Effects of Zooplankton Grazing on the Suppression of Harmful Algal Blooms by the Rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus in Freshwater Ecosystems

Baek, Seung-Ho,Hong, Sung-Su,Song, Shin-Young,Lee, Hae-Ok,Han, Myung-Soo The Korean Society of Limnology 2009 생태와 환경 Vol.37 No.2

To study the influence of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus on harmful algal bloom suppression, we focused on assessing the rotifer's abilities using several prey species : Microcystis aeruginosa, Synechocystis sp., Chlorella vulgaris and Coelastrum sp. of the warm-weather species and the cold-weather centric diatom Stephanodiscus hantzchii. Grazing effects and growth rates of rotifers B. calyciflorus were 94.5% and $1.29d^{-1}$, respectively, for Synechocystis sp., 87.4% and $0.60d^{-1}$, respectively, for M. aeruginosa, 95.2% and $0.65d^{-1}$, respectively, for C. $vulgaris^{TM}$, 78.6% and $0.45d^{-1}$, respectively, for C. vulgaris UTEX., 86.5% and $0.99d^{-1}$, respectively, for Coelastrum sp., and 82.6% and $0.40d^{-1}$, respectively, for S. hantzchii. Of these, although the growth of Synechocystis and Coelastrum was effectively suppressed by rotifer grazing, efficient suppression effects on Stephanodiscus blooms were unexpected. The present study revealed that reproduction of B. calyciflorus was greatly influenced by its food types in the initial stages and the efficiencies of bio-agents as sole food sources vary depending on the target algae and the agent.

Long-term Paradigm Analyses of Chlorophyll a and Water Quality in Reservoir Systems

Bach, Quang-Dung,Shin, Yong-Sik,Song, Eun-Sook The Korean Society of Limnology 2009 생태와 환경 Vol.38 No.1

During the period of past fifteen years (1992~2006), variations of chlorophyll a in relation with water quality in freshwater reservoirs were investigated. This study compared total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll a, Secchi depth (SD) and total suspended solids (TSS) between terrestrial freshwater reservoir and coastal freshwater reservoir systems based on their location. Regression analyses (linear and non-linear regressions) were applied for all study sites to examine relationship and interaction of these factors in the freshwater systems from in-land to coasts. The results demonstrated that chlorophyll a was significantly correlated to total phosphorus ($R^2=0.94$, P<0.0001) and was remarkably related to TSS increase ($R^2=0.63$, P<0.0001) in the selected reservoirs. The TN : TP ratio in the reservoir systems was higher than Redfield ratio (16 : 1) indicating that the reservoirs are potentially experiencing P limitation. Water quality of coastal freshwater reservoir system was more significantly decreased than the reservoirs located in in-land during the past fifteen years. The strict management of nutrient discharge into freshwater systems should implemented in the coastal reservoirs since the freshwater is introduced into coastal estuarine systems.

Comparative Analyses of Community and Biological Indices based on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Streams using a Self-Organizing Map

Tang, Hong Qu,Bae, Mi-Jung,Chon, Tae-Soo,Song, Mi-Young,Park, Young-Seuk The Korean Society of Limnology 2009 생태와 환경 Vol.39 No.1

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities collected from eight different streams in South Korea were analyzed to compare community and biological indices across different levels of water pollution. The Self-Organizing Map (SOM) was utilized to provide overview on association of the proposed indices. The sample sites were accordingly clustered according to the gradient of pollution on the SOM. While the general trends of the indices were commonly observable according to different levels of pollution, the detailed differences among the indices were also illustrated on the SOM. The conventional diversity and evenness indices tended to be high even though the water quality state was poor representing relatively weak gradient at polluted sites, while the index presenting the saprobic degree such as family biotic index showed the stronger gradient at the polluted area and was robust to present the gradient. Our results also confirmed the general characterization of two indices: The Shannon index is more strengthened by the number of species occurring at the sample sites, while the Simpson index is more influenced by the degree of evenness among the species. The patterning based on the SOM was efficient in comparatively characterizing the proposed indices to present ecological states and water quality.

Diel Pattern of Littoral Swarming in Moina macrocopa and Impact of Juvenile Fish Density

Jeong, Hyun-Gi,La, Geung-Hwan,Kim, Hyun-Woo,Jang, Min-Ho,Jeong, Kwang-Seuk,Yoon, Ju-Duk,Joo, Gea-Jae The Korean Society of Limnology 2010 생태와 환경 Vol.36 No.4

The diel swarming of Moina macrocopa and the relationship between environmental factors were evaluated in a shallow reservoir. The littoral density of Moina macrocopa maintained low from night to noon, reached maximum density at the afternoon with compact swarms at the waters' edge, and dispersed after sunset. The recruitment of Moina macrocopa and changes of water temperature (r=0.709, p<0.001) and juvenile fish density (r=0.511, p=0.002) in the littoral zone showed a significant positive relationships. After the induction of diel horizontal migration toward littoral zone, therefore, direct juvenile fish predation pressure should be induced Moina macrocopa swarming.

