Distribution of the macrobenthos community around a front zone in the South Sea, Korea

Abstract

Although the South Sea front zone (SSFZ) is considered to affect marine ecosystems because of complex marine environmental characteristics, such as the coastal fresh water, warm surface Jeju current water, salty bottom Jeju current water, and bottom cold water of the Yellow Sea, few studies have examined such effects on microbenthic communities in the SSFZ. This study investigated the macrobenthos distribution and community structure around the SSFZ. Animals were collected using the Smith&#8211 McIntyre grab in 2016 and 2017. Salinity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen in the bottom area were associated with the surface environment. Bottom temperature and salinity increased rapidly outside of the SSFZ, but dissolved oxygen on the bottom decreased. Macrobenthos species composition showed different patterns around the SSFZ. The number and diversity of macrobenthos increased from inside to outside the SSFZ, and macrobenthos density and biomass changed rapidly around the SSFZ. The macrobenthos community structures inside and outside of the SSFZ were assessed separately, and among the environmental factors evaluated, salinity greatly affected the community structure. The results of this study indicate that changes in marine environmental conditions in the SSFZ greatly affect macrobenthos species composition and community structure.nd bottom cold water of the Yellow Sea, few studies have examined such effects on microbenthic communities in the SSFZ. This study investigated the macrobenthos distribution and community structure around the SSFZ. Animals were collected using the Smith&#8211 McIntyre grab in 2016 and 2017. Salinity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen in the bottom area were associated with the surface environment. Bottom temperature and salinity increased rapidly outside of the SSFZ, but dissolved oxygen on the bottom decreased. Macrobenthos species composition showed different patterns around the SSFZ. The number and diversity of macrobenthos increased from inside to outside the SSFZ, and macrobenthos density and biomass changed rapidly around the SSFZ. The macrobenthos community structures inside and outside of the SSFZ were assessed separately, and among the environmental factors evaluated, salinity greatly affected the community structure. The results of this study indicate that changes in marine environmental conditions in the SSFZ greatly affect macrobenthos species composition and community structure.