• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.289-297
• /
• 2018

This study reconstructs past vegetation changes in southeastern Korea over the last 30 thousand years using plant waxes (i.e. long chain n-alkanes) and their carbon isotopic compositions (${\delta}^{13}C_{alk}$) preserved in marine sediment core (KIODP 12-1) retrieved from the East Sea. Here we show changes in vegetation composition in the Korean peninsula in relation to the strength of the East Asian Summer Monsoon. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), when the summer monsoon weakened, precipitation decreased and $C_3$ grassland expanded. After the LGM, the summer monsoon gradually intensified, increasing rainfall, and thus expanding the forestland coverage. Precipitation climaxed from 10 to 6 kyr BP, which includes the Holocene Climate Optimum. The grassland began to expand since 5 kyr BP due to climate warming and drying towards the present. The ${\delta}^{13}C_{alk}$ values may also have been influenced by agricultural activities, which is known to have begun since the late Neolithic (ca. 7.0~3.0 kyr BP). Our results demonstrate how changes in the global climate state influence regional atmospheric circulation and precipitation distribution, and consequently terrestrial plant composition in southeastern Korea.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.131-146
• /
• 2014

High-resolution seismic profiles coupled with sediment sampling were analyzed to investigate the acoustic characters and distribution patterns of the late Holocene sediments in Gamak Bay of the South Sea, Korea. The mean grain size of surficial sediment lies around $6.3{\sim}9.7{\Phi}$. Sediments in the bay consist of silt and clay with progressive decrease toward the inner bay. The seismic sedimentary sequence overlying the acoustic basement can be divided into two sedimentary units (GB I and II) by a prominent mid-reflector (Maximum Flooding Surface; MFS). The acoustic basement occurs at the depth between 20 m and 40 m below the sea-level and deepens gradually southward. The GB I, mostly occupying the channel-fill, is characterized by reflection-free seismic facies. It can be formed as late Transgressive System Tract (TST), interpreted tidal environment deposits. MFS appears at the depth of about 15~28 m below the sea-level and is well defined by even and continuous reflectors on the seismic profile. The GB II overlying MFS is composed of acoustically transparent to semitransparent and parallel internal reflectors. GB II is interpreted as the Highstand System Tract (HST) probably deposited during the last 6,000 yrs when the sea level was close to the present level. Especially, it is though that the GB II was subdivided into two layers (GB II-a and II-b) by a HST-reflector and this was classified by wind, sea water flux, and tidal current.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.142-151
• /
• 2001

Detailed interpretation of some high-resolution seismic profiles in Yosu Strait reveals that Late Quaternary deposits consist of three allostratigraphic units (UH, LH, PL) formed by fluvial and tidal controls. The top mud unit, UH, thins onshore, and overlies the backstepping modem Seomjin delta deposits, which is interpreted as a transgressive systems tract (757) related to Holocene relative sea-level rise. The unit LH below the unit UH is composed of delta, valley- and basin-fill facies. The delta facies (Unit $LH_1$) occurs only in Gwangyang Bay and shows two prograding sets retrogradationaly stacked, thus it is also interpreted as a transgressive systems tract(757). On the contrary, the valley- and basin-fill facies (Unit $LH_2$), interpreted as 757, occur between the units UH and PL (Pleistocene deposits) in Yosu Strait. The bounding surface between UH and $LH_2$ can be interpreted as a tidal ravinement surface on the basis of trends thinning toward inner bay and becoming young landward. Furthermore its geomorphological pattern is similar to that of recent tidal channels. This allostratigraphy in'ffsu Strait suggests that two 757 deposits (UH and $LH_2$), divided by tidal ravinement surface, have been formed in Yosu Strait, whereas in Gwangyang Bay backstepping delta deposits ($LH_1$) without tidal ravinement surface have been formed during Holocene sea-level rise. These characteristics indicate that different stacking patterns could be formed in these two areas according to different increasing rate of accommodation space caused by different geomorphology, sediment supply and tidal-current patterns even in the same period of Holocene sea-level rise.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.23 no.8
• /
• pp.697-706
• /
• 2002

Authigenic siderite grains, ranging 100 to 250-${\mu}$m in diameter, are abundant in an about 8,600-year-old sediment layer in Namyang Bay, west coast of Korea. The siderites exhibit the aggregated spherulitic morphology with well-developed rhombs on the grain surfaces. They consist mostly of FeCO$_3$ (average, 65%) and MnCO$_3$ (average, 22%) with low Mg/Ca ratio (less than 0.4) in their bulk composition. A series of compositional ternary discrimination diagrams, together with high Mn and low Mg contents, show that only meteoric porewater was involved in siderite precipitation, assuming that depositional environment of host sediment is an organic-rich freshwater system. Considering a series of results such as radiocarbon age, authigenic Mn-rich siderite and lithological features, siderite-hosting sediment (unit Tl) is interpreted as freshwater swamp or bog deposition, infilling the topographic depressions that locally existed before the formation of mid-to-late Holocene tidal deposits. Center-to-margin compositional variation within individual grain is very systematic; Mn and Ca decrease towards the margin of a siderite grain, while Fe and Mg increase. It suggests that the spherulitic siderites were precipitated in this sedimentary layer in a series during the early diagenesis of MnOx-FeOx reduction under steady-state.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2006

