This study evaluated the risk of single and combined exposure to microplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) through biomarkers, such as survival rate, excretion rate, and histological alterations of organ systems. The experimental groups were the control (Cont.), single microplastics exposure group (MPs, 1.83%/fish total weight (g)), the copper group (Cu, 21.6 μg L-1), and a group with combined exposure to MPs and copper (MPs*Cu). The experiment was conducted with individual exposure (7 days) for MP excretion rate analysis and group exposure (14 days) for biomarker analysis. The daily excretion rate of MPs tended to decrease in a time-dependent manner. The copper concentration in the body was not significantly different between single and combined copper exposure. The degeneration of mucous cells in the skin, capillary dilation of the gill lamella, increased intestinal mucous, hepatocyte hypertrophy, and the degeneration of glomeruli and renal tubules were observed in all exposure groups. These histological alterations showed the highest tendency in the MPs*Cu group. In this study, the changes in biomarkers were attributed to the single effect of copper or the combined effect of copper and MPs rather than being solely influenced by MPs.
The goal of this study was to provide basic data necessary for managing fish in the Seomgang River by confirming diversity of fish species in the Seomgang River and determining the degree of change in fish species through a comparison with earlier related work. Growth rate, obesity level, and temporal and spatial reproductive capacities were analyzed to determine growth characteristics of dominant species. Fish fauna and structure of the fish community were surveyed at three different time points from October of 2020 to August of 2021 at eight sites. In addition, growth characteristics of Zacco platypus from June of 2021 to July of 2022 at four sites were determined. A total of 3,999 individuals, 43 species, and ten families of fish were identified. Among these species, 19 (44.19%) were Korean endemic species and four (9.30%) were endangered species. The dominant species was Z. platypus. Pungtungia herzi was identified as a subdominant species. An analysis of length-weight relationships and condition factor (k) of Z. platypus confirmed a good state of growth. As a result of a frequency analysis of the total length, the life cycle of the Z. platypus population living in the Seomgang River was found to be stable. According to gonadosomatic index (GSI) analysis, the spawning season of Z. platypus was estimated to occur after May, consistent with the literature.
This study was conducted to investigate the flora of Sonjukdo Island (Yeosu-si), Korea. From results of four field surveys from April 2023 to October 2023, we identified 483 total taxa, representing 440 species, seven subspecies, 35 varieties, and one hybrid. They were placed in 322 genera and 109 families, including 249 taxa newly recorded in this study. Among them, four taxa were endemic to Korea, four taxa were IUCN red list plants, and 22 taxa were climate sensitive indicator plants. Floristic target plants amounted to 99 taxa, including two taxa of grade IV, 41 taxa of grade III, 10 taxa of grade II, and 46 taxa of grade I. A total of 54 taxa of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 11.2% and an Urbanization Index of 13.8%. Three plants disturbed the ecosystem. The flora of this surveyed area belongs to the south-coast province among floral provinces of the Korean Peninsula. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants flora, plant species diversity, and distributional changes.
The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), which is native to North America, started to be imported into South Korea as pets in the 1990s. The turtle was sold in supermarkets and pet shops nationwide at low prices such as 20 USD. These non-native turtles, with their large size and strong predatory nature, have been consistently discovered in the wild in South Korea beginning in 2014, and they were designated as an ecosystem-disturbing species (EDS) in October 2022. Until June 30, 2023, a collection system was implemented to reduce the abandonment problem of C. serpentina due to their designation as an EDS. In this study, we analyzed the impacts of the legal designation as an ecologically disturbing species and the collection system of C. serpentina on their abandonment and surrender. Our findings showed that designation as EDS did not affect the abandonment of C. serpentina. Meanwhile, the collection system led to cases of immediate surrender. Within 3 years of post-purchase, 41.8% of the turtles were surrendered, and 67.5% were surrendered when they reached 3 kg. Determining the impact of the legal designation as an EDS may be currently limited due to the difficulty of detecting C. serpentina in the wild. On the other hand, cases of surrender through the collection system are considered to be effective as they have been shown to reduce the abandonment of this newly designated ecosystem-disturbing species.
The ecosystem provides a diverse array of environmental conditions for organisms, and only those that are capable of successfully adapting to these conditions within their habitats can endure, thrive, and proliferate. Further, the environmental conditions within these habitats can significantly affect the bioavailability of chemicals that are introduced therein, thus resulting in varied adverse impacts on the organisms. The present study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of Yuukianura szeptyckii - a species adapted to riparian - to heavy metals following ISO guideline 11276, with the objective of assessing its potential as an indicator species for ecotoxicological evaluations in riparian habitats. The findings revealed that cadmium and copper both had significant toxic effects depending on their concentrations. For cadmium, the LC50 was 280 mg kg-1, EC50 was 66 mg kg-1, and NOEC and LOEC were 25 and 50 mg kg-1, respectively. For copper, the LC50 was 911 mg kg-1, EC50 was 151 mg kg-1, and LOEC was 50 mg kg-1. Comparative analysis with previous results for the international standard species Folsomia candida and the domestic standard species Allonychiurus kimi indicated that Y. szeptyckii exhibited even greater sensitivity to toxicity values. The adverse effects on survival and reproduction were closely associated with the influx concentration of heavy metals in their bodies. Altogether, the results suggest that Y. szeptyckii is a sensitive species for ecotoxicological assessments in riparian habitats, thus making it suitable as an indicator species, particularly in riparian ecosystems that are characterized by relatively high humidity conditions.
