• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.142-150
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• 2005

The effects of photoperiod, temperature, and fish size on oxygen consumption (OC) in the black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegeli, a euryhaline marine teleost, were studied using a closed recirculating seawater system with a respiratory chamber. Fish reared in indoor recirculating seawater tanks were divided into two groups: small (15.7-55.8 g, mean 38.1$\pm$15.9 g) and large (108.7-238.8 g, mean 181.8$\pm$54.9 g) fish. The OC of the fish showed a clear diel rhythm, with higher values in the daytime and lower values at night, in accordance with light (09:00-20:59 h) and dark (21:00-08:59 h) cycles. The OC of the fish increased linearly with the water temperature. The OC was the highest at 10:00 h, one hour after the onset of daylight and was the lowest at 03:00 h, six hours after dusk. The average OC at $20^{\circ}C$ during the light period was as high as 219.8 mg $O_2$/kg/h in the small fish and 156.3 mg $O_2$/kg/h in the large fish, while during the dark period it was as low as 130.5 and 110.4 mg $O_2$/kg/h, respectively. The OC during the dark period, which showed limited variation, could be regarded as the resting OC, and was 107.6, 130.5, and 219.8 mg $O_2$/kg/h at 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively, in small fish, and 52.3, 110.4, and 171.0 mg $O_2$/kg/h in large fish. As the body weight of black porgy increased, the OC decreased exponentially and the relationship was expressed as OC=1,222.8$BW^{-0.567}$, OC=1,113.2$BW^{-0.448}$, and OC=1,495.3$BW^{-0.468}$ at 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. At a fish density of 14.5 g/L at $20^{\circ}C$, black porgy had the highest OC per breath compared to fish at the same density at 15 or $25^{\circ}C$. This suggests that the black porgy responds to the stocking density (15 kg/$m^3$) and water temperature ($20^{\circ}C$) conditions commonly observed in intensive aquaculture with the deepest breath and the highest metabolic activity.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-148
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• 2017

Pathogen introductions associated with aquatic invasive species threaten ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide. Bigheaded carps (BHC), including Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Bighead Carp H. nobilis, and their hybrids, are prolific, invasive pests in central US rivers. However, little is known about pathogen effects on invading BHC or how BHC affect the disease risk profile for native fishes in receiving ecosystems. We therefore conducted, from May 2013-December 2014, a systematic pathogen survey for BHC and native fishes in the Wabash River watershed, Indiana, USA. We found Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, and Salmonella enterica DNA in BHC as well as native fishes, although none of these bacteria were exclusively present in BHC. DNA from other bacterial taxa was detected only in native fishes and Common Carp Cyprinus carpio. No gastrointestinal helminths were detected in BHC, although they were common in most native fishes examined. We also conducted in vitro studies on BHC tissues (skin, gill, fin, and fry) and found high sensitivity to Largemouth Bass virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, and infectious pancreatic necrosis virus. We conclude that BHC are not heavily burdened by bacteria, viruses and parasites in the invaded study ecosystems, although they do harbor native bacteria and show potential for high sensitivity to endemic viruses.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.571-576
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• 1997

The playas of the Southern High Plains (SHP) of Texas, USA are an important habitat for over one million wintering waterfowl. However, the recent trend toward the modification of playas for agricultural use is threatening winter habitat of waterfowl in this region. Diurnal activity budgets of wintering mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were conducted from 1 October to 31 March, 1983-1984, and 1984-1985) at three habitat types; steep-sided pits, terraced pits, and open lakes. All seven activity patterns (feeding, locomotion, resting, comfort, courtship, alert, and agonistic) were different (P<0.05) among the three habitat types for wintering mallards on the SHP of Texas. Terraced pits supported more feeding activity (27.8%) (P<0.001) than steep-sided pits (11.2%) or open lakes (2.6%) due to their abundance of natural seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Hens (17.5%) fed more than drakes (11.7%) (P<0.05). Locomotion (32.2%) and alert (2.8%) behavior across the three habitat types showed the highest level during the early morning (6:00-9:00 AM). Paired mallards rested more (37.9%) than unpaired mallards (25.8%) (P<0.05). Agonistic activity was highest (2.4%) in terraced pits throughout the season.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2023

