• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2015

Antifreeze proteins and glycoproteins [AF(G)Ps] constitute a group of proteins that lower the freezing but not the melting points of aqueous solutions, enabling polar and north-temperate fish to survive in ice-laden environments. However, little is known about antifreeze activity in temperate fish; such work would extend our knowledge on the functions and evolution of AF(G)Ps. In the present study, we screened for antifreeze activity in temperate fish caught off the coast of Jumunjin ($37.89^{\circ}N$), Gangneung, Korea. Thermal hysteresis (TH) and the ability to inhibit ice recrystallization (IR) in blood, liver, and muscle samples from nine fish were examined to assess antifreeze activity. As the East Sea off the coast of Jumunjin is ice-free year round, we thought it most unlikely that the fish would express antifreeze proteins. Surprisingly, the blood of Pleurogrammus azonus and three types of tissue from Gymnocanthus herzensteini, Zoarces gilli and Kareius bicoloratus exhibited measurable TH values together with the ability to trigger characteristic morphological changes in ice crystals. Blood samples from the three species also evidenced ice recrystallization (IR) inhibition. This implies that AF(G)Ps or other antifreeze-like substances are present in temperate fish even under nonfreezing conditions. These results contribute to our understanding of the functions and origins of antifreeze activity in fish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.625-630
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• 2019

The pathogenic Vibrio genus contains halophilic bacteria that are distributed in marine and freshwater environments. Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are potent human pathogens and leading causes of septicemia, wound infection, and seafood-borne gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of pathogenic Vibrio species in seawater off the west coast of Korea. Sixty-four seawater samples were obtained from different sites in Gomso Bay and Byeonsan from April 2018 to November 2018. Pathogenic Vibrio species were detected using a combination of most probable number (MPN)-polymerase chain reaction methods. V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus were found in 0.0%, 20.3%, and 65.6% of seawater samples, respectively. Quantitative results revealed 3.6-23 MPN/100 mL of V. vulnificus, and 3.6-930 MPN/100 mL of V. parahaemolyticus in the samples. Overall, these results provide new insight into the necessity for seawater sanitation in Gomso Bay and Byunsan; they also provide evidence that will help reduce outbreaks of seafood-borne illness caused by pathogenic Vibrio species.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 1998

Herbicides play a very important role in modern agriculture. However, the herbicide applied to the agricultural field may accumulate in the field, converting the advantages to environment pollution. Many small animals in the ecosystem such as alderfly, earthworm, butterfly, loach, frog, firefly, some birds and aquatic organisms have been known to disappear gradually. In addition, several behavior of herbicides including adsorption by soil, movement by water, photodecomposition, volatilization to air, absorption by plant, metabolism by soil microorganisms and so on, are proceeded while the herbicide remained in the environment. In this review, fate and behavior of herbicides in the environment and their effect on ecosystem after their application are focused on four aspects : the first is the absorption and metabolism of herbicides by plant; the second is the residues of herbicides in soil and water environments: the third is the accumulation and release of herbicides in aquatic organisms and the fourth is the translocation of herbicides in model agricultural ecosystem. Many factors may affect the behavior and fate of herbicides after their application, climatic conditions and soil properties seem to be the most important. Therefore, the fate and behavior of herbicide in Taiwan, located on subtropical region, may differ from those in Korea.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.341-350
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• 2021

The energy production of offshore wind farms plays an important role in expanding renewable energy. However, the development of offshore wind farms faces many challenges due to its incompatibility with marine environments and its social acceptability among the local community. In this study, we reviewed the marine environmental impact assessment status of offshore wind farm development projects for 2012-2019 in South Korea. A total of nine projects were selected for this study, all of which experienced considerable conflict with local fisheries resources. To appropriately respond to the underlying challenges faced by offshore wind farm development and in order to better support decision-making for future impact assessment, our findings identified: i) a need for adequate preliminary investigation and technical examination of fisheries resources; ii) a need to assess and estimate the impact of underwater noise, vibration, and electromagnetic waves on fisheries resources during wind farm construction and operation; and iii) a need for a bottom-up approach that allows for communication with local stakeholders and policy-makers to guarantee the local acceptability of the development.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.224-232
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pre- and post-exercise performance, edema, and pain of plyometrics in water and land environments. Twelve males in their 20s were selected as subjects and performed 10 sets of squat jumps 10 times in 2 environmental conditions (water and ground). There was no significant difference in iEMG of vastus medilais according to exercise conditions and time. In MPV of CMJ, there was no significant difference according to exercise conditions and time. The thigh circumference showed a significant difference according to the exercise condition and time, and was higher in the ground condition after exercise. There was a significant difference in pain according to the exercise condition and time, and it was found to be high after exercise, 48 hours, and 72 hours in the ground condition. We believe that plyometric training in an aquatic environment will have less swelling and pain compared to plyometric training conducted in a land environment, and the pain will improve quickly, so we think that training can be conducted in a relatively shorter period than in the land environment.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.326-344
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• 2022

