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Quality Assurance of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Elekta Synergy (Elekta Synergy 선형가속기를 이용한 입체적세기조절회전방사선치료(VMAT) 정도관리)

  • Shim, Su-Jung;Shim, Jang-Bo;Lee, Sang-Hoon;Min, Chul-Kee;Cho, Kwang-Hwan;Shin, Dong-Oh;Choi, Jin-Ho;Park, Sung-Ill;Cho, Sam-Ju
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.33-41
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    • 2012
  • For applying the quality assurance (QA) of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) introduced in Eulji Hospital, we classify it into three different QA steps, treatment planning QA, pretreatment delivering QA, and treatment verifying QA. These steps are based on the existing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) QA that is currently used in our hospital. In each QA step, the evaluated items that are from QA program are configured and documented. In this study, QA program is not only applied to actual patient treatment, but also evaluated to establish a reference of clinical acceptance in pretreatment delivering QA. As a result, the confidence limits (CLs) in the measurements for the high-dose and low-dose regions are similar to the conventional IMRT level, and the clinical acceptance references in our hospital are determined to be 3 to 5% for the high-dose and the low-dose regions, respectively. Due to the characteristics of VMAT, evaluation of the intensity map was carried out using an ArcCheck device that was able to measure the intensity map in all directions, $360^{\circ}$. With a couple of dosimetric devices, the gamma index was evaluated and analyzed. The results were similar to the result of individual intensity maps in IMRT. Mapcheck, which is a 2-dimensional (2D) array device, was used to display the isodose distributions and gave very excellent local CL results. Thus, in our hospital, the acceptance references used in practical clinical application for the intensity maps of $360^{\circ}$ directions and the coronal isodose distributions were determined to be 93% and 95%, respectively. To reduce arbitrary uncertainties and system errors, we had to evaluate the local CLs by using a phantom and to cooperate with multiple organizations to participate in this evaluation. In addition, we had to evaluate the local CLs by dividing them into different sections about the patient treatment points in practical clinics.

Standardization of the Method of Measuring Average Glandular Dose (AGD) and Evaluation of the Breast Composition and Thickness for AGD (평균 유선선량 측정방법의 표준화 및 유방 두께, 실질양상과의 상관관계 분석)

  • Park, Hye-Suk;Kim, Hee-Joung;Lee, Chang-Lae;Cho, Hyo-Min;Yu, A-Ram
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.21-29
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    • 2009
  • Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among korean woman. Therefore, the early detection activities of breast cancer such as breast self-examinations, clinical breast examinations, mammography are important. A yearly mammography examination has been recommended for women aged 40 and older for the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic periods. However, the glandular tissue of breast is the most radiation-sensitive tissue, and the determination of average glandular dose (AGD) forms an important part of the quality control of the mammographic systems. Because of the difficulty of estimating AGD directly, it is often estimated from the measurements of the incident air kerma and by applying the appropriate conversion factors. The primary objective of this study was to standardize the method of measuring AGD. The secondary objective was to evaluate the relationships between AGD per various composition and thickness of the breast using Monte Carlo simulations. As a result, we standardized the method of measuring AGD according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines (CoP: an international code of practice). Overall, AGD for mammographic practice in Korea was less than 3.0 mGy recommended by the Korea Food and Drug Adminstration (KFDA) protocol, and Korean Institute for Accreditation of Medical Image (KIAMI). The measured and simulated AGD for a given condition were calculated as 1.7 and 1.6 mGy, respectively. For the AGDs obtained, there was no significant difference between them. The simulated AGD was dependent on the fraction of glandular tissue of the breast. The AGD increases with increasing of the breast glandularity due to increasing absorption of low energy photons. The AGD also increases as a function of breast thickness. In conclusion, the results of this study could be used as a baseline to establish a reference level of radiation dose in mammography.

