• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.374-381
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• 2012

In this study, ecological characteristics of Zacco platypus population in Lake Hoengseong region, including the up-and downstream in Lake, were investigated from April to November, 2010. The results compared with regional dynamics of Z. platypus population showed a dominant population among the other fish population, and also upstream has relatively high as 1,707 (78.70%) individuals than those of other sites. The regression coefficient (b) in relation to length-weight on Z. platypus population were 3.28 which appeared relatively a stabilized habitat condition in Lake Hoengseong region and 3.28 at the upstream and 3.10 in Lake Hoengseong and 3.09 at the downstream. Condition factor on Z. platypus population in Lake Hoengseong region showed stabilized population as 0.003 value, and especially the condition factors at the upstream were relatively higher than those at the downstream and Lake Hoengseong, indicate that Z. platypus population at the upstream displayed to be maintained as the most good condition in relation to trophic states. As a results of compared with body size on Z. platypus population, was investgated as highly distribute between 30~50mm and 70~90mm at upstream; 60~80mm in Lake Heongseong; 70~100mm at downstream, respectively. As a results, Z. platypus population at the upstream among Lake Hoengseong region displayed the most stabilized growth condition, and Z. platypus population were inhabitable in lotic and lentic environments based on good habitat condition.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.1 s.102
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• pp.48-56
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• 2003

This study was evaluated about the seasonal variations of ecosystem in Nammae Reservoir based on the interrelation of physico-chemical characteristics, nutrients, chlorophyll a, b, c and standing crops of phytoplanktons. The amounts of chlorophyll a, b, c were respectively maximum (295 mg/, 9.5mg/l and 48mg/l) at station 1 in June and the standing crop of phytoplanktons was the highest ($1.7{\time}10^5$ cells/1) at stations 3 in July. The range of temperature was $7{\sim}37.4^{\circ}C$. The maxium of pH was $9.9{\sim}10.1$ at all stations in August, the minimum was 7 in September. SS was maximum (308 mg/1) at station 1 in June, while it was minimum (4 mg/l) at the same station in November. The maximal COD and DOC were 33 mg/1 and 16 mg/1 respectively at station 1 in June. As for phytoplanktons, Microcystis aeruginosa, blue-green alga in July${\sim}$August, Scenedesmus acutus, green alga in March${\sim}$May and November${\sim}$January and Cyclotella orientalis, Diatoms in October were dominant species. The amounts of P and Si were generally high in summer, they were low in autumn and winter. Nammae Reservoir assessed by trophic state index was eutrophicated and overtrophicated. These results indicated that Nammae Reservoir was faced with heavy water pollution. As preceding management for the basin of the Reservoir, it will have to be continually studied for an ecosystem reservation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.204-216
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• 2019

To evaluate the biological integrity of aquatic ecosystems, we developed Korean multimetric diatom index (KMDI) using metrics that many researchers have been previously described, and compared to single-metric diatom index such as trophic diatom index (TDI) and diatom assemblage index to organic pollution (DAIpo). For the biological and environmental data, we investigated the epilithic diatoms, water quality and the land-use for 923 sites in Korean streams between 2013-2017, and estuaries between 2010-2017, respectively. Five appropriate metrics were selected according to the following steps; 1) extraction of 300 potential metrics (biological, chemical, physical, and geographical) based on previous references, of these, 2) 46 samples having high separation power were selected, 3) the selected metrics were each tested for variability, redundancy, and sensitivity to the environments, finally 4) construction of multi-metric diatom index comprising single type metrics such as TDI, DAIpo, % motile diatoms, % Achnanthes / (Achnanthes+Navicula), and % number of Gomphonema species. The biological integrity of the 233 sites from the Geum River basin were independently investigated using KMDI. Collectively, the new KMDI showed high sensitivity and explanatory power for environmental factors such as land-use, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, and electric conductivity. However, it had slightly higher biological integrity for the same sites as compared to single type diatom metrics. Finally, more data accumulation from all over Korea and the development of acceptable diatom metrics were required.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of three components (NPK) of chemical fertilizers with basal application of compost on soil organisms.METHODS AND RESULTS: The soil was treated with five treatments continuously for 15 years: control, PK, NK, NP and NPK. The application of N increased plant growth or biomass, and enhanced organic matter content in the soils. Levels of microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in the soils did not show marked differences among the soils treated with different treatments. However, the principal component analysis showed the changes in the structure of the microbial community in the soil, depending on treatments added. Nitrogen application caused a decrease of pH and an increase of EC in the soils, and these environmental stresses appeared to offset the promoting effect of increased organic matter content on microbial abundance. The abundance of bacterivorous nematodes was the highest in the soils after treating NPK; however, the abundance of fungivorous nematodes was unaffected. There was no significant correlation between the abundances of microbial groups and their feeders. Organic matter content was significantly correlated with the abundance of nematodes in the soils.CONCLUSION: Our results showed that chemical fertilizers affect the soil food chains through both biotic and abiotic factors, and a trophic cascade in the soils may not occur in response to long-term fertilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.419-432
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• 1999

