The variation of dissolved oxygen (DO) was monitored with high frequency by an automatic data-logging sensor in a eutrophic urban stream (the Anyang Stream) located in a metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea. In general, DO showed the diel variation...
The variation of dissolved oxygen (DO) was monitored with high frequency by an automatic data-logging sensor in a eutrophic urban stream (the Anyang Stream) located in a metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea. In general, DO showed the diel variation of increase in daytime and decrease at night, implying that primary production is a major mechanism of oxygen supply in this ecosystem. The fluctuation of oxygen was determined by rainfall. DO depletion was most obvious after a rainfall resulting in an anoxic condition for a day, which is thought to be caused by scouring of periphyton and organic ooze at the stream bottom. Seasonally DO was higher in winter and frequently depleted in warm seasons. DO depletion was often at a dangerous level for fish survival. Fish survey showed that little fish was living at the study site and oxygen depletion may be the major stress factor for aquatic animals. From the results it can be suggested that a high frequency monitoring of oxygen should be established for the proper assessment of aquatic habitats and better management strategy.