• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.213-226
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• 2003

Kongsfjorden near Korean Arctic Station, Dasan, is a glacial fjord in the Svalbard archipelago, Arctic that is influenced by both Atlantic and Arctic water masses. During the Arctic field season August 2002, surface temperature, salinity, density, and phytoplankton biomass (chi a) was measured in Kongsfjorden. A total of 15 surface samples were collected for the phytoplankton related measurements. Chl a values ranged from 0.08 to 1.4mg chi a $m^{-3}$ (mean of 0.53mg chl a $m^{-3}$) in the overall surface stations. The highest values of the chi a concentrations (> 1.0mg chi a $m^{-3}$) were found near glacier in the northeastern part of Kongsfjorden. Nanoplanktonic (< $20{\mu}m$) phytoflagellates were important contributors for the increase of the chi a. The nano-sized phytoflagellates accounted for more than 90% of the total chi a biomass in the study area. Surface temperatures and salinities ranged from 2.5 to $7.18^{\circ}C$ (mean of $4.65^{\circ}C$) and from 22.55 to 32.97 psu (mean of 30.16 psu), respectively. The physical factors were not highly correlated with phytoplankton distribution. The character of surface water due to down-fjord wind was highly similar to phytoplankton distribution. Drifting ice, freshwater, and semdiment inputs from large tidal glaciers located in the inner part of Konsfjorden create steep physico- and biogeochemical environmental gradients along the length of this ford. The glacial inputs cause reduced biodiversity biomass and productivity in the pelagic community in the inner fjord. Primary production of benthic and pelagic microalgae is reduced due to the limited light levels in the turbid and mixed inner waters. The magnitude of glacial effects diminishes towards the outer fjord. Kongsfjorden is an important feeding ground fer marine mammals and seabirds. Especially, seabirds play the largest energy intake and also export nutrients for primary production of the marine microalgae. Kongsfjorden has received a lot of research attention as a site for exploring the impacts of climate changes. Dasan Station in Kongsfjorden will be an important Arctic site for monitoring and detecting future environmental changes.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.569-591
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• 2003

Marine benthic flora was investigated in an Arctic bay. Specimens of chlorophyte, phaeophyte, and rhodophyte were collected and examined over the period from July to August 2003 from Kongsfjorden Spitsbergen in Svalbard Islands. A total of 28 genera and 32 species (5 chlorophytes, 18 phaeophytes, and 9 rhodophytes) was identified and described. A green alga Enteromorpha linza(Linnaeus) J. Agardh, a brown alga Asperococcus compresus Griffiths ex Hooker, and three red algae Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft et al., Rhodymenia pacifica Kylin and Schizochlaenion rhodotrichum Wynne et Norris were recorded in Svalbard Islands for the first time.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.210-215
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• 2007

북극 다산기지가 있는 니알슨 인근 해역인 Kongsfjorden만은 일부 해역이 해빙으로 덮혀 있는 반폐쇄적인 만으로 수심이 평균 200m 이상 된다. 이곳 북극 지방은 하절기 라도 태양의 고도가 낮아 해색위성분야의 극지활용에 대한 가능성 여부도 명확하게 알려져 있지 못하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 북극 다산기지가 위치한 스발바드 군도의 니알슨 주변 해역(Kongsfjorden 해역)을 중심으로 2006년 8월 현장관측된 자료들을 유사한 시기의 한반도 주변 해역에서 현장관측된 자료들과 비교/분석하여 해양환경적 특성과 해수광학적인 특성이 어떤 차이가 있는지를 비교 분석하였다. 또한 북극 지방에서 인공위성을 이용한 해색위성자료의 극지활용이 가능한지를 검토하였다. 해수의 광 특성으로, 니알슨 주변 해역의 ${\alpha}^*_{ph}(440)$ 최대값은 $0.1m^2/mg$으로 한반도 주변해수의 ${\alpha}^*_{ph}(440)$ 최대값보다 약 2배정도 높게 측정되어 플랑크톤의 광 흡수효율이 중위도보다 상대적으로 높은 것으로 분석되었다. ${\alpha}^*_{ss}(440)$ 값은 $0.04-0.1m^2/g$으로 동중국해와 유사하며，한반도 주변해수보다 높은 값을 나타냈다. 이것은 Kongsfjorden 해역의 부유물질(SS) 구성성분이 동중국해와 유사한 무기광물 입자로 주로 구성되어 있음을 보여주고 있다. ${\alpha}_{dom}(400)$ 값은 $0.08-0.25m^{-1}$로 한반도 주변해수의 ${\alpha}_{dom}(400)$이 값과 유사하고 연안해역의 ${\alpha}_{dom}(400)$ 값보다 낮은 값을 나타냈다. $E_d(460)$의 평균값은 Konsfjorden 해역 $40mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 동중국해 $120mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 황해남부 $110mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 남해연안 $100mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 진해만 $100mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$이었다. 이와 같은 현장관측결과를 토대로 분석한 북극 다산기지 주변 해역의 해수광학적인 환경 특성은 용존유기물의 흡광도를 기준으로 볼 때 대양(Open Sea)의 광 특성과 유사하였다. 또한 북극지방에서 태양의 해수 입사 광량은 중위도의 약 40%정도이지만 해색위성자료의 극지활용이 가능하다고 판단되었다.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.819-826
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• 2004

