• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.252-263
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• 2018

Distributions of 15 PAHs and 82 PCBs were investigated in sediment and fish samples collected from the Suyoung Estuary of Busan, one of the most urbanized and newly contaminated areas in Busan. The concentrations of $S_{15}PAH$ in sediments ranged from 17.9 to 777 ng/g-dry and were mainly originated from combustion processes. The concentrations of $S_{82}PCB$ in sediments ranged from 0.55 to 12.5 ng/g-dry and were significantly correlated with those of 12 dioxin-like PCBs and 6 non-dioxin like PCBs. Higher concentrations of PAHs and PCBs were found in the upper river and the inner Suyoung Bay than in marina and the outer Suyoung Bay. No sites exceeded the ecotoxicological values of PAHs and PCBs in marine sediments. Benzo[a]-pyrene was not detected in fish samples and the concentrations of $S_4PAH$ (0.15~0.45 ng/g-wet) were lower than the maximum level set by EU. The levels of PCBs in fish samples were at less than 1% of the Korean maximum level and 2% of the EU maximum level. The concentrations of dioxin-like PCBs were $0.01{\sim}0.32pg-TEQ_{WHO-2005}/g-wet$, and the highest concentration was found in eels, which were at less than 5% of the EU maximum level. Dietary intakes of PAHs and PCBs through fish consumption were estimated, and their lifetime cancer risk and non-cancer risk were much lower.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.347-360
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• 2015

Trace metals(As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) concentrations in surface sediments of Jinhae bay in August of 2013 were measured to investigate the characteristics of trace metals distribution and to evaluate the metal pollution. Assessment for metal pollution was carried out using the sediment quality guidelines(SQGs) such as threshold effects level(TEL) and probable effects level(PEL) proposed by the ministry of onceans and fisheries(MOF) in Korea and geochemical assessment techniques(enrichment factor(EF) and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$)). The mean concentration of trace metals in the sediments are as follows: 11.1 mg/kg for As, 0.52 mg/kg for Cd, 14.1 mg/kg for Co, 69.8 mg/kg for Cr, 57.2 mg/kg for Cu, 3.7 % for Fe, 0.064 mg/kg for Hg, 600 mg/kg for Mn, 40.1 mg/kg for Pb, 167.2 mg/kg for Zn. The spatial distributions of As, Co, Cr and Fe were not distinguished clearly in whole area. However, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn were high in northern area of bay, and Cu and Mn were high in southeastern and eastern area of bay, respectively. The distribution pattern of trace metals, correlation matrix and R-mode factor analyses results revealed that the distribution of trace metals were mainly effected by the sediment grain size(Co, Cr and Fe), redox condition of sediments(Mn) and anthropogenic factors(As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn). Comparing the concentrations of several trace metals(As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) with SQGs from Korea(TEL and PEL), the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb in sediment of northern area of bay were higher than TEL. EF and $I_{geo}$ values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn showed that these metals in sediments are enriched by anthropogenic activities in some areas, and pollution status for Cd, Hg and Pb in northern area and Cu in southeastern area of bay were concerned about current level, although those for As, Mn and Zn were not.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2005

Bioassay using the marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, and chemical analyses were conducted to assess the toxicity of the various sewage sludges, one of the major ocean dumped materials in the Yellow Sea of Korea. Sludge elutriates extracted by filtered seawater were used to estimate the ecotoxicity of the sludge. Chemical characterization included the analyses of organic contents, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants in sludge. Bacterial bioluminescent inhibition (15 min), rotifer mortality (24 hr) and rotifer population growth inhibition (48 hr) assay were conducted to estimate the sludge toxicity. EC50 15 min (inhibition concentration of bioluminescence after 15 minutes exposed) values by Microtox(R) bioassay clearly revealed different toxicity levels depending on the sludge sources. Highest toxicity for the bacteria was found with the sludge extract from dyeing waste and followed by industrial waste, livestock waste, and leather processing waste. Clear toxic effects on the bacteria were not found in the sludge extract from filtration bed sludge and rural sewage sludge. Consistent with Microtox(R) results, rotifer neonate mortality and population growth inhibition test also showed highest toxicity in dyeing waste and low in filtration bed and rural sewage sludge. High concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals were measured in the samples from the industrial wastes, leather processing plant waste sludge, and urban sewage sludge. However, there was no significant correlation between pollutant concentration levels and the toxicity values of the sludge. This suggests that the ecotoxicity in addition to the chemical analyses of various sludge samples must be estimated before release of potential harmful waste in the natural environment as part of an ecological risk assessment.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.253-261
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• 2015

