• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.3 s.59
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• pp.250-256
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• 2005

A benthic faunal survey of the Hangang Estuary located in the northwestern part of South Korea was performed in October 2004. A total of 11 species identified, which were comprised of two species of molluscs bivalves (Limnoperna fortunei and Corbicula felnouilliana) in two families, two species of annelids polychaetes (Neanthes japonica and Nephtys caeca) in two families, and seven species of decapods (Palaemon carinicauda, P. annandalei, P. modestus, Ilyoplax deschampsi, Eriocheir sinensis, Eriocheir leptognathus and Sesarma dehaani) in four families. Four of the 11 species in six families, Limnoperna fortunei, Neanthes japonica, Nephtys caeca and Palaemon modestus, were newly found in this study area. Eleven species were presently listed with brief ecological remarks.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2021

The community structure and health status of macrobenthos assemblages were investigated in the subtidal area of the Nakdong River estuary, Southern Coast of Korea. Benthic fauna samples were collected seasonally at 8 stations in the subtidal area of the Nakdong River estuary from February 2013 to October 2015. During the survey, a total of 380 species and 4,603 ind./m² of macrobenthos in all sampling areas were collected. The major dominant species were the polychaetes Minuspio japonica, Pseudopolydora kempi, Heteromastus filifomis, Capitella capitata, the amphipod Grandidierella japonica and the bivalvia Arcuatula senhousia. Some species of polychaetes found in the study area consisted of opportunistic species that showed high densities when habitat condition was poor. On the other hand, macrobenthos assemblages in the study area were divided into brackish water and marine groups. Abundance was high in the brackish group, while the number of species and diversity index were high in the oceanic group. The three indices (AMBI, M-AMBI, and BHI) in the assessment of health levels based on the ecological characteristics and number of species in macrobenthic were commonly shown to be in good condition in the group of oceanic stations, while relatively poor conditions were reflected in the group of brackish stations. Compared to other indices, the M-AMBI index of the three indices for health assessment was considered to be a relatively more suitable one to assess benthic ecological conditions.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 2004

Biodiversity and seasonal community composition of benthic macroinvertebrates were studied from Upo wetlands in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, comprising Upo (4 sites), Mokpo (2 sites), Sajipo (1 site), Jjokjibeol (1 site), Yeobeol (1 site), and Topyeongcheon (2 sites) areas from October 2002 to August 2003. As a result, it was known that Upo wetlands retained relatively well-preserved littoral zones which may provide good habitats for benthic macroinvertebrates; however, frequent disturbances of littoral zones caused by flood were the major factor affecting on the survival and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the areas. During the study period, a total of 135 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 10 genera, 59 families, 16 orders, 7 classes, and 3 phyla were collected those of which are the highest degree of diversity of the taxa ever known in Korean wetlands: aquatic insects 103 spp. (Diptera 27 spp., Odonata 24 spp., Coleoptera 19 spp., Hemiptera 16 spp., Ephemeroptera 9 spp., Trichoptera 7 spp., and Collembola 1 sp.), Crustacea 2 spp., Mollusca 19 spp. (Gastropoda 12 spp. and Bivalvia 7 spp.), and Annelids 11 spp. (Oligocaeta 1 sp. and Hirudinea 10 spp.). Sajipo (St.G) and Jjokjibeol (St.H) areas yielded relatively larger numbers of species, 54 spp. and 53 spp., respectively, while more than 40 species occurred at most other sites. Based on quantitative sampling (0.5m${\times}$2m), aquatic insects (88.0％), particularly chironomids in Diptera (61.0％), occupied major proportion of the total individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates, while Mollusca (5.3％), Annelida (3.5％), and Crustacea (3.2％) occupied minor proportions. In standing water areas, diverse groups of benthic macroinvertebrates such as chironomids, demselflies, aquatic bugs, aquatic beetles, crustaceans, and gastropods were dominant in terms of individual number; in the running water areas, on the other hand, chironomids and baetid mayflies were dominant. However, gastropods, i.e. viviparids, were the dominant group of benthic macroinvertebrates in most study areas in terms of biomass. Dominance indices were 0.22-0.51 (mean$\pm$sd 0.42$\pm$0.09) in autumn, 0.31-0.96 (0.02$\pm$0.23) in winter, and 0.30-0.89 (0.57$\pm$0.18) in summer; diversity indices were 3.50-4.26 (3.80$\pm$0.24) in autumn,1.55-4.50 (3.10$\pm$1.01) in winter, and 1.35-3.77 (2.55$\pm$0.09) in summer. Highly movable or true aquatic benthic macroinvertebyates such as aquatic bugs, aquatic beetles, and gastropods recovered earlier after flood. In the study sites of Upo wetlands, Upo and Sajipo areas showed relatively higher values of average diversity index which may indicate a good habitat condition for benthic macroinvertebrates.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.367-376
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• 2004