In order to elucidate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration and its origin in arctic area, four arctic brown algae (Laminaria saccharina, L. digita, Alaria esculenta, Desmarestia aculeata), one marine invertebrate (Echinoidea) and sediments were collected from Kongsfjorden in Spitsbergen from the late July to early August, 2003. In case of macroalgae, the young blade part above growth point and the old stipes and blades beneath growth point were separated and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an attempt to check the mechanism of uptake in macroalgae to accumulate PAH. There was no difference in PAH concentrations between sampling sites (Stations B and C), species, and blades beneath and above growth point. PAH concentrations in all samples collected in this study were relatively higher than those reported in other areas of arctic. Especially, station C, which is known as an unpolluted area, showed 10 times higher PAH concentration (8,765 ng/g) in sediment than station A (694 ng/g) around harbor. In addition high PAH concentration, station C had very higher proportion of methylated PAH to parent PAH in sediment than station A. Source analysis using PAH isomer pair ratios as indicators showed that Kongsfjorden area seemed to be relatively contaminated with PAH derived from direct petroleum input.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2004

Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were determined in four arctic brown algae (Laminaria saccharina, L. digitata, Alaria esculenta, Desmarestia aculeata) in an attempt to examine for their metal accumulation capacity and also to assess their contamination levels. Macroalgae were collected from shallow subtidal waters (<20m) of Kongsfjorden (Kings Bay) on Spitsbergen during the period of the late July to early August 2003. Metal concentrations highly varied between sampling sites, species and tissue parts. Input of melt-water laden with terrigenous sediment particles seemed to have a large influence on baseline accumulations of some metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Pb etc.) in the macroalgae, causing a significant spatial variation. There were also significant concentration differences between the young and old tissue parts in L. saccharina, L. digitata and A. esculenta. While Al, Fe, Mn, Pb were higher in the perennial parts (stipes and holdfast below meristematic region), Cd and As concentrations were significantly higher in the young blades above the meristematic region. Zn and Cr, on the other hand, showed little differences between the tissue parts. The highest metal concentrations were found in D. aculeata, which seems to be due to its filamentous fine branches leading to high surface/volume ratios. The lowest concentrations were found in the two Laminaria spp., the blades of which are thicker than D. aculeata and A. esculenta. No distinct signs of contamination were detected in the brown algal species analyzed. Added to this, the results of the present studies suggest the potential utility of L. saccharina, L. digitata and A. esculenta as biomonitors for metal pollution monitoring in this area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

This study describes measurements of fast ice recorded on May 23, 2009, in Kongsfjorden (translated as 'Kongs Fjord'), an inlet on the west coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago. Seasonal fast ice is an important feature for Svalbard fjords, both in relation to their physical environment and also the local ecosystem, since it grows seaward from the coast and remains in place throughout the winter. Ice thickness, snow, ice properties, and wind speed were measured, while SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data was observed simultaneously observed two times from ALOS-PALSAR (L-band). Measured ice thickness was about 25-35 cm while the thickness of ice floe broken from fast ice was measured as 10-15 cm. Average salinity was 1.9-2.0 ppt during the melting period. Polarimetric data was used to extract H/A/alpha-angle parameters of fast ice, ice floe, snow and glacier, which was classified into 18 classes based on these parameters. It was established that the area of fast ice represents surface scattering which indicates low and medium entropy surface scatters such as Bragg and random surfaces, while fast ice covered with snow belongs to a zone of low entropy surface scattering similar to snow-covered land surfaces. The results of this study will contribute to various interpretations of interrelationships between H/A/alpha parameters and the wave scattering Phenomenon of sea ice.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.299-309
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• 2005

