• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.243-255
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• 2014

This study was investigated to estimate the relations between benthic environments and benthic polychaetous community from April 2012 to February 2013. Twenty four stations were selected sequentially with Seomjin River Estuary from the northern part of Gwangyang Bay. The study area could be divided into three characteristic zones based on salinity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH such as Saline Water Zone (SWZ), Brackish Water Zone (BWZ), and Fresh Water Zone (FWZ). Salinity was above 30.0 psu in SWZ, drastically decreased toward inland in BWZ, and nearly zero psu in FWZ. SWZ showed its specific environmental characters like that water temperature fluctuated with little seasonal change and DO showed the lowest values among three zones, and pH maintained as consistent value without seasonal fluctuation. In FWZ, on the other hand, water temperature showed high seasonal fluctuation, DO showed the highest values among three zones, and pH fluctuated greatly. In sedimentary environment, mud, sand and sand/gravel were found as dominant sedimentary deposits in SWZ, BWZ and FWZ, respectively. Organic matter content and AVS in surface sediment were high in SWZ, while Chl-a content high in FWZ. This study area showed a marked environmental difference between FWZ and SWZ as follows: FWZ has coarse sediment and low salinity, low organic matter content, low AVS in FWZ but SWZ has fine sediment and high salinity, high organic matter content and AVS. Species number and mean density of benthic polychaete community was highest in Saline Water Zone (SWZ), drastically decreased in Brackish Water Zone (BWZ), and lowest in Fresh Water Zone (FWZ). Dominant polychates above 5.0% of individual numbers were 6 taxa. Lumbrineris longifolia, Prionospio cirrifera, Tharyx sp. occurred as main dominant species of all study periods, and Hediste sp., Praxillella affinis, Tylorrhynchus sp. dominantly occurred at some seasons. Inhabiting areas of dominant species were separated characteristically. Representative species in SWZ were Lumbrineris longifolia, Tharyx sp., Mediomastus sp.. Wide-appearing species between SWZ and BWZ were Prionospio cirrifera, Heteromastus filiformis, Aricidea sp.. Characteristic species in FWZ were Tylorrhynchus sp. and Hediste sp.. As the results of cluster analysis and nMDS based on the species composition of polychaetous community, unique station groups were established in SWZ and FWZ. Stations in BWZ were sub-divided into several groups with season. Pearson's correlation analysis and PCA between benthic environments and ecological characteristics of polychaetous community showed that salinity, sediment composition, organic content and dissolved oxygen played a role to determine the temporal and spatial distribution of the ecological characteristics as species number, mean density, abundance of main species, and ecological indices.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.392-407
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• 2006

This study was seasonally undertaken to investigate the benthic polychaetous community along the South-eastern coast of Geoje Is., in February 2004 to November. The macrobenthic fauna showed mean density of 953 md. $m^{-2}$ in February, 1,193 ind. $m^{-2}$ in May, 1,130 ind. $m^{-2}$ in September and 991 ind. $m^{-2}$ in November. Major faunal groups are polychaetes, crustaceans and mollusks, corresponding to 81.6%, 7.9%, 7.0% in total mean density during the sampling seasons, respectively. There was significant difference (two-way ANOVA, p<0.001) among stations in densities of polychaetes. But no significant relationship could be found between the densities of polychaetes and sampling seasons (two-way ANOVA, p>0.05). The density and the species number of polychaetes were high in the coastal area near the Jisepo port, independent of sampling seasons. Several indicator species for the organically enriched environments such as Lumbrineris longifolia, Tharyx sp., Heteromastus filiformis showed high densities during all study periods. Also Magelona japonica included in Ecolgical group I was the most abundant in the whole study period except for February. Cluster analysis on the basis of the species composition showed that the study area could be divided into 3 regions. The density of benthic polychaetes in the coastal area near Jisepo was higher than that in the other assemblages of the study area, due to some predominant opportunistic species, such as Lumbrineris longifolia, Tharyx sp. and Heteromastus filiformis. In addition, the two-way ANOVA showed significant differences among the distribution of AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index) values, both in sampling stations (p<0.001) and seasons (p<0.01). According to the classification proposed by Borja et at. (2000), the study area was slightly disturbed site.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.694-707
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• 2016

