• 한국해양학회지
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 1989

A study on quantitative phytoplankton samples, hydrographic conditions (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen), and nutrients has been performed in the southern waters of the Korean East Sea in early spring. Phytoplankton community showed close correlation with hydrographic conditions. This study area could be divided into three phytohydrographic regions; 1) East Korean Warm Water Region (a branch of Tsushima Current), 2) North Korean Cold Water Region, and 3) offshore water region not affected by other two water regions. Vertical distribution of phytoplankton is dependent upon stability of water column and nutrient concentration. Nutrient concentration shows characteristic distribution according to water masses. N/P ratio of ca. 3 in surface layer indicates that nitrogen is the major limiting nutrient in this area. N/P removal ratio was 12.54 ($r^2$ = 0.96), consistent with the Redified ratio. Primary nitrite maxima at the nitracline depths are thought to be formed by phytoplankton exudation. Secondary nitrite maximum was observed in coastal area with dissolved oxygen content of >5.2 ml/l much higher than <0.25 ml/l in other areas. The mechanism of secondary maximum is different from that of other regions, and whether it may be due to in situ degradation of organic matter by bacterial activity is still open to discuss.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 1997

The Holocene mud deposits in the southeastern innershelf of the Korean Peninsula were studied using the shallow seismic reflection profiles coupled with sediment sampling. The Holocene mud deposits are developed as a belt in the innershelf area from the mouth of the Nakdong River to off Pohang along the coastline. The surficial sediments in the study area gradually become finer and well sorted from south to north. The seismic facies in the Holocene sequence change northward from parallel reflectors in the mouth of the Nakdong River and northeastward prograding reflectors in the southern part off Ulsan to transparent layer in the nearshore off Ulsan to Pohang. The regional difference of seismic facies indicates that the Holocene sediment characters are varied with localities. By combining the surficial sediments properties with seismic facies patterns, the suspended sediments mostly supplied from the Nakdong River may be transported northward along the shore by the north-flowing Tsushima warm current. The Holocene mud sequence overlying the ravinement surface which is produced by erosion of underlying sediments during a rapid transgression can be interpreted as the highstand system tracts probably formed during the highstand of sea level similar to the present-day sea level.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.10 no.1 s.20
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• pp.61-67
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• 2004

This study described relationships between fluctuation of fishing conditions for common squid and oceanic conditions in the East Sea from 1990 to 1999. Annual catches of common squid have been higher since the late 1980s compared to the period of the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. These catches fluctuations might be related to the effect of regime shifts. Monthly catches of common squid appear the timing of a large catch from September to December and a poor catch from March to May. The monthly catches are also the highest in October and are the lowest in April. Annual stable fishing grounds for coefficient of variation below 1.0 are formed in waters around Guryongpo and Ullung Island Based on optimum water temperature for catch, $16^{\circ}C$, optimum water depth for catch shallow going north. It indicates that the optimum water depth of fishing work different of each area Fishing ground formation and horizontal water temperature appear the minimum $10{\sim}14^{\circ}C$ in April, the maximum $10{\sim}20^{\circ}C$ in October. If seem, that seasonal fluctuation of fishing ground is related to the extension of the Tsushima warm current in the East Sea.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2003

A 31m-long sediment core (SSDP-102) was taken from the inner shelf (about 40m water-depth) off the northwestern coast of the Korea Strait. Detailed lithofacies and organic-geochemical analyses were performed to establish a high-resolution stratigraphy in the Korea Strait shelf and to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental changes associated with the Holocene marine transgression. The stratigraphic framework of the core was primarily established using 6 AMS $^{14}C$ ages. The sedimentary record of the core SSDP-102 allows for the reconstruction of the paleoenvironmental changes during the last 12.1 ka BP. According to the high-resolution seismic reflection profiles, lithofacies and organic-geochemical data, the core SSDP-102 can be divided into three units (III to I in ascending order) above the acoustic basement. The three units reflect distinct changes of depositional environments resulted from the post-glacial marine transgression. Therefore, it is suggested that three phases of sea-level change have occurred within the inner shelf of the Korea Strait following the Holocene marine transgression. (1) estuarine environments from ca. 12.1 to 6.2 ka BP; (2) near-shore environments with a period of decreased rising of sea level between 6.2 and 5.1 ka BP; (3) near-shore to modem marine environments after 5.1 ka BP. In particular, the present marine conditions influenced by the warm Tsushima Current have been gradually established after ca. 5.1 ka BP.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.475-486
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• 2009

