• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.531-537
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• 2004

In this study we discuss some problems that emerged from paleolimnological and paleontological investigations of terrestrial Holocene ecosystems on King George Island (South Shetland Islands) conducted by an Argentine-Polish research group. Biological and geochemical markers commonly used in standard analytical procedures are considered insufficient in tracing overlapping records of past environmental changes preserved in peat banks, lake sediments and ornithogenic remnants. Records that might be explained by predictable natural events (related to glacio-isostatic uplift of land), roughly predictable events (ecological succession), or unpredictable events (volcanic eruptions or accidental destruction of aquatic moss) may overlap or interfinger one with another providing that signals of regional and/or global climatic changes, are hardly identifiable. A more sophisticated and more selective methods are recommended to do discrimination between records of local and regional/golbal processes in studies on Holocene climatic history of the South Shetland Islands.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.101-120
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• 2012

We investigated the ecological characteristics of Jilmoe-neup conservation area which is one of wetlands designated as a Ramsar convention site in Mt. Odae from 2007 to 2011. Average out-flow of water was 0.80 $m^3/min$ during observation period. Average pH of water was 6.1, electric conductivity was 19 ${\mu}S/cm$ and contents of potassium, calcium and ammonium, nitrate and available phosphorus in water were recorded below average 2.0 mg/L. Peat layer was less developed than in other montane wetlands such as Yong-neup and Wangdeungjae-neup. Plants were recorded as 49 family, 118 genus, 163 species, 3 subspecies, 29 variety and 6 forma, total 163 taxa. Trientalis europaea L., which was designated in endangered level 2 by Ministry of Environment, inhabited at Sphagnum dominated area and Carex tussocks. Vegetation analysis showed that dominance value was changed as species distribution area were increased or decreased periodically. Although Jilmoe-neup deserved conservation value for Sphagnum fen which has diverse flora, it was affected from various factors such as ranch in the vicinity. Therefore, it must be monitored and managed continuously.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.403-420
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• 1997

Dodaecheon is a small river flowing into Asan Bay which is located in the middle part of the West Coast of the Korean Penninsula. We have investigated the change of depositional environment in Dodaecheon river basin during the middle Holocene. In the course of the research, the methods such as boring, radiocarbon dating, diatom and pollen analysis were employed. The Holocene deposits of the studied area are consisted of peat and gray silt layers, and contain many plooen and diatom fossils. Based on the results of diatom and pollen analysis, we conclude that the gray silt layers were sedimented owing to the transgression in the middle Holocene, and the peat layers by the regression or stabilzation of the sea level. The shoreline in the Post Glacial Age reached to the rivemouth of Dodaecheon at ca. 7,000 years before present(y. BP) and at that time the high tide sea-level(mean high water level of spring tide) rose to ca. 3m above present mean sea-level(m.a.s.l.). Since then to ca. 6,000y. BP, the high tide sea-level arrived to ca. 5m above present mean sea level further repeating minor transgressions and regressions. The peat layers of the coastal lowland of the West Coast were formed by the sea level fluctuations from 7,000 y. BP to 3,000 y. BP, and they were distributed 2 to 6 meters higher than the mean sea level of the present day. Most of them sedimented due to the high tide level are older and higher than those of the East Coast which were formed at the swale in the low tidal range environment.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2010

The aims of this study are to clarify the geomorphological development of a alluvial plain and discuss the vegetation environments and agriculture activities in the Wangpo-River alluvial plain at Neungsan-ri, Buyeo by analyzing geomorphological classification, sedimentary facies and age datings. The alluvial plain at Wangpo-River was formed by the influences of Geum-River with the sea-level rising during the Holocene. The basin of Wangpo-River consists of natural levees, back marsh-type alluvial plains, valley plains and hills. The natural levees by Geum-River largely distributes at the area where Wangpo-River flows to Geum-River and the alluvial plains at the middle and lower reach are the back marsh areas of Geum-River. Moreover, the area along Wangpo-River show higher contents of coarse materials and thinner peat sediments than the back marsh. The lower sandy deposits in the alluvium of Wangpo-River was formed with the influences of human in the Bronze Age during the sea level falling and the peaty deposits was formed due to the water level rising of Wangpo-River during the sea level rising in the early Iron Age.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.7 no.2 s.24
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• pp.13-22
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• 2005

