• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-135
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• 2010

Around Tongyeong coasts which located in southern coast of Korea composed to the complex coastal line and scattered by small islands. It also has been distributed to a complicated bathymetric structure by several types of channels. This study carried to analyze the spatial characteristics of macrobenthic community and benthic environmental variance on sub-tidal area based on multivariate statistics tools. Sediment composition varied from muddy sand to mud, and along the channels, it composed to a heterogeneous bottoms mixed by shell fragment, cobbles and mud. Organic contents on the surface sediment varied 1.1-3.9%. Total of 272 species, $33,349\;ind./m^2$ of macrobenthos identified in all of sample area. Polychaetes also prevailed among the specimen. L. longifolia, P. pinnata dominated based on density. Considering on the biomass, echinoderm S. lacunosa, A. tricoides listed. Closer to the coastal area, the density and diversity were higher. Community structure based on cluster analysis was discriminated into three groups. Each group was also characterized by geographical state such as depth, sediment composition. In addition, when applied to the bathymetric data, the channel, which composed to the mixed sediment, made a role of limited factor which characterized to benthic community. Because the specimen around the channel have been affected on the diverse sediment mixture. Most of benthic studies in the southern coast of Korea focused to the condition of benthic organic pollution spatially, because along the coast, it also developed a aquaculture ground and industrial complex. But, as results, most of the area, it turn out the less polluted areas nevertheless similar environment situation. It supposed that benthic community affect to the bottom sediment composition by physical characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.694-703
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• 2012

To understand the characteristics of sedimentary and benthic environments in habitats of naturally-occurring intertidal benthic macroalgae, various geochemical parameters of sediment (grain size, ignition loss [IL], chemical oxygen demand [COD], and acid volatile sulfur [AVS]) and pore water (temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrients) were measured in the southern intertidal zone of Hampyeong Bay at two month intervals from April to October 2009. Ecological characteristics including the distribution and biomass of benthic macroalgae were also investigated. Benthic macroalgae were distributed below 4 to 5 m depth from mean sea level near the lower portion of the intertidal zone where air exposure time is relatively short. The distribution area and biomass of benthic macroalgae gradually decreased during the study period. The surface sediments in the benthic algal region were mainly composed of finer sediments, such as slightly gravelly mud and mud. The temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrient concentrations (except dissolved inorganic nitrogen) in pore water did not differ in regions with and without benthic macroalgae, whereas the mean grain size and the concentrations of IL, COD, and AVS in sediments were much higher in regions harboring benthic macroalgae. The correlation between mean grain size and IL in sediments displayed two distinct gradients and the slope was much steeper in regions harboring benthic macroalgae, indicating that the content of organic matter in benthic algal region is not solely dependent on mean grain size. Our results indicate that the benthic macroalgae in the southern intertidal zone of Hampyeong Bay play an important role in the accumulation of organic matter in sediment.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.223-235
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• 2018

This study was carried out to investigate benthic sedimentary environments and benthic polychaetous communities on the coast of Ulsan, located on the southern East Sea of Korea. This survey was conducted at 15 stations, four times seasonally in January, April, July and October 2016. From the coast to the outer sea, surface sediments turned into fine grained sediments. There were complex coarse-grained sedimentary facies in various forms in the coastal zones while those with mud facies were found in the offshore zone. Organic matter content (LOI) and sulfide amount (AVS) recorded extremely high values, and increased from the coast to the outer sea, showing a similar trend to mud content with depth. The benthic polychaetous community revealed a mean density of $525ind./m^2$, and the total species number of species was 84. The major dominant polychaetous species were Magelona japonica, Lumbrineris longifolia and Heteromastus filiformis throughout the four seasons. Magelona japonica was concentrated predominantly in shallow coastal areas, but was present in all the regions of the survey area. Lumbrineris longifolia showed higher density in offshore regions more than 30 m deep, whereas H. filiformis showed higher density in coastal areas less than 30 m in depth. As a result of cluster analysis, the study area was divided into three ecological areas according to species composition, such as the northern coastal area between Ulsan PortOnsan Port, the southern area around Hoeya River and the outer sea area. Benthic environments in the study area, as determined by AMBI and BPI index, maintained a healthy condition in all four seasons with the AMBI at a level above GOOD and BPI at a level above FAIR. As organic matter accumulation continues to take place in the Ulsan coastal area, it is essential that detailed research activities continue to be carried out and ongoing monitoring be maintained.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.700-707
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• 2003

