• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.38 no.6 s.175
• /
• pp.633-642
• /
• 2005

We present the sedimentary sequence and distribution pattern of the late Holocene muddy deposits in the northern East China Sea shelf using the high-resolution 'Chirp' profiles. The seismic sedimentary sequence overlying acoustic basement (basal reflector-B) can be divided into two depositional units (Unit 1 and 2) bounded by erosional bounding surface (mid reflector-M). The lower Unit 1 above basal reflector-H is characterized by the acoustically parallel to subparallel reflections and channel-fill facies. The upper Unit 2, up to 7 m in thickness, shows seismically semi-transparent seismic facies and lenticular body form. On the base of sequence stratigraphic concept, these two sediment units have developed during transgression and highstand period, respectively, since the last sea-level lowstand. The transgressive systems tract (Unit 1) lie directly on the sequence boundary (reflector B) that have farmed during the last glacial maximum. The transgressive systems tract in this study consists mostly of complex of delta, fluvial, and tidal deposits within the incised valley estuary system. The maximum flooding surface (reflector M) corresponding to the top surface of transgressive systems tract is obviously characterized by erosional depression. The highstand systems tract (Unit 2) above maximum flooding surface is made up of the mud patch filled with the erosional depression. The high-stand mud deposits showing a circle shape just like a typhoon symbol locates about 140 km off the south of Cheju Island with water depth of $60\~90m$. Coverage area and total sediment volume of the mud deposits are about $3,200km^2$ and $10.7\times10^9\;m^3$, respectively. The origin of the mud patch is interpreted as a result of accumulating suspended sediments derived from the paleo-Yellow and/or Yangtze Rivers. The circular distribution pattern of the mud patch appears to be largely controlled by the presence of cyclonic eddy in the northern East China Sea.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.373-383
• /
• 2011

Tributyltin (TBT) is one of endocrine disrupters which are known as having similar function to sex steroid hormone inducing apoptosis in various tissues of rodents. Recently, it has been reported that TBT induces apoptosis in thymus causing the decreased thymic function, but little is known about the mechanism. To elucidate the mechanism, three-week-old SD female rats were orally administrated with TBT 1, 10, and 25 mg per body weight (kg) and sesame oil as a control for 7 days. On day 8, the thymi were obtained and weighed, and then the number of thymocytes was counted. We also performed H&E staining, TUNEL assay, and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis to examine the apoptosis rates and the structure in the thymus. Next, we investigated the adipogenesis and apoptosis-related mRNA expression levels in the thymi by real-time PCR. The thymic weight and the number of thymocytes were decreased by TBT in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of the H&E staining, the boundary between cortical and medullary area was blurred in the thymi of TBT treated rats compared to those of controls. In the results of TUNEL assay and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis, apoptosis rates in the thymus were increased after TBT treatment. The expression levels of thymic epithelial cell marker genes such as EVA, KGF, AIRE, and IL-7 were significantly decreased in the thymi of TBT treated rats, but $PPAR{\gamma}$, aP2, PEPCK, and CD36 were significantly increased. The expression of $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 as apoptosis-related genes also was significantly increased after TBT treatment. The present study demonstrates that TBT can increase the expression of adipogenesis and apoptosis-related genes leading to apoptosis in the thymus. These results suggest that the increased adipogenesis of thymus by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis in the thymus resulting in a loss in thymic immune function.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.597-608
• /
• 2020

Even after the Gyeongju earthquake and the Pohang earthquake, hundreds of aftershocks and micro-earthquakes are still occurring in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. These phenomena mean that the stress is constantly working, implying that another huge earthquake may occur in the future. Therefore, the gravity field interpretation method was used to analyze the deep geological structure of the Pohang-Ulsan region in the southeastern Korean Peninsula. First, a gravity survey was performed to collect the insufficient data and to calculate the detailed Bouguer gravity anomaly in the study area. Based on the gravity anomaly data, the location, direction, and maximum depth of deep fault lines were analyzed using the inversion methods "Curvature analysis" and "Euler deconvolution method". As a result, it is interpreted that at least six fault lines(C1~C6) exist in deep depth. The deep fault line C1 is well correlated to the Yeonil Tectonic Line(YTL), suggesting that YTL is extended up to about 4000m deep. The deep fault line C2 consists of several segment faults and well correlated to the fault lines on the surface. Inferred fault lines C3, C4, and C5 have an NW-SE direction, which is parallel to the Ulsan fault. The deep fault line C6 has the direction of NE-SW, and it is interpreted that the eastern boundary fault of Eoil Basin is extended to the deep. Comparing the inferred fault lines with the distribution of micro-earthquakes, the location of the deep fault line C1 is well correlated to the hypocenter of micro-earthquakes. This implies that faults in deep depth are related to the recent earthquakes in the southeastern Korean Peninsula.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.495-508
• /
• 2019

