• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.475-482
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• 2019

The increase in human use and activity in the oceans is leading to marine pollution and habitat destruction. As a result, in particular, marine animals with a long life cycle and small population are threatened with extinction. Thus, the Korean government designated 11 artificial habitats, such as aquariums and marine museums, as Ex-situ conservation institutions to preserve endangered marine life in 2010. However, studies on the significance and economic value of Ex-situ conservation institutions providing marine life conservation services have not been conducted. Thus, the purpose of this study was to estimate the public's quantitative support for the operation policy of Ex-situ conservation institutions, which is a management method for the protection and propagation of marine animals in Korea. To achieve this, the economic value of the marine animal conservation role of the National Maritime Museum was estimated, operated as an Ex-situ conservation institution for the preservation of green turtles in Korea. By using the representative non-market valuation method for public goods known as the contingent valuation method (CVM), the economic value of the Ex-situ conservation institution (National Maritime Museum) was estimated at approximately 41.8 billion won to a maximum of 78.1 billion won. The results of this study can be applied as basic data for marine animal management policymakers in establishing efficient management plans for endangered marine animals in Korea's coastal waters.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.548-561
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• 2019

The surfgrass Phyllospadix japonicus is a dominant seagrass species playing critical ecological roles on the eastern coast of Korea. However, few studies have been conducted on the ecological characteristics of this species, generally due to the turbulent water conditions in its habitat. In this study, to examine the growth dynamics of P. japonicus, we investigated monthly changes in morphological characteristics, density, biomass, and leaf productivity as well as changes in the underwater irradiance, water temperature, and water column nutrient concentrations of its habitat from August 2017 to July 2018. Underwater irradiance and water temperature showed clear seasonal changes increasing in spring and summer and decreasing in fall and winter. Nutrient availability fluctuated substantially, but did not display any distinct seasonal trend. Morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, and leaf productivities of P. japonicus exhibited significant seasonal variations, increasing in spring and decreasing in fall months. Spadix of P. japonicus occurred from March to August, with the maximum spadix percentage(15.8%) occurred in May 2018. The average leaf productivity of P. japonicus per shoot and area were 2.1 mg sht^-1 d^-1 and 7.5 g m^-2 d^-1, respectively. The optimum water temperature for the growth of P. japonicus in this study was between 13-14℃. The productivity of P. japonicus was not correlated with underwater irradiance, water temperature and nutrient concentrations. These results suggest that the study site provide sufficient amount of underwater irradiance, suitable water temperature range and nutrients for the growth of P. japonicus.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2016

Species composition and distribution characteristics of fish were determined by monthly underwater visual census from September. 2013 to August, 2014 at Yeongunri off Tongyeong, Korea. The study area was divided into five habitat types by depth and substrate: (1) sand bottom as depth of 0~2 m, (2) seagrass bed of 2~5 m, (3) rocky outcrop of 0~2 m, (4) rocky bottom of 2~5 m, (5) sandy mud bottom of 5~8 m. A total of 1,673 individuals belonging to 43 species in 26 families were recorded during the study period. The number of species tended to decrease after October, 2013 and increase from March, 2014 showing the highest number in October (autumn), and lowest in January (winter). In terms of the number of species, Gobiidae was the most dominant family (7 species), followed by Scorpaenidae (4 species). Embiotocidae was the most abundant (26.1% in total number of individuals), followed by Scorpaenidae (19.9%) and Gobiidae (19.3%). The dominant species were Sebastes inermis (19.2%), Ditrema temminckii (13.1%), and Neoditrema ransonnetii (12.9%). The number of species and abundance were relatively high at the depth between 2 and 5 m on seagrass bed and rocky bottom, whereas they were lower at the depth between 0 and 2 m on the sand bottom, suggesting that seagrass beds and rocky bottoms provided the diverse habitats for various fish species in this sea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.672-681
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• 2019