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a species that has devastated the United States and Canada. It is known to play a role in destroying the ecosystem. In this study, the domestic distribution of garlic mustard was confirmed and a detailed distribution map was created for the Samcheok region, where the largest population has been established in South Korea. This study investigated the growth environment, life cycle, and population dynamics of the species in the Samcheok region. Garlic mustard was found in a total of 301 locations in Samcheok, with a total distribution area of 2,957 square meters. Annual plants germinated in mid-April, overwintered in rosette form, underwent vegetative growth from April 10 to April 24 the following year, and flowered from April 24 to May 7. Individuals producing seeds began to die off from June. Both annual and biennial individuals showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing in number around April 27 (118 days). Garlic mustard grew well under favorable light conditions in early spring. They showed less growth on leaf litter, short distance from roads, lower altitude, deciduous broad-leaved forest of middle and lower parts of the slope and forest edge. Without proper control measures in the Samcheok region, it is likely to spread more rapidly in deciduous broad-leaved forests along hiking trails in the Galyasan Mountains. In particular, it is more likely to extend to oak community where light enters the site during flowering than to pine community where there is less light in the site.
This study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics and variation in main traits by comparing the growth of individuals of Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under an aquaculture environment. This survey was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 at the aquafarm in Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do (South coast of Korea). To classify the morphology of individuals in the aquaculture farm of E. cava, we investigated fourteen morphological characteristics and calculated four ratios between the measured values. Juvenile individuals showed a simple or oblong lanceolate, and at 3-4 months, a short stipe and holdfast developed, along with a bladelet that developed into the secondary blade form. At 5-7 months, secondary blades were found to develop irregularly on the primary blade. At 8-10 months, the primary blade expanded and secondary blades elongated. At 11-12 months, the secondary blades became oblong. At 13-14 months, the thallus area expanded. At 15-16 months, tertiary blades were formed, the thallus became more complex, the stipe thickened, and the holdfast widened. At 17-18 months, secondary blades clearly developed along with lobes. At 19-20 months, tertiary blades developed and became similar to mature natural blades. In the principal component analysis (PCA), the monthly population of the first year (Q1) and that of the second year (Q2) of the cultured population were divided along PC1, which is related to secondary blade morphological characteristics and the holdfast width. Q2 and natural populations are distributed in descending order of volume in Jeju (J), East Coast (E), and South Coast (S) along PC2, which is related to primary blade and stipe morphological characteristics. The results of this study were judged to offer important criteria for the development of different varieties of E. cava.
In this study, we investigated the vertical distribution and vascular plants on Joryeongsan Mountain in Baekdudaegan, Korea. The results of four field surveys from April to September 2023 identified a total of 552 taxa, representing 491 species, ten subspecies, 43 varieties, six forms, and two hybrids in 314 genera and 101 families. The elevational distribution ranges of 360 taxa of vascular plants were also identified. Among them, 19 taxa were endemic to Korea, and two taxa were rare plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 100 taxa, specifically two taxa of grade V, seven taxa of grade IV, 25 taxa of grade III, 33 taxa of grade II, and 33 taxa of grade I. Seventy-eight taxa were northern lineage plants. In all, 29 taxa of alien plants were recorded in the investigated area, with a naturalized index of 5.3% and an urbanization index of 7.4%. Two plants disturbed the ecosystem. Species richness along the elevation showed a reversed doublehump shape with peaks at low, mid, and high elevations. The results of a cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between adjacent elevation sections, except in lowlands. Detrended Correspondence Analysis ordination also supported distinct groups by elevation. Warmth index values ranged from 62.1ºC·month to 92.9ºC·month on Joryeongsan Mountain. Our results provide primary data on vascular plants and valuable information on the current distribution ranges of plant species on Joryeongsan Mountain. These data could serve as a baseline for comparing species shifts at elevations under future climate changes.
The feathery branched green alga Bryopsis plumosa (Hudson) C. Agardh bloomed at Songji Beach, Haenam, Korea, in November 2022. A terrible stench was present on the beach, and the bottom was covered in a thick green mat of green algae. The alga was identified as B. plumosa, which is an opportunistic species currently distributed worldwide. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) were analyzed in the bloomed area and compared with those of other vicinities. The DIN and DIP concentrations were 1.067 and 0.461 mg L-1, respectively, which were 6 to 19 times higher than the average concentrations on southwest coasts, including Haenam. The B. plumosa bloom at Songji Beach in November 2022 appears to have depended on DIN and DIP concentrations in seawater. In this study, we report on the mass occurrence of B. plumosa, which appeared for the first time in Korea. This occurrence was found to be closely related to the concentration of nutrients in seawater. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the concentration of nutrients on land flowing into coastal waters to control green algal blooms such as Bryopsis.
Clover cyst nematode (Heterodera trifolii, CCN) is one of the important plantparasitic nematodes in the Republic of Korea, causing serious damage to Kimchi-cabbage in Gangwon province since 2017. Soil fumigants are the preferred choice for managing CCN. However, cabbage fields in Gangwon province have a slope, making it challenging to apply soil fumigants and use plastic mulch. Consequently, alternative materials should be developed for managing CCN. Nematicidal cover crops and resistant cultivars are among the alternatives. We conducted resistance screening of 82 white mustard (Sinapis alba) resources from a genebank at RDA against CCN for use as nematicidal cover crops or breeding materials. In the first assay (1st, 2nd, and 3rd pot experiments), 15 white mustard resources were selected, while others were susceptible to CCN. To confirm the reproducibility of resistance to CCN for 13 selected resources, the second assay was performed. As a result, five white mustard resource (IT297309, IT297312, IT302951, IT302953, IT302954) demonstrated resistance to CCN. These findings indicate the potential use of these five white mustard resources as nematicidal cover crops or for breeding cultivars of Kimchi-cabbage in Republic of Korea.