• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated changes in the macrobenthic community in Sihwa tidal flat before and after the operation of a Tidal Power Plant (TPP). In order to investigate changes in the macrobenthic community structure, field surveys were conducted at eighteen stations in 4 transect lines every September from 2011 to 2015. Mean density of macrobenthos decreased to $116ind./m^2$ in 2015 from $1,602ind./m^2$ in 2011. While the mean density of macrobenthos has decreased, species richness and biomass have gradually increased. The species diversity and SEP (Shannon-wiener Evenness Proportion) have also gradually increased over time since the operation of the TPP. The macrobenthic community in Sihwa tidal flat was divided into 4 groups on a yearly base. Before the operation of TPP, opportunistic species such as Neanthes succina and Polydora cornuta largely contributed to the structure of the macrobenthic community, while equilibrium species such as Periserrula leucophryna and Scopimera globosa contributed after the operation. With the operation of TPP, the macrobenthic community has rapidly recovered and this might be related to improvement in the quality of water and sedimentary environments as a result of an increase in water mass volume exchanged through the TPP gate.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.11-22
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• 2004

Benthic pollution assessment based on macrobenthic community structure with environmental variables was carried out at twelve stations during two periods on a presumed pollution gradient in Gamak Bay. Univariate and multivariate methods were applied to investigate structural changes in the benthic communities. A clear gradient of pollution effects on the macrobenthic community was observed from the interior to the exterior of the bay. The community on the northwestern basin was severely disturbed due to a low level of hydrodynamics and a large amount of pollutant input from nearby cities. Exterior regions on the southern basin appeared to have the best benthic environmental characteristics among all stations according to most methods of analysis. Central ridge regions and two stations around the islets in the mouth of the bay exhibited intermediate levels of perturbation when compared to the more disturbed interior and undisturbed exterior regions. Pollution effects on the communities were attenuated at the southern area of the central ridge during spring compared to those of summer, where aquacultural farming was densely distributed. The environmental variables primarily correlated to the macrobenthic community structure were total organic carbon (C), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and tributyltins (TBTs), contents found on the surface sediment, as anthropogenic variables indicating organic materials.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제39권spc1호
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• pp.132-141
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• 2006

Artificial structures have been designed as pilot structures to promote the creation and restoration of tidal flats. However, little information is available as to whether such artificial construction affects the macrobenthic community structure. We monitored the variation of the macrobenthic community structure and species composition near natural and artificial structures (seaweed and a timber fence) on the tidal flats near the Iwon Dike, Korea. In total, 137 macrobenthic species were recorded during this study, predominantly crustaceans (47%), polychaetes (18%), and molluscs (27%). Polychaetes comprised over 50% of the total density, followed by gastropods (38%) and crustaceans (11%). Macrobenthic species composition in the artificial and natural areas, was initially similar, but it differed after 7 months. The gastropod Umbonium thomasi, the most dominant species, was present at both sites in the first month after the start of the experiment, but disappeared at the artificial sites within 7 months, suggesting disturbance by the environmental factors. The number of species and diversity (H') varied significantly within sites at the beginning of the experiment, but no difference was observed after 7 months. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure between the artificial and the natural areas from 7 months after the start of the experiment, except from 18 to 21 months. The community structures were mainly influenced by U. thomasi. Community structure at the artificial sites was affected by environmental variables, such as carbon, COD/IL sulfide, loss of ignition, kurtosis and silt, which changed over time. We observed no significant correlations between environmental variables and the dominant species, except in the case of Spio sp. and Macrophthalmus dilatatus, suggesting that the biological interactions and temporary disturbances such as typhoon, as well as the effects of artificial structures may also be important regulating factors in this system.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.125-148
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• 2017

This study analyzed the community structure of macrobenthic organisms in the subtidal area suffering under the influence of thermal discharge from the Uljin nuclear power plant during 2012-2013 and reviewed the temporal change in the faunal composition of the macrobenthic community using data from previous studies since the start of the plant operation in 1989. A total of 319 species were collected in 2012-2013, with a mean density of $3,330ind./m^2$ and a mean biomass of $131.96g/m^2$. These results were similar to those obtained in 2006-2007. The dominant species were not different from each other before and after the power plant operations began, but the faunal density near the power plant drainage port was significantly higher compared to those densities obtained from other stations. Spiophanes bombyx and Polydora sp., which is known as a pollution indicator species, was dominant only in the drainage port area. The study area consisted of two subregions with different macrobenthic communities depending on the water depth, which was similar to the results of the 2006-2007 survey. The macrobenthic community structures before and after the operation of the power plant in the coastal area were not changed, but there were seasonal differences in the long-term macrobenthic community structure which were strongly related to the thermal discharge from the power plant.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.219-228
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• 2013

