Chemical characteristics and eutrophication in Cheonsu Bay, west coast of Korea

Abstract

Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, COD, dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and chlorophyll were measured in the surface and bottom waters of Cheonsu Bay in April, August, December 2003, and May 2004. DIN showed a large seasonal variation, with higher values in summer and lower in spring. The significant decrease in DIN concentration was observed from April to May, which may imply the occurrence of spring phytoplankton bloom sometime in these periods. In contrast, DIP did not show distinct seasonal variation, with relatively low values compared with other coastal regions. The low DIP concentration in Cheonsu Bay is ascribed to a limited phosphorus input around Cheonsu Bay. The N/P ratios of Cheonsu Bay much higher than the Redfield ratio(16) in all season indicate that phytoplankton growth is limited by phosphorus. Based on low chlorophyll concentrations and eutrophication index, Cheonsu Bay has not been in eutrophic condition during our observation periods. In the artificial lakes located around Cheonsu Bay, however, chlorophyll concentrations were very high, mostly over 10 μg l-1, indicating that they are now in severe eutrophic condition.