• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2020

A Rayleigh Lidar used for wind detection works by transmitting laser pulses to the atmosphere and receiving backscattering signals from molecules. Because of the weak backscattering signals, a lidar usually uses a high sensitivity photomultiplier as detector and photon counting technology for signal collection. The capturing of returned extremely weak backscattering signals requires the lidar to work on dark background with a long time accumulation to get high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Because of the strong solar background during the day, the SNR of lidar during daytime is much lower than that during nighttime, the altitude and accuracy of detection are also restricted greatly. Therefore this article describes an ultra-narrow bandwidth filter (UNBF) that has been developed on 354.7 nm wavelength of laser. The UNBF is used for suppressing the strong solar background that degrades the performance of Rayleigh wind lidar during daytime. The optical structure of UNBF consists of an interference filter (IF), a low resolution Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) and a high resolution FPI. The parameters of each optical component of the UNBF are presented in this article. The transmission curve of the aligned UNBF is measured with a tunable laser. Contrasting the result of with-UNBF and with-IF shows that the solar background received by a Licel transient recorder decreases by 50~100 times and that the SNR with-UNBF was improved by 3 times in the altitude range (35 km to 40 km) compared to with-IF at 10:26 to 10:38 on August 29, 2018. By the SNR comparison at four different times of one day, the ratio-values are larger than 1 over the altitude range (25~50 km) in general, the results illustrate that the SNR with-UNBF is better than that with-IF for Rayleigh Lidar during daytime and they demonstrate the effective improvements of solar background restriction of UNBF.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2011

The results of comparing $PM_{10}$ concentration between 'Namsan' and 'Yongsan-gu' air quality monitoring stations show similar values with averaged concentration in the whole Seoul. The correlation factors in both sites were 0.865, 0.828 in 2005, 2006, respectively. For 'Bukhansan' and 'Gangbuk-gu' air quality monitoring stations, different from the results mentioned above, they showed clear differences as altitude changes. PM10 concentration in 'Bukhansan' monitoring stations was 10 ${\mu}g/m^3$ lower than 'Gangbuk-gu' monitoring station which is located near the ground. Also, averaged PM10 concentration in 'Bukhansan' and 'Gangbuk-gu' monitoring stations was lower than that in the whole Seoul. When comparing $NO_2$ concentration between 'Namsan' and 'Yongsan-gu' monitoring stations, $NO_2$ concentration in 'Namsan' monitoring station was lower than 'Yongsan-gu' monitoring station. For $NO_2$ concentration in 'Bukhansan', 'Gangbuk-gu' and 'the whole Seoul', there were the same pattern in 'Gangbuk-gu' and the 'the whole Seoul' and low values in 'Bukhansan' monitoring station. The correlation factors of $NO_2$ concentration in 'Bukhansan' and 'Gangbukgu' was 0.525, 0.549 in 2005, 2006, respectively, which stands for low correlationship.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2018

Background: Temperature-driven variation in pollinator assemblage and activity are important information, especially at high altitudes, where rising temperature trends exceed global levels. Temporal patterns of pollinators in a flowering season can be used as a proxy to predict the changes of high-altitude plants' mutualistic relationships. We observed a spring temperature change in one population of a high-altitude endemic species, Megaleranthis saniculifolia on Mt. Sobaeksan, and related it to pollinator assemblage and activity changes. Methods: This study was conducted at two sites, each facing different slopes (NE and NW), for two times in the spring of 2013 (early-flowering, April 27-28, vs. mid-flowering, May 7-8, 2013). We confirmed that the two sites were comparable in snowmelt regime, composition of flowering plants, and flower density, which could affect pollinator assemblage and activity. Pollinator assemblage and activity were investigated at three quadrats ($1m^2$ with 5-m distance) for each site, covering a total of 840 min observation for each site. We analyzed correlations between the temperature and visitation frequency. Results: Twelve pollinator species belonging to four orders were observed for M. saniculifolia at both sites during early- and mid-flowering times. Diptera (five species) and hymenopteran species (four species) were the most abundant pollinators. Pollinator richness increased at both sites toward the mid-flowering time [early vs. mid = 7 (NE) and 3 (NW) vs. 9 (NE) and 5 (NW)]. Compared to the early-flowering time, visitation frequency showed a fourfold increase in the mid-flowering time. With the progression of spring, major pollinators changed from flies to bees. Upon using data pooled over both sites and flowering times, hourly visitation frequency was strongly positively correlated with hourly mean air temperature. Conclusions: The spring temperature change over a relatively brief flowering period of M. saniculifolia at high altitudes can alter pollinator assemblages through pollinator dominance and visitation frequency changes. Thus, this study emphasizes information on intra- and inter-annual variations in the mutualistic relationship between pollinators and M. saniculifolia to further assess the warming impacts on M. saniculifolia's reproductive fitness.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.1817-1825
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• 2020