Late Quaternary stratigraphy and sedimentary environmental changes were studied based on four core sediments and their pore water taken from the southwestern part of the East Sea. The results of tephrostratigraphy and radiocarbon dates indicate that the cores cover the time interval from the middle stage of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 to MIS 1 (Holocene). The average of sedimentation rate in core sediments varies from 10 cm/kyr to 20 cm/kyr, but it fluctuates generally in particular time intervals such as MIS 2, which would be related with the sea-level changes at that time. On the other hand, the relations between ${\delta}^{13}C_{org}$ and C/N ratios suggest that the organic matter in the cores was originated mainly from marine algae. In addition, the value of ${\delta}^{13}C_{CH4}$ indicates bacterial origin rather than thermogenic one.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.443-458
• /
• 2005

Late Quaternary deposits of the core in the western area of the Nakdong River delta consist of four sedimentary units: Unit I, II, III and IV, in ascending order, controlled by the sea-level change since the last interglacial period. Unit I unconformable overlying Cretaceous basement rocks is composed of sandy gravel and sand deposited in a fluvial channel before the first marine transgression. Unit II composed of stiff massive mud is interpreted as a shallow marine deposits formed during the last interglacial period (probably MIS 5). The development of the fissures coated with oxidized materials in the upper part of Unit II is a feature of subaerial exposure, which indicates erosional contact with the upper Unit III. Unit III is made up of soft massive mud and soft shelly massive mud deposited in a tidal flat and a inner shelf, respectively, since the Holocene transgression (about 9,000 yr BP). Unit Ⅳ consisted of soft shell bedded mud and yellowish sandy mud was deposited in the delta environments during the regression (after about 5,000 yr BP). The lower shell bedded mud was deposited in a tidal flat and the upper sandy mud was deposited in the floodplain corresponding to present site of the Nakdong River delta.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.126-134
• /
• 2001

Several angular sandstone fragments (about 7 cm in longest diameter) occur in two piston cores, obtained from the submarine trough in the northeastern part of Korea Strait. The origin of the sandstone fragments and the paleoenvironment of trough sediment could be suggested from sedimentary facies analysis of cores and identification of ostracod within sandstone fragments. Echo characteristics around two core sites in submarine trough represent the prolonged bottom echoes with diffuse or no subbottom reflectors. The cores consist of a lower bioturbated mud and an upper gravelly sand sediments with sandstone/shell fragments. The bioturbated mud sediments show low water contents (27-44%) and high shear strength (19.2->37 kPa) compared with those of Holocene sediments (60-219% and 1.0-2.7 kPa, respectively) in the inner shelf and continental slope. However, clay contents (48-56%) of the bioturbated mud sediments are similar to those of fluviatile Holocene sediments in the inner shelf. The mean grain size of gravelly sand sediments ranges from 2.3 to 3.0 ${\phi}$ and shows coarsening upward with sandstone/shell fragments. The Holocene palimpsest in the continental shelf are composed of muddy sand sediments or sandy mud sediments (mean grain size: 4.6-7.6 ${\phi}$). Those suggest that two core sediments might be formed from Paleofluvial and paleocoastal deposits during sea-level lowstand. However, sandstone fragments mainly consist of quartz grains and bioclasts, with carbonate matrix, hollow pore, and glauconite. Two extinct ostracod species, Normanicythere sp. and Kotoracythere sp., are recovered in the sand-stone fragments of core EP-7, and they continued to exist from late Pliocene to early Pleistocene in cold water environment of this area. Thus, the sandstone fragments are interpreted to be formed at the paleocoastal environment derived from the Plio-Pleistocene outcrops exposed around the submarine trough during the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) period.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2013

