• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.173-182
• /
• 2016

Although the ecosystem extends numerous functions for the benefit of humankind, construction of horticultural facilities can potentially lead to the degeneration of some of these functions owing to the expansion of impervious regions and loss of habitats. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of construction of horticultural facilities on plant biodiversity. Analysis of the vegetation distribution characteristics showed that horticultural facilities had significantly lower plant diversity than did rice paddies. Hence, the proposed approach involved low-impact development, arrangement of habitat space, plant preservation, restricted use of chemical fertilizer, habitat creation, and reduced preservation cost. Lifestyle analysis suggested the importance of developing favorable environments for the growth of annual plants and aquatic plants. In all, 20 species of naturalized plants belonging to 10 families were identified. Furthermore, the proportion of these naturalized plants was higher in glass greenhouses and multi-span greenhouses, suggesting the advantages of employing natural soil mulching while avoiding concrete mulching. Statistical analysis was performed to validate the results, which suggested that impervious regions be converted to natural soils. Collectively, the findings of this study are expected to be used for establishing policies for the construction of eco-friendly and ecological horticultural facilities; this may aid the maintenance of sustainable agricultural landscapes and large-scale development of the reclaimed lands.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.203-212
• /
• 1998

As seed production program is growing prosperously in various fishes in southern Korea, disease problems in larval and juvenile stages have emerged as a new research object. The following results were obtained from investigation about environmental factors related to mass mortalities of young Kinki red seabream, Pagrus major in process of artificial seedling production. Total length of red seabream larvae hatched was 2.93mm, and became 18.83~20.12mm at day 40. The first noticeable mortality of red seabream larvae (7.98~9.37mm) occurred in 25~30 day-old fish with the survival rates of 59.8~60.3%. Thereafter the mortality of larvae decreased, survival rate was 20.5~25.45% in day 40. After 20~30 days, the quality of pond water was bellow II class. During the experimental period COD, $PO_4$-P, $NO_2$-N, $NO_3$-N and $NH_$-N increased up to 3, 7, 34, 6 and 8 times, respectively, compared to initial ones. The number of viable bacteria in pond water and seabream larvae were $6.3{\times}10^6$~$2.3{\times}10^7$ cfu/ml, 4.3~$7.4{\times}10^6$ cfu/g in day 25, respectively. Among the isolated bacteria from the diseased red seabream in day 25, Vibrio spp. was considered to be the causative organism. External symptoms of this disease were floated, spined near the surface and inflated abdomen. When the isolated strain of the Vibrio was bathed to seabream larvae, $LD_50$ of seabream larvae was over $10^6$ cfu/ml of Vibrio spp.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2008

We isolated complementary DNA(cDNA) encoding prolactin receptor(PRLR) from gill of black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegeli. Its PRLR cDNA consists of 1,611 base pairs and encodes the protein of 536 amino acids. To investigate the osmoregulatory abilities of black porgy in different salinities(35, 10 and 0 psu), we examined the expression of PRLR mRNA in osmoregulatory organs(gill, kidney and intestine) using reverse transcription(RT)-PCR. In gill and intestine, PRLR mRNA levels were high in 10 psu, and then decreased in 0 psu, but there is no changes in kidney. Also, plasma osmolality, $Na^+\;and\;Cl^-$ levels decreased during the experimental period. These results suggest that PRLR plays an important role in hormonal regulation in osmoregulatory organs during freshwater acclimation, thereby improving the hyper-osmoregulatory ability of black porgy in hypoosmotic environments.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.166-177
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The genus Legionella is common in aquatic environments. Some species of Legionella are recognized as potential opportunistic pathogens for human, notably Legionella pneumophila that causes, Legionellosis. Thus, we investigated the contamination of Legionella pneumophila on water supply systems in Seoul, including cooling towers, public baths, hospitals and fountains. Methods: The existence of 16S rRNA and mip gene of L. pneumophila was confirmed in the genome of the isolated strains by PCR. Results: During the summer season of 2010 and 2011, Legionella pneumophila were detected from 163 samples (21.1%) out of 772 samples collected. Among the 163 strains of L. pneumophila, eighty one isolates belonged to serogroup 1 (57.4%), 23 isolates were serogroup 5 (16.3%), 21 isolates were serogroup 6 (14.9%), 8 isolates were serogroup 2 (5.79%), and 8 isolates were identified in serogroup 3 (5.7%). Through PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) analysis using Sfi I, genetic types of L. pneumophila were classified into five (A to E) patterns by the band similarity with excess of 70% from public baths. Conclusions: The PFGE patterns of the serotypes showed a tendency for diversity of L. pneumophila. Our results suggest the existence of serological and genetic diversity among the L. pneumophila isolates.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.4 s.109
• /
• pp.462-468
• /
• 2004

