A recent report has showed that potentially toxic benthic dinoflagellates obtained from macroalgae were observed in Jeju waters. These species have been reported to occur only in subtropical waters and are regarded as a producer of ciguatoxin in fishes. This finding of benthic dinoflagellates contributes to improve the monitoring surveillance for the safety of humans and marine food in Korea, which will extend to southern coastal regions. Furthermore, Cochlodinium red tide, which occurs annually each summer, will increase the distribution toward whole coastal waters in Korea because of the more northerly direction of isotherms in SST (Sea Surface Temperature) due to global warming. Consequently, the Korean government should enforce a monitoring programme against biotoxin assessment investing research abilities (i.e. manpower and funds) to better understand Korean marine ecosystem in responding to climate change.

본 조사는 1987년부터 2010까지 득량만을 대상으로 하절기 연도별 수질환경 및 식물플랑크톤 군집변동을 실시했다. 수온, 염 분, pH, 용존산소와 같은 수질환경인자들은 연도별에 많은 변동을 보여주고 있다. 특히 수온의 경우 하절기 중에서 8월에 18년 평균치 (24.54℃)를 상회하는 연도횟수가 가장 많을 뿐 아니라 저층도 18년 평균치(22.90℃)를 넘는 연도가 훨씬 많았다. 이러한 주요 원인으로 하절기 중에서 8월에 가장 많은 일조량으로 인하여 표·저층 수온상승에 따른 뚜렷한 성층화 형성으로 설명될 수 있다. 8월에도 강수량 이 하절기 중에서 가장 많으나 수온을 하강시켜주거나 염분변화에 큰 영향을 미치지는 못했다. 용존무기질소나 용존무기인의 농도는 하절기 동안 대부분 18년 평균치 이하의 연도가 많이 나타남에 따라 득량만의 영양염 농도는 다소 낮은 상태로 유지되는 것 같고 N:P 비율도 하절기 동안 대부분 18년 평균치 이하를 보이고 있다. 특히 8월 표층에서 N:P 비율의 급변은 집중적인 강우로 인하여 발생한 것으로 보인다. 최근 득량만의 조개류 생산과 채묘부진의 원인으로는 수질환경요인 중 하절기 고수온이 가장 큰 영향을 미칠 수 있겠 으나, 이러한 요인이 2000년 전후로 거의 동일한 영향을 미치고 있기 때문에 폐쇄성이 강한 득량만에 서식하는 조개류의 유전적 다양 성이 다소 떨어지기 때문에 직접적인 생산과 채묘율에 많은 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 경남 통영 욕지도에 참치양식용 내파성 가두리 설치시 Cochlodinium polykrikoides 적조 발생에 대한 적정 침강 깊이를 설정하기 위하여 24시간 수직이동 조사를 실시했다. 또한 6년 동안의 욕지도 근해해역에 대한 식물플랑크톤 군집구조를 분석하여 참치양식의 성공을 위한 기초정보를 제공하고자 한다. 욕지도 근해의 식물플랑크톤 총 세포밀도는 월별에 따라 매우 큰 변동폭을 보이고 있으며, 대부분 규 조류가 우점종으로 출현하고 있다. 여름철 와편모조류의 종 조성을 보면 Gymnodinium sp.가 총 19회로 가장 많은 출현 횟수를 보였고, 특히 C. polykrikoides도 총 8회로 나타났다. 또한 Karenia brevis 및 Fibrocapsa japonica와 같은 유독성 적조생물도 출현되어 본 지역에 대한 식 물플랑크톤 모니터링 필요할 것으로 생각된다. 일출과 일몰에 따른 Chl-a 및 총 세포수도 일치한 결과를 보여 부침식 가두리 양식장은 표층으 로부터 3-5 m 정도 침강시키는 것이 효율적인 깊이로 나타났다.

본 연구는 목포항을 중심으로 영산강 하구둑과 장좌도 동북방 해역에 대한 2004년부터 2009년까지의 월별 수질 변화 및 식 물플랑크톤 변동을 파악하여 목포항의 오염 현황과 생태계의 건강도를 파악하고자 한다. 수온, 염분 등과 같은 환경요인은 하구둑 근해 수역에서 월별, 계절벌 변화가 큰 것으로 보이며, 장좌도 근해수역까지 이러한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 식물플랑크톤 종 조성은 해양환경의 변화에 비하면 큰 차이가 없는 것으로 보였다. 따라서 목포항 주면 수연은 6년 동안 하구둑의 담류 방류에 의한 인근 수역의 월별, 연도별 해양환경 변화 폭이 크게 나타났으나, 식물플랓크콘에 미치는 영향은 다소 미비한 것으로 보여 해양생태계의 기본적 먹이공급에는 큰 이상이 없는 것으로 보인다.