The pollen analysis was performed targeting the valley plain alluvium of Jangjae-ri, Asan area in order to clarify the climate and vegetation environment of the Last glacial maximum and the Late glacial in terms of Gokgyo River Watershed In Asan-City, Korea. The sample collection point gets included in the current deciduous broadleaf forest zone (south cool temperate zone). The results are as follows. (1) The vegetation environment of about 19,300-14,100yrB.P. at the investigation area is mainly classified into YJ-I period and YJ-II period while YJ-Ia period is classified once again into YJ-Ia period and YJ-Ib period. YJ-Ia period (19,300-17,500yrB.P.) is correlated with the Last Glacial Maximum while the vegetation at the time has relatively a little wide distribution area of grassland compared to the forest and the forest vegetation of this time period is the mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest. YJ-Ib period (15,400-14,750yrB.P.) is correlated with the Late glacial (or the Last Glacial Maximum) and the distribution area of grassland became wider compared to the forest. While the forest vegetation of this time period is the mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest, a difference exists in terms of the dominant tree species. YJ-II period (about 14,650-14,100yrB.P.) is correlated with the Last glacial while the distribution area of grassland became even wider than the forest compared to the YJ-Ib in case of the vegetation at the time and the forest vegetation of this time period is the coniferous forest. (2) Both YJ-I period and YJ-II period were relatively cold and dry compared the End of Late Glacial (about 12,000-10,000yrB.P.)~Early Holocene (10,000-8,500yrB.P.), Also, YJ-II period was relatively colder than the YJ-I period and the YJ-Ib period was relatively more humid than the YJ-Ia period.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.447-468
• /
• 1996

The peat layer was deposited on the abandoned channel of incised meander of River Banbyuncheon with 7 meter thickness on Youngyang basin. The late Quaternary environmental change on the study area was discussed based on pollen anaalysis and radiocarbon-dating from this peat. The swamp which was caused to sediment the peat, was produced by which the fan debris from the adjacent slope damed the waterflow on the abandoned channel. The peat layer contains continuous vegetational history from 60,000y.B.P. to Recent. The peat deposit was divided into two layers by the organic thin sand horizon, which was sedimented at one time and made unconformity between the lower decomposed compact peat layers and the upper fresh fiberous peat layer. As the result of the pollen analysis, both peat layers from the two boring sites, Profile YY1 and Profile YY2 were divided into five Pollenzones(Pollenzone I, II, III, IV and V) and 12 Subzones which were mainly corresponded by the AP (Arboreal Pollen)-Dominance. The two profiles have some differences on the sedimentary facies and on the pollen composition as well. Therefore these were in common with the Pollenone III, however the Pollenzone I and II existed only on the Profile YY1 and the Pollenzone IV and V existed only on the Profile YY2. The lower layer containing the Pollenzone I, II and III revealed vegetational records of Pleistocene, which was characterized as tundra-like landscape and thin forested landscapes. It represented the NAP (Non-Arboreal Pollen)-period with a plenty of Artemisia sp., Sanguisorba sp., Umbelliferae, Gramineae and Cyperaceae. However a relatively high proportion of the boreal trees with Picea sp., Pinus sp. and Betula sp. as AP was observed in the lower layer. The upper layer contained the Pollenzone IVb and V and vegetational history in Holocene which was characterized by thick forested landscape with rich tree pollen. It represented AP-period with plenty of Pinus sp. and Quercus sp. as temperate trees. The temperature fluctuation supposed from the vegetational records is as follows; the Pollenzone I(Betula-Dominance, about 57,000y.B.P.) represents relatively cold period. The Pollenzone II(EMW-Domi-nance, 57,000-43,000y.B.P.)represents relatively warm period. This period is supposed to be Interstadial, the transi-tional stage from Alt- to Mittel Wurm. The Pollenzone III(Butula-, Pinus- and Picea-Dominace in turns, 43,000-15,000y.B.P.) reproesents cold period which had been built from Mittel-to Jung Wurm. Especially the Subzone IIId represents the coldest period throughout the Pollenzone III. It is corresponds to Wurm Glacial Maximu. It is supposed that the mean temperature in July of this period was coller about 10${^\circ}$C than present. The Pollenzone IV and V represent the vegetational history of Holocene. Tilia, Quercus and Pinus were dominant in turns during this period. Subzone IVb and Pollenzone I and II at east coastal plain of Korean penninsula reported by JO(1979).

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.190-197
• /
• 2015

This study investigated the paleoclimatic change using diatoms that were extracted from the high-resolution laminated layers of diatom ooze sediment cores GC08-EB01 in the eastern basin of the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. The range of diatom valves per gram of dry sediment was from $0.4-4.2{\times}10^8g^{-1}$ in quantitative diatom assemblage analysis. Laminations are classified using visually dominant diatom species and terrigenous content. Biogenic diatom ooze laminae characterised by bloom of Corethron crilophilum, Eucampia antarctica, Fragilariopsis curta, F. kerguelensis, Odontella weissflogii, Proboscia inermis, R. styliformis, Thalassiosira antarctica, and Chaetoceros resting spores. Terrigenous laminae characterised by mixed diatom assemblage. The ratio of (Fragilariopsis curta+F. cylindrus)/Thalassiosira antarctica increase in horizons, suggesting increased sea-ice cover in the study area during the late Holocene (cold events). As a result, five cold events are identified on the basis of frequency of the critical taxa throughout the section.