• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.110-117
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• 2016

Litter fall is a source of nutrients and carbon transfer in terrestrial ecosystems. Litter decomposition provides nutrients needed for plant growth, sustains soil fertility, and supplies $CO_2$ to the atmosphere. We collected the leaf litter of evergreen broadleaf tree, Camellia japonica L., and carried out a decomposition experiment using the litterbag method in Ju-do, Wando-gun, Korea for 731 days from Dec 25, 2011 to Dec 25, 2013. The leaf litter of C. japonica remained 42.6% of the initial litter mass after experiment. The decay constant (k) of C. japonica leaf litter was $0.427yr^{-1}$. The carbon content of C. japonica leaf litter was 44.6%, and the remaining carbon content during the decomposition tended to coincide with the changes in litter mass. The initial nitrogen and phosphorus content was 0.47% and 324.7 mg/g, respectively. The remaining N in decaying litter increased 1.66-fold in the early decomposition stage, then gradually decreased to 1.18-fold after 731 days. The content of P showed the highest value (1.64-fold of initial content) after 456 days, which then fell to a 1.15-fold after 731 days. The remaining Ca, K, Mg and Na content in C. japonica leaf litter tended to decrease during decomposition. The remaining K showed a remaining mass of 8.9% as a result of rapid reduction. The initial C/N and C/P ratio of C. japonica leaf litter was 94.87 and 1368.5, respectively. However, it tended to decrease as decomposition progressed because of the immobilization of N and P (2.78 and 2.68-fold of initial content, respectively) during the leaf litter decaying. The study results showed that N and P was immobilized and other nutrients was mineralized in C. japonica leaf litter during experimental period.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2018

Beneficial microorganisms are widely used in the forestry, livestock, and, in particular, agricultural sectors to control soilborne diseases and promote plant growth. However, the industrial utilization of these microorganisms is very limited, mainly due to uncertainty concerning their ability to colonize and persist in soil. In this study, the survival of beneficial microorganisms in field soil microcosms was investigated for 13 days using quantitative PCR with B. subtilis group-specific primers. Bacterial community dynamics of the treated soils were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. The average 16S rRNA gene copy number per g dry soil of Bacillus spp. was $4.37{\times}10^6$ after treatment, which was 1,000 times higher than that of the control. The gene copy number was generally maintained for a week and was reduced thereafter, but remained 100 times higher than that of the control. Bacterial community analysis indicated that Acidobacteria ($26.3{\pm}0.9%$), Proteobacteria ($24.2{\pm}0.5%$), Chloroflexi ($11.1{\pm}0.4%$), and Actinobacteria ($9.7{\pm}2.5%$) were abundant phyla in both treated and non-treated soils. In the treated soils, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria was lower, whereas those of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were higher compared to the control. Differences in total relative abundances of operational taxonomic units belonging to several genera were observed between the treated and non-treated soils, suggesting that inoculation of soil with the Bacillus strains influenced the relative abundances of certain groups of bacteria and, therefore, the dynamics of resident bacterial communities. These changes in resident soil bacterial communities in response to inoculation of soil with beneficial Bacillus spp. provide important information for the use of beneficial microorganisms in soil for sustainable agriculture.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 1986

The daily net primary production by phytoplankton in the southeastern sea of Korea in October 1985 ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/ and averaged to be 1.3 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/. Surface total chlorophyll ranged from 0.97 to 3.59mg chlm$\^$-3/. Primary production by nano-phytoplankton(〈20$\mu\textrm{m}$) ranged from 43 to 97% in the surface layer. Optimum light intensity(Iopt)was around 300 to 700${\mu}$Es$\^$-1/m$\^$-1/. Surface primary production from 9:00 to 15:00 h was evidently inhibited by strong light intensity beyond the Iopt. Phytoplankton near the base of euphotic zone(30-40m) showed extremely low Iopt suggesting adaptation to a low light environment. Since Iopt represents the history of light experience of phytoplankton at a given depth, the extent of variation in I of phytoplankton at different depth seems to be related to the in tensity of turbulence mixing in the surface mixed layer. From the present study, ammonium excretion by macrozooplankton (〉350$\mu\textrm{m}$) contributes from 3 to 19% of daily total nitrogen requirement by phytoplandton in this area. Calculation of upward flux of nitrate to the surface mixed layer from the lower layer, based on the simple diffusion model, approximates 3% of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. However, large portion of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton remains unexplained in this area. In upwelling area near the coast, adjective flux might be the major source for the nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. This study suggests that the major nitrogen source for the phytoplankton growth might come from the pelagic regeneration by nano-and micro-sized heterotrophic plandkon. Enhancement of primary production during the passage of the warm Tsushima Current is discussed in relation with nutrient dynamics and hydrlgraphic processes in this area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data such as distribution status, growth characteristics, and the structural characteristics of forest stands for the systematic conservation and management of relict forest trees (stem girth of 300cm or larger) established naturally in Gangwon Province, Korea. The survey showed that 434 individuals of 19 species (conifers: 228 individuals of 4 species, broad-leaved trees: 206 individuals of 15 species) were distributed in Gangwon Province, and Taxus cuspidata was the most abundant among them with 203 individuals or about 46.7 % of the total. The stem girth was average of 404cm (conifers: 373cm, broad-leaves: 421cm), and Tilia amurensis with multi-stemmed growing on Sorak mountain range had the largest stem girth at 1,113cm. The average height and the crown width of relict forest trees were 15.4m and 10.0m, respectively. Although the environments of relict forest trees showed a slight difference by species, the relative appearance frequencies of most trees were high in the environments where the altitude was higher than 1,000 m, slope degree was greater than $25^{\circ}$, the slope faced north, and microtopography was at the upper of slopes. Regarding the stand characteristics of relict forest trees per unit area ($/100m^2$), the average total coverage was 294% (max. 475%), the total average number of species was 36 species (max. 60 species), the average species diversity index (H') was 2.560 (max. 3.593), the average canopy closure was 84.8% (max. 94.6%), and the average basal area (/ha) was $52.7m^2$ (max. $116.4m^2$, relict trees $30.0m^2$, and other trees $22.7m^2$). The analysis of the dynamics of the forest stands where relict forest trees were growing showed four types of the maintenance mechanisms of relict forest trees depending on the supply pattern of succeeding trees: "Low-density but persistent type (Quercus mongolica, Abies holophylla, Tilia amurensis, and Pyrus ussuriensis)," "Long ago stopped type (Pinus densiflora)," "Recently stopped type (Abies nephrolepis, Quercus variabilis, and Betula schmidtii)," and "Periodically repeated types of supply and stop (Salix caprea and Quercus serrata).".

