• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.100-117
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• 2022

This study examines the spatio-temporal characteristics of the macrobenthic community in the coastal areas of South Korea for the past six years(2015-2020). The relationship between the number of individuals of macrobenthic species and the benthic environments were investigated using data collected at a total of 154 stations located in the West (70), the South (61), and the East Seas (23), except for the Jeju Sea. We examined the benthic environmental characteristics such as water depth, sediment, grain size, ignition loss, and total organic carbon. A total of 1,614 macrobenthic species were found in the coastal area, with a mean density of 0.62 ind./m² by station. The mean density was relatively high in the spring and summer seasons (May to August) with more than 450 species. The most dominant species belong to Polychaetes and the top five of them accounted for more than 20% of the total number of populations. The top five species were Heteromastus filiformis, Scoletoma longifolia, Sigambra tentaculata, Sternaspis scutata, and Notomastus latericeus. Cluster analysis was performed on the top five dominant species. The stations were clustered into three groups with similar locations on the West, South, and East Sea. Cluster 1 and 3 represent Heteromastus filiformis (44% each), but cluster 2 represents Scoletoma longifolia (66%). Each cluster has different benthic environmental characteristics, especially in the sediment's sand (31.0%, 51.9%) and clay (15.9%, 9.7%) contents.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.287-304
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate spatio-temporal variations of benthic environment and macrobenthic polychaete communities in Gamak Bay where excessive organic matters from untreated sewage effluents and fish and shellfish farming activities have been accumulated in certain regions. Such environmental variables as sediment composition, organic content, acid volatile sulfide and dissolved oxygen content etc. were measured and polychaete specimens were taken in September 1999 and February 2000. In September 1999, organic contents were up to three times higher in the northwestern part of the bay and the area closed to Gukdong harbor than in the rest of the bay. In particular, benthic environment of the northwestern part of the bay was extremely deteriorated by the occurrence of hypoxia and highly concentrated sulfide. Of 28 stations investigated in summer, 5 stations located in the northwestern part were azoic. In the rest of the stations, a total of 119 polychaete species were sampled with a mean density of 900 $ind./m^2$. While species richness was higher in the entrance and central part of the bay where water exchanges with open sea were relatively active, density was higher in the moderately enriched stations neighbouring Gukdong harbor and fish farms where such potential indicators of organic pollution as Aphelochaeta monilaris, Lumbrineris longifolia were largely dominant. In February 2000, a total of 81 polychaete species appeared with a mean density of 2,802 $ind./m^2$ from 12 stations sampled in winter. Azoic areas were recolonized by Capitella capitata, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata and Dipolydora socialis which showed maximum density in the innermost station. On the other hand, the rest of the stations were dominated by Euchone alicaudata and Praxillella affinis. The configuration of the stations sampled in summer and winter on the multidimensional scaling plots reflected the position of each stations within the bay in which there were great differences in organic content, sulfide concentration and oxygen content rather than in sediment composition. Therefore, heterogeneities in polychaete community structure in Gamak Bay were primarily influenced by the degree of the disturbance depending on the position within the bay.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.687-697
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• 2019

By monitoring sediment grain size and level variation of tidal flat surface for 6 years (2005-2011), and also by mooring TISDOS (tidal-flat sediment dynamics observation system) on the low intertidal flat in 2008, we investigated the sedimentary environment of tidal flat in the dammed Yeongsan River Estuary. The tidal flat of the Yeongsan River Estuary lost 82 % of its area because of coastal development projects, and a narrow tidal flat below mean sea level now remains. Most of the tidal flat sediments are composed of silt up to 70-94 %, and show the characteristics of clay deficiency and silt dominance. This is closely related with the coastal development, which led to the destruction of high tidal flats where most mud settled, and the modification of tidal current patterns. Moreover, the estuarine tidal-flat sediments reveal seasonal variation. They are coarse with abundant silt during windy autumn to spring, fine with abundant clay during the less-windy and high-discharge summer. This phenomenon indicates that the behavior of sediment particles on the low intertidal flats of the Yeongsan River Estuary is influenced by wind waves for silt and fresh water discharge and the tidal process for clay. Monitoring results of the altitude of tidal flat surface showed that the study area had eroded at an average rate of -2.6 cm/y during the period of 2005-2011, and also that an unusual deposition with a rate of 4 cm/y occurred in 2010. The erosion can be explained by an increased tidal amplitude and a strengthened ebb-dominant tidal asymmetry after the construction of an estuary dike and the Yeongam Kumho Seawall. The deposition in 2010 seems to have been closely related to the mass production of suspended materials from dredging of the estuary.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4 s.114
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• pp.461-474
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• 2005