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) caused by the dominant species Cochlodinium polykrikoides (C. polykrikoides) appear in the South Sea of Korea and are particularly present in summer and fall seasons. Environmental factors such as water temperature, weather conditions (air temperature, cloud cover, sunshine, precipitation and wind) influence on the initiation and subsequent development of HAB. The purpose of this research was to study spatial and temporal variations of HAB in the Yeosu area using environmental (oceanic and meteorological) and satellite data. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were calculated using Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) images by an Ocean Chlorophyll 4 (OC4) algorithm, and HAB were estimated using the Red tide index Chlorophyll Algorithm (RCA). We also used the surface velocity of sequential satellite images applying the Maximum Cross Correlation method to detect chlorophyll-a movement. The results showed that the water temperature during HAB occurrences in August 2002-2008 was $19.4-30.2^{\circ}C$. In terms of the frequency of the mean of cell density of C. polykrikoides, the cell density of the HAB found at low (<300 cells/ml), medium (300-1000 cells/ml), and high (>1000 cells/ml) levels were 27.01%, 37.44%, and 35.55%, respectively. Meteorological data for 2002-2008 showed that the mean air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and sunshine duration were $22.39^{\circ}C$, 6.54 mm/day, 3.98 m/s (southwesterly), and 1-11.7 h, respectively. Our results suggest that HAB events in the Yeosu area can be triggered and extended by heavy precipitation and massive movement of HAB from the East China Sea. Satellite images data from July to October 2002-2006 showed that the OC4 algorithm generally estimated high chlorophyll-a concentration ($2-20\;mg/m^3$) throughout the coastal area, whereas the RCA estimated concentrations at $2-10\;mg/m^3$. The surface velocity of chlorophyll-a movement from sequential satellite images revealed the same patterns in the direction of the Tsushima Warm Current.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2022

The buffer capacity of southern Korean waters in summer was quantified using data set of temperature, salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity obtained from August 2020 cruise. The geographical distribution and variability of six buffer factors, which amended the existing Revelle factor, are discussed their relationship with the hydrological parameters of temperature and salinity. The calculated results of six buffer factors showed the spatial variations according to the distributions of various water masses. The buffer capacity was low in the East Sea Surface Mixed Water (ESMW) and South Sea Surface Mixed Water (SSMW) where upwelling occurred, and showed an intermediate value in the Yellow Sea Surface Water (YSSW). In addition, the buffer capacity increased in the order of high temperature Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) and Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW). This means that the Changjiang discharge water in summer strengthens the buffer capacity of the study area. The highest buffer capacity of CDW is due to its relatively higher temperature and biological productivity, and a summer stratification. Temperature showed a good positive correlation (R²=0.79) with buffer capacity in all water masses, whereas salinity exhibited a poor negative correlation (R²=0.30). High temperature strengthens buffer capacity through thermodynamic processes such as gas exchange and distribution of carbonate system species. In the case of salinity, the relationship with buffer capacity is reversed because salinity of the study area is not controlled by precipitation or evaporation but by a local freshwater input and mixing with upwelled water.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

The southwestern part of the East Sea is known to have a high primary productivity compared to those in the northern and eastern parts, which is attributed to nutrients supplies either by Tsushima Warm Current or by coastal upwelling. However, research on the biological pump in this area is limited. We developed machine learning models to estimate net community production (NCP), a measure of biological pump, with high spatial and time scales of 4 km and 8 days, respectively. The models were fed with the input parameters of sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, mixed layer depths, and photosynthetically active radiation and trained with observed NCP derived from high resolution measurements of surface O₂/Ar. The root mean square error between the predicted values by the best performing machine model and the observed NCP was 6 mmol O₂ m^-2 d^-1, corresponding to 15% of the average of observed NCP. The NCP in the central part of the Ulleung Basin was highest in March at 49 mmol O₂ m^-2 d^-1 and lowest in June and July at 18 mmol O₂ m^-2 d^-1. These seasonal variations were similar to the vertical nitrate flux based on the ³He gas exchange rate and to the particulate organic carbon flux estimated by the ²³⁴Th disequilibrium method. To expand this method, which produces NCP estimate for spring and summer, to autumn and winter, it is necessary to devise a way to correct bias in NCP by the entrainment of subsurface waters during the seasons.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2009

