• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Background: Fish body size is a major determinant of freshwater trophic interactions, yet only a few studies have explored the relationship between the fish body size and trophic interactions in river upstream. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the body size and trophic position (TP) of Coreoperca kawamebari (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843) in an upstream of the Geum River. Results: A stable isotope analysis (based on δ¹⁵N) was used to determine the TP based on the body size of C. kawamebari. The regression analysis (n = 33, f = 63.840, r² = 0.68) clearly showed the relationship between the body length and TP of C. kawamebari. The TP of C. kawamebari was clearly divided by body size into the following classes: individuals of size < 10 cm that feed on insects and individuals of size > 10 cm feed on juvenile fish. This selective feeding is an evolutionarily selective tendency to maximize energy intake per unit time. Furthermore, the diet shift of C. kawamebari was led by different spatial distributions. The littoral zone was occupied by individuals of size < 10 cm, and those of size > 10 cm were mainly in the central zone. The littoral zone can be assumed to be enriched with food items such as ephemeropterans and dipterans. Conclusion: The TP of C. kawamebari, as a carnivorous predator, will have a strong influence on biotic interactions in the upstream area of the Geum River, which can lead to food web implication.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.741-749
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• 2008

Many small-scale ponds that serve as ecological habitat, recreation and irrigation are faced to eutrophication problem, which causes aesthetic nuisance and ultimately loss of their functions. Thus accurate evaluation of the trophic state of these ponds is essential to provide rational information to the stakeholders so that they can develop effective management actions. In this study, the trophic state of a small pond (Wonheung) that experiencing water quality degradation due to vicinity land development was assessed using various Trophic State Indexes (TSIs) and statistical analysis including Principal Components Analysis (PCA) based on the field monitoring data obtained from May to December, 2007. The results showed that the pond is under eutrophic state with average total nitrogen (T-N) and total phosphorus (T-P) concentrations of $708.1{\mu}g/L$ and $59.3{\mu}g/L$, respectively. The factor loading plot obtained from PCA showed distinct two influencing factors, PC 1 and PC 2. PC 1 was grouped by T-P, Chlorophyll a (Chl-a), suspended solids (SS), TN/TP ratio, and transparency that all strongly related to the eutrophication state, while PC 2 by temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity that explains the seasonal water quality variations. The limiting factor was identified as light rather than phosphorus by both T-N/T-P ratio and TSI indexes analysis. The results and methodology adopted in this study can be used for water quality assessment for other small ponds and lakes.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 2019

Korean Trophic State Index ($TSI_{KO}$) was developed in 2006, and was composed of COD ($COD_{Mn}$ based on permanganate method), Chlorophyll a (Chl.a) and total phosphorus (TP). However, $COD_{Mn}$ usually represents only 50-60% of total organic matter in stream or lake water due to low oxidizing power of permanganate. This study investigated the relationship between TOC and $COD_{Mn}$ based on the average data for the whole layer in 81 lakes in Korea, during the period 2013-2017. As a result, $COD_{Mn}$ was found to be 1.54 times more than TOC in 66 of the freshwater lakes and 3 brackish lakes (TOC measured using thermo-oxidation method). TOC was about a quarter of $COD_{Mn}$ in 8 coastal lakes (TOC measured using UV-persulfate oxidation method), and it appeared to be underestimated due to chloride interference. Using the data of 69 lakes with exception of 12 brackish lakes, $TSI_{KO}$(TOC) was developed based on the correlation between TOC and $COD_{Mn}$, while $TSI_{KO}$(COD) was replaced with $TSI_{KO}$(TOC). However, for trophic state assessment of brackish lakes, the $TSI_{KO}$(TOC) can only be utilized in case that TOC is measured through thermo-oxidation method. The determination coefficient of $TSI_{KO}$(Chl) to $TSI_{KO}$(COD) in 66 freshwater lakes and 3 brackish lakes was 0.83, while that to $TSI_{KO}$(TOC) was 0.68. This difference could be attributed to the recalcitrant organic part of TOC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2021

Diet composition and trophic level of Trachurus japonicus were studied using 417 specimens collected by trawls, set nets and purse seine fisheries from March 2019 to February 2020 in the South Sea of Korea. The size of T. Japonicus ranged from 7.0 to 49.8 cm in total length. T. japonicus were a carnivore that fed mainly on euphausiids and pisces. In eddition, T. japonicus fed on small quantities of cephalopods, crabs etc. T. japonicus showed ontogenetic changes in feeding habits. The proportion of euphausiids decreased inversely proportional to body size whereas the consumption of pisces gradually increased. As body size of T. japonicus increased the mean number of prey per stomach and the mean weight of prey per stomach tended to increase, but the mean number of prey per stomach was not significantly different. As a result of the feeding strategy analysis, T. japonicus were specialized feeders with pisces and euphausiids as their dominant prey. The trophic level ranged between 3.57 ± 0.54 and 3.91 ± 0.65, and increased asymptotically with size of specimens. The average trophic level of the T. japonicus was 3.79 ± 0.61.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2009

