• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.213-223
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• 2011

The status and changes of water quality of national fishing harbors and designated ports in East Coast of Korea were analyzed to support establishment effective water environmental management. COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) concentration was satisfied to designated water quality criteria in most areas, but TN (Total Nitrogen) and TP (Total Phosphorus) exceeded the criteria frequently. Also, peak concentration was summer in COD and SS (Suspended Solid), but winter in TP. Eutrophication index of Ganggu and Pohang (old) area were the highest. Pollution index by function of COD, TN, and TP of Ganggu, Pohang, Jumunjin, and Guryongpo was high with gradual increasing recently, on the contrary, that of Samcheok, Imwon, and Chuksan was decreased. Pollution index involving multi-indictors relation to organics and inorganics was necessary for water quality assessment. Designated water quality criteria needed to be improved because the criteria of Jukbyun and Chuksan was applied more strictly compared to the other regions although without difference of environmental characteristics. Furthermore, the criteria notified lately needed to be related to management pollutants from land-based sources. The continuous diagnosis and monitoring on sediment quality within the study area were necessary for prevention of water pollution and eco-friendly disposal of dredged sediment. Especially, monitoring of Designated Ports was implemented partially, however monitoring ratio of National Fishing Har-bors was 7% to whole part. Therefore, systematic and integrated environmental monitoring for ports and harbors with charge of national management was reestablished by strengthening and securing a legal basis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2010

This study was carried out to offer basic data to minimize the indiscreet development and damage of coastal wetlands through an evaluation from an ecological standpoint highlighting the importance of the coastal wetland in South Gyeongsang Province, Korea. The result of the macrobenthos survey for the coastal wetland assessment showed that Dongdal and Hwasan-ri, Yongnam-myeon, and Tongyeong city had the largest species number; Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, and Geoje city had the largest population and biomass; and Miryong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun had the highest species diversity. In the halophytes survey, Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje city had the large character species and companion species. The evaluation results of the ecological values of the coastal wetlands were categorized into five grades based on the field surveys, and the sedimentary environment factor in the case of Danghang-ri, Hoehwa-myeon, and Goseong-gun; Miryong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun; Guho-ri, Gonyang-myeon, Sacheon city; Sulsang-ri Yangpo-ri, Jingyo-myeon, Hadong-gun; and Seokpyeong-ri, Idong-myeon, Namhae-gun, were appraised at the highest rating of grade II. The halophytes factor in the case of Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city, Dongdal-ri and Hwasan-ri, Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje city, were highly evaluated as grade II. The macrobenthos factor in the case of Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje city was highly evaluated as grade II. The final evaluation grade was calculated by the mean values of three evaluation factors, and Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, and Geoje city had the highest rating of II. On the other hand, Seokpyeong-ri, Idong-myeon, Namhae-gun had the lowest rating of IV. These locations will require future research to survey and monitor the coastal wetland ecosystems by season, in addition to the construction of the GIS-based wetland information system with a view to manage the coastal wetlands.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2011

Copper cyanide is a chemical produced in large quantities with 2,500 tonnes being produced in 2006. It is mainly used for electroplating copper, particularly alkali-Cu plate and brass plating. The purpose of this study is to reassess the physicochemical properties and environmental fate of copper cyanide based on reliable data and and to conduct an ecotoxicity test according to the OECD test guidelines as an initial environmental risk assessment (need to state where this was done). Metal containing inorganic substances are not subject to degradation, biodegradation or hydrolysis. Aquatic toxicity tests of copper cyanide were conducted according to OECD test guideline 201, 202 and 203 for green algae, daphnia, and fish, respectively. The following acute toxicity test results were obtained for aquatic species: 0.089 mg $L^{-1}$ (Algae, 72 Hr-$EC_{50}$); 0.21 mg $L^{-1}$ (flea, 48 Hr-$LC_{50}$); 0.62 mg $L^{-1}$ (Fish, 96 Hr-$ErC_{50}$). The chemical possesses properties indicating a hazard for the aquatic environment (acute toxicity in fish, daphnia and algae below 1.0 mg $L^{-1}$). As a result of this study, copper cyanide has become a candidate for detailed risk assessment. Countries that produce this chemical in significant quantities are recommended to perform specific assessments.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.224-229
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• 2010

