The morphological features of germling cells were examined to identify an unspecified resting cyst (described as Cochlodinium cf. polykrikoides-like resting cyst) in the Korean coastal area. LSU rRNA gene sequences were also obtained from a strain established from the germling cells. The resting cysts isolated from Korean coastal sediment were characterized as being brown in color, having a large dark-red body, and fibrous lobed ornaments. The germling cells were ellipsoidal with an irregular outline and had an open comma-shaped ASC (apical structure complex), a wide and deep cingulum, and a deep sulcus. These morphological features were consistent with those of previously described harmful dinoflagellate Pseudocochlodinium profundisulcus. The molecular phylogeny revealed that the germling cells and P. profundisulcus were conspecific. Based on these morphological and phylogenetic data, this study documents the occurrence of P. profundisulcus in a Korean coastal area for the first time.

The germination characteristics of the resting cysts of Pheopolykrikos hartmannii collected from the southern coastal sediments of Korea were studied at different temperature conditions, and the morphology and phylogeny of the germlings were examined. The resting cysts of Ph. hartmannii were round and characterized by a red accumulation body and many arrow-like spines and could germinate at temperature of 10 to 30°C. High germination rates (>90%) were observed at 15 and 20°C, indicating that the resting cysts could act as seed populations for the bloom initiation of Ph. hartmannii in Korean coastal waters in early summer or early fall. The morphology of the germlings was generally consistent with the previous description, and an apical groove characterized by a fully enclosed loop was observed. Phylogenetic analysis based on large SubUnit (LSU) rRNA gene sequences revealed that the germlings shared an identical sequence with the Korean and American isolates of Ph. hartmannii and was a sister clade of Polykrikos species.

A strain of Alexandrium species was established by isolating cells from Jangmok Bay, Korea. Its morphology and molecular phylogeny based on LSU rRNA gene sequences were examined. In addition, growth responses of this Alexandrium species to changes in temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations were investigated. This Alexandrium species from Jangmok Bay had a ventral pore on the 1′, which was morphologically consistent with previously described Alexandrium tamarense and A. catenella. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this isolate was assigned to A. pacificum (Group IV) within A. tamarense species complex. In growth experiments, relatively high growth rates and cell densities of A. pacificum (Group IV) were observed at 15°C and 20°C. This species also grew under a wide range of salinity. This indicates that this Korean isolate of A. pacificum (Group IV) is a stenothermic and euryhaline species. In growth responses to changes in nutrient levels, enhanced growth rates and cell densities of A. pacificum (Group IV) were observed with additions of nitrate and phosphate. In particular, rapid uptakes of phosphate by A. pacificum (Group IV) were observed in experimental treatments, indicating that the increase in phosphate concentration could stimulate the growth of A. pacificum (Group IV).

Skeletonema pseudocostatum의 세포는 규산질 성분의 돌기에 의한 사슬 형태로, 길이는 6~17.3 μm였고, 엽록체는 세포 당 1~2개를 포함하고 있었다. 주사전자현미경 관찰결과 Skeletonema 종을 구분할 수 있는 가장자리 받침돌기끝 (terminal fultoportula process)은 끝이 갈라지거나, 갈고리 모양이었고, 길이가 1.67±0.5 μm이고, 개각의 가장자리에 위치해 있으며, 개수는 8.10±1.1개로 개각의 크기에 따라 다양하게 나타났다. 말단세포 입술돌기 (terminal rimoportula process)는 두꺼운 원통형의 나팔관 모양으로, 개각의 중앙 근처에 위치하였고, 길이는 1.1±0.6 μm 였으며, 개수는 1개였다. 연결세포 받침돌기 (intercalary fultoportula process)는 대부분 1 : 1 결합으로 서로 맞물려있는 형태였고, 1 : 2 결합도 종종 발견되었다. 계통분석 결과는 형태적 특징이 유사한 종 간의 유전학적 거리가 가깝다는 것을 나타냈고, 지리적 기원이 다른 동일 종의 경우, 유전적 차이를 보이지 않았다. 이는 S. pseudocostatum은 지리적 위치와 상관없이 유전적 차이가 나타나지 않는 단일계통 (monophyly)이라는 것을 의미한다.

밀양납석광상의 지표시료와 시추시료의 광물조성과 화학조성 분석결과를 통하여 열수변질양상과 형성 환경을 연구하였다. 밀양납석광상의 열수변질대는 광물조합을 근거로 주로 엽납석-딕카이트(석영) 광물조합을 가지며 납석광체에 해당하는 강이질변질대와 견운모-석영-딕카이트를 주로 수반하는 필릭변질대 및 녹니석-석영이 주된 광물조합으로 수반되는 프로필라이트변질대 등 세 가지로 구분된다. 지표 및 시추시료의 수평적⋅수직적 변질양상 및 지화학적 특성을 통하여 연구지역 내 납석광체는 수차례의 열수변질작용을 통하여 형성되었으며, 현재 채광이 이루어지고 있는 지표광체로부터 남쪽-남동쪽 심부에 이르기까지 대규모로 연장되어 있을 것으로 여겨진다. 납석광체의 광물조합 및 엽납석의 다구조형(2M) 등을 통하여 밀양납석광상의 형성온도는 약 300-350℃ 내외일 것으로 추측된다.