• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.113-128
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• 2011

The study analyzed the physico-chemical quality of water and the resident phytoplankton community, and evaluated the water trophic status in So-ok stream flowing into Daechung lake from October 2007 to July 2008. Algal blooming by cyanophytes and diatoms continued throughout the year, with Microcystis aeruginosa and Aulacoseira granulata being prevalent. Ten taxa that are indicators of polluted water, including Oscillatoria limosa appeared. Results based on (Trophic status index) TSI and (Lake trophic status index) LTSI evaluations of water quality status indicated mesotrophication.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.432-440
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• 2009

During the period of past fifteen years (1992~2006), variations of chlorophyll a in relation with water quality in freshwater reservoirs were investigated. This study compared total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll a, Secchi depth (SD) and total suspended solids (TSS) between terrestrial freshwater reservoir and coastal freshwater reservoir systems based on their location. Regression analyses (linear and non-linear regressions) were applied for all study sites to examine relationship and interaction of these factors in the freshwater systems from in-land to coasts. The results demonstrated that chlorophyll a was significantly correlated to total phosphorus ($R^2=0.94$, P<0.0001) and was remarkably related to TSS increase ($R^2=0.63$, P<0.0001) in the selected reservoirs. The TN : TP ratio in the reservoir systems was higher than Redfield ratio (16 : 1) indicating that the reservoirs are potentially experiencing P limitation. Water quality of coastal freshwater reservoir system was more significantly decreased than the reservoirs located in in-land during the past fifteen years. The strict management of nutrient discharge into freshwater systems should implemented in the coastal reservoirs since the freshwater is introduced into coastal estuarine systems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2010

This study was carried out to analyze some influences on ecological health conditions, threaten by various stressors such as physical, chemical and biological parameters. We collected samples in 2008 from three zones of upstream, midstream and downstream, Gap Stream. We applied multi-metric fish assessment index (MFAI), based on biotic integrity model to the three zones along with habitat evaluations based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI). We also examined fish fauna and compositions, and analyzed relations with MFAI values, QHEI values, and various guild types. Chemical parameters such as oragnic matter (BOD, COD), nutrients (TP, $NH_3$-N), coli-form number (as MPN), and suspended solids (SS) were analyzed to identify the relationship among multiple stressor effects. Using the sentinel species of Zacco platypus, the population structures and condition factors were analyzed along with DNA damages related with genotoxicant effects by comet assay. This study using all these parameters showed that stream condition was degraded along the longitudinal gradient from upstream to downstream, and the downstream, especially, was impacted by nutrient enrichment and toxicant exposure from the point source, wastewater treatment plant. Overall results indicated that our approaches applying various parameters may be used as a cause-effect technique in the stream health assessments and also used as a pre-warning tool for diagnosis of ecological degradation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.453-458
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• 2010

DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) is an operational terminology for organic carbon molecules dissolved in natural waters. DOC has been studied by ecologists extensively, because it plays a key role in various ecological functions such as substrates for secondary production and the carbon cycle. DOC also represents a substrate for microbial growth within potable water distribution systems, and can react with disinfectants (e.g., chloride) to form harmful disinfection by-products. In addition, residual DOC may carry with it organically bound toxic heavy metals. DOC in aquatic ecosystems may ultimately be transported to the oceans, or released back to the atmosphere by heterotrophic respiration, which can accelerate global climate change. There is evidence that DOC concentrations in aquatic ecosystems are increasing in many regions of the world including Europe, North America, and even in Korea. Land use changes, elevated temperature, elevated $CO_2$, recovery from acidification, and nitrogen deposition have been proposed as mechanisms for the trend. However, the key driving mechanism is yet to be conclusively determined. We propose that more extensive and longer-term observations, research of chemical properties of DOC, impacts of elevated DOC on environmental issues and interdisciplinary approaches are warranted as future studies to fill the gaps in our knowledge about DOC dynamics.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.199-211
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• 2010

The objectives for this study were to evaluate spatial and temporal characteristics of water quality, based on long-term water quality monitoring data during 1993~2008. We found that physico-chemical and ecological conditions in the Daecheong Reservoir (DR) were modified by the construction of upper dam (i.e., Yongdam Reservoir). total phosphorus (TP), Secchi depth (SD), and chlorophyll-a (CHL) in the DR showed significant longitudinal decreases along the headwater-to-the downlake, indicating a large spatial variation, and this gradient was more intensified during the high-flow season (monsoon). Nutrient-rich water containing high nitrogen and phosphorus in the monsoon season (July~August) passed through the reservoir as a density current in the metalimnetic depth, and also high suspended solids increased in the metalimnetic depth, especially during the monsoon. According to the deviation analysis of Trophic State Index (TSI), >50% of TSI (CHL)-TSI (SD) and TSI (CHL)-TSI (TP) values were negatives, so that inorganic suspended solids (non-votatile solids) influenced the underwater light regime against phytoplankton growth. Also, ratios of CHL:TP after the dam construction evidently increased, compared to the values before the upper dam constructions, indicating a greater yield of phytoplankton in the unit phosphorus. Overall data showed that ecological and functional changes in Daecheong Reservoir occurred after the construction of upper dam (Yongdam Reservoir).

