• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.21.1-21.7
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• 2016

Objectives The present study analyzes metal contamination in sediment of the East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, which is receiving a huge amount of domestic and industrial wastewater from surrounding areas. The subsequent uptake and accumulation of metals in different macrophytes are also examined in regard to their phytoremediation potential. Methods Metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) were estimated in sediment, water and different parts of the macrophytes Colocasia esculenta and Scirpus articulatus. Results The concentration of metals in sediment were, from highest to lowest, Mn ($205.0{\pm}65.5mg/kg$)>Cu ($29.9{\pm}10.2mg/kg$)>Pb ($22.7{\pm}10.3mg/kg$)>Cd ($3.7{\pm}2.2mg/kg$). The phytoaccumulation tendency of these metals showed similar trends in both native aquatic macrophyte species. The rate of accumulation of metals in roots was higher than in shoots. There were strong positive correlations (p <0.001) between soil organic carbon (OC) percentage and Mn (r =0.771), and sediment OC percentage and Pb (r=0.832). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) also showed a positive correlation (p <0.001) with Cu (r=0.721), Mn (r=0.713), and Pb (r=0.788), while correlations between sediment OC percentage and Cu (r=0.628), sediment OC percentage and Cd (r=0.559), and CEC and Cd (r=0.625) were significant at the p <0.05 level. Conclusions Bioaccumulation factor and translocation factors of these two plants revealed that S. articulatus was comparatively more efficient for phytoremediation, whereas phytostabilization potential was higher in C. esculenta.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.202-212
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• 2017

Background: To reveal establishment strategy of Sparganium erectum, we tried to find realized niche of adults through field survey and effects of water level on the establishment process through mesocosm experiments. Results: In the field survey, the height and coverage of community living in deeper water were greater than those of community living in shallow water. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the means of water and soil properties between the two communities. In mesocosm experiments, we found no correlation between water levels and germination rates, but S. erectum seedlings have characteristics of post germination seedling buoyancy when S. erectum seeds germinated in inundation conditions. Shoot height, total leaf length, and survival rates of sinking seedlings in shallow water levels at -5, 0, and 5 cm were higher than those in deeper water levels at 10 and 20 cm. Floating seedlings established in water levels of 3 and 6 cm only. The seedlings could live up to 6 weeks in floating state but died if they were unable to establish. Conclusions: The water level around adult S. erectum communities in the field were different from the water level at which S. erectum seedlings can survive in the mesocosm experiments. The findings provided not only understanding of S. erectum habitat characteristics but also evidence to connect historical links between the early seedlings stage and adult habitat conditions. We suggested the logical establishment strategy of S. erectum based on the data.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.375-381
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• 2015

We investigated the influence of summer rainfall on Pectinatella magnifica colonies in lotic ecosystems. Of the examined substrate materials, branches and aquatic macrophytes supported more colonies of P. magnifica than that by stones or artificial materials. The influence of rainfall on P. magnifica colonies differed in accordance with the type of substrate material at each study site. In the Geum River, little difference was noted in the number of P. magnifica colonies on branches before ($mean{\pm}SE$, $24{\pm}7.3$ individuals) and after rainfall ($20{\pm}8.4$ ind.); other substrate types supported fewer colonies of P. magnifica after rainfall. In contrast, in the Miryang River, rainfall had minimal effect on the number of P. magnifica colonies supported by macrophytes ($13{\pm}3.8$ and $12{\pm}4.3$ ind., respectively). Artificial material was more abundant in the Banbyeon Stream where it was able to support more colonies of P. magnifica. We found that the structure of different substrates sustains P. magnifica following rainfall. In the Miryang River, free-floating and submerged plants with a relatively heterogeneous substrate surface were the dominant macrophytes, whereas in the Geum River, simple macrophytes (i.e., emergent plants) were dominant. Therefore, we conclude that the substrate type on which P. magnifica grows plays an important role in resisting physical disturbances such as rainfall.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2014

