• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.240-246
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• 2021

The Chironomidae is a benthic macroinvertebrate commonly found in freshwater ecosystems, along with Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, which can be used for environmental health assessments. There are approximately 15,000 species of Chironomidae worldwide, but there are limited studies on species identification of domestic Chironomidae larvae. In the present study, we carried out species classification of the Chironomidae larvae that found in Jeju's tap water purification plants using morphological characteristics and genetic identification based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of the mitochondrial DNA. Body shape, mentum, antenna, mandible in the head capsule, and claws were observed in the larvae for morphological classification. Analysis of 17 larvae collected from faucets and fire hydrants of domestic tap water purification plants revealed the presence of two species, including 14 Orthocladius tamarutilus and 3 Paratrichocladius tammaater. These results will aid the use of the criteria information about species classification of the Chironomidae for water quality management in water purification plants and diversity monitoring of freshwater environments.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2021

In order to control algal bloom, which causes environmental problems such as eutrophication in freshwater ecological environments, many attempts have recently been made using biological approaches. Among them is filtration using bivalve. Algae control with filter-feeding bivalves is emerging as an eco-friendly method. In this study, bivalves collected at Baekje weir in Geum River in Korea from Jun to Sep 2020 were tested to find out the possibility of algae control using filter-feeding bivalves through laboratory experiments. The Unio douglasiae, Anodonta woodiana, and Anodonta arcaeformis collected from Baekje weir were put into a water tank (2 L) containing Clorella vulgaris, and as a result, the average filtration rate was 95.9% per animal after 24 hrs. Calculating this with the Chl-a concentration converted to a calibration curve, it was found that the average of 154.84 ㎍ L^-1 of Chl-a was reduced. Based on this calculation, the possibility that one bivalve can eliminate Chl-a in one month is 0.0005%. It is expected that the effect is 20.14% when there are 40,000 animals. These results indirectly showed how effective bivalve's ability to control Chl-a in their habitat is. Although this study was limited to calculating the algae control ability of aquatic ecosystem based on the filtration rate of bivalve and the corresponding Chl-a reduction rate, it is thought that it will be used as basic data for integrated research from various factors and viewpoints (phytoplankton, aquatic plants, benthic organisms, and sediments) through additional research.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.305-319
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• 2022

The community temperature index (CTI) reflects the temperature and environmental preferences of the community. We investigated the distribution patterns of major aquatic insect assemblages (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera; EPT) based on CTI in streams of South Korea. We selected unpolluted 151 study sites at upper streams(less than 3^rd) with less than 1.5 mg L^-1 of biochemical oxygen demand. Study sites were clustered into six groups based on the similarities of their EPT composition. All three orders showed a continuous decrease in the number of species as CTI increased, especially in Plecoptera. In addition, the functional feeding groups were also significantly changed according the CTI changes. Temperature tolerance range of each group's indicator species varied according to the CTI of the group. Finally, changes of CTI reflected differences of EPT assemblages according to the differences of environmental condition including temperature. Therefore, CTI can be applied to the evaluation and preservation of stream ecosystems and prediction of community changes due to climate change.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2008

A series of experiments were conducted to find standard test organisms and to develop test protocols for sediment toxicity tests using indigenous amphipods inhabited in Korean coastal environments. The indigenous amphipods Mandibulophoxus mai and Monocorophium acherusicum were well associated with various sediment substrates from sand to mud. The tolerance limits to various physico-chemical factors affecting bioassay results such as temperature, salinity and total ammonium as well as the sensitivities to contaminants in water and sediments were investigated using M. mai and M. acherusicum in the present study. These amphipods were tolerable to the adequate ranges of salinity ($10{\sim}30\;psu$), temperature ($10{\sim}25^{\circ}C$) and ammonia (<50 ppm). They have relevant sensitivities to the reference toxicants, dissolved cadmium as well as other metals and organic pollutants, when compared to the standard test species used in other countries. Field-sediment toxicity tests revealed that M. mai would be more sensitive to sediment-associated pollutants than M. acherusicum, while the sensitivity of M. acherusicum was comparable to those of other sediment test species in other countries. Overall results of this first attempt to develop an amphipod sediment toxicity test protocol in Korea indicated that M. mai and M. acherusicum should be applicable in the toxicity assessment of contaminated sediments, following the further evaluation encompassing various ecological and toxicological evaluation and the standardization of test method.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.233-246
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• 2024