The ecological characteristics of Sargassum macrocarpum, an ecologically and commercially valuable brown alga, were investigated from May 2018 to June 2019 in Jeju Island, Korea. The S. macrocarpum population formed patches at depths of 3-5 m. Growth in the length of the alga reached a maximum of 135.3±20.0 cm in June. The weight of the alga reached a maximum of 3.6±2.1 kg·wet-wt in May. The mean density and biomass of S. macrocarpum was 4.5 individuals·m^-2 and 4.6 kg·wet-wt.·m^-2 in their habitat. Receptacles were observed from April to August and egg release was detected from June to July when the seawater temperatures were 19.3-22.9℃. The developmental initiation of thalli occurred at temperatures above 14.1℃ and maturation required approximately 726.3 degree-days. The reproductive allocation of this alga, calculated from the reproductive frond length(RFL) and reproductive frond weight(RFW) indices to the whole length and weight, reached a maximum of 69.3% in June. The growth and maturation patterns of S. macrocarpum could be divided into vegetative growth (October-January), maturity preparation (February-April), maturation (May-June), egg release (June-July), and resting period (August-September). This was the first study to examine an S. macrocarpum population throughout the entire year in a natural habitat in Jeju Island, Korea.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.369-383
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• 2006

The Saemangeum project is one of the biggest reclamation efforts in Korea and may cause coastal ecosystem change due to altered environments and habitat loss. Since February 2002, benthic environment and community structure in the Saemangeum studied area were studied to assess the influence of the project on macrofaunal community. The result of seasonal study from February, 2002 to August 2005 is reported here. Overall, changes of species numbers and dominant species of benthic animals in the periods before (1988) and after $(2002{\sim}2005)$ the Saemangeum dike construction were not evident both inside and outside the dike. However, local environmental and community change were noted The partial completion of Saemangeum dike $(4^{th}\;dike)$ in June 2003 altered water circulation and sediment deposition patterns both inside and outside the dike. Fine sediment was accumulated inside and outside the $4^{th}$ dike while coarse sediment dominated near the main channel (Sinsi gate). Benthic community resl)ended to the altered sediment type in these areas. Species number and diversity in both site was low compared to other sites. The dominant species in these areas were composed of the benthos that had not commonly occurred in the Saemangeum subtidal area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.768-775
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• 2015

Seasonal variability in the marine seaweed community structure was examined in the intertidal zones at nine study sites in Hallyeohaesang National Park, on the southern coast of Korea from March to October 2014. A total of 145 seaweeds were indentified, comprising 15 green, 41 brown and 89 red algae. Coarsely branched seaweeds were the dominant functional group, comprising 58.95% in species number, whereas filamentous, sheet, thick leathery, crustose and jointed calcareous forms comprised 2.63-17.72% each. The seaweed biomass averaged 358.00 g dry wt/m² and it was maximal at Somaemuldo (847.64 g dry wt/m²) and minimal at Gamam (56.51 g dry wt/m²). Based on biomass, the dominant and subdominant seaweeds were Ulva australis at Gamam, Sargassum thunbergii at Sangju, Ulva australis and S.fulvellum at Neukdo, S.horneri at Dala-Bijindo-Somaemuldo, S. thunbergii at Dapo, and Corallina pilulifera at Songdo. Community indices were as follows: dominance index (DI), 0.43-0.71; richness index (R), 8.26-16.50; evenness index (J'), 0.36-0.54; and diversity index (H'), 1.57-2.19. In conclusion, we found that both biomass and the community structure of seaweeds in Hallyeohaesang National Park were similar to those in other studies of the Southern Sea along the Korean peninsula, and that Hallyeohaesang National Park is a relatively favorable habitat for seaweeds. Future studies should examine the changes in seaweed composition and biomass as they relate to climate change and environmental pollution.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.712-718
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• 2015

The effects of salinity on survival, oxygen consumption, and hematological response of greenling Hexagrammos otakii, mean body weight 147.1±3.8 g, were investigated under salinity conditions of 33.4 (control), 33.1, 32.8, 32.2, 31.0, 28.7, 23.9, 14.5, and 3.8 psu, to evaluate physiological effects in relation to changes in salinity. The survival and hematological responses of fish were measured at each salinity after 96- and 24-h exposures. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of fish was measured in triplicate under conditions of stepwise salinity exposure (33.4→33.1→32.8→32.2→31.0→28.7→23.9→14.5→3.8 psu) with an interval of 24 h at each salinity, using a continuous flow-through respirometer. No fish mortality was observed in the range of 33.4 to 14.5 psu, but the survival rate was reduced to 53.3% at 3.8 psu after 96 h of exposure. The OCRs did not significantly differ in the range between 33.4 to 28.7 psu (P>0.05), but significantly increased at 23.9 and 14.5 psu, and then dramatically decreased at 3.8 psu compared to the control (P<0.05). Hematological variables, such as glucose, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), hematocrit, and Na⁺, were affected by reduced salinity. This result may be applicable for habitat and culture management of greenlings.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2009