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4 s.100
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• pp.273-284
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• 2002

During January 1998-October 1999, the impact of free-floating plants (FFP) on limnology of the wetland ecosystem was evaluated through the investigation of physicochemical characteristics of the Woopo Wetland along with in situ manipulation experiments of aquatic plants. Flooding events occurred in the wetland during the summer period (Jun.-Aug.) and water levels rose to 2-3 m due to precipitation from the catchment and inflow from the main channel of the Nakdong River. Physicochemical parameters and plankton dynamics in the wetland during the summer were greatly influenced by floods and growth of free-floating plants. Dissolved oxygen (Jun.-Sept., 4.5${\pm}$2.5 mg/1; Oct.-May, 8,1 ${\pm}$4.0 mg/1) and pH (Jun.-Sept., 6.9${\pm}$0.4; Oct.-May,7.4${\pm}$0.8) levels were significantly lower during the summer than any other seasons. Three types of enclosure experiments (100 L, treatments with floating plants, screened and opened) were conducted under the presence and absence of sediment for 15 days in the 1999 summer. The treatments with sediment had higher levels of nutrient concentrations than those of the others. Among the treatments with sediment, nutrient concentrations in the treatments with free-floating plants were higher than the others. Zooplankton communities in each treatment showed a similar variation, although the scale of zooplankton densities differed. Rotifer community dominated the zooplankton at the initial phase of the experiment, but decreased drastically along with an increase of cladoceran and copepod communities. In conclusion, low levels of dissolved oxygen and pH in the Woopo Wetland during the summer seemed to be caused by a proliferation of free-floating plants and active decomposition process at the bottom of the sediment.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.581-586
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• 2014

Main objects for wastewater treatment operation are to maintain effluent water quality and minimize operation cost. However, the optimal operation is difficult because of the change of influent flow rate and concentrations, the nonlinear dynamics of microbiology growth rate and other environmental factors. Therefore, many wastewater treatment plants are operated for much more redundant oxygen or chemical dosing than the necessary. In this study, the optimal control scheme for dissolved oxygen (DO) is suggested to prevent over-aeration and the reduction of the electric cost in plant operation while maintaining the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration for the metabolism of microorganisms in oxic reactor. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) is real-time measured for the identification of influent characterization and the identification of microorganisms' oxygen requirement in oxic reactor. Optimal DO set-point needed for the micro-organism is suggested based on real-time measurement of oxygen uptake of micro-organism and the control of air blower. Therefore, both stable effluent quality and minimization of electric cost are satisfied with a suggested optimal set-point decision system by providing the necessary oxygen supply requirement to the micro-organisms coping with the variations of influent loading.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.374-381
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• 2012

In this study, ecological characteristics of Zacco platypus population in Lake Hoengseong region, including the up-and downstream in Lake, were investigated from April to November, 2010. The results compared with regional dynamics of Z. platypus population showed a dominant population among the other fish population, and also upstream has relatively high as 1,707 (78.70%) individuals than those of other sites. The regression coefficient (b) in relation to length-weight on Z. platypus population were 3.28 which appeared relatively a stabilized habitat condition in Lake Hoengseong region and 3.28 at the upstream and 3.10 in Lake Hoengseong and 3.09 at the downstream. Condition factor on Z. platypus population in Lake Hoengseong region showed stabilized population as 0.003 value, and especially the condition factors at the upstream were relatively higher than those at the downstream and Lake Hoengseong, indicate that Z. platypus population at the upstream displayed to be maintained as the most good condition in relation to trophic states. As a results of compared with body size on Z. platypus population, was investgated as highly distribute between 30~50mm and 70~90mm at upstream; 60~80mm in Lake Heongseong; 70~100mm at downstream, respectively. As a results, Z. platypus population at the upstream among Lake Hoengseong region displayed the most stabilized growth condition, and Z. platypus population were inhabitable in lotic and lentic environments based on good habitat condition.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.356-362
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• 2002

