Search

The Nakdong River underwent water impoundment after eight weirs were constructed as part of South Korea's Four Major River Restoration Project from 2009 to 2012. In this study, we aimed to confirm whether the assemblage of phytoplankton based on phytoplankton functional groups (PFGs), could indicate environmental changes in the weir section (WS) and non-weir section (NWS) of the lower Nakdong River after the construction of the weir. Thus, we examined the relationships between PFGs and gradients in environmental drivers, such as physicochemical, meteorological, and hydrological variables. Environmental gradients were observed between the WS and NWS in dissolved oxygen (DO), electric conductivity (EC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), dissolved total phosphorus (DTP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3–N), and phosphorus (PO4–P), which were relatively higher in the WS. Seventeen PFGs were identified (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H1, J, LM, LO, MP, P, T, W1, X1, and X2).Additionally, the LM and P groups, preferring an enriched lentic system more than other groups, were found to be the dominant PFGs that led the succession of assemblages. Traditional nutrients (N, P) and organic pollutants (BOD, COD) primarily affected the autochthonous growth of the most dominant PFGs in the WS as HRT (hydraulic retention time) increased. Furthermore, the hydrological variables associated with meteorological conditions have a synergistic effect on the composition of the major PFGs and chemical and physical variables in the WS. In other words, the WS may be a new source of inoculum that primarily determines the occurrence and maintenance of phytoplankton in the immediate downstream region (NWS). In particular, group LM (mainly potentially toxic Microcystis) developing in the upper weir impoundment is transported downstream, resulting in a high inoculation effect on further growth in the NWS during the summer monsoon season.

In South Korea, sixteen multifunctional weirs were constructed on four major rivers (Han, Nakdong, Geum, Yeongsan) from 2009 to 2012. Hydrological changes resulting from weir construction altered the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of natural large rivers. We aimed to investigate the variation in epilithic assemblages responding to changes in physicochemical, meteorological, and hydrological variables in the eight weir (lentic) sections of the Nakdong River, which is the longest river in South Korea. Sampling was conducted to determine the influence of environmental parameters on community composition, and to monitor the seasonality of environmental and biological patterns.A total of 173 taxa including 26 major epilithic diatom taxa were identified. Among them, nutrient-tolerant diatom species were characterized by Cyclostephanos dubius, Navicula gregaria, Fragilaria crotonensis, Aulacoseira granulata, Melosira varians, Navicula minima, Nitzschia amphibia, Amphora pediculus, and Nitzschia inconspicua. These species were primarily dominant in the midstream and downstream weir sections of the river adjacent to urban-industrial land use zones relating to nutrient enrichment. Moreover, preference for longer hydraulic retention time (HRT) was identified in C. dubius, N. gregaria, and F. crotonensis, in addition to its tolerance for high nutrition. Redundancy analysis based on the relative abundance of diatom taxa demonstrated that the diatom assemblage composition was closely related to total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), phosphate phosphorus (PO4-P), electrical conductivity, precipitation, water discharge, and HRT. Variation partitioning analysis further revealed that hydrological-meteorological variables play a synergistic role in enhancing the function of physical and chemical variables in structuring diatom assemblage composition soon after weir construction. A generalized linear model using the Akaike’s information criterion also suggests that the trophic diatom index (TDI) could indicate the water quality status in the weir sections, as the TDI was positively correlated (p

A cold-tolerant unicellular green alga was isolated from a meltwater stream on King George Island, Antarctica. Morphological, molecular, and biochemical analyses revealed that the isolate belonged to the species Chlorella vulgaris. We tentatively named this algal strain C.vulgaris KNUA007 and investigated its growth and lipid composition. We found that the strain was able to thrive in a wide range of temperatures, from 5 to 30 °C; however, it did not survive at 35 °C. Ultimate analysis confirmed high gross calorific values only at low temperatures (10 °C), with comparable values to land plants for biomass fuel. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the isolate was rich in nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The major fatty acid components were hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3 ω3, 17.31%), linoleic acid (C18:2 ω6, 8.52%), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 ω3, 43.35%) at 10 °C. The microalga was tolerant to low temperatures, making it an attractive candidate for the production of biochemicals under cold weather conditions. Therefore, this Antarctic microalga may have potential as an alternative to fish and/or plant oils as a source of omega-3 PUFA. The temperature tolerance and composition of C.vulgaris KNUA007 also make the isolate desirable for commercial applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