The diet of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in the East Sea, Yellow Sea and Jinhae Bay was studied by analysis of stomach contents. In total, 518 individuals ranging from 15.5 to 77.0 cm standard length SL were analyzed. Prey organisms of the Pacific cod in the East Sea consistedof Caridea, Cephalopoda and Pisces, whereas In the Yellow Sea, the main food items of Pacific cod were similar to those of East Sea Pacific cod except for Cephalopoda. Interestingly, the stomach contents of Pacific cod in Jinhae Bay is mainly Pisces, which is in contrast to those of the two different coastal areas, the East Sea and the Yellow Sea. Although various species of food were eaten by smaller Pacific cod, both Caridea and Pisces were mainly taken by larger Pacific cod. Consequently, the diet of Pacific cod within acertain size is mainly influenced by prey abundance and prey-size spectrum in its habitat. Higher stomach emptiness of Pacific cod in Jinhae Bay might indicate that fully matured Pacific cod temporally stop feeding during their spawning period.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.423-434
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• 2021

Two new free-living marine nematodes of the genus Belbolla Andrássy, 1973 belonging to family Enchelidiidae are newly described based on specimens obtained from a shallow subtidal sediment of the western and southern outermost islands of Korea. Belbolla koreensis sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus by the combination of the following characteristics: longer body length (3,080-3,462 ㎛ long), eight oesophageal bulbs in the posterior region of pharynx, well-developed two winged precloacal supplements (anterior precloacal supplement slightly longer than posterior one: 47-59 ㎛ vs. 43-46 ㎛ long), strongly arcuated, very thick, L-shaped spicule (122-127 ㎛ long, 1.7-1.9 anal body diameter(a.b.d.) long) with three separated blunt distal tips, and well-developed relatively long cylindrical shaped gubernacular apophysis with blunt teeth covering two thirds of the dorsal margin (57-58 ㎛ long, 0.8-0.9 a.b.d. long). Belbolla hoonsooi sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characteristics: longer body length (3,494 ㎛ long), eight oesophageal bulbs in the posterior region of pharynx, well-developed two winged precloacal supplements (anterior precloacal supplement slightly longer than posterior one: 43 ㎛ vs. 36 ㎛ long), strongly arcuated, L-shaped spicule (119 ㎛ long, 1.5 a.b.d. long) with three separated blunt distal tip, and well-developed relatively long inverted triangle shaped gubernacular apophysis with blunt teeth covering half of the dorsal margin (45 ㎛ long, 0.6 a.b.d. long). Detailed morphological characteristics and illustrations of two new Belbolla nematodes from the Korean seawaters were provided by differential interference contrast microscopy. Comparative tables on biogeographical and morphological characteristics of Belbolla species are also provided herein.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.717-731
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• 2021

We analyzed the characteristics of the habitat environment for the Seonam study area in Ulsan, the southern shore of the East Sea using bathymetry and seafloor environment data. The depth of the study area ranges from about 0 m to 23 m. In the west of the study area, the water depth is shallow with a gentle slope, and the water depth becomes deeper with a steep slope in the east. Due to the right-lateral strike-slip faults located in the continental margin of the East Sea, the fracture surfaces of the seabed rocks are mainly in the N-S direction, which is similar to the direction of the strike faults. Three seafloor types (conglomeratic-grained sandy, coasre-graiend sandy, fine-grained sandy) and rocky bottom area have been classified according to the analyses of the bathymerty, seafloor image, and surface sediment data. The rocky bottom areas are mainly distributed around Seaoam and in the northern and southern coastal area. But the intermediate zone between Seonam and coastal area has no rocky bottom. This intermediate area is expected to have active sedimentation as seawater way. The sandy sediments are widely distributed throughout the study area. Underwater images and UAV images show that Cnidarians, Brachiopods, Mollusks are mostly dominant in the shallow habitat and various Nacellidae, Mytilidae live on the intertidal zone around Seonam. Annelida and Arthropod are dominant in the sandy sediments. The distribution of marine organism in the study area might be greatly influenced by the seafloor type, the composition and particle size distribution of the seafloor sediments. The analysis of habitat environment mapping with bathymetry, seafloor data and underwater images is supposed to contribute to the study of the structure and function of marine ecosystem.