Laboratories

About the Laboratory

Microorganisms were the first life forms on Earth, emerging approximately 3.8 billion years ago, long before plants and animals began to flourish about 600 million years ago. From the early atmosphere to today’s oxygen-rich ecosystems, microorganisms have driven Earth’s biogeochemical cycles and helped shape the modern terrestrial and marine environment.

In marine ecosystems, microorganisms are key biogeochemical agents. Through respiration, they convert organic matter produced by phytoplankton into carbon dioxide, which can be released to the atmosphere. They also drive the cycling of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as many pollutants, in the water column and sediments of eutrophic or polluted coastal waters.

The Marine Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry Laboratory studies how microorganisms interact with their environment to shape terrestrial and marine systems, and explores practical applications of their diverse functions.

Research Areas

1. By studying microbial ecological functions and interactions with environmental factors across coastal, open-ocean and deep-sea environments, from the tropics to the polar regions, we aim to: 1) understand the role of microorganisms in changes to marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles; and 2) explain marine ecosystem responses to climate change and the ecological functions of microorganisms.
2. We investigate microbial decomposition of organic matter, biogeochemical cycling, and benthic–pelagic coupling in coastal wetlands, including tidal flats, salt marshes, aquaculture sites and mangrove forests. This research aims to: 1) assess the ecological functions of coastal wetlands; and 2) develop approaches to evaluate, manage and restore polluted or eutrophic coastal environments.
3. Using molecular methods and microbial culture techniques, we aim to: 1) characterize microbial communities involved in biogeochemical cycling; and 2) develop bioremediation technologies and ecological restoration strategies by isolating and applying beneficial microorganisms.

Current Research Projects (Funding Organizations)

• Long-term marine ecosystem research (II): Environmental change and ecosystem response (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)
• Organic Matter Decomposition, Decomposition Pathways and Controlling Factors in East China Sea Sediments (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology)
• Organic Matter Decomposition in Sediments at Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Sites (National Institute of Fisheries Science)
• Investigation of Factors for a Productivity Model of Abalone Aquaculture Grounds in Wando County (National Institute of Fisheries Science)
• Investigation and Assessment of Sediment Nutrient Release in the Four Major Rivers, Focusing on 14 Weirs (National Institute of Environmental Research)
• Microbial biogeochemical study of Sihwa Lake and nearby coastal marine sediments (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)
• Microbial Ecology of the Water Column in the Amundsen Sea Sea-Ice Zone, Antarctica (Korea Polar Research Institute)
• Microbial Respiration, Organic Matter Decomposition and Controlling Factors in the Southern Ocean Water Column (Korea Polar Research Institute)