• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.202-211
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• 2014

Feeding ecology of Luciogobius guttatus (Flat-head goby) populations were investigated on the Youngjong, Incheon, Korea. In total, 257 individuals ranging from 13.4 to 57.5 mm standard length SL were analyzed. L. guttatus was studied in the Tide-pool from January 2010 to December 2010 monthly. The stomach contents of L. guttatus consisted mainly of Copepods and Brachyurans. Amphipods, Anomurans, Cumaceans, Macrurans, Insects and small stones were also observed. As a result, the benthic crustaceans were important food for this species. Harpacticoid spp. (Copepods) and Hemigrapsus spp. (Brachyurans) were major prey organisms for all fish size and seasons.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.spc1
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• pp.203-213
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• 2006

The spatial patterns of meiobenthic communities in deep-sea sediment were examined. Sediment samples for analyzing of meiobenthic community structure were collected using a remote operated vehicle (ROV), multiple corer TV grab at 20 stations at five sites. In all, 15 meiofauna groups were recorded. Nematodes were the most abundant taxon. Benthic foraminiferans, harpacticoid copepods, polychaetes, and crustacean naupii were also dominant groups at all sites. The total meiofauna density at the study sites varied from 49 to 419 ind./$10cm^2$. The maximum density was recorded at a site located in Challenger Deep in the Mariana trench where simple benthic foraminifera with organic walls flourish. These distinctive taxa seem to be characteristic of the deepest ocean depths. Active hydrothermal sediments contain up to 150 harpacticoid copepods per $10cm^2$ of sediment. In a inactive ridge sediments, devoid of macrofaunal organisms:, the abundance of harpacticoid copepods never exceeded 15 ind./$10cm^2$. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure among the three regions; near an active hydrothermal vent, in the deepest ocean depths and at typical deep-sea bed sites.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2018

Mesocosm experiments conducted for ecological purposes have become increasingly popular because they can provide a holistic understanding of the biological complexities associated with natural systems. This paper describes a new outdoor mesocosm designed for $CO_2$ perturbation experiments of benthos. Manipulated the carbonate chemistry in a continuous flow-through system can be parallelized with diurnal changes, while irradiance, temperature, and nutrients can vary according to the local environment. A target hydrogen ion activity (pH) of seawater was sufficiently stabilized and maintained within 4 h after dilution, which was initiated by the ratio of $CO_2$-saturated seawater to ambient seawater. Specifically, pH and $CO_2$ partial pressure ($pCO_2$) levels gradually varied from 8.05-7.28 and $375-2,691{\mu}atm$, respectively, over a range of dilution ratios. This mesocosm can successfully manipulate the pH and $pCO_2$ of seawater, and it demonstrates suitability for ocean acidification experiments on benthic communities.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 2024

Larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) are a group of marine organisms that inhabit oligotrophic subtropicaltropical photic zones, commonly possess relatively large shells (i.e., tests) with a complex internal structure and host photosynthetic endosymbionts. In this study, we provide a new report of a LBF species belonging to the genus Sorites Ehrenberg, 1839, with a brief description and images of the test. The sediment samples were collected by SCUBA diving from the east coast of Jeju Island (South Korea). The discoidal test shape and annular series of chamberlets with a single row of apertures surrounded by rim indicate that these specimens belong to the genus Sorites, and this is the first record of the genus in Korea. The arrangement of early chamberlets, septular disposition, and the aperture details suggest that the specimens can be assigned to Sorites orbiculus(Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775). Only three LBF species, including the present species, have been reported from Korean waters. The present study provides additional information for the evaluation of foraminiferal diversity including LBF in Korea and suggests the necessity of continuous investigations to understand the diversity of Sorites species in Korea.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.64-79
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• 2015

We investigated the tidal current, hydrographic data, and benthic environment of major sea cucumber (Holothuroidea, de Blainville, 1834) habitats in Baengnyeongdo, Jindo and Uljin to understand the optimal environmental or ecological habitat for sea cucumbers. The three study areas were characterized by a cold-water mass of temperatures ranging $12{\sim}18^{\circ}C$, with an active circulation between the surface and deep waters. According to an analysis of the tidal current map, a strong flow velocity of $100{\sim}120cm\;s^{-1}$ appeared in Baengnyeongdo and Jindo. The three sea cucumber habitats showed the common characters of a bottom sediment composed of sand-silt, a diverse seaweed colony and benthic organisms, and boulders and rocks which provide a hideout for the organisms. We aimed to draw the optimal habitat condition for sea cucumbers in Korea, and the result showed that the low water temperature, rapid water flow, active vertical mixing between surface and deep waters, bottom composed by sand-silt, large rocks, and diverse seaweed colony and benthic organism were important factors. The optimal habitat for Juvenile sea cucumbers was the intertidal areas characterized by a muddy bottom, reef, and seaweed. The optimal habitat for adult sea cucumbers was characterized by a place where sand and mud are mixed, and the body size of the sea cucumber was proportional to water depth, and the relatively large boulders and rocks compared to the intertidal area.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2003