This study investigated the community structure of macrobenthic assemblages in the Taehwa River Estuary, Ulsan, Korea. Macrobenthos were collected with a Van Veen Grab Sampler during February and November 2012. The total species number and mean density were $176species/9.6m^2$ and $1,992inds./m^2$, respectively. Polychaetes were the most dominant faunal group in terms of species (91 species) and abundance ($1,463inds./m^2$). The major dominant species were polychaetes Minuspio japonica ($609{\pm}1,221inds./m^2$), Hediste japonica ($174{\pm}318inds./m^2$), Tharyx sp.1 ($106{\pm}283inds/m^2$), Lumbrineris longifolia ($79{\pm}207inds./m^2$), bivalve Theora fragilis ($114{\pm}272inds./m^2$) and amphipod Grandidierella japonica ($88{\pm}223inds./m^2$). Based on community statistics (cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) ordination), the macrobenthic community was divided into three station groups. Group I(freshwater dominated stations 2-6 with coarse sediment) was characterized by a high abundance of polychaetes Minuspio japonica, Hediste japonica, Capitella capitata, Pseudopolydora kempi, amphipods Grandidierella japonica and Apocorophium acutum. Group II (ecotone, stations 7-9 with mixed sediment) was numerically dominated by bivalve Theora fragilis, polychaetes Cirriformia tentaculata, Tharyx sp.1, Lumbrineris longifolia and Chaetozone sp. Finally, Group III (seawater dominated stations 10-12 with fine sediment) was characterized by a high density of polychaete Magelona japonica. These results showed that changes in salinity gradient and sedimentary characteristics were the main factors behind spatial changes in the macrobenthic communities of the Taehwa River Estuary.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.69-88
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• 2005

Distribution of benthic macrofauna was surveyed in the subtidal area and on the sand flat of Sindu-ri coast during July 2002. A total of 134 species, 3,511 individuals and 388g biomass of macrobenthos were sampled inclusively from the study sites. 109 species with a mean density of $1,298ind./m^2$ and biomass of $69.4g/m^2$ were collected from 10 stations established in the subtidal area. Polychaetes were represented as a dominant faunal group of the subtidal area in both species richness and density with values of 54 species and $813ind./m^2$. Cluster analysis based on the faunal composition showed that the subtidal area could be divided into four stational groups according to sedimentary characteristics: Cirrophorus armatus - Lumbrineris longifolia association on the mud sediment with pebbles near aqua-farms; Aonides oxycephala association on the rocky bed; Scoloplos armiger - Grandifoxus cuspis association on the sand-dominated sediment along the lowest low water; a association with higher evenness on the sand-dominated sediment in the depth. Although having characteristics of high value in species richness, density and species diversity, the macrobenthic association around the farming area was dominated by the opportunistic species such as Lumbrineris longifolia and Tharyx sp. Natural community represented by S. armiger and G. cuspis was developed in most sand-dominated areas. 50 species were sampled with a mean density of $2,443ind./m^2$ and biomass of $381.3g/m^2$ from eight+ stations along two transects on Sindu-ri sand flat. Mollusks were represented as a dominant faunal group of the sand flat in species richness, density and biomass with values of 20 species, $1,345ind./m^2$ and $350.4g/m^2$, respectively. Umbonium thomasi, Veneridae sp., Mandibulophoxus mai, Armandia lanceolata, Eohaustorius spinigerus, Urothoe convexa were dominant species and these species accounted for over 83% of total individuals. There were three distinct zones of macrobenthos on Sindu-ri sand flat according to the extent of exposure time. The upper zone was dominated by Scopimera globosa, the middle zone was characterized by M. mai, and the lower zone was dominated by E. spinigerus. Sindu-ri coastal area was considered as a healthy habitat for macrobenthos, except for around the farming area. It was considered that Sindu-ri coastal area including the sand flat connected to the sand dune of natural monument was a valuable habitat as a protected site in having no pollution source and no artificial structure.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.286-296
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated the macrobenthic community structure and spatiotemporal variations in Uljin Marine Ranching area, East Sea of Korea. Macrobenthos were collected using a modified van Veen grab sampler from April to September 2013. Total number of species sampled was 345 and mean density was 5,797 ind. $m^{-2}$, both of which were dominated by the polychaetes. The most dominant species were Spiophanes bombyx (53.64%), followed by Magelona sp.1 (6.96%), Cadella semitorta (2.73%), Lumbrineris longifolia (2.16%) and Alvenius ojianus (2.08%). Cluster analysis and nMDS ordination analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity identified 2 station groups. The group 1 (station 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9) was characterized by high abundance of the polychaetes Magelona sp.1, Lumbrineris longifolia, Scoloplos armiger, Praxillella affinis, Maldane cristata and the bivalve Alvenius ojianus, with fine sediment above 30m water depth. On the other hand, the group 2 (station 1, 4, 7 and 10) was numerically dominated by the polychaete Lumbrineriopsis sp. and the bivalve Cadella semitorta, with coarse sediment below 5m water depth. Collectively, the macrobenthic community structure showed a distinct spatial trend, which seemed to be related to the water depth and sediment composition.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2007

