• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2016

Reinforced concrete structures have found wide usage in land and maritime applications. However, the corrosion of reinforced concrete has been recognized as a serious problem from economic and safety standpoints. In previous studies, the corrosion behavior of the inner steel bar embedded in mortar (W/C: 0.4, 0.5) was investigated using electrochemical methods. In this study, multiple mortar test specimens (W/C: 0.6) with six different cover thicknesses were prepared and immersed in flowing seawater for five years. Subsequently, equations related to the cover thickness, period of immersion, and corrosion characteristics of the embedded steel bar were evaluated using electrochemical methods. Prior to immersion, the corrosion potentials indicated an increase with increasing cover thickness, and after five years, all corrosion potentials demonstrated a trend in the positive direction irrespective of the cover thickness. However, the relationships between the corrosion potential and cover thickness were not in complete agreement. Furthermore, after five years, all of the corrosion potentials indicated values that were nobler compared to those obtained prior to immersion, and their corrosion current densities also decreased compared to their values obtained prior to immersion. It was considered that the embedded steel bar was easily corroded because of the aggression of water, dissolved oxygen, and chloride ions; a higher W/C ratio also assisted the corrosion process. The corrosive products deposited on the surface of the steel bar for five years cast a resistance polarizing effect shifting the corrosion potential in the nobler direction. Consequently, it was considered that the W/C ratio of 0.6 showed nearly same results as those of W/C of 0.4 and 0.5. Therefore, the corrosion potential as well as various parameters such as the cover thickness, period of immersion, and W/C ratio must be considered at once for a more accurate evaluation of the corrosion property of reinforced steel exposed to marine environment for a long period.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.118-126
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• 2019

Background: Government conducts environmental radioactivity surveillance for verification purpose around nuclear facilities based on the Nuclear Safety Law and issues a surveillance report every year. This study aims to evaluate the short and the long-term fluctuation of radionuclides detected above MDC and their origins using concentration ratios between these radionuclides. Materials and Methods: Sample media for verification surveillance are air, rainwater, groundwater, soil, and milk for terrestrial samples, and seawater, marine sediment, fish, and seaweed for marine samples. Gamma-emitting radionuclides including $^{137}Cs$, $^{90}Sr$, Pu, $^3H$, and $^{14}C$ are evaluated in these samples. Results and Discussion: According to the result of the environmental radioactivity verification surveillance in the vicinity of nuclear power facilities in 2017, the anthropogenic radionuclides were not detected in most of the environmental samples except for the detection of a trace level of $^{137}Cs$, $^{90}Sr$, Pu, and $^{131}I$ in some samples. Radioactivity concentration ratios between the anthropogenic radionuclides ($^{137}Cs/^{90}Sr$, $^{137}Cs/^{239+240}Pu$, $^{90}Sr/^{239+240}Pu$) were similar to those reported in the environmental samples, which were affected by the global fallout of the past nuclear weapon test, and Pu atomic ratios ($^{240}Pu/^{239}Pu$) in the terrestrial sample and marine sample showed significant differences due to the different input pathway and the Pu source. Radioactive iodine ($^{131}I$) was detected at the range of < $5.6-190mBq{\cdot}kg-fresh^{-1}$ in the gulfweed and sea trumpet collected from the area of Kori and Wolsong intake and discharge. A high level of $^3H$ was observed in the air (Sangbong: $0.688{\pm}0.841Bq{\cdot}m^{-3}$) and the precipitation (Meteorology Post: $199{\pm}126Bq{\cdot}L^{-1}$) samples of the Wolsong nuclear power plant (NPP). $^3H$ concentration in the precipitation and pine needle samples showed typical variation pattern with the distance and the wind direction from the stack due to the gaseous release of $^3H$ in Wolsong NPP. Conclusion: Except for the detection of a trace level of $^{137}Cs$, $^{90}Sr$, Pu, and $^{131}I$ in some samples, anthropogenic radionuclides were below MDC in most of the environmental samples. Overall, no unusual radionuclides and abnormal concentration were detected in the 2017's surveillance result for verification. This research will be available in the assessment of environment around nuclear facilities in the event of radioactive material release.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2022

Owing to their high bioproductivity and unique physical environment, estuarine wetlands are gaining importance in national biodiversity management and habitat conservation. With regard to conservation and management of estuarine wetlands, this study analyzed the ecological characteristics of Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland, an open estuary with various habitat types. Data from vegetation and biotic surveys have shown that 12 plant communities of five physiognomic vegetation types, including lentic herbaceous vegetation, halophytic herbaceous vegetation, and chasmophytic herbaceous vegetation. Due to the discharge of Namgang Dam and the effect of the tide, vegetation are distributed along the narrow waterside area. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 715 species, including 12 endangered wildlife species, were identified. Species diversity was relatively high in sections I and III where various riverbed structures and microhabitats were distributed. Due to the effect of the brackish water area following the inflow of seawater, endangered wildlife of various functional groups were also found to be distributed, indicating the high conservation value of that area. The collection of ecological information of the Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland can be used as a framework for establishing the basis for conservation and management of the estuarine ecosystem and support policy establishment.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.173-193
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• 2022

