• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 2021

The monthly variability in marine algal flora and community structure was examined in the intertidal zones of Doripo, and the biomass of an edible alga, Ulva prolifera, at Gaip-ri of Hampyong Bay on the southwestern coast of Korea was investigated over one year from April 2008 to March 2009. A total of 22 seaweeds were identified including five green, four brown, and 13 red algae. Based on importance value, Ulva australis was dominant over the year and the subdominant species were Ulva linza and Caulacanthus ustulatus at the Doripo coast of Hampyong Bay. The vertical distribution in terms of importance values was in the order of Ulva linza - C. ustulatus - U. australis - Sargassum thunbergii from the upper to the lower intertidal zones. The biomass of U. prolifera ranged between 2.4-98.2 g dry wt. m^-2, with a maximum in June and a minimal in November. In the field, U. prolifera biomass could be positively related to seawater temperature. However, further research on the association between biomass and other environmental factors such as nutrients and light intensity is required.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2023

Growth responses along the gradient of water temperature, salinity, and light intensity and cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii were explored using Ostreopsis sp. and Coolia canariensis strains, representing the two potentially toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate (EPD) species from Jeju coastal waters of Korea. Variation in maximum growth rate (GRmax) and maximum biomass yield (Ymax) along the environmental gradients was quite contrasting between the two strains, which appears to be reflected in the in situ abundance distribution of the corresponding genera. The more eurythermal characteristics of Ostreopsis sp. strain were in good agreement with the relative distribution of Ostreopsis spp. and Coolia spp. in 520 macroalgal samples collected from 6 stations. The more stenohaline C. canariensis strain was well matched by a markedly narrower range of salinities in the in situ distribution of Coolia spp. than the salinity range for Ostreopsis species. The differences in light adaptation between the high light-preferring Ostreopsis sp. strain and the more euryphotic C. canariensis strain were remarkably consistent with the distinct vertical profiles of Ostreopsis spp. and Coolia spp. abundance in the red alga Amphiroa sp. off Moom-seom. Cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii in the Ostreopsis sp. preparation with 1000 cells ml^-1 was similar to that in C. canariensis preparation with 12000 cells ml^-1, which is noteworthy. Thus, the new potential cytotoxicity risks from C. canariensis along with the well-known toxic genus Ostreopsis may be introduced to Jeju coasts, which necessitates further exploration into the contrasting ecological niches occupied by EPD species in relation to their cytotoxicity.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.127-139
• /
• 2023

Cryptic stages of diverse macroalgae present in natural substrata, "the bank of microscopic forms", were isolated into clonal cultures and identified based on both morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding. Approximately 120 clonal isolates from 308 natural substratum samples were collected from the entire coastline of Kuwait. Amongst these isolates, 77 (64%) were identified through DNA barcoding using the nuclear ribosomal small subunit, RuBisCO spacer (ITS2, tufa, rbcL, psaA, and psbA) and sequencing. Twenty-six isolates (34%) were identified in the division Chlorophyta, 18 (23%) as Phaeophyceae, and 33 (43%) as Rhodophyta. For all DNA sequences in this study, species-level cut off applied was ≥98% homology which depend entirely on the markers used. Three putative new records of Chlorophyta new for the Arabian Gulf were made: Cladophora laetevirens (Dillwyn) Kützing, Ulva torta (Mertens) Trevisan and Ulvella leptochaete (Huber) R. Nielsen, C. J. O'Kelly & B. Wysor in Nielsen, while Cladophora gracilis Kützing and Ulva ohnoi M. Hiraoka & S. Shimada are new records for Kuwait. For Phaeophyceae, Ectocarpus subulatus Kützing and Elachista stellaris Areschoug were new records for the Gulf and Kuwait. In the Rhodophyta, Acrochaetium secundatum (Lyngbye) Nägeli in Nägeli & Cramer, Ceramium affine Setchell & N. L. Gardner, Gelidium pusillum var. pakistanicum Afaq-Husain & Shameel and Dasya caraibica Børgesen are new records for the Gulf and Kuwait, while the red alga Stylonema alsidii (Zanardini) K. Drew is a new record for Kuwait. Several isolates identified corresponded to genera not previously reported in Kuwait and / or the Arabian Gulf, such as Porphyrostromium Trevisan, a new genus from the Bangiales, and two unidentified species for the Planophilaceae Škaloud & Leliaert. The isolates cultivated from substrata enhance understanding of the marine macroalgal diversity in the region and confirmed that the Germling Emergence Method is suitable for determining the actual diversity of a given study area through isolation from cryptic life-history phases.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.691-700
• /
• 2023

