• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.21 no.2 s.75
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• pp.22-34
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• 2007

We present basic data for developing new research topics and closely examine the existing data on the development and organization of the Nakdong River Estuary Delta by analyzing various studies of the area, including ocean engineering, coastal engineering, ocean environmental engineering, geomorphological, and geological studies. We first defined the general concepts related to the estuary and delta and reviewed the historical development of the Nakdong River Estuary Delta over the past 100 years. We then examined the origin and core elements of the estuary deposits that constitute the delta. In addition, we scrutinized the main factors affecting the development of the delta and analyzed existing research on delta development mechanisms by core researchers. The construction of an estuary barrage is one of the main factors effecting estuarine circulation and has altered the physical oceanic environment, area of deposition, atmospheric environment, and vegetation community of the delta. These factors affect the estuary circulation in turn, altering the delta. Along the Nakdong River, an unsteady-state sandy barrier appears at approximately three times the distance of the wavelength of incident offshore waves, and this terrain forms approximately 10-15 years after reclamation in the interdistributary upper stream and transforms the shoreline. It is necessary to develop a technique to predict terrain change that reproduces the erosion and accumulation of estuarine deposits. To determine the parameters and variables necessary to reproduce this system, continuous on-site monitoring is necessary. The existing research did not fully examine the terrain changes in Nakdong River Estuary or the periodic developmental characteristics. To understand the future process of estuary delta development, it is necessary to establish an integrated management system.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.475-484
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• 2008

The word 'Saemangeum' indicates an estuarine tidal flat in the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula. The Saemangeum Reclamation Project was launched as a national project in 1991 to reclaim a large coastal area of $401\;km^2$ by constructing a 33-km long dyke. The final dyke enclosure in April 2006 has transformed the tidal flat into lake and land. An integrated oceanographic study has been conducted since 2002 as a part of the Government Action Plan to monitor and assess changes in the marine environment. Prior to the dyke enclosure, the coastal environment in the Saemangeum was a complex system governed by tidal motion, estuarine processes, and coastal circulation of the Yellow Sea. The dyke construction has radically changed not only the estuarine tidal system inside the dyke, but also the coastal marine environment outside the dyke. Post to the dyke enclosure, subsequent changes such as red tide, hypoxia, and coastal erosion/deposition occur successively. Red tides appear almost the year round in the inner area. Even under the condition that the sluice gates are fully open, the water quality does not improve as much as the developers would expect, mainly due to the critical reduction of the hydrodynamic stirring power. We will introduce details of our monitoring program and significant changes in the Saemangeum marine environment, based on observations and model results.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2010

Among common estuarine submerged plants, seagrasses are the most extensively studied due to their ecological importance in estuarine ecosystems. Seagrass meadows are important biological habitats for a wide variety of marine animals and plants. They are a source of organic carbon for commercially important animals. Furthermore, seagrasses act as nutrient filters in estuarine and coastal marine ecosystems. As such, mapping the distribution of seagrass beds is important for management and conservation strategies. In order to survey the seagrass distribution within the Seomjin Estuary, We directly observed seagrass beds in Kwangyang and Hadong using SCUBA. The distribution area, species composition, morphology, density, biomass and productivity of seagrass meadows were examined. Seagrass meadows were distributed in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the Galsa tidal flats, and in the subtidal zone of the neighboring POSCO area. Patches of Zostera japonica was found at patches at the Galsa tidal flats intermediate point. The total estimated seagrass distribution area of the Seomjin Estuary was $1.84\;km^2$. Of the total, $1.83\;km^2$ was Zostera marina (eelgrass) and $0.01\;km^2$ was Zostera japonica (dwarf eelgrass). Zostera japonica was found in intertidal zones. Zostera marina was found from the intertidal to subtidal zones at a 2 m mean sea level (MSL) depth. The leaf productivity of Zostera marina was $4.47g\;DW\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$. The annual production of eelgrass was $1,632\;g\;DW\;m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$, which corresponds to $731g\;C\;m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$. The total production of eelgrass was $3,002\;tons\;DW\;yr^{-1}$, which corresponds to $1,343\;tons\;C\;yr^{-1}$.

