• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated changes in the macrobenthic community in Sihwa tidal flat before and after the operation of a Tidal Power Plant (TPP). In order to investigate changes in the macrobenthic community structure, field surveys were conducted at eighteen stations in 4 transect lines every September from 2011 to 2015. Mean density of macrobenthos decreased to $116ind./m^2$ in 2015 from $1,602ind./m^2$ in 2011. While the mean density of macrobenthos has decreased, species richness and biomass have gradually increased. The species diversity and SEP (Shannon-wiener Evenness Proportion) have also gradually increased over time since the operation of the TPP. The macrobenthic community in Sihwa tidal flat was divided into 4 groups on a yearly base. Before the operation of TPP, opportunistic species such as Neanthes succina and Polydora cornuta largely contributed to the structure of the macrobenthic community, while equilibrium species such as Periserrula leucophryna and Scopimera globosa contributed after the operation. With the operation of TPP, the macrobenthic community has rapidly recovered and this might be related to improvement in the quality of water and sedimentary environments as a result of an increase in water mass volume exchanged through the TPP gate.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2004

Benthic pollution assessment based on macrobenthic community structure with environmental variables was carried out at twelve stations during two periods on a presumed pollution gradient in Gamak Bay. Univariate and multivariate methods were applied to investigate structural changes in the benthic communities. A clear gradient of pollution effects on the macrobenthic community was observed from the interior to the exterior of the bay. The community on the northwestern basin was severely disturbed due to a low level of hydrodynamics and a large amount of pollutant input from nearby cities. Exterior regions on the southern basin appeared to have the best benthic environmental characteristics among all stations according to most methods of analysis. Central ridge regions and two stations around the islets in the mouth of the bay exhibited intermediate levels of perturbation when compared to the more disturbed interior and undisturbed exterior regions. Pollution effects on the communities were attenuated at the southern area of the central ridge during spring compared to those of summer, where aquacultural farming was densely distributed. The environmental variables primarily correlated to the macrobenthic community structure were total organic carbon (C), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and tributyltins (TBTs), contents found on the surface sediment, as anthropogenic variables indicating organic materials.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.421-434
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• 2011

Although thermal effluent from coastal power plants affects marine ecosystems, few studies have examined the spatiotemporal distribution of macrobenthic communities in a coastal area of Korea with thermal discharge. This study analyzed the species composition and abundance of a macrobenthic community in relation to environmental variables for a period of 1 year. In total 334 macrobenthic faunal species were collected; the mean density was 3,221 ind/$m^2$. The number of species and the density of macrobenthic fauna increased with distance from the thermal discharge site. Cluster analysis indicated that the macrobenthic community could be divided into two groups: group I in shallow (< 30 m deep) and group II in the outer areas (> 30 m deep). Group I showed the lowest species density and diversity. Four polychaetes, including Magelona japonica, Spiophanes bombyx, Scolotoma longifolia and Chaetozone setosa, all of which have been dominant species since 1987, exhibited higher mean densities in the area distant from the thermal discharge (the outer and north areas). Conversely, the warm-adapted and opportunistic species, such as the amphipods Urothoe convexa and Mandibulophoxus mai, the bivalve Felaniella sowerbyi, and the polychaete Rhynchospio sp., were more abundant in the thermal discharge region. The results of this study indicate that thermal effluent influences macrobenthic communities in the shallow area, while other environmental variables, such as depth, sediment grain size, and TOC, are more important determinants of the macrobenthic communities in deeper regions (> 30 m deep).