Standing crop distribution of aquatic plants in the West Nakdong River and riparian wetlands in the Nakdong River were surveyed in May, July and September, 2010. Total 25 aquatic macrophyte species (submerged: 9, leaf-floating: 3, free-floating: 5, emergent: 8) were observed during the survey periods. Distribution area of aquatic plants and proportion of submerged communities were highest in Garakchi-deung ($212,032m^2$, 72.7%). The distribution area of aquatic plants was highest in Phragmites australis community ($421,584m^2$), followed by Hydrilla verticillata-Vallisneria natans community ($181,511m^2$), Potamogeton wrightii-Vallisneria natans community ($61,604m^2$), and Hydrocharis dubia community ($49,709m^2$). Garakch-ideung (212,032 kg) also had the highest aquatic plant production, followed by Suanchi-deung (15,546 kg), Daedong (5,813 kg), Dunchi-do (3,963 kg), Maekdo (1,463 kg), Yeommak (571 kg), Jungsa-do (530 kg), and Shinan (300 kg). Average standing crop of the study area were $147.8{\pm}20.8g\;DW{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in 1988, $96.1{\pm}20.0g\;DW{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in 2000, and $172.6{\pm}76.1g\;DW{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in 2010. For a sustainable management of river habitat and food source, aquatic plant should concurrently be surveyed with river environmental variables (i.e. sediment, nutrient, flow).

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.709-717
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• 2008

The field scale experiment which is constructed with four sets (0.88 ha for each set) of wetland (0.8 ha) and pond (0.08 ha) systems was performed to examine the effect of plant coverage on the constructed wetland performance and to recommend the optimum development and management of macrophyte communities. After six growing seasons of wetlands, plant coverage was about 100%. And the concentration of DO showed low value (1.0~5.4 mg/L). This is caused by a blighted plant consumed dissolved oxygen with decay in water column. As the result, water column went to be anaerobic conditions and T-N removal rate are 58~67%. Dead vegetation increased nitrogen removal during winter because it is a source of organic carbon which is an essential parameter in denitrification. However, wetland released phosphorus caused by a blighted plant and accumulation, the removal rate of phosphorus might be decreased. To rise of DO concentration, the three open-waters were constructed in cell 3 and 4. Cell 3 has two open-waters (width 10 m, depth 1.8 m) and cell 4 has one open-water (width 20 m, depth 1.8 m). As the result, DO concentration and treatment efficiency of nutrient and BOD were improved. In case that constructed wetland is operated for a long time, physical circulation structure such as open water help continuous circulation of aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Through the constructed open-water, treatment efficiency of phosphorus and nitrogen in wetland could be improved effectively.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.134-142
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• 2006

The treatment of high-strength swine wastewater by anaerobic digestion combined with an aquatic plant system was investigated. Anaerobic digestion of swine wastewater gave volatile solids (VS) removal efficiencies of 43.3%, 52.1% and 54.5% for hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 20, 30, 40 days, respectively. The removal efficiencies of VS, total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) decreased with increasing VS volumetric loading rate (VLR). Higher organic removal efficiency was observed at longer HRTs for the same VS volumetric loading rate. As VS volumetric loading rate increased, biogas production increased and the methane content of the biogas decreased. Experiments using duckweed (Lemna species) as an aquatic macrophyte gave the following results. In the case of nitrogen, removal efficiency was above 60% and effluent concentration was below 10.0 mg/L when the influent ammonia-N loading was about $1.0\;g/m^2/day$. In the case of phosphorus, removal efficiency was above 55% and effluent concentration was below 2.0 mg/L when the influent $PO_4$-P loading was about $0.15\;g/m^2/day$. In addition, crude protein and phosphorus content of duckweed biomass increased from 15.6% to 41.6% and from 0.8% to 1.6%, respectively, as the influent nutrient concentration increased. The treatment of high-strength swine wastewater by anaerobic digestion combined with an aquatic plant system offers good performance in terms of organics and nutrient removal for relatively low operation and maintenance costs. The results indicate that under appropriate operational conditions, the effluent quality is within the limits set by Korean discharge criteria.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2007

