilimnion increased slightly from $11{\sim}30\;mgP/m^3$ in 1993 to $18{\sim}42\;mgP/m^3$ in 1998. Total nitrogen concentration of the epilimnion decreased slightly from $1.81{\sim}2.96\;mgN/L$ in 1993 to $1.48{\sim}2.57\;mgN/L^3$ in 1998. TN/TP weight ratio decreased from $82{\sim}281$ in 1993 to $21{\sim}143$ in 1998 due to the increase of phosphorus concentration and the decrease of nitrogen concentration. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentration and the decrease of nitrogen concentration. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus and nitrate nitrogen concen tration of the epilimnion were in the range of $0.9{\sim}5.3\;mgP/m^3$ and $1.36{\sim}1.68\;mgN/L$, respectively. Chlorophyll a concentration in summer was in the range of $11.0{\sim}19.1\;mg/m^3$ in 1994, 1996 and 1997, but it decreased to $2.3{\sim}6.5\;mg/m^3$ in 1998. Trophic state of Lake Andong can be classified as mesotrophic to eutrophic from TP, TN and chlorophyll a concentration.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.216-227
• /
• 2008

To understand eutrophication in the upper regions of brackish Lake Sihwa with a limited water exchange, temporal and spatial distributions of pollutants in water and sediment were investigated from March to October in 2005 and 2006. Also, pollution levels of water and sediment were estimated by trophic state index (TSI) and sediment quality guideline (SQG). Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), organic matter (COD), and chlorophyll $\alpha$ (Chl-$\alpha$) concentrations in the surface waters were largely varied temporally and spatially, and the variations were highest in the middle areas where strong halocline was formed. Chl-$\alpha$ concentrations in the middle area were very high in April (>$900\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) when algal blooms (red tides) occurred. The relationships between TN and Chl-$\alpha$ (r=0.31), and TP and Chl-$\alpha$ (r=0.65) indicated that the algal growth was primarily affected by phosphorus rather than nitrogen. The distribution of COD was similar to that of Chl-$\alpha$, indicating that the autochthonous organic matters may be a more important carbon source, especially in the middle areas. The brackish water regions were classified as eutrophic or hypertrophic based on their TSI values ($69{\sim}76$). In addition, the content of nutrients (especially TP) in surface sediments were classified as severe polluted state, except the upper areas. Major causes of the eutrophication observed were probably due to high nutrients loading from watersheds, the phosphorus release from anaerobic sediment, and long retention time by the limited water exchange through the sluice gates.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.3 s.108
• /
• pp.332-343
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to test a possibility of water quality improvement using a filter-feeding bivalve (Corbicula leana). In mesocosm scale (width ${\times}$ length ${\times}$ depth: 3 m ${\times}$ 3 m ${\times}$ 0.5 m), we investigated the changes of dissolved nutrient and particulate matter including both abiotic and biotic seston. Short term (16 days) mesocosm experiment was conducted in two stages: the first stage for 8 days and consecutive 8 days of the second stage. Both treatment and control mesocosm were switched over by translocating mussels from the treatment mesocosm to the control, at 8th days since the start of the experiment. This design made it possible to compare mussel effect on the water quality change more clearly. The high mortality of mussel was observed in the treatment of the first stage, but it decreased rapidly and stabilized on the 8th day to less than< 4 ind $day^{-1}$. Chl. a concentration in the treatment mesocosm of the first and second stage decreased to 71 and 88% of initial concentration, respectively, and suspended solids decreased to 70 and 77%. At those times, average filtering rate were 0.46 and 0.61 mL AFDW $mg^{-1}$ $hr^{-1}$, respectively. Both $NH_3-N$ and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) concentrations increased with the mussel mortality. $NH_3-N$ concentration was positively correlated with the mussel mortality, while DTP concentration showed negative correlation with it. After translocating mussel from the treatment to the control, $NH_3-N$ concentration significantly increased compared with that of initial control. Although DTP concentration also increased, there was no significant difference relative to that of initial control. These results suggest that application of this filter-feeding bivalve in a eutrophic reservoir could be a potential tool to improve water quality if mussels could acclimatize successfully in early stage of the introduction.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.4 s.109
• /
• pp.411-422
• /
• 2004

A limnological survey was conducted in a reservoir, Lake Hoengsung located in Kangwondo, Korea, from July 2000 to September 2001 on the monthly basis. Phosphorus loading from the watershed was estimated by measuring total phosphorus concentration in the main tributary. Secchi disc transparency, epilimnetic (0-5 m) turbidity, chlorophyll a (Chl-a), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen(TN) and silica concentration were in the range of 0.9-3.5 m, 0.1-8.5 NTU, 0.3-32.4 mgChl $m^{-3}$, 5-46 mgP $m^{-3}$, 0.83-3.55 mgN $L^{-1}$ and 0.5-9.6 mgSi $L^{-1}$, respectively. Green algae and cyanobacteria dominated phytoplankton community in warm seasons, from July through October, 2000. In July a green alga (Scenedesmus sp.) was dominant with a maximum cell density of 10,480 cells mL. Cyanobacteria (Microcystics sp.) dominated in August and September with cell density of 3,492 and 295 cells mL ,respectively. Species diversity of phytoplankton was highest (2.22) in July. The trophic state of the reservoir can be classified as eutrophic on the basis of TP, Chl-a, and Secchi disc transparency. Because TP concentration was high in flood period, most of phosphorus loading was concentrated in rainy season. TP loading was calculated by multiplying TP and flow rate. The dam managing company measured inflow rate of the reservoir daily, while TP was measured by weekly surveys. TP of unmeasured days was estimated from the empirical relationship of TP and the flow rate of the main tributary; $TP=5.59Q^{0.45}\;(R^2=0.47)$. Annual TP loading was calculated to be 4.45 tP $yr^{-1}$, and the areal P loading was 0.77 gP $m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$ which is similar to the critical P loading for eutrophication by Vollenweider's phosphorus model, 0.72 gP $m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.343-359
• /
• 2013

