• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.127-134
• /
• 2014

Organic carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of particulate organic matter (POM) were determined at 7 stations (6 stations in Han river and Paldang dam outflow station) from May to October 2013, in order to understand the origin of POM at the Han river. ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of POM in four stations showed significant seasonal changes season, but ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were enriched in around Kyeongan stream (K). POC, PN and Chl-a concentration showed a similar seasonal pattern in Kyeongan stream, with an apparent decrease from July to August. POC and PN concentration has a higher correlation with Chl-a concentration in Kyeongan stream (K). ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of POM has a lighter value during lower Chl-a concentration peroid, compared to other seasons. Our results revealed that Kyeongan stream (K) seemed to be influenced by substantial amount of organic manure or fertilizer input in 2013, compared to the previous year (2012). These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the identification of organic matter origin in aquatic environments.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.1 s.110
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2005

The environmental change of Yong-nup in Mt. Dae-Am, which is located at the northern part of Kangwon-Do, Korea, was assesed with peat sedimentary carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The surface layer of the peat (0 ${\sim}$ 5 cm) was 190 year BP, and the middle layers (30 ${\sim}$ 35 cm and 50 ${\sim}$ 55 cm) were 870 year BP and 1900 year BP, respectively. Bulk sedimentation rate was estimated to be about 0.4 mm $year^{-1}$ for 0 cm to 30 cm and 0.15 mm $year^{-1}$ for 35 cm to 50 cm. The $^{14}C$ age of the bottom sediment (75 ${\sim}$ 80 cm) collected and measured in this study was about 1900 year BP, although it was measured that the $^{14}C$ of the lowest bottom sediment in Yong-nup was 4105 ${\pm}$ 175 year BP (GX-23200). Since the $^{14}C$ ages for 50 ${\sim}$ 55 cm and 75 ${\sim}$ 80 cm layers were almost the same as 1890 ${\pm}$ 80 fear BP (NUTA 5364) and 1850 ${\pm}$ 90 year BP (NUTA 5462), respectively, we have estimated that the deep layers (55 ${\sim}$ 80 cm) in the high moor were the original forest soil. The low organic C and N contents in the deeper layers supported the inference. The sediment of 50 ${\sim}$ 55 cm layer contains much sandy material and showed very low organic content, suggesting the erosion (flooding) from the surrounding area. In this context, the Yong-nup, high moor, of Mt. Dae-Am, might have developed to the sampling site at about 1900 year BP. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of organic carbon and the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of total nitrogen in the peat sediments fluctuated with the depths. The profile of ${\delta}^{13}C$ may indicate that the Yong-nup of Mt. Dae-Am have experienced the dry-wet and cool-warm period cycles during the development of the high moor. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ may indicate that the nitrogen cycling in the Yong-nup have changed from the closed (regeneration depending) system to the open (rain $NO_3\;^-$ and $N_2$ fixation depending) system during the development of the high moor.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.218-228
• /
• 2023

Invasive predators are one of the most damaging species groups to biodiversity. In the Nakdong River, the lake skygazer Chanodichthys erythropterus is a dominant species that is fiercely carnivorous and a concern for commercial fish. Although it is important to understand the ecological characteristics related to the feeding habit, studies on the diets of lake skygazer in Nakdong River have been limited to studies of gut contents. In this study, the trophic position (TP) and feeding habits of C. erythropterus were studied by calculating TPs using samples collected from 13 sites throughout the Nakdong River. Compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids provided reliable TPs from the muscle of Lake skygazer C. erythropterus without any isotope baseline. The results were approximately 3 to 3.6 and suggesting a carnivorous but size-dependent prey variation. In particular, the TP variability of C. erythropterus observed in the Nakdong River showed that it had a selective feeding habit compared to carnivorous fish species of relatively similar trophic levels.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.292-301
• /
• 2001

The objectives of this study were to measure the changes in soil moisture regimes and the distribution patterns of inorganic N derived from the fertigated $^{15}N$-labeled urea, and compare them with the results obtained from broadcast-applied soil under the same drip irrigation domain. In fertigated soil, a $^{15}N$-labeled urea solution of $117mg\;N\;L^{-1}$ was applied by surface drip irrigation for 4 weeks. In broadcast-applied soil, no the other hand, 4 g of $^{15}N$-labeled urea(1.87 g N) mixed thoroughly with 5 kg of soil was placed on the surface of packed soil. Soil water status was controlled by drip irrigation scheduled at soil matric potential of -50 kPa. A calibrated time-domain reflectometry probe was installed in the soil vertically 15 cm apart from a drip emitter to control drip irrigation. About 60% of urea-derived inorganic nitrogen was remained in the top zone between 0 and 10 cm depth of fertigated soil, while, most of the inorganic nitrogen (91%) was accumulated in the top zone of broadcast-applied soil. Of inorganic nitrogen derived from urea, the percentage of $NO_3{^-}$ was much higher for fertigation (99%) than for surface application (62%). The relatively lower recovery of urea-derived inorganic nitrogen of broadcast-applied urea-N (51%) than that of fertigated urea-N (89%) was attributable to enhanced $NH_3$ volatilization.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.13-26
• /
• 1968