Surface sediments in the mouth area of Jinhae Bay were investigated to evaluate the benthic environment in terms of geochemical criteria and macrobenthos abundance. Characteristics of the surface sediment distribution exhibited muddy sediments in the most part of study area. Some mixed sediments of coarse sand and mud were distributed along the coastal area of Geoje Island and around the Jeo Islands. Organic matter from ignition loss and total organic carbon from CHNS varied between $8.8-1.7\%,\;and\;4.62-0.77\%,$ respectively. The source of organic matter based on the C/S ratio was mixed with in situ biogenic and terrigenous organic matter. The C/S ratio of organic matter also suggested both an anoxic bottom condition in several parts of the study area. The content of hydrogen sulfide in surface sediment was extremely variable and showed spatio-temporal variation from site to site. In several locations, the content of hydrogen sulfide as an index of eutrophication was over the critical value (0.2 mg/g), suggesting that several parts of the study area were not favorable for the habitat of macrobenthos. The relationship among the number of individuals of marcrobenthos, hydrogen sulfide, and organic matter was not clear, but a potential negative relationship between individuals of marcrobenthos and hydrogen sulfide was indicated.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

Analyses of sedimentological and geochemical parameters from two radiocarbon-dated sediment cores (JM98-845-PC and JM98-818-PC) retrieved from the central part of Isfjorden, Svalbard, in the Arctic Sea, reveal detailed paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic histories over the last 15,000 radiocarbon years. The overconsolidated diamicton at the base of core JM98-845-PC is supposed to be a basal till deposited beneath pounding glacier that had advanced during the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum). Deglaciation of the fjord commenced after the glacial maximum, marked by the deposition of interlaminated sand and mud in the ice-proximal zone by subglacial meltwater discharge, and prevailed between 13,700 and 10,800 yr B.P. with enriched-terrigenous organic materials. A return to colder conditions occurred at around 10,800 yr B.P. with a drop in TOC content, which is probably coincident with the Younger Dryas event in the North Atlantic region. At this time, an abrupt decrease of TOC content as well as an increase in C/N ratio suggests enhanced terrigenous input due to the glacial readvance. A climatic optimum is recognized between 8,395 and 2,442 yr B.P., coinciding with 'a mid-Holocene climatic optimum' in Northern Hemisphere sites (e.g., the Laurentide Ice sheet). During this time, as the sea ice receded from the fjord, enhanced primary productivity occurred in open marine conditions, resulting in the deposition of organic-enriched pebbly mud with evidence of TOC maxima and C/N ratio minima in sediments. Fast ice also disappeared from the coast, providing the maximum of IRD (ice-rafted debris) input. Around 2,442 yr B.p. (the onset of Neoglacial), pebbly mud, characterized by a decrease in TOC content, reflects the formation of more extensive sea ice and fast ice, which might cause decreased primary productivity in the surface water, as evidenced by a decrease in TOC content. Our results provide evidence of climatic change on the Svalbard fjords that helps to refine the existence and timing of late Pleistocene and Holocene millennial-scale climatic events in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2000

Decomposition rate of organic matiter in the mud flat of Sunchon Bay was estimated. Physicochemical parameters, cellulose degradation rate. distribution of heterotrophic bacteria, and extracellular enzymatic activities were measured from August 1997 to July 1998. Soil temperatures, water contents, concentration of $PO_4$-P and organic matter were -1-~$30^{\circ}C$, 42.1-53.1%, 0.0779-0.1961 mgig and 1.99-7.64%, respectively. Decomposition rate of cellulose film ranged from 7.7 to 100%imonth, high in summer and low in winter. The number of heterotrophic bacteria ranged from $0.87{\times}10^6 to 3.6{\times}10^7 $CUFsIg dq soil. Enzymatic activities of phosphatase, $\alpha$-D-gluEosidase, $\beta$-D-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase, which were measured as decomposition rate of methylumbelliferyl(MLiF)-substrate, were 152.23-1779.80 nMIhr, 2.67-202.18 nM/hr, 5.03-258.26 M h r and 3.42-63.07 nM/hr, respectively Cellulose degradaaon rate and extracellular extracellular enzymatic activities were conelated with each other, and showed high correlation coefticiency with soil temperature.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.146-158
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• 2010

In order to evaluate the characteristics of sediments and pollution by organic matter and metallic elements in intertidal sediments along the southwestern coast of Korea, we measured various geochemical parameters, including the mean grain size (Mz), water content (WC), ignition loss (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and metallic elements (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, As), in intertidal surface sediments. The Mz of the surface sediments ranged from 2.1 to 8.3$\phi$, indicating that the surface sediments consist of various sedimentary facies, such as sand, slightly gravelly mud, sandy mud, and silt. The IL and COD in surface sediment ranged from 0.8 to 5.5% (mean $2.9\pm1.2%$) and from 3.9 to $13.8\;mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$ (mean $8.5\pm2.6\;mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$), respectively, which were lower than the values for surface sediment in areas near fish and shellfish farms or industrial complexes. No AVS was detected at any sampling station, despite various sedimentary facies. Most of metallic elements in surface sediments showed relatively good positive correlations with Mz and IL, which imply that the concentrations of metallic elements are mainly controlled by grain size and the organic matter content. The concentrations of metallic elements, except As, at some stations were considerably lower than those in the Sediment Quality Guideline (Effect Range Low, ERL) proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Similarly, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) class indicated that pollution by metallic elements in intertidal surface sediment, except As, was moderate or non-existent. Our results imply that the intertidal surface sediments along the southwestern coast of Korea are not polluted by organic matter and metallic elements and are healthy for benthic organisms.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 2014

