Journal of Environmental Biology

Seasonal variations of marine algal community in the vicinity of
Uljin nuclear power plant, Korea

Y.S. Kim^*1, H.G. Choi² and K.W. Nam^*3

¹School of Marine Life Science, Kunsan National University, Kunsan, Jeonbuk 573-701, Korea
²Faculty of Biological Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Korea
³Department of Marine Biology, Pukyong National University, Nam-gu, Busan, 608-737, Korea

(Received: March 06, 2007; Revised received: December 11, 2007; Accepted: December 13, 2007)

Abstract: Three marine algal sites were examined seasonally in an area of thermal discharge from the Uljin nuclear power plant in Korea to assess possible impacts from thermal stress. Quadrat samples were taken at three sites: cooling water intake, outfall and Chukbyon. The degree of wave exposure increased from intake, outfall to Chukbyon. Percent cover and biomass were response variables. All sites were, by numbers red algae, followed by brown and green algae. Over the year, the maximum species diversity was also found at the Chukbyon (2.39), but the minimal one (1.67) was observed at the outfall. Seasonally, generally among algal form-functional groups, filamentous and coarsely branched algae were most abundant throughout the year at the three sites. The number of species in the jointed calcareous groups increased remarkably at the outfall. Based on these results, species richness appears to be strongly affected by wave exposure and thermal stress. The higher proportion of calcareous form groups at the outfall sites indicates that these species are better adapted morphologically to thermal stress such as high temperatures.

Key words: Algal community, Thermal discharge, Wave exposure, Power plant, Korea

PDF of full length paper is available with author (kimys@kunsan.ac.kr, kwnam@pknu.ac.kr)

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