• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.614-619
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions by changes in cholinesterase activity of the flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus) in the Yellow Sea of Korea. Acetylchotinesterase (AChE) activities in brain and muscle of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were significantly lower $(20\~30\%\;and\;10\~40\%,\;respectively)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang (control) of the last Sea. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in brain and muscle of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were significantly lower $(10\~30\%\;and\;35\~45\%,\;respectively)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang of the East Sea. lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in serum of wild flounders in the yellow Sea were significantly $(about\;30\%)$ lower than those of wild flounder in Pohang of the East Sea. These results suggest that AChE and BChE activities in brain and muscle of wild flounders of the Yellow Sea may be used as the most effective mean in a biochemical marker for diagnosis of pollutant effects by organophosphorus pesticides.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.204-212
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• 2005

Recognition has emerged that nutrient inputs from the submarine discharge of fresh, brackish, and marine groundwaters into the coastal ocean are comparable to the inputs via river discharge. The coastal areas of the Korea peninsula and adjacent seas exhibit particular importance in the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), in terms of the magnitude of SGD and associated continental material fluxes. For example, in the southern sea of Korea, SGD transports excess nutrients into the coastal regions and thus appears to influence ecosystem changes such as the outbreak of red tides. Around volcanic island, Jeju, which is composed of high permeability rocks, the amount of SGD is higher by orders of magnitude relative to the eastern coast of North America where extensive SGD studies have been conducted. In particular, nutrient discharge through SGD exerts a significant control on coastal ecosystem changes and results in benthic eutrophication in semi-enclosed Bang-du bay, Jeju. In the entire area of the Yellow Sea, tile submarine discharge of brackish groundwater and associated nutrients are found to rival the river discharges into the Yellow Sea, including those through Yangtze River, Han River, etc. In the eastern coast of the Korea peninsula, SGD is significantly higher during summer than winter due to high hydraulic gradients and due to wide distribution of high permeability sandy zones, faults, and fractures. On the other hand, in the estuarine water, downstream construction of the dam in the Nakdong River, SGD was highest when the river discharge was lowest (but water level of the dam was highest). This suggests that even though there is no visible freshwater discharge into this estuary, the discharge of chemical species is significant through SGD. On the basis of the results obtained from the coastal areas of the Korea peninsula, SGD is considered to be an important pathway of continental contaminants influencing tidal-flat ecosystems, red tides, and coral ecology. Thus, future costal management should pay great attention to the impact of SGD on coastal pollution and eutrophication.