• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.423-430
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• 2018

Insomuch as it is important to manage water quality, from the perspective of water management, it is essential to understand the effect of the weirs on water quality and phytoplankton dynamics in various regions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of nitro-nutrients, as well as occurrences and succession patterns of phytoplankton, in the river sections of the two weirs in the Yeongsan River for the five years (from 2012 to 2016) after the weir construction. In respect to this data, the average water temperature measured at the representative point in the section of the Seungchon Weir ($17.1^{\circ}C$) was higher than that of the Juksan Weir ($16.6^{\circ}C$) by comparison. By way of an analysis of this data, it was found that the water quality variables such as, organic matter, nitrogen nutrients and phosphorus nutrients were improved gradually during the period, but the degree of the improvement differs as noted and measured between the weirs. Under the circumstances, it is especially noted that the $NH_3-N$ concentration was higher for the point of the Seungchon Weir (2.204 mg/L) than that of the Juksan Weir (1.157 mg/L). This indicates that effluent as seen from sewage treatment plants and hydrological feature near the densely population area, could be the main cause for the incidence of water pollution in the upstream section of the Seungchon Weir. Additionally, the phytoplankton analysis showed that a relative abundance of diatoms and green algae were 56.9 % and 25.8 % respectively. However, it is noted that the cyanobacteria was measured lower as 10.7 %. Also, in the study sites cell density and occurrence frequency of cyanobacteria were relatively lower than compared to the same measurements noted in other rivers.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.879-891
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate seasonal patterns and diel variations of fish movements in the Juksan Weir which was constructed in 2010 at the down-stream of Yeongsan-River watershed. For this study, we monitored day-and-night movement(24 Hr cycle) and seasonal fish migration(June ~ August) patterns in 2011 along with species compositions and abundances depending on the locations of the traps within the fishway. Total number of species sampled was 14 and the total number of individuals was 1,263 with only the size-fractions(as total length) of the fish < 20 cm during the study. Seasonal analysis of fish movement in the fish way showed that highest frequency in the movement occurred in June - July, which is closely associated with a spawning peak season. The most dominant species using the fishway was Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae, and this species turned out to be 26.9% of the total in the use rate of fishway. Daily monitoring of fish movements showed that most frequent movements occurred between 18:00 PM and 21:00 PM when the fish have a feeding time generally. The migratory fish were not found in the fishway during the study. Mean current velocity during the study $0.42{\pm}0.02ms^{-1}$(n = 42), and there were no significant statistical differences(p > 0.05) among the daily and monthly velocities in the fishway. The use rate of fish passage, in terms of fish species, was 48%, compared with total sampling of fish species(29 species) at the down-river regions during the same period, indicating a low use rate. Further continuous long-term monitoring should be conducted to evaluate the impacts of the weir construction in the river.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.892-901
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• 2012

The purpose of this research was to analyze fish fauna, distribution patterns, and fish community structures in the Juksan-Weir regions of upper weir(R-UW) and lower weir(R-LW), which was constructed in 2011 on Yeongsan River watershed. Our outcomes will provide valuable information in the impact analysis of weir constructions next decades, even if the current research is limited to distributions and fauna studies of fishes. The fishes observed were 8 family and 30 species in all the sites, and the number of the species in the regions of R-UW and R-LW was 23(938 individuals) and 27(1,680 individuals), respectively, indicating greater abundance in the lower region of Juksan-Weir. Most dominant species was Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis with relative abundance of 42%, and this species had greater abundance in the R-LW(49%) than in the R-UW(30%). Coilia nasus, was the migratory fish sampled in this region and had no differences of abundance between the two regions. The extic species observed were Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus, and Micropterus salmoides. The two formers of Carassius cuvieri(1.2%) and Lepomis macrochirus(3.7%) dominated in the R-UW, whereas Micropterus salmoides had greater dominance in the region of R-LW. According to tolerance guild analysis, the proportion of sensitive species ranged from 0.4 to 0.5%, and that of tolerant species ranged from 65% to 70%, implying a severe pollution of nutrients and organic matters in the water body. In the mean time, according to trophic guild analysis, the proportion of carnivores(57 - 77%) was evidently higher than that of insectivores(10 - 20%), indicating a dominance of the carnivores. Especially, high abundance of the bass, exotic species, may disturb the fish overall food chain, so the efficient ecosystem management may be required for the conservation of endemic species. When we examined fish data files of last 60 years, the species of Culter brevicauda, designated as endangered species, was observed firstly in our research area and the total number was 5 individuals(0.2% of the total). So, this region observed should be conserved as a protection zone and further monitoring studies should be done in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.859-877
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• 2012