Wetlands are very critical for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, while also serving as the breeding/ nesting/ resting grounds for water birds. Generally, wetlands support both resident and migratory birds, thus serving as connecting dots in the global flyways. The Rajasthan state of India has two Ramsar sites (Keoladeo National Park and Sambhar Lake) and many other water bodies/wetlands. However, most of these areas are segregated in the eastern, southeastern, southern, and northern parts. In the western part of Rajasthan, where lies the Great Indian or Thar desert, there are no such reported prominent wetlands drawing attention towards a substantial number of resident and migratory water birds. The author is an Indian Forest Service officer, who was posted in the Thar Desert region and during that time had identified a hidden wetland in the desert landscape. This study deliberates on the wetland location and its faunal diversity with prospects of developing the area as a proper wetland conservation zone. India is a signatory to the Central Asian Flyway of migratory species and serves as an important member in terms of having significant wetlands and reported migratory birds count. The need of preserving and bring the arid zone's hidden wetlands to the forefront can serve as an important tool to conserve water birds and comply with worldwide bird migration conservation efforts.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

This paper describes the radiation doses to human and non-human biota in the Republic of Korea, as a result of the Fukushima nuclear accident. By using the measured airborne activity and ground deposition, the effective and thyroid doses of five human age groups (infant, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and adult) were estimated by the ECOSYS code, and the whole body absorbed dose rate of the eight Korean reference animals and plants (RAPs) was estimated by the K-BIOTA (the Korean computer code to assess the risk of radioactivity to wildlife). The first-year effective and thyroid human doses ranged from 5.7E-5 mSv in the infant group to 2.0E-4 mSv in the 5 years group, and from 5.0E-4 mSv in the infant group to 3.4E-3 mSv in the 5 years group, respectively. The life-time (70 years) effective and thyroid human doses ranged from 1.5E-4 mSv in the infant group to 3.0E-4 mSv in the 5 years group, and from 6.0E-4 mSv in the infant group to 3.5E-3 mSv in the 5 years group, respectively. The estimated maximum whole body absorbed dose rate to the Korean RAPs was 6.7E-7 mGy/d for a snake living in soil (terrestrial biota), and 2.0E-5 mGy/d for freshwater fish (aquatic biota), both of which were far less than the generic dose criteria to protect biota from ionizing radiation. Also, the screening level assessment for ERICA's (Environmental Risks from Ionizing Contaminants: Assessments and management) limiting organisms showed that the risk quotient (RQ) for the estimated maximum soil and water activity was significantly less than unity for both the terrestrial and freshwater organisms. Conclusively, the radiological risk of the radioactivity released into the environment by the Fukushima nuclear accident to the public and the non-human biota in the republic of Korea is considered negligible.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-76
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• 2003

Wetland is the ecotone between aquatic ecosystem and land ecosystem, and is much valuable in terms of ecology and economic. The stream wetland among inland fresh wetlands occupies the largest area but has been recognized as only a channel not a habitat. The purposes of this paper are to consider the characteristics of natural wetlands formed in the tributary flowing into the downstream reach of Nakdong River and to find its optimal management policy. Natural wetlands in the middle-size streams (2nd${\sim}$3rd order) are large marshlands, and were formed at the places from the mainstream away, because natural wetlands were formed in the reach of longitudinal profiles during the last glacial and the post-glacial period meet in disharmony. In order to conserve these natural wetlands effectively, we should compile the inventories of wetlands and make precise distribution maps. And we should do 'reverse-reclamation' which means the alteration of some farmlands reclaimed from natural wetland into natural wetland ecosystem, and develop the place or the space for wildlife education and ecotourism.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.547-559
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• 2012

Abandoned channel is vestiges of running in the past. Abandoned channels have been formed mostly by artificial river maintenance through channel straightening in Korea. Managed properly, these now abandoned channels can provide habitat for wildlife, maintain biodiversity of aquatic life, security against flooding and recreation area for human. However, because the areas are officially classified as abandoned, the channels is collapsing and decaying from years of neglect. This study suggested functional assessment for wetland-type abandoned channel in order to provide appropriate management and investment. For this reason, The study will examine and evaluate these channels with regard to the following four major criteria (Natureless, Habitat, Water-friendliness and Water quality) and 21 indices. Consequently, abandoned channel in two Nakdong river sites, site 1 was needed for protection or improvement in the medium to longer term, while site 2 was in good condition. This evaluation method will be helpful to manage wetland-type abandoned channel in Korea and will be able to use National River Health Program.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.91-93
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• 2003

