• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.385-399
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to analyze long term temporal trends of water chemistry and spatial heterogeneity for 83 sampling sites of Geum-River watershed using water quality dataset during 2003~2007 (obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea). The water quality, based on multi-parameters of temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and electric conductivity (EC), largely varied depending on the landuse patterns, years and seasons. The watershed was classified into three different landuse types: forest stream (Fo), agricultural stream (Ag), and urban stream (Ur). Largest seasonal variabilities in most parameters occurred during the two months of July to August and these were closely associated with large spate of summer monsoon rain. Conductivity, used as a key indicator for an ionic dilution during rainy season, and nutrients of TN and TP had inverse functions of precipitation. BOD, COD decrease during the rainy season. Minimum values in the conductivity, TN, and TP were observed during the summer monsoon, indicating an ionic and nutrient dilution of river water by the rainwater. In contrast, major inputs of suspended solids (SS) occurred during the period of summer monsoon. The landuse patterns analyses, based on the variables of BOD, COD, TN, TP and SS, showed that the values were greater in the agricultural stream (Ag) than in the forest stream (Fo) and urban stream (Ur) and that water quality was worst in the urban stream (Ur). The overall dataset suggest that efficient water quality management, especially in Gap-Stream and Miho-Stream, which showed worst water quality is required along with some of urban stream (Ur), based on the analysis of landuse patterns.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.254-263
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to evaluate biological water quality using fish assemblages in Nakdong River watershed. We selected 6 sites along the main axis of the river and evaluated the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) and chemical water quality during July 2004${\sim}$March 2006. For the study, we applied the 10 metric IBI model, which was developed for national biological water quality criteria. Nakdong River's IBI value averaged 20.8 (n=14) during the study which means poor biological water quality. Physical habitat health at all sites, based on QHEI model, was measured as 110, indicating fair${\sim}$good condition. The habitat health varied depending on the locations sampled. Habitat health in sites 1 and 6 was judged as good, while the health in sites 3 and 4 was $poor{\sim}fair$. Especially, we found the metric values of $M1{\sim}M5$, M7, M10 were low in sites 3 and 4 compared to other sites. In these sites, thus, habitat restoration of substrate composition, riffles, and bank vegetation may be necessary. In the mean time, chemical water quality, based on BOD, COD, TSS, and nutrients, had no large spatial and temporal variations. Overall data analysis indicated that site 3 was largely impacted by the polluted-tributary, Keumho River and the downstreams showed better water quality due to the dilution of the polluted river water by Nam River and Hwang River.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.273-284
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• 2007

The spatial and temporal zooplankton dynamics were examined along ca. 100-km section of the middle to lower Seomjin River (without estuary dam in river mouth) and Youngsan River (with estuary dam in river mouth) systems during study periods (2004. Nov.${\sim}$2006. Aug.) based on a monthly sampling intervals. The spatial variation of zooplankton biomass at both river ecosystems was distinct. There was considerable longitudinal variation in total zooplankton abundance in Youngsan R. stretch. The increase in total zooplankton abundance were observed along the longitudinal stretch toward the estuary dam. In contrast, there were not statistically significant longitudinal differences in total zooplankton abundance in Seomjin R. stretch. In Youngsan R. stretch, average abundance of total zooplankton (average ranges: $199{\sim}817$ Ind. $L^{-1}$ at 3 sampling sites, n=20) were nearly $4{\sim}60$ fold higher than that of Seomjin R. stretch (average ranges: $12{\sim}43$ Ind. $L^{-1}$ at 4 sampling sites, n=20). Relative abundance of rotifers (over 80% of total zooplankton abundance) at the whole sampling sites in Youngsan R. stretch were Much higher than that of the Seomjin R. stretch. The most abundant rotifers were Polyarthra spp., Brachionus spp., Colurella spp., and Keratella spp. at the both river ecosystems. In Seomjin R. stretch, copepods carbon biomass sharply increased toward in river mouth (over 40% of total zooplankton carbon biomass). Average ranges of total zooplankton filtering rates for phytoplankton at both river ecosystems varied from 21.2 to 92.9 mL $L^{-1}\;D^{-1}$ in Youngsan R. stretch and from 2.1 to 2.6 mL $L^{-1}\;D^{-1}$ in Seomjin R. stretch. Considering the zooplankton filtering rates, zooplankton as grazers of phytoplankton in Youngsan R. stretch seemed to play the more important role in planktonic food web than that of the Seomjin R. stretch.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.163-172
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• 2007