The chemical water quality and fish assemblage of Dong Stream to assessment of environmental improvement after discharge seawater were investigated from July to December 2013. BOD and DO were significantly different between before and after discharge seawater, while pH and SS did not significant. A total of 11 fish species, 218 individuals and 10,525.1g were collected. Dominant fish species were Mugil cephalus, Konosirus punctatus, Acanthogobius flavimanus and Leiognathus nuchalis which account for 77.5% of total individuals collected, and they were estuarian species. Peak number of species and individuals, and biomass occurred in September, whereas diversity index were highest in November. The water ecosystem of Dong Stream have been changed estuarian environment. As a result of stream assessment on water quality and ecosystem, water quality have been improved as 'III' grade. These results suggested that stream restoration policies such as drain pipes maintenance, management of pollution sources and riverbed dredging to improve environment and recover habitate of Dong Stream were need for set up and establishment of regular monitoring system.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2023

The edible jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum occurs in waters throughout northeastern Asia, including in Korea, China, and Japan. In Korean waters, R. esculentum has appeared in two regions (Gangwha and Muan). Based on the appearance of young medusae and coastal distribution records, these two regions may be key R. esculentum breeding sites. In the present study, we investigate and compare the genetic structure of R. esculentum in the two regions using mitochondrial sequences (16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I). The genetic diversity of the R. esculentum population at Ganghwa exceeded that of the population at Muan. Despite considerable geographic separation (400 km) between the two regions(Gangwha and Muan), our haplotype network suggests that the Gangwha and Muan populations of R. esculentum are related. The simple and monotonous genetic structure of the Muan population shows that R. esculentum emergence is relatively recent. In contrast, the Gangwha population shows evolution. Moreover, jellyfish of the Gangwha population are genetically diverse and remain constant despite environmental fluctuations in the Han River. The Gangwha area is considered to be the old origin of R. esculentum in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.462-472
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• 2023

We investigated the physio-chemical and geochemical parameters in the spraying shellfish aquacultures (Yeoja and Gangjin Bay) to establish the systematic strategy for effective environmental management. Spatial variation of each parameter showed partially significant difference (P<0.05) between Yeoja and Ganjin Bay, inferring the discriminative progress (i.e., accumulation and degradation) of the autochthonous organic matter within the aquaculture environments. We additionally integrated various properties (e.g., water/sediment quality, natural hazard, and biological health) which may affect the biological growth within the aquaculture habitats based on the biogeochemical cycles related to environmental components and aquaculture species. We used a screening approach (i.e., one out-all out; OOAO) which can permit the assessment of the health levels of aquaculture species, the scoring for other parameters (seawater, sediment, and natural hazard) as three levels (excellent, moderate and poor) depending on the complex interactive properties occurring in the aquaculture environments. Actual, discriminative scores obtained via our case studies may confirm that these stepwise processes are effectively evaluated for optimal health conditions within the aquaculture habitats. Thus, this approach may provide valuable insights for effective environmental management and sustainable growth of aquaculture operation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2013

This study was performed to have an effect on control the growth of algae such as "Actinastrum fluviatile" which occurs frequently in the aquaculture tank using by a cold plasma, and it also would be expected to promote the growth of water plants due to active element causing OH radicals in the water. In addition, it was verified on the death rate as 99.9% on the scale protrusion of "Aeromonas hydrophila" as well as E. coli, especially, under extreme conditions more than 100 million pathogenic bacterium in the aqua pet tank, the ornamental fish had to act in a safe and healthy environment at over 98% death rate within 48 hours. It has been proven to give no affect on aerobic bacteria that exist in the filter or soil because there was no residual toxicity in the water tank. As the results, it will help to develop and apply on the sterilization device in other industries as well as aquarium organisms due to adopted energy-saving algorithm and reliability in use.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.598-606
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• 2013