The optimal strategy for semelparous females may involve adjustments in the relative investment in two fitness components, the number of offspring and the post-hatching investment per capita. To determine the pattern of maternal resource allocation to offspring in the matriphagous spider, Amaurobius ferox (Amaurobiidae), I investigated the relationship between maternal body-mass and the number of offspring, and quantified the transfer of maternal body-mass to the offspring via different forms of maternal provisioning (trophic egg-laying and matriphagy). There was a positive relationship between female body-mass and the number of offspring. However, Amaurobius mothers did not produce more trophic eggs when they had larger broods. Rather, spiderlings in larger A. ferox broods consumed larger quantities of maternal body-mass via matriphagy. Mothers transferred $28.8{\pm}6.5%$ of their body-mass to the spiderlings via trophic egg-laying, and an estimated $39.0{\pm}12.5%$ of their body-mass was transferred to the spiderlings via matriphagy.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to assess spatiotemporal variation of coastal water quality according to time and location changes. For this we developed numerical marine trophic index base on four water quality components (chlorophyll, suspended solids, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) and applied this index to the water quality data measured in the korean coastal zone for the 7-years period from 1997 to 2003. Water quality data are obtained only at selected sites even though they are potentially available at any location. Therefore, in order to estimate spatial variation of coastal water quality, it is necessary to estimate the unknown values at unsampled locations based on observation data. In this study, we used IDW (Inverse Distance Weighted) method to predict water quality components at unmeasured locations and applied marine trophic index to predicted values obtained by IDW interpolation. The results of this study indicate that marine trophic index and spatial interpolation are useful for understanding spatiotemporal characteristics of coastal water quality.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2010

To document the basic ecological aspects of Chaoborus species, which has never been reported in Korea, we attempted to identify the species, to monitor seasonal and vertical dynamics, and to elucidate trophic relations of the species in Sang-Chun reservoir. Using morphological characteristics, we identified the collected samples as C. flavicans. Also, we compared the distribution of C. flavicans, Daphnia rosea and chlorophyll a to observed seasonal dynamics. The increase of C. flavicans was observed 1-2 weeks after the increase of D. rosea. Survey of diel vertica migration patterns in the summer season showed that C. flavicans were in hypolimnion at daytime, but moved to the epilimnion at night. Finally, to determine trophic relationships in Sang-Chun reservoir, additional studies on the food web were undertaken by stable isotope analysis. Chaoborus flavicans I-II instars appear to be filter feeders based on carbon isotope values. Trophic levels of C. flavicans III-IV instars were shown to be higher than other zooplankto based on nitrogen isotope values.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.492-502
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• 2010

The study objects were to analyze long-term and seasonal variations of nutrients (N, P), suspended solids, N:P ratios, algal chlorophyll, and trophic state along with general water quality parameters in four sampling sites including two intake tower sites supplying drinking water in Daechung Reservoir. For the analysis, we used water quality long-term data sampled during 1998~2007 by the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Interannual and seasonal trends in inflow and discharge near the intake tower facilities over the ten years were directly influenced by rainfall pattern. The distinct difference between wet year (2003) and dry year (2001) produced marked differences in water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, organic matter contents, nutrients, and these variables influenced algal biomass and trophic state. Values of TP varied depending on the year and locations sampled, but monthly mean TP always peaked during July~August when river inflow and precipitation were maxima. In contrast, TN varied little compared to TP, indicating lower influence by seasonal flow compared to phosphorus. The number of E. coli were highest in Site 2 (Chudong intake tower) and varied largely, whereas at other sites, the numbers were low and low variations. Contents of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ (CHL), as an estimation of primary productivity, varied largely depending on the year and season. The maximum of CHL occurred at Muneu intake tower (S4) during 2006 when the precipitation and inflow were lowest. In contrast, another CHL peak was observed in Site 2 (Chudong intake tower) in 2006 when one of the largest typoons (Ewinia) occurred and river runoff were maximum. So the CHL maxima were associated with both wet year (high flow, high nutrient supply) and dry year (low flow, nutrient supply by littoral zone). Such conditions influenced trophic states, based on Trophic State Index of nutrients and CHL. Based on all analyses, we can provide some clues for management and protection strategies of two intake tower sites.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.60-70
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• 2011

The sediment removal index derived from the chemical contaminants, $CI_{HC}$, is currently in use to identify and define the spatial extent of the contaminated sediments in the sea. In order to analyze the sensitivity of the ecological and human risk associated with contaminated sediment, we evaluated five hypothetical contaminated sediments, whose $CI_{HC}$ values are identical but consisted of different contaminant contents, using $TrophicTrace^{(R)}$ model dedicated to evaluate sediment risk, against the resident greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) and humans by calculating No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level based Toxicity Quotient (NOAEL TQ) and Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level based Toxicity Quotient (LOAEL TQ), and cancer risks and hazard indices (HI), respectively, based on the site conceptual model and exposure assumptions of fish ingestion to human receptor populations. NOAEL and LOAEL TQ values varied as much as a factor of 2 among 5 hypothetical sediments. Chemical element specific contribution to the carcinogenic risk and HI varied also greatly in these sediments. The reason for this significant dissimilarity in ecological and human risk stems from the different risk of each contaminant to the resident fish and human receptor. When the conceptual food web model is constructed for the target biological species for a given site, the ecological and human risk analysis considering trophic transfer of contaminants will add a ecosystem based tool for the management of contaminated sediments.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.376-389
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• 2022

Despite the consumption of disinfectants have been increased by COVID-19 pandemic, the fate of the chemicals in aquatic food webs are still unclear. In order to understand the trophic transfer of the chemicals, the concentration of disinfectants including six benzalkonium chloride (BACs) and five didecyldimethylammonium chlorides(DDACs) were measured at the Geum (2020), Han (2021), and Yeongsan River (2021), before and after rainfall. The highest concentration of ∑BACs (mainly C12 and C14) and ∑DDACs (mainly C10 and C14) were observed in the Han River, followed by Yeongsan River, Geum River Estuary, and Gapcheon. After rainfalls, both concentration and detection frequency were decreased in all sites. Although the BAC and DDAC seems to be accumulated in organisms, they were bio-diluted rather than magnified in the aquatic food web with the biomagnification factor(BMF) of less than 1, trophic magnification slope (TMS) from -0.236 to 0.001, and trophic magnification factor(TMF) from 0.85 to 1.01.