In this study, fish fauna and stream characteristics were surveyed during October-November 2003 in 31 small streams, which are small sub-tributaries of Geum River. The small streams were classified into 4 types of steep mountainous (SM), mountainous-flatland (MF), flat land (FL), and agricultural watercourse (AW) streams, and their types were categorized by features of stream width, water depth, bottom substrate, riparian vegetation, and landuse patterns. The fishes collected during this survey were identified 4 families and 8 species. Dominant family was Cyprinidae, and the most dominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus with 73% (419 individuals) of the total. Only one species of R. oxycephalus was observed in the all five steep mountainous streams, which was surrounded by 100% forest area and had no point-and non-point pollution sources. The observed frequency of R. oxycephalus (as a relative proportion of species) showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.754, p<0.001, n=31) with the substrate composition of bedrock and boulder, indicating that the species prefer the bedrock and boulder rather than the sand or small pebble. Evidently, all five steep mountainous streams were judged as excellent condition (1st rank) according to the criteria of biological water quality, the Ministry of Environment, Korea. This result was accord with a general tendency of the species in most upper stream of the Koreas streams. One family and one species were found at the steep mountainous types and 4 families 6 species were at the mountainous-flatland. Four families 8 species were found at the flat land, which showed most diverse habitat, and 2 families 2 species were collected agricultural watercourse. These study results of 1st-order streams suggest that R. oxycephalus was considered as one of 1st rank ecological indicator species, and that the dominant area should be protected from various pollutions and disturbances.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.201-213
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• 2007

In this study, the Batter Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS 3.0)/window interface to Hydrological Simulation Program-FPRTRAN (WinHSPF) was applied for assessment of Soyang Dam watershed. WinHSPF calibration was performed using monitoring data from 2000 to 2004 to simulate stream flow. Water quality (water temperature, DO, BOD, nitrate, total organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, total organic phosphorus and total phosphorus) was calibrated. Calibration results for dry-days and wet-days simulation were reasonably matched with observed data in stream flow, temperature, DO, BOD and nutrient simulation. Some deviation in the model results were caused by the lack of measured watershed data, hydraulic structure data and meteorological data. It was found that most of pollutant loading was contributed by nonpoint source pollution showing about $98.6%{\sim}99.0%$. The WinHSPF BMPRAC was applied to evaluate the water quality improvement. These scenarios included constructed wetland for controlling nonpoint source poilution and wet detention pond. The results illustrated that reasonably reduced pollutant loadin. Overall, BASINS/WinHSPF was found to be applicable and can be a powerful tool in pollutant loading and BMP efficiency estimation from the watershed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.234-243
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• 2007

Algal growth potential (AGP) test was performed to evaluate the water quality and changes in phytoplankton communities before and after a heavy rain event at six sampling sites in Cheonggye Stream (St. 1 and 2), Jungnang Stream (St. 3 and 4), and Lower part of Han River System (St. 5 and 6) after rehabilitation of Cheonggye Stream, October 2005. To test AGP on each sampling site, cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa was applied as a standard alga. Total nitrogen (TN) showed high values at Jungnang Stream, while St. 4 recorded highest values in this study. However, TN values of Cheonggye Stream and Lower Part of Han River showed similar levels. Total phosphate (TP) also showed high values at Jungnang Stream, while St. 4 recorded highest. However, TP in Cheonggye Stream were extremely low levels. Although chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ (chi-${\alpha}$) contents before the rain event were similar through the sampling sites, chl-${\alpha}$ after the rain increased dramatically at Jungnang Stream and Lower part of Ban River. In particular, after the rain, TP was the highest at St. 4, where Cyclotella sp. dominated the phytoplankton community. When compared with control, AGP values before the rain were comparatively low in all sites, while those after the rain highly increased with the dose-dependently of field water added, due perhaps to the increased nutrients by rainfall. Similar results were observed in Cheonggye Stream. Therefore, for the aesthetic fostering for the citizens, although Cheonggye Stream was Presently being sustained by treated water supply, they have a potential of outbreak of phytoplankton by the increased nutrients supply when a heavy rain comes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.318-326
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• 2007