Using recycled aggregate from demolished concrete structures provides a peat opportunity fur conserving natural resources. In many parts of world, virgin aggregate deposits have been depleted, and transporting aggregates over long distances can be much more expensive than using a low-cost recycled aggregate. In Korea, about 7-million tons of concrete occurs annually, out of this, about 2-3 million tons are available for recycling. This study is to present the method of utilizing the recycled aggregate. The recycled aggregate concretes were made for compressive strength test, flexural strength test and fatigue test using w/c of 40, 50 and 60%. The replacing rates of recycled aggregate to virgin aggregate were 0, 25 and 50%. The purpose of this study is to compare the fatigue lift of recycled aggregate concrete with that of virgin aggregate concrete. It was shown that the fatigue life of recycled concrete was function of recycled aggregate replacement ratio and water cement ratio.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2016

The soil does not only serve as a medium for plant growth but also for engineering construction purposes. It is very weak in tension, very strong in compression and fails only by shearing. The behaviour of the soil under any form of loading and the interactions of the earth materials during and after any engineering construction work has a major influence on the success, economy and the safety of the work. Soils and their management have therefore become a broad social concern. A limitless variety of soil materials are encountered in both agronomy and engineering problems, varying from hard, dense, large pieces of rock through gravel, sand, silt and clay to organic deposits of soft compressible peat. All these materials may occur over a range of physical properties, such as water contents, texture, bulk density and strength of soils. Therefore, to deal properly with soils and soil materials in any case requires knowledge and understanding of these physical properties. The desired value of bulk density varies with the degree of stability required in construction. Bulk density is also used as an indicator of problems of root penetration,soil aeration and also water infiltration. This property is also used in foundation engineering problems. While not conforming to standard test procedures, this work attempts to add to the basic information on such important soil parameters as water content, bulk density.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2024

North Korea relies heavily on coal as the primary energy source, playing an important role in all energy demand sectors except for the transportation sector. Approximately half of the total electricity is generated through coal-fired power plants, and coal is used to produce heat and power for all industrial facilities. Furthermore, coal has been a significant contributor to earning foreign currency through long-term exports to China. Nevertheless, since the 1980s, indiscriminate mining activities have led to rapid depletion of coal production in most coal mines. Aging mine facilities, lack of investment in new equipment, shortages of fuel and electricity, difficulties in material supply, and frequent damage from flooding have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in coal production since the late 1980s. North Korea's coal deposits are distributed in various geological formations from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic, but the most critical coal-bearing formations are Ripsok and Sadong formations distributed in the Pyeongnam Basin of the Late Paleozoic from Carboniferous to Permian, which are called as Pyeongnam North and South Coal Fields. Over 90% of North Korea's coal is produced in these coal fields. The classification of coal in North Korea differs from the international classification based on coalification (peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). North Korean classification based on industrial aspect is classified into bituminous coal, anthracite, and low-grade coal (Chomuyeontan). Based on the energy factor, it is classified into high-calorie coal, medium calorie coal, and low-calorie coal. In North Korea, the term "Chomuyeontan" refers to a type of coal that is not classified globally and is unique to North Korea. It is a low-grade coal exclusively used in North Korea and is not found or used in any other country worldwide. This article compares North Korea's coal classification and the international coal classification of coal and provides insights into the geological characteristics, reserves, utilization, and research trends of North Korean coal resources. This study could serve as a guide for preparing scientific and industrial agendas related to coal collaboration between North Korea and South Korea.