The fungal-like family Saprolegniaceae (Oomycota), also called "water mold," includes mostly aquatic saprophytes as well as notorious aquatic animal pathogens. Most studies on Saprolegniaceae have been biased toward pathogenic species that are important to aquaculture rather than saprotrophic species, despite the latter's crucial roles in carbon cycling of freshwater ecosystems. Few attempts have been made to study the diversity and ecology of Saprolegniaceae; thus, their ecological role is not well-known. During a survey of oomycetes between 2016 and 2021, we investigated the diversity and distribution of culturable Saprolegniaceae species in freshwater ecosystems of Korea. In the present study, members of Saprolegniaceae were isolated and identified at species level based on their cultural, morphological, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, substrate preference and seasonal dynamics for each were examined. Most of the species were previously reported as animal pathogens; however, in the present study, they were often isolated from other freshwater substrates, such as plant debris, algae, water, and soil sediment. The relative abundance of Saprolegniaceae was higher in the cold to cool season than that in the warm to hot season of Korea. This study enhances our understanding of the diversity and ecological attributes of Saprolegniaceae in freshwater ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2024

This note summarizes the application of zooplankton indices for water quality management and estimation based on main research topics of articles focusing on wetland ecosystems, topics that are remained poorly investigated in S. Korea. The aquatic ecosystem-based consists of indices that respond to different target environmental factors, including environmental disturbance. Among the major indicator species and biota, we reviewed that management strategy for the wetland environment has to be focused more on small-sizes, in terms of zooplankton ecology and indices. The ecology of zooplankton communities in freshwater ecosystem has been the focus of an increasing number of studies since 2019, and considerable progress has been made in understanding the major mechanisms involved in regulating their abundance, diversity and spatio-temporal patterns. Even though studies on the freshwater ecosystem in Korea have a long history, a few of studies on zooplankton biota were conducted at wetlands. We suggested the candidate zooplankton indices proposed by the U.S. EPA and EU to suit Korean conditions. In the step of selecting metrics, the best available metrics are species-related variables, such as composition and abundance, as well as richness and diversity. Overall, in spite of several limitations, the development of a plankton-based multivariate assessment method in Korea wetlands is possible using mostly field research data. Later, it could be improved based on qualitative metrics on zooplankton, and with the emergence of further survey data. The present information can be used as basic information for researchers who are dealing with aquatic environments and its interaction with organisms.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.466-471
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• 2008

Little is known about DNA-level and physiological levels for health assessments of stream or river environments. Recently, comet assay, so called Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) is introduced for assessments of DNA damage in the medical science, food science and mammal toxicology. The comet assay is known as a biomarker which is one of the best barometers in assessing the DNA damage by oxidative stress. In this study, we conducted the comet assay using sentinel species, Zacco platypus, as one of the pre-warning alarm systems for the aquatic ecosystem health assessments and also applied it to Gap Stream as a model system. Tail extent moments in the S1 and S2 were 5.20 and 9.90 respectively and the moment was 19.89 in the S3. Statistical ANOVA in the tail moments showed a significant difference (n=75, p<0.05) between S1 and S3. Also, the proportions of DNA in the tail were 14.47, 23.64, and $30.04{\mu}m$ in the upstream (control site), midstream, downstream sites, respectively. Our results in the downstream were accord with previous studies of individual-level, population-level, and community-level in Gap Stream. Our results suggest that the comet assay may be used as an important tool for diagnosing ecological health of aquatic ecosystems in the level of DNA.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2013

Some fish live in aquatic environments with low or temporally changing $O_2$ availability. Variation in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels requires behavioral, physiological, and biochemical adaptations to ensure the uptake of sufficient $O_2$. Several species are relatively well adapted to tolerate low $O_2$ partial pressures (hypoxia). The medaka (Oryzias dancena ) is an important model organism for biomedical research that shows remarkable tolerance to hypoxia. We investigated the regulation and role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) as a general hypoxia-response gene and stanniocalcin-2 (STC2), which is one of the genes regulated by HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in mammals under hypoxia. We subjected adult male medaka to the following three acute hypoxia regimes: 1, 24, and 72 h at DO = $1.8{\pm}0.5$ ppm. The changes in STC2 and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ mRNA were monitored using quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR. We found strong upregulation of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ mRNA in the livers of fish exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia rapidly upregulated STC-2 mRNA expression in muscle, but not in the brain, gills, liver, or intestine. Therefore, unlike in mammals, hypoxia might regulate O. dancena STC-2 expression in an HIF-$1{\alpha}$-independent manner.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2014

Copper has been widely used to control algae and pathogens in fish culture ponds. However, its toxic effects on fish depend not only on its concentration in the water but also on the water quality. A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess copper toxicity in the black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli using a panel of antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), at different levels of copper at three water temperatures (WT, 18, 23, $28^{\circ}C$) for 4 days. After exposure to two copper concentrations (100 and $200{\mu}g/L$), GSH levels and GST activities increased significantly, depending on WT (P < 0.05) in the liver, gill, and kidney of the black rockfish. GPx and SOD activities decreased significantly with both increasing WT and copper treatment in the organs of black rockfish (P < 0.05). These changes can be seen as initial responses to temperature stress and as a sustained response to copper exposure. This also indicates that GSH and related enzymes activities were sensitive indexes to stress by toxicants such as copper. The present findings suggest that simultaneous stress due to temperature change and copper exposure can accelerate changes in enzymes activities in the black rockfish. This provides another example of synergism between environmental temperature and pollutants, which may have important implications for the survival of fish in polluted environments during seasonal warming and/or global climate change.