Macrobenthos were collected at 7 stations located from $5^{\circ}N$ to $10^{\circ}N$ with 1o interval along the longitude of $131^{\circ}W$ using a box corer with sampling area of $0.25\;m^2$ in July, 1999. In order to see the vertical distribution of macrobenthos in sediments, each subcore sample was divided into 5 layers with 1 cm interval up to 6 cm depth. Each subcore sample was sieved through 0.3 mm mesh screen and fixed with 10% Rose Bengal added formalin. A total of 22 faunal groups in 11 phyla were sampled and the average density was $959\;{\pm}\;584\;ind./m^2$. Foraminiferans comprised 34.8% of total specimens were the most abundant fauna, and followed by nematodes (27.5%), polychaete worms (15.7%), and benthic harpactoid copepods (10.4%). A latitudinal trend was shown in the distribution of macrobenthos; the maximum density of $1,832\;ind./m^2$ appeared at station N06 and the most poverished community occurred at station N09 with the density of $248\;ind./m^2$. The density of typical macrofaunal taxa except foraminiferans and nematods was $116\;ind./m^2$. In the vertical distribution of macrobenthos, more than 70% of macrobenthos occurred in the upper 2 cm layer, and upper 4 cm layer contained about 90% of macrofauna. Polychaete worms consisted of 22 families, and cirratulid and paraonid worms were dominant polychaete species. The prominant feeding guilds of polychaete worms were SDT (surface, descretely motile, tenaculate feeding) and SMX (surface, motile, non-jawed); they comprised more than 50% of polychaete abundance. These feeding guilds of polychaete worms suggests that the deep sea benthos should be well adapted the newly settled deposits from water column, but this should be clarified by the further studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.212-223
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• 2022

For the remediation and restoration of contaminated sediment at the West Sea-Byeong dumping site, dredged materials was dumped in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The physicochemical properties and benthic fauna in surface sediments of the capping area (5 stations) and natural recovery area (2 stations) were analyzed annually from 2014 to 2020 to evaluate the capping effect of the dredged materials. The natural recovery area had a finer sediment with a mean particle size of 5.91-7.64 Φ, while the sediment in the capping area consisted of coarse-grained particles with a mean particle size of 1.47-3.01 Φ owing to the capping effect of dredged materials. Considering that the contents of organic matters (COD, TOC, and TN) and heavy metals in the capping area are approximately 50 % lower (p<0.05) than that in the natural recovery area, it is judged that there is a capping effect of dredged materials. As a result of analyzing macrobenthic assemblages, the number of species and ecological indices of the capping area were significantly lower than that of the natural recovery area (p<0.05). The number of species and ecological indices at the capping area were increased for the first four years after the capping in 2013 and 2014 and then tended to decrease thereafter. It is presumed that opportunistic species, which have rapid growth and short lifetime, appeared dominantly during the initial phase of capping, and the additory capping in 2016 and 2017 caused re-disturbance in the habitat environment. In the natural recovery and capping areas, Azti's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) was evaluated as a fine healthy status because it maintained the level of 2^nd grades (Good), whereas Benthic Pollution Index (BPI) remained at the 1^st and 2^nd grade. Therefore, capping of dredged materials for remediation of contaminated sediment in the dumping site has the effect of reducing the pollution level. However, in terms of the benthic ecosystem, it is recommended that the recovery trend should be monitored long-term. Additionally, it is necessary to introduce an adaptive management strategy when expanding the project to remediate the contaminated sediment at the dumping area in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2022

On April 29, 2021 (1st), June 2 (2nd), and August 17 (3rd), we surveyed benthic macroinvertebrates fauna at Muljangori-oreum wetland in Bonggae-dong, Jeju Island, Korea. Muljangori-oreum wetland was divided into four areas. The survey was conducted in three accessible areas (areas 1-3). As a result of habitat environment analysis, the average monthly temperature from 2017 to 2021 was the highest in July and August and the lowest in December and February. This pattern was repeated. As a result of analyzing changes in vegetation and water surface area through satellite images, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) increased from February to July and decreased after July. Normalized difference water index (NDWI) was analyzed to show an inverse relationship. A total of 21 species from 13 families were identified in the qualitative survey and a total of 412 individuals of 24 species from 15 families were identified in the quantitative survey. A total of 26 species from 17 families, 8 orders, 3 classes, and 2 phyla of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified. The dominant species was Chronomidae spp. with 132 individuals (32.04%). Noterus japonicus was a subdominant species with 71 individuals (17.23%). As a result of comparative analysis of species identified in this study and the literature, it was confirmed that species diversity was high for Coleoptera and Odonata. Main functional feeding groups (FFGs) were found to be predators. Habitat orientation groups (HOGs) were found to be swimmers. In OHC (Odonata, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera) group, 17 species (73.91%) in 2021, 23 species (79.31%) in 2016, 26 species (86.67%) in 2018, and 19 species (79.17%) in 2019 were identified. Cybister japonicus, an endangered species II, was confirmed to inhabit Muljangori-oreum wetland in the literature. Ten individuals (2.43%) were also confirmed to inhabit Muljangori-oreum wetland in 2021. Therefore, continuous management and habitat protection are required to maintain the habitat environment of C. japonicus in Muljangori-oreum wetland.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.664-671
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the environmental impact of the construction of the Yeongju Dam, located near the upper stream of the Nakdong River, on benthic macroinvertebrates. The investigation was conducted four times from 2015 to 2016 and the composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna from the four surveyed sites was compared. After the dam construction, the number of benthic macroinvertebrate species decreased and the species composition ratio of the E.P.T taxa(Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) decreased, which favored the previous environment and the large riverbed structure. However, the species composition ratio of the O.C.H taxa (Odonata, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera), which favored the reservoir environment, increased. For the pattern of changes in the functional habitat groups, the proportion of 'Clinger(CL)' taxa decreased and the 'Burrower(BU), Climber(CB), Sprawler(SP), Swimmer(SW)' taxa increased in all surveys after the dam construction. A cluster stability comparison showed that the 'Stability Group II' species of St.2 and St.3 showed a drastic decrease. The average Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index(BMI) of all the survey sites in 2016 was lower than that in 2015. This research confirmed the temporal and spatial changes in the habitat type and community structure of the benthic macroinvertebrates resulting from the dam construction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.779-793
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• 2023