In this study, Echo-sounder($E_s$) monitoring methodology was applied to test environmental impacts of artificial weirs(SCW and JSW) in the Yeongsan River on fish community and habitat structures at first time, and was compared with conventional fish sampling methodologies($C_s$). For the Es monitoring in the fields, parallel transect methods was employed in determining the survey distance interval with every 125 m within the upper-lower 2 km of the weirs. Four different fish sampling gears such as casting nets, kick nets, fyke nets, and gill nets were used for applications of $C_s$ monitoring methodology. According to the Echo-sounder monitoring, fish density, expressed as a number of individuals per square meter, along the longitudinal axis of the weir was significantly greater(JSW, t = 3.506, n = 30, p < 0.001) in the down-river reach of the weir than in the up-river reach. Also, fish density along the vertical water column was highest at mid-depths of Seungchon weir, which has simple habitat substrates, while fish density was highest at hypolimnetic depth of Juksan weir. According to fish sampling by the $C_s$ methodology, the fish compositions decreased as the river goes upward, and significant differences(JSW, t = 0.248, n = 30, p < 0.05) in the compositions of fish species occurred between up-reach and down-reach of the weirs. The dominant species near the two weirs were Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis, Hemiculter eigenmanni and Coilia nasus. Overall, our fish and habitat data, based on $E_s$ and $C_s$ monitoring methodologies, suggest that the weirs disturbed the rivers due to initial habitat disturbances by the weir constructions as well as the barrier roles of weirs on fish passage and migrations. More long-term scientific and systematic fish impact monitoring and assessments($E_s$ and $C_s$) are required in the future to predict changes of ecological structures and functions on the constructions of the weirs.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.877-887
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• 2020

A 3-Dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model was applied to evaluate the effects of weir gate operations on water quality and harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurrences at selected locations in the Nakdong River, Geum River, and Yeongsan River. For the Geum River and Yeongsan River, when the gates are left open, annual and summer Chl-a and HABs were decreased at upstream locations, Sejong Weir and Seungchon Weir, but summer average concentrations of Chl-a and HABs were increased at downstream locations, Baekje Weir and Juksan Weir. For the open scenario, the reduced hydraulic residence time in the upper stream areas of the Geum River and Yeongsan River would allow less available time for nutrient consumption that would result in higher dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations followed by higher algal growth in the downstream areas. However, in the case of the Nakdong River, both annual and summer Chl-a and HABs were increased in all locations for the open scenario. This condition seems to be resulted in due to increased light availability by reduced water depths. Changes in Chl-a and HABs occurrences due to the water gate control in the study sites are different due to differences in physical, chemical, and biological conditions in each location.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2020

Chironomidae widely utilize as a biological indicator that has various types of feeding pattern such as omnivorous, herbivorous and carnivorous. Polypedilum scalaenum is known as omnivorous, it plays an important role in the food chain of freshwater ecosystems in Korea. Nevertheless, detailed information about diet items of P. scalaenum is still lacking. The purpose of this study is to identify the gut and intestine contents of items on P. scalaenum inhabiting the large-scale weirs of the four major river ecosystems(Ipoh Weir, Sejong Weir, Juksan Weir, Gangjeong-Goryeong Weir, and Dalseong Weir). Phytoplankton was dominant diet items among the study sites. However, zooplankton (i.e. appendages, setae) only found in Ipoh Weir. The phytoplankton species composition in the study sites was correspond to the diet items in the gut and intestine contents of P. scalaenum. In summary, analysis of P. scalaenum gut and intestine contents in this study was able to identify the feeding characteristics of omnivorous Chironomidae, and in particular, it was possible to study the species composition of basic producers in the surrounding aquatic environment by analyzing the contents of the digestive tracts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.591-600
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the changes in phytoplankton and long-term water quality of Juksan-Weir in Yeongsan River that took place between April 2010 and December 2015. The number of species used in this study was 288, which consisted of 6% of Cyanophyta, 26% of Bacillariophyta, 53% of Chlorophyta and the others (15%). The standing crops of phytoplankton ranged from $500cells{\cdot}mL^{-1}-29,950cells{\cdot}mL^{-1}$ with an average of $7,885cells{\cdot}mL^{-1}$. At the two site, 20 dominant genera of found. The dominant genera were 6 of Bacillariophyta, 6 of Cyanophyta, 7 of Chlorophyta and 1 of Cryptophyta. The most dominant genus among the phytoplankton was Stephanodiscus sp. (Total 59%, each 54% and 63%). The most dominant genus among the Cyanophyta was Microcystis sp., which had a cell abundance ratio of 17%. The results of two sites were 21% and 13%, and the upstream was higher than the downstream.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.225-236
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• 2021