Understanding the seawater infiltration into tidal flat sediments is very important, because it is significantly correlated with the supply of dissolved oxygen, nutrients and organic matter to benthic organisms for survival. However oil blocks interstitial spaces of sediments, reduces seawater infiltration and results in the decrease in oxygen, nutrients and other food supply to benthic communities. The penetration depth of the stranded oil into the sediments is one of the most significant information to know the effect of spilled oil on biological communities and to set up a cleaning method. So we initiated this study to quantify the penetration behavior of spilled oil and to evaluate the influence of the penetrated oil on seawater infiltration in tidal flat environment and its ecological implications. The penetration depth of the crude oil into the tidal flat sediments was two times deeper than that of the fuel oil C, and the depth was significantly affected by stranded oil volume. However, the penetration depth of stranded oil was abruptly dropped at first falling tide but not significantly fluctuated after that. Moreover, hydrocarbon concentration showed the highest within the upper 2 cm. Seawater infiltration was decreased in proportion to the stranded oil volume. The seawater infiltration was more affected by the penetrated fuel oil C about 1.7 times than the crude oil, because the interstitial spaces of the top of sediments were more cleared by the fuel oil C. Therefore, quick cleaning actions for penetrated oil will be necessary for recovery of seawater infiltration because the seawater contains oxygen and nutrients necessary for the survival of benthic organisms in tidal flat.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2003

Seasonal fluctuations of physico-chemical and biological aspects of the environment were studied in Vladivostok harbour (Golden Horn Bay, the East Sea/Sea of Japan). The benthic community structure was described with a focus on size-spectra (bacteria, meio- and macrofauna) related with the chemical environment and chemical fluxes in sediment and to reveal their possible ecological role in the process of bioremediation of the environment. Samples from two sites with different concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni Cd, Co) and petroleum hydrocarbon were assessed by a number of methods. These included plate counts of culturable bacteria, observation through a scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). These approaches were complemented with microscopic assessments of the diversity of the benthic community. The specific communities had a limited number of species, tolerant to abnormally high levels of toxic compounds. The dominant species were presented by several sho.1-lived small polychaetes (Capitella capitata) and nematodes (Oncholaimium ramosum). The highest population density was recorded in microbenthos, in various diatoms, various physiological groups of bacteria which participate in biomineralization: marine heterotrophic bacteria, which oxidized oil, black oil in addition to groups resistant to heavy metals. They have the entire set of mechanisms for neutralizing the negative effect of those compounds, forming the detrital food web and biogeochemical circulation of material in sediments, which results in the biological self-recycling of sea basins. Macro- and meiobenthic organisms were more sensitive to a greater extent of $H_2S$ and petroleum hydrocarbons than to metal content, but the within-site rankings were the same as those achieved for microbiological analyses.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.255-267
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• 2021

To understand the composition and community changes of benthic species by water depth (5 m, 20 m, 30 m) in the cage facilities, net substrate made of fish cages were installed at intervals of 2 months from March to September 2019, which is the main period of sessile organism recruitment. Water temperature and salinity varied in the ranges of 1~5℃ and 1~4 mg/L at 5 m from June to August, respectively, and less difference was observed according to water depth in other investigation periods. A total of 37 benthic animals were recruited, and Kamptozoa unid., Caprella scaura and Jassa slatteryi were verified during the entire study period. Mytilus galloprovincialis, a Mediterranean mussel, showed seasonality dominant only from spring to early summer (March to July). The community structure classified by temporal and spatial factors, and Bugula neritina, Kamptozoa unid., and Sertularella sp. contributed to the formation of the community. The depth of 5 m was exposed to environmental changes in water temperature and salinity temporally, so there was a seasonal variation in the composition of the sessile organism, but at depths of 20 m and 30 m, there was less significant environmental change and it showed relatively stable than 5 m.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.61-74
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• 2021

In this study, we used marine environment assessment indices to evaluate impacts of various development projects on the marine environment. TheWaterQuality Index (WQI) was applied in the field of marine water quality and the Cleanup Index of Harmful Chemicals (CIHC), the Cleanup Index of Eutrophication (CIET), the Enrichment Factor(EF) were used in the field of marine sediment. In the field of marine benthic organisms, the Benthic Health Index (BHI) and the Benthic Pollution Index (BPI) were utilized. Each assessment index was calculated using the data observed in the development project, and its characteristics and usefulness were evaluated. The assessment method and criteria were clearly defined for WQI, CIHC, and BHI. Furthermore, through these indices, an integrated environment impact analysis was possible. Apart from the indices presented in this study, there are various indices that can be used for evaluating the marine environment. Therefore, it is important to utilize appropriate indices according to the characteristics of each project.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2019

Floating seaweed rafts are a surface-pelagic habitat that serve as substrates for benthic flora and fauna. Since 2008, Sargassum horneri clumps have periodically invaded the Korea Strait. In this study, the polymerase chain reaction-free small-organelles enriched metagenomics method was adopted to identify the species of epibiotic eukaryotes present in floating S. horneri fronds. A total of 185 species were identified, of which about 63% were previously undetected or unreported in Korean waters. The rafts harbored a diverse assemblage of eukaryotic species, including 39 Alveolata, 4 Archaeplastida, 95 Opisthokonts, 4 Rhizaria, and 43 Stramenopiles. Of these 185 taxa, 48 species were found at both Sargassum rafts collection stations and included 24 Stramenopiles, 17 Alveolata, and 7 Opisthokonts. Among these, the highest proportion (50%) of species was photo-autotrophic in basic trophic modes, while the proportion of phagotrophic, osmo- or saprotrophic, and parasitic modes were 43.8%, 4.2%, and 2.1%, respectively. This study demonstrates the contribution of floating Sargassum rafts as dispersal vectors that facilitate the spread of alien species.