• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.480-491
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• 2006

As part of the long-term monitoring projects on Antarctic terrestrial vegetation in relation to global climate change, a lichen floristical survey was conducted around the Korean Antarctic Station (King Sejong Station), which is located on Barton Peninsula, King George Island, in January and February of 2006. Two hundred and twenty-five lichen specimens were collected and sixty-two lichen species in 38 genera were identified by morphological characteristics, chemical constituents, TLC analysis and ITS nucleotide sequence analysis.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.419-424
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• 2001

The Antarctic clam Laternula elliptica, is one of the most representative benthic invertebrates in the Antarctic nearshore waters. Endemic to the Antarctic, L. elliptica is widely distributed around the Antarctica occurring as dense patches in shallow sheltered areas and exhibits high biomass. Despite its apparent ecological importance, L. elliptica has rarely been studied until recently probably due to difficulties in sampling in the ice-impacted waters. Recent studies have revealed various aspects of its ecology and physiology. In this review, some physiological and ecological characteristics of this species are discussed in relation to some prevailing features of its habitat environment, in particular physical instability of habitat substrates and extreme seasonality of food availability.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.293-298
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• 2016

Thirty-eight spherules from the Antarctic ice sheet were analyzed using neutron activation analysis under two different conditions to investigate their origin. In almost all of these spherules, the contents of iron, cobalt, and manganese were determined to be 31% to 88%, 17 mg/kg to 810 mg/kg, and 0.017% to 7%, respectively. A detectable iridium content of 0.84 mg/kg was found in only one spherule, which was judged to be extraterrestrial in origin. A comparison of elemental compositions of the Antarctic spherules analyzed in this study with those of deep-sea sediment spherules and those of terrestrial materials revealed that most of the Antarctic spherules except for the sample in which iridium was detected could not be identified as extraterrestrial in origin.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.467-472
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• 2008

Antarctic krill has a strong proteolytic enzyme system, which comes from a combination of several proteases. This powerful activity can be easily detected by krill's superior post mortem autolysis. Mammalian skin consists of epidermis and dermal connective tissue, and functions as a barrier against threatening environments. A clot in a wound site of the skin should be removed for successful skin regeneration. Epithelial cells secrete proteases to dissolve the clot. In previous studies Antarctic krill proteases were purified and characterized. The proteolytic enzymes from Antarctic krill showed higher activity than mammalian enzymes. It has been suggested that these krill clean up the necrotic skin wound to induce a natural healing ability. The enzymes exhibited additional possibilities for several other biomedical applications, including dental plaque controlling agent and healing agent for corneal alkali burn. Considering that these versatile activities come from a mixture of several enzymes, discovering other proteolytic enzymes could be another feasible way to enhance the activity if they can be used together with krill enzymes. Molecular cloning of the krill proteases should be carried out to study and develop the applications. This review introduces possible roles of the unique Antarctic krill proteases, with basic information and suggestion for the development of an application to skin regeneration.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.401-410
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• 2001

Global climate change will alter many such properties of the Southern Ocean as temperature, circulation, stratification, and sea-ice extent. Such changes are likely to influence the species composition and activity of Antarctic marine microorganisms (protists and bacteria) which playa major role in deter-mining the concentration of atmospheric $CO_2$ and producing precursors of cloud condensation nuclei. Direct impacts of climate change on Antarctic marine microorganisms have been determined for very few species. Increasing water temperature would be expected to result in a southward spread of pelagic cyanobacteria, coccolithophorids and others. Growth rates of many species would be expected to increase slightly but nutrient limitation, especially micronutrients, is likely to result in a negligible increase in biomass. The extent of habitats would be reduced for those organisms presently living close to the upper limit of their thermal tolerance. Increased UVB irradiance is likely to favour the growth of those organisms tolerant of UVB and may change the trophic structure of marine communities. Indirect effects, especially those as a consequence of a diminution of the amount of sea-ice and increased upper ocean stratification, are predicted to lead to a change in species composition and impacts on both trophodynamics and vertical carbon flux.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2023

This study used hydroacoustic method to identify the vertical and horizontal distribution of Antarctic silverfish in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. In February and December 2018, Antarctic silverfish was detected up to 250 meters, and was mainly distributed in water depths of 20 to 30 meters. The horizontal distribution of Antarctic silverfish was mostly undetected in February, and December showed a relatively stronger distribution than that of February. Antarctic silverfish is characterized by their distribution near sea ice.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2004

