• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.898-913
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• 2007

We examined soil properties and provenance of loess-paleosol sequences at the Daebo Granite area of Buan, Jeonbuk Province, South Korea. The section consists of the surface layer, Layer 1(paleosol), Layer 2(loess), Layer 3(paleosol), Layer 4(loess), and Layer 5(paleosol), from top to bottom and thickness of the exposed section is approximately 280cm. The magnetic susceptibility values show the distinct variations between the loess- and the paleosol layer. Even though pH, ORP, water content, and soil hardness do not display the obvious differences in the section, the organic content indicates the variation similar to those of the magnetic susceptibility. In the respect of the soil colors measured under 3 conditions, although the variations of the wet soil color exceedingly reflect the difference of the layers, these variations are obscure in some points in the section due to the characteristics of the Munsell color system. Based on the geomorphological properties, sedimentary structure, the difference of the major element composition and the condrite-normalized rare earth element(REE) patterns showing the clear difference from the adjacent bedrocks and stream sediments and the similarity to those of the Chinese Loess Plateau, it is suggested that the section was formed by the material originated from the Chinese Loess Plateau and peripheral areas. However, because the material experienced the alteration after sedimentation under the environment of the sediment area, it has the properties different from the material in the provenance areas. This phenomenon may result in the climatic condition of Korea, especially in precipitation.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-64
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• 2017

The paleo-environments including changes in vegetation, climate, and sea level since the middle Holocene(6,400(?)-1,800(?) yr BP) were reconstructed with the special reference to pollen analysis from two trench samples at Yulha-dong, Kimhae-si, southern Korea. The environmental characteristics by the pollen zonation wassummarized asfollows: Pollenzone I(6,400(?)~3,940(?) yr BP)showed the dominance of Quercus species with broad-leaved trees, it was warm condition. Pollenzone II(3,940(?)~2,300(?) yr BP) was characterized to the yellow soil indicating terrestrial environment. Moreover, it showed Alnus-NAP period related to the extension of agriculture and deforestation by the rapid decrease of Quercus and increase of Gramineae. Pollenzone III(2,300(?)~1,800(?) yr BP) showed human impact from the increase of NAP and Pinus. Plenty of Quercus with deciduous broad-leaved trees also suggested warmer condition than before.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.122-145
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• 2009

Terrain parameters calculated from digital elevation models (DEM) have become increasingly important in current spatially distributed models of earth surface processes. This paper investigated how the ability of upslope area for predicting the spatial distribution of soil properties varies depending on the selection of spatial resolutions of DEM and algorithms. Four soil attributes from eight soil-terrain data sets collected from different environments were used. Five different methods of calculating upslope area were first compared for their dependency on different grid sizes of DEM. Multiple flow algorithms produced the highest correlation coefficients for most soil attributes and the lowest variations amongst different DEM resolutions and soil attributes. The high correlation coefficient remained unchanged at resolutions from 15 m to 50 m. Considering decreasing topographical details with increasing grid size, we suggest that the size of 15-30 m may be most suitable for soil-landscape analysis purposes in our study areas.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.284-292
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• 2018

The study investigated the concentrations of Pb in soil, air and fruit of C. sinensis in selected landuse types in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Five fruits of C. sinensis were collected randomly in residential, commercial, industrial and natural forest (control). The weight, length and width of the C. sinensis fruits were measured. A total of three soil samples were collected around the C. sinensis trees where the fruits were collected into well labeled polythene bags and thereafter taken to laboratory for analysis. Pb concentrations in C. sinensis and soil samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of Pb in the air was measured for 14 days using Aeroquel 500. The significant relationship between Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruits, soil and air was determined using Spearman's rank correlation. Findings showed that the mean weight and width of C. sinensis fruits were highest in the residential landuse while the mean length of C. sinensis fruits was highest in the industrial landuse. However, the mean Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruit was highest in the industrial landuse ($0.46{\pm}0.15mg\;kg^{-1}$), commercial landuse ($0.33{\pm}0.09mg\;kg^{-1}$) and the least was found in the natural forest ($0.25{\pm}0.06mg\;kg^{-1}$). The mean Pb concentration in the soil was highest in the industrial landuse ($0.177{\pm}0.16mg\;kg^{-1}$) and commercial landuse ($0.121{\pm}0.10mg\;kg^{-1}$). However, the mean Pb concentration in the air was highest in the industrial landuse ($0.85{\pm}0.09mg\;kg^{-1}$) and followed by commercial landuse ($0.30{\pm}0.17mg\;kg^{-1}$). The correlations between the Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruit and soil (r=0.768, p<0.05) and air (r=0.642, p<0.05) were significant. The study concluded that the Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruits was higher than the WHO standard; hence people should be discouraged to consume them, especially those from the industrial and commercial areas.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2020.06a
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• pp.172-172
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• 2020

In recent years, soil erosion has come to be regarded as an essential environmental problem in human life. Soil erosion causes various on- and off-site problems such as ecosystem destruction, decreased agricultural productivity, increased riverbed deposition, and deterioration of water quality in streams. To solve these problems caused by soil erosion, it is necessary to quantify where, when, how much soil erosion occurs. Empirical erosion models such as the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) family models have been widely used to make spatially distributed soil erosion vulnerability maps. Even if the models detect vulnerable sites relatively well by utilizing big data related to climate, geography, geology, land use, etc. within study domains, they do not adequately describe the physical process of soil erosion on the ground surface caused by rainfall or overland flow. In other words, such models remain powerful tools to distinguish erosion-prone areas at the macro scale but physics-based models are necessary to better analyze soil erosion and deposition and eroded particle transport. In this study, the physics-based Surface Soil Erosion Model (SSEM) was upgraded based on field survey information to produce sediment yield at the watershed scale. The modified model (hereafter MoSE) adopted new algorithms on rainfall kinematic energy and surface flow transport capacity to simulate soil erosion more reliably. For model validation, we applied the model to the Doam dam watershed in Gangwon-do and compared the simulation results with the USLE outputs. The results showed that the revised physics-based soil erosion model provided more improved and reliable simulation results than the USLE in terms of the spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.368-382
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• 2005