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.219-228
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• 2013

In Korea, more than 300 oil spill accidents occur every year. Despite the frequency, only a small pool of data is available on the initial effect of oil spill on macrobenthic fauna inhabiting rocky shores. The aim of this study was to analyze the variation of macrobenthic fauna composition and community structure on rocky shores, and understand the impact of oil on rocky shore organisms after the Hebei Spirit oil spill. Field surveys were carried out in five regions dose to the wreck site in January, April and September 2008. Polluted sites after the Hebei Spirit oil spill showed that biological index consistently decreased for 9 months limited to breeding and recruitment of organisms by spilled oil. Macrobenthic community was subdivided into 3 groups by species elimination and differences between density of major dominant species: enriched biota community under a relatively stable environment, the second with relatively low ecological index and the last with poor community. In this study, species number did not clearly reflect the effect of oil on the rare and mobile species. However, mean density, biomass and community structure showed the effect of oil by considering breeding activity, decline in recruitment and variation pattern with time.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.125-148
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• 2017

This study analyzed the community structure of macrobenthic organisms in the subtidal area suffering under the influence of thermal discharge from the Uljin nuclear power plant during 2012-2013 and reviewed the temporal change in the faunal composition of the macrobenthic community using data from previous studies since the start of the plant operation in 1989. A total of 319 species were collected in 2012-2013, with a mean density of $3,330ind./m^2$ and a mean biomass of $131.96g/m^2$. These results were similar to those obtained in 2006-2007. The dominant species were not different from each other before and after the power plant operations began, but the faunal density near the power plant drainage port was significantly higher compared to those densities obtained from other stations. Spiophanes bombyx and Polydora sp., which is known as a pollution indicator species, was dominant only in the drainage port area. The study area consisted of two subregions with different macrobenthic communities depending on the water depth, which was similar to the results of the 2006-2007 survey. The macrobenthic community structures before and after the operation of the power plant in the coastal area were not changed, but there were seasonal differences in the long-term macrobenthic community structure which were strongly related to the thermal discharge from the power plant.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.spc1
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• pp.132-141
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• 2006

Artificial structures have been designed as pilot structures to promote the creation and restoration of tidal flats. However, little information is available as to whether such artificial construction affects the macrobenthic community structure. We monitored the variation of the macrobenthic community structure and species composition near natural and artificial structures (seaweed and a timber fence) on the tidal flats near the Iwon Dike, Korea. In total, 137 macrobenthic species were recorded during this study, predominantly crustaceans (47%), polychaetes (18%), and molluscs (27%). Polychaetes comprised over 50% of the total density, followed by gastropods (38%) and crustaceans (11%). Macrobenthic species composition in the artificial and natural areas, was initially similar, but it differed after 7 months. The gastropod Umbonium thomasi, the most dominant species, was present at both sites in the first month after the start of the experiment, but disappeared at the artificial sites within 7 months, suggesting disturbance by the environmental factors. The number of species and diversity (H') varied significantly within sites at the beginning of the experiment, but no difference was observed after 7 months. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure between the artificial and the natural areas from 7 months after the start of the experiment, except from 18 to 21 months. The community structures were mainly influenced by U. thomasi. Community structure at the artificial sites was affected by environmental variables, such as carbon, COD/IL sulfide, loss of ignition, kurtosis and silt, which changed over time. We observed no significant correlations between environmental variables and the dominant species, except in the case of Spio sp. and Macrophthalmus dilatatus, suggesting that the biological interactions and temporary disturbances such as typhoon, as well as the effects of artificial structures may also be important regulating factors in this system.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.497-507
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• 2008

With the reduction of tidal currents by the closing of the Saemangeun 4th dyke, sedimentary environments on the Gunsan tidal flat, the nearest inner flat from the 4th dyke, has been severely changed, which might affect macrobenthic assemblages on the habitats. In order to investigate changes in macrobenthic community structure on Gunsan tidal flat, field surveys were seasonally conducted at seven stations from April 2002 to November, 2005. Sedimentary facies on the study area were shifted into muddominant facies. The fine sediment has been greatly deposited on the tidal flat with accumulation of organic materials after closing the water passage of 4th dyke section. These drastic variations in environments gave rise to change in macrobenthic community structure. Since the closure of the 4th dyke, the number of species of macrobenthos has gradually decreased. And the filter feeders and sand-favored species such as Urothoe convexa, Macrophthalmus dilatatus, Umbonium thomasi, and Mactra veneriformis have been replaced by the deposit feeders such as Macrophthalmus japonicus and Ilyoplax pingi. MDS ordination based on Bray-Curtis similarity from forth-root transformed species abundance data showed that the macrobenthic communities have passed through three succession stages from 2002 to 2005. During the third stage of 2005 opportunistic species such as Prionospio japonica, Heteromastus filiformis and Sinocorophium sinensis increased in population on the tidal flat.