Objective: To establish the evaluation system of the quality of oocytes on the basis of the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis, to investigate the relationships beween the incidence of cumulus cells and the outcomes of IVF-ET. Method: Thirth-four cycles undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET with tubal infertility (23 cycles) or unexplained infertility (11 cycles) were included in this study. Cumulus cell masses surrounding mature oocyte and co-culture of embryos with autologous cumulus cells during IVF-ET process. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was assessed by apoptosis detection kit fluorescein. The effect of co-culture using cumulus cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells markedly increased in patients aged 40 or over, while the fertilization rate was greatly decreased in those age group. 2. Apoptosis in cumulus cells was found in both the fertilized oocytes and unfertilized oocytes, but the incidence of apoptosis was higher in unfertilized oocytes. 3. There is no clear correlation between apoptosis in cumulus cells and the number of oocytes retrieved. However, the incidence of apoptosis was increased when the number of oocytes retrieved was 5 and fewer in comparison with $6{\sim}10$. 4. Embryo grade was significantly affected by the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells. 5. Pregnancy rate of IVF-ET per cycle was 29.4%, and the pregnant group had the higher fertilization rate and a significantly lower incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells compared with the nonpregnant group. 6. When cumulus cells were used as helper cells in the co-culture of the embryo, in vitro activity of cumulus cells based on morphological change and proliferation did not influence the quality of embryo, but was closely associated with the implantation rate and pregnancy rate, which was enhanced when morphological changes and proliferation of cumulus cells was more active. 7. This difference in the outcome of IVF-ET according to in vitro activity of cumulus cells used for co-cultue was not associated with the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells; but rather had likely relations with the different secretion pattern of protein, which may be an embryo trophic factor by cumulus cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells can be used in predicting oocyte qualities and the outcomes of IVF-ET. And the effect of co-culture largely depends on the in vitro activity of cumulus cells as well.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.684-693
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze fish communities in the Wonju stream located in Wonju-si in Gangwon-do, and to evaluate the health of the stream through past and present changes. We performed investigations four times from May 2015 to September 2016. In the survey, 5,201 individuals which belonged to 27 species and 9 families were collected. Zacco platypus was the dominant species and Pungtungia herziwas the subdominant species. Eight Korean endemic species (Acanthorhodeus gracilis, Zacco koreanus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, Iksookimia koreensis, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata, Coreoperca herzi) were observed and showed a ratio of 16.54%. The fish community of dominance ($0.72{\pm}0.10$), diversity ($1.37{\pm}0.32$), evenness ($0.61{\pm}0.13$), and richness ($1.70{\pm}0.23$) were evaluated. According to our analysis of tolerance guilds, the total individual number of intermediate species was higher than the sensitive and tolerant species. As a result of the trophic guild analysis,the omnivore and insectivore species were relatively high. The value of the qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI) in the wonju stream was averaged 121.2 (${\pm}23.4$), indicating a suboptimal condition. Stream health showed that the fish assessment index (FAI) value was an A to C grade in the Wonju stream. A correlation coefficient analysis with FAI and various factors was analysed statistically, and had a high correlation in QHEI, with the omnivore species, insectivore species, intermediate species, sensitive species, dominance, diversity, evenness, and richness.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.632-641
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• 2018

Algal dynamics is controlled by multiple environmental factors such as flow dynamics, water temperature, trophic level, and irradiance. Underwater irradiance penetrating from the atmosphere is exponentially decreased in water column due to absorption and scattering by water molecule and suspended particles including phytoplankton. As the exponential decrease in underwater irradiance affects algal photosynthesis, regulating their spatial distribution, it is critical to understand the light extinction characteristics to find out the mechanisms of algal dynamics more systematically. Despite the significance, the recent data have been rarely reported in the main stream areas of large rivers, Korea. In this study, the euphotic depths and light extinction coefficients were determined by monitoring the vertical variation of underwater irradiance and water quality in the main channel of Nakdong River near Dodong Seowon once a week during summer of 2016. The average values of euphotic depth and light extinction coefficient were 4.0 m and $1.3m^{-1}$, respectively. The degree of light extinction increased in turbid water due to flooding, causing an approximate 50 % decrease in euphotic depth. Also, the impact was greater than the self-shading effect during the periods of cyanobacterial bloom. The individual light extinction coefficients for background, total suspended solid and algal levels, frequently used in surface water quality modeling, were determined as $0.305m^{-1}$, $0.090m^{-1}/mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$, $0.013m^{-1}/{\mu}g{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. The values estimated in this study were within or close to the ranges reported in literatures.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.2 s.90
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• pp.176-186
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• 2000