The community structure of meiobenthos was studied in the sediment of Kongfjorden, Spitsbergen of Svalbard Island in the Arctic Sea. Samples of meiobenthos were collected in August, 2003. Meiobenthic organisms were collected by SCUBA and van veen grab or acryl sub-corers 34mm in internal diameter, and were taken from upper sediment to a depth of 3cm at each station. A total of 26 meiofaunal groups were found in the sediment of Spitsbergen in Svalbard Island. Nematodes were the most dominant faunal group. Sarcomastigophorans, benthic harpacticoids, and nauplius larvae of crustaceans, were also important components of the meiobenthic community of Kongsfjorden. All of these low faunal groups were comprised of more than 90% of total meiobenthos at every station. The total density of meiobenthos at each station was highest at station MeG 6 $(3,583{\pm}1,137inds./10cm^2)$, and lowest at station $MeG9(28{\pm}1inds./10cm^2)$. Meiobenthos in general showed the highest density in the upper 1cm layer. This may be associated with food and oxygen supply to subsurface. Harpacticoids showed extreme preference at the surface and little presence in layers deeper than 2cm. These animals may be less resistant to oxygen deficiency, and nauplius also showed the same trend. However, in St. MeG 8 and 9, meiobenthos were dense at depths of more than 0-1cm, at especially at depths of 2-3m because of relatively easy penetration of oxygen. Based on the results of cluster analysis, three meiobenthos assemblages were distinguished: one was in the outer and two were in the inner fjord. Station SCU 5 was grouped with the meiobenthos assemblage located in the outer fjord. The outer ford community was characterised by : 1) a relatively low mean number of meiobenthos taxa, 2) a relatively high density of harpacticods and nauplius. One of the inner ford communities (a group of four nation: MeG 2, 3, 8, 9) was in the proximity of the glaciers. Specifically, it was characterised by : 1) a low mean number of meiobenthos taxa, 2) a low density. The other inner ford community was characterised by both a high density and great mean number of meiofaunal taxa.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2009

We examined the intracellular antioxidative effects of 20 Arctic seaweed extracts in Raw 264.7 cells. Each seaweed species was subjected to extraction using acetone/dichloromethane and methanol, respectively, after which the extracts were combined and used as the test sample. The antioxidant ability of all 20 seaweeds extracts was evaluated using four different activity tests, including the degree of occurrence of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), $ONOO^-$, and lipid peroxidation in Raw 264.7 cells, as well as the extent of oxidative damage of genomic DNA purified from Raw 264.7 cells. Crude extracts from Monostroma obscurum, Alaria esculnta, Laminaria digitata, Desmarestia aculeata, Chorda filum, Ptilota seriata, Phycidrys rubens, Devaleraea ramentacea and Palmaria palmata exhibited significant scavenging effects on the generation of intracellular ROS. Among them, Monostroma obscurum and Phycidrys rubens significantly inhibited membrane lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation. Moreover, Phycidrys rubens exhibited scavenging effects on peroxynitrite generated from SIN-1.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1933-1942
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• 2016

A novel ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolase (named PspAG97A) from glycoside hydrolase family 97 (GH97) was cloned from the deep-sea bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. K8, which was screened from the sediment of Kongsfjorden. Sequence analysis showed that PspAG97A belonged to GH97, and shared 41% sequence identity with the characterized ${\alpha}-glucoside$ BtGH97a. PspAG97A possessed three key catalytically related glutamate residues. Mutation of the glutamate residues indicated that PspAG97A belonged to the inverting subfamily of GH97. PspAG97A showed significant reversibility against changes in salt concentration. It exhibited halophilic ability and improved thermostability in NaCl solution, with maximal activity at 1.0 M NaCl/KCl, and retained more than 80% activity at NaCl concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 2.0 M for over 50 h. Furthermore, PspAG97A hydrolyzed not only ${\alpha}-1,4-glucosidic$ linkage, but also ${\alpha}-1,6-$ and ${\alpha}-1,2-glucosidic$ linkages. Interestingly, PspAG97A possessed high catalytic efficiency for long-chain substrates with ${\alpha}-1,6-linkage$. These characteristics are clearly different from other known ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolases in GH97, implying that PspAG97A is a unique ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolase of GH97.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.3 s.59
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• pp.257-268
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• 2005

Meiofauna community was surveyed in the Arctic Ocean. Sediment samples were collected from six stations in the east Barents Sea and from five stations in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard during summer 2002. Eight taxa of meiofauna were identified in the Barents Sea. Meiofauna abundance ranged from 245 to 906 indiv.10 $cm^{-2}$ (mean 580 indiv.10 $cm^{-2}$) and total biomass varied from 23 and 404 ${\mu}gC10cm^{-2}$ (mean 184 ${\mug}C10cm^{-2}$) in the Barent Sea. Nematode predominated in meiofauna comprising $95.2\%$ of total abundance and $66.4\%$ of biomass. Copepods, polycheats and sarcomastigophonans were also dominant in the study area. Nine taxa of meiofauna were identified in Kongsfiorden. Meiofauna abundance ranged from 103 to 513 indiv.10 $cm^{-2}$ (mean 292 indiv.10 $cm^{-2}$) and biomass varied from 13 and 196{\mu}gC10\;cm^{-2}$ (mean 94{\mu}gC10\;cm^{-2}$) in the Kongsfiorden. Nematodes predominated in meiofauna, comprising $64.1\%$ of abundance and $64.3\%$ biomass. Copepods, polychaets, and kinorhyncha were also dominant in the study area. The meiofauna abundances from both the study areas well match with the previous reports from the various regions including the temperate areas. However the occurred taxa in the present study are only a half comparing with the reports from temperate zone. Meiofauna abundance, biomass, diversity index and species richness were much higher than in the coastal which were strongly affected by fresh water run off in the Barents Sea. The stations affected by chlorophyll had high abundance and biomass, but low diversity index and spices richness in Kongsfiorden.