Tidal datums are key and basic information used in fields of navigation, coastal structures' design, maritime boundary delimitation and inundation warning. In Korea, the Approximate Lowest Low Water (ALLW) and the Approximate Highest High Water (AHHW) have been used as levels of tidal datums for depth, coastline and vertical clearances in hydrography and coastal engineering fields. However, recently the major maritime countries including USA, Australia and UK have adopted the Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) and the Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) as the tidal datums. In this study, 1-hr interval 19-year sea level records (1999-2017) observed at 9 tidal observation stations along the west and south coasts of Korea were used to calculate LAT and HAT for each station using 1-minute interval 19-year tidal prediction data yielded through three tidal harmonic methods: 19 year vector average of tidal harmonic constants (Vector Average Method, VA), tidal harmonic analysis on 19 years of continuous data (19-year Method, 19Y) and tidal harmonic analysis on one year of data (1-year Method, 1Y). The calculated LAT and HAT values were quantitatively compared with the ALLW and AHHW values, respectively. The main causes of the difference between them were explored. In this study, we used the UTide, which is capable of conducting 19-year record tidal harmonic analysis and 19 year tidal prediction. Application of the three harmonic methods showed that there were relatively small differences (mostly less than ±1 cm) of the values of LAT and HAT calculated from the VA and 19Y methods, revealing that each method can be mutually and effectively used. In contrast, the standard deviations between LATs and HATs calculated from the 1Y and 19Y methods were 3~7 cm. The LAT (HAT) differences between the 1Y and 19Y methods range from -16.4 to 10.7 cm (-8.2 to 14.3 cm), which are relatively large compared to the LAT and HAT differences between the VA and 19Y methods. The LAT (HAT) values are, on average, 33.6 (46.2) cm lower (higher) than those of ALLW (AHHW) along the west and south coast of Korea. It was found that the S_a and N₂ tides significantly contribute to these differences. In the shallow water constituents dominated area, the M₄ and MS₄ tides also remarkably contribute to them. Differences between the LAT and the ALLW are larger than those between the HAT and the AHHW. The asymmetry occurs because the LAT and HAT are calculated from the amplitudes and phase-lags of 67 harmonic constituents whereas the ALLW and AHHW are based only on the amplitudes of the 4 major harmonic constituents.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.83-94
• /
• 2008

The Pungcheon-myeon, Andong, consists mainly of Precambrian metamorphic rocks, Jurassic igneous rocks, Cretaceous sedimentary rocks (Hasandong, Jinju and Iljik Formations) and Cretaceous igneous rocks (gabbroic rocks, dykes), in which several major faults are developed; Andong fault of ENE trend, which is the boundary fault of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin and the Precambrian-Jurassic basement (Yeongnam Massif), Namhu fault parallel to it, Maebong fault of NNW direction, bow-shaped Gwangdeok fault of ENE direction which is convex toward SSE direction, and Hahoe fault of NNE direction. This paper is researched the geological structures around these major faults by means of the detailed geometric analysis on beddings, joints, faults and drag folds. As a result, a reverse slip faulting of top-to-the SSE movement accompanied with a regional drag folding is recognized from the arrangement of bedding poles measured around the Gwangdeok and Hahoe faults at its northeastern extension, and a zone of Gwangdeok drag fold of 150-300 m width, which is wider at the central and eastern parts of Gwangdeok fault and narrower at its western part and Hahoe fault, is also defined. It indicates that the Hahoe and Gwangdeok faults are a single fault and their movements are coeval unlike the results of earlier reasearchers. And, In this area are recognized two types of faults [(E)NE${\sim}$EW(fault I), WNW${\sim}$NNW (fault II), trending faults] and four types of joints [EW (I), (N)NW (II), NNE (III), NE (IV) trending joints]. These fractures were formed at least through four different events, named as Dn to Dn+3 phases. (1) Dn phase; the formation of joint (I) (Gwangdeok joint) and the intrusion of acidic dykes of EW trend under the compression of EW direction. (2) Dn+1 phase; the formations of joint (II) (Maebong joint), lens-shaped boudinage of acidic dykes, oblique-slip reverse fault (Fault I-Gwangdeok fault) under the compression of (N)NW direction, and the formation of regional zone of Gwangdeok drag fold accompanying the Gwangdeok faulting. (3) Dn+2 phase; those of joint (III), Fault II (Maebong fault) by dextral strike-slip movement of Maebong joint under the compression of NNE direction, and the extension cutting of Dn+1 structures due to the Maebong faulting. (4) Dn+3 phase; the jointing (IV) and the reactivation of Fault II as oblique-slip type with predominant dextral motion which took place under the compression of NE direction. It also suggests that the Maebong fault is not a tear fault deveolped during thrust tectonics of the Andong and Gwangdeok faults but is a post-fault during different tectonic event.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.584-598
• /
• 2019