Major and trace elements were analyzed in three core sediments to investigate geochemical characteristics of East Sea sediments and provenance changes during late Quaternary in Ulleung Basin. Comparing with Yellow and South Sea sediments, contents of major elements were generally similar while contents of trace elements were significantly different. Furthermore, within this basin, there were some variabilities in trace element compositions. In the western slope sediments (WS), Mo was enriched over 6 times as much as other sites. On the other hand, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta were enriched in basin sediments (Basin), and Ca and Cs were enriched in southern slope sediments (SS). After excluding elements derived from biogenic, authigenic and diagenetic origins, the lithogenic elements (K, Ti, Cs, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta) could be classified into three groups from the comparison of element/Al ratios among cores. The first group consisted of elements (K and Ti) that showed the nearly similar element/Al ratios among three cores. The second group contained Cs which showed significant difference between two slope sediments. The third group elements (Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta) showed highly enriched in basin relative to both slope areas. The depth profiles of metal/Al ratios in basin sediments provided the following interpretation for the compositions of sediment and their variation. From 10,000 yr B.P. to 7,000 yr B.P. two lithogenic components (volcanic ashes and western slope sediments) were mixed and deposited in the basin. After 7,000 yr B.P., however, southern slope sediments were mixed with volcanic ashes and deposited in basin area. This event of source change is nearly close to inflow period of the Tsushima Warm Current to Ulleung Basin. Thus, it might be suggested that element geochemistry in Ulleung basin sediment indicate the change of current system in the study area.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 1986

The daily net primary production by phytoplankton in the southeastern sea of Korea in October 1985 ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/ and averaged to be 1.3 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/. Surface total chlorophyll ranged from 0.97 to 3.59mg chlm$\^$-3/. Primary production by nano-phytoplankton(〈20$\mu\textrm{m}$) ranged from 43 to 97% in the surface layer. Optimum light intensity(Iopt)was around 300 to 700${\mu}$Es$\^$-1/m$\^$-1/. Surface primary production from 9:00 to 15:00 h was evidently inhibited by strong light intensity beyond the Iopt. Phytoplankton near the base of euphotic zone(30-40m) showed extremely low Iopt suggesting adaptation to a low light environment. Since Iopt represents the history of light experience of phytoplankton at a given depth, the extent of variation in I of phytoplankton at different depth seems to be related to the in tensity of turbulence mixing in the surface mixed layer. From the present study, ammonium excretion by macrozooplankton (〉350$\mu\textrm{m}$) contributes from 3 to 19% of daily total nitrogen requirement by phytoplandton in this area. Calculation of upward flux of nitrate to the surface mixed layer from the lower layer, based on the simple diffusion model, approximates 3% of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. However, large portion of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton remains unexplained in this area. In upwelling area near the coast, adjective flux might be the major source for the nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. This study suggests that the major nitrogen source for the phytoplankton growth might come from the pelagic regeneration by nano-and micro-sized heterotrophic plandkon. Enhancement of primary production during the passage of the warm Tsushima Current is discussed in relation with nutrient dynamics and hydrlgraphic processes in this area.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.591-603
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• 2022

The color and optical properties of seawater are determined by the interaction between dissolved organic and inorganic substances and plankton contained in it. The Ieodo - Ocean Research Institute (I-ORS), located in the East China Sea, is affected by the low salinity of the Yangtze River in the west and the Tsushima Warm Current in the south. Thus, it is a suitable site for analyzing the fluctuations in circulation and optical properties around the Korean Peninsula. In this study, seawater surrounding the I-ORS was classified according to its optical characteristics using the satellite remote reflectance observed with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Aqua and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) bio-Optical Marine Algorithm Dataset (NOMAD) from January 2016 to December 2020. Additionally, the variation characteristics of optical water types (OWTs) from different seasons were presented. A total of 59,532 satellite match-up data (d ≤ 10 km) collected from seawater surrounding the I-ORS were classified into 23 types using the spectral angle mapper. The OWTs appearing in relatively clear waters surrounding the I-ORS were observed to be greater than 50% of the total. The maximum OWTs frequency in summer and winter was opposite according to season. In particular, the OWTs corresponding to optically clear seawater were primarily present in the summer. However, the same OWTs were lower than overall 1% rate in winter. Considering the OWTs fluctuations in the East China Sea, the I-ORS is inferred to be located in the transition zone of seawater. This study contributes in understanding the optical characteristics of seawater and improving the accuracy of satellite ocean color variables.