• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2001

Stable isotope, paleoceanographic and sedimentological analyses were carried out along the core Ml5612 from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Distinct negative ${\delta}^{18}O anomalies punctuate the planktonic isotope records and correlate with the Heinrich-IRD cvents. The IRD layer in the corc contains varying amounts of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, calcite, dolomite and mica, in which detrital carbonate contributes between I and 13% (except H3 and H6). Anomalies are strongest in the N. pachydenna (sin.) isotope record. Systematic changes in the ${\delta}^{18}O offset of G. hul/aides and G. inJlata signify variations in mid-latitude thermocline structure. In conjunction with negative benthic ${\delta}^{13}C anomalies, the data document a stronger contribution of a ${\delta}^{13}C depleted, nutrient-rich water mass during the IRD events. The ${\delta}^{13}C amplitude of > 1 $\textperthousand$ between 25 and 57 ka indicates changes between northern source (NADW) and southern source (AABW) water masses at this site. The IRD layers in the core Ml56l2 are correlative with those from the core S075-26KL and DSDP 609. The IRD layers from the Portuguese margin arc coeval with HI, H2 and H4 of the open North Atlantic. This similarity (and/or synchronicity in both regions may have been resulted from common changes in a North Atlantic thermohaline switch.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.478-485
• /
• 2013

Fish field survey, especially fish distribution and their ecological characteristics, was performed in the downstream region of Gyeongan stream during the period of before (June) and after (October) the summer monsoon in 2010. Depending on the characteristics of each site, fyke net or casting net was used for fish sampling. Feeding classification was determined by the analysis of stomach contents. Total number of family and species sampled were 5 and 17, respectively. The dominant family was Cyprinidae (12 species), and relative abundance (RA) of the most dominant species, Lepomis macrochirus and Zacco platypus, was 38% and 24%, respectively. Exotic species and Korean endemic species observed were 3 (423 individuals, RA 44%) and 4 (98 individuals, RA 10%), respectively. Tolerance guild analysis as characteristics of ecological indicators revealed an undoubtedly high percentage (97%), compared to others as reflected by the identification of just one sensitive species. Analysis of trophic guilds showed that L. macrochirus dominated among insectivores (44% RA). The food of L. macrochirus composed of, aquatic insects, benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, Chironomidae, and waterweed. Thus, we determined that L. macrochirus could be classified as insectivores (partially carnivores) in this study. Conversely, Z. platypus consumed Cladocera exclusively, greater than 90% of their feed. We presume that stable isotope analysis would identify the exact position of these species in the food web.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.440-447
• /
• 2013

The ecological health, based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) was evaluated in 10 stream sites of Southern Han River. Eleven parameters of 12 parameters (Karr 1981) were modified for the application of regional Korean circumstance. The ecological health, based on IBI grade, was in "good condition" and the IBI score ranged from 33 to 47. Nine parameters of the original 12-parameter metrics in QHEI model (Plafkin et al. 1989) were applied in the habitat assessment. The mean QHEI model values were judged as "partially supporting" and ranged from 75 (non-supporting) to 109 (supporting). Comparative analyses revealed that values of IBI and QHEI models were greater in Gj stream than Ig- and Dn streams. The analysis of fish compositions showed that the proportions of insectivore, omnivore, and carnivore were 61.9%, 19%, and 9.5%, respectively. According to tolerance guild analysis, sensitive species and tolerant species were 76.1% and 4.7%, respectively, indicating a healthy trophic state in terms of food chain. The analysis by habitat guild type indicated that riffle benthic species dominated (57.1%) when compared to water column species (28.5%). The introduced species and individuals with diseases or external abnormality were not observed. Overall, the model values of IBI and QHEI suggested that the ecological health was maintained well in this upstream region.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.335-345
• /
• 2004

