• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.146-158
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• 2010

In order to evaluate the characteristics of sediments and pollution by organic matter and metallic elements in intertidal sediments along the southwestern coast of Korea, we measured various geochemical parameters, including the mean grain size (Mz), water content (WC), ignition loss (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and metallic elements (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, As), in intertidal surface sediments. The Mz of the surface sediments ranged from 2.1 to 8.3$\phi$, indicating that the surface sediments consist of various sedimentary facies, such as sand, slightly gravelly mud, sandy mud, and silt. The IL and COD in surface sediment ranged from 0.8 to 5.5% (mean $2.9\pm1.2%$) and from 3.9 to $13.8\;mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$ (mean $8.5\pm2.6\;mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$), respectively, which were lower than the values for surface sediment in areas near fish and shellfish farms or industrial complexes. No AVS was detected at any sampling station, despite various sedimentary facies. Most of metallic elements in surface sediments showed relatively good positive correlations with Mz and IL, which imply that the concentrations of metallic elements are mainly controlled by grain size and the organic matter content. The concentrations of metallic elements, except As, at some stations were considerably lower than those in the Sediment Quality Guideline (Effect Range Low, ERL) proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Similarly, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) class indicated that pollution by metallic elements in intertidal surface sediment, except As, was moderate or non-existent. Our results imply that the intertidal surface sediments along the southwestern coast of Korea are not polluted by organic matter and metallic elements and are healthy for benthic organisms.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.2_2
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• pp.309-323
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• 2020

Estimation of chlorophyll a concentration (CHL) on coastal areas using remote sensing has been mostly performed through multi-spectral satellite image analysis. Recently, various studies using hyperspectral imagery have been attempted. In particular, airborne hyperspectral imagery is composed of hundreds of bands with a narrow band width and high spatial resolution, and thus may be more effective in coastal areas than estimation of CHL through conventional satellite image. In this study, comparative analysis of hyperspectral and satellite-based CHL images was performed to estimate CHL in coastal areas. As a result of analyzing CHL and seawater spectrum data obtained by field survey conducted on the south coast of Korea, the seawater spectrum with high CHL peaked near the wavelength bands of 570 and 680 nm. Using this spectral feature, a new band ratio of 570 / 490 nm for estimating CHL was proposed. Through regression analysis between band ratio and the measured CHL were generated new CHL empirical formula. Validation of new empirical formula using the measured CHL showed valid results, with R² of 0.70, RMSE of 2.43 mg m^-3, and mean bias of 3.46 mg m^-3. As a result of applying the new empirical formula to hyperspectral and satellite images, the average RMSE between hyperspectral imagery and the measured CHL was 0.12 mg m^-3, making it possible to estimate CHL with higher accuracy than multi-spectral satellite images. Through these results, it is expected that it is possible to provide more accurate and precise spatial distribution information of CHL in coastal areas by utilizing hyperspectral imagery.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.386-398
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• 2016

To understand the vegetation structure in the ridgeline area of Nakdong-jeongmaek, six primary areas in Nakdong-jeongmaek were selected and their vegetation distribution was surveyed considering the environmental conditions and artificial influences. According to the results of community classification based on TWINSPAN, the vegetation in the surveyed region was categorized into 9 groups: Betula costata-Quercus mongolica community, Q. mongolica community, Pinus densiflora-Q. mongolica community, P. densiflora community, Deciduous oaks-P. densiflora community, Deciduous oaks community, P. thunbergii community, P. koraiensis-P. rigida community, and Chamaecyparis obtusa-Alnus firma community. In Baekbyeongsan(Mt.) located in Taebaek-si of Gangwon-do, Betula costata-Quercus mongolica community was found, reflecting the environmental characteristics of northern temperate climate. P. thunbergii community appeared in Gudeoksan(Mt.) of Busan metropolitan city, which is near the coast. Since Gudeoksan(Mt.) is near to the downtown and its altitude above the sea is relatively low, people visit the area often. Therefore, C. obtusa and P. thunbergii have been planted for producing forest trees and implementing anti-erosion afforestation. In the other primary survey areas, Q. mongolica-dominant communities, P. densiflora-dominant communities, and deciduous oak-dominant communities, which are representative forest vegetation types of Jeongmaeks in South Korea, were mainly distributed, showing no significant difference compared to the forest vegetation types of other Jeongmaeks. Since the Nakdong-jeongmaek from south to north, it shows clear characteristics of vegetation changes between the northern temperate climate and the warm temperate climate of the south.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-29
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• 2006