In this study, the effects of air-sea interactions on precipitation over the Seoul-Gyeonggi region of the Korean Peninsula from 28 to 30 August 2018, were analyzed using a Regional atmosphere-ocean Coupled Model (RCM). In the RCM, a WRF (Weather Research Forecasts) was used as the atmosphere model whereas ROMS (Regional Oceanic Modeling System) was used as the ocean model. In a Regional Single atmosphere Model (RSM), only the WRF model was used. In addition, the sea surface temperature data of ECMWF Reanalysis Interim was used as low boundary data. Compared with the observational data, the RCM considering the effect of air-sea interaction represented that the spatial correlations were 0.6 and 0.84, respectively, for the precipitation and the Yellow Sea surface temperature in the Seoul-Gyeonggi area, which was higher than the RSM. whereas the mean bias error (MBE) was -2.32 and -0.62, respectively, which was lower than the RSM. The air-sea interaction effect, analyzed by equivalent potential temperature, SST, dynamic convergence fields, induced the change of SST in the Yellow Sea. In addition, the changed SST caused the difference in thermal instability and kinematic convergence in the lower atmosphere. The thermal instability and convergence over the Seoul-Gyeonggi region induced upward motion, and consequently, the precipitation in the RCM was similar to the spatial distribution of the observed data compared to the precipitation in the RSM. Although various case studies and climatic analyses are needed to clearly understand the effects of complex air-sea interaction, this study results provide evidence for the importance of the air-sea interaction in predicting precipitation in the Seoul-Gyeonggi region.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.384-398
• /
• 2015

In this paper, the high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting/Noah-MultiParameterization (WRF/Noah-MP) modeling system is configured for the Cheongmicheon Farmland site in Korea (CFK), and its performance in land and atmospheric simulation is evaluated using the observed data at CFK during the 2014 special observation period (21 August-10 September). In order to explore the usefulness of turning on Noah-MP dynamic vegetation in midterm simulations of surface and atmospheric variables, two numerical experiments are conducted without dynamic vegetation and with dynamic vegetation (referred to as CTL and DVG experiments, respectively). The main results are as following. 1) CTL showed a tendency of overestimating daytime net shortwave radiation, thereby surface heat fluxes and Bowen ratio. The CTL experiment showed reasonable magnitudes and timing of air temperature at 2 m and 10 m; especially the small error in simulating minimum air temperature showed high potential for predicting frost and leaf wetness duration. The CTL experiment overestimated 10-m wind and precipitation, but the beginning and ending time of precipitation were well captured. 2) When the dynamic vegetation was turned on, the WRF/Noah-MP system showed more realistic values of leaf area index (LAI), net shortwave radiation, surface heat fluxes, Bowen ratio, air temperature, wind and precipitation. The DVG experiment, where LAI is a prognostic variable, produced larger LAI than CTL, and the larger LAI showed better agreement with the observed. The simulated Bowen ratio got closer to the observed ratio, indicating reasonable surface energy partition. The DVG experiment showed patterns similar to CTL, with differences for maximum air temperature. Both experiments showed faster rising of 10-m air temperature during the morning growth hours, presumably due to the rapid growth of daytime mixed layers in the Yonsei University (YSU) boundary layer scheme. The DVG experiment decreased errors in simulating 10-m wind and precipitation. 3) As horizontal resolution increases, the models did not show practical improvement in simulation performance for surface fluxes, air temperature, wind and precipitation, and required three-dimensional observation for more agricultural land spots as well as consistency in model topography and land cover data.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.293-308
• /
• 2003

New results about the crustal structure down to a depth of 60 km beneath North Korea were obtained using the seismic tomography method. About 1013 P- and S-wave travel times from local earthquakes recorded by the Korean stations and the vicinity were used in the research. All earthquakes were relocated on the basis of an algorithm proposed in this study. Parameterization of the velocity structure is realized with a set of nodes distributed in the study volume according to the ray density. 120 nodes located at four depth levels were used to obtain the resulting P- and S-wave velocity structures. As a result, it is found that P- and S-wave velocity anomalies of the Rangnim Massif at depth of 8 km are high and low, respectively, whereas those of the Pyongnam Basin are low up to 24 km. It indicates that the Rangnim Massif contains Archean-early Lower Proterozoic Massif foldings with many faults and fractures which may be saturated with underground water and/or hot springs. On the other hand, the Pyongyang-Sariwon in the Pyongnam Basin is an intraplatform depression which was filled with sediments for the motion of the Upper Proterozoic, Silurian and Upper Paleozoic, and Lower Mesozoic origin. In particular, the high P- and S-wave velocity anomalies are observed at depth of 8, 16, and 24 km beneath Mt. Backdu, indicating that they may be the shallow conduits of the solidified magma bodies, while the low P-and S-wave velocity anomalies at depth of 38 km must be related with the magma chamber of low velocity bodies with partial melting. We also found the Moho discontinuities beneath the Origin Basin including Sari won to be about 55 km deep, whereas those of Mt. Backdu is found to be about 38 km. The high ratio of P-wave velocity/S-wave velocity at Moho suggests that there must be a partial melting body near the boundary of the crust and mantle. Consequently we may well consider Mt. Backdu as a dormant volcano which is holding the intermediate magma chamber near the Moho discontinuity. This study also brought interesting and important findings that there exist some materials with very high P- and S-wave velocity annomoalies at depth of about 40 km near Mt. Myohyang area at the edge of the Rangnim Massif shield.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2007