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was ratified in 1991. With the aim to ensure comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment, it contains provisions on environmental protection and conservation of the Antarctic area, including provisions for Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Impact Assessment is a method used to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, and find ways to mitigate or prevent adverse impacts in order to maintain balance between development activities and environmental conservation. Internationally, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the Antarctic is classified into three types - preliminary, Initial, and Comprehensive - based on the environmental impacts of the proposed activities. In case of the Preliminary Environmental Review (PER), proposed activity may proceed in accordance to the national procedures and drafting of an outline. However, Initial (IEE) and Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) assess and verify the impacts of the proposed activity, and require methods or alternatives for mitigating or eliminating negative impacts on the environment. Although Korea's Act of 'Activities and Environmental Protection in Antarctica' also includes provisions on EIA for activities in Antarctica, there are obvious contrasts with the EIAs currently being conducted in Korea, in regards to deciding the level of EIA through screening and identifying key issues for assessment through scoping. In order to implement the proper EIA, more improved methods for drafting and reviewing the EIA to Antarctica in Korea are necessary.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.427-431
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• 2014

Mercury is an element of special concern for human health. Measurements of total mercury levels in fish have been taken into consideration to assess risk. In this study, the Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni was evaluated as a potential safe food source through measurement of total mercury contents. Total mercury concentrations in Antarctic toothfish ranged from $0.101{\pm}0.047mg/kg$ to $0.139{\pm}0.075mg/kg$. The total mercury concentration was significantly correlated with macroscopic values including total fish length, weight, gonadosomatic index, and maturity (P < 0.01 or 0.05). Furthermore, according to the risk assessment, the total mercury body exposure rate from Antarctic toothfish ranged from 2.125% to 2.847% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. Therefore, the Antarctic toothfish could be used as a potential safe seafood source.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.24-28
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• 2006

Author have studies lichen flora of the most important ice-free areas of Continental Antarctic: Bunger Hills, and the vicinity of Prudz Bay (Larsemann Hills, and Radok Lake in Prince Charles Mountains). Totally 44 lichen species from 22 genera were reported for Bunger Hills and 50 lichen species from 22 genera and 10 families: Acarosporaceae, Lecanoraceae, Lecideaceae, Parmeliaceae, Pertusariaceae, Physciaceae, Rhizocarpaceae, Stereocaulaceae, Theloschistaceae, and Umbilicariaceaewere reported for the Prudz Bay Region. 20 lichen species were found in the region for the first time. Phytogeographic analysis indicated a relatively high proportion of species with bipolar distribution - about 50% of recorded lichen species. About 30% of lichens normally don't extend into maritime zone occurring in continental Antarctic only. The most common lichen families in the region are Buelliaceae, Lecanoraceae and Teloschistaceae. The water supply and not a temperature is the critical factor for lichens in the Continental Antarctic. Moisture appears to be supplied for lichens not only from snow-melt water but mainly from air. In Maritime Antarctic, due to high air humidity macrolichens form communities everywhere (Himantormia, Usnea and Umbilicaria). In oases of Continental Antarctic extensive sites are lacking in lichen cover, even if the ground is normally snow free. Lichens occur at humid sites with moisture which were brought by winds over the ice cap and poorly developed or absent in dry areas. Of particular significance for lichens are substrate characteristics, animals influence and salinity brought by wind in coastal areas. Most rich lichen vegetation developed in oases around nests of snow petrels, where the melt water is enriched by nutrients. In contrast, the most pure vegetation is on mobile sand and gravel and in salted coastal habitats.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.155-172
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• 2023

The collapse of ice shelves is a process that can severely increase the rise of global sea-levels through the reduction of the buttressing effect of ice shelves and the consequent acceleration of the ice flow of ice sheets. In recent years, the West Antarctic ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea, whose buttressing effect is essential for a great part of the West Antarctic ice sheet, have been experiencing the most rapid melting and thinning in the world. The melting of the West Antarctic ice shelves is caused primarily by heat transported by Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW). For this reason, it is important to investigate ice-ocean interactions that could influence the melting of ice shelves and evaluate the stability of West Antarctic ice shelves. A lot of researchers have been actively investigating the West Antarctic ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea. High-impact journals have recognized the importance of and published studies on ice-ocean interactions occurring near and under the ice shelves as well as the connections among ice shelves. However, in situ observations are limited due to extreme weather and sea-ice conditions near the ice shelves; therefore, many scientific questions remain unanswered. This study introduces the characteristics of the Amundsen Sea and investigate the past and latest research issues in this region. This study also gives suggestions regarding important scientific questions and directions for future research that should help early-career scientists take the lead in future research on the melting dynamics of the West Antarctic ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea.