• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2017

The Naeseong Stream as a tributary of Nakdong River has conserved the unique structure and function of a typical sand-bed stream ecosystem. However, it is expected to change the stream bed environments and then the fish fauna in the downstream of the dam after the operation of the Yeongju Dam from 2016. We collected fishes and investigated their habitat environments from 2014 to 2016 in the downstream of the Yeongju Dam under construction in order to monitor changes in habitat environment, fauna and community structure of fishes in the Naeseong Stream. The size of the bed materials increased immediately downstream of the Yeongju Dam under construction. Before the operation of the Yeongju Dam, Zacco platypus was dominated and Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Hemibarbus longirostris and Pseudogobio esocinus were sub-dominated according to the different sampling sites. Hemibarbus labeo, H. longirostris, Pseudogobio esocinus, Gobiobotia nakdongensis, Cobitis hankugensis and Leiocassis ussuriensis were found as a psammophilous fish specific to sand stream in the Naeseong Stream. At the downstream of the dam, the fish community was classified into a group of gravel-bed fishes such as Microphysogobio yaluensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus and Coreoperca herzi and a group of sand-bed fishes such as Hemibarbus labeo, Cobitis hankugensis and Gobiobotia nakdongensis. These fish communities gradually tended to change from sand-bed fish community to gravel-bed fish community during the construction of the Yeongju Dam. Therefore, it is necessary to collect the baseline data for the stream ecosystem conservation in the sandy stream by continuously monitoring changes in the environment and fish in the downstream of the Youngju Dam.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-113
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• 1994

Geochemical investigations based on measurements of water parameters and sampling of stream sediments have been carried out, in the Okdongcheon stream and its tributaries in the Sangdong area of South Korea. There are two main problems occurring in the Okdongcheon stream: an acid mine drainage in the upper reaches and toxic trace metal contamination of the stream sediments mainly in the lower reaches. Acid mine water originating from coal mining was neutralized at the confluence of the Cheonpyongcheon stream whilst suspended solids due to flocculation of iron in water caused turbidity which was undesirable. Sediments in the Okdongcheon stream have been contaminated by mining activites. Iron was heavily concentrated in sediments in the upper Okdongcheon whilst toxic trace metals including Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, As and Bi were accumulated in sediments at stations draining metallic mining areas and near the tailings dam. There is now a requrement to neutralise the acid mine drainage and to use site-specific analysis of biological communities to ensure the conservation and preservation of aquatic organisms.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-226
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• 2000

We evaluated the aquatic ecosystem of Keum-Ho River through applications of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish assemblages and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) during June-November 1999. Overall IBI values ranged from 13 to 37 with mean of 23 (n=25, Std. error= 1.16), indicating a "Poor" or "Very Poor" condition according to the criteria of Karr (1981) and U.S. EPA (1993). The values of mean IBI declined at the rate of $0.22km^{-1}$(($r^2$=0.91, p< 0.05) along the longitudinal distance from the headwaters to the down-river. Reduced IBI values at down-river (St. 4 and 5) were attributed to the decreases in riffle benthic species and the relative abundance of insectivore and increases in tolerant species, anormalies and exotic species. Spatial pattern in IBI agreed with QHEI values, which showed a linear relation ($r^2$=0.998, p< 0.001) with mean number of species. Field measurements of conductivity and pH, indicators for variation of conservative ions, showed that the river water was diluted up to 30% by summer precipitation and surface run-off from the watershed, resulting in physical and chemical instability during the monsoon. For these reasons, average IBI values during monsoon and postmonsoon decreased more than 20% compared to pre -monsoon. Before the perturbation of the system (i.e., pre-monsoon), values of QHEI were inversely correlated (r=-0.99, p< 0.0001) with realtive abundance of native omnivore and were positively correlated (r=0.87, p=0.05) with relative abundance of native carnivore. These results indicate that spatial degradation of habitat quality modified the species richness and trophic structure, producing decreased IBI values. (Biological integrity, IBI, Monsoon, Habitat, River, Korea)bitat, River, Korea)

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2004

The yeongok stream originates at the natural park, Mt. O-dae and flows to the East Sea of korea, normally maintaining I or II grade of water quality and its average water flux is 352,100 ㎥/d. However, the typhoon 'Rusa', which occured on 31 August 2002, changed its watercourse and configuration, and the ecosystem was deeply damaged. Moreover, the hydrological characteristics were once more transformed, and the ecosystem was secondarily damaged during repair-work of destroyed bridges and elevations. After the flood disaster, the species diversity diminished 17% for attached diatom and 44% for aquatic animals. However, the earth and sand, dug from river bed during intensive repair-work throughout the entire stream, made diversity drop to 32% for the diatom and the aquatic animals were wiped out. Especially, fishes were totally destroyed except for some species such as Moroco oxycephalus in the upper stream. The yeongok stream has little contamination source and short water residence time due to the short length and rapid slope, and consequently a temporary deterioration of water quality caused by repair-work may be rapidly recovered, but it needs a long time to restore the damaged ecosystem.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.243-263
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• 2011