This study was conducted to reclassify Cheongpung series based on the second edition of Soil Taxonomy, and to dicuss the formation of Cheongpung series distributed on the diluvial terrace. Morphological properties of typifying pedon of Cheongpung series were investigated, and physico-chemical properties were analyzed according to Soil survey laboratory methods manual. The typifying pedon of Cheongpung series has red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam Ap horizon (0-18 cm), red (2.5YR 4/8) clay BAt horizon (18-35 cm), red (2.5YR 4/2) cobbly clay Bt1 horizon (35-65 cm), and red (2.5YR4/6) cobbly clay Bt2 horizon (more than 65 cm). The typifying pedon has an argillic horizon from adepth of 18 to more than 65 cm, and a base saturation (sum of cations) of less than 35% at 125 cm below the upper boundary of the argillic horizon. It can be classified as Ultisol, not as Alfisol. It has udic soil moisture regime, and can be classified as Udult. Also that meets the requirements of Typic Hapludults. It has 35% or more clay at the particle-size control section, and have mesic soil temperature regime. Therefore Cheongpung series can be classified as fine, mesic family of Typic Hapludults, not as fine, mesic family of Ultic Hapludalfs. Cheongpung series occur on moderately elevated diluvial terrace which have relatively stable geomorphic surface. They are developed as Ultisols with clay mineral weathering, translocation of clays to accumulate in an argillic horizon, and leaching of base-forming cations from the profile for relatively long periods under humid, and temperate climates in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 2002

To obtain the basic information about pedo-genetic properties and origin of the parent materials of "Yongil" series in Korea, this study was conducted. The soil characteristics such as chemical and sand particles of typifying pedon, and distributional patterns in the area were analysed. The typifying pedon of "Yongil" series was distributed on the top of rolling area in the eastern coastal area of Korea, Yonggan-ri, Heunghae-eup, Pohang-si, Gyongbuk province. The results are as follows; The "Yongil" series in Korea was distributed on the rolling hill under altituede of 50m, and was used for cultivated upland, and the total acreage about 376ha. The content of sand was more than 50%, however the clay content in the depth of 40~100cm of the soil profile rapidly increased. The medium sand (0.5~0.1mm in size) are dominant among sand fraction, but coarse one are rare. So the rate of medium to total sand was higher in IIB horizon as 0.62~0.76 than A and C horizons. The content of heavy minerals in medium sand was low as 1.0~6.6% and the ratio of quartz to feldspars was higher in Ap2 and B1 horizon as 1.7 than IIB horizon which had less than 1.39. The cumulative curves of sand particles in Yeongil series showed the well sorted and differ from residuum soils derived from sand stone, but similar to dune soils(Haeri series). So it could be deducted from this study that "Yeongil" series are aeolian deposits derived from aeolian materials and have bisequum profile; the upper part depth of 40cm was recent cover sand, the horizon of 40~100cm depth was developed in Pleistocene epoch from the same materials.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.547-561
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• 2005

General characteristics of groundwater contamination by As were reviewed with several recent researches, and its occurrence in groundwater of Korea was investigated based on a ffw previous studies and a groundwater quality survey in Nonsan and Geumsan areas. In Bangladesh, which has been known as the most serious arsenic calamity country, about $28\%$ of the shallow groundwaters exceeded the Bangladesh drinking water standard, $50{\mu}g/L$, and it was estimated that about 28 million people were exposed to concentrations greater than the standard. Groundwater was characterized by circum-neutral pH with a moderate to strong reducing conditions. Low concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$, and high contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and $NH_4^+$ were typical chemical characteristics. Total As concentrations were enriched in the Holocene alluvial aquifers with a dominance of As(III) species. It was generally agreed that reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides was the main mechanism for the release of As into groundwater coupling with the presence of organic matters and microbial activities as principal factors. A new model has also been suggested to explain how arsenic can naturally contaminate groundwaters far from the ultimate source with transport of As by active tectonic uplift and glaciatiion during Pleistocene, chemical weathering and deposition, and microbial reaction processes. In Korea, it has not been reported to be so serious As contamination, and from the national groundwater quality monitoring survey, only about $1\%$ of grounwaters have concentrations higher than $10{\mu}g/:L.$ However, it was revealed that $19.3\%$ of mineral waters, and $7\%$ of tube-well waters from Nonsan and Geumsan areas contained As concentrations above $10{\mu}g/:L.$. Also, percentages exceeding this value during detailed groundwater quality surveys were $36\%\;and\;22\%$ from Jeonnam and Ulsan areas, respectively, indicating As enrichment possibly by geological factors and local mineralization. Further systematic researches need to proceed in areas potential to As contamination such as mineralized, metasedimentary rock-based, alluvial, and acid sulfate soil areas. Prior to that, it is required to understand various geochemical and microbial processes, and groundwater flow characteristics affecting the behavior of As.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.194-205
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• 2022