Water scarcity and emerging demands for renewable energy have increased concerns about energy security and advanced wastewater treatment, and microalgae have emerged as promising candidates to solve these problems. This study assesses the feasibility of microalgal wastewater treatment, and the utilization of the resulting microalgal biomass, as a renewable energy source. We cultured four selected microalgal species in filtered wastewater collected from the municipal treatment facility in Daegu, Republic of Korea. We measured nutrient consumption, growth rate, and physicochemical properties during cultivation, then analyzed the biomass for biochemical composition, ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, and biodiesel and lubricant properties, to estimate its potential applications. Desmodesmus sp. KNUA024 emerged as the most promising strain, removing 99.10% of ammonia nitrogen, 91.31% of total nitrogen, and 95.67% of total phosphate. Its biomass had a calorific value of 19.5 MJ kg−1, similar to terrestrial plants. α-linolenic acid was the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA; 54.83%). Due to its PUFA content, Desmodesmus sp. KNUA024 also had a high iodine value, indicating its potential for use as a bio-lubricant. Therefore, Desmodesmus sp. KNUA024 shows promise for wastewater treatment, energy, and industrial applications.

The genera Carolibrandtia and Chlorella have been described as small green algae with spherical cell shapes that inhabit various environments. Species of these genera are often difficult to identify because of their simple morphology and high phenotypic plasticity. We investigated two small coccoid strains from Antarctica based on morphology, molecular phylogeny by two alignment methods which have been applied to previous phylogenetic studies of the genus Chlorella, and comparison of the secondary structures of nuclear small subunit (SSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences. Light microscopy of two strains revealed spherical cells containing chloroplasts with pyrenoids, and the morphological characteristics of the strains were nearly identical to those of other Chlorella species. However, based on the phylogenetic analyses of nuclear SSU and ITS rDNA sequences, it was determined that the Antarctic microalgal strains belonged to two genera, as the Chlorella and Carolibrandtia. In addition, the secondary structures of the SSU and ITS2 sequences were analyzed to detect compensatory base changes (CBCs) that were used to identify and describe the two strains. A unique CBC in the SSU rDNA gene was decisive for distinguishing strain CCAP 211/45. The ITS2 rDNA sequences for each strain were compared to those obtained previously from other closely related species. Following the comparison of morphological and molecular characteristics, we propose KSF0092 as a new species, Chlorella terrestris sp. nov., and the reassignment of the strain Chlorella antarctica CCAP 211/45 into Carolibrandtia antarctica comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many investigations on phytoplankton from the Nakdong River carried out. However, since the weirs were constructed, only changes in phytoplankton biomass and dominant species have been restrictively studied in phytoplankton investigations in the Nakdong River. Added to this, any investigation on the phytoplankton flora has not been done in the Nakdong River. The aim of this study is to elucidate the characteristics of phytoplankton communities in the Nakdong River with the weirs built in it. Results: We observed a total of 103 taxa of Euglenophytes belonging to 8 genera from middle-lower part of the Nakdong River. The genus Trachelomonas was the most abundant group making up 40 taxa, followed Lepocinclis (20), Phacus (17), Strombomonas (14), Euglena (5), Colacium (3), Monomorphina (3) and Menoideum (1). Among them, a total of 22 taxa including Colacium (1), Lepocinclis (8), Phacus (4), Strombomonas (4) and Trachelomonas (5) were reported for the first time in Korea, and 86 taxa including those new to Korea were first recorded in the Nakdong River. All the species are illustrated with photomicrographs, and new to Korean species briefly discussed with regard to their taxonomy together with photomicrographs. Conclusions: The present study, a total