The molecular orientational dynamics of the nonlinear optical(NLO) side-chain polymer N-(4-nitrophenyl)-(L)-prolinol-poly (pphenylene terephthalates) have been studied using nonlinear optical responses as measured by second harmonic generation (SHG). A new pulsed corona poling is used to orient the NLO chromophores and the polymer segments into the noncentrosymmetric structure required to obtain the SHG signal. By corona poling of negative high voltage pulses with variable repetition rates (between 0.5 and 10 ㎑) at temperature between 25$^{\circ}C$ and 80$^{\circ}C$, well below and about the glass transition temperature 70$^{\circ}C$, the side-chain chromophores and the polymer chain contour rearrange themselves and create the domain structure observed by atomic force microscopy(AFM). The pulsed corona voltage enhances the orientational ordering of the NLO chromophores and also significantly influences the growth of SHG signal and the improved relaxation behavior after the poling field is removed, reducing the visible damage to the polymer film dramatically. This new pulsed corona poling experiment gave direct in situ evidence that the NLO chromophore and the polymer backbone undergo anisotropic rearrangement during the poling process.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.2 s.58
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• pp.146-151
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• 2005

Recent studies indicated the utility of whole effluent assessment as a measure to control discharge of toxic effluents to receiving water in Korea. However, most studies have been focussed on acute lethal effects of toxic wastewater with little consideration of chronic sublethal impacts which are of growing concern in protecting aquatic ecosystem. We conducted acute and chronic toxicity tests with effluents discharged from five different dyeing plants in Gyeong-gi province using a marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and a freshwater macroinvertebrate Daphnia magna to demonstrate the importance of assessing chronic sublethal effects. Various levels of acute and chronic toxicities were observed in many samples tested in this study. In 21-d chronic toxicity tests using D. magna all samples showed effects on reproduction and growth. Notable mortalities were also noted in three out of five effluents. The result of the Microtox assay indicated that acute microbial toxicity existed in effluents from two out of five plants and acute daphnid toxicity was observed in only one effluent. The result of this study clearly suggests chronic toxicity tests are more suitable to assess biological effects of effluents because it was shown from this study that even an effluent with no acute toxicity could cause chronically lethal and/or sublethal adverse effects on aquatic biota which may affect the population dynamics in aquatic ecosystem.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.361-370
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• 1982

The effects of climatic factors on organisms lire variable and complex, and it, however, can be interpreted in terms of those on the distribution and those on the population densities. The distribution of an organism may largely be determined by the temperatures, except some temporal organisms which are depended on the air mass movements. Population density of an organism is determined by various climatic factors, such as previous winter temperature, temperature of growing season and rainfall. The start of growing season of the rice plants has been shifted to earlier since last decade in Korea. This may mean that the overall climatic condition during the growing season might be considerably different from those in past years, and such a difference in climatic conditions might have close relation with the recent status of the diseases and insect pests through direct effects on the physiology and population dynamics of the organisms, as well as through on the biotic associations of the pest organisms. The white back planthopper and brown planthopper have become the key insect pests in Korea in recent years. They are migratory and have high reproductive pontentials and more generations than average residential insects. The synchronization of the migrants and physiological condition of the rice plants seems to be the important factors in relation to the recent outbreaks of these insects; the high reproductive rate can be obtained with the growth stage of rice being 30-50 days after transplanting. The modication of the microclimate associated with high plant density and some other introduced new cultural techniques also have some relation with the outbreak. The key diseases of the rice are the blast disease, sheath blight and the bacterial leaf blight. For the rice blast, the seedling blast and leaf blast during the early growing season and the neck blast, have become more serious, the former may be related to hotbed nursery and the later may be related to the high humidity in early August, and synchronization of the heading time which has been shifted to early part from middle or late part of August. In general, for the rice diseases, the development of the new races have been the most serious which are largely resulted from the introduction of the new varieties, but it also seems to be related with the prolonged periods of the favorable condition associated with the shifted growing seasons. In general, the diseases and insect pest problems have become much more variable and complex, and control measures should be based on the thorough knowledge of the ecology of the pest organisms, that is, effects of various environmental factors on the disease cycle; spore release, spore deposition, infection, colonization and sporulation of the disease organisms, and those on the development, reproductive potentials, dispersal, age specific responses of the insects. The well organized real-time pest management systems, such as alfalfa weevil management system developed at the Purdue University in U.S., is the prime importance for the implementation of the pest management principles.