Dissolved nutrients in seawater are a key variable for understanding the role of the ocean in controlling atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is a major cause of global warming. In order to continuously monitor changes in the marine environment in the waters around the Korean Peninsula, dissolved nutrient data are being measured through regular observations by national institutions and various research projects. To increase the utilization of these data, the Jurisdictional Ocean Information Sharing System (JOISS), which integrates data from each institution, was established. In this study, for the dissolved nutrient data of JOISS, primary quality control was performed using the regional dissolved nutrient concentration range in the waters around the Korean Peninsula, and the correlation between the dissolved nutrient and other oceanographic characteristics or the correlation within dissolved nutrient components. Providing the quality control flags of regional range and primary quality control may increase the reliability of JOISS dissolved nutrient data and promote the utilization of dissolved nutrient data in JOISS. In addition, we proposed a secondary quality control method essential for improving the international comparability of JOISS dissolved nutrients.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.745-764
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• 2023

In the Republic of Congo, Banded iron formations (BIFs) occur in two areas: the Chaillu Massif and the Ivindo Basement Complex, which are segments of the Archean Congo craton outcropping in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the country. They show interesting potential with significant mineral resources reaching 2 Bt and grades up to 60% Fe. BIFs consist mostly of oxide-rich facies (hematite/magnetite), but carbonate-rich facies are also highlighted. They are found across the country within the similar geological sequences composed of amphibolites, gneisses and greenschists. The Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS)-normalized patterns of BIFs show enrichment in elements such as SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, CaO, P₂O₅, Cr, Cu, Zn, Nb, Hf, U and depletion in TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, Sc, Th, Ba, Zr, Rb, Ni, V. REE diagrams show slight light REEs (rare earth elements; LREEs) compared to heavy REEs (HREEs), and positive La and Eu anomalies. The lithological associations, as well as the very high (Eu/Eu^*)_SN ratios> 1.8 shown by the BIFs, suggest that they are related to Algoma-type BIFs. The positive correlations between Zr and TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Hf suggest that the contamination comes mainly from felsic rocks, while the absence of correlations between MgO and Cr, Ni argues for negligeable contributions from mafic sources. Pr/Pr^* vs. Ce/Ce^* diagram indicates that the Congolese BIFs were formed in basins with redox heterogeneity, which varies from suboxic to anoxic and from oxic to anoxic conditions. They were formed through hydrothermal vents in the seawater, with relatively low proportions of detrital inputs derived from igneous sources through continental weathering. Some Congolese BIFs show high contents in Cr, Ni and Cu, which suggest that iron (Fe) and silicon (Si) have been leached through hydrothermal processes associated with submarine volcanism. We discussed their tectonic setting and depositional environment and proposed that they were deposited in extensional back-arc basins, which also recorded hydrothermal vent fluids.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2010

The occurrence and variation of oxygen deficient water mass (ODW) in Namdae stream estuary, Yangyang were studied. Field observations for water properties and sediment environments were conducted at 5 stations of the estuary from April 2008 to November 2008. The coastal sandbar is developed at the estuary mouth, and there is a pool between the estuary mouth and about 2.3 km upstream of the estuary. The pool is relatively deep and narrow compared to riverbed of the estuary. The ODW was observed continuously in the pool from May to October. The ODW extends vertically up to 2 m depth in August, and maximum length of the ODW were about 2.3 km. Mean concentration of ignition loss (IL) and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) of sediment was 7.5~9.0%, $0.282{\sim}1.106\;mg/g{\cdot}dry$ wt, respectively. Ammonium concentration in the bottom layer during formation period of the halocline and the ODW was 4~23 times higher than that of surface layer. ODW was initiated by the introduction of seawater into bottom of the estuary pool to make a strong halocline, and then decomposition of organic matter within sediment accelerated the formation of the ODW.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Lagoon, attributed to the postglacial sea-level rise, has experienced rapid geomorphological changes due to increasing human impact. This study tried to infer how rapidly increasing human impact during the Holocene affects on geomorphological changes of lagoons and their surroundings, especially on Cheongchoho, Gyeongpoho and Pungho with significant changes in area and shapes. It was confirmed that the period of rapid artificial change commonly began in the 1960s to 1970s and geomorphological landscape rapidly changed since human impact intensified afterward. Intensive development not only affected on depth, area and shape changes, but also had significant impacts on water environment and biodiversity, attributed to disturbed flow between freshwater and seawater due to dredging and the installation of artificial structures. Lastly, various types of human impact were observed to be complexly interrelated, which seems to be associated with the geomorphologic process influenced by both terrestrial and marine environments. It is thought to be the result of complex interactions between humans who develop and utilize the terrain and changes in environmental conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.239-248
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• 2011