Intensive and long-term aquaculture activities in Korea have generated considerable amounts of organic matter, deteriorating the sedimentary environment and ecosystem. The Korean government enacted the Fishery Management Act to preserve and manage the environment of fish farms. Based on this, a fisheries environment assessment has been conducted on fish cage farms since 2014, necessitating the development of a scientific and objective evaluation method suitable for the domestic environment. Therefore, a benthic health index (BHI) was developed using the relationship between benthic polychaete communities and organic matter, a major source of pollution in fish farms. In this study, the development process and calculation method of the BHI have been introduced. The BHI was calculated by classifying 225 species of polychaetes appearing in domestic coastal and aquaculture areas into four groups by linking the concentration gradient of the total organic carbon in the sediment and the distributional characteristics of each species and assigning differential weights to each group. Using BHI, the benthic fauna communities were assigned to one of the four ecological classes (Grade 1: Normal, Grade 2: Slightly polluted, Grade 3: Moderately polluted, and Grade 4: Heavily polluted). The application of the developed index in the field enabled effective evaluation of the Korean environment, being relatively more accurate and less affected by the season compared with the existing evaluation methods like the diversity index or AZTI's Marine Biotic Index developed overseas. In addition, using BHI will be useful in the environmental management of fish farms, as the environment can be graded in quantified figures.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-90
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• 1992

The present study is aimed to investigate the relationship between the distribution of benthic macro fauna and environments in the Mangyung-dongjin tidal flat developed on the west coast of central korea. Samples were taken from 69 sites established on 8 transect lines running perpendicular to the coast. The 69 sites located in the range of -250 to 230 cm height from the mean sea level were categorized into 4 levels of exposure duration. The mean grain sizes of the surface sediments varied from 1.5 to $7.9{\varphi}$. Silty sands and sands were dominant sediment facies on the tidal flat. A total of 64 species of invertebrates was collected and the mean density was $1,335{\;}indiv{\cdot}\textrm{m}^2$. The dominant species was Laternula cf. limicola of Bivalvia (71% of total counts), followed by Umbonium thomasi of Gastropoda (22%), and Lingula anatina of Brachiopoda (2.6%). These 3 species comprised 95.5% of total individual number. The distribution of benthic animals was closely related with the duration of tidal exposure. Perinereis association was the characteristic for the most exposed area, and followed by Macrophthalmus and Bullacta-Mactra-Umbonium association along the degree of exposure duration.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.273-290
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• 1983

A bionomic study of the coralligenous concretionary hard bottom in the northwestern Mediterranean was carried out at four stations : three stations(Arnette, Laurons, Auguette) under the influence of intense multisource pollution(gradient decreasing from north to south) in the Gulf of Fos, west of Marseille, France, and one control station(Moyade islet) in an unpolluted area near Riou island, east of Marseille. Along the increasing pollution gradient from the outer to the inner part of the Gulf of Fos, there is a qualitative and quantitative impoverishment of the fauna. On the whole, the species richness, the numerical abundance. and the species diversity index are all on the decrease. Accordingly, the innermost station in the Gulf of Fos(Auguette) is most heavily affected by the industrial, and to a lesser extent by the domestic wastes, from the nearby industrial complex and urban areas. The impact on the benthic coralligenous community of this serious alteration has been analysed in view of community composition, functional aspect, and ecological stocks. The faunal affinity between stations has been studied by means of the two coefficients : fourfold point correlation coefficient and Jaccard's community coefficient. The upper layer and inferior face communities of the coralligenous concretionary structures are also compared.