Total and extractable contents of heavy metals were measured in sediment and seafood from Bukhang and Boggil-ri tidal flats along the Mokpo coastal area, south-western part of Korean peninsular in order to assess the degree of metal pollution, metal bioavailability and metal hioaccumulation. The metal concentrations, except Pb were found to be greater than the background concentrations of sediments indicating the progress of cumulative contamination by anthropogenic origin of metals. The order of extractable metal concentrations in sediments were Mn(32-53 mg/kg)＞Zn(14-42 mg/tg)＞Cu(2.5-17.0 mg/kg)＞Pb(2.4-6.8 mg/kg)＞Cd(0.5-0.7 mg/kg). However, the amount of metals associated with extractable fraction of sediments were significantly high in Bukhang relative to Boggil-ri. Significant bioaccumulation of all metals, except Pb were observed in seaweed and benthos. The order of bioaccumulation of metals were: in concentration; all biota commonly, Mn(129-374 mg/kg)＞Zn(19-106 mg/kg)＞Cu(6-87 mg/kg)＞Cd(4.6-7.6 mg/kg)＞Pb(0.2-3.7 mg/kg), in BCF; Enteromorpha, Cd＞Mn＞Cu＞Zn＞Pb, Ilyoplax deschampsi, Cu＞Cd＞Mn＞Zn＞Pb, Urechis unicinctus, Cd＞Zn＞Mn＞Cu＞Pb. Some metal concentrations of Enteromorpha, especially Cu, Zn, weakly Pb in bukhang, Mn, Cd in boggili-ri, were correlate well with concentrations in sediment, indicating relatively more contaminated by the anthropogenic origin of metals in each tidal flat. The results clearly indicate that the seafood of bukhang, even of Boggili-ri known as clean area, are contaminated with metals.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.687-706
• /
• 2018

Organic agriculture is well known to be not only affecting the physical and chemical status of the soil but also closely connected to the biodiversity through complex community structure and ecological interactions. Current study monitored and analyzed the invertebrate biodiversity of organic and conventional paddy fields and upland fields from April, 2017 to August, 2017. Total of 680 species (with 14,371 individuals) were confirmed - more number of species were identified at the organic agriculture practicing fields. According to the various indices analysis, organic paddy field showed about 40% higher diversity index, while organic upland field showed about 10% higher diversity index. Richness index at organic paddy field was 60% higher compared to conventional paddy field, while organic upland field showed 40% higher value. Dominance and evenness index at conventional agriculture practicing fields were low, which possibly indicate at least partial dominance phenomenon. Hemipteran, dipteran and aranean species showed highest diversity in all fields, while dipteran, hemipteran, aranean and coleopteran species had highest diversity in conventional agriculture practicing fields.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.23 no.7
• /
• pp.869-877
• /
• 2017

Recently, Gomso Bay saw a decrease in the production of manila clam, which accounted for 17.8 % of production across the whole country in 2015, while Geunso Bay saw an increase that raised its contribution to 49.1 %. The tidal flats in these bays are inhabited by various benthos, and material flows in and out according to the tide. It is essential to understand the mass balance of these regions while giving consideration to the characteristics of these tidal flats. In this study, we compared areas where aquaculture farms were located in Gomso Bay with those without from May to August 2015. We divided the region into three sea areas (Sector I, Sector II, and Control), and the mass balance was estimated using the LOICZ model. As a result, the DIP of Sector II in Gomso Bay and another region in Geunso Bay, where a manila clam farm was located, were found to be -207.2 kg/day and 77.2 kg/day. The DIN was -4,996.7 kg/day and 926.6 kg/day. These results suggest that Gomso Bay han a higher density than Geunso Bay, which is thought to be mainly due to the feeding action of organisms. Therefore, in order to maintain a healthy tidal flat ecosystem and to sustain the production of manila clams, sustainable management to reduce the high density of tidal flat farms is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.266-273
• /
• 2019

Heavy metal contamination in freshwater ecosystem has been receiving increased worldwide attention due to their direct or indirect effect on human health and aquatic organisms. In this study, we investigated biological effects such as survival rate, growth rate, emergence rate, sex ratio and mouthpart deformity of Chironomus plumosus. The survival rate of C. plumosus decreased with the increase in heavy metal concentration as well as exposure time after cadmium (Cd) or zinc (Zn) exposure. The growth rate decreased at days 4 and 7 after Cd exposure and significantly reduced at the relatively high concentration of $50mg\;L^{-1}$ Cd. The emergence rate was decreased at $50mg\;L^{-1}$ Cd and $100mg\;L^{-1}$ Zn. The sex ratio showed imbalance pattern at relatively low concentrations (0.5 and $2mg\;L^{-1}$ Cd) with high proportion of male and relatively high concentration ($100mg\;L^{-1}$ Zn) with high proportion of female (60%). In addition, mentum deformities were observed at high concentration of Cd and Zn. These results suggest that heavy metal exposure in aquatic ecosystem may affect biological and morphological responses, and aquatic midge C. plumosus is a potential indicator for assessment of environmental pollutant such as heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2019

