• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2015

In order to evaluate the pollution of heavy metals in offshore surface sediments around shipyards in Korea, surface sediment samples were collected at eleven stations around four major shipyards located in the southeastern coast of Korea in summer 2010 and nine kinds of heavy metals such as copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), chrome(Cr), arsenic(As), mercury(Hg), iron(Fe) and aluminum(Al) in sediments were analyzed. The concentrations of Cu at all sampling stations were in the range of 47.10~414.96 mg/kg and exceeded TEL(Threshold Effects Level) 20.6 mg-Cu/kg of Korean marine environmental standards for offshore sediments and ERL(Effect Range-Low) 34.0 mg-Cu/kg. The concentrations of Cu at seven stations around four shipyards were 65.18~414.96 mg/kg and exceeded PEL(Probable Effects Level) 64.4 mg-Cu/kg of Korean marine environmental standards for offshore sediments. The concentration of Cu at one station around B-shipyard was 414.96 mg/kg and exceeded ERM(Effect Range-Median) 270.0 mg-Cu/kg. The concentrations of Zn at all stations were in the range of 135.09~388.79 mg/kg which exceeded ERL 150.0 mg-Zn/kg. The concentrations of Zn at seven stations around four shipyards were 157.57~388.79 mg/kg and exceeded PEL 157.0 mg-Zn/kg. The concentration of Zn at one station around B-shipyard was 388.79 mg/kg and was approaching ERM 410.0 mg-Zn/kg. The concentrations of Cd at all stations were in the range of 0.11~0.54 mg/kg and were below TEL 0.75 mg-Cd/kg and ERL 1.2 mg-Cd/kg. The concentrations of Pb at all stations were in the range of 18.04~105.62 mg/kg. The concentrations of Pb at two stations around B-shipyard were 73.87~105.62 mg/kg which exceeded TEL 44.0 mg-Pb/kg and ERL 46.7 mg-Pb/kg, and were below PEL 119.0 mg-Pb/kg and ERM 218.0 mg-Pb/kg. The concentrations of Cr at all stations were in the range of 51.26~85.39 mg/kg. The concentration of Cr at one station around B-shipyard was 85.39 mg/kg and exceeded ERL 81.0 mg-Cr/kg. The concentrations of As at all stations were in the range of 8.70~22.15 mg/kg which exceeded ERL 8.2 mg-As/kg and were below ERM 70.0 mg-As/kg. The concentrations of As at eight stations around A-shipyard, B-shipyard and D-shipyard were 14.93~22.15 mg/kg which exceeded TEL 14.5 mg-As/kg and were below PEL 75.5 mg-As/kg. The concentrations of Hg at all stations were in the range of 0.02~0.35 mg/kg. The concentrations of Hg at three stations around A-shipyard were 0.11~0.13 mg/kg which were almost equal to TEL 0.11 mg-Hg/kg. Those at two stations around B-shipyard were 0.27~0.35 mg/kg which exceeded TEL 0.11 mg-Hg/kg and ERL 0.15 mg-Hg/kg, and were below PEL 0.62 mg-Hg/kg and ERM 0.71 mg-Hg/kg. The concentrations of Fe and Al at all stations were in the range of 2.90 3.66 % and 3.12 6.80 %, respectively. These results imply that heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead, arsenic and mercury were likely to be transferred to marine environment from shipyards, especially from B-shipyard.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.203-218
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• 2011