It has been estimated that the equivalent of approximately $US 50 billion has been spent on research on the behavior and fate of pesticides in the environment since Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring” in 1962. Much of the resulting knowledge has been summarized explicitly in computer algorithms in a variety of empirical, deterministic, and probabilistic simulation models. These models describe and predict the transport, degradation and resultant concentrations of pesticides in various compartments of the environment during and after application. In many cases the known errors of model predictions are large. For this reason they are typically designed to be “conservative”, i.e., err on the side of over-prediction of concentrations in order to err on the side of safety. These predictions are then compared with toxicity data, from tests of the pesticide on a series of standard representative biota, including terrestrial and aquatic indicator species and higher animals (e.g., wildlife and humans). The models' predictions are good enough in some cases to provide screening of those compounds which are very unlikely to do harm, and to indicate those compounds which must be investigated further. If further investigation is indicated a more detailed (and therefore more complicated) model may be employed to give a better estimate, or field experiments may be required. A model may be used to explore “what if” questions leading to possible alternative pesticide usage patterns which give lower potential environmental concentrations and allowable exposures. We are currently at a maturing stage in this research where the knowledge base of pesticide behavior in the environmental is growing more slowly than in the past. However, innovative uses are being made of the explosion in available computer technology to use models to take ever more advantage of the knowledge we have. In this presentation, current developments in the state of the art as practiced in North America and Europe will be presented. Specifically, we will look at the efforts of the ‘Focus’ consortium in the European Union, and the ‘EMWG’ consortium in North America. These groups have been innovative in developing a process and mechanisms for discussion amongst academic, agriculture, industry and regulatory scientists, for consensus adoption of research advances into risk management methodology.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.229-240
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• 2010

During the last decade, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have gained more attention due to their toxicity and global distribution. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution and bioaccumulation of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in aquatic wildlife effected from a sewage treatment plant. The concentrations of 12 PFCs were determined in water, sediment and fish samples. PFOS were predominantly detected in both ambient environment and fish. In fish, the concentration of PFCs in blood was the highest (i.e., 112.47 ng/mL wet-wt. PFOS) in comparison to other tissues. However, PFOA and PFHpS were highly detected in gonad as 3.87 and 4.58 ng/g wet-wt., respectively. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFCs was greatest in the blood > liver${\cong}$gonad > kidney > gill, and lowest in the muscle tissue. The BCFs of PFUnDA (39,000), PFDA (2,700) and PFOS (1,100) were rated as high values based on wet weight concentration. BCFs increased with increasing the length of the perfluoralkyl chain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2024

Otters, designated as Class I endangered wildlife due to population declines resulting from urban development and stream burial, have seen increased appearances in freshwater environments since the nationwide ban on stream filling in 2020 and the implementation of urban stream restoration projects. There is a pressing need for scientific and strategic conservation measures for otters, an umbrella and vulnerable species in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, this study predicts potential otter habitats using the species distribution model MaxEnt, focusing on Hwangguji Stream in Suwon, and proposes conservation strategies. Otter signs were surveyed over three years from 2019 to 2021 with citizen scientists, serving as presence data for the model. The model's outcomes were enhanced by analyzing 'river nature map' as a boundary. MaxEnt compared the performance of 60 combinations of feature classes and regularization multipliers to prevent model complexity and overfitting. Additionally, unmanned sensor cameras observed otter density for model validation, confirming correlations with the species distribution model results. The 'LQ-5.0' parameter combination showed the highest explanatory power with an AUC of 0.853. The model indicated that the 'adjacent land use' variable accounted for 31.5% of the explanation, with a preference for areas around cultivated lands. Otters were found to prefer shelter rates of 10-30% in riparian forests within 2 km of bridges. Higher otter densities observed by unmanned sensors correlated with increasing model values. Based on these results, the study suggests three conservation strategies: establishing stable buffer zones to enhance ecological connectivity, improving water quality against non-point source pollution, and raising public awareness. The study provides a scientific basis for potential otter habitat management, effective conservation through governance linking local governments, sustainable biodiversity goals, and civil organizations.