• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.46-56
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• 2017

The Youngsan River estuary was physically changed by the construction of a sea embankment at near the mouth of estuary. Weirs were also constructed recently in the freshwater zone and it was reported that algal blooms occur more frequently. The freshwater introduced into saltwater zone from sluice gates of the embankment affects water quality but it has not been addressed that how the freshwater inputs influence the health of marine ecosystem. In this study, we used the data of water properties and phytoplankton communities collected at three stations for 4 days including before the freshwater discharge, during the discharge and after 1 and 2 days of discharge events. WQI(water quality index), TRIX (trophic status index) and P-IBI(phytoplankton index of biotic integrity) were used to evaluate the ecosystem health and long-term data were also utilized to determine the criteria for P-IBI. The results showed that grades of the ecosystem health assessed by the indices were low at the station near the gates and increased as downstream. However, the temporal pattern of grades was different depending on methods. Grades of WQI and TRIX decreased during the discharge and restored after the discharge whereas the grades of P-IBI decreased slightly even after the discharge. This suggests that P-IBI is more applicable to estuarine systems where experience extreme change of water properties than WQI and TRIX since P-IBI includes phytoplankton that can respond quickly to the change.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2022

Busan, where the coastal ecosystem health is deteriorating due to high development pressure and intensity of use, needs ecosystem management that considers humans and the natural environment together for sustainable use and ecosystem preservation of the coastal areas. In this study, the InVEST model was applied to assess the habitat status of the coastal land and coastal sea to manage the ecosystem based on habitats. As a result of the assessment of the coastal land, the habitat quality of Gadeok-do, Igidae, and Sinseondae, Gijang-gun are high, and Seo-gu, Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Suyeong-gu are low. In the case of the coastal sea, the habitat risk of the Nakdong river estuary is low, and some areas of Yeongdo-gu, Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu are high. Therefore, for the sustainable use and preservation of coastal ecosystems, it is necessary to prepare ecosystem-based management measures to improve damaged habitats and reduce threats. In addition, the impact on coastal seas should be fully considered when planning coastal land development. The results of the InVEST habitat quality model in coastal land show similar tendencies to the biotope and environmental conservation value assessment map. The results of the habitat risk assessment in the coastal sea are expected to be utilized to identify habitats in the coastal sea and management of threat factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.111-121
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• 2016

This study was carried out to assess the riparian vegetation health in the fluctuation area and vicinity of reservoirs. The results of this study could be a basic data to improve the ecological function and establish green-network of waterside ecosystem. The study site is Daecheong lake reservoirs which the representative landscape of Geum river and with great number of visitors near metropolitan city. The 6 survey plots of 2 survey area were selected, survey area 1 had 4 survey plots and survey area 2 had 2 survey plots, and to compare the study results 4 control plots were selected in Gyeongcheon reservoir. The main dominant specie of survey sites was Salix koreensis in tree and subtree layer, were Salix koreensis and Salix glandulosa. in shrub layer. 2 survey plots of Samjeongdong and Kyeongcheon reservoir were assessed as 'Good', 2 survey plots of chudong were assessed as 'Fair' in vegetation health assessment. In the fluctuation area from flood water level to low water level, 58 populations of Salix koreensis were found in survey sites and Salix koreensis, Salix glandulosa and Acer tataricum subsp. ginale were found in control sites. The most adequate species at the condition affected by inundation impacts would be Salix koreensis and Salix glandulosa was more healthy at the area less affected by inundation. This study was carried out the vegetation health assessment on Daecheong reservoir which has been advanced natural succession for more than 30 years after the construction. Further, it should carry continuously out the research on the planting model of the waterside ecosystem for ecological restoration.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2023

Benthic attached diatoms (BADs), a major primary producer in lotic stream and river ecosystems are micro-sized organisms and require a highly magnified microscopic technique in the observation work. Thus, it is often not easy to ensure accuracy and precision in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This study proposed a new technique applicable to improve quality control of aquatic ecosystem monitoring and assessment using BADs. In order to meet the purpose of quality control, we developed a permanent mounting slide technique which can be used for both qualitative and quantitative analyses simultaneously. We designed specimens with the combination of grid on both cover and slide glasses and compared their efficiency. As a result of observation and counting of BADs, the slide glass designed with the color-lined grid showed the highest efficiency compared to other test conditions. We expect that the method developed in this study could be effectively used to analyze BADs and contributed to improve the quality control in aquatic ecosystem health monitoring and assessment.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.66-75
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• 2024

Heavy metals are naturally found in the ecosystem, and their presence in the freshwater river is increasing through anthropogenic activities which pose a threat to living beings. In this study, heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Ni) in different organs (muscle, skin, and gill) of fish from the Padma River were evaluated to quantify, and compare the contamination levels and related human health risks. The results revealed that the heavy metal concentrations in the water, surface sediments, and fish taken from the Padma River were far below the WHO/USEPA's permitted limits. The estimated daily intake (EDI) value in muscle was less than the tolerable daily intake (TDI). The target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard indexes (HI) were less than 1, showing that consumers face no non-carcinogenic risk (CR). CR values of Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni ranged from 4.00 × 10^-8 to 6.35 × 10^-6, less than 10^-4, and total carcinogenic risk (CRt) values ranged from 9.85 × 10^-6 to 1.10 × 10^-5, indicating some pose a CR from consumption of those fish from the Padma River. To establish a more accurate risk assessment, numerous exposure routes, including inhalation and cutaneous exposure, should be explored.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.934-942
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• 2010