We investigated species composition and spatial distribution of the euphausiid community in the Yellow Sea and identified the relationship with environmental factors (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll $\alpha$, nitrate, phosphate, and silicate) using bimonthly data from June, 1997 to April, 1998. The environment varied during the sampling period. In warm seasons, thermocline was well developed rendering lower temperature and higher salinity and nutrient concentrations in the bottom layer. During cold seasons the water column was well mixed and no such vertical stratification was noted. Horizontal distribution of temperature, however, differed slightly between near-coast and offshore areas because of the shallow depth of the Yellow Sea, and between southern and northern areas because of the intrusion of water masses such as Yellow Sea Warm Current and Changjiang River Diluted Water. Four euphausiid species were identified: Euphausia pacifica, E. sanzoi, Pseudeuphausia sp. and Stylocheron affine. E. sanzoi and S. affine were collected, just one juvenile each, from the southern area in June and December, respectively. Pseudeuphausia sp. were collected in the eastern area all the year round except June. E. pacifica occurred at the whole study area and were the predominant species, representing at least 97.6% of the euphausiid abundance. Further, the distribution pattern of the species was varied in regards to developmental stages (adult, furcilia, calyptopis, egg). From spring to fall, E. pacifica adults were abundant in the central area where the Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water prevailed. Furcilia and calyptopis extended their distribution into nearly all the study area during the same period. From late fall to winter, adults were found at the near-coastal are a with similar pattern for furcilia and calyptopis. The distribution pattern of E. pacifica was consistent regarding temperature, salinity, and three nutrients during the sampling period, whereas chlorophyll $\alpha$ showed a different pattern according to the developmental stages. The nutrients should indirectly affect via chlorophyll $\alpha$ and phytoplankton concentration. With respect to these results, we presented a scenario about how the environmental factors along with the water current affect the distribution of E. pacifica in the Yellow Sea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.510-520
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• 2021

To understand the status of organic matter and heavy metal pollution in surface sediment of a fish farming area, we have measured the concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments of a fish farming area near Tongyoung-Geoje coast. The mean concentrations of TOC and TN were 22.7 mg/g and 3.4 mg/g, respectively, and were much higher than those in surface sediments of a semi-enclosed bay in the southern coast of Korea. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn were 10.5 mg/kg, 0.37 mg/kg, 82.9 mg/kg, 127 mg/kg, 4.19%, 0.041 mg/kg, 596 mg/kg, 39.5 mg/kg, and 175 mg/kg, respectively, and the mean concentrations of Cd and Cu were three times higher than those in surface sediments of shellfish farming area in the southeastern coast of Korea. In addition, the concentrations of TOC and corrected Cu exceeded the values of sediment quality guidelines applied in Korea, and pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (ERI) showed that the metal concentrations in the sediments of some fish farming area have a strongly negative ecological impact on benthic organisms, although most metal concentrations did not exceed the sediment quality guidelines. Based on overall assessment results, the surface sediments of fish farming areas in the study region are polluted with organic matter and some heavy metals. Thus, a comprehensive management plan is necessary to improve the sedimentary environments, identify primary contamination sources, and reduce the input of pollution load for organic matter and heavy metals in the sediments of fish farming areas.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.179-195
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• 2004

The trophic state of the coastal waters of the southern part of Korea was assessed using biogeochemical data obtained from the National Marine Environmental Monitoring Program conducted by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute for six years. The trophic state of different areas, analyzed by non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) analysis, could divide the areas into three groups. Masan Bay, with suboxic water masses and/or the highest concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus occurred, was assessed as being in a hypertrophic state. Ulsan Bay, Onsan Bay, Busan and Jinhae Bay, located near strong point sources, were in a eutrophic state. Other areas, including Tongyong, Yosu, Mokpo and Jeju island, were evaluated as being in a mesotrophic state. During 1997 to 2002, the average values of excess nitrogen, which is the difference between the measured dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and the corrected DIN using the Redfield ratio, were positive at Ulsan, Onsan, and Busan, where there were inflows from polluted rivers. In contrast, those were negative values in Haengam Bay, Gwangyang Bay and nearby Yosu. This suggests that the limiting element for phytoplankton growth differed among sites. The time series data of excess nitrogen showed gradual decrease over time in the hypertrophic waters, but the opposite trend in the mesotrophic waters. This indicated that the ratio of nitrogen to phosphate varied according to the trophic state of the coastal waters. The enrichment of organic matter in sediment in eutrophic waters would disturb the normal pattern of biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and phosphate. In order to assess the condition of the coastal environment, the benthic boundary layer should be considered.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 1997