This study examined the decomposition of blades and culms of aquatic emergent plant species, Zizania latifolia, Phragmites communis and Typha angustata, and changes in nutrient contents during decomposition. Z. latifolia, P. communis and T. angustata were the most frequently occurring species in Lake Paldang of Han River, Korea. Experiments were carried out from July 27 to December 14, 2005 in Lake Paldang using the litter bag method. The remaining masses of blade litter of each species at the end of experimental period were 21.2% of initial dry weight in Z. latifolia, 32.5% in P. communis, and 44.7% in T. angustata. In addition, the remaining mass of culm was 22.6% of initial dry mass in Z. latifolia, 56.4% in P. communis, and 38.1% in T. angustata. During the litter decomposition period, P, K, Na, and Mg concentration decreased rapidly within 10 days, but Ca and Mg concentration declined slowly. K contents remained below 10% of initial values in all litter samples retrieved during decomposition, whereas Ca and Mg concentration remained above 40% and 50% during decomposition in all three species. Na, P and Mn contents in litter varied among species and plant parts. P concentration in culms of P. communis remained at about 60% of initial concentration throughout the study, but the remaining P content in culms of Z. latifolia was only 10% of the original value at the end of the study period. The Mn concentration in blades of P. communis increased about 15-fold relative to the initial content by the end of experiment.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.772-780
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• 2010

The golden apple snail-Pomacea canaliculata was an alien species and introduced into Korea as table use in 1983. This species is possible pest in direct seeded rice paddy in Korea. We investigated the effects of this exotic snail on the macrophytes and the water quality in water canal. Also, the basic life cycle of this species and the overwintering ecology in Chungnam and Jeonbuk province were elucidated. A survey of natural water canal in Korea showed that high densities of the snail were associated with absences of macrophytes-Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna perpusilla. Experiments in water tank also demonstrated that the golden apple snail can cause the loss of macrophytes, and increase the EC(Electric conductivity), COD(Chemical oxygen demand), T-N(Total nitrogen) and T-P(Total phosphorus) in water.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2009

We investigated characteristics of channel morphology, flora and vegetation distribution at the main and the abandoned channels of the Hwangguji Stream and the Cheongmi Stream. The analysis of aerial photographs and old topographical maps showed that the abandoned channels were made by cut-off from the main channel due to the construction of artificial levee. The total number of species and percentage of exotic plants at the main channels were higher than those at the abandoned channels. At the abandoned channel, the percentage of species number of hydrophytes and hygrophytes was higher than those at the main channels in the both stream. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the floral structure between at the main and the abandoned channel was more similar in the Hwangguji Stream than that in the Cheongmi Stream. The relative distribution areas of hydrophytes and hygrophytes at two abandoned channels were much higher than those at the main channels in the both stream. The dominant plant was an emergent macrophyte, Zizania latifolia at two abandoned channels. Therefore, flora and vegetation at the abandoned channel showed more hydric and lentic characteristics and provided diversity on the landscape level.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2004

Fresh specimens of the aquatic macrophyte, Spirodela polyrhiza, have been examined employing scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Observations revealed the occurrence of microbial colonization during development. Submerged parts of the small, free-floating S. polyrhiza body exhibited a variety of microorganisms such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, and diatoms throughout their development. However, immature and/or young plants normally demonstrated much less microbial colonization compared to mature plants. During the study, heavy colonization by the microorganisms was routinely encountered at maturity, especially in the fully developed abaxial fronds and root caps. The mucilaginous layer was shown along the root caps, and the microorganisms appeared to be either clustered or attached to this layer. In contrast, only moderate degrees of colonization were observed in the root, and little to no colonization was observable in the adaxial frond surface. Transmission electron microscopy clearly demonstrated the microbial colonization to be external in the S. polyrhiza specimen examined in the current study. The association between the microorganisms and S. polyrhiza has been considered non-harmful, as no frond senescence and almost no mechanical penetration of the plant by the microorganisms were noticed during the study.