Sandbars formed by sediment transportation and sedimentation are some of the most important habitats for specific wildlife and they provide an aesthetic landscape in streams. The purpose of this study was to understand the successional process of the colonization and development of early vegetation over time on sandbars exposed by the opening of a gate at a downstream weir. We selected the following four study sites in the Geumgang River, South Korea: three weir-upstream sites with different gate-opening times and a control site that was not affected by weir operation. Changes in the structural characteristics and spatial distribution of the riparian vegetation on the sandbars exposed after opening the gate at the weir were surveyed according to the different exposure periods of the sandbars at the study sites. The newly formed sandbars accounted for more than 33% of the area of the existing floodplain in the three weir-upstream sites of the Geumgang River after opening the gate at the weir. Nine main plant communities were distributed on the exposed sandbars. These communities were classified as annual mesophytic, perennial hydrophytic, perennial hygrophytic, subtree, and tree vegetation based on their species traits. As the duration of exposure of the sandbar increased, the area of the bare sandbar and the annual herbaceous and perennial hydrophytic communities decreased, and the areas occupied by perennial hygrophytic, subtree, and tree communities increased. Changes in vegetation on the sandbar were classified into three types of succession according to the condition of the aquatic habitat before the gate-opening and the degree of physical disturbance caused by the water flow after the gate-opening. The types of succession were: 1) succession starting from hydrophytes in the lentic aquatic zone, 2) succession starting from annual herbaceous hygrophytes in the lotic aquatic zone, and 3) willow-dominated succession in the disturbed channel side. Our results suggested that the dynamics of successional changes in vegetation should be considered during weir operation to ecologically manage the habitats and landscape of the fluvial landforms, including sandbars in streams.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.110-126
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• 2024

This study conducted a classification of small-scale biological habitats created in Seoul to analyze and synthesize location characteristics, habitat structure, biological habitat functions, and threat factors of representative sites, as well as derive creation and management problems according to the ecological characteristics. The aim was to suggest improvement measures and management items. Data collected through a field survey was used to categorize 39 locations, and 8 representative sites were selected by dividing them into location, water system, and size as classification criteria for typification. Due to the characteristics of each type, the site was created in an area where amphibian movement was disadvantageous due to low or disconnected connectivity with the hinterland forest, and the water supply was unstable in securing a constant flow and maintaining a constant water depth. The habitat structure has a small area, an artificial habitat structure that is unfavorable for amphibians, having the possibility of sediment inflow, and damage to the revetment area. The biological habitat function is a lack of wetland plants and the distribution of naturalized grasses, and threats include the establishment of hiking trails and decks in the surrounding area. Artificial disturbances occur adjacent to facilities. When creating habitats according to the characteristics of each type, it was necessary to review the possibility of an artificial water supply and introduce a water system with a continuous flow in order to connect the hinterland forest for amphibian movement and locate it in a place where water supply is possible. The habitat structure should be as large as possible, or several small-scale habitats should be connected to create a natural waterfront structure. In addition, additional wetland plants should be introduced to provide shelter for amphibians, and facilities such as walking paths should be installed in areas other than migration routes to prevent artificial disturbances. After construction, the management plan is to maintain various water depths for amphibians to inhabit and spawn, stabilize slopes due to sediment inflow, repair damage to revetments, and remove organic matter deposits to secure natural grasses and open water. Artificial management should be minimized. This study proposed improvement measures to improve the function of biological habitats through the analysis of problems with previously applied techniques, and based on this, in the future, small-scale biological habitat spaces suitable for the urban environment can be created for local governments that want to create small-scale biological habitat spaces, including Seoul City. It is significant in that it can provide management plans.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 2010