To investigate the degree of pollution using the species composition of benthic community and environments, the present study was conducted in Jinhae Bay, May of 1998. In Jinhae Bay, benthic macrofaunal community was investigated on the base of the samples from 67 stations. The main facies of the surface sediment was silty clay and clay. The total species number and the mean density of macrobenthic animals were 255 species and 984 $ind./m^2$, respectively. There were 90 species and 773 $ind./m^2$ of polychaetes as the most major faunal group in Jinhae Bay. At the region between the eastern mouth of Jinhae Bay and Gadeok Is., the species number and density were higher, while lower at the western area of Jinhae Bay. The most dominant benthic macrofauna in Jinhae Bay was the polychaetes, Lumbrineris longifolia(16.9%), and followed by polychaetes Tharyx sp.(6.7%), Clone teres(4.7%), Glycinde sp.(4.2%), bivalves Theora fragilis(4.0%), crustaceans Corophium sp.(4.0%) and so on. The most of the predominant species appeared mainly on the region between the eastern mouth of Jinhae Bay and Gadeok Is. Cluster analysis based on the macrobenthic faunal composition showed that Jinhae Bay could be divided into three station groups: The western Jinhae Bay(Station group A), the mouth of Jinhae Bay(Station groupe B), and offshore area between Gadeok Is. and Geoje Is.(Station group C). The mouth of Jinhae Bay had the highest mean species number and the mean density, and its important species was Lumbrineris longifolia. The offshore area between Gadeok Is. and Geoje Is. had medium mean species number and the mean density. The western Jinhae Bay had the lowest mean species number and the mean density. The distribution of BPI and BC values, used to assess benthic pollution, showed similar patterns. According to the classification proposed by Borja et al.(2000), the stations of the western inner-bay were heavily polluted sites, the stations between mouth of the bay and the offshore area were slightly polluted sites, and the stations of the other area were meanly polluted sites. Benthic community healthiness of the western Jinhae Bay was classified to 'Transitional to pollution' by BC values. The degree of pollution in Jinhae Bay may have extended gradually from the western Jinhae Bay to the mouth of the bay.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2004

In order to understand the environmental impact of marine cage fish farms, we measured the vertical fluxes of particulate to the sediment, the distribution of organic carbon in core samples, sediment oxygen consumption rate (SOD), and macrobenthos with increasing distance from a fish cage in Miruk island located in Tongyong. The experiment was performed in August 2003. Measured values gradually decreased with distance, indicating that the organic matter in the sediment derived from the fish farm. The dominant macrobenthos species were Tharyx mulifilis, Lumbrineris longifolia, Sigambra tentaculata, and Capitella capitata, occupying 88% of the total population. Capirella capirata, an opportunistic polychaete species, were especially abundant between 0 to 5 m radius range. The estimated impact regions of organic matter enrichment based on sediment consilmption rates and compositions of macrobenthos were in good agreement. Most organic matter derived from the fish farm was deposited within a 10 m radius and then dispersed horizontally to nearby (at least 50 m) surface sediment. The vertical organic carbon fluxes to the sediment at the fish farm were higher by a factor of two than those outside the area. The remineralization organic carbon in the upper sediment layer was estimated to be 50% (1.07 g C m$^{-2}$ day$^{-1}$ ) at the fish farm. In contrast, outside the area, 30% (0.30 g C m$^{-2}$ day$^{-1}$ ) of organic carbon was recycled and the remaining 70% was deposited to the deep sediment layer.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 1992