Long-term trends and distribution patterns of water quality were investigated in the Yeoja Bay of South Sea, Korea from 1976 to 2010. Water samples were collected at 3 stations and physicochemical parameters were analyzed including water temperature, salinity, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS) and nutrients. Spatial distribution patterns of temperature, pH and DO were not clear among stations but the seasonal variations were distinct except ammonium. The trend analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) during 31 years revealed the significant variations in water quality in the study area. Spatial water qualities were discriminated into 2 clusters by PCA; station cluster 1 and 2~3. Annual water qualities were clearly discriminated into 4 clusters by PCA. By this multi-variate analysis, the annual trends were summarized as the followings; water temperature, COD and SS tended to increase from late 1970's, decreased salinity, and increased phosphate from 1991 to 2001 and increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Water quality was showed by the input of fresh water same as those of Kyoungin coastal area, Asan coastal area, Choensoo bay, Gunsan coastal and Mokpo coastal area in the Yeoja Bay.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.439-458
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• 2013

Temporal and spatial variations of water quality were investigated in the Cheonsu Bay of Yellow Sea, Korea from 2010 to 2011. Water samples were collected at 16 stations and physicochemical parameters were analyzed including water temperature, salinity, suspended solids (SS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), Chlorophyll a and nutrients. Spatial distribution patterns of all survey items were not clear among stations but the bimonthly variations were distinct except the bottom water of the suspended solids. The trend analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) during 2 years revealed the significant variations in water quality in the study area. Spatial water qualities were discriminated into 3 clusters by PCA; station cluster in the surface water 1, 2~11, and 12~16, the bottom water 1, 2~7, and 8~16. Annual bimonthly water qualities were clearly discriminated into 3 clusters by PCA. But tend of cluster in the surface and bottom water was difference, period most of the research was low in nutrient. Ecology-based water quality criteria was a good level of grade II. Bimonthly results are shown as III grade(normal) at June and August, II grade(good) at October and December and I grade for February and April. Water quality was showed by the input of fresh water same as those of Kyoungin coastal area, Asan coastal area, Gunsan coastal and Mokpo coastal area in the Cheonsu.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.906-913
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• 2019

To evaluate the removal performance of PO₄-P and NH₃-N, laboratory experiments were conducted by filling a container with oyster shells, pyrolyzed at 100℃ (POS100), 600℃ (POS600) and 800℃ (POS800), and passing artificial wastewaters through the container. The pH in the ef luent was found to increase due to CaO eluted from oyster shell. Removal amounts of PO₄-P of ~23.1 mg/kg, 16.1 mg/kg, and 15.9 mg/kg were obtained when POS100, POS600, and POS800, respectively, were used; therefore, the highest PO₄-P removal amount was obtained when POS100 was used. It is considered that Ca and dolomite in the oyster shells adsorbed and precipitated PO₄-P. Removal amounts of NH₃-N were of ~3.56 mg/kg, 5.72 mg/kg, and 3.97 mg/kg were obtained when POS100, POS600, and POS800, respectively, were used The low removal rate for NH₃-N is probably due to unstable nitrification, use of sealed containers, and the effect of NH₃-N being converted to NH₄⁺ upon increasing pH. Based on these results, pyrolyzed oyster shell is expected to promote changes in PO₄-P and NH₃-N concentrations through chemical reactions. These results can also be used for basic research in the development of wastewater treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.867-873
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• 2019

As of August 2019, there were 3,823 vessels under 30 tons that could be included in the category of small vessels; these account for 42.5 % of the 9,001 registered vessels in Korea. The problem is that many small vessel seafarers face many problems such as an board communication disconnection, difficulties in communication in maritime license interviews, or education related to maritime training using a large number of nonstandard terms, which are derived from foreign languages; this is leading to a decline the job skills of small vessel seafarers. Therefore, in this study, we closely analyzed the terminology of small vessel seafarers and proposed a standardization plan. In the terminology analysis, the preliminary terms of the maritime license interview and the high-frequency terms of the small vessel educational textbook were identified and the corresponding nonstandard terms were examined. Based on a survey, an expert meeting was held and incorrect Japanese notation, English notation, and the standard language for key terms were presented to analyze which questionnaire was most familiar. The ratio of the use of standard words is relatively high in the case of nautical terms, however, the wrong Japanese notation is used more for engine terms; the analysis results by age and tonnage also generally use the Japanese notation and the use frequency of English notation was determined to be low. Based on this, short- and long-term plans for the use of standard words by small vessel seafarers were proposed, including the production of a standard language dictionary for terms used by these seafarers, a promotion of the importance of using standard terms, active education through educational institutions, and the systematic preparation and implementation of Korean-language education for foreign sailors.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.43
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• pp.67-97
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• 2015