• ALGAE
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2008

Since seagrasses in the coastal and estuarine ecosystems achieve high levels of production, they require high inorganic carbon and nutrient incorporation. Thus, seagrasses may play a significant role in carbon and nutrient cycling in the coastal and estuarine ecosystems. To examine growth dynamics of Zostera marina L. environmental factors such as underwater irradiance, water temperature, and salinity, and biological parameters such as shoot density, biomass, shoot morphology, and leaf productivity were measured in two bay systems (Jindong Bay and Gamak Bay) on the southern coast of Korea. While underwater irradiance did not show distinct seasonal trend, water temperature at both sites exhibited clear seasonal trend throughout the experimental period. Shoot density increased dramatically during winter due to the increased seedlings through germination of seeds in Jindong Bay and due to the increased lateral shoots in Gamak Bay. Eelgrass biomass increased during winter and decreased during summer. Maximum biomass in Jindong Bay and Gamak Bay was 250.2 and 232.3 g dry weight m–a2, respectively. Carbon incorporation into the eelgrass leaf tissues was estimated from productivity and leaf tissues carbon content. The calculated annual carbon incorporations at the Jindong Bay and Gamak Bay sites were 163 and 295 g C m–`2 y–`1, respectively. This high carbon incorporation into seagrass tissues suggests that seagrass habitats play an important role as a carbon absorber in the coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 2005

Laboratory radiotracer experiments were conducted to determine assimilation efficiencies (AE) from ingested algal food and oxic sediment particles, uptake rates from the dissolved phase, and the efflux rates of Cd, Cr and Zn in the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea. Among three elements, AE from both algal and sediment food was greatest for Cd, followed by Zn and Cr. The AEs of tested elements from algal food (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) were consistently higher than those from sediments at a given salinity and temperature. The influence of salinity (0, 4 and 8 psu) and temperature (5, 13 and $21^{\circ}C$) on the metal AEs was not evident for most tested elements, except Cd AEs from sediment. The rate constant of metal uptake from the dissolved phase $(k_u)$ was greatest for Cd, followed by Zn and Cr in freshwater media. However, in saline water, the $(k_u)$ of Zn were greater than those of Cd. The influx rate of all tested metals increased with temperature. The efflux rate constant was greatest for Cr $(0.02\;d^{-1})$, followed by Zn $(0.010{\sim}0.017\;d^{-1})$ and $Cd\;(0.006\;d^{-1})$. The efflux rate constant for Zn in clam tissues depurated in 0 psu $(0.017\;d^{-1})$ was faster than that in 8 psu $(0.010\;d^{-1})$. Overall results showed that the variation of salinity and temperature in estuarine systems can considerably influence the metal bioaccumulation potential in the estuarine clam C. fluminea. The relatively high Cd accumulation capacity of C. fluminea characterized by the high AE, high dissolved influx rate and low efflux rate, suggested that this clam species can be used as an efficient biomonitor for the Cd contamination in freshwater and estuarine environments.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.155-168
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• 1991

In order to study the community structure and distribution patterns of primary producers and their relations to abiotic environmental factors, phytoplankton and environmental parameter were determined during the five times from October, 1989 to July. 1990. 159 taxa of phytoplankton have been identified and the most important species group is diatom which contributes to 70.4% of the total number of species. Ratios of phytoplankton group (neritic species, fresh water species, oceanic species) clustered by habitats were 52%, 18%, 12%, respectively, suggesting study area be the typical estuarine environment which is strongly affected by both fresh water discharge and sea water penetration. Species composition could be governed by the variations of salinity. the standing stocks of primary producer in the study area vary with space and time, showing close correlation with water transparency, and exhibit relatively larger than those of other coastal regions in the Yellow Sea. Spectransies diversity also showed large variation with space and time. According to the cluster analysis, the study area could be divided into two regions (inner part and outer part): in fall and winter, outer area affected by the oceanic water, but in spring and summer, inner estuarine area heavily influenced by fresh water.

• Water for future
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 1990

The Parameter Identification of 2-demensional estuarine model was carried out using new output ADI-FDM numerical semi-implicit schem transformed in boundary fitted(BF) - coordinate. The hydrodynamic equations which is coupled with the transport equations were used as basic equations in the model. Thompson's equations were used to transform governing equations into rectangular plane equations and his elliptic grid generation scheme was used to generate curvilinear grid system. in BF - coordinates. The parameters to be identified are friction coefficient and disperse coefficient embedded in the governing equations. The numerical output scheme is tidally averaged salinity model in BF - coordinates. The algorithm to optimize norm of error between observations and calculations is the influence coefficinet algorithm associated with least square criterion. The lumped model is conssidered in identification. This paper was concetrated on checking whether the new output scheme might be useful to identify parameters in estuarine salinity model or not. The proposed method was tested through experimental application with hypothetical simple model. The result of the test shows that the proposed method can be used for parameter identification in estuarine model.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.172-186
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• 2017