This paper deals with the village names in Geoje City[Geoje Island], Hundreds of village names in the city are found to be based on some environmental features such as landforms, weather, and soil of the island. A considerable number of village names in the city are derived from the mountainous landforms with steep slopes or from the extremely indented coastlines with many small islands, and some village names are originated from the weather and soil. In this paper, it is realized that the village names often reflect the environments perception of the residents and that they can give some clues to the environment's changes of the places.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 1987

Several fluvial terraces were developed in the Kajo Basin located in Kochang-gun, Kyongsangnam-do, Korea. The peat layers are formed on a fluvial terrace of them. To clarify the geomorphic development of this basin, a detailed classification of geomorphic surfaces, a soil profile study, grain size analysis, pollen analysis of the peat layers and C-14 dating were made. The main findings are as follows: 1) The Kajo Basin was formed by a differential erosion of granic rocks. The surrounding mountains are contact-metamorphosed gneiss and sedimentary rocks. 2) Seven geomorphic surfaces were recognized. They are named the H1, H2, M1, M2, T, L1 and L2 surfaces, from older to younger. 3) C-14 dating and the pollen analysis indicate that the L1 surface was formed during the Early Wurm Glacial. 4) The formation periods of the L2, M and H surfaces are supposed to be the Late Wurm, Riss and Mindel glacial, respectively, on the basis of the color of soil horizons (with or without the Red Soil) and the weathering degree of gravels. 5) Betula and Pices were dominant in the pollen of the Kajo Basin around 30,000 years B.P.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.366-386
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• 2013

This paper analyzes the drought and restriction on water supply in Taebaek City during the winter season in 2008 using Actor-Network Theory. Actor-Network Theory emphasizes and brings into view the role and act of non-human actors as well as human actors in various environmental issues. The fact that only Taebaek experienced restriction on water supply for 88 days although the winter season drought in 2008 affected the whole nation, requires a synthetic analysis of both human and non-human actors and their relationships and networks embedded in Taebaek City at that time. This paper shows that both human and non-human actors including Taebaek City Hall, Korea Water Resource Corporation, Taebaek citizen, the water supply facilities, Gwangdongdam, obsolete water pipes, the topography of Taebaek, soil, the change of industry, and population interact one another transforming the geography of water in Taebaek. This study helps to understand the complex processes related to drought disasters at a specific local scale and to provide appropriate measures to drought.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.381-395
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• 2011

Present work aims to establish an integrated management system of environmental data base for nine typical wind holes or air holes in Korea. It basically deals with definition, geographical distribution, morphological pattern, physical characteristics and anthropogenic environments of wind hole to propose systematic preservation strategy of their periglacial landscape and flora, which are known to be sensitive to global warming. Wind hole, in which cool air blows out during the summer, but mild air comes out during the winter from a cave or hole, is frequently found on northwest- and north-facing slopes on the terminal point of steep talus, block field, and block stream, and can be categorized into three types, i.e., talus, cave and sink types. Environmental characteristics of nine wind holes are analyzed on the basis of their geology, landform, climate, soil, hydrology, vegetation, road, footpath, land-use, and management system, and relevant DB are prepared. Wind hole areas with unique landscape and ecological values need to be designated as a nature reserve, and zoning of core, buffer, and transitional zones are required for the multi-dimensional preservation of periglacial landscape and ecosystem. Phytogeographical values of glacial relict plants, including mountain cranberry(Vaccinium vitis-idaea) at its global southernmost limit at Bangnaeri wind hole, Hongchon County, Gangwon Province of Korea are discussed in detail as a floristic refugia in connection with climate change during the Pleistocene Epoch and potential in-situ and ex-situ preservation sites in the future.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.461-476
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• 2015

Global warming has accelerated glacial retreat in the high Arctic. The exposed glacier foreland is an ideal place to study chronosequential changes in ecosystems. Although vegetation succession in the glacier forelands has been studied intensively, little is known about the microbial community structure in these environments. Therefore, this study focused on how glacial retreat influences the bacterial community structure and its relationship with soil properties. This study was conducted in the foreland of the Midtre Lovénbreen glacier in Svalbard (78.9°N). Seven soil samples of different ages were collected and analyzed for moisture content, pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents, and soil organic matter fractionation. In addition, the structure of the bacterial community was determined via pyrosequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes. The physical and chemical properties of soil varied significantly along the distance from the glacier; with increasing distance, more amounts of clay and soil organic carbon contents were observed. In addition, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were dominant in soil samples taken close to the glacier, whereas Acidobacteria were abundant further away from the glacier. Diversity indices indicated that the bacterial community changed from homogeneous to heterogeneous structure along the glacier chronosequence/distance from the glacier. Although the bacterial community structure differed on basis of the presence or absence of plants, the soil properties varied depending on soil age. These findings suggest that bacterial succession occurs over time in glacier forelands but on a timescale that is different from that of soil development.