To establish the most efficient method of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in paddy rice a series of internationally coordinated research using $N^{15}\;P^{32}$ isotopes were carried out from the year 1962 through 1967, supervised by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Atomic Energy in Agriculture under the auspicies of FAO, UN. In Korea College of Agriculture, Seoul National University had been participated in the Coordinated Research Programme from the year 1963 through the last year, arid the results obtained through the six years' researches are summarized as follows: 1. In the application of superphosphate broadcasting or placement at the surface of paddy as basal dressing was most efficient. 2. Split or late application of superphosphate did not affect the grain yield of the rice, but its efficiency in the rice plant uptake was less than in the case of basal dressing of whole amounts. 3. The contents of available soil phoshorus of the experimental sites in Korea were above 60 ppm, and the efficiency of phosphorus utilization of the rice from the fertilizer was approximately 10 per cent. The grain yield response of the rice to phosphorus application in Korea was rather small comparing to those of other countries. 4. The nitrogen uptake of the rice plants from the fertilizer was most efficient when the fertilizer was applied at the time of ear prime growth. However, the most efficient utilization of nitrogen did not necessarily accompany the maximum yield of the rice and basic application of adequate amount of nitrogen was required to secure proper number of panicles. 5. In the application of nitrogenous fertilizer shallow placement at 5 cm depth was most efficient. The effect of split application of nitrogen was not so noticeable. It seemed due to the fact that total application amount of nitrogen, 60 kg N/ha, was smaller than that of usual dosage in Korea. 6. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization of the rice from the fertilizer was about 40 percent in Korea, and the yield reponse of the rice plant to nitrogen application was remarkable comparing to those of other countries, showing the marked differences in the fertilizer efficiency and grain yield according to the application method. 7. The nitrogen uptake of the rice plant was not likely affected by the time and the rate of phosphorus application whereas the efficiency of phosphorus utilization was affected to some degree by the method of nitrogen application.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.239-256
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics of emergency-use groundwater in the Daejeon area, and to elucidate the contamination source of $NO_3-N$ and the origin of sulfate in the groundwater. The groundwater shows weak acidic pH, the electrical conductivity ranging from 142 to $903{\;}\mu\textrm{S}/cm$, and the hydrochemical types of $Ca-HCo_3$ and $Ca-Cl(SO_4,{\;}NO_3)$. The Box-Whisker analysis and the Krigging analysis of chemical data of groundwater were made to demonstrate the concentration distribution of hydrochemical composition, and to compare the trend of hydrochemical data. The groundwater in the area of Dong-gu, Jung-gu and Daeduk-gu, where are old town, shows higher electrical conductivity, nitrate content, sulfate and $EpCO_2$ levels than groundwater in new town area of Seo-gu and Yusung-gu. ${\delta}^{15}N$ of groundwater in the area of Seo-gu and Yusung-gu ranges from +7.4 to $+9.6{\textperthousand}$, indicating that major contamination source of $NO_3-N$ is the leakage from municipal sewage pipe lines. ${\delta}^{15}N$ of groundwater in the old town area of Tong-gu, Jung-gu and Daeduk-gu shows the range between +10.2 and $+23.5{\textperthousand}$, meaning that major contamination source is leakage of septic tank. ${\delta}^{34}S$ of groundwater shows the range of $+3~13.4{\;}{\textperthousand}$. Sulfur isotope indicates the possibility of a sulfate reduction and the input of anthrophogenic source.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2003

Nitrate-N concentrations and the corresponding ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were determined with water samples collected periodically from artesian wells (3 and 6 m deep), underdrainage and gushout waters in a Welsh onion cultivated area in the Kushibiki Fan, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Average $NO_3-N$ concentrations in waters from 3 and 6 m wells were 25.7 and $2.8mg\;L^{-1}$, whereas ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were 3.6 and 4.7‰, respectively. The $NO_3-N$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of the underdrainge water were $35.5mg\;L^{-1}$ and 6.6‰, reflecting rapid input of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure. The mean values of $NO_3-N$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ in the gushout water flown out of the edge of Kushibiki Fan were $19.4mg\;L^{-1}$ and 7.9‰, respectively. As a results the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of the gushout water were higher than those of the artesian wells and underdrinage water. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of total-N and $NO_3-N$ of the soils were 6.1 and 5.10‰, respectively, while those for nitrification-inhibitor containing fertilizer and slow-release fertilizers were -6.1 and -2.2‰, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.467-474
• /
• 2011