The master plan for the Four Rivers Restoration Project (June 2009) was devised, the procedure of pre-environmental review (June 2009) and environmental impact assessment (Nov. 2009), and post-environmental impact survey were implemented, and 4 times audits also inspected. and finally the Ministry of Environment's Four Rivers Investigation and Evaluation Planning Committee proposed the dismantling or partial dismantling of the five weirs of the Geum River and Yeongsan River. But controversies and conflicts are still ongoing. Therefore, this study intend to reestablish the management plan for the four major rivers by reviewing and analyzing the process so far. The results are as follows. First, a cost-benefit analysis should be performed by comparing the water quality impact of weir operation and weir opening. Therefore, it is inevitably difficult to conduct cost-benefit analysis. Second, according to the results of cost-benefit analysis on the dismantling of the Geum River and the Yeongsan River, the dismantling of the weir and the regular sluice gate opening was decided. However, there is a problem in the validity of the decision to dismantle the weir because the cost-benefit analysis for maintaining the weir is not carried out. Third, looking at the change in water quality of 16 weirs before and after the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, COD and Chl-a were generally deteriorated, and BOD, SS, T-N, and T-P improved. However, in the cost-benefit analysis related to water quality at the time of weir dismantling, only COD items were targeted. Therefore, the cost of BOD, SS, T-N, and T-P items improved after the project were not reflected in the cost-benefit analysis of dismantling weirs, so the water quality benefits were exaggerated. Fourth, in the case of Gongju weir and Juksan weir, most of them are movable weirs, so opening the weir alone can have the same effect as dismantling when the water quality deteriorates. Since the same effect can be expected, there is little need to dismantle the weirs. Fifth, in order to respond to frequent droughts and floods, it is desirable to secure the agricultural water supply capacity to the drought areas upstream of the four majorrivers by constructing a waterway connected to the weir. At present it is necessary to keep weirs rather than dismantling them.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.789-798
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• 2016

Frequent algal blooms at major river systems in Korea have been serious social and environmental problems. Especially, the appearance of cyanobacteria with toxic materials is a threat to secure a safe drinking water. In order to model the behaviour of cyanobacteria cell number, an exclusive causality analysis using prewhitening technique was introduced to delineate effective parameters to predict the cell numbers of cyanobacteria in Seungchon Weir and Juksan Weir along Youngsan river system. Both input and output transfer function models were obtained to explain temporal variation of cyanobacteria cell number. A threshold behaviour of water temperature was implemented into the model development to consider winter characteristic of cyanobacteria. The implementation of water temperature threshold into the model structure improves the predictability in simulation. Even though the input output transfer model cannot completely explained all blooms of cyanobacteria, the simple structure of model provide a feasibility in application which can be important in practical aspect.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2020

Artificial and natural changes such as weir construction and climate change often cause abnormal blooming of organism. Therefore, variations in species community of organisms have been actively investigated to identify influential environmental changes on the fresh water ecosystem. In this study, we investigated Chironomidae community and environmental factors at 5 representative weirs (Ipo, IP; Sejong, SJ; Juksan, JS; Gangjeong-goryung, GG; and Dalsung weir) in 4 Korean major rivers to figure out relationship between Chironomidae community and environmental factors. Environmental factors indicating organic matter (total organic carbon, TOC and Chlorophyll-a, Chl-a) showed lower concentration in IP and SJ compared with other sites(JS, GG and DS). 3 sub-family 18 genus 25 species of Chironomidae community were found in this study. Among them, Chironominae was dominant in JS (Tanytarsus sp.1), GG (Polypedilum scalaenum) and DS (Polypedilum scalaenum), while different sub-family were dominant in IP (Orthcladinae, Tokunagayusurika akamushi) and SJ (Tanypodinae, Tanypus punctipennis). Moreover, based on the dominant species of Chironomidae community and environmental factors, the cluster analysis classified our study sites into 3 groups. These results imply that the diet resource is the most important factor for dominance of Chironomidae in Korean rivers. We also suggest that further study on the identification of diet resources for each Chironomidae specie is required for better understating of distribution in species community of Chironomidae at various ecosystems.