Background: Cosmic ray-induced particles can lead to failure of semiconductors packaged for export during air transport. This work performed MCNP 6.2 simulations to optimize shielding against neutrons and protons induced by cosmic radiation Methods and materials: The energy spectra of protons and neutrons by incident angle at the flight altitude were determined using atmospheric cuboid model. Various candidates for the shielding materials and the geometry of the Unit Load Device Container were evaluated to determine the conditions that allow optimal shielding at all sides of the container. Results: It was found that neutrons and protons, at the flight altitude, generally travel with a downward trajectory especially for the particles with high energy. This indicated that the largest number of particles struck the top of the container. Furthermore, the simulation results showed that, among the materials tested, borated polyethylene and stainless steel were the most optimal shielding materials. The optimal shielding structure was also determined with the weight limit of the container in consideration. Conclusions: Under the determined optimal shielding conditions, a significantly reduced number of neutrons and protons reach the contents inside the container, which ultimately reduces the possibility of semiconductor failure during air transport.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.264-276
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• 2021

Background: Salt marshes provide a variety of ecosystem services; however, they are vulnerable to human activity, water level fluctuations, and climate change. Analyses of the relationships between plant communities and environmental conditions in salt marshes are expected to provide useful information for the prediction of changes during climate change. In this study, relationships between the current vegetation structure and environmental factors were evaluated in the tidal flat at the southern tip of Ganghwa, Korea, where salt marshes are well-developed. Results: The vegetation structure in Ganghwa salt marshes was divided into three groups by cluster analysis: group A, dominated by Phragmites communis; group B, dominated by Suaeda japonica; and group C, dominated by other taxa. As determined by PERMANOVA, the groups showed significant differences with respect to altitude, soil moisture, soil organic matter, salinity, sand, clay, and silt ratios. A canonical correspondence analysis based on the percent cover of each species in the quadrats showed that the proportion of sand increased as the altitude increased and S. japonica appeared in soil with a relatively high silt proportion, while P. communis was distributed in soil with low salinity. Conclusions: The distributions of three halophyte groups differed depending on the altitude, soil moisture, salinity, and soil organic matter, sand, silt, and clay contents. Pioneer species, such as S. japonica, appeared in soil with a relatively high silt content. The P. communis community survived under a wider range of soil textures than previously reported in the literature; the species was distributed in soils with relatively low salinity, with a range expansion toward the sea in areas with freshwater influx. The observed spatial distribution patterns may provide a basis for conservation under declining salt marshes.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2021

Background: Montane wetlands are unique wetland ecosystems with distinct physicochemical characteristics, and Molinia japonica often makes dominant communities in montane wetlands in South Korea. In order to figure out the environmental characteristics of M. japonica habitats and the major factors for the growth of M. japonica, field surveys were conducted in five wetlands from September to October 2019. Also, soil was collected at every quadrats installed in surveyed wetlands to analyze the physicochemical features. Results: The relative coverage of M. japonica was higher in low latitude wetlands than in high latitude. Redundancy analysis showed that soil water content had the strongest effect on the growth of M. japonica (F = 23.0, p < 0.001). Soil water content, loss on ignition, and relative light intensity showed a high correlation with the density (R = 0.568, 0.550, 0.547, respectively, p < 0.01) and the coverage of M. japonica (R = 0.495, 0.385, 0.514, respectively, p < 0.01). Soil water content, loss on ignition, and pH were highly correlated with each other. Conclusions: Molinia japonica lives in acidic wetlands at high altitude in temperate zone of low latitude, with peat layer placed on the floor. Also, M. japonica prefers open spaces to secure enough light for photosynthesis. High shoot production of M. japonica resulted in adding new peat material in every year, and this layer enforces the environmental characteristics of M. japonica habitats. This study may provide insights for further understanding of the method how wetlands maintain acidic condition by itself in montane wetlands in temperate zone.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.1105-1114
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• 2022