Current study is a part of the efforts to assess the estuarine barrage effects on the coastal ecosystem induced by the Si flux changes. Surface sediments from Seomjin and Nakdong estuary and sediment cores from Nakdong estuary was analysed to investigate the effect of estuarine barrage on the distribution of grain size, organic matter (loss on ignition: LOI) and biogenic silica (BSi). The samples of Seomjin estuary were collected in March, 2015 and those of Nakdong estuary were collected in November, 2014. Generally, the longitudinal distribution of grain size, LOI and BSi in Seomjin estuary, natural estuary, was gradually changed. However mud (silt and clay), LOI and BSi increased from station mid-estuary where tide reaches year-round. The distribution of grain size, LOI and BSi in Nakdong estuary, however, were entirely different between inside and outside of estuarine barrage. The mud percentage and LOI were low and consistent in inside of the barrage except R05, inside of right gate, yet those of outside of the barrage were higher and varied by adjacent sluices. Mud, LOI and BSi of ND1 and ND2 decreased immediately after the construction of Nakdong estuarine barrage due to disturbance of sediment and decrease of sediment supply. To exclude the physical effects by the barrage, BSi excess ($BSi_{exc}$) was calculated using regression equation of BSi-LOI and BSi-mud of Seomjin estuary. $BSi_{exc}$ of Seomjin estuary decreased gradually from upper estuary to lower estuary. $BSi_{exc}$ of Nakdong estuary were positive in inside of the barrage and negative in outside of the barrage. BSi retention and shift of species composition of diatom by the barrage would affect $BSi_{exc}$ distribution. Before the construction of Nakdong estuarine barrage, $BSi_{exc}$ of ND2 was negative and consistent owing to high mud sedimentation. After the construction, $BSi_{exc}$ of ND2, however, fluctuated due to continuous disturbance of sediment due to construction of Eulsuk bridge and East gate.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.153-168
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• 2000

An estuarine marsh is semi -inclosed inlets, located between coastal and terrestrial environment. The sediment transport by river and tide through tidal river and vertical accretion by sediment accumulation are important processes in estuarine marsh. An analysis of the vertical accretion rate at various time scale is important work for understanding and managing coastal environments. The purpose of this study is to determin the spatial characteristics of vertical accretion rate in an estuarine marsh, Sunchon Bay, in the southern coastal region of Korean peninsula. The methods of analysis are sedimentation rate by individual tidal cycle, annual accretion rate, concentration of total suspended load in water column. Spatial characteristics of sedimentation rate by individual tidal cycle was investigated using 30 filter paper traps. Sedimentation rate by individual tidal cycle at levee edge was higher than that at back marsh. The sedimentation rate decreased with distance from estuarine front. Levee effect and proximity to the turbidity maximum zone result in a higher sedimentation rate in the levee edge. There is a weak relation-ships between tidal regime and sedimentation rate by individual tidal cycle. Spatial cahracteristics of annual accretion rate was investigared using 30 artificial marker plots. Annual accretion rate at back marsh($1.5{\sim}3.5cm/yr$) was higher than that at tidal river levee edge($0.8{\sim}3.0cm/yr$). Total suspended load (TSL) concentrations in water column also indicate this spatial characteristics of annual accretion rate. TSL concentration in water column leaving the vegetation part dramatically decreased. There is a very strong relationship between the concentration of suspended load and accretion rate. These results indicate that annual accretion rate is controlled by vegetation cover and proximity to the turbidity maximum zone. This difference of spatial characteristics of vertical accretion rate ar various time-scale was due to the fact that surface sediment of levee edge was eroded by tide and other factors. The major findings are as follows. First, the spatial characteristics of vertical accretion rate are different from various time-scale. Second, the major mechanism for the vertical accretion rate in this region is suspended load trapping by vegetation. Third, this region is primarily a depositional regime over the time-scale of the present data Fourth, this estuarine marsh is accreting at rates beyond other area.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean. Even before the importance of the value of estuaries was recognized, the estuary was lost because of large-scale conversion by draining, filling, damming, and dredging. In South Korea, 643 estuaries are located, and the total area is 3,248,300 ha, accounting for 32.5% of the total area of South Korea. Over 35% of Korean estuaries are closed estuaries which are only temporally connected with the sea, either permanently or periodically. Since 2008, in order to preserve the estuary ecosystem and solve major issues in the estuary by accumulating knowledge about the estuarine ecosystem, the Ministry of Environment of Republic of Korea has been conducting the "Estuarine Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment Project". At 668 sites of 325 estuaries, epilithic diatom, benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, and vegetation are investigated, and the habitat condition of each site is evaluated using the newly developed biotic index. More than 100 researchers annually record 2,097 species of estuaries according to the standardized survey guidelines over the past 14 years and provide strictly managed data necessary for establishing estuaries conservation policies. As a result of bibliometric analysis of 1,195 research articles related to the monitoring and assessment of the estuarine ecosystem, research on pollutants such as heavy metals and sediment control have recently been conducted. "Estuarine Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment Project" is an ecological monitoring type of long-term mandated monitoring that is usually focused on identifying trends. Although it is difficult to identify the mechanism influencing a change in an ecosystem through long-term mandated monitoring, providing empirical data for supporting evidence-based policy, decision-making, and the management of ecosystems. In order to increase the efficiency of the project, research to investigate the relationship between sediments and pollutants and organisms can be conducted at specific estuaries or sites to compensate for the shortcomings of mandatory monitoring.