In Korea, more than 300 oil spill accidents occur every year. Despite the frequency, only a small pool of data is available on the initial effect of oil spill on macrobenthic fauna inhabiting rocky shores. The aim of this study was to analyze the variation of macrobenthic fauna composition and community structure on rocky shores, and understand the impact of oil on rocky shore organisms after the Hebei Spirit oil spill. Field surveys were carried out in five regions dose to the wreck site in January, April and September 2008. Polluted sites after the Hebei Spirit oil spill showed that biological index consistently decreased for 9 months limited to breeding and recruitment of organisms by spilled oil. Macrobenthic community was subdivided into 3 groups by species elimination and differences between density of major dominant species: enriched biota community under a relatively stable environment, the second with relatively low ecological index and the last with poor community. In this study, species number did not clearly reflect the effect of oil on the rare and mobile species. However, mean density, biomass and community structure showed the effect of oil by considering breeding activity, decline in recruitment and variation pattern with time.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.497-507
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• 2008

With the reduction of tidal currents by the closing of the Saemangeun 4th dyke, sedimentary environments on the Gunsan tidal flat, the nearest inner flat from the 4th dyke, has been severely changed, which might affect macrobenthic assemblages on the habitats. In order to investigate changes in macrobenthic community structure on Gunsan tidal flat, field surveys were seasonally conducted at seven stations from April 2002 to November, 2005. Sedimentary facies on the study area were shifted into muddominant facies. The fine sediment has been greatly deposited on the tidal flat with accumulation of organic materials after closing the water passage of 4th dyke section. These drastic variations in environments gave rise to change in macrobenthic community structure. Since the closure of the 4th dyke, the number of species of macrobenthos has gradually decreased. And the filter feeders and sand-favored species such as Urothoe convexa, Macrophthalmus dilatatus, Umbonium thomasi, and Mactra veneriformis have been replaced by the deposit feeders such as Macrophthalmus japonicus and Ilyoplax pingi. MDS ordination based on Bray-Curtis similarity from forth-root transformed species abundance data showed that the macrobenthic communities have passed through three succession stages from 2002 to 2005. During the third stage of 2005 opportunistic species such as Prionospio japonica, Heteromastus filiformis and Sinocorophium sinensis increased in population on the tidal flat.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.423-432
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• 2004

In coastal area of Inchon, dredging and the disposal of dredged material for sea-wall construction and reclamation have increased in recent years. These activities may impact the benthic environment and result in changes in benthic communities, but little information is available on the extent and direction of these changes. We investigated whether there have been changes in the dominant macrobenthic species and benthic community over the last decade, and explored the relationship between environmental variables and spatial patterns of macrobenthic community structure. We sampled macrobenthos and recorded environmental variables in the coastal habitats of Inchon in March and June 2004. In total, 212 macrobenthic species were recorded during this study, predominately crustaceans $(34{\%})$, mollusks $(32{\%})$ and polychaetes $(21{\%})$. The mean density of macrobenthos was $1,393\;ind./m^{2}$.The most abundant species was Amphioplus japonicus $(20.5{\%})$, followed by Heteromastus filiformis $(14.4{\%})$, Theora fragilis $(8.2{\%})$ and Ampharete sp. $(4.0{\%})$. Over the past decade the dominant macrobenthic species in this area shifted. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure among three regions: the middle part of the sampling area (B), site 8 (C) and other sites (A). Mean density varied significantly among the three regions, but no differences in the number of species and diversity (H') were observed. The distribution of the macrobenthic community was affected by environmental variables such as percentage sand content and sediment kurtosis. Species that were important in different areas included A. japonicus in region A, Raeta puchella in region B and T. fragilis in region C. The important species in regions B and C were filter-feeding bivalves, and the abundance of these species may be related to the increase in percentage sand content. We suggest that the sediment composition (percentage sand content) may be an important factor in determining the dominant species and structure of the macrobenthic communities in coastal Inchon. Long-term monitoring programs are necessary to understand ongoing changes in the benthic communities of this area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.129-144
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• 2006

