Effects of Freshwater Inflow during the Rainy Season on the Benthic Polychaete Community in the Geum River Estuary, South Korea

Abstract

In the estuaries of Korea, the freshwater inflow increases rapidly due to the Changma (Korean summer rainy season). To elucidate the effect of this massive freshwater inflow on the benthic polychaete community, a survey was conducted before, during, and after the rainy season. Comparing the environmental characteristics before and after the rainy season, the salinity and dissolved oxygen decreased, the sand content of sediment was significantly reduced, and silt increased. The number of species decreased sharply, and this change was more considerable at sites closer to the estuary. Loimia sp. and Pseudopotamilla sp., the dominant species before the rainy season, were not found after the rainy season. The massive freshwater inflow during the rainy season has been a tremendous stress on the benthic environment and significantly alters the species composition and distribution of benthic polychaetes.