The effect of weir construction (2009~2011) was investigated on algal bloom dynamics and surrounding conditions in the Youngsan River by analyzing the long-term (2001~2014) data provided by the Water Information System, Ministry of Environment. The data include chlorophyll a and water properties such as total suspended solids (TSS), ammonium (NH4 +), nitrate (NO3-), orthophosphate (PO43-), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and DIN/DIP molar ratio collected from 12 stations along the channel of the river. Temporal variations were examined using data collected monthly from 2001~2014 and Box-Whisker plot was used to examine the difference in algal bloom dynamics between before (2006~2008) and after (2012~2014) the weir construction. Pearson’s correlation analysis was also used to analyze the correlation of parameters. The results showed that TSS affecting water turbidity increased during the construction but decreased especially at the stations located in the upper and middle regions of the river after the construction. Ammonium concentrations increased whereas the concentrations of other nutrients decreased after the construction inducing an increase in N:P molar ratio. Chlorophyll a decreased suddenly during the construction but increased clearly after the construction at the stations where TSS decreased. This indicates that algal blooms can develop in the Youngsan River due to a decrease in turbidity that increases light penetration in water column although the concentrations of nutrients such as orthophosphate were reduced after the weir construction.

• 신용식(목포해양대학교 환경·생명공학과) | Shin, Yongsik Corresponding author
• 유행선(목포해양대학교 환경·생명공학과) | Haengsun Yu
• 이학영(전남대학교 생물학과) | Hakyoung Lee Co-corresponding author
• 이다혜(목포해양대학교 환경·생명공학과) | Dahye Lee
• 박건우(목포해양대학교 환경·생명공학과) | Gunwoo Park