Physicochemical parameters, plankton community structure, and sediment were surveyed from 1988 to 2002, at two months interval, in a eutrophic coastal lagoon (Lake Songji, Korea). The lake basin is separated from the sea by a narrow sand dune, and a shallow sill divides the lake basin into two sub-basins. The stable stratifications and chemoclines are maintained all through the year at 1-2 m depth. DO was often very low (<1 $mgO_2\;{\cdot}\;L^{-1}$) in the monimolimnion. Secchi disc transparency was in the range of 0.5-2.7 m. TP, TN, and Chl. a concentration in the mixolimnion were 0.015-0.396 $mgP\;{\cdot}\;L^{-1}$), 0.223-3.521 $mgN\;{\cdot}\;L^{-1}$, and 0.5-129.8 mg ${\cdot}\;m^{-3}$, respectively. TSI was in the eutrophic range of 54 to 62. Sediment was composed of silt and coarse silt. COD, TP, and TN content of the sediment were 51.4-116.9 $mgO_2\;{\cdot}\;gdw^{-1}$, 0.04-1.46 $mgP\;{\cdot}\;gdw^{-1}$ and, 0.12-1.03 $mgN\;{\cdot}\;gdw^{-1}$, respectively. The 49 phytoplankton species were identified. The maximum phytoplankton abundance obscured the lake in September 2001 (max. density: 23,350 cells ${\cdot}\;mL^{-1}$. The Chlorophyte Schroederia judayi was dominant species in summer (max. density: 20,417 cells ${\cdot}\;mL^{-1}$). The lake showed unique limnological features of a brackish lagoon in respect to biological community, chemical characteristics, and physical phenomena.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2003

To describe dinoflagellate cysts from Gwangyang Bay, surface sediment samples were collected at 20 sites by the TFO core sampler on 24 August 2001, in coupled with a phytoplankton investigation by surface seawater sampling. More than 17 genera, 36 species of dinoflagellate cysts were Identified from the sediment samples of Gwangyang Bay, consisting of 14 species of gonyaulacoid, 14 species of protoperidinioid, 3 species of diplopsalid, 2 species of gymnodinioid, 1 species of tuberculodinioid and calciodinellid, respectively. Cyst concentrations in Gwangyang Bay varied from 115 to 2,188 cysts/g, and generally increased toward a western part of the study area. The highest cyst concentration was observed at St. 11 located in the northwestern region with 11 genera and 19 species(2,188 cysts/g), while the lowest value with 6 genera and 9 species(115 cysts/g) was observed at St. 3 located in the center of the study area. The predominant dinoflagellate cyst was Spiniferites bulloideus, followed by Alexandrium sp., Brigantedinium simplex and S. delicatus. The motile forms of eight dinoflagellate cysts recorded in the sediment samples were also observed in the seawater: Polykrikos swartzii/kofoidii complex, Scripssiella trochoidea, Protoperidinium claudicans(cyst name: Votadinium spinosum), P. pentagonum(: Trinovantedinium capitatum capitatum), P. conicum(: Selenopemphix quanta), P. leonis(: Quinquecuspis concretum), P. conicoides(: Brigantedinium simplex), Gonyaulax spp.(: Spiniferites spp.). In this study, heterotrophic dinoflagellate cysts show the highest concentration at St. 6 where the highest density of diatoms simultaneously observed from surface water sample. This result suggests that the grazing of heterotrophic dinoflagellates on the diatoms in high concentration caused the higher concentration of heterotrophic dinoflagellate cysts.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2019