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Palaeomagnetism of the Cretaceous Yuchon Group in Kosong Area, Southern Kyongsang Basin (경상분지 남단 고성지역의 백악기 유천층군에 대한 고자기 연구)

  • Kang, Hee-Cheol;Kim, In-Soo
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.21 no.6
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    • pp.663-674
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    • 2000
  • A total of 165 independently oriented core samples were collected from 19 Cretaceous Yuchon Group sites in Kosong area, the southernmost part of the Miryang subbasin of the Kyongsang Basin in southern Korea. Stepwise AF and thermal cleaning revealed antipodal ChRM from 95 samples from 14 sites. Mean ChRM direction is d=26.0$^{\circ}$, i=49.4$^{\circ}$ (${\alpha}_{95}$=8.2$^{\circ}$, k=24.5, n= 14) before bedding correction and d=28.1$^{\circ}$, i=54.2$^{\circ}$ (${\alpha}_{95}$=4.8$^{\circ}$, k=70.6, n= 14) after bedding correction. A 2.88-fold increase of the precession parameter k by bedding correction indicates pre-folding age of the ChRM with 99% confidence level. Palaeomagnetic pole position calculated from the mean ChRM is 67.0$^{\circ}$N, 210.6$^{\circ}$E (dp=4.7$^{\circ}$, dm=6.7$^{\circ}$), which is significantly different neither from the poles of other part of the Kyongsang Basin nor those of Eurasia including SCB and NCB. This suggests stable relative position of the study area with regard to other parts of the Kyongsang Basin as well as to Eurasia continent since Cretaceous. Three ploarity reversals in the Kosong Formation in addition to the coexistence of normal and reversed polarities in the overlying Andesites and Welded Tuff suggest, in reference to the worldwide geomagnetic polarity time scale, an Albian to Maastrichtian (polarity chron 32r-31r) age of the Yuchon Group of the study area. An alleged hypothesis of stratigraphical correspondence between the Kosong Formation in the study area and the Tadaepo Formation in Pusan area is, however, not tenable: Not only because the latter shows a short reverse polarity only in its lowest part of the sequence but also because the Andesites overlying it is wholly normally magnetized, in contrast to the frequent reverals in the case of both the Kosong Formation and Andesites above it.

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Some Issues on China General Aviation Legislation (中國通用航空立法若干問題研究)

  • Shuang, Luan
    • The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.99-143
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    • 2016
  • General aviation and air transport are two wings of the civil aviation industry. Chinese air transport is developing rapidly, and has become the world second air transport system only second to US since 2005. However, Chinese civil aviation is far behind the world average level, and cannot meet requirements of economic construction and social development. The transition and structural adjustment of Chinese economy provide the general aviation with a unprecedented broad market. The prospect of general aviation is promising and anticipated. The development of general aviation industry needs the legislative supports, and the current legislative conditions of Chinese general aviation are undoubtedly far behind the realistic requirements. Accelerating the legislation in Chinese general aviation industry requires scientific legislation concept. First, Legislation must promote development of general aviation industry. The general aviation will serves as a Chinese emerging industry that boosts domestic demand, promotes employment and expedite domestic economic development. We should, based on both the concept of promoting the industrial development of general aviation and national industrial planning, enact and rectify relative laws and regulations. And we should also straighten out the relationship between aviation security and industrial development and promote the revolution of low-altitude airspace management in an all-round way, in order to improve the utilization rate of airspace resources, classify and establish airspace, simplify examination and approval procedure and intensify operation management. In addition, what we should do is to expedite the infrastructure layout construction, guide the differentiated but coordinated development of general aviation industries in various areas, establish a united supervision mechanism of general aviation, redistrict the responsibilities of Chinese Air Control Agency and set up legislation, law enforcement and judicial systems with clarified institutions, clear positioning and classified responsibilities, so as to usher in a new era of the legislative management of Chinese general aviation industry. Second, shift the focus from regulations to both regulations and services. Considering the particularity of the general aviation, we should use American practices for reference and take into account both regulation and service functions when enacting general aviation laws. For example, we should reduce administrative licensing and market supervision, and adopt "criteria" and "approval" management systems for non-commercial and commercial aviation. Furthermore, pay attention to social benefits. Complete social rescuing mechanism through legislation. It should be clarified in legislation that general aviation operators should take the responsibilities of, and ensure to realize social benefits of environmental protection and ecological balance .Finally, rise in line with international standards. Modify Chinese regulations which is inconsistent with international ones to remove barriers to international cooperation. Specify basic legislative principles. One is the principle of coordination. Realize coordination between the civil aviation and general aviation, between military aviation and civil aviation, and among departments. Two is the principle of pertinence. The general aviation has its own rules and specialties, needing to be standardized using specialized laws and regulations. Three is the principle of efficiency. To realize time and space values of general aviation, we should complete rules in aerospace openness, general aviation airport construction, general aviation operations, and regulation enforcement. Four is the principle of security. Balance the maximum use of resources of Chinese airspace and the according potential threats to Chinese national interests and social security, and establish a complete insurance system which functions as security defense and indemnificatory measure. Establish a unified legal system. Currently, the system of Chinese general aviation laws consists of national legislation, administrative laws and regulations and civil aviation regulations (CAR). Some problems exist in three components of the system, including too general content, unclear guarantee measures, incomplete implementation details, and lacking corresponding pertinence and flexibility required by general aviation regulations, stringency of operation management and standards, and uniformity of standards. A law and regulation system, centered on laws and consisting of administrative laws regulations, industrial regulations, implementation details, industrial policies and local laws and regulations, should be established. It is suggested to modify the Civil Aviation Law to make general aviation laws complete, enact the Regulations of General Aviation Development, and accelerate the establishment, modification and abolition of Chinese general aviation laws to intensify the coordination and uniformity of regulations.