In an effort to investigate water pollution characteristics of Juam lake, water samples were collected from three sites (Sites A, B, and C) of Oenam stream which is a typical tributary of rural watershed in the lake and analyzed for N concentration and the corresponding isotope ratio (${\delta}^{15}N$) of ${NO_3}^-$. Concentrations of ${NO_3}^-$ were not dramatically different among the sites; $0.8{\pm}0.2mgNL^{-1}$ (range: $0.0{\sim}4.3mgNL^{-1}$) for Site A, $1.1{\pm}0.2mgNL^{-1}$ ($0.0{\sim}4.3mgNL^{-1}$) for Site B, and $1.1{\pm}0.1mgNL^{-1}$ ($0.1{\sim}2.6mgNL^{-1}$) for Site C. Meanwhile, ${\delta}^{15}N$ tended to decrease with river flow; it was highest for Site A ($45.5{\pm}5.3$‰) followed by Site B ($19.7{\pm}2.0$‰) and Site C ($8.7{\pm}1.5$‰). Such high ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of ${NO_3}^-$ in Site A suggested that ${NO_3}^-$ derived from livestock feedlot (specifically livestock excrete of which ${\delta}^{15}N$ is higher than 10‰) is the predominant pollution sources despite mountainous area occupied the most of land-use in the watershed. Using the two-sources isotope mixing model, it was estimated that the contribution of cropping activities (i.e. fertilization) became greater in down-stream area (Sites B and C) due to the higher agricultural land-use than the up-stream area (Site A). Particularly, during the active cropping season, the low contribution of organic pollution sources indicated that domestic sewage was not the predominant pollution source. Therefore, it was suggested that agricultural sources such as livestock farming and cropping rather than mountainous and residential are the dominant sources of water pollution in the study area. These results could be effectively utilized in elucidating water pollution sources in rural areas and selecting water management practices.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.380-389
• /
• 2007

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed in suspended particulate organic matter, macroalgae and macrobenthic invertebrates in order to determine the importance of primary organic matter sources in supporting food webs of rocky subtidal and intertidal macroalgal beds in the Korean coasts. Investigations were conducted at the inter tidal sites within Gwangyang bay, a semi-enclosed and eutrophicated bay, and the subtidal sites of the east coast, a relatively oligotrophic and open environment, in May and June 2005. Water-column suspension feeders showed more negative $\delta^{13}C$ values than those of the other feeding guilds, indicating trophic linkage with phytoplankton and thereby association with pelagic food chains. In contrast, animals of the other feeding guilds, including interface suspension feeders, herbivores, deposit feeders, omnivores and predators, displayed relatively less negative $\delta^{13}C$ values than those of the water-column suspension feeders and similar with that of macroalgae, indicating exclusive use of macroalgae-derived organic matter and association with benthic food chains. Most the macrobenthic species were considered to form strong trophic links with benthic food chains. In addition, the distribution of higher $\delta^{15}N$ values in macrobenthic consumers and macroalgae at the intertidal sites of Gwangyang Bay than those at the subtidal sites of the east coast suggests that anthropogenic nutrients may enhance the macroalgal production at the intertidal sites and in turn be incorporated into the particular littoral food web in Gwangyag Bay. These results confirm the dominant role of macroalgae in supporting rocky subtidal and intertidal food webs in the Korean coasts.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.99-110
• /
• 2022

We investigated physicochemical properties and isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ¹³C_TOC and δ ¹⁵N_TN) in the old fish farming (OFF) site after the cessation of aquaculture farming. Based on this approach, our objective is to determine the organic matter origin and their relative contributions preserved at sediments of fish farming. Temporal and spatial distribution of particulate and sinking organic matter(OFF sites: 2.0 to 3.3 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 18.8 to 246.6 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate, control sites: 2.0 to 3.5 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 25.5 to 129.4 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate) between both sites showed significant difference along seasonal precipitations. In contrast to variations of δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N_TN values at water columns, these isotopic compositions (OFF sites: -21.5‰ to -20.4‰ for δ¹³ C_TOC, 6.0‰ to 7.6‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN, control sites: -21.6‰ to -21.0‰ for δ¹³C_TOC, 6.6‰ to 8.0‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN) investigated at sediments have distinctive isotopic patterns(p<0.05) for seawater-derived nitrogen sources, indicating the increased input of aquaculture-derived sources (e.g., fish fecal). With respect to past fish farming activities, representative sources(e.g., fish fecal and algae) between both sites showed significant difference (p<0.05), confirming predominant contribution (55.9±4.6%) of fish fecal within OFF sites. Thus, our results may determine specific controlling factor for sustainable use of fish farming sites by estimating the discriminative contributions of organic matter between both sites.