• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.16-26
• /
• 2019

Wetlands that provide diverse ecosystem services, such as habitat provision and hydrological control of flora and fauna, constitute ecosystems through interaction between wetlands existing in a wetlandscape. Therefore, to evaluate the wetland functions such as resilience, it is necessary to analyze the ecological connectivity that is formed between wetlands which also show hydrologically dynamic behaviors. In this study, by defining wetlands as ecological nodes, we generated ecological networks through the connection of wetlands according to the dispersal model of wetland species. The characteristics of these networks were then analyzed using various network metrics. In the case of the dispersal based on a threshold distance, while a high local clustering is observed compared to the exponential dispersal kernel and heavy-tailed dispersal model, it showed a low efficiency in the movement between wetlands. On the other hand, in the case of the stochastic dispersion model, a low local clustering with high efficiency in the movement was observed. Our results confirmed that the ecological network characteristics are completely different depending on which dispersal model is chosen, and one should be careful on selecting the appropriate model for identifying network properties which highly affect the interpretation of network structure and function.

• Korean Journal of Ornithology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2018

The Grey-capped greenfinch (Chloris sinica) is a polytypic species that exhibits complicated geographical variation in morphology. This study provides an intraspecific phylogeographic variability of C. sinica populations in Korea with their morphometric data. The observed morphometric variations were that Ulleung island population was morphologically distinct in bill length and depths as compared to the mainland populations. Phylogenetic relationships among mitochondrial COX1 regions provided evidence for genetic differentiation between Ulleung and mainland populations. However, their genetic distances and nucleotide diversities were very low, highlighting their recent divergence. The needs for additional research is heightened to substantiate if the genetic clines in different localities may arise in C. sinica subspecies, each of which could have different breeding and wintering habitats, distribution patterns, and migration pathways.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2018

The results of an experimental investigation on the co-firing characteristics and slagging behavior of dried and hydrothermal carbonization sewage sludge, sub-bituminous coal, and wood pellet in a fluidized bed were presented. Combustion tests were conducted in a lab-scale bubbling fluidized bed system at the uniform fuel-air equivalence ratio, air flow rate, and initial bed temperature to measure bed temperature distribution and combustion gas composition. 4 different fuel blending cases were prepared by mixing sewage sludge fuels with coal and wood pellet with the ratio of 50 : 50 by the heating value. $NO_x$ was mostly NO than $NO_2$ and measured in the range of 400 to 600 ppm in all cases. $SO_2$ was considered to be affected mostly by the sulfur content of the sewage sludge fuels. The cases of hydrothermal carbonization sewage sludge mixture showed slightly less $SO_2$ emission but higher fuel-N conversion than the dried sewage sludge mixing cases. The result of fly ash composition analysis implied that the sewage sludge fuels would increase the possibility of slagging/fouling considering the contents of alkali species, such as Na, K, P. Between the two different sewage sludge fuels, dried sewage sludge fuel was expected to have the more severe impact on slagging/fouling behavior than hydrothermal carbonization sewage sludge fuel.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.898-906
• /
• 2018