Commissioning Experience of Tri-Cobalt-60 MRI-guided Radiation Therapy System (자기공명영상유도 Co-60 기반 방사선치료기기의 커미셔닝 경험)

  • Park, Jong Min;Park, So-Yeon;Wu, Hong-Gyun;Kim, Jung-in
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.193-200
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    • 2015
  • The aim of this study is to present commissioning results of the ViewRay system. We verified safety functions of the ViewRay system. For imaging system, we acquired signal to noise ratio (SNR) and image uniformity. In addition, we checked spatial integrity of the image. Couch movement accuracy and coincidence of isocenters (radiation therapy system, imaging system and virtual isocneter) was verified. Accuracy of MLC positioing was checked. We performed reference dosimetry according to American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 51 (TG-51) in water phantom for head 1 and 3. The deviations between measurements and calculation of percent depth dose (PDD) and output factor were evaluated. Finally, we performed gamma evaluations with a total of 8 IMRT plans as an end-to-end (E2E) test of the system. Every safety system of ViewRay operated properly. The values of SNR and Uniformity met the tolerance level. Every point within 10 cm and 17.5 cm radii about the isocenter showed deviations less than 1 mm and 2 mm, respectively. The average couch movement errors in transverse (x), longitudinal (y) and vertical (z) directions were 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively. The deviations between radiation isocenter and virtual isocenter in x, y and z directions were 0 mm, 0 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Those between virtual isocenter and imaging isocenter were 0.6 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively. The average MLC positioning errors were less than 0.6 mm. The deviations of output, PDDs between mesured vs. BJR supplement 25, PDDs between measured and calculated and output factors of each head were less than 0.5%, 1%, 1% and 2%, respectively. For E2E test, average gamma passing rate with 3%/3 mm criterion was $99.9%{\pm}0.1%$.

DISEASES OF THE CULTTVATED PORPHYRA AT CULTURE BEDS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER PLANT EFFLUENTS (낙동강 하구 부근(용원리) 김 어장의 갯병 특히, 공장 폐수의 영향에 관하여)

  • KANG Jae Won
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.39-44
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    • 1972
  • Considerable damages of the cultivated Porphyra by Porphyra diseases were reported from the Porphyra culture bed along the coast of Yongwon-ri, Changwon, Kyungnam during the years of 1969 and 1970. The present study deals with the effects of fertilizer plant effluents on the Porphyra diseases, and the results are summarized as follows : 1. By the result of current observation, the polluted water of Haeng-am Bay which has an inflow of pollutants from the fertilizer plant was affecting the bed with tides. The results of pollution studies in Chinhae Bay and adjacent waters conducted by Won and Park(1971) also show that Chinhae Bay and adjacent waters are contaminated with the plant effluents. It seems that the effect increases due to the wind drift current when north-westerly or westerly winds prevail. Accordingly, effects of the Porphyra diseases in the culture bed seem to originate from the pollutants, since there are more damages when the north-westerly or westerly winds prevail, and also spring tide develops. 2. As compared to the photosynthetic activity of the Porphyra suborbiculata in uncontaminated seawater, it decreases up to $4\%$ in 200pmm, $20\%$ in 300ppm and $43\%$ in 1,000ppm of contaminated seawater which contains dilluted pollutants from the fertilizer plant. The results of the measurements using the water collected in the polluted area of Chinhae Bay and adjacent waters revealed that the photosynthesis was depressed about 21 to $34\%$ near the plant, and in the area of the Porphyra beds, $15\%$ in the portion where tide is weak and $5\%$ where the tide is strong, in comparison with the area of unpolluted water. 3. Although the present results do not indicate the exact level of harmful pollutants, it is evident that the pollutants of the plant effluents interfere photosynthetic activity of the Porphyra, even in the water containing pollutants as low as 200 ppm.