해사채취 지역에서의 저서동물은 채취에 따른 해저퇴적층의 교란 및 부유탁도에 의한 재침전 등의 영향을 직접적으로 받고 있으나, 이에 대한 연구는 매우 적다. 지금까지 대부분의 해사채취의 규모에 따른 저서생태계 변화 및 회복에 대한 연구는 단시간의 소규모 교란에 의해 실시되었으며, 일반적으로 대규모로 이루어지는 해사채취에 따른 생태계 교란을 평가하기에는 많은 어려움이 있다. 그러므로 본 연구에서는 해사채취가 많이 이루어지는 경기만 지역에서, 대량$(70,000m^3)$의 시범 해사채취를 실시하여 저서생태계 군집구조에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 저서생태계 조사는 2005년 11월부터 시범채취가 시작되기 전과 채취기간 동안에 실시되었다. 시범채취가 시작되기 전에 출현한 대형저서동물의 종수는 해사채취가 진행되고 있는 주변 지역에서와 비슷하였다. 시범채취 예정 지역(정점 1과 2)에서 단각류 U. grimaldii japonica가 우점했으며, 다차원척도분석에서도 시범채취 예정해역은 하나의 그룹으로 구분되었다. 그러나 시범채취가 시작되면서, 정점 0과 1에서의 종수 및 밀도가 급격히 감소하였다. 특히 이곳에 우점했던 단각류 U. grimaldii japonica가 급격히 감소했으며, 시범채취 2개월 후에 조사된 3차 조사에서는 정점 0과정점 1에서는 출현하지 않았다. 그렇지만, 정점 2에서는 뚜렷한 변화가 나타나지 않았다. 종간의 유사도 분석과 IMD 그리고 rIMD 그리고 P/A ratio분석에서 정점 0과 1에서 변화가 크게 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과, 해사채취의 직접적인 영향은 정점 0과 1에서 나타났으며, 정점 2에서는 직접적인 영향이 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구에서 해사채취에 따른 저서생태계의 영향을 평가하는데 이용한 IMD과 r.IMD및 P/A ratio 분석 결과는 모두 비슷하였으며, 장기간의 모니터링 검증을 통해 생태평가지수의 개발이 필요할 것으로 여겨진다.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.295-306
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• 2004

Spatial patterns in the macrobenthic community structure in the inter- and subtidal zones in front of the Iwon Dike and environmental variables were examined in August 2001, In total, 156 macrobenthic species(123 intertidal species and 90 subtidal species) were recorded during this study, predominately polychaetes $(40{\%})$, bivalves $(22{\%})$, and crustaceans $(22{\%})$. Polychaetes made up less than $40{\%}$ of the intertidal communitr, but more than $50{\%}$ of the subtidal community. The mean density during this study was $1,456ind./m^{2}.$ Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure among four regions: near the Iwon dike (B1), the high and middle intertidal zone (B2), low intertidal zone (Al), and subtidal zone (A2). The number of species, total density, and diversity (H') varied significantly among the four regions. The distribution of macrobenthic community was affected by environmental variables, such as ${\%}$ silt/clay content, total sulfide, lose of ignition, and chemical oxygen demand. These environmental variables were negatively correlated with the dominant species (Nephtys polybranchia, Umbonium thomasi, and Scoloplos armiger) in the intertidal area, but positively correlated with the dominant species (Lumbrineris cruzensis, Notomastus latericeus, and Moerella sp.) in the subtidal area. Environmental variables $({\%}\;silt/clay content and total sulfide)$ were positively correlated with the dominant species (Heteromastus filiformis) in region Bl, but negatively correlated with the dominant species (Umbonium thomasi and Scoloplos koreanus) in region B2. Amphipods Urothoe spp. and Monoculodes koreanus were the dominant species in region Al. Umbonium thomasi, the dominant species in region B2, was not found in regions Bl or Al. We suggest that the inter-specific competition for territory and exposure to seawater may be important factors controlling the macrobenthic community structure in the inter- and subtidal zones in front of the Iwon Dike.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

This study was conducted to understand the distribution and changes of macrobenthos on rocky intertidal areas around Taean thermoelectric power plant, Also, the purpose of this study was to produce a base-line data on the changes in water temperature due to the operation of the power plant and to understand its thermal impact on the macrobenthic community on intertidal rocky bottoms. A field survey was seasonally conducted at 3 rocky intertidal sites around the Taean thermal power plant. There was no seasonal difference in the community parameters such as number of species, mean density, biomass and species diversity during the study period. The major dominant species were Chthamalus challenger, Littorina brevicula, Crassostrea gigas. In comparison with previous study, thermal discharge in the study area did not significantly affect the distribution of dominant species. The structure of the macrobenthic community revealed that there were showed 3 different faunal groups depending on the difference in the mean density of major dominant species. The result of SIMPER analyses to determine which species were the main contributors to the differences between each community, C. challenger, Lottia spp. And Mytilus galloprovincialis, etc., revealed that there was showed a significant difference between each group. The abundance of M. galloprovincialis, showed a significant difference between faunal groups.