To investigate the effect of yellow dust on phytoplankton, a field survey and physiological experiments were carried out in the waters near Taean Peninsula from April 22 to 26, 2006, when yellow dust occurred. Phytoplankton populations during the yellow dust period were in the range of $26{\sim}290{\times}10^3cells{\cdot}L^{-1}$, a somewhat low standing crop. An increase in diatoms (a main taxonomic group), especially benthic diatoms such as Paralia sulcate, a typical species for active mixed sea water areas, was also remarkable. In addition, the Chl-a concentration after yellow dust exceeded the Chl-a concentration change range according to the tide before yellow dust. As the concentration of yellow sand increased in a yellow sand treatment experiment, primary productivity decreased, and the maximum assimilation number showed the same tendency. In the 48h culture experiment, primary productivity of the test group was lower than that of the control group at the early stage (T0) of yellow sand treatment, but after 48 hours (T48), the test group showed higher primary productivity than the control group. In particular, the primary productivity of the test group significantly increased to 321 % after 48 hours. Therefore, strong physical environment accompanied by yellow dust may temporarily inhibit the growth of phytoplankton in the waters adjacent to China in the early stage of yellow dust, but the formation of stable water mass has also been identified as a potential factor promoting the growth of phytoplankton.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.638-646
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term habitat morphological alteration resulting from a large dam and weirs in the Tamjin River. To achieve this, we carried out a hydrograph analysis and a substrate size distribution analysis. We also estimated the channel width, bar area and vegetation encroachment using aerial photographs taken before and after the construction of the dam and weirs. The result of the hydrological analysis showed that flooding downstream was greatly reduced with small peaks occurrence after the dam construction. Interestingly, normal hydrographs in the main channel appeared just after tributary conjunction. There was a similar pattern in the substrate size analysis. Despite coarsened substrate just downstream of the dam site, more sand appeared again after introduction of the tributary. However, there was an increase in the bar area downstream of the dam's channels with most bars covered with vegetation. The channel width increased at the upper area of weirs through impoundment, but decreased downstream because of vegetation encroachment. This study indicate that unregulated tributary plays an important role in restoring hydro-physical habitat conditions in mainstream channels below a large dam. However, numerous weirs could be a causal factor to accelerate habitat deterioration in the dam downstream channels.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.299-310
• /
• 2018

Odor compounds (geosmin, 2-MIB) have been causing problems in the Bukhan River system, but the causative organisms have not been clearly identified. To evaluate the relationship between dynamics of microbial community and odor compounds, two times monthly monitoring of water quality and microbial community from the three serial lakes (Lake Uiam, Lake Cheongpyeong and Lake Paldang) in the Bukhan River system were conducted from April to October 2017. The odor compounds were analyzed by HS-SPME analysis method using GC/MS. Bacteria communities were identified at the class level by NGS analysis. Actinobacteria and Betaproteobacteria were dominant taxon in bacteria community of three serial lakes. In the case of phytoplankton communities showed that seasonal changes by Bacillariophyceae and Cryptophyceae in spring, Cyanobacteria in summer, and Bacillariophyceae and Cryptophyceae in autumn. Dominant species was Dolichospermum (=Anabaena), Microcystis and Pseudanabaena in Bukhan River system in all study period. At the same time the odors geosmin and 2-MIB were also detected at high concentration. There is a significant positive correlation between proportion of Actinobaceria and 2-MIB concentration (r=0.491, p<0.01). In addition, proportion of cyanobacteria showed a significant correlation of geosmin (r=0.381, p<0.05) and 2-MIB (r=0.386, p<0.05) concentration. In this study, odor compounds in the Bukhan River system are considered to be a direct relationship between with Actinobacteria and cyanobacteria.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.1112-1121
• /
• 2019

Objective: Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to be associated with uterine impairment, embryonic resorption, ovarian dysfunction, and follicle retardation. Here, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Methods: First, we developed an in vitro model to study the response of bovine cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) to LPS stress. After incubating germinal vesicle COCs in $10{\mu}g/mL$ of LPS, we analyzed the following three aspects: the expression levels of the LPS receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in COCs, activities of intracellular signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$); and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, we determined the effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Results: The results revealed that LPS treatment significantly elevated TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in COCs. Exposure of COCs to LPS also resulted in a marked increase in activity of the intracellular signaling protein p-p38 MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Furthermore, oocytes cultured in maturation medium containing LPS had significantly higher concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. LPS exposure significantly decreased the first polar body extrusion rate. The cytoplasmic maturation, characterized by polar body extrusion and distribution of peripheral cortical granules, was significantly impaired in LPS-treated oocytes. Moreover, LPS exposure significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and the relative mRNA abundance of the antioxidants thioredoxin (Trx), Trx2, and peroxiredoxin 1 in oocytes. Moreover, the early apoptotic rate and the release of cytochrome C were significantly increased in response to LPS. The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst formation rates were significantly lower in parthenogenetically activated oocytes exposed to LPS, while the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in blastocysts was significantly increased. Conclusion: Together, these results provide an underlying mechanism by which LPS impairs maturation potential in bovine oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.379-406
• /
• 2019