In order for bioremediate the benthic layer in polluted inner Bay, the effects of irradiance and wave-length irradiated from light emission diode (LED) on the growth of benthic diatom Nitzschia sp. (Hakozaki Bay strain of Japan) were investigated. The Nitzschia sp. was cultured under blue LED (450 nm), yellow LED (590 nm), red LED (650 nm) and fluorescent lamp (mixed wavelengths). At $25^{\circ}C$ and 30 psu, the growth of Nitzschia sp. showed its peak at $20\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$ (blue LED) and $40\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$ (fluorescent lamp), and was inhibited at the irradiance higher than that irradiance. Nitzschia sp. in yellow LED and red LED is fitted by a rectangular hyperbolic curve because no photoinhibition was observed under maximum irradiance used in this study. The irradiance-growth curves were described as ${\mu}=-0.46{\exp}(1-I/6.32)+0.46-0.00043I,\;(r^2=0.98)$ under blue LED, ${\mu}=0.42(I+7.87)/(I+58.9),\;(r^2=0.99)$ under yellow LED, ${\mu}=0.39(I+3.39)/(I+21.6),\;(r^2=0.94)$ under red LED, ${\mu}=-0.38{\exp}(1-I/7.23)+0.38-0.00016I,\;(r^2=0.96)$ under fluorescent lamp. Maximum specific growth rate of blue LED, yellow LED, red LED and fluorescent lamp was $0.44\;day^{-1},\;0.42\;day^{-1},\;0.39\;day^{-1}$ and $0.37\;day^{-1}$, respectively. The absorption coefficient ($a_{ph}$) of Nitzschia sp. was similar under all the wavelengths (400 nm-700 nm), although maximum $a_{ph}$ was $0.0224\;m^2\;mg\;chi.\;{\alpha}^{-1}$ in 472 nm and $0.0179\;m^2\;mg\;chi.\;{\alpha}^{-1}$) in 663 nm. The results may indicate the possibility of environmental improvement around the benthic layer in polluted coastal area because microphytobenthos growth is stimulated by means of irradiated blue LED at the benthic boundary layer during both autumn and winter, and yellow LED, which might have been suppressed growth of harmful algae, at the layer during both spring and summer.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.528-547
• /
• 2001

The blastoporphyritic granite gneiss (BPGN) including much alkali-feldspar megacrysts occurs in Jiri mountains area, southwestern part of Sobaegsan massif, Korea. The BPGN is formed gneiss complexes with other gneisses in Precambrian. The BPGN was named as porphyroblastic gneiss with porphyroblasts of alkali-feldspar megacrysts by other researchers, but the BPGN includes of euhedral alkali-feldspars (microcline), and the boundary with the granitic gneiss represents sharp contact as intrusive relationship. The BPGN mainly composes of alkali-feldspar megacrysts, quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar and biotite some almandine and accessary minerals are muscovite, chlorite, apatite, zircon and opaques. The alkali-feldspar is microcline with perthitic texture. An content of plagioclases show 30 to 40. Biotites occur two type, one is Brown biotite which shows compositional ranges of Mg/Fe+Mg ratios from 0.38 to 0.52, the other is Green Bt. which is retrograde product. Camels to be various sizes and shapes have composition of almandine with 73 to 80 mole percent, but represent retrogressive zoning from core (X$_{pyr}$: 15.9${\sim}$20.8) to rim (X$_{pyr}$:13.7${\sim}$15.9) to be evidence of retrograde metamorphism. Megacrysts of alkali-feldspar in the BPGN show rectangular shape of euhedral and some become ellipsoidal or spheroidal in shape and the average size up to 20 cm long. The megacryst includes of biotite, plagioclase and quartz, and rarely euhedral apatite as inclusions. In petrochemistry the BPGN represents granodiorite composition, characteristics of peraluminous S-type granitoid and calc-alkaline features.