Most of the surveys of periphyton carried out for environmental and ecosystem health assessment of streams have considered the impact made on their fixative substrates (stones, rocks, sand, silt, clay and other abiotic matters), but there has been virtually no research that considered moving substrates. This study attempted to make an analysis and assessment of the habitat environments of the microalgae attached to the skin surfaces of fish living in small streams, with a focus on their species composition and community structure. The dominant fish in the this survey were Zacco temmincki and Zacco platypus, which are usually found in the streams, and rivers, and they accounted for 62% and 19%, respectively, in relative abundance. Substrates of fish, a representative organism with the trait of moving a long distance, show a marked contrast with those of organisms fixed at a certain place. Characteristics of both the upstream and the downstream reach well reflected in the microalgae attached to the skin surface of fishes, of which diatoms took the major composition. The result of this observation is considered to be useful to provide basic data in assessment of stream health. Also it may be suggested as a biological tool for the assessment of aquatic environment in the future.

• 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.46 no.2
• /
• pp.175-184
• /
• 2013

Organic carbon and total nitrogen stable isotope ratios of suspended materials were determined at 3 stations (from Mongtan Bridge to Youngsan river estuary barrage) (n=6, each) from November 2008 to August 2009, in order to understand the origin of particulate organic matter at the Estuary of Youngsan River. Allochthonous organic matter, ammonia-N and silicate were increased after heavy rain (in August). Carbon isotope ratios were significantly different between stations in November and August, and it was possible to determine the origin of organic matter. The heavier nitrogen isotope ratios, as well as higher phosphate concentrations, were found in November than other sampling times. Livestock wastewater and farmland input was likely the main causes of these high values. In addition, YS3 station, the nearest site to estuary barrage, appears to be affected by a substantial amount of livestock wastewater and farmland input, considering that nitrogen isotope ratios were heavier than those at the upper sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the determination of organic matter origin in aquatic environments.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.204-216
• /
• 2019

To evaluate the biological integrity of aquatic ecosystems, we developed Korean multimetric diatom index (KMDI) using metrics that many researchers have been previously described, and compared to single-metric diatom index such as trophic diatom index (TDI) and diatom assemblage index to organic pollution (DAIpo). For the biological and environmental data, we investigated the epilithic diatoms, water quality and the land-use for 923 sites in Korean streams between 2013-2017, and estuaries between 2010-2017, respectively. Five appropriate metrics were selected according to the following steps; 1) extraction of 300 potential metrics (biological, chemical, physical, and geographical) based on previous references, of these, 2) 46 samples having high separation power were selected, 3) the selected metrics were each tested for variability, redundancy, and sensitivity to the environments, finally 4) construction of multi-metric diatom index comprising single type metrics such as TDI, DAIpo, % motile diatoms, % Achnanthes / (Achnanthes+Navicula), and % number of Gomphonema species. The biological integrity of the 233 sites from the Geum River basin were independently investigated using KMDI. Collectively, the new KMDI showed high sensitivity and explanatory power for environmental factors such as land-use, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, and electric conductivity. However, it had slightly higher biological integrity for the same sites as compared to single type diatom metrics. Finally, more data accumulation from all over Korea and the development of acceptable diatom metrics were required.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.285-293
• /
• 2016

This study conducted the evaluations of stable channel and physical disturbance improvement for optimal construction of river structures by focusing on Wonju River. A stable slope was analyzed sectionally for stable channel design, and in order to satisfy the stable slope, river structure improvement scenarios were deduced. Accordingly, through physical disturbance improvement evaluation for each scenario, the study extracted the optimal scenario for stable channel design and physical disturbance improvements. The changes in physical habitat were analyzed when river structure improvements were made for stable channel design and physical disturbance improvement. Zacco koreanus, an indicator fish of the soundness of the aquatic ecosystem, was selected as a restoration target species by investigating the community characteristics of fish fauna and river environments in the Wonju River. The habitat suitability was investigated by the PHABSIM model with the habitat suitability index of Zacco koreanus. The results of the prediction evaluation showed a slight decrease in habitat suitability and weighted usable area. However, it was not influenced by the improvements in the river structure. The study suggested river structure arrangement methods that can improve physical soundness and safety of Wonju River, and confirmed that there were no effects to the changes in the physical habitat.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.452-458
• /
• 2017

The nitrogen isotope value in both ammonium and nitrate ion were determined at 9 stations during both June and August 2016, in order to understand the origin of DIN at the Han river. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values in 8 stations (CP, SB, MHC, P4, SJ, SBC, P2, SC) were no significant variation. However ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values in KK (Kyeongan stream) showed significant different in comparison with 8 stations, with an apparent increase of nitrogen isotope values. These results indicate that antropogenic nitrogen source influence on KK station. Also the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ isotope ratio of phytoplankton (Diatom and Cyanobacteria) in KK (Kyeongan stream) showed heavier values, compared to other study stations. These results indicate that nitrogen isotope value in phytoplankton effects by different nitrogen source in study sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the identification of dissolved inorganic nitrogen origin in aquatic environments.