Background: In this research work, epilithic communities of diatoms in macrophytes are listed and described to evaluate the ecological conditions of the surface waters of the Chipoco River, whose basin has been exploited for agricultural and mining purposes, degrading natural ecosystems. The diatoms studied are found in calcareous tufa deposits developed in swampy environments where little of their benthic microbiota has been studied, despite the regional relevance of these calcareous formations within the manganese mining district. To describe the diatoms and evaluate the ecological condition of the surface waters, the Chipoco River was divided into three sectors (North, Center, and South) collecting a total of 15 samples along 10 km. For the taxonomic identification of diatoms, scanning electron microscopy techniques, consultations with specialists and specialized literature were used. To evaluate the ecological conditions of the Chipoco River, the linear correlation coefficient was used, where the relationships between diatom species and environmental variables were evaluated. Likewise, species diversity was determined by applying the Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson's dominance value (D) was calculated to detect diversity impoverishment processes. Results: Ten genera of diatoms were identified in bryophytes of the species Plagiomnium cuspidatum that grow on the banks of said river. The linear correlation coefficient indicated that physicochemical characteristics such as total dissolved solids, temperature, and calcium, and hydrochemical characteristics of the water intervene in the distribution and abundance of four diatoms Rhoicosphenia abreviate, Epithemia turgida, Calloneis bacillum and Achanthidium minutissimum in the different sectors studied. The Shannon-Wiener diversity indices and Simpson's dominance show that there is greater diversity and marked dominance of diatoms in the northern sector compared to the central and southern sectors. Conclusions: Agricultural and mining activities and the poor sanitary infrastructure of human settlements have caused the Chipoco River to have poor ecological quality.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.4 s.109
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• pp.436-447
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• 2004

Wetland plants have evolved specialized adaptations to survive in the low-oxygen conditions associated with prolonged flooding. The development of internal gas space by means of aerenchyma is crucial for wetland plants to transport $O_2$ from the atmosphere into the roots and rhizome. The formation of tissue with high porosity depends on the species and environmental condition, which can control the depth of root penetration and the duration of root tolerance in the flooded sediments. The oxygen in the internal gas space of plants can be delivered from the atmosphere to the root and rhizome by both passive molecular diffusion and convective throughflow. The release of $O_2$ from the roots supplies oxygen demand for root respiration, microbial respiration, and chemical oxidation processes and stimulates aerobic decomposition of organic matter. Another essential mechanism of wetland plants is downward water movement across the root zone induced by water uptake. Natural and constructed wetlands sediments have low hydraulic conductivity due to the relatively fine particle sizes in the litter layer and, therefore, negligible water movement. Under such condition, the water uptake by wetland plants creates a water potential difference in the rhizosphere which acts as a driving force to draw water and dissolved solutes into the sediments. A large number of anatomical, morphological and physiological studies have been conducted to investigate the specialized adaptations of wetland plants that enable them to tolerate water saturated environment and to support their biochemical activities. Despite this, there is little knowledge regarding how the combined effects of wetland plants influence the biogeochemistry of wetland sediments. A further investigation of how the Presence of plants and their growth cycle affects the biogeochemistry of sediments will be of particular importance to understand the role of wetland in the ecological environment.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.480-492
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• 1995

Petrographic investigation has been carried out to determine the composition of the beach sediments and the affecting factors which have controlled their compositional variations from Hyupjae, Aeweol, Iho, Samyang, Hamdeok, Sehwa, Pyoseon, Jungmun, and Hwasun areas along the coast of the Cheju Island. Average mean sizes of the beach sediments are Hyupjae 2.2ø, Aeweol 0.8ø, Iho 1.4ø, Samyang 2.4ø, Hamdeok 1.6ø, Sehwa 1.5ø, Pyoseon 2.1ø, Jungmun 0.4ø, and Hwasun 0.9ø, thus, aries from 0.4 to 2.4ø. The beach sediments from Pyoseon and Hwasun areas are poorly sorted, those from Aeweol and Jungmun areas are moderately sorted and those from the rest of the areas are moderately well sorted. While-colored beach sediments in Hyupjae, Aeweol, Hamdeok, Sehwa, and Pyoseon areas are mostly composed of calcareous shells (more than 85%) such as mollusk, red algae, benthic foraminiferas, etc., whereas volcanic rock fragment is the dominant component of the black-colored beach sediments in Iho, Samyang, and Hwasun areas. Especially, the relatively white-colored beach sediment in Jungmun area, which is on e of the carbonate-dominant areas, shows a higher content of rock fragments than the other carbonate-dominant areas. The beach sediments in Pyoseon area show a high content of carbonate intercalates. Considering the contributions by organisms according to grain size, grains with the size range of 1∼2ø are mostly composed of calcareous red algae fragments, and grains with the size range of 2∼3ø consist of mollusk fragments. It is also notable that bryozoan fragments comprise about 48% of the sediment in Samyang area with the size range of 0∼1ø. The composition of the beach sediments in Cheju Island appears o be controlled by the riverine supply rate of volcanic rock fragments, the lithology of the rocks distributed ear the beaches, the direction of alongshore currents, and the direction of storms, etc.. It is suggested that the beach sediments in Iho and Samyang areas show black color because of the higher supply rate of the volcanic rock fragments from the nearby rivers, whereas those in the rest of the areas show white color due to the relatively lower content of volcanic rock fragments and higher content of carbonate components transported from shallow marine environment. In Hwasun area, the content of volcanic rock fragments is high, and they are directly from the tuffaceous rocks distributed nearby. Also, the volcanic rock fragments in Jungmun area are transported not only from the rivers nearby but also from the nearby tuffs by storm activities. The beach sediment in Pyoseon area contains a high content of carbonate intercalates, which formed in the nearby shallow marine environment through marine cementation. This indicates that active marine cementation occurs in shallow marine environment near Pyoseon area.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.31-39
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• 2002