Bentic macroinvertebrate and fish fauna were investigated from September 2008 to October 2009 in the middle reach of the Suyoung river in Busan. During the survey period benthic macroinvertebrates were collected total 35 species at the three sites (Hanmul-gyo, Dongcheon-gyo, Seokdae Jct.) of Suyoung river. At that sites, species diversity index was 1.9, 1.5, 1.6, dominance index was 0.75, 0.81, 0.86 and Korean Saprobic Index (KSI) was 1.8(B), 4.4(D), 4.4(D) on average, respectively. Dominant species was Caenis Kua, Chironomidae sp., at Hanmul-gyo site and Limnodrilus gotoi, Chironomidae sp., at Dongcheon-gyo and Seokdae Jct. sites. Fish fauna was also investigated at the two sites (Hanmul-gyo and Seokdae Jct.) of Suyoung river. Total caught fishes were 10 species 32 individuals in the first survey and 6 species 26 individuals in the second survey. Dominant species was Carassius auratus in the both surveys. Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) value was C grade at the Hanmul-gyo and D grade at the Seokdae Jct.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.112-122
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• 2023

To restore the ecological function of contaminated soil and maximize the ecological services provided by the soil, besides the toxicity orrisk caused by pollutants, the functional aspects of the soil ecosystem should be considered. In this study, a method for evaluating the health of cleaned soil was presented, and the applicability of the proposed evaluation method was examined by applying it to soil treated with washing and landfarming. Productivity, habitat, water retention capacity, nutrient cycling, carbon retention capacity, and buffering capacity were used as soil health evaluation indicators. The results showed that the soil health was not completely recovered after remediation, and even in the case of the washed soil, the health was lower than before remediation. On the other hand, there was no significant change in soil quality due to oil pollution, but soil health deteriorated. Unlike the slightly improved soil quality after landfarming treatment, soil health was not completely restored. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that it is desirable to consider both soil quality and health when evaluating the remediation effect. The soil health evaluation method proposed in this study can be usefully utilized for the sustainable use of cleaned soil and to promote ecosystem services.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.737-747
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• 2006

Ministry of Environment (MOE) of Korea has been implementing the water quality management policy to focus on the control of organic matters (BOD and COD) for 28 years since 1978 when the water quality standards had been established. However, the government and the public have begun to recognize the necessity of creating the best water environment for people and aquatic life, and also formulating the various measures of water pollution, Consequently, MOE of Korea is establishing the basic plan of water environment management, with the vision of "Clean Water, Eco River 2015." The major targets of water environment management plan are to maintain ecosystem health and to protect water quality from various hazardous substances in water bodies. In order to achieve the major targets, it is essential to amend the water quality standards, which bring about the systematic management of various pollutants and healthy ecosystem. Introduction of the new techniques of water environment assessment is also prerequisite to maintain sustainable water environment. These can be accomplished under the consideration of following suggestions in environmental quality standards. First, several criteria should be complemented in water quality standards; they include the improvement of the current water quality classification system, the strengthening and supplement of relevant parameters considering human health in the standards, the introduction of biotic indices, and management standards on eutrophication. Secondly, it should be considered to introduce the biological water quality standards using biotic indices and the management standards for sediments. Lastly, it needs to introduce or develop an ecological status classification which could be used in the assessment of the water environment as a whole.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2013

The objectives of this study were to analyze chemical the water quality related to the fish community and to evaluate the ecosystem health based on the faunal composition and guild structure in 2007 in Baekma River. Mean concentrations of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 2.8 and $4.0mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively and total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were $5.0mg\;L^{-1}$ and $158{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, which is indicating that the river is in an eutrophic state. Especially, organic pollution and eutrophication occurred in the downstream reach of Baekma River. A total of 19 fish species were collected during the study and the most dominant species was Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis accounted 48% of the total abundances. The proportion of sensitive species was low (2.3%), compared with that of tolerant species (71.8%). These results suggest that tolerant species and the biotic quality of the fish community was severely degraded. According to the multi-metric model, the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), the mean model value of the fish community in Baekma River was estimated as 14.8 indicating a "poor" condition. The minimum values of the IBI were observed in the downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions of nutrients (N, P) and organic matters.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.768-783
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• 2006

Biological stream environment assessment has been an essential trend of aquatic ecosystems among advanced countries, because the chemical water quality assessment has limitations that only represent temporal water environmental status. Benthic macroinvertebrates are the most popular bioindicator group useful to biological water quality assessment for a long time. In addition, a number of indices using benthic macroinvertebrates have recently been developed not only for water quality assessment but also for ecological health assessment. In this paper Korean Saprobic Index (KSI) based on Zelinka-Marvan's saprobic valency concept is developed by applying DIN 38410 in Germany. The KSI value was widely applicable to most Korean streams with the exception of sand-based large streams, for example main stream of Nakdong River. But as a result of non-linear regression analysis the correlation between KSI and $BOD_5$ concentration was high and KSI reflected water quality alteration for mid and long-term period. In spite of applicability of KSI, it should be supplemented and developed to make it strong by accumulating field data as well as to manage integrated water environment in general through continuous biomonitoring.