In this study, the surveys were carried out from October (2016) to October (2017) along the tidal flat of Geunso Bay, Taean Peninsula of the western edge of Korea. The sampling trips were carried out for a total of 16 times, once or twice a month. In order to investigate the monthly variation of the microphytobenthos (MPB) biomass, community composition and photo-physiology were analyzed by HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography). The total chlorophyll a (TChl a) concentrations used as an indicator of biomass of MPB in the upper 1 cm sediment layer ranged from 40.4 to $218.9mg\;m^{-2}$ throughout the sampling period. TChl a concentrations showed the maximum level on $24^{th}$ of February and remained high throughout March after which it started to declined. The biomass of MPB showed high values in winter and low values in summer. The monthly variations of Phaeophorbide a concentrations suggested that the low grazing intensity of the predator in the winter may have partly attributed to the MPB winter blooming. As a result of monthly variations of the MPB community composition using the major marker pigments, the concentrations of fucoxanthin, the marker pigment of benthic diatoms, were the highest throughout the year. The concentrations of most of the marker pigments except for chlorophyll b (chlorophytes) and peridinin (dinoflagellates) increased in winter. However, the concentrations of fucoxanthin increased the highest, and the relative ratios of the major marker pigments to TChl a except fucoxanthin decreased during the same period. The vertical distribution of Chl a and oxygen concentrations in the sediments using a fluorometer and an oxygen micro-optode Chl a concentrations decreased with oxygen concentrations with increasing depth of the sediment layers. Moreover, this tendency became more apparent in winter. The Chl a was uniformly vertical down to 12 mm from May to July, but the oxygen concentration distribution in May decreased sharply below 1 mm. The increase in phaeophorbide a concentration observed at this time is likely to be caused by increased oxygen consumption of zoobenthic grazing activities. This could be presumed that MPB cells are transported downward by bioturbation of zoobenthos. The relative ratios (DT/(DD+DT)) obtained with diadinoxanthin (DD) and diatoxanthin (DT), which are often used as indicators of photo-adaptation of MPB, decreased from October to March and increased in May. This indicated that there were monthly differences in activity of Xanthophyll cycle as well.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2011

This study investigated the community structure and spatio-temporal variation of macrobenthic assemblages around Gijang Province, East Sea of Korea. Macrobenthos collected seasonally using a modified van Veen grab sampler from March to November 2006. A total of 157 macrobenthic fauna were collected. The overall average macrobenthos density were $552 \;ind/m^2$. The species number of macrobenthos was in the range from 62 in winter and spring to 122 in autumn. On the other hand, abundance fluctuated between 6,540 (in spring) and 17,920 (in autumn) inds./$18m^2$. Cluster analysis and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) were applied to assess the spatio-temporal fluctuation in the macrobenthic assemblages. Cluster analysis and nMDS ordination analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity identified 3 station groups. The group 1 (station 8~10, 12, 13, 17 and 18) was characterized by high abundance of the polychaete Lumbrineris longifolia, the bivalve Ennucula tenuis and the Amphipoda spp., with mean phi range from $6.2{\Phi}$ to $7.1{\Phi}$ (above 50m water depth). The group 2 (station 5~7, 11, 14~16) was numerically dominated by the po1ychaete Ampharete arctica and the bivalve Theorafragilis (mean phi: $6.0{\sim}7.0{\Phi}$; within 40 m water depth). Finally group 3 (station 1~4) was characterized by high density of the polychaetes Magelona japonica and Sternaspis scutata, with mean phi range from $3.5{\Phi}$ to $6.9{\Phi}$ (below 30 m water depth). In conclusion, the Macrobenthic community structure showed a distinct spatial and temporal trend, which seemed to be related to the water depth and sediment composition.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.320-331
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• 1995