This study was conducted to reclassify Dongsong series based on the second edition of Soil Taxonomy and to discuss the formation of Dongsong series distributed on the lava plain at Cheolweon in Korea. Morphological properties of typifying pedon of Dongsong series were investigated, and physico-chemical properties were analyzed according to Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual. The typifying pedon of Dongsong series has brown (7.5YR 4/2) silty clay loam Ap horizon (0-16 cm), brown (7.5YR 4/2) silty clay loam BA horizon (16-22 cm), brown (7.5YR 4/2) silty clay Bt1 horizon (22-50 cm), reddish brown (5YR 5/4) silty clay Bt2 horizon (50-92 cm), and brown (7.5YR 4/3) silty clay loam Bt3 horizon (92-120 cm). It occurs on lava plain derived from baslt materials. The typifying pedon has higher bulk density than 0.90 Mg $m^{-3}$. That can not be classified as Andisol. But it has an argillic horizon from a depth of 22 to more than 120 cm, and a base saturation (sum of cations) of less than 35% at 125 cm below the upper boundary of the argillic horizon. It can be classified as Ultisol, not as Andisol or Alfisol. It has aquic conditions for some time in normal years in one or more horizons within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface, redoximorphic features between a depth of 25 cm, and a depth of 40 cm from the mineral soil surface, and redox concentrations, and 50%or more redox depletions with chroma of 2 or less in the matrix within the upper 12.5 cm of the argillic horizon. Therefore it can be classified as Aquult. It has episaturation, and keys out as Epiaquult. It has 50% or more chroma of 3 or more in one or more horizons between a depth of 25 cm from the mineral soil surface, and a depth of 75 cm. It can be classified as Aeric Aquult. Dongsong series have 35%or more clay at the particle-size control section, and have mesic soil temperature regime. Therefore they can be classified as fine, mesic family of Aeric Epiaquults, not as fine, mesic family of Typic Epiaqualfs. The Quarternary volcanic activities occurred in Jeju Island, Ulrung Island, Baekryeong Island, Cheolweon area, and Mt. Paekdu et al. in the Korean Penninsula. Most of them belong to the central eruption type, but Cheolweon area may be of the fissure eruption type. Dongsong series occur on Cheolweon lava plains derived from basaltic materials. Most soils distributed in Jeju Island, and derived from mainly pyroclastics are developed as Andisols. But Dongsong series distributed in Cheolweon lava plains which have a relatively dry climate and derived from basaltic materials are developed as Ultisols.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.217-246
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• 2018

During the selection and characterization of target formations in the Small-scale Offshore $CO_2$ Storage Demonstration Project in the Pohang Basin, we have carefully investigated the possibility of induced earthquakes and leakage of $CO_2$ during the injection, and have designed the storage processes to minimize these effects. However, people in Pohang city have a great concern on $CO_2$-injection-intrigued seismicity, since they have greatly suffered from the 5.4 magnitude earthquake on Nov. 15, 2017. The research team of the project performed an extensive self-investigation on the safety issues, especially on the possible $CO_2$ leakage from the target formation and induced earthquakes. The target formation is 10 km apart from the epicenter of the Pohang earthquake and the depth is also quite shallow, only 750 to 800 m from the sea bottom. The project performed a pilot injection in the target formation from Jan. 12 to Mar. 12, 2017, which implies that there are no direct correlation of the Pohang earthquake on Nov. 15, 2017. In addition, the $CO_2$ injection of the storage project does not fracture rock formations, instead, the supercritical $CO_2$ fluid replaces formation water in the pore space gradually. The self-investigation results show that there is almost no chance for the injection to induce significant earthquakes unless injection lasts for a very long time to build a very high pore pressure, which can be easily monitored. The amount of injected $CO_2$ in the project was around 100 metric-tonne that is irrelevant to the Pohang earthquake. The investigation result on long-term safety also shows that the induced earthquakes or the reactivation of existing faults can be prevented successfully when the injection pressure is controlled not to demage cap-rock formation nor exceed Coulomb stresses of existing faults. The project has been performing extensive studies on critical stress for fracturing neighboring formations, reactivation stress of existing faults, well-completion processes to minimize possible leakage, transport/leakage monitoring of injected $CO_2$, and operation procedures for ensuring the storage safety. These extensive studies showed that there will be little chance in $CO_2$ leakage that affects human life. In conclusion, the Small-scale Offshore $CO_2$ Storage Demonstration Project in the Pohang Basin would not cause any induced earthquakes nor signifiant $CO_2$ leakage that people can sense. The research team will give every effort to secure the safety of the storage site.