In Korea, a single emergency number, such as 911 of the USA and 999 of the UK, does not exist. This issue became highly controversial, when the Sewol Ferry Sinking disaster occurred last year. So, the Korean government has planned to adopt a single emergency number, integrating 112 of the Police, 119 of the Fire and Ambulance, 122 of the Korean Coast Guard, and many other emergency numbers. However, the integration plan recently proposed by the Ministry of Public Safety Security seems to be, what is called, a "partial integration model" which repeals the 122 number, but still maintains 112, 119, and 110 respectively. In this context, the study looks into USA's (diverse) 911 operating system, and subsequently tries to draw general features or characteristics. Further, the research attempts to derive policy implication from the general features. If the proposed partial integration model reflects the policy implications, the model can virtually operate like the 911 system -i.e. a single emergency number system - creating inter-operability between responding agencies such as police, fire, and ambulance, even though it is not a perfect integration model. The features drawn are (1) integration of emergency call-taking, (2) functional separation of call-taking and dispatching, (3) integration of physical facilities for call-taking and dispatching, and (4) professional call-takers and dispatchers. Moreover, the policy implications derived from the characteristics are (1) a user-friendly system - fast but accurate responses, (2) integrated responses to accidents, (3) professional call-taking and dispatching & objective and comprehensive risk assessment, and finally (4) active organizational learning in emergency call centers. Considering the policy implications, the following suggestions need to be applied to the current proposed plan: 1. Emergency services' systems should be tightly linked and connected in a systemic way so that they can communicate and exchange intelligence with one another. 2. Public safety answering points (call centers) of each emergency service should share their education and training modules, manuals, etc. Common training and manuals are also needed for inter-operability. 3. Personal management to enable-long term service in public safety answering points (call centers) should be established as one of the ways to promote professionalism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.510-520
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• 2021

To understand the status of organic matter and heavy metal pollution in surface sediment of a fish farming area, we have measured the concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments of a fish farming area near Tongyoung-Geoje coast. The mean concentrations of TOC and TN were 22.7 mg/g and 3.4 mg/g, respectively, and were much higher than those in surface sediments of a semi-enclosed bay in the southern coast of Korea. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn were 10.5 mg/kg, 0.37 mg/kg, 82.9 mg/kg, 127 mg/kg, 4.19%, 0.041 mg/kg, 596 mg/kg, 39.5 mg/kg, and 175 mg/kg, respectively, and the mean concentrations of Cd and Cu were three times higher than those in surface sediments of shellfish farming area in the southeastern coast of Korea. In addition, the concentrations of TOC and corrected Cu exceeded the values of sediment quality guidelines applied in Korea, and pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (ERI) showed that the metal concentrations in the sediments of some fish farming area have a strongly negative ecological impact on benthic organisms, although most metal concentrations did not exceed the sediment quality guidelines. Based on overall assessment results, the surface sediments of fish farming areas in the study region are polluted with organic matter and some heavy metals. Thus, a comprehensive management plan is necessary to improve the sedimentary environments, identify primary contamination sources, and reduce the input of pollution load for organic matter and heavy metals in the sediments of fish farming areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.500-509
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• 2021