In order to understand shoreline environment characteristics of Korean reservoirs, the interrelationships between environmental factors of geomorphology, hydrology, water quality and shoreline soil were analyzed, and the reservoir types were classified according to their environmental characteristics in the 35 reservoirs selected by considering the purpose of dam operations and annual water-level fluctuations. Geomorphological and hydrological characteristics of reservoirs were correlated with the altitude and the size scale of reservoirs. The annual range of water level fluctuation showed a wide variation from 1 m to 27 m in the various reservoirs in Korea. The levels of eutrophication of most reservoirs were mesotrophic or eutrophic. From the result of the soil texture analysis, sand contents were high in reservoir shorelines. Range, frequency and duration of water-level fluctuation were distinctive from the primary function of reservoirs. Flood control reservoirs had a wide range with low frequency and waterpower generation reservoirs had a narrow range with high frequency in the water-level fluctuation. According to the result of CART (classification and regression tree) analysis, the water quality of reservoirs was classified by water depth, range of water-level fluctuation and altitude. The result of PCA (principal component analysis) showed that the type of reservoirs was classified by reservoir size, water-level fluctuation, water quality, soil texture and soil organic matter. In conclusion, reservoir size, the water-level fluctuation, water quality and soil characteristics might be major factors in the environment of reservoir shorelines in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.221-231
• /
• 2010

A simple extraction method was applied to control four selected cyanobacteria, solitary (SMA) and colonial Microcystis aeruginosa (CMA), and green algae, Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris using a domestic plant and mineral. Three kinds of concentrations (1, 5, and 10 mg $L^{-1}$) of three fresh plants Camellia sinensis, Quercus acutissima, and Castanea crenata, three minerals loess, quartz porphyry, and natural zeolite, and plant-mineral composite, totally seven materials were prepared with the simple extraction processes: drying and grinding of material, water-extraction by high temperature-sonication and filtering. Cyanobacteria SMA and CMA (over 60% of control) were effectively inhibited with the low concentration (1 mg $L^{-1}$) of plants Q. acutissima and C. crenata and natural zeolite, while green alga S. quadricauda (below 50% of control) also retarded in growth. Low concentrations (1 mg $L^{-1}$) of C. sinensis effectively increased the growth of C. vulgaris, while loess also induced the algal growth of S. quadricauda. Therefore, our results indicate that crude extract of domestic plants, Q. acutissima and C. crenata can be also useful to control the cyanobacterial bloom in eutrophic lake, whereas C. sinensis and loess may be a good growth factor or useful media for the algal mass culture.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.339-347
• /
• 2015

Differences in characteristics of flora and environmental factors of geomorphology, hydrology, water quality and soil were investigated in the shoreline of total 35 reservoirs according to their usages of waterpower generation, agricultural water supply, residential and industrial water supply and flood control in Korea. The number of plant species, floral structure and characteristics of species traits in the shoreline of reservoirs were different according to their usage. From the results of stepwise regression analysis, the total number of vascular plant species was increased at the environment of the higher flood frequency at the median water level and the longer exposure duration of the shoreline. The results of principal coordinates analysis and cluster analysis showed that the shoreline flora was classified as the 3 types of 1) flood control and residential and industrial water supply, 2) agricultural water supply and 3) waterpower generation reservoirs. The water level fluctuation, flood frequency at the median water level, lake water quality index and exposure duration of the shoreline were selected as important environmental factors affected on the characteristics of shoreline flora. The species richness of total flora and hydrophytes, especially submerged macrophytes, were much higher in the reservoirs for the purpose of the waterpower generation in which mesotrophic water quality and stable water levels were maintained. Annual or biennial ruderals were established on the ephemeral drawdown zone of flood control, residential and industrial water supply reservoirs which have oligotrophic or mesotrophic water quality and wide range of water level fluctuation. The floating hydrophytes were differentially dominated in the littoral zones of the agricultural water supply reservoirs with a mesotrophic or eutrophic water quality and a medium water level fluctuation. In conclusion environmental factors related to water level fluctuation and water quality were different and then the floral characteristics of shoreline were distinguishable according to usage of Korean reservoirs.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.75-84
• /
• 2009

The effect of various SNPs (silver nanoparticles) on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa was investigated in laboratory and field experiment. Four SNPs, namely JS47N, JS47N-K2, JS47N/3-1 and JS47N/3-2 were used to this study. The Ag size, concentration and color of these solutions were about $20{\sim}40nm$, $200mg\;L^-1$ and brown, respectively. At 0.01 and $0.1mg\;L^-1$, SNPs inhibited the growth of unicellular M. aeruginosa by 99.4% and 99.9%, respectively. However, SNPs of $1mg\;L^-1$ inhibited the growth of colonial M. aeruginosa by 98.5%, whereas the other three concentrations (0.001, 0.01 and $0.1mg\;L^-1$) had little inhibitory effect. In experimental enclosures from eutrophic lake, cyanobacteria including M. aeruginosa were found to be more sensitive to the SNPs than green algae and diatoms. In conclusion, our study indicates that SNPs has a selective cyanocidal potential when used to M. aeruginosa. We believe that future studies need to test on various other organisms, and determine minimum concentration for field application.