This study was carried out to determine the characteristics of the marine environment, including nutritional content, in order to clearly understand the outbreaks of Gonyaulax polygramma in the southern coastal areas in August, 2009. Samples were collected at 13 sites and water temperature and salinity were measured using a CTD. Field surveys were twice: the first between August 5-7, the second between August 22-24. The cell density of G. polygramma was 6,500-10,000 cells ml-1 during the 1st survey, whereas during the 2nd survey the range of the cells was recorded from 8,000 to 12,500 cells ml-1. Cochlodinium polykrikoides ranged from 0 to 105 cells l-1 during the field survey. In water environments, the majority stations during the 1st survey showed a nearly homogeneous water column below 1℃ in temperature, as well as similar profiles of salinity. However, the stratification between the surface and bottom was observed in the 2nd survey. Regarding nutrients, Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) in the surface ranged from 0.144 to 0.236 mg l-1 during the 1st survey, and 0.082-0.228 mg l-1 during the 2nd survey. DIP (Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus) did not show any difference in concentration between the 1st and 2nd survey. During August of 2009, the wind speed in the southern waters remained at around ≤2 m s-1 for about 60% of time, and there was very little precipitation during the month. Irradiance of ≥10 hr was shown in the late of August. It is thought that a low level of DIN and salinity play an important role as an essential factor for rapid growth, wide distribution and longer duration of red tide in G. polygramma.

This study was carried out to determine marine environments and phytoplankton community in Deukryang Bay during the period of summer in 1987-2010. Water temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen were shown in much yearly fluctuations. In August, water temperatures in surface and on bottom were the highest, compared with average surface (24.54℃) and bottom (22.90℃) water temperature for 18 years in Deukryang Bay. The main reason is assumed to longer duration of sunshine during the period of August. Although the amount of the rainfall in August was the highest, significant impact of marine environment did not show. Most of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate in Deukryang were lower concentration during summer and N:P ratio also showed below 18 in Redfield. In particular, extreme increasing of N:P ratio in August was occurred by intensive precipitation. Distribution of phytoplankton community was a consistent occurrence for 18 years. The genus of Chaetoceros, Cosinodisucs and Skeletonema were regarded as the represent diatom, whereas the highest occurrence of genus among dinofagellates was Ceratium. It is thought that the relationship between phytoplankton and nutrient has a strong positive signal, although nutrients persist a little concentration and much fluctuations in marine environments were observed. High availability in phytoplankton is contributed to consistently provide the food organism of shellfish. Consequently, recent decreasing production of shellfish and seed are probably associated with higher temperature during the period of summer. However, higher temperature is also occurred ago and after 2000. On the basis of geography, Deukryang Bay had a small mouth and long channel, which is attributed to decreasing genetic diversity. It is assumed that higher temperature and lower genetic diversity have a extreme impact of larvae and shellfish for reproduction in Deukryang. It is necessary to persistently monitor based on water quality and phytoplankton community.

The production of the sharp-toothed eel by commercial catch off waters of Korea is annually declined after 1978. This study was carried out to obtain the stock management of the sharp-toothed eel using the PCR-aided RFLP method. The mtDNA COI gene was amplified using species-specific primers and PCR product was observed to 700 bp. Amplified DNA fragments were treated with six kinds of restriction enzymes (BaeHI, EcoRI, PstI, Ksp22, HinfI and HaeIII). The treatment of HaeIII showed a distinct PCR product between Yeosu/Jinhae/Jeju/Goseoung and Jangheung/Haenam populations that were observed from 300 to 400 bp in reference to 100 bp molecular marker. However, DNA fragment within populations had an identical pattern. The phylogenetic homology is 82% between two populations inferred from RFLP PCR product pattern using NTsysPC ver. 2.1. The use of HaeIII plays an important role in discriminating populations. It is thought that adults after over-wintering in the southern part of Jeju migrate to the Yeosu, Jinhae and Goseoung regions to spawn instead of to southwestern waters. Individuals within populations showed a relatively active genetic mixing and migration regardless of geography. However, the genetic ancestor of Jangheung and Haenam populations is appeared to be more adjacent to China or Japan than Jeju.