The floristic characteristics and ecological conservation measures for the plant resources of the Mt. Kumjung(801m), Pusan, Korea were discussed. The field works was done for about twenty times in nine major areas from March, 1995 to Octover, 1996. The total number of vascular plants In this area were summarized as 103 families, 312 genera, 493 species and 564 kinds. The fourteen kinds of artificially planted, ten kinds of Korean endemics and twenty-nine kinds of Korean rare and endangered species in the area were revised and compiled in the list. The flora of the area were categorized into the South-coast put of the Korean Region, where the species such as Platycarya strobilacea, Quercug serrata, Eutya japonica, Camellia japonica, Trachelosperm urn asia talcum vu . in termedium, Quercus acu tissima were roles as major floristic components in the Korean Region and endemized in the south-cosat part of Korea. The natural communities such as Pinus thunbergii Community, Quercus mongolica community, Cupinus laxiflora Community, Wistria floribunda Community and swamp vegetation in Bukmun area as well as upland grassland at the summit of Kodangpong were represented for their floristic values in the area. The thirty kinds of medichinal plant, fifteen kinds of ornamental plants and thirteen kinds of edible plants are faced potentially in endangered from the outrageous collections by the local peoples. The action plan for the conservation management of the area which enables sustainable use by the local peoples must have established in the near feature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2011

On March 11, 2011, an 9.0-magnitude earthquake occurred near the northeastem coast Japanese. It was the largest earthquake that hit Japan since the beginning of modern seismometry. The earthquake occurred 179km east of the Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, leaving about 27,000 of people confirmed dead, injured or missing due to the earthquake and tsunami. In this study, crustal Deformation in Mizusawa, Tsukuba and Usuda station were calculated based on GPS data in IGS station of Japan. The observation data were processed by precise point positioning and relative-positioning method using on-line GPS data processing services and a high precision scientific GPS/GLONASS data processing software. The coseismic displacements in IGS stations before and after the earthquake were analyzed using kinematic precise point positioning method, and the crustal deformation of the areas before and after the earthquake were precisely calculated using the relative-positioning method. The results of the study calculated precise coordination that the RMSE is maximum ${\pm}0.003m$, respectively and showed that Mizusawa station moved 2.6m southeast by the earthquake.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2014

Two major temperature fronts, the Subpolar (Gosung, Gang-won-do; $38^{\circ}-41^{\circ}N$) and Thermal (Jukbyun, Gyeong-sang-buk-do; $36^{\circ}-37^{\circ}N$) fronts, are found in the East Sea along the east coast of Korea. These are located roughly where the Tsushima Warm Current and North Korea Cold Current intersect. To clarify the effect of the Thermal Front, we investigated seasonal variation in fish species composition using set nets in two areas located north (Jangho, Gang-won-do) and south (Hupo, Gyeong-sang-buk-do) of Jukbyun, Gyeong-sang-buk-do, and compared the sea water temperature and salinity. We collected a total of 38 fish species in Hupo and 25 in Jangho. Trachurus japonicus was the most common species at both sites, but the subdominant species differed. At Hupo, the subdominant species were Konosirus punctatus and Diodon holocanthus, whereas Clupea pallasii and Scomber japonicus were subdominant at Jangho. Based on Froese and Pauly (2014), subtropical fishes accounted for 55% of fish in Hupo but only for 33% in Jangho. The difference in fish species composition was most obvious in May and August. According to the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Administration, sea surface temperature and salinity were slightly higher at Hupo than at Jangho. Our findings suggest that the oceanographic boundary resulting from the Thermal Front near Jukbyun, Gyeong-sang-bukdo may have a major effect on the distribution of migratory fish species.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.spc1
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• pp.151-164
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• 2006

We monitored the current macrozoobenthic community structure after the Sea Prince oil spill around Keumo-do and Sori-do, Korea. Macrobenthic animals were collected seasonally around Sori-Keumo do using a van Veen grab ($0.1m^2$) from October 1999 to April 2000. In total, 196 species were identified at 46 sites around Keumho-do. The mean density was 1,460 individuals/$m^2$, and polychaetes comprised 80% of the total density of the macrozoobenthic. Dominant species were the polychaete Tharyx sp. (51%), the echinoderm Amphioplus megapomus (5%) and the polychaete Lumbrineris longifolia (3%). We identified 176 macrobenthic species at 36 sites around Sori-do. The mean density was 1,068 individuals/$m^2$, and polychaetes was the most abundant faunal group, comprising 41%, followed by mollusks (24%) and echinoderms (20%). Dominant species in Sori-do were the mollusk Potamocorbula amurensis (23%), the chinoderm Amphioplus megapomus (14%), and the polychaete Tharyx sp. (10%). The overall community structures in the study area showed few seasonal changes, although there was a gradual change in the species composition within each benthic community. Tharyx sp. was the most abundant species in the study area. Because this species has not been found in the other coastal areas except during recent investigations, it is considered to have increased during the course of community succession after the oil spill. The macrozoobenthic around Keumo-do showed little change in species richness, whereas around Sori-do, it showed a few increases in species richness after the summer of 1998. The overall density showed the same trend as species richness. Based on improved community indices, we suggest that the macrozoobenthic communities around Sori-Keumo Islands are gradually recovering from the oil-spill damagecaused by the oil spill.