Characteristics of organophoshhorus pesticides (OPs) distribution were investigated in Shingu Reservoir, as a shallow eutrophic agriculture reservoir in Korea. In August 2006, IBP, DDVP and dyfonate were detected in the water column of Singu Reservoir, ranging from 1340.7 to 16030.1 ng $L^{-1}$, 58.7 to 127.6 ng $L^{-1}$ and N.D. to 20.3 ng $L^{-1}$, respectively, However, in September 2006, mevinfos, ethoprofos, phorate, chlorfenvinfos, and methidathion were also found in addition to IBP (202.5${\sim}$213.2 ng $L^{-1}$), DDVP (100.7${\sim}$340.6 ng $L^{-1}$) and dyfonate (N.D.${\sim}$25.0 ng $L^{-1})$. Maximum concentrations of OPs were observed at the middle depth in August, which might be related with photo-oxidation. On the other hand, IBP and DDVP among the OPs were detected in suspended particles, suggesting the relatively active adsorption reactivity. The composition of OPs varied temporally on account of the influence of inflow water from its surrounding areas. In the present study, the observed OPs concentrations seem to be not acute toBic levels to aquatic organisms in Shingu Reservoir, considering the standard monitoring levels of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Japan Ministry of Environment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.121-129
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the causes and effects of cyanobacterial development and succession in a shallow eutrophic reservoir from March 2003 to February 2004. Phytoplankton succession, sedimentation rate, and sediment composition were analyzed. Algal bioassay also was conducted with the consideration of light, water temperature and nutrients. Cyanobacteria dominated throughout the year, except for spring season (March${\sim}$April) in which diatoms and flagellates dominated. Total cell density increased in July and November when P loading through inflows was high. Oscillatoria spp. and Aphanizomenon sp. were dominant in May and June, respectively, but replaced with Microcystis spp. in July. Thereafter, Microcystis spp. sustained until December, and again shifted to Oscillatoria spp. and Aphanizomenon sp. The dominance of Oscillatoria spp. in May was accompanied with high TN/TP ratio and the increase of water temperature and light intensity. While the dominance of Microcystis spp. was related with relatively low TN/TP ratio, ranging from 46 to 13 (average: 27). The sedimentation rate was highest in March (0.6 m $day^{-1}$) when diatoms dominated. During the period of cyanobacterial dominance, relatively high sedimentation rate was observed in May (0.4 m $day^{-1}$) and October (0.36m $day^{-1}$). C/N ratio of the sediment ranged $6{\sim}8$. Inorganic P concentration in the pore water was low when DO concentration was < 2 mg $O_2$ $L^{-1}$ in the hypolimnion, reflecting the P release from the sediment. Cyanobacterial growth rate depended on phosphorus concentration and water temperature, and high P concentration compensated for the low temperature in the growth rate. Our results suggest that the potential of cyanobacterial development and substantiality in eutrophic reservoirs be high throughout the year, as being supplied with enough P, and emphasize the consideration of sediment man. agement for the water quality improvement and algal bloom control.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.324-332
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• 2019

In this study, the possibility of a follow-up study on environmental pollution in domestic freshwater was identified by analyzing fish otoliths using Laser ablation-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP/MS). Fish otolith are known to be affected by the environment in which fish live. As a result, research on this subject is active in many countries; however, this is not the case in Korea. Therefore, in this study, the possibility of tracing environmental pollution using fish otoliths was identified by analyzing the components of metal elements used as indicators for environmental pollution. For the component analysis of metallic elements LA-ICP/MS, which can shorten analysis time by reducing the pretreatment process, was used. Sampling was conducted by dividing the research and the background area and carp, a freshwater species, was selected as the experimental fish species subject. Based on the established LA-ICP/MS conditions, the concentration of the metallic elements in the fish otoliths collected in the research area was 2202.9 mg kg^-1, 2.03 times higher than the 1,086.3 mg kg^-1 in the background area. All elements except for Li and U, were found to be higher in the research area than in the background area. Compared with the sediment measuring net analysis data, the distribution tendency of Zn, Pb, and Cu in sediment metal element concentrations in the two regions and distribution of metal element concentration in fish otoliths were similarly shown. These results confirm that fish otoliths can be used to track environmental pollutants, such as in sediments.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.3 s.117
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• pp.352-365
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• 2006

In order to evaluate the change of aquatic environment in the reclaimed Hwaong Reservoir, situated in the early stage after construction, this study was conducted to measure the change of precipitation, temperature, and salinity from June 2002 to January 2006. The range and mean of temperature was $-0.7{\sim}33.4^{\circ}C$ and $13.6^{\circ}C$, respectively. Temperature of upstream part rapidly changed during the transitional period; from spring to summer and from fall to winter. It showed abrupt decrease with high discharge from the streams temporarily. While, hypolimnetic temperature of upstream happened to be somewhat higher than that of surface or downstream. The range and mean of salinity was 0.3${\sim}$32.3 psu and 25.3 psu, respectively. Vertical difference of salinity was marked, and the change in the surface water was much higher than middle or bottom layers. It showed the marked difference at all stations, except for the bottom layer of upstream into which Namyang Stream flows, indicating that vertical gradient of salinity is strongly sustained in the reservoir. Salinity was changed markedly during the storm period (June${\sim}$October), and freshwater with low salinity was expanded from upstream to downstream along the surface layer. The surface of the reservoir was totally covered by the stream discharged water with a large amount of silt and low salinity during this period. The difference of temperature and salinity between the surface and bottom layer ranged $-10.6{\sim}9.7^{\circ}C$ and $-27.1{\sim}30.0$ psu, respectively. The big difference of salinity appeared with a large discharge of freshwater from the streams or large input of seawater through the gate. Salinity was negatively correlated with temperature, indicating the influence of monsoon storm events on the salinity under the whole watershed scale of this brackish reclaimed reservoir.