Pollutants from industry, mining, agriculture, and other sources have contaminated sediments in many surface water bodies. Sediment contamination poses a severe threat to human health and environment because many toxic contaminants that are barely detectable in the water column can accumulate in sediments at much higher levels. The purpose of this study was to make optimal treatment and disposal plan o( sediment for water quality improvement in small-scale resevoir based on an evaluation of degree of contamination. The degree of contamination were investigated for 23 samples of 9 site at different depth of sediment in small-scale J river. Results for analysis of contaminated sediments were observed that copper concentration of 4 samples were higher than the regulation of hazardous waste (3 mg/L) and that of all samples were exceeded soil pollution warning levels for agricultural areas. Lead and mercury concentration of all samples were detected below both regulations. Necessary of sediment dredge was evaluated for organic matter and nutrient through standard levels of Paldang lake and the lower Han river in Korea and Tokyo bay and Yokohama bay in Japan. The degree of contamination for organic matter and nutrient was not serious. Compared standard levels of Japan, America, and Canada for heavy metal, contaminated sediment was concluded as lowest effect level or limit of tolerance level because standard levels of America and Canada was established worst effect of benthic organisms. The optimal treatment method of sediment contained heavy metal was cement-based solidification/stabilization to prevent heavy metal leaching.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.243-252
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• 2006

Influence of the increasing carbon dioxide concentration in seawater on various marine organisms is assessed in this article with regard to the impacts of anthropogenic $CO_2$ introduced into surface or deep oceans. Recent proposals to sequester $CO_2$ in deep oceans arouse the concerns of adverse effects of increased $CO_2$ concentration on deep-sea organisms. Atmospheric introduction of $CO_2$ into the ocean can also acidify the surface water, thereby the population of some sensitive organisms including coral reefs, cocolithophorids and sea urchins will be reduced considerably in near future (e.g. in 2100 unless the increasing trend of $CO_2$ emission is actively regulated). We exposed bioluminescent bacteria and benthic amphipods to varying concentrations of $CO_2$ and also pH for a short period. The ${\sim}l.5$ unit decrease of pH adversely affected test organisms. However, amphipods were not influenced by decreasing pH when HCl was used for the seawater acidification. In this article, we reviewed the biological adverse effects of $CO_2$ on various marine organisms studied so for. Theses results will be useful to predict the potential risks of the increase of $CO_2$ concentrations in seawater due to the increase of atmospheric $CO_2$ emission and/or sequestration of $CO_2$ in deep oceans.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2006

The precise estimation of total and organic carbon contents in sediments is fundamental to understand the benthic environment. To test the precision and accuracy of CHN analyzer and the procedure to quantify total and organic carbon contents(using in-situ acidification with sulfurous acid($H_2SO_3$)) in the sediment, the reference material s such as Acetanilide($C_8H_9NO$), Sulfanilammide($C_6H_8N_2O_2S$), and BCSS-1(standard estuary sediment) were used. The results indicate that CHN analyzer to quantify carbon and nitrogen content has high precision(percent error=3.29%) and accuracy(relative standard deviation=1.26%). Additionally, we conducted the instrumental comparison of carbon values analyzed using CHN analyzer and Coulometeric Carbon Analyzer. Total carbon contents measured from two different instruments were highly correlated($R^2=0.9993$, n=84, p<0.0001) with a linear relationship and show no significant differences(paired t-test, p=0.0003). The organic carbon contents from two instruments also showed the similar results with a significant linear relationship($R^2=0.8867$, n=84, p<0.0001) and no significant differences(paired t-test, p<0.0001). Although it is possible to overestimate organic carbon contents for some sediment types having high inorganic carbon contents(such as calcareous ooze) due to procedural and analytical errors, analysis of organic carbon contents in sediments using CHN Analyzer and current procedures seems to provide the best estimates. Therefore, we recommend that this method can be applied to measure the carbon content in normal any sediment samples and are considered to be one of the best procedure far routine analysis of total and organic carbon.