In order to understand the sedimentary environment of the southern intertidal zone of Shihwa Lake, west coast of Gyeonggi-do, 10 surface and 2 core sediment samples were analysed for grain size, water content, AVS (Acid Volatile Sulfide), TOC (Total Organic Carbon), concentrations of metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Cr). The surface sediments are generally poorly sorted (0.60~2.31 ${\phi}$) sandy Silt, slightly gravelly muddy Sand, silty Sand, Sand with mean grain size of 2.95 to 6.00 ${\phi}$. The sediments contain Al (1.54%), Fe (1.75%), Cu (9.1ppm), As (1.1ppm), Pb (18.8 ppm), Ni (11.0 ppm), Cd (0.02 ppm), and Cr (30.1 ppm) on the average. Heavy metals are concentrated less than ERL (Effect Range-Low), verified by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). In the core sediments, they are also less than the ERL. Based on the uniform vertical distribution of excess radioactivity of $^{210}Pb$, the core sediments seen to have been actively mixed biologically or rapidly deposited after the construction of Shi-Hwa Seawall. The 'enrichment factor' of metals, normalized to Al, shows that the upper sediments of 35 cm in depth are more polluted. infect was significant in 2 core sediment samples in 35 cm below layer.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.154-164
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• 2018

We investigated the ichthyofauna and fish community structure of the Mudeungsan National Park, Korea from 2014 to 2016 to prepare a conservation plan. We collected 21 species of 6 families collected from 8 survey stations through skimming nets and cast nets during the period. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco temminckii (43.0%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (15.1%), respectively. The other abundant species were Z. platypus (11.2%), Pungtungia herzi (10.1%), Squalidus gracilis majimae (8.9%), and Z. koreanus (4.5%). Among the fish collection, 13 species (61.9%) were Korean endemic species, but, endangered species and exotic species were not found. Similarity indices based on species composition and abundance showed the clear division of the fish community into two river systems (Yongsan River drainage system (St. 1-7) and Seomjin River drainage system (St. 8)). The Youngsan River system was further divided into the uppermost (St. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) and the upper-middle (St. 3 and 5) regions. The number of species appearing in a year was similar at 19 to 20 throughout the survey period. However, the individual number of fish in 2015 (2,670) was 20% less than that of 2014 (3,366) and 2016 (3,429), respectively. The probable reason for this decline is the rapid decline of stream level in 2015 compared to the other years. During the survey period, river works were undergoing at 3 out of 8 stations, having created disturbance in fish habitat and especially impacted on benthic fishes.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

This paper aims to explain the safety assessment and remediation mechanism of Granulated Coal Ash (GCA) as a material for the remediation of coastal sediments and to evaluate the improvement of the sediment in Kaita Bay, where GCA was applied. The concentrations of heavy metal contained in GCA and the dissolved amounts of heavy metal from GCA satisfied the criteria for soil and water pollution in Japan. The mechanisms on the remediation of coastal sediments using GCA is summarized as follows; (1) removal of phosphate and hydrogen sulfide (2) neutralization of acidic sediment (3) oxidation of reductive sediment (4) increase of water permeability (5) increase of soil strength (6) material for a base of seagrass. From the results obtained from the field experiment carried out in Kaita Bay, it was clarified that GCA is a promizing material for remediation of coastal sediment. This remediation technology can contribute to promote waste reduction in society and to decrease cost of coastal sediment remediation by applying GCA in other polluted coastal areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.699-709
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• 2017

We measured the grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in order to understand the spatial distribution and pollution level of organic matter and metals in surface sediment around Goseong Bay, a shellfish farming area, Korea. The surface sediments were composed of finer sediments such as mud and clay. The concentration of TOC, TN, and heavy metals were much higher in the innermost bay than in the mouth and outside of bay. The spatial distribution of organic matter and heavy metals and C/N ratio (5-10) in sediment showed that the organic matter and heavy metals in sediment of the study region were significantly influenced by oceanic origin organic matter and anthropogenic sources, respectively. Based on the results of four assessment techniques (sediment quality guideline, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index, ecological risk index), the sediments around the Goseong Bay were a little polluted for heavy metals and the high metal concentrations in the northern region of bay could adverse impact on benthic organisms in sediment. Thus, the systematic management plan for the improvement of water and sediment environment and the concentrated monitoring of pollutants for sustainable aquaculture and seafood safety around Goseong Bay are necessary in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.898-906
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• 2018

To investigate the effect of yellow dust on phytoplankton, a field survey and physiological experiments were carried out in the waters near Taean Peninsula from April 22 to 26, 2006, when yellow dust occurred. Phytoplankton populations during the yellow dust period were in the range of $26{\sim}290{\times}10^3cells{\cdot}L^{-1}$, a somewhat low standing crop. An increase in diatoms (a main taxonomic group), especially benthic diatoms such as Paralia sulcate, a typical species for active mixed sea water areas, was also remarkable. In addition, the Chl-a concentration after yellow dust exceeded the Chl-a concentration change range according to the tide before yellow dust. As the concentration of yellow sand increased in a yellow sand treatment experiment, primary productivity decreased, and the maximum assimilation number showed the same tendency. In the 48h culture experiment, primary productivity of the test group was lower than that of the control group at the early stage (T0) of yellow sand treatment, but after 48 hours (T48), the test group showed higher primary productivity than the control group. In particular, the primary productivity of the test group significantly increased to 321 % after 48 hours. Therefore, strong physical environment accompanied by yellow dust may temporarily inhibit the growth of phytoplankton in the waters adjacent to China in the early stage of yellow dust, but the formation of stable water mass has also been identified as a potential factor promoting the growth of phytoplankton.