To understand the degradation processes of organic matter related to sulfate reduction by Sulfate Reduction Bacteria (SRB) in the tidal flat sediments of Hwang-do and Sogeun-ri, Tae-an Peninsula in Chungnam-do, biogeochemical characteristics were analyzed and highlighted using specific microbial biomarkers. The organic geochemical parameters (TOC, ${\delta}^{13}C_{org}$, C/N ratio, long-chain-n-alkane) indicate that most of the organic matter has been derived from marine phytoplankton and bacteria in the fine-grained sediment of Sogeun-ri, although terrestrial plant components have occasionally been incorporated to a significant degree in the coarse-grained sediment of Hwang-do. The concentration of sulfate in pore water is a constant tendency with regard to depth profile, while methane concentration appears to be slightly different with regard to depth profile at the two sites. Especially, the sum of bacteria fatty acid (a-C15:0 + i-C15:0 + C16:1w5) confirms that the these concentrations in Sogeun-ri are related to the degradation of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) compounds from the crude oil retained in the sediments as a result of the Hebei Spirit oil-spill accident in 2007. The methane-related microbial communities as shown by lipid biomarkers (crocetane, PMI) are larger in some sedimentary sections of Hwang-do than in the Sogeunri tidal flat. These findings suggest that methane production by microbiological processes is clearly governed by SRB activity along the vertical succession in organic-enriched tidal flats.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.486-491
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• 2022

A benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) is an eco-friendly energy conversion device that uses electricity generated by benthic microorganisms decomposing organic matter in the mud of the sea or lake. In this study, in order to understand how domestic wastewater flowing into tidal flats affects the performance of BMFC. BMFC performance was compared and reviewed by fermenting organic substances in food and mixing them with tidal flats. Performance of the BMFC was improved by 49% by adding fermented food rich in vitamins (B₂, B₆, B₁₂, C, D, E) and soft flour. The maximum power density increased as the amount of fermented organic matter increased, and it was shown that the fermented organic matter fermented during 25~29 days was optimal for BMFC.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2000

Organic and inorganic characteristics including bacterial cell number, enzyme activity, nutrients, and heavy metals have been monitored in twelve acrylic experimental tanks for two weeks to estimate and compare self-purification capacities in two Korean wet-land environments, tidal flat and rice field, which are possibly different with the environments in other countries because of their own climatic conditions. FW tanks, filled with rice field soils and fresh water, consist of FW1&2 (with paddy), FW3&4 (without paddy), and FW5&6 (newly reclaimed, without paddy). SW tanks, filled with tidal flat sediments and salt water, are SW1&2 (with anoxic silty mud), SW3&4 (anoxic mud), and SW5&6 (suboxic mud). Contaminated solution, which is formulated with the salts of Cu, Cd, As, Cr, Pb, Hg, and glucose+glutamic acid, was spiked into the supernatent waters in the tanks. Nitrate concentrations in supernatent waters as well as bacterial cell numbers and enzyme activities of soils in the FW tanks (except FW5&6) are clearly higher than those in the SW tanks. Phosphate concentrations in the SW1 tank increase highly with time compared to those in the other SW tanks. Removal rates of Cu, Cd, and As in supematent waters of the FW5&6 tanks are most slow in the FW tanks, while the rates in SW1&2 are most fast in the SW tanks. The rate for Pb in the SW1&2 tanks is most fast in the SW tanks, and the rate for Hg in the FW5&6 tanks is most slow in the FW tanks. Cr concentrations decrease generally with time in the FW tanks. In the SW tanks, however, the Cr concentrations decrease rapidly at first, then increase, and then remain nearly constant. These results imply that labile organic materials are depleted in the FW5&6 tanks compared to the FW1&2 and FW3&4 tanks. Removal of Cu, Cd, As from the supernatent waters as well as slow removal rates of the elements (including Hg) are likely due to the combining of the elements with organic ligands on the suspended particles and subsequent removal to the bottom sediments. Fast removal rates of the metal ions (Cu, Cd, As) and rapid increase of phosphate concentrations in the SW1&2 tanks are possibly due to the relatively porous anoxic sediments in the SW1&2 tanks compared to those in the SW3&4 tanks, efficient supply of phosphate and hydrogen sulfide ions in pore wates to the upper water body, complexing of the metal ions with the sulfide ions, and subsequent removal to the bottom sediments. Organic materials on the particles and sulfide ions from the pore waters are the major factors constraining the behaviors of organic/inorganic elements in the supernatent waters of the experimental tanks. This study needs more consideration on more diverse organic and inorganic elements and experimental conditions such as tidal action, temperature variation, activities of benthic animals, etc.