An investigation on the benthic polychaete community in Youngil Bay was conducted during four seasons of 1991. Polychaetes. the dominant macrofaunal group occupying 71.3% in total macro-faunal density, comprised a total of 72 species with a mean density of 1,485 indiv. m/SUP -2/. The highest species number of 54 spp. and density of 3,207 undiv. m/SUP -2/ was recorded in summer, while the lowest in autumn. The most abundant species was Spiophanes nombyx (37.5%), followed by Pseudopolydora sp.(8.4%), Lumbrineris longifolia(7.0%), Madden cristata(6.5%), Polydora ciliata(4.9%) and so on. Maldane cristata was dominated in winter, Polydora ciliata in spring and Spiophanes bombyx in summer and autumn. The density and species number of Polychaetes were high in the southeastern area of Youngil Bay, and poor near the mouth of Hyoungsan River. Based on the species composition, study area was divided into three regions. Each region sustained its specific benthic faunal assemblage; Maldane-Praxillella assemblage from the middle to the southeastern region of Youngil Bay, Spiophanes-Nephtys assemblage in the northwestern region, and Pseudopolydora-Polydora-Capitella assemblage from the mouth of Hyoungsan River to Pohang Hobour. Maldane Praxillella assemblage showed the highest species number of 55 spp.. and the highest species diversity and species richness indices. Spiophanes-Nephtys assemblage had the highest density of 2,675 indiv. m/SUP -2/ and the highest dominance index because of the predominance of Spiophanes bombyx with a density of 2,073 indiv. m/SUP -2/. Pseudopolydora-Polydora-Capitella assemblage was found in the polluted area and it was a specific assemblage mainly composed of the dominance of organic pollution indicator species. The dominant Polychaetes were Pseudopolydora sp., Polydora ciliata, Capitella capitata, and Dorvillea sp.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.297-309
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the differences in sedimentary environments and benthic polychaete communities between farming grounds and natural habitats (non-farming ground) in Gamak Bay. Sampling stations of natural habitats were evenly distributed in the entire bay. And mussel farm, oyster farm and ark-shell farm were selected as farming grounds. Dominant sedimentary facies was mud in most sampling stations of farming grounds and natural habitats. However organic contents were higher in the farming grounds than natural habitats of the bay. The species number and mean density of polychaetous community in the natural habitats were greater than those from the farming grounds. Lumbrineris longifolia, known as potential organic enrichment indicator species, was first dominant species both in farming grounds and natural habitats of the bay. However, the next dominant species consisted of different species between two benthic habitats. As a result of community analysis using cluster analysis and nMDS, the natural habitats were divided into several station groups, but most of stations in farming grounds were clustered into one group. Pearson' correlation analysis and PCA showed high relationships between sedimentary environmental factors and benthic polychaetous community in natural habitats, but low or no relationships in farming grounds. That means benthic polychaetous community established in farming ground was under unusual condition such as high input of organic matter. Thus it is necessary to improve the benthic environmental quality of the farming grounds as well as the north-western inner part in Gamak Bay through long-term monitoring efforts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.329-345
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• 2016

In order to study the community structure and distribution pattern of macrobenthos in the subtidal area of Shia Sea between Haenam peninsula and Shinan-Jindo area at southwest coast of Korea, duplicate sediment samples were taken seasonally by van Veen grab (surface area, $0.1m^2$) from 49 stations between November 2001 and August 2002. The surface sediment facies were muddy sandy gravel near Mokpo-Gu channel, gravel in the Myoungrang channel with high tidal currents, and sandy muddy in the southern Uido area. Ignition loss in the sediment ranged from 0.5 to 1.5% with a mean of 0.6%. A total of 271 taxa were collected with a mean density of $166ind.\;m^{-2}$ and a mean biomass of $29.2g\;m^{-2}$. Polychaetes were dominant faunal group in terms of species richness and abundance, accounting for 34% and 40% of total species number and abundance, respectively. Molluscs accounted for 44% of biomass. Bio-Env analysis revealed that sediment composition and ignition loss affected the spatial distribution of subtidal macrobenthic community in the study area. Major dominant species were Photis longicaudata, Septifer keenae, Maldane cristata, Lumbrineris longifolia, Heteromastus filiformis and Coptothyris grayi. Based on cluster analysis, four station groups were classified. They were associated with sediment types. Bivalve, Striarca symmetrica, polychaetes, Glycera chirori, Heteromastus filiformis and decapod Latreutes planirostris were major contributing fauna in station group A, B, C, and D, respectively. These results suggest that macrobenthic community of the Shia Sea is normally influenced by sediment type and related ignition loss.