This study was carried out to determine marine environments and phytoplankton community around Mokpo harbour on March to November during the period of 2004-2009. The remarkable fluctuations of marine environments were shown around Mokpo harbour depending on monthly and yearly. Among seasons, summer was a great that was associated with extremely releasing the freshwater from Youngsan River Weir, contributing to effect the fluctuations of water quality. Nevertheless of monthly and yearly, the molecular ratio of N:P was always shown in above 16 that was mainly attributed to freshwater discharge on March to November. This indicates that phosphorus playes an important role in limiting factor as growth in phytoplankton. During this study, Skeletonema costatum was found to be richer than the other groups of diatoms in terms of abundance and species number. Mokpo harbour, with the presence of a narrow avenue for exchange with offshore waters, has limited growth in phytoplankton, but this species is able to well adapt and fast grow under even high level of suspended solid and low intensity of light compared with other species. The discharge of freshwater is associated with significantly fluctuation of marine environments in this region, but it does not affect the quantitative and qualitative distribution of phytoplankton. It is necessary to persistently monitor based on water quality and phytoplankton community.

The aim of this study is to determine the outbreaks of nontoxic Gonyaulax polygramma Stein in Yeosu waters in place of harmful Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef, which has occurred annually in the same region since 1995. The observation of cellular arrangement and structure by electron microscopy showed that G. polygramma isolated from Yeosu waters had a few spines connecting with membranes and prominent longitudinal ridges on the cell surface, with a cingular displacement 1.5 times their cell width. Furthermore, the location of the nucleus was posterior of large oval formation according to electron microscopy. On 6 August, 2004, the first bloom of G. polygramma occurred, the date of its disappearance was with a maximum cell density of 8,000 cells ml-1 on 21 August, 2004. During the period of this study, the horizontal distribution of sea water temperature and salinity showed a strong coastal front, whereas the front of DIN (Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen) was significantly different between the occurrence and disappearance of G. polygramma blooms. These results suggested that the process of the breakdown of stratification by wind and a low level of inorganic nitrogen play important roles in the rapid growth of G. polygramma, which is associated with a greater robustness in growth against DIN than that of C. polykrikoides in nature.

In order to study the temporal variations of nutrients and chlorophyll-a in the Bottol Bada, three field observations were carried out on 20, 23 and 26 July, 2004. The low N:P values exhibit nitrogen deficiency during the periods of observation. This result is not representative of typical summer environment in the southern coast of Korea. The possible mechanisms are as follows: 1) The freshwater inflow was not sufficient for the supply of nitrogen because the total precipitation was 11.9 mm in July, 2004. This amount is no more than 5% in normal precipitation in July. 2) There was an inflow of oceanic water under the subsurface into the Bottol Bada. Even though the oceanic water comprises more nutrients, it produces the stratification between the surface and the subsurface water and seems to prevent the supply of nutrinets to the surface layer. 3) The high chlorophyll-a concentration of 1.2 μg/L was shown near the narrow channel between Gae-do and Geumo-do. This seems to be resulted from the inflow of water from Gamak Bay.

Based on the observation on 20, 23 and 26 July 2004, the distributions of temperature, salinity and stratification was investigated in relation to ebb, turn of tide and flood. The results are as follows: 1) The high temperature and low saline water with 23.5～24.0℃ and 32.4～33.0psu existed at Naro Island. 2) The cold surface water below 21.0℃ and 33.0～33.4psu appeared in the area near Gae Island and Geumo Island. 3) The cold and saline water, below 24.0℃ at the surface and 17.0℃ near the bottom, 32.8～33.8psu at the surface and 33.8～34.0psu near the bottom, existed in Sori Island. These waters were more saline compared to the South Sea Coastal Water with about 31.8psu. This suggests that the oceanic saline water intruded into the Bottol Bada through the area near Sori Island. The stratification appeared during all the observation periods due to a high solar radiation of 22MJ/m2, and a weak wind speed of 2.9m/s on the average while the mean speed of wind in July is around 3.9 m/s. It qualitatively suggested that the stratification was maintained during the observation periods because of a high solar radiation, a weak wind speed and intrusion of saline oceanic water.