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.495-501
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• 2009

The study was conducted in 2007~2008 in order to understand preference of physical microhabitat on the $1^{st}$-class endangered species, Gobiobotia naktongensis inhabiting the Gam Stream, tributary of Nakdong River. The total number of fish caught from the study sites was 3,671 representing 7 families 24 species. There were 8 Korean endemic species including Odontobutis platycephala, and 2 introduced species (Carassius cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides) were found. According to investigation and analysis of physical microhabitat on Gobiobotia naktongensis caught in the Gam Stream, a total of 57 individuals were found at shallow depth (0.14~0.46 m) and run (0.239~0.585m $sec^{-1}$). As a result of sieve analysis, stream beds consisted of about 1% gravel and 99% sand (83.4% coarse sand, 15.6% find sand). Therefore, Gobiobotia naktongensis seemed to inhabit shallow-run with coarse sand bed than deep-pool microhabitat. The findings indicate preference of physical microhabitat on Gobiobotia naktongensis, and it is important to enhance efficiency of fish conservation and ecological restoration with understanding species-specific characteristics in microhabitat including protected species.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2009

We compared spatial and temporal variations of water chemistry between high-flow year ($HF_y$) and low-flow year ($LF_y$) in an artificial lentic ecosystem of Daechung Reservoir. The differences in the rainfall distributions explained the variation of the annual inflow and determined flow characteristics and water residence time and modified chemical and biological conditions, based on TP, suspended solids, and chlorophylla, resulting in changes of ecological functions. The intense rainfall and inflow from the watershed resulted in partial disruption of thermal structure in the metalimnion depth, ionic dilution, high TP, and high suspended solids. This condition produced a reduced chlorophyll-a in the headwaters due to low light availability and rapid flushing. In contrast, reduced inflow and low rainfall by drought resulted in strong thermal difference between the epilimnion and hypolimnion, low inorganic solids, high total dissolved solids, and low phosphorus in the ambient water. The riverine conditions dominated the hydrology in the monsoon of $HF_y$ and lacustrine conditions dominated in the $HF_y$. Overall data suggest that effective managements of the flow from the watershed may have an important role in the eutrophication processes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.3 s.108
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• pp.297-303
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• 2004

Two dimensional cellular automaton (CA) models were developed to investigate growth of biofilms in aquatic ecosystems. Simple local rules on CA were applied to governing growth of bacterial populations in relation to different nutrient concentrations. Initial bacterial distribution played an important role in determining population size and morphology of biofilm at low concentrations of nutrition. With clumped distribution, population size increased slowly compared with uniform and random distributions, while the porosity tented to be higher with uniform distribution compared with other initial distributions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.2 s.103
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• pp.200-207
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• 2003

This research was conducted to investigate the influences caused by solifluction soil on the physicochemistry of stream water quality in the riparian area: four points of the northeastern side slopes part of the Bughansan National Park from March to May of 2002. The average pH of stream water was relatively high with the influenced of solifluction soil. The average electrical conductivity of upstream water was 2.1${\sim}$2.8 times lower than that in downstream water. pH and amount of anion ($Cl^-,\;N0_3\;^-, So_4\;^{2-}$) of stream water was correlated under the effect of solifluction soil.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2009

Primary production of epiphytic and planktonic algae in a shallow reed zone of a lagoon Nishinoko was investigated. Concentrations of nutrients varied widely horizontally and locally in the lagoon. It seems that the reed zone has a heterogeneous environment. The photosynthetic rates of epiphytic and planktonic algae were 7 to 14 mg C surface stem $m^{-2}hr^{-1}$ and 12 to $46mg\;Cm^{-3}hr^{-1}$, respectively. The areal primary production of epiphytic algae was estimated as 4 to $13mg\;Cm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ from the stem density of Phragmites and the water depth at each station. The production of phytoplankton, on the other hand, was 5 to $56mg\;Cm^{-2}hr^{-1}$. The contribution of epiphytic algae to total primary production averaged 53%, although the assimilation number was much lower than that of phytoplankton. The present results indicate that the epiphytic algae are one of the significant primary producers in the reed zone.