This study investigated the characteristics of a macrobenthos community and sediment environment and assessed the health of tidal flats along the west coast of Korea. A survey was conducted from Ganghwa-do to Mokpo, Jeollanam-do in April (spring) and August (summer) 2017, and April (spring) 2018. The sediment grain sizes in the Chungcheongnam-do region were coarser, and the sediment in the Gyeonggi-do·Incheon, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do regions were finer. A total of 140 macrobenthic species were collected from this study and using a cluster similarity analysis of the macrobenthos community, they were divided into four groups. Group2 was associated with Manila clam farm stations, and Ruditapes phillipinarum, Nephtys polybranchia and Lumbrineris nipponica were dominant. Group4 included some sites with finer sediment composed relatively, and Eteone longa and Nemertea unid. appeared at a high frequency. From the health assessment of the western tidal flat, the ISEP and BHI indices had a "High status," and the AMBI index had a "Good status." In conclusion, the tidal flats along the west coast of Korea have good ecological health. However, pollution indicator species such as Theora lata and Capitella capitata have appeared in some areas. Therefore, periodic administration and interventions are necessary to prevent deterioration of the tidal flat environment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.943-953
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate sediment recovery after the relocation of fish cage farms, by examining the changes in sediments and the benthic polychaete community. A preliminary survey was carried out in October 2017, before the relocation of the farms, and monthly surveys were conducted from November 2017 to October 2018 after the farms were moved. Subsequently, it was conducted every 2-3 months until October 2020. The survey was carried out at three stations (Farm1-3) at the location of the removed fish farms and at three control stations (Con1-3) without farms. The overall organic carbon content of the farm stations was higher than the control stations, but it gradually decreased after the farm was demolished, and there was no statistically significant difference about one year after the relocation of the farms (p<0.05). In the benthic polychaete community, abiotic community appeared at the farm stations in the summer, and consequently, the community transitioned to a low-diversity region with the predominant species Capitella capitata, which is an indicator of pollution. Until the abiotic period in the summer of the next year, the species diversity increased and the proportion of indicator species decreased, showing a tendency of recovering the benthic polychaete community, and these changes were repeated every year. In this study, the abiotic community appeared every year owing to the topographical characteristics, but as the survey progressed, the period of abiotic occurrence became shorter and the process of community recovery progressed expeditiously. Biological recovery of sediments after the relocation of the fish farms is still in progress, and it is imperative to study recovery trends through continuous monitoring.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.721-734
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• 2022

This study analyzed the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of major environmental factors such as primary productivity (PP), chlorophyll a, nutrients, sinking particle matters, and organic contamination and biochemical composition of surface sediment on a monthly basis for approximately 2 years around shellfish mariculture in Jaran Bay, Korea. In addition, PP in Jaran Bay was compared with that in other coastal areas and related policy plans were proposed. The average PP of the study area was high in summer and autumn with 6.43~115.43 mgC m^-2 hr^-1 range. This was lower than that in Gamak Bay and Masan Bay, whereas higher than that in Garorim Bay and the West Sea. The PP in coastal waters, where many aquaculture farms were distributed, significantly fluctuated. The different size compositions of phytoplanktons constituting chlorophyll a slightly varied by month, and little restriction existed on the productivity of phytoplanktons owing to the depletion of nutrients. Typically, the Redfield ratio was less than 16, indicating that nitrogen was the limiting factor for the growth of phytoplanktons. The biochemical composition of particulate organic matters in the water column showed the highest carbohydrates, but lipids and protein contents were high in surface sediments. The concentration of TOC and AVS of the surface sediments was high at inside of bay, and sometimes, exceeded the environmental criteria of fishing grounds. The organic C:N ratio of sediments ranged from 8.1 to 10.4 on average. PP had the highest correlation with chlorophyll a, nitrogen and protein of particle organic materials. Recently, chlorophyll a, DIN, and DIP of water column trends tended to decrease, however, the contamination of sediments increased. Considering the annual PP of 125.9 gC m^-2 yr^-1 and mariculture area (oyster) of 4.97 km², the annual carbon production from phytoplanktons was estimated to be about 625 tons, and the annual total wet weight of shellfish (oyster) was estimated to be about 6,250 tons.