A Study on the Fish Community and Various Guilds to Stream Order in Geum River Watershed

Lee, Su-Ho,Lee, Jae-Hoon,Han, Jeong-Ho,An, Kwang-Guk The Korean Society of Limnology 2010 생태와 환경 Vol.36 No.4

This study was conducted to evaluate fish fauna, species composition, and various guilds against stream orders along with analysis of fish community structure and diversity in Geum River watershed from 2005 to 2007. The total number of fish collected was 4,216 representing 12 families with 56 species. Zacco platypus was the most abundant fish species with 26% in relative abundance (RA). Korean endemic species were 24 species including Zacco koreanus, Microphysogobio yaluensis, Gobiobotia nakdongensis, and Iksookimia koreensis, etc. We also collected endangered fish species such as G. nakdongensis, Liobagrus obesus, and Pseudopungtungia nigra, etc., and their new distribution sites were found in the survey, providing some sites of the fish conservation and protection. Fish tolerance and trophic guilds analysis showed that the proportion of sensitive species, intermediate species, and tolerant species were 33.4%, 29.3%, and 37.3%, respectively and omnivores and insectivores were 48.1 % and 38.4%, respectively. Analysis of site-base study indicated that tolerant species and omnivore species were high in some polluted tributary streams (i.e., Gap and Miho stream) and sensitive and insectivore species were low. In the functional relations, expressed as simple linear regression equations, of stream order on fish metric attributes, showed that the number of species and the number of individuals increased as the stream order increases. This phenomenon was explained by greater availability of stable water volume, rich food, and higher physical habitat capacity. Such guild compositions and stream order characteristics of the river influenced the community structures, based on species diversity, dominance and evenness index in the study. This study may be used as important data in the future for comparisons of fish fauna and compositions before and after two weir (dam) constructions in the middle of Geum River by the government.

Interannual and Seasonal Fluctuations of Nutrients, Suspended Solids, Chlorophyll, and Trophic Sate along with Other General Water Quality Parameters Near Two Intake Towers of Daechung Dam

Lee, Sun-Goo,Han, Jeong-Ho,Lee, Jae-Hoon,An, Kwang-Guk The Korean Society of Limnology 2010 생태와 환경 Vol.36 No.4

The study objects were to analyze long-term and seasonal variations of nutrients (N, P), suspended solids, N:P ratios, algal chlorophyll, and trophic state along with general water quality parameters in four sampling sites including two intake tower sites supplying drinking water in Daechung Reservoir. For the analysis, we used water quality long-term data sampled during 1998~2007 by the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Interannual and seasonal trends in inflow and discharge near the intake tower facilities over the ten years were directly influenced by rainfall pattern. The distinct difference between wet year (2003) and dry year (2001) produced marked differences in water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, organic matter contents, nutrients, and these variables influenced algal biomass and trophic state. Values of TP varied depending on the year and locations sampled, but monthly mean TP always peaked during July~August when river inflow and precipitation were maxima. In contrast, TN varied little compared to TP, indicating lower influence by seasonal flow compared to phosphorus. The number of E. coli were highest in Site 2 (Chudong intake tower) and varied largely, whereas at other sites, the numbers were low and low variations. Contents of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ (CHL), as an estimation of primary productivity, varied largely depending on the year and season. The maximum of CHL occurred at Muneu intake tower (S4) during 2006 when the precipitation and inflow were lowest. In contrast, another CHL peak was observed in Site 2 (Chudong intake tower) in 2006 when one of the largest typoons (Ewinia) occurred and river runoff were maximum. So the CHL maxima were associated with both wet year (high flow, high nutrient supply) and dry year (low flow, nutrient supply by littoral zone). Such conditions influenced trophic states, based on Trophic State Index of nutrients and CHL. Based on all analyses, we can provide some clues for management and protection strategies of two intake tower sites.

Water Quality in Artificial Reservoirs and Its Relations to Dominant Reservoir Fishes

Hwang, Yoon,Han, Jeong-Ho,An, Kwang-Guk The Korean Society of Limnology 2009 생태와 환경 Vol.38 No.1

The major objectives of this study were to evaluate trophic state of reservoirs using major water quality variables and its relations in terms of trophic guilds and tolerance guilds with dominant lentic fishes. For this study, we selected 6 artificial reservoirs such as Namyang Reservoir ($N_yR$), Youngsan Reservoir ($Y_sR$), Daechung Reservoir ($D_cR$), Chungju Reservoir ($Cj_R$), Chungpyung Reservoir ($C_pR$), and Paldang Reservoir ($P_dR$), and collected fish during 2000~2007 along with data analysis of water quality monitored by the ministry of environment, Korea. Biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), indicators of organic matter pollution, varied depending on types of the reservoirs and the spatial patterns in terms of trophic gradients were similar to patterns of nutrients, Secchi depth and chlorophyll-a. Analysis of trophic state index (TSI) showed that reservoirs of $D_cR$ and $C_jR$ were mesotrophy and other 4 reservoirs were eutrophic state. The relations of trophic relations showedthat TSI (Chl-a) had a positive linear function [TSI (CHL)=0.407 TSI (TP)+28.2, n=138, p<0.05] with TSI (TP) but had a weak relation with TSI (TN). Also, TSI (TP) were negatively correlated ($R^2=0.703$, p<0.05) with TSI (SD), whereas TSI (TN) was not significant (p>0.05) relations with TSI (SD). Tolerance guilds of lentic fishes, based on three types of the reservoirs, reflected the exactly water quality in the TN, TP, BOD, and COD, and similar trends were shown in the fish feeding/trophic guilds.