This study examined the seasonal variations of subtidal marine algal community structures along four sites in Jejudo Island, Korea, from February 2016 to November 2018. A total of 147 marine algal species were identified, including 13 green (8.84%), 26 brown (17.69%), and 108 red algae (73.47%). During the study period, the number of species was highest in Sagye (116 species) followed by numbers in Sinheung (98 species), Bukchon (90 species) and Sinchang (73 species). Ecklonia cava, Peyssonnelia caulifera, Synarthrophyton chejuense, Corallina aberrans and Corallina crassisima occurred at all study sites and in all seasons. The average annual biomass of marine algal flora was 746.29±88.85 g wet wt./m² and ranged from 652.25 g/m² at Sinheung to 979.91 g/m² at Sagye. The brown alga E. cava was the most dominant species, occupying 42.85% (319.80 g/m²) of the total seaweed biomass. Subdominant species were C. crassissima and Undaria pinnatifida, comprising 10.22% (76.29 g/m²) and 9.66% (72.13 g/m²), respectively. A similarity analysis showed that there were regional differences in the algal communities, with three distinct groups.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.374-384
• /
• 1999

Benthic marine algal flora and community structure of Yongho-dong area in Pusan, Korea were investigated seasonally in intertidal and subtidal zones by a quadrat method along 5 transect lines from July 1996 to April 1997. In this area, a total of 99 species including 3 blue-green, 13 green, 26 brown and 57 red algae was found. Among them, 33 taxa, together with dominant Ulva pertusa and Corallina pilulifera, occurred throughout the year. Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva spp. vertically distributed in upper and middle zone, while Simphyocladia latiuscula, Chondria crassicaulis, Corallina pilulifera and Sargassum sup. in lower zones. Biomass per unit area exhibited a wide range of variation, from 1,241 g/$m^2$(spring) to 1,648 g/$m^2$(summer) in fresh weight. Maximum and minimum species diversity were recorded in spring and autumn, respectively. Results of the UPGAM cluster analysis suggest that the examined 5 sites can be divided into two groups, sites exposed to open sea (transects 1, 2, 3) and comparatively sheltered sites (transects 4, 5) faced with the Pusan Harbor. The former group is represented by large brown algae, Sargassum and Hizikia, while Ulva pertusa and Lomentaria species are mainly found in the latter group. A calcareous alga, Corallina pilulifera occurred dominantly in both groups throughout the year. In conclusion, number of species in this area was remarkably reduced as compared to the previous data. This result may suggest probably more change of algal vegetation in future, considering the physical and chemical pollutions loaded in the coastal marine environment of this area.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.473-481
• /
• 2016

We examined the effects of ocean acidification (OA) and eutrophication on the physiology of a red alga, Gracilariopsis chorda, using specimens collected at Wando Island, Korea, in July of 2015. The samples were transported to a laboratory and placed on growth media for treatments involving low or high levels of ammonium ($4{\mu}M$ or $60{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$) and low or high pH(7.5 or 8.2). The control treatment used filtered seawater (pH 8.2 and $4{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$). All experiments were conducted at $20^{\circ}C$ and under a lighting intensity of $80{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$, with or without an injection of $CO_2$ (pH 7.5). In addition, we calculated rates of respiration under darkness, at a pH of 7.5 and $60{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$. Fluctuations in pH as well as the evolution of photosynthetic oxygen and $NH_4{^+}$ uptake rates were monitored for 6 h. The greatest increase in pH levels, from 7.50 to 8.65, occurred in response to $60{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$, whereas the largest decrease, from 7.50 to 7.42, was associated with elevated respiration rates. At a pH of 7.5, rates of oxygen evolution were higher (236% saturation) for samples treated with $60{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$ than for the control (121% saturation). Ammonium uptake was highest at pH 7.5 and $60{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$, with a rate of $0.526{\pm}0.002{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$, followed in order by the treatments of $pH\;8.2/60{\mu}\;NH_4{^+}$, $pH\;7.5/4{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$, and the control ($pH\;8.2/4{\mu}M\;NH_4{^+}$). We speculated that the rates of photosynthesis and $NH_4{^+}$ uptake could be enhanced at a higher ammonium concentration and lower pH because $CO_2$ concentrations were increased through greater photosynthetic activity. Therefore, these findings suggest that the physiology of G. chorda populations can be improved by the interaction of optimized $CO_2$ concentrations and an adequate supply of essential nutrients such as ammonium.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.607-618
• /
• 2013

