The re-examination of morphological and anatomical characters of Laminaria appressirhiza and L. inclinatorhiza collected from different localities in the Sea of Okhotsk was performed. Despite their commercial and ecological importance to the region they have not been comprehensively reviewed since their first description in 1970. Our results show that some original diagnostic key characters (e.g., shape of holdfast, shape of sporangial sori, and dissection of blade) are not stable and have deviations from the type morphology when plants grow in different environments. In L. inclinatorhiza, the sporangial sori development occurred differently to the pattern indicated in original species description as they did not develop simultaneously on both sides of the blade. Instead, the sporangial sori outlines on both sides of the blade did not coincide at first and only became coincident later. Also, a deep-water population of L. inclinatorhiza with an unusual and interesting morphology, growing at depths of 15-25 m on opened rocky coasts in Taujskaya Bay (northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk) was found. The stable diagnostic key characters to distinguish these two species are the cone-like, multilayered, very thick and massive holdfast (in L. inclinatorhiza) and rolled margins of blades, lamellar rosette-like part of thallus, and sporangial sori developing only on one side of the blade (in L. appressirhiza). The ecological characteristics, distribution, and abundance of both species in the Sea of Okhotsk are discussed. Both species are perennial and widely distributed in the region. L. appressirhiza is more often found as a subdominant species among other kelps, forming maximum biomass and density of 7-9 kg and 8-25 plants per $1m^2$, respectively. L. inclinatorhiza sometimes forms local mono-species communities with maximum biomass and density of 10-12 kg and 10-15 plants per $1m^2$, respectively.

Evidence from molecular data supports the close taxonomic relationship of the two North Pacific species Delesseria decipiens and D. serrulata with Cumathamnion, up to now a monotypic genus known only from northern California, rather than with D. sanguinea, the type of the genus Delesseria and known only from the northeastern North Atlantic. The transfers of D. decipiens and D. serrulata into Cumathamnion are effected. Molecular data also reveal that what has passed as Membranoptera alata in the northwestern North Atlantic is distinct at the species level from northeastern North Atlantic (European) material; M. alata has a type locality in England. Multiple collections of Membranoptera and Pantoneura fabriciana on the North American coast of the North Atlantic prove to be identical for the three markers that have been sequenced, and the name Membranoptera fabriciana (Lyngbye) comb. nov. is proposed for them. Many collections of Membranoptera from the northeastern North Pacific (predominantly British Columbia), although representing the morphologies of several species that have been previously recognized, are genetically assignable to a single group for which the oldest name applicable is M. platyphylla.

Hainan is the second largest and southernmost island of China, and it harbors many species of the family Gracilariaceae. In this study, we conducted molecular and morphological analyses of gracilarian specimens collected from Hainan Island, to clarify their taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships. Five species of Gracilariaceae in Hainan were determined through maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis of rbcL sequence data. Based on the phylogenetic trees and morphology, Hainan specimens were identified as three species of Gracilaria, one species of Gracilariopsis, and one species of Hydropuntia, namely, G. salicornia, G. tenuistipitata, Gracilaria sp., Gp. bailiniae and H. edulis. This is the first report of the molecular phylogeny of Gracilariaceae on Hainan Island, and it helps to clarify the taxonomy and distribution of gracilarian species in the Asia-Pacific region.

Twelve morphological characters and the biochemical composition of Undaria pinnatifida f. distans sporophytes growing on the rocky shores of Jindo and Wando and on cultivation ropes in Kijang were measured to determine whether each population could be characterized by morphological features and biochemical composition. The goal of this study was to compare phenotypic variations between populations as they relate to environmental conditions. The sporophytes of the Kijang population were two times longer and 19 times heavier than those at Jindo. Sporophylls of the Jindo U. pinnatifida population were significantly smaller in length, width, frill number, and weight than those at Wando and Kijang. Kijang Undaria plants showed the highest contents of total protein, crude fiber, total amino acids, the amount of essential amino acids, the proportion of total unsaturated fatty acids, and eicosapentaenoic acid. However, the Jindo population showed the greatest content of carbohydrates, lipids, and minerals (Zn and Ca) of the three U. pinnatifida populations. In particular, Zn content of Jindo plants was 30 times greater than that of Kijang plants. Thus, the proximate composition, mineral composition, amino acids, and fatty acids of Undaria pinnatifida plants were distinguishable among the three representative Undaria populations evaluated. These results suggest that morphological and biochemical differences of the three U. pinnatifida populations can be attributed to differences in environmental conditions of their habitats.

A eukaryotic microalga, Asterarcys quadricellulare KNUA020, was isolated from garden soil at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea and its biotechnological potential was assessed. Optimal growth was obtained when the culture was incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ and around pH 7.0. The total lipid content of the isolate was 15.5% of dry weight and its most abundant fatty acid was nutritionally important C18:3 ${\omega}3$ (${\alpha}$-linolenic acid, ALA). In addition, a high-value fatty alcohol, hexadecenol ($C_{20}H_{40}O$), was also identified in this photosynthetic microorganism. Hence, A. quadricellulare KNUA020 appears to be promising for use in the production of microalgae-based biochemicals.

The thermostability of antioxidant activity of dieckol, a phlorotannin isolated from brown seaweed Ecklonia cava was investigated. The thermostable antioxidant properties of dieckol were evaluated at 30, 60, and $90^{\circ}C$ for 7 days using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and comparing its performance to that of ascorbic acid. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity and apoptotic body formation were investigated using DCF-DA assay and nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342, propidium iodide and flow cytometry. Dieckol treated at different temperatures during 7 days showed stable scavenging activities on towards DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, dieckol showed a stable protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced apoptotic body formation in Vero cells. On the other hand, the radical scavenging activities and intracellular ROS scavenging activities of ascorbic acid, used as a positive control, were significantly decreased at $60^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$ from on the 4th day and 3rd days, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicated that food grade antioxidant extracts containing dieckol derived from E. cava remain a stable during the temperatures encountered during the processing of food and cosmetics.

Growth dynamics of the seagrass, Zostera marina were examined at the two stations (Myungju and Dagu) in Jindong Bay on the southern coast of Korea. Eelgrass leaf productivities, underwater irradiance, water temperature, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in water column and sediments, and tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content were monitored monthly from March 2002 to January 2004. Underwater irradiance fluctuated highly without a clear seasonal trend, whereas water temperature showed a distinct seasonal trend at both study stations. Water column DIN concentrations were usually less than $5{\mu}M$ at both study sites. Sediment pore water $NH_4{^+}$ and $NO_3{^-}+NO_2{^-}$ concentrations were higher at the Myungju site than at the Dagu site. Eelgrass leaf productivity at both study sites exhibited a distinct seasonality, increasing during spring and decreasing during summer. Seasonal variation of eelgrass productivity was not consistent with seasonal patterns of underwater irradiance, or water temperature. Eelgrass tissue C and N content at both study sites also showed significant seasonal variations. Relationships between tissue C and N content and leaf productivities exhibited usually negative correlations at both study sites. These negative correlations implied that the growth of Z. marina at the study sites was probably limited by C and N supplies during the high growth periods.