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The biocide sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is widely used for controlling algal growth, and this application can be extended to marine environments as well. This study evaluates the biocidal efficiency and cellular toxicity of NaOCl on the harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides, with emphasis on pigment production and antioxidant enzyme activity. The test organism showed dose-dependent decrease in growth rate on exposure to NaOCl, and the 72 h EC50 was measured to be 0.584 mg L. NaOCl significantly decreased pigment levels and chlorophyll autofluorescence intensity, indicating possible detrimental effects on the photosystem of C. polykrikoides. Moreover, it significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting the production of reactive oxygen species in the cells. These data indicate that NaOCl exerted deleterious effects on the photosynthetic machinery and induced oxidative damage in the dinoflagellate and this biocide could be effectively used for the control of algal blooms.

Algae are sensitive to a wide range of pollutants, and are effective bioindicators in ecotoxicity assessments. Here, we evaluated the sub-lethal sensitivity of the marine dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides upon exposure to copper (Cu), lead (Pb), bisphenol A (BPA), and Aroclor 1016 (polychlorinated biphenyl, PCB). Toxic effects were assessed by observations of the reduction in cell counts and chlorophyll a levels after exposure to each toxicant. C. polykrikoides displayed dose-dependent, sigmoidal responses when exposed to the tested chemicals. EC 50 -72 h values for Cu, Pb, BPA, and PCB were 12.74, 46.70, 68.15, and 1.07 mg L -1 , respectively. PCB, which is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, was the most sensitive, proving its toxic effect on the dinoflagellate. This study provides baseline data on the toxic effects of commonly used heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals to a marine dinoflagellate.

Spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is a mRNA processing mechanism in dinoflagellate nuclear genes. Although studies have identified a short, conserved dinoflagellate SL (dinoSL) sequence (22-nt) in their nuclear-encoded transcripts, whether the majority of nuclear-coded transcripts in dinoflagellates have the dinoSL sequence remains doubtful. In this study, we investigated dinoSL-containing gene transcripts using 454 pyrosequencing data (Cochlodinium polykrikoides, 93 K sequence reads, 31 Mb; Prorocentrum minimum, 773 K sequence reads, 291 Mb). After making comparisons and performing local BLAST searches, we identified dinoSL for one C. polykrikoides gene transcript and eight P. minimum gene transcripts. This showed transcripts containing the dinoSL sequence were markedly fewer in number than the total expressed sequence tag (EST) transcripts. In addition, we found no direct evidence to prove that most dinoflagellate nuclear-coded transcripts have this dinoSL sequence.

The genus Chaetoceros provides highly diversified diatoms in marine systems. Morphological descriptions of the genus are well-documented, yet the DNA taxonomy of Chaetoceros has not been satisfactorily established. Here, the molecular divergences of the 18S-28S rDNA of Chaetoceros were assessed. DNA similarities were relatively low in both 18S (93.1 3.9%) and 28S rDNA (81.0 4.6%). Phylogenies of the 18S, 28S rDNAs showed that Chaetoceros was divided according to individual species, clustering the same species into single clades. Statistical analysis with corrected genetic (p-) distance scores showed that nucleotide divergence of Chaetoceros 28S rDNA significantly differed from that of 18S rDNA (Student's t-test, p

DNA-based discrimination of species is a powerful way for morphologically otherwise similar species, like centric diatoms. Here, the author sequenced long-range nuclear ribosomal DNAs, spanning from the 18S to the D5 region of the 28S rDNA, of Stephanodiscus, particularly including a Korean isolate. By comparisons, high DNA similarities were detected from the rDNAs of nine Stephanodiscus (>99.4% in 18S rDNA, >98.0% in 28S rDNA). Their genetic distances, however, were significantly different (Kruskal-Wallis test, p

Cells of the dinoflagellate Peridinium were frequently observed in water samples of Togyo reservoir, and some species were responsible for dense blooms. Recently, we could identify them as P. bipes f. occultatum Lindem. and P. aciculiferum Lemm., considering morphology (Ki et al. 2005a; Ki and Han 2005b): However, some unidentified Peridinium cells with different shapes and body sizes were found among the samples collected during early spring. Here we describe their morphological characteristics such as thecal plate and body size to characterize its taxonomic identity by morphological characters. The formula of epithecal plates was recorded as 4 apical, 2 intercalary and 7 precingular plates (i.e. 4’`, 2a, 7’`’`) and the epicone in an apical view was symmetric. An apical pore was easy to make out under a light microscope. No cingular displacement was observed. The average body size was 33 m in length with a range of 26-36 m, and average 26 m in width with a range of 21-31 m, respectively; the cell was, therefore, shown slightly elongated. This way we identified Peridinium umbonatum Stein, 1883 for the first time from Korean freshwaters.

To clarify some confusions concerning identification of the Korean Peridinium species, genotypic analysis was performed with their SSU rDNA sequences. PCR was used to amplify the partial SSU rDNA of Peridinium isolates collected from three different Korean waters (Juam, Sang-sa and Togyo Reservoirs). The PCR products were allowed directly to sequence, which revealed each 942 bp of rDNA sequence. Analyses of the rDNA sequences showed that all the Korean isolates had the same genotype (100% sequence homology), and they were nearly identical to a Japanese strain of P. bipes f. occultatum (NIES 364; 99.8% sequence similarity). The sequence-based comparisons could clearly resolve P. bipes f. occultatum isolated from three different Korean waters.

Patterns of epilithic algal colonization on artificial substrata (unglazed ceramic tiles) were investigated from 23rd April to 3rd July 1999 at weekly intervals over a 10 weeks period outside and inside the mesocosm in Togyo reservoir within the Civilian Passage Restriction Line near Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea. The highest standing crops of epilithic algae was 1,79810³ cells outside the mesocosm on 26th June and also inside the mesocosm those was 2,39110³ cells on 26th June, 9 weeks after the experiment began. The dominants outside the mesocosm were Achnanthes minutissima, Navicula bicephala, Oscillatoria angusta, Synedra delicastissima, S. tenuissima, S. ulna v. danica and Tabellaria flocculosa, and those inside the mesocosm were Achnanthes minitissima, Coenochloris polycocca, Fragilaria crotonenesis, Peridinium cinctum, Synedra delicatissima, Tabellaria flocculosa and Ulothrix subtilissima. Diatoms were most abundant and Achnanthes minutissima was the most important species colonizing on the tiles. Chlorophyll-a content was highest value of 5.4 mg on 19th June after 8 weeks growth outside the mesocosm and was 24.4 mg on 26th June, 9 weeks after the experiment began on tiles inside the mesocosm. It was also shown that unglazed ceramic tiles were a more suitable substratum for colonization than the glass slides. Consequently the substratum selection plays an important role in the colonization by the epilithic algal community.

The epilithic algal communities on the artificial substrata (unglazed ceramic tiles) were investigated from 5th July to 24th July 1999 with two or three days intervals for elucidating the effects of the experimental acidification. They were harvested inside the mesocosm with and without the acid treatment on Togyo reservoir within the Civilian Passage Restriction Line near Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea. After the colonization of epilithic algal community, their standing crops revealed different patterns outside and inside the mesocosm. However the time lapse of 5 days was observed on the inside with acid treatment. The dominant species were different: Achnanthes minutissima was outside but Coenochloris polycocca was inside and inside with acid treatment. The differences in floral composition were also found. Achnanthes minutissima which has been the most important species in the colonization by the epilithic algal community of the mesocosm was less important at the lower pH. Coenochloris polycocca is a species well adapted to low pH.