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Normative data of penile length in Korean newborns (한국인 신생아 음경 길이에 대한 연구)

  • Kim, Sang Yeob;Jun, Jae Sung;Lee, Sang Geel
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.51 no.9
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    • pp.944-949
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    • 2008
  • Purpose : As modern society has became more open, interest in healthy internal and external growth has increased, including that pertaining to penile length in children. A micropenis is defined as one where penile length is more than 2 SD (standard deviation) below the mean, and it can be traced back to chromosome and endocrine disorders. The authors executed this study to suggest guidelines for the study of the micropenis and standard information for penile length in Korean newborns. Methods : The subjects of this study were 168 male infants between 37 and 42 weeks of gestational age, none of whom had any complications during pregnancy or birth; each had been born in Daegu Fatima Hospital between February and June 2007. Penile length was measured using conventional stretched penile length measurement (CPLM) and syringe methods. Results : Penile length was $3.02{\pm}0.25cm$ (F=36.467, $R^2=0.180$, P<0.001) when measured with CPLM, and $3.29{\pm}0.26cm$ (F=9.149, $R^2=0.052$, P<0.001) with the syringe method. There was no statistically significant difference in the penile length of newborn infants as a result of taking measurements with the two methods, and both methods showed significance at 0.631 in terms of Pearson's correlation coefficient, at the level of P=0.01. Conclusion : In this study, penile length tended to be longer when gestational age was longer, and a micropenis can be assumed to be one less than 2.5 cm using CPLM and less than 2.8 cm using the syringe method. In the case of a concealed penis, the syringe method is helpful. When a micropenis is assumed, close observation by outpatient department personnel, and additional endocrine and chromosome studies should be undertaken after sufficiently consulting the parents.

Improved Acroparesthesia During Enzyme Replacement Therapy in a Patient Lately Diagnosed with Fabry Disease (진단이 지연된 Fabry 병 환자에서 효소대체요법을 통한 사지 말단 동통의 호전을 보인 1례)

  • Yang, Aram;Kim, Jinsup;Cho, Sung Yoon;Jin, Dong-Kyu
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.92-95
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    • 2017
  • Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by an ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A (GLA, MIM 300644) enzyme deficiency due to pathogenic variants in the ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A gene (GLA). The disease leads to accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and related glycophospholipids affecting nearly all major organ systems, with the primary sites damaged by Gb3 including renal glomeruli, myocardium, neurons of the dorsal ganglion and autonomic nervous system, and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle. Progressive deposition in these organ systems present with various clinical manifestations including acroparesthesia, renal failure and heart failure. Here, we report a Chinese male diagnosed with Fabry disease in his late $4^{th}$ decades showing improvement of acroparesthesia during enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). A 48-year-old Chinese man who presented with chronic recurrent severe burning pain in his fingers and toes since the age of 10, with worse involvement of the former visited to our clinic for further evaluation. His medical history included a transient ischemic attack aged 40 and diagnosed with stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease aged 47. In the family history, the patient's brother was found to be have Fabry disease 1 month before his visit. Except for his brother, all other members of the family are healthy. Based on his medical history and family history, he was strongly suspicious for Fabry disease. He was found to have a galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose level 4.96 (Reference range, 42.5-67.9) suggestive of Fabry disease. The followed sequencing of GLA coding region in our patient revealed hemizyosity for the mutation c.988C>T (Q330X) in Exon 7. Since ERT start, he showed significant improvement in his symptoms of burning sensation of fingers and toes. On the contrary, due to deteriorating kidney function even with ERT, he is considered for kidney transplantation. Despite of diagnostic delay until late 4th decades, ERT showed a potential improvement of acroparesthesia in our patient. However, late start of ERT can lead to poor outcome in multiorgan function. Therefore, early diagnosis with high index of suspicion followed by continuous ERT with regular monitoring have an impact on quality of life in Fabry disease.