A floristic study on the vascular plants from Juwangsan National Park was conducted 13 times in total, from March to October 2017. Based on the voucher specimens and pictures, it was revealed that the vascular plants in this region comprised 758 taxa: 112 families, 399 genera, 672 species, 4 subspecies, 72 varieties, and 10 forma. Among these plants, 221 taxa were recorded for the first time from this region. The taxa in category II of endangered plants designated by the Korean Ministry of Environment were two taxa, including Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. and Epilobium hirsutum L. The rare plants numbered 5 taxa designated by National Institute of Biological Resources were also found. 20 taxa of Korean endemic plants including Corydalis alata B.U.Oh & W.R.Lee, Iris odaesanensis Y.N.Lee, and Scrophularia cephalantha Nakai were investigated in this region. 40 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants in the 3rd to the 5th degrees were identified. Naturalized plants of 55 taxa were recorded, and 3 taxa of ecosystem disturbance plants, which were Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Aster pilosus Willd., and Lactuca scariola L., also found.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.100-108
• /
• 2021

In the oral cavity, there are hundreds of microbial species that exist as planktonic cells or are incorporated into biofilms. The accumulation and proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the oral biofilm can lead to caries and periodontitis, which are typical oral diseases. The oral bacteria in the biofilm not only can resist environmental stress inside the oral cavity, but also have a 1,000 times higher resistance to antibiotics than planktonic cells by genes exchange through the interaction between cells in the oral biofilm. Therefore, if the formation of oral biofilm is suppressed or removed, oral diseases caused by bacterial infection can be more effectively prevented or treated. In particular, since oral biofilms have the characteristic of forming a biofilm by gathering several bacteria, quorum sensing, a signaling system between cells, can be a target for controlling the oral biofilm. In addition, a method of inhibiting biofilm formation by using arginine, an alkali-producing substrate of oral bacteria, is used to convert the distribution of oral microorganisms into an environment similar to that of healthy teeth or inhibit the secretion of glucosyltransferase by S. mutans to inhibit the formation of non-soluble glucans. It can be a target to control oral biofilm. This method of inhibiting or removing the oral biofilm formation rather than inducing the death of pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity will be a new strategy that can selectively prevent or therapeutic avenues for oral diseases including dental caries.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.551-557
• /
• 2020

This study surveyed the ecological characteristics of Ladislabia taczanowskii at Songcheon Stream from March to November 2019. The species inhabited upstream, where the riverbed structure was mostly covered with boulders and cobbles. The water depth was 31-148 cm, and the stream velocity was fast at 0.94±0.23 (0.51-1.39) m/sec. The gender ratio of females to males was 1 : 0.89. The age according to the total length frequency distribution indicated that the group with 38-70 mm below in total length was one year old, the group with 70-100 mm was two years old, the group with 100-120 mm was three years old, and the group over 120-128 mm was over four years old. The total length of sexually mature fishes was 70 mm for females and 75 mm or more for males. The spawning season was from May to August, and the water temperature was 15.5-20.1℃ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was from June to July, and the water temperature was 15.8-17.2℃ during the period. The spawning ground was where the riffle began in the pool, and its bottom was formed of sand and gravel. The width was about 150 cm, and the water depth was 20 to 50 cm. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 821 (401-1,314) per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 1.62±0.02 (1.43-2.01) mm. The live foods of L. taczanowskii Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Ephemeroptera, and Diptera. The feeding habit of L. taczanowskii is omnivorous, but more than 90% of the stomach content was attached algae.