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Environmental Factors Affecting Neuston Zooplankton Appearing in the Western South Sea during Summer

Original title: 여름 남해 서부 해역에 출현하는 수표성 동물플랑크톤에 미치는 환경요인

Environmental Biology Research 2020
최장한, 김대진, 서호영

Summary

This South Korean study examined environmental factors including temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, and microplastics affecting neustonic zooplankton in the southwestern sea in autumn. Researchers found that microplastic concentration was one of the variables distinguishing different zooplankton assemblage regions.

Study Type Environmental

This study was conducted in the southwestern area of Korea using a neuston net in September (14 stations) 2017 to understand the environmental factors affecting neustonic zooplankton. Temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a concentration, suspended solids, and microplastics were included as environmental factors. Based on the density of the copepods, the study area was divided into three regions: the Seomjin River water influence area, the frontal mixing area, and the warm water affected area (Jeju warm current and Tsushima warm current). In the latter two areas, the major species were Pontella chierchiae, Canthocalanus pauper, and Oncaea spp. Also, neustonic zooplankton showed a significant relationship between the density of phytoplankton and microplastics in the frontal mixing area, and temperature and suspended solids in the warm water affected area, respectively (p<0.05). This indicates that microplastics can affect the offshore zooplankton community.

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