Tidal Zonation Shapes Microbial Communities and Sediment Properties in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gomso Bay, Korea)

Tidal zonation significantly shapes microbial communities and sediment properties in Gomso Bay, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats. Research reveals distinct spatial variations along the intertidal gradient, with inner zones featuring finer sediments, higher organic carbon (TOC), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and metal concentrations, while outer zones exhibit coarser sediments with lower values. Microbial composition varies, with aerobic organisms dominating high tidal flats and anaerobic taxa prevailing in low tidal flats. Chemolithotrophs thrive in the inner zone, whereas heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria are more abundant in the outer zone. The study used sediment sampling, chemical analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to confirm that tidal exposure drives these ecological patterns, underscoring the complexity of intertidal ecosystems.

Patil, M. P., Ryu, S. O., Woo, H.-E., Lee, C.-G., Oh, H. N., Jang, S. Y., Kim, J.-O., & Kim, K. (2025). Tidal Zonation Shapes Microbial Communities and Sediment Properties in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gomso Bay, Korea). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(12), 2222. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122222