The blackfin flounder Glyptocephalus stelleri is a commercially important species in the East Sea of Korea, but its catches and biomass have decreased gradually in recent years. This study estimated the optimal catch (acceptable biological catch, ABC) for the effective management of this species by estimating population ecology parameters and the stock biomass of blackfin flounder in the East Sea of Korea. The estimated instantaneous coefficient of total mortality (Z) of blackfin flounder was 1.0542/year, the survival rate (S) was 0.3485, and the instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) was 0.3637/year. From the values of S and M, the instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality (F) was calculated to be 0.6905/year. The age at first capture was 1.304 years, and the total length was 11.5 cm at that time. On the basis of these parameters, the annual biomass was estimated by a biomass-based cohort analysis using annual catch data in weight by year for 1991-2012 in the East Sea of Korea. The annual biomass peaked in 1997 at about 12,800 mt and then subsequently declined continuously to a level of 10,500 mt in 2004 and to 9,800 mt in 2011 and 2012. The maximum sustainable yield and $F_{0.1}$ were estimated as 3,547 mt and 0.3595/year, respectively. Using these estimations, the ABC was estimated to be 3,571 mt in tier 5, 3,397 mt in tier 4, and 2,622 mt in tier 3.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.53-74
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• 1991

Interest on ocean environment has increased with the development of industrialized activities. Public marine resorces are defined broadly to include fish stocks, beaches, marine waters, recreational fishing, biota, waterfowls, shorebirds, seabirds and marine mammals But, it is not easy to analyze compensation for injury to publicly owned marine resources because the claimants do not exist clearly and the economic methodology of damage on public goods is not developed fully. This paper introduces basic idea of welfare economic theory and environmental legislation to the research question : How the economics and law can be applied to the case of damage on publicly owned marine resource. The paper discusses the concepts of willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA). It is accepted generally that WTA is correct concept of welfare change in the case of damaged public goods. Four methods (compensating variation, equivalent variation, compensating surplus, equivalent surplus of measuring welfare changes are compared. Compensating variation(CV) is the best measure of welfare changes are compared. Compensating variation(CV) is the best measure of welfare changes caused by environmental damage. Vartia (1983) showed CV could be measured from the ordinary demand function using the differential equations. This paper also provides an overview of the emerging U.S. and Korea legal system for compensation for natural resource damages, with particular emphasis on U.S. legal system under Comprehensive Environmen-tal Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). These regulations are to include two different types of standardized procedures for assessing natural resources injury : Type A or simplified assessment techniques for small releases ; and Type B protocols that would include detailed and extensive assessment methodologies for major releases. Type A procedures are specified by Natural Resources Damage Assessment Model for Coastal and Marine Environment (NRDAM/CME) of the U.S. CERCLA provides a legal 'legitimization for the use of economic-based nonmarket valuation in the courts and have introduced appropriate and accurate nonmarket valuation methods based on willingness to-pay for damage assessment. By briefly reviewing economic theory and environmental legislation, we hope to help provide a better understanding of the compensation process and the economics of publicly owned marine resources in the U.S. and to integrate the economics and law of natural resources valuation into a single comprehensive package in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2015

Chironomous is aquatic insect belonging to order Diptera, family Chironomidae. Their larval stage can be found mainly in aquatic benthic environment, hence good model organism to study environmental toxicology assessments and consider as useful bio indicators of contamination of the aquatic environment. In this study, Chironomus Heat Shock Proteins, Cytochrome 450, Glutathione S-transferase, Serine-type endopeptidase gene expressions were compared between polluted field areas (Chironomus plumosus) and under laboratory conditions (Chironomus riparious) to investigate molecular indicators for environmental contaminant stress assessment. Heavy metal (Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Zn, Se, Pb, As, Cd) concentrations in sediments collected from three study areas exceeded the reference values. Moreover, HSPs, CYP450 and GST gene expression except SP for C. plumosus showed higher expression than C. riparious gene expression. Similar gene expression pattern was observed in C. riparious that exposed environment waters up to 96 h when compared to C. plumosus exposed to waters that grown in lab conditions. In summary, this comparative gene expression analysis in Chironomous between field and laboratory condition gave useful information to select candidate molecular indicators in heavy metal contaminations in the environment.