Variations of Calcium, Bicarbonate, and Cation in the Lacustrine Zone by Interannual Differences in Up-River Discharge

An, Kwang-Guk,Lee, Jae-Hoon,Han, Jeong-Ho The Korean Society of Limnology 2010 생태와 환경 Vol.36 No.4

Monthly up-river discharge in the riverine zone analysis resulted in large interannual variations and differences in calcium ($Ca^{2+}$), bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$), and cations in the lacustrine zone (Lz) of Daecheong Reservoir during the wet year (Wy, 1993) vs. dry year (Dy, 1994). Total up-river discharge in the Wy was four times that of the Dy, and the up-river discharge in July~August of the Wy was eight times greater than that of same period of Dy. Annual water retention time in the Lz showed large difference between the two years. Water residence time (WRT) was minimum when the up-river discharge peaked, whereas the WRT was maximum when the up-river discharge was at minimal condition. This peak discharge from the up-river on early July reduced residence time in the Lz on mid-July~late July. Monthly pattern, based on data of May~November, was similar between the two years, but, but mean retention time in the Wy was 50 days shorter than in the Dy. Such hydrology, up-river discharge, and WRT reduced $Ca^{2+}$, $HCO_3^-$, and cations in the Lz. At low up-river discharge in Wy during April~May, the cation content of Ca+Mg+Na+K averaged 1.17meq $L^{-1}$ (range=1.09-1.26meq $L^{-1}$), but as the up-river discharge increased suddenly, the values decreased. Seasonal fluctuations of $Ca^{2+}$ showed exactly same pattern with bicarbonate ion of $HCO_3^-$. The minimum $Ca^{2+}$ (0.03meq $L^{-1}$) was occurred in the early August of wet year and coincided with the minimum $HCO_3^-$. These results suggest that the magnitude of variation in $Ca^{2+}$, bicarbonate, and cations in the lacustrine zone is directly determined by the peak magnitude of up-river discharge. The magnitude of up-river discharge determined water retention time and the magnitude of ionic dilution in the lacustrine zone, resulting in functional changes of the ecosystem.

Global Increases in Dissolved Organic Carbon in Rivers and Their Implications

Kang, Ho-Jeong,Jang, In-Young,Freeman, Chris The Korean Society of Limnology 2010 생태와 환경 Vol.36 No.4

DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) is an operational terminology for organic carbon molecules dissolved in natural waters. DOC has been studied by ecologists extensively, because it plays a key role in various ecological functions such as substrates for secondary production and the carbon cycle. DOC also represents a substrate for microbial growth within potable water distribution systems, and can react with disinfectants (e.g., chloride) to form harmful disinfection by-products. In addition, residual DOC may carry with it organically bound toxic heavy metals. DOC in aquatic ecosystems may ultimately be transported to the oceans, or released back to the atmosphere by heterotrophic respiration, which can accelerate global climate change. There is evidence that DOC concentrations in aquatic ecosystems are increasing in many regions of the world including Europe, North America, and even in Korea. Land use changes, elevated temperature, elevated $CO_2$, recovery from acidification, and nitrogen deposition have been proposed as mechanisms for the trend. However, the key driving mechanism is yet to be conclusively determined. We propose that more extensive and longer-term observations, research of chemical properties of DOC, impacts of elevated DOC on environmental issues and interdisciplinary approaches are warranted as future studies to fill the gaps in our knowledge about DOC dynamics.

Macroinvertebrate Community Structure along Environmental Conditions in Ponds of Urban Parks, Korea

Kim, Myoung-Chul,Chun, Dong-Jun,Ro, Tae-Ho The Korean Society of Limnology 2008 생태와 환경 Vol.37 No.1

Benthic macroinvertebrates were examined to elucidate community structures of a set of 9 shallow ponds from a total of 6 parks located in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea. The result showed that macroinvertebrates were diverse and abundant, and aquatic macrophyte provide habitat diversities in ponds. The differences among benthic macroinvertebrate community compositions seemed to be attributed to local biotic and abiotic interactions. We surveyed benthic macroinvertebrate, biotic (macrophyte), abiotic (turbidity, nutrient concentrations, conductivity, heavy metal concentration) and morphometric (area, depth) of the lentic systems. Generally, the benthic macroinvertebrates were dominated by Cloeon dipterum or Coenagrion sp.. Distribution of the aquatic macrophyte community was correlated with the species composition of macroinvertebrates. The result demonstrated a significant and positive relationship between habitat quality and macroinvertebrate composition.