• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of macrozoobenthos in the estuarine sandy flat, the Bongam tidal flat located in Masan Bay during March, 2004. A total 13 species were identified at 12 stations within the tidal flat. The mean density was $20,267\;ind./m^2$, and mean biomass was $228.1g/m^2$. Dominant species in the Bongam tidal flat were all polychaetes: Prionospio japonicus ($11,716\;ind./m^2$, 57.8%) and Polydora ligni ($3,929\;ind./m^2$, 19.4%) of spionoid polychaete, and Neanthes succinea ($3,425\;ind./m^2$, 16.9%) of nereid polychaete. The most dominant species, P. japonicus distributed evenly all stations in the tidal flat. But N. succinea showed high density at the upper area of the tidal flat. Species diversity index (H') was in the range of 0.6 to 1.2 which is relatively low due to the prominent of P. japonicus and few species richness at each station. The study area was divided into two station groups (group A and B) based on the cluster analysis and MDS ordination, and the spatial distribution of macrozoobenthos on the Bongam tidal flat seemed to be in the influence of exposure duration from tidal levels and specific geological topography.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2012

The spatial variation of organic matter sources in tidal flat sediment of the Nanakita River estuary, involving Gamo lagoon on the north-east coast of Honshu Island, Japan, was examined using carbon stable isotopes and fatty acid biomarkers. The spatial variation of total organic carbon (TOC) contents and ${\delta}^{13}C$ values were highly variable in between the stations, such as sandy flat (1.3 mg/g, -21.0‰), sand-muddy flat (2.6 mg/g, -21.9‰), and muddy flat (24.9 mg/g, -25.9‰), respectively. Particularly, at the muddy flat, high TOC content and low ${\delta}^{13}C$ value of the sediments indicated that the surface sediment was composed largely of terrestrial organic matter. Whereas, at the sandy flat and sand-muddy flat, the high ratios of diatom and bacteria biomarkers indicated the high contribution of abundant microorganism along with marine organic matter in sediment composition. From these results, it considered that the amount and origin of transported sedimentary organic matter indicated different characteristics in this study stations.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2014

The thalassinidean upogebiid Upogebia yokoyai Makarov, 1938 was first collected and described based on the specimens from the upper tidal flat of sandy shores of Jeju Island, Korea. Although this species was already reported in Japan and Russia, this is the first report of its occurrence in Korea. Upogebia yokoyai differs clearly from other upogebiid species previously recorded in Korean waters, U. major and U. issaeffi, by spinulation of the dactylus and propodus of pereiopod 1. In addition, some morphological comparisons are provided for identification of the three Upogebia species in Korean waters.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to clarify the origin of organic matters on sediment and the characteristics of seasonal variation at an estuarine tidal flat. Silt-clay content (<63 ${\mu}m$), chlorophyll a, TOC, C/N ratio and the stable isotope ratio of carbon and nitrogen were measured at tidal flat around the estuary of the Nanakita River. As a result, organic matters originating from marine organic matter and bethic microalgae greatly contributed to sedimentation of organic matters at Stn.A, sandy tidal flat, though terrigenous organic matters did at Stn.C, muddy tidal flat. Furthermore, it was revealed that the volume and origin of organic matters in the sediments depended on seasonal variation, and the factors were different from the Stns, i.e. bentic microalgae and event for Stn.A, and the eventual sedimentation of organic matters originating from terrestrial plants, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.321-338
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• 2014

This study aims to identify spatial distribution of estuarine wetlands in Korea, and to assess temporal variation of the wetlands in the last few decades. Widely known in environmental and coastal management, watershed-based regions which composed with Han-river(western and eastern parts), Keum-river, Yeoungsan-river, Seomjin-river, Nakdong-river, and Jeju, are analyzed to evaluate temporal change of estuarine wetlands in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, through the land-cover map. Results show that estuarine wetlands dramatically decreased in Han-river(western part), Keum-river, Yeoungsan-river that estuarine circulation have been interrupted with man-made structures such as dyke and drainage. But, estuarine wetlands surrounded by forests and grasslands has been relatively less damaged. Habitat diversity providing healthy estuary ecosystem is lower in interrupted estuaries than circulated estuaries, which are composed of tidal-flat, open water, salt marsh, rocky coasts and sandy shoreline. This study indicates that spatial distribution and temporal variation of estuarine wetlands are different with estuary type and region, so estuary type with seven regions can be applied to provides a framework for estuary management strategies and to establish estuary restoration plans.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.204-212
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• 2005

Recognition has emerged that nutrient inputs from the submarine discharge of fresh, brackish, and marine groundwaters into the coastal ocean are comparable to the inputs via river discharge. The coastal areas of the Korea peninsula and adjacent seas exhibit particular importance in the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), in terms of the magnitude of SGD and associated continental material fluxes. For example, in the southern sea of Korea, SGD transports excess nutrients into the coastal regions and thus appears to influence ecosystem changes such as the outbreak of red tides. Around volcanic island, Jeju, which is composed of high permeability rocks, the amount of SGD is higher by orders of magnitude relative to the eastern coast of North America where extensive SGD studies have been conducted. In particular, nutrient discharge through SGD exerts a significant control on coastal ecosystem changes and results in benthic eutrophication in semi-enclosed Bang-du bay, Jeju. In the entire area of the Yellow Sea, tile submarine discharge of brackish groundwater and associated nutrients are found to rival the river discharges into the Yellow Sea, including those through Yangtze River, Han River, etc. In the eastern coast of the Korea peninsula, SGD is significantly higher during summer than winter due to high hydraulic gradients and due to wide distribution of high permeability sandy zones, faults, and fractures. On the other hand, in the estuarine water, downstream construction of the dam in the Nakdong River, SGD was highest when the river discharge was lowest (but water level of the dam was highest). This suggests that even though there is no visible freshwater discharge into this estuary, the discharge of chemical species is significant through SGD. On the basis of the results obtained from the coastal areas of the Korea peninsula, SGD is considered to be an important pathway of continental contaminants influencing tidal-flat ecosystems, red tides, and coral ecology. Thus, future costal management should pay great attention to the impact of SGD on coastal pollution and eutrophication.