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Economic Analysis of the Livestock Manure Treatment System Using Life-Cycle Cost Technique (LCC 기법을 통한 가축분뇨처리시설의 경제성 분석)

  • Kim, J.H.;Cho, S.H.;Kwag, J.H.;Choi, D.Y.;Jeong, K.H.;Chung, U.S.;Chung, M.S.;Park, S.K.
    • Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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    • v.17 no.sup
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    • pp.61-68
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    • 2011
  • To assess the total cost with all stages of facilities, the feasibility of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis was examined in this study to estimate the livestock manure treatment system and optimal decision making process. For the economic evaluation, the plant/equipment investment and annual operation cost of four Public Livestock Recycling Facilities, whose treatment capacity is 100 ton piggery manure per day, was compared. The initial cost was in the range of 2,699 million won to 3,202 million won, where T and E methods were highest and lowest, respectively. The annual operation cost was in the level of 378 million to 498 million won, which decreased in the following order : T method > J method > E method > B method. For the LCC analysis, 4.7% of interest rate, 3.13% of inflation rate, and 1.52% of net discount rate was considered by the data received from Bank of Korea and Statics Korea in the period of 2000 to 2009. Also, for the calculation of present value factor, the durable years of civil engineering & construction, machinery and electric instrument was 30 years, 10 years and 15 years, respectively. Based on these consideration, operation cost was in the range of 17,570 won/ton to 20,661 won/ton, and E method (17,570 won/ton) was economical and B method (20,661 won/ton) was non-economical. Though initial cost of T method was higher than that of B method, LCC analysis of T method was lower than that of T method due to the lower operation cost. Therefore, LCC analysis, which considers both initial cost and operation cost, is more reasonable evaluation method than either initial cost or annual operation cost. For the change of LCC analysis according to the uncertainty, the sensitivity analysis was carried out using fluctuation magnitude of discount rate in the period of 2000 to 2009. As a result, LCC analysis evaluated by discount rate was stable for the uncertain factors since the cost leadership did not change even though the sensitivity analysis varied. In summary, the economic evaluation using LCC analysis could be an efficient reference to choose the suitable livestock manure treatment plants. Furthermore, standardization of statement calculation for the actual cost analysis should be conducted and more detailed study is necessary to validate this summary. Therefore, the application of comprehensive technology evaluation, which considers LCC analysis, should contribute in obtaining objectivity and enhancing reliability for the 'Evaluation of Livestock Manure Treatment System and its Technology'.

Assessment of the Impacts of 'Sea Prince' Oil Spill on the Rocky Intertidal Macrobenthos Community (암반조간대 대형저서동물군집에 대한 씨프린스호 유류 유출사고 영향 평가)

  • Shin, Hyun-Chool;Lee, Jung-Ho;Lim, Kyeong-Hun;Yoon, Seong-Myeoung;Koh, Chul-Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.159-169
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    • 2008
  • This study was aimed to classify the intertidal macrozoobenthic community status after 2 years of Sea Prince oil spill, and oil spill effects along oil spreading track from heavily impacted to unaffected reference site. Field sampling was initiated in late February and continued through November 1998 seasonally, after 2.5 years of oil spill. 7 rocky sampling sites were selected among coastal regions coated and/or affected by the Sea Prince spilled oil. Identified species was 158 species, 65 family, 24 order, 9 class, 5 phylum. Mollusca was the dominant faunal group comprising 100 species (63.3%), and followed by 38 species of Crustacea (24.1%), 12 species of Echinodermata (7.6%), 5 species of Porifera (3.2%), and 3 species of Cnidaria (1.9%). On Dugpo of Sori Island, the fewest species was collected from 28 species to 35 species seasonally among sampling stations. But far away Dugpo toward Gamak Bay, the number of species increased, collecting the maximum on Sohwoenggan Island. At the wreck site of Sori Island, especially the species number of attached animals such as poriferans and anthozoans was very low compared to another site. The density and biomass on the higher tidal zone increased toward the low affected sites, but biomass on middle tidal zone decreased. The invertebrate biomass of study area was dependent on the sessile animals. The major dominant species were small-sized barnacles, Chthmallus challengeri, periwinkles, Littorina brevicula, mussels, Septifer virgatus, and so on. The biomass of C. challengeri and L. brevicula on the higher tidal zone was highest in the wreck site of Sori Island and decreased further and further. However, mussels on the middle tidal zone showed the inverse trends because of the larger individual size of mussel inhabited in Sori Island than those of another sites. As a result of community analysis, the effect of oil spill was not found distinctly. Several ecological indices and cluster analysis did not show the meaningful variation with oil track despite of the conspicuous differences among tidal heights. These indicate that the macrozoobenthic community level of oil spreaded zone recovered in some degree after the Sea Prince oil spill accident, but population or individual levels of dominant sessile animals took more recovery times.