Marine macroalgal community structures and characteristics of ocean environmental factors were examined seasonally at four sites in Jeju Island, Korea, from March to November 2012. A total of 71 macroalgal species were identified, including 9 green, 7 brown, and 55 red algae. Peyssonnelia capensis occurred at all study sites and in all seasons. The average annual biomass of seaweed was 991.84 g wet $wt/m^2$, with seasonal variations from 543.80 g in autumn to 1,284.17 $g/m^2$ in summer. A green alga, Codium coactum, was the dominant species, occupying 21.31% (211.39 $g/m^2$) of the total algal biomass in Jeju Island. Subdominant species were Ecklonia cava and Lithophyllum okamurae, comprising 20.85% (206.75 $g/m^2$) and 19.64% (194.75 $g/m^2$), respectively, of the total algal biomass in Jeju Island. The vertical distribution of subtidal seaweeds was represented by L. okamurae at 5 m depth, C. coactum at 10 m depth, E. cava at 5-10 m depth and P. capensis at the 20 m depth level. In the present study, crustose coralline algae, which predominated on barren ground, were subdominant species at all study sites. Community indices varied between 0.51-0.63 for dominance index (DI), 5.53-8.14 for richness index (R), 0.51-0.63 for evenness index (J'), and 2.04-2.32 for diversity index (H'). On the basis of seaweed biomass and community indices, Sinchang was the best preserved coastal area, showing maximal values in biomass, and evenness- and diversity-indices, and minimal value in the dominance index, representing stable environmental conditions. In contrast, the Onpyung and Topyeong sites, located near tourist venues such as Udo and Seogwipo were relatively poor habitats based on community indices and biomass. The present results could imply that climate changes alter seaweed community structure, and long-term monitoring of the study sites is required.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.871-878
• /
• 2003

A marine bacterium (strain BKl) that produces extracellular enzymes capable of decomposing complex polysac-charides, such as agar, chitin, carboxymethylcellulose, xylan and mannan, was isolated from the marine red alga Porphyra dentata. Strain BKl was gram-negative, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, polarly flagellated bacilli that produce gelatinase and urease, but not decarboxylases. The G+C content of the DNA was 51.6 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone component was identified as an ubiquinone-8, and the major cellular fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 w6c and C18:1 w7c. Comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis placed strain BK1 with members of the genus Pseudomonas. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, the strain BK1 was shown to be a member of the subgroup of Pseudomonas, and named as Pseudomonas sp. BK1.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.57-66
• /
• 2017

The red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla, a species native to the waters of Korea and Japan, has invaded marine coastal areas of Europe and the Americas, thriving in conditions that differ from those of its native habitat. In recent years, G. vermiculophylla has been discovered in the Long Island Sound (LIS) estuary growing alongside the native congener Gracilaria tikvahiae. The goal of this study was to determine whether the two strains of G. vermiculophylla from different regions of the world have evolved genetic differences (i.e., ecotypic differentiation) or if the physiological performance of the strains simply reflects phenotypic plasticity. Two strains of G. vermiculophylla (isolated in Korea and LIS) and a strain of the LIS native G. tikvahiae were grown for four weeks under temperatures ranging from 20 to $34^{\circ}C$ using a temperature gradient table (all other environmental conditions were kept constant). At the end of each week, wet weight of each sample was recorded, and thalli were reduced to the original stocking density of $1gL^{-1}$ (excess biomass was preserved for tissue carbon and nitrogen analysis). Generally, the growth rates of Korean G. vermiculophylla > LIS G. vermiculophylla > G. tikvahiae. After one week of growth G. tikvahiae grew 9.1, 12.0, 9.4, and 0.2% $d^{-1}$, at temperatures of 20, 24, 29, and $34^{\circ}C$, respectively, while G. vermiculophylla (LIS) grew 6.6, 6.2, 5.7, and 3.6% $d^{-1}$. G. vermiculophylla (Korea) grew 15.4, 22.9, 23.2, and 10.1% $d^{-1}$, much higher than the two strains currently inhabiting the LIS. On average, the LIS G. vermiculophylla strain contained 4-5% DW N, while the Korean strain and G. tikvahiae had more modest levels of 2-3% N DW. However, tissue N content declined as temperature increased in LIS and Korean G. vermiculophylla. The non-native haplotype may have evolved genetic differences resulting in lower growth capacity while concentrating significantly more nitrogen, giving the non-native a competitive advantage.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.236-248
• /
• 2019

We investigated occurrence and molecular phylogeny of the toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis at seven sampling sites in the coastal waters off Jeju Island of Korea in April, 2017. During the sampling period, surface water temperature ranged from 15.7 to $18.3^{\circ}C$ and salinity was relatively constant, ranging from 33.4 to 34.9. Of a total of 13 macroalgal species collected from all sampling sites, Ostreopsis cells were observed from 8 macroalgal species and the highest cell abundance ($157.5cells\;g^{-1}$) was recorded on the red alga Grateloupia filicina at St. 6. LSU rDNA D8/D10 sequences of all Korean Ostreopsis strains isolated from the 4 sampling sites were 100% identical. Molecular phylogentic analyses (BI and ML) inferred from LSU rDNA alignment showed that the Korean Ostreopsis strains placed into the previously described the Ostreopsis sp. 1 clade, which contained strains isolated from the temperate coastal waters of Japan. The Korean Ostreopsis sp. 1 strain grew in a wide range of temperature ($10-30^{\circ}C$) and salinity (25-30), with its maximum growth rate of $0.49d^{-1}$ at $25^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 30, indicating that they can be tolerated in temperate areas.