of 22 taxa including one species of Colacium, 8 taxa of Lepocinclis, 4 taxa of Phacus, 4 taxa of Strombomonas and 5 taxa of Trachelomonas were reported for the first time in Korea, and 86 taxa including those new to Korea were first recorded in the Nakdong River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity indices of eukaryotic microalgal groups in the Jeonglyeongchi, Waegok, and Wangdeungjae marshes of Mount Jiri, Korea, were measured using Illumina MiSeq and culture-based analyses. Waegok marsh had the highest species richness, with a Chao1 value of 828.00, and the highest levels of species diversity, with Shannon and Simpson index values of 6.36 and 0.94, respectively, while Wangdeungjae marsh had the lowest values at 2.97 and 0.75, respectively. The predominant species in all communities were Phagocata sibirica (Jeonglyeongchi, 68.64%), Aedes albopictus (Waegok, 34.77%), Chaetonotus cf. (Waegok, 24.43%), Eimeria sp. (Wangdeungjae, 26.17%), and Eumonhystera cf. (Wangdeungjae, 22.27%). Relative abundances of the microalgal groups Bacillariophyta (diatoms) and Chlorophyta (green algae) in each marsh were respectively: Jeonglyeongchi 1.38% and 0.49%, Waegok 7.0% and 0.3%, and Wangdeungjae 10.41% and 4.72%. Illumina MiSeq analyses revealed 34 types of diatoms and 13 types of green algae. Only one diatom (Nitzschia dissipata) and five green algae (Neochloris sp., Chlamydomonas sp., Chlorococcum sp., Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus sp.) were identified by a culture-based analysis. Thus, Illumina MiSeq analysis can be considered an efficient tool for analyzing microbial communities. Overall, our results described the environmental factors associated with geographically isolated mountain marshes and their respective microbial and microalgal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of the genus Micractinium were collected from five localities on the South Shetland Islands in maritime Antarctica, and their morphological and molecular characteristics were investigated. The vegetative cells are spherical to ellipsoidal and a single chloroplast is parietal with a pyrenoid. Because of their simple morphology, no conspicuous morphological characters of new species were recognized under light microscopy. However, molecular phylogenetic relationships were inferred from the concatenated small subunit rDNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data indicated that the Antarctic microalgal strains are strongly allied to the well-supported genus Micractinium, including M. pusillum, the type species of the genus, and three other species in the genus. The secondary structure of ITS2 and compensatory base changes were used to identify and describe six Antarctic Micractinium strains. Based on their morphological and molecular characteristics, we characterized three new species of Micractinium: M. simplicissimum sp. nov., M. singularis sp. nov., and M. variabile sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcystis aeruginosa causes harmful algal blooms in the Nakdong River of Korea. We studied the effect of different concentrations and ratios of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-), and phosphate (PO4 3-) on growth of this species in BG-11 medium: each nutrient alone, NO3- : NH4 + ratio, the N : P ratio with fixed total N (TN), and the N : P ratio with fixed total P (TP). The single nutrient experiments indicated that M. aeruginosa had the highest growth rate at NH4 + and NO3- concentrations of 500 μM, and at a PO4 3- concentration of 5 μM. The NO3- : NH4+ ratio experiments showed that M. aeruginosa had the highest growth rate at a ratio of 1 : 1 when TN was 100 μM and 250 μM, and the lowest growth rate at a ratio of 1 : 1 when the TN was 500 μM. The N : P ratio with fixed TN experiments indicated that M. aeruginosa had the highest growth rates at 50 : 1, 20 : 1, and 100 : 1 ratios when the TN was 100, 250, and 500 μM, respectively. In contrast, the N : P ratio with fixed TP experiments showed that M. aeruginosa had the highest growth rates at 200 : 1 ratio at all tested TP concentrations. In conclusion, our results imply that the NO3- : NH4+ ratio and the PO4 3- concentration affect the early stage of growth of M. aeruginosa. In particular, our results suggest that the maximum growth of M. aeruginosa is not simply affected by the NO3- : NH4+ ratio and the N : P ratio, but is determined by the TN concentration if a certain minimum PO4 3- concentration is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Species in the heterokont genus Synura are colonial and have silica scales whose ultrastructural characteristics are used for classification. We examined the ultrastructure of silica scales and molecular data (nuclear SSU rDNA and LSU rDNA, and plastid rbcL sequences) to better understand the taxonomy and phylogeny within the section Petersenianae of genus Synura. In addition, we report the first finding of newly recorded Synura species from Korea. Results: We identified all species by examination of scale ultrastructure using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Three newly recorded species from Korea, Synura americana, Synura conopea, and Synura truttae were described based on morphological characters, such as cell size, scale shape, scale size, keel shape, number of struts, distance between struts, degree of interconnections between struts, size of base plate pores, keel pores, base plate hole, and posterior rim. The scales of the newly recorded species, which belong to the section Petersenianae, have a well-developed keel and a characteristic number of struts on the base plate. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data from three genes in 32 strains (including three outgroup species). The results provided strong statistical support that the section Petersenianae was monophyletic, and that all taxa within this section had well-developed keels and a defined number of struts on the base plate. Conclusions: The phylogenetic tree based on sequence data of three genes was congruent with the data on scale ultrastructure. The resulting phylogenetic tree strongly supported the existence of the section Petersenianae. In addition, we propose newly recorded Synura species from Korea based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters: S. americana, S. conopea, and S. truttae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three strains of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii (JJS, KCM, and KJD) were isolated from different water bodies in Korea and grown as batch cultures in the laboratory. The effects of different growth media and temperatures on the growth rate were investigated, as well as the effect of temperature on the total lipid content and lipid profile. All three strains had the highest growth rates in BG-11 medium and at 25°C. Maximal lipid production (g L-1) was at 30°C in the JJS strain and at 25°C in the KCM and KJD strains. However, all the three strains produced the greatest percent dry weight of total lipids at 15°C and had the lowest percent dry weight of total lipids at 25°C. In general, oleic acid, linolenic acid, and behenic acid were the most common fatty acids in all three strains. However, the three strains varied considerably in their fatty acid profiles at different culture temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study summarizes the occurrence, distribution and autecology of the genus Micrasterias Ralfs among desmids collected from several swamps, reservoirs, rivers and high land wetlands in South Korea from 2009 to 2013. In total 21 taxa of Micrasterias including three new species, Micrasterias spinosus sp. nov., M. jejuensis sp. nov. and M. koreanus sp. nov., were identified. In this study, photomicrographs of all of these are provided and briefly discussed with regard to their taxonomy, distribution and ecology within South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study summarizes the taxonomic notes and korean distribution of 29 taxa of the desmids (Chlorophyta) collected from several swamps, reservoirs, rivers, and high land wetlands in South Korea from 2009 to 2013. All of these consisting of 9 genera (Tetmemorus 1 taxon, Pleurotaenium 5 taxa, Triploceras 1 taxon, Euastrum 7 taxa, Cosmarium 6 taxa, Staurastrum 5 taxa, Xanthidium 1 taxon, Hyalotheca 2 taxa, and Desmidium 1 taxon) are newly described in Korean freshwater algal flora. In this study, light microscopy of all of these are presented and briefly discussed with regard to their taxonomy, distribution and ecology within South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study summarized the occurrence, distribution and autecology about 31 taxa of the green algae (Chlorophytes) collected from several swamps, reservoir and highland wet-lands in the South Korea from 2010 to 2013. This paper deals with a total 31 taxa including of 26 genera which are recorded for the first time in Korea. Among these algae, 18 genera including Pyrobotrys Arnoldi, Volvulina Playfair, Dicellula Svirenko, Echinocoleum Jao & Lee, Hofmania Chodat, Gloeotila Kützing, Tetrachlorella Korschikov, Botryospherella P.C.Silva etc., were newly recorded in Korean fresh-water algal flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study summarized the occurrence, distribution and autecology of 18 taxa in the class Euglenophyceae collected from several swamps, reservoir and mountain wetlands in the South Korea from 2009 to 2013. This paper deals with 18 taxa consisting of 3 taxa of Colacium Ehrenberg, 2 taxa of Phacus Dujardin, 13 taxa of Trachelomonas Ehrenberg, which are recorded for the first time in Korean freshwater algal flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study summarizes the occurrence, distribution and autecology of 12 taxa of the class Cyanophyceae collected from several swamps, reservoir