Heavy metals resulted from the increase of human industrial activity are introduced into the environment through rainfall and wastewater, and have harmful effects on inhabitants. In this study, we investigated biological responses such as survival rate, growth rate, emergence rate and sex ratio, and morphological effects of mentum deformity in Chironomus plumosus, an indicator organism to evaluate pollutions on aquatic ecosystem. The survival rate of C. plumosus showed time- and dose-dependent decrease after chromium and copper exposures. Growth rate decreased at $4^{th}$ day after chromium exposure and significantly reduced at exposure to relatively high concentration (copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$) for all exposure times. In addition, we observed that the emergence rate by exposure to copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$ was significantly lower than that of the control group. The imbalance of sex ratios showed at relatively low concentrations (chromium 10 and $50mg\;L^{-1}$) with the high proportion of female and at the relative high concentration (copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$) with the high proportion of male. Furthermore, the morphological mentum deformities of C. plumosus observed in the exposed group according to chromium and copper exposure. These results suggest that the heavy metal exposure in environment may influence biosynthetic and morphological stresses of benthic invertebrate C. plumosus, and aquatic midge C. plumosus are potential indicators for toxicity assessment of heavy metals such as chromium and copper.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.145-155
• /
• 2022

Koreoleptoxis nodifila (Martens, 1886) is an endangered species only living in the central and north streams of South Korea. However, there is a lack of information on physical habitat characteristics of K. nodifila. We aimed to determine preference ranges for water depth, current velocity, streambed substrate of K. nodifila. The weibull model was used to estimate the habitat suitability based on distribution of individual abundance by physical factors. Optimal depth preferences ranged from 0.53~17.17 cm, current preferences ranged from 48.40~81.03 cm s^-1 and substrate (𝜱_m) preferences ranged from -4.36~ -2.26. Median values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth 16.73 cm, current velocity 65.23 cm s^-1, substrate -3.51. Mean values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth 21.32 cm, current velocity 65.65 cm s^-1, substrate -3.63. Mode values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth 5.17 cm, current velocity 64.77 cm s^-1, substrate -3.24. Based on the habitat suitability analysis, the microhabitat types of K. nodifila were determined as riffle and coarse-grained streambed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.179-191
• /
• 2019

Heavy metals in stream water and sediments around industrial complex were studied in order to assess the contamination and to identify the potential source of metals. High variability has been observed for both dissolved and particulate phases in stream water with coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 1.3 to 2.8. The highest metal concentrations in both phases were observed in Gunja for Ni and Cu, in Jungwang for Zn and Pb and in Shiheung for Cd, respectively. These results indicate that the different metal sources could be existing. The concentrations of the heavy metals in sediments decreased in the order of Cu>Zn>Pb>Cr>Ni>As>Cd>Hg, with mean of 2,549, 1,742, 808, 539, 163, 17.1, 5.8, $0.07mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Mean of metal concentrations(except for As) in sediments showed the highest values at Shiheung stream comparing with other streams. In sediments, the percent exceedance of class II grade that metal may potentially harmful impact on benthic organism for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb was about 57%, 62%, 84%, 60%, 68%, 81% for all stream sediments, respectively. Sediments were classified as heavily to extremely polluted for Cu and Cd, heavily polluted for Zn and Pb, based on the calculation of Igeo value. About 59% and 35% of sediments were in the categories of "poor" and "very poor" pollution status for heavy metals. Given the high metal concentrations, industrial wastes and effluents, having high concentrations of most metals originated from the manufacture and use of metal products in this region, might be discharged into the stream through sewer outlet. The streams receive significant amounts of industrial waste from the industrial facilities which is characterized by light industrial complexes of approximately 17,000 facilities. Thus, the transport of metal loads through streams is an important pathway for metal pollution in Shihwa Lake.