The closely spaced cores were analyzed to find detailed reconstruction of paleoenvironments and sealable changes along the Delaware Bay coast. Three areas, Kitts Hummock Beach mars, the St. Jones River marsh, and Bowers marsh near the St. Jones River's mouth, were chosen because these areas are compose of their own geomorphic characteristics and sea-level history. since significance of the stratigraphic correlations was to determine sedimentary fancies and paleoenvironments, multidisciplinary methods such as lithological description, grain-size analysis, organic/inorganic content, water content, mineral composition, botanical analysis, micropaleontological analysis, and /SUP 14/C datings were performed. Five major divisions of marsh environments were recognized in the stratigraphic sections: freshwater marsh, initialfreshwater marsh, slightly brackish marsh, brackish marsh, and salt marsh. Most of the lower part in the stratigraphic sections show freshwater marsh. On the top of this, either brackish marsh or tidal flat/tidal stream was recorded. The pro-Holocene sediments consist of sand, mud, and sandy mud, The pre-Holocene configuration played an important role for developing the Holocene Paleoenvironmental changes. The irregular configuration of the pre-Holocene sediments consist of sand, mud, and sandy mud. The pre-Holocene configuration played an important role for developing the Holocene Paleoenvironmental changes. The irregular configuration of the pre-Holocene surface within short distances permitted the concurrent development of variable environments such as freshwater marsh, brackish marsh or salt marsh at similar elevations. The freshwater marsh in this case was formed in the areas of isolation, so saline-water cannot encroach upon these areas. This complex development of paleoenvironments leads to a difficulty in stratigraphic correlation and interpretation of local relative sea-level changes. The deposition of subsurface sediments was affected by sediment supply, compaction, fluvial activity, biological competition, local tectonics and isostacy, climate and local relative sea-level changes. It was interpreted that the positions in the changes from freshwater environments to brackish environments or ice versa are the turning points of transgressions and regressions. Therefore, multiple transgressions and regressions were identified in the stratigraphic sections of the study area.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.152-163
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• 2001

Based upon the sedimentological, geochemical and micropaleontological analyses of two sediment cores from the Antarctic Peninsula (AP), three distinct lithological units can be recognized: (1) ice-proximal an/or ice-distal diamictons in the lower part of the cores, accumulated just seaward of the grounding line of the ice shlef until 11,000 yrs BP; (2) diatomaceous mud between 6,000 and 2,500 yrs BP in the middle part, resulted from a large influx of organic materials by enhanced production of open marine condition; (3) diatomaceous sandy mud since 2,500 yrs BP, characterized by an increase in sand content and decrease in TOC and diatom abundance in the lower layers, which reflects the formation of more extensive and seasonally persistent sea ice. Based on the C-14 radiocarbon dating, the sub-ice shlef deposition of the diamicton on the AP western shelf completed around 11,000 yrs BP. Colder condition was reinstated between 12,800 and 11,600 BP with a dropin TOC content and diatom abundance, which is coincident with the Younger Dryas event in the North Atlanticregion. At this time, the ice shelf, that is now absent in the study area, appears to advance as evidenced by an abrupt increase in sea-ice taxa. A climatic optimum is recognized between 9,000 and 2,500 BP, coincide witha mid-Holocene climatic optimum 'Hypsithermal Warm Period' from the other Antarctic sites. During this time, diatomaceous mud accumulated by a large influx of organic materials by enhanced production occurred in openmarine condition. Around 2,500 BP, diatomaceous sandy mud reflects the formation of more extensive and seasonally persistent sea ice, coincident with the onset of the Neoglacial in the Antarctic. Our results provide evidence of climatic change from the Antarctic Peninsula`s western shelf that helps in determining the existence and timing of Holocene milennial-scale climatic events in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2010

Geochemical approaches on the two recovered piston cores were performed to understand the characteristics of organic matters and the influence of the sea level variation of the East Sea in the Hupo Basin since the Holocene. The analyzing results on organic components (TOC and TN), and isotopic compositions of organic matters showed the variation to core locations and sampling depths. In core 08HZP-01, their values were gradually changed with depth from 4 mbsf to seafloor. However, rapid variation was observed at the boundary of 4.71 mbsf (meter below seafloor) in core 08HZP-03. Based on TOC/TN, $\delta^{13}C_{org}$ and $\delta^{15}N_{org}$, the origin of organic matters in the Hupo Basin can be divided into three groups; 1) predominant marine algae, 2) $C_3$ land plant, and 3) mixture of $C_3$ land plant and marine/freshwater algae. It is likely that the vertical and spatial variations of organic and isotopic compositions reflect the shifts in sedimentary environment (including sediment transportation) by ocean currents and sea-level changes and others during the Holocene period.