• KCID journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.42-48
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the changing of benthic macrobenthos community in Saemangeum subtidal area. The distribution of macrobenthic community is important to assume the benthic environment in study area. Macrobenthic community was investigated three times in 2007 (March, June and September) in the Saemangeum subtidal area. The mean density of macrobenthos was $345{\sim}838ind./m^2$ and the most dominant taxa was benthic polychaete. Opportunistic species such as E.cordatum, T.fragilis, H.filiformis, and Tharyx sp. were shown high appearance rate in study area. The dominance of these opportunistic species suggest that the benthic environment of study area was unstable due to environmental disturbance. But, there are only few point that these species were recorded high densities, and also equilibrium species was dominant, too. It means disturbance and un stability of benthic environment in Seamangeum was not serious yet. so the dynamics and trends of these opportunistic species should be concerned.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.423-432
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• 2004

In coastal area of Inchon, dredging and the disposal of dredged material for sea-wall construction and reclamation have increased in recent years. These activities may impact the benthic environment and result in changes in benthic communities, but little information is available on the extent and direction of these changes. We investigated whether there have been changes in the dominant macrobenthic species and benthic community over the last decade, and explored the relationship between environmental variables and spatial patterns of macrobenthic community structure. We sampled macrobenthos and recorded environmental variables in the coastal habitats of Inchon in March and June 2004. In total, 212 macrobenthic species were recorded during this study, predominately crustaceans $(34{\%})$, mollusks $(32{\%})$ and polychaetes $(21{\%})$. The mean density of macrobenthos was $1,393\;ind./m^{2}$.The most abundant species was Amphioplus japonicus $(20.5{\%})$, followed by Heteromastus filiformis $(14.4{\%})$, Theora fragilis $(8.2{\%})$ and Ampharete sp. $(4.0{\%})$. Over the past decade the dominant macrobenthic species in this area shifted. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure among three regions: the middle part of the sampling area (B), site 8 (C) and other sites (A). Mean density varied significantly among the three regions, but no differences in the number of species and diversity (H') were observed. The distribution of the macrobenthic community was affected by environmental variables such as percentage sand content and sediment kurtosis. Species that were important in different areas included A. japonicus in region A, Raeta puchella in region B and T. fragilis in region C. The important species in regions B and C were filter-feeding bivalves, and the abundance of these species may be related to the increase in percentage sand content. We suggest that the sediment composition (percentage sand content) may be an important factor in determining the dominant species and structure of the macrobenthic communities in coastal Inchon. Long-term monitoring programs are necessary to understand ongoing changes in the benthic communities of this area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.spc1
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• pp.142-150
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• 2006

We examined the effect of predation by observing the changes in macrobenthic communities in a tidal flat at Seonjae, Korea, following the exclusion of large predators such as birds, fishes and crustaceans using protective screens. We conducted two interference experiments in the field from April to November 2004: (1) Experiment 1 was conducted at a mid-tidal flat in the western part of Seonjae-do, Incheon, Korea, (2) Experiment 2 was set up at a low tidal flat in the eastern part of Seonjae-do. predator exclusion showed different effects in the two experiments. Both the number of species and density were reduced by 20% in Experiment 1. Whereas in Experiment 2, they increased by up to 13% and 69%, respectively. In Experiment 1, a high density of brachyuran crabs observed in the treatment may have caused the difference in community composition between the treatment and the control, and this probably resulted from active predation of macrofauna (e.g., small crabs) under protection from megafaunal predators such as birds and fishes. However, in Experiment 2, as typically observed in other predator exclusion experiments, a lower density of benthic predators and the subsequent reduction of over predation probably resulted in a more diverse and abundant benthic community in the treatment. We confirmed that predation was a contributing factor in the formation of the macrobenthic community. We also demonstrated relationships that exist among different trophic groups (large predators, macrobenthic predators and prey) and what effects and responses occur in each component of the tidal flats.