The present study was carried out to clarify the structure and dynamics of copepod community and the relationship between this community and environmental factors during the period from February 1998 to July 1999. Copepods consists of 21 genera and 32 species, monthly variations of number of species were 15 species in May, 1998 and 2 species November, 1998. The number of species were 22 species in station 12 and station 1, 2, 3 occurred nauplii of copepoda only. Average abundance ranged from $8,330\;ind./m^3$ (in June, 1999) to $177\;ind./m^3$ (in November, 1998). Relationships between water temperature and number of species were as follows: 20 species occurred from 20.1 to $25.0^{\circ}C$ and nuplii of copepoda only occurred from 0.0 to $5.0^{\circ}C$. The number of species by salinity range were 19 species in $20.1{\sim}25.0%_o$ and 9 species in $0{\sim}0.5%_o$. The number of species by trophic state index (TSIm) of chlorophyll a were 25 species in oligotrophic state and 9 species in eutrophic state. Relationships between pH and number of species were as follows: 20 species occurred from 7.6 to 8.0 and from 9.1 to 9.5 was none. The number of species by DO range were 22 species in 6.5 to 7.5 mg/l and 1 species in 14.5 to 15.5 mg/l. The percentage calculated effect by stepwise multiple regression of the pearson correlation coefficient value of environmental factors and copepoda abundance (station 1-station 4) revealed that positive effect was 15.49% in COD, 25.86% in $Cl^-$, 19.75% in $NO_2-N$ and negative effect was 28.30% in $NO_3-N$. Also, Positive effect (station 5-station 12) revealed that 29.49% in water temperature, 28.27% in $NO_3-N$, 22.87% in $NO_2-N$ and negative effect was 30.18% in conductivity and 13.53% in DO.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.1-11
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• 2004

The limnological characteristics of a coastal lagoon were studied in Lake Hyangho, one of a series of brackish lagoons along the eastern coast of Korea. Phytoplankton community structure, physical factors, and chemical factors were surveyed from May 1998 through November 2002 on a two-month interval basis. Temperature, salinity, Secchi disc transparency, TN, TP, organic matter content of sediment, chlorophyll a concentration, dominant phytoplankton species, and phytoplankton cell density were measured. Salinity gradient was formed between the overlying freshwater stream water and the permeated seawater at the bottom. The chemocline was persistent at the depth of 2 ${\sim}$ 5 m that caused discontinuities of salinity, DO, and temperature profiles. The inversion of vertical temperature profiles with higher temperature in deeper layer was observed in early winter. Secchi disc transparency was very low with the range of 0.1 to 1.1m. TP, TN, and Chl. a concentration in the epilimnion was 0.011 ${\sim}$ 0.238 mgP $L^{-l}$, 0.423 ${\sim}$ 2.443 mgN $L^{-l}$, and 0.7 ${\sim}$ 145.2 mg $m^{-3}$, respectively. Sediment was composed of silt and coarse silt. COD, TP, and TN content of dry sediment were 19.7 ${\sim}$ 73.3 mg$O_2\;g^{-1}$, 0.61 ${\sim}$ 1.32 mgP $g^{-l}$ and 0.64 ${\sim}$ 0.88 mgN $g^{-l}$, respectively. Dominant phytoplankton species were chlorophytes (Ankistrodesmus falcatus) and cyanobacteria (Oscillatoria sp. and Merismopedia tennuissima). The total cell density was in the range of 560 ${\sim}$ 35,255 cells $mL^{-l}$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.947-956
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• 2009

Residual petroleum hydrocarbons after an oil spill may accumulate in the marine benthic ecosystem due to their high hydrophobicity. A lot of monitoring data are required for the estimation of ecosystem exposure to residual petrochemicals in an ecological risk assessment in the affected region. To save time and cost, the environmental exposure to them in the affected ecosystem can also be assessed using a simple food-web bioaccumulation model. In this study, we evaluated residual concentrations of four selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene) in a hypothetic benthic ecosystem composed of six species under two exposure scenarios. Body-residue concentration ranged 5~250 mg/kg body depending on trophic positions in an extreme scenario in which the aqueous concentrations of PAHs were assumed to be one-tenth of their aqueous solubility. In addition, bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were evaluated for model species. The logarithm of bioconcentration factor (log BCF) linearly increased with increasing the logarithm of 1-octanol-water partition coefficient (log $K_{OW}$) until log $K_{OW}$ of 7.0, followed by a gradual decrease with further increase in log $K_{OW}$ without metabolic degradation. Biomagnification became significant when log $K_{OW}$ of a pollutant exceeded 5.0 in the model ecosystem, indicating that investigation of food-web structure should be critical to predict biomagnifications in the affected ecosystem because log $K_{OW}$ values of many petrochemicals are higher than 5.0. Although further research is required for better site-specific evaluation of exposure, the model simulation can be used to estimate the level of the ecosystem exposure to residual oil contaminants at the screening level.