and highland wetlands in South Korea from 2009 to 2012. A new species, Anabaena koreana sp. nov. and 11 taxa of blue-green algae newly recorded are described and illustrated. Anabaena koreana is similar to A. oumiana, A. spiroides and A. crassa in that the trichomes form regular coils. However, A. koreana is distinguished from these three species by the morphological characteristics of the vegetative cell, heterocyst, and akinet shape and size. This study considers 12 blue-green algal species, including a new species, Anabaena koreana sp. nov. and 11 species that are recorded for the first time in the Korean freshwater algal flora. Among them, the genus Nostochopsis Wood ex Bornet et Flahault 1886 had not previously been recorded in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a molecular analysis based upon three genes, coupled with the ultrastructure of scales and bristles, to investigate phylogenetic relationships within Mallomonas, with a focus on the section Planae. Fossil taxa discovered in Middle Eocene lacustrine deposits from northwestern Canada were used to calibrate a relaxed molecular clock analysis and investigate temporal aspects of species diversification. Four new extant species, Mallomonas lacuna, M. hexareticulata, M. pseudomatvienkoae, M. sorohexareticulata, and one new fossil species. M. pleuriforamen, were described on the basis of morphological differences, including the number, distribution, and size of base plate pores, the secondary structures on scale surfaces, and characteristics of the bristles. Four of the new species align with M. matvienkoae and the fifth with M. caudata. Molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred using nuclear-encoded small-subunit ribosomal (r)DNA and large-subunit rDNA and plastid-encoded rbcL sequences placed four of the new species with M. matvienkoae, the fifth with M. caudata, all in a strongly supported clade within the section Planae. A Bayesian relaxed clock analysis showed that the genus Mallomonas diverged into two major clades about 33 Ma (Early Cretaceous), one of which represents the section Planae. The earliest diverging lineage within the section Planae was M. bangladeshica, followed by M. heterospina and M. oviformis, and most recently by M. sorohexaresiculata and M. hexareticulata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A freshwater cyanobacterium, Phormidium autumnale KNUA026, was isolated from puddles of icy water in Gyeongsan City, South Korea and its potential as a biofuel feedstock was investigated. Maximal growth was obtained when the culture was incubated at 25°C and around pH 9.0. The total lipid content of the isolate was approximately 14.0% of dry weight and it was found that strain KNUA026 was able to autotrophically synthesize heptadecane (C17H36) which can be directly used as fuel without requiring a transesterification step. As this benthic cyanobacterium was capable of forming thick mats, it could be easily harvested by gravitational settling and this property may reduce the cost of production in commercial applications. Hence, P. autumnale KNUA026 appears to be a promising resource for use in the production of microalgae-based biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Mallomonas (Synurophyceae), Mallomonas jejuensis sp. nov., has been found in Jeju Island, South Korea. This species is placed in the series Mangoferae (section Torquatae) because it has a collar of elongated domed scales, domeless body scales, rear scales with spines and all scales ornamented with papillae. The morphological characteristics of the scales and bristle of the new species are described by EM and compared with those reported for the other species of the series Mangoferae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are physical, chemical, and biological methods to control algae, and their efficiency requires evaluation. In the field, monitoring and evaluating the overall algal concentration is challenging due to factors such as the flow rate, inhomogeneous distribution of algae in the water body, and limitations in the number of samples for microscopic analysis. In this study, we analyzed total and cyanobacterial chlorophyll a (Chl-a) using a FluoroProbe sensor and microscopic data collected from March to November 2019. The Pearson correlation coefficient of log(x + 1) values revealed a significant positive correlation between four harmful cyanobacteria and cyanobacterial Chl-a (r = 0.618, p < 0.01). Furthermore, we explored the potential of evaluating the efficiency of algal control using sensors by acquiring three-dimensional, spatially continuous data for an algal fence, a physical algae control technology installed at the Daecheong Dam in 2021. The results confirmed that sensors can effectively evaluate algal control technology. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using sensors to assess the efficiency of physical algal control.