A study on a method to overcome the limitations of the topographical and hydrological observation environment for estimating the QPE with high consistency with the ground rainfall by utilizing the spatiotemporal observation advantages of the rainfall radar for use in flood forecasting, and quantitative observations of localized rainfall due to these limiting conditions Uncertainty should be identified in terms of flood analysis. Against this background, in this study, 22 major heavy rain events in 2016 were analyzed for each of Mt. Biseul (BSL), Mt. Sobaek (SBS), Mt. Gari (GRS), Mt. Mohu (MHS), and Mt. Seodae (SDS) to determine the observation distance and altitude. The uncertainty of observation was quantified and an error map was derived. As a result of the analysis, it was found that, on average, the rainfall radar exceeded 10% up to 100 km and 30% over 150 km. Based on the average radar operating altitude angle, it was found that the error for the altitude was approximately 10% or less up to the second altitude angle, 20% at the third or higher altitude angle, and more than 50% at the fourth altitude angle or higher.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.694-701
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• 2012

This study set put to measure the environmental radiation for mountainous regions of National Parks where Integrated Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network is not installed. For the measurement method, the space dose was classified at 1 meter high from the surface and the index dose at the surface. The measured radiation energy measured gamma, alpha and beta rays. For selection of national parks, we selected 10 national parks which are within the same distribution in the southern part and central part of the nation. For measurement equipment, INTERCEPTOR$^{TM}$(Thermo, USA, 2006) was used for gamma rays. As for the results of the measurements, for the space gamma dose, a high level was measured at a sea level of 500 meter in national parks with an altitude of less than 1,000 meter. It was found that the value was more than $0.23{\mu}Svh^{-1}$ especially in Bukhan Mountain, Gyeryong Mountain and Wolchul Mountain. In national parks with an altitude of more than 1,000 meter, $1.77{\mu}Svh^{-1}$ was measured at 1,500 meter at Seorak Mountain. Therefore, this is 10 times greater than the background standard dose. The national parks were there were no significant changes in dose were Naejang Mountain, Sobaek and Jiri Mountains. For the measurement of the index dose, a high dose level was measured at middle altitudes of 500 meter and 1,000 meter. For measurement according to the composition types of crust, high doses were recorded at national parks composed of rocks and a lower environmental radiation level was measured at Hanra Mountain where volcanic activities have occurred.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.397-403
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• 2019

Background: Oplopanax elatus is widely distributed at high altitudes (about 1,100 m) in China, Russia and Korea. It is hard to propagate, breed, and difficult to grow. Hence, it has been designated as a rare and endangered medicinal plant. A study was conducted to establish a system for large scale seedling production of Oplopanax elatus in vitro and to find the ideal environment for its seedling growth. Methods and Results: In this study, the explants produced under in vitro conditions during our previous study were grouped into three categories (under 10 mm, 10 mm - 30 mm and above 30 mm) based on plant height and were transferred to the growth-chamber and greenhouse for two weeks in each setting for acclimatization. The plantlet category of above 30 mm showed good performance, and was further evaluated under three acclimatization methods as follows: three different growth media (commercial soil, commercial soil + perlite, commercial soil + sand), four shading levels (0%, 50%, 70%, 90%) and four altitude levels (157 m, 218 m, 601 m, 870 m) in Gangwon province of South Korea. As results, O. elatus seedlings showed better growth characteristics at 870 m of altitude, 70% shading level and in the commercial soil compared to other treatments. Conclusions: The regenerated seedlings of Oplopanax elatus obtained through plant tissue culture would be advantageous for use in large scale seedling production systems paired with a good acclimation method. For obtaining optimal results, it is recommended that seedling be acclimatized in a high altitude environment.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2020

Background: Angelica gigas Nakai, that belong to the Umbelliferae family, is one of the traditional medicinal plants in Korea. Its roots have been used to treat gynecological diseases. In this study, growth characteristics and index components were compared with the forest microclimate at several forest sites. Methods and Results: A. gigas was planted in three climatic zones according to the temperature (southern temperature zone - Hamyang, central temperature zone - Bonghwa, and northern temperature zone - Jeongseon) and growth characteristics were investigated in comparison with the forest microclimate. Our results indicated that the root diameter and length, and fresh and dry weight were the highest in Jeongseon. The total content of decursin was the highest in Jeongseon (9.52%), followed by those in Hamyang (8.07%) and Bonghwa (7.48%), respectively. Additionally, the yield of decursin (1.39 g) was the highest in Jeongseon. Conclusions: The yield and index components were influenced by the microclimate in the forests, and it was assumed that high altitude and low temperature affected the increase in growth and index components. These results will be useful as basic data to study the correlation among environmental conditions, growth, and index components.