This paper evaluated types and characteristics of development projects occurred in coastal area (Public Water) by analyzing an application status of Sea Area Utilization Conference System that effective protect and manage marine environment and ecosystem from various artificial utilization and development enforced in 2008. Also, system improvement for stable settlement and security of efficiency considering exposed problems during system enforcement were diagnosed. The number of Sea Area Utilization Conference (SAUC) performanced during the period of 2009-2010 was 3,705, which consisted of simple SAUC (87.0%), general SAUC (12.8%), and Sea Area Utilization Impact Assessment (SAUIC; 0.2%). The general SAUC was accomplished for Public Water reclamation (43.4%), seawater supply and drainage (17.5%), dredging sediment (5.5%), installation of port facilities (4.6%) and fishing harbor facilities (2.3%), and others (23.4%). Statements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) were reviewed mainly for construction of port facilities (32.9%), followed by construction of industrial complex, development of tourism and leisure complex, road construction, and development of energy facilities. It would be necessary to strengthen effectiveness of the system, advertisement, and capability of conference and review agency, and to enhance confidence of marine EIA continuously, according to the increase of development projects, and diversity and enlargement of development types.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2006

This study investigated the effect of artificially enhanced mesozooplankton on the phytoplankton dynamics during fall blooming period using a mesocosm in Jangmok bay located in the Southern Sea of Korea in 2001. The four bags with 2,500 liter seawater containment were directly filled with the ambient water. And then, abundances of mesozooplankton in two experimental bags were treated 6 times higher than those in control bags by towing with net($300{\mu}m$) through the ambient water. Phytoplankton community between control and experimental bags were not significantly different in terms of chlorophyll-a(chl-a) concentration and standing crop (one-way ANOVA, p>0.05) during the study period. Initial high standing crop and chl-a concentration of phytoplankton drastically decreased and remained low until the end of the experiment in all bags. Diatoms, accounting for most of the phytoplankton community, consisted of Skeletonema costatum, Pseudo-nitzschia seriata, Chaetoceros curvisetus, Ch. debilis, Cerataulina pelagica, Thalassiosira pacifica, Cylindrotheca closterium, and Leptocylindrus danicus. Noctiluca scintillans dominated the temporal variation of mesozooplankton abundances, which peaked on Day 10 in the control and experimental bags, while the next dominant copepods showed their peak on Day 7. Shortly after mesozooplankton addition, copepod abundance in the experimental bags was obviously higher than that in the control bags on Day 1, however, it became similar to that in the control bags during the remnant period. It was supported by the higher abundance and length of both ctenophores and hydromedusae in experimental bags relative to the control bags. However, the cascading trophic effect, commonly leading to re-increase of phytoplankton abundance, was not found in the experimental bags, indicating that copepods were not able to control the phytoplankton in the bags based on the low grazing rate of Acartia erythraea. Besides that, rapidly sunken diatoms in the absence of natural turbulence as well as N-limited condition likely contributed the no occurrence of re-increased phytoplankton in the experimental bags.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2006

Suspended particulate matter and organic carbon were measured in the Mankyoung river estuary in February, May, July and August 2003. There was a large variance in river discharge between the dry season of February and May and the wet season of July and August. The influx of dissolved organic carbon into the estuary was $8.16{\times}10^2tonC\;month^{-1}$ in the dry season and $5.77{\times}10^3tonC\;month^{-1}$ in the wet season. The influx of particulate organic carbon was $9.37{\times}10^2tonC\;month^{-1}$ and $3.14{\times}10^4tonC\;month^{-1}$ in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Especially, dissolved organic carbon in the northern part of the site inside the dike was increased in July when torrential rainfall was high. In the research, the distribution of dissolved organic carbon showed conservative behavior with the salinity gradient in the estuary, suggesting that physical mixing between seawater and freshwater dominates the distribution pattern of the dissolved organic carbon in the system. However 60 to 90% of the particulate organic carbon introduced into the estuary was removed from the surface water at the upper estuarine mixing zone of low salinities, showing non-conservative behavior similar with suspended particulate matte r. The completion of the Saemangum Dike is likely to inhibit the exchange of materials between open sea and the Mankyoung estuary. This suggests that the oxidation of organic carbon in the bottom of the estuary may exhaust dissolved oxygen in the confined environment.