• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.E1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2005

Size distribution of particulate water-soluble ion components was measured at Gosan, Korea using a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI). Sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate showed peaks in three size ranges; Sulfate and ammonium were of dominant species measured in the fine mode ($D_{p} < 1.8 {\mu}m$). One peak was observed in the condensation mode ($0.218\sim0.532{\mu}m$), and the other peak was obtained in the droplet mode ($0.532\sim1.8{\mu}m$). Considering the fact that the equivalent ratios of ammonium to sulfate ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 in these size ranges, it is inferred that they formed sufficiently neutralized compounds such as ($NH_{4})_{2}SO_{4} and (NH_{4})_{3}H(SO_{4})_{2}$ during the long-range transport of anthropogenic pollutants. On the other hand, nitrate was distributed mainly in the coarse mode ($3.1\sim6.2{\mu}m$) combined with soil and sea salt. Two sets of MOUDI samples were collected in each season. One sample was collected when the concentrations of criteria air pollutants were relatively high, but the other represented relatively clean air quality. The concentrations of sulfate and ammonium particles in droplet mode were the highest in winter and the lowest in summer. When the air quality was bad, the increase of nitrate was observed in the condensation mode ($0.218\sim0.282{\mu}m$). It thus suggests that the nitrate particles were produced through gas phase reaction of nitric acid with ammonia. Chloride depletion was remarkably high in summer due to the high temperature and relative humidity.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.444-457
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• 2001

Present work aims to analyse the spatio-temporal distribution of Korean bamboos. The northern limit of Korean bamboo species occurs at Baekryung Island(124°10'E, 37°55'N), Hoochang(41°22'N) and Myungchon(129°41\`E, 41°10'N). The presence of bamboo fossils in Korea dates back from Tertiary, but widespread use of bamboos can be noticed since 1454. Reconstructed ranges and temporal changes of bamboo, based upon the eight historical records from 15th to 20th centuries, indicates that both climatic and anthropogenic factors were responsible for the changes of distributional range. The spread of bamboos was balanced by its disappearance due to regional development, and the total bamboo area showing little change. Due to the tendency to spread extensively by means of underground stems, bamboos often invade adjacent forests and disturb natural vegetation. Proper management and conservation strategies, therefore, are required for the maintenance of rural landscape.

• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.159-164
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• 2008

In order to understand the spatio-temporal distribution of geochemical parametrs in surface sediments of the artificial Lake Shihwa in the vicinity of Kyunggi Hay in Korea, surface sediments were sampled at 14 sites in July 2007 and analyzed by CHN analyzer and ICP/MS. Metal concentrations in the sediments tended to be decreasing from the head to the mouth of the Lake Shihwa because of extreme pollutant discharge from various kinds of anthropogenic sources such as the Banweol and Shihwa Industrial Complex and cities. With the deposition of fine-grained sediments, high metal concentrations were also observed in the central part of lake. Although various programs(improvement of wastewater collection and treatment system, sea-lake water exchange etc) to improve the environmental conditions around the Lake Shihwa after dike construction were carried out, it was not dear to reach a good environmental quality. Therefore, further environmental programs should be conducted continuously for environmental improvement.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2022

Bolboschoenus planiculmis has been acknowledged as a key species in whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) habitat by providing food for this migratory waterfowl. B. planiculmis wetlands are being degraded by water shortages and salinization caused by anthropogenic activities and climate changes. In 2004, the distribution of B. planiculmis in the tidal flats of the Nakdong Estuary was 2,475,568 m², and in 2021, the distribution area was 798,731 m², which decreased by 32.3%. In order to restore the degraded B. planiculmis wetlands, shoot transplantation and seed sowing were tentatively used in three places with different salinity and water levels. The average density per unit area in September at the optimal growth period after planting were A (fresh water level 50 cm) 58±15.65 m^-2, B (brackish water level 0~5 cm) 188±63.83 m^-2, C (brackish water level 0 cm or less) 188±45.13 m^-2. The tubers were observed as A 0 g dw m^-2, B 25.32±2.94 g dw m^-2, and C 13.39±0.91 g dw m^-2. Tubers were distributed in the soil, with only 3.0% at the 10~20 cm depth but 97.0% at the 0~10 cm depth. In contrast, the germination rate of B. planiculmis seeds was observed to be 0%. Results of this study provide technical support for the restoration of B. planiculmis wetland and the improvement in the quality of whooper swans habitat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.347-360
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• 2015

Trace metals(As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) concentrations in surface sediments of Jinhae bay in August of 2013 were measured to investigate the characteristics of trace metals distribution and to evaluate the metal pollution. Assessment for metal pollution was carried out using the sediment quality guidelines(SQGs) such as threshold effects level(TEL) and probable effects level(PEL) proposed by the ministry of onceans and fisheries(MOF) in Korea and geochemical assessment techniques(enrichment factor(EF) and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$)). The mean concentration of trace metals in the sediments are as follows: 11.1 mg/kg for As, 0.52 mg/kg for Cd, 14.1 mg/kg for Co, 69.8 mg/kg for Cr, 57.2 mg/kg for Cu, 3.7 % for Fe, 0.064 mg/kg for Hg, 600 mg/kg for Mn, 40.1 mg/kg for Pb, 167.2 mg/kg for Zn. The spatial distributions of As, Co, Cr and Fe were not distinguished clearly in whole area. However, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn were high in northern area of bay, and Cu and Mn were high in southeastern and eastern area of bay, respectively. The distribution pattern of trace metals, correlation matrix and R-mode factor analyses results revealed that the distribution of trace metals were mainly effected by the sediment grain size(Co, Cr and Fe), redox condition of sediments(Mn) and anthropogenic factors(As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn). Comparing the concentrations of several trace metals(As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) with SQGs from Korea(TEL and PEL), the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb in sediment of northern area of bay were higher than TEL. EF and $I_{geo}$ values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn showed that these metals in sediments are enriched by anthropogenic activities in some areas, and pollution status for Cd, Hg and Pb in northern area and Cu in southeastern area of bay were concerned about current level, although those for As, Mn and Zn were not.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2001

To investigate the processes governing the distribution of elements in the tidal flat, thirty-eight sediment samples collected from the Saemangeum tidal flat of the Korean west coast were analyzed for their contents of major (Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Ti) and trace (P, Mn, Ba, Sr, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb) elements. Most elements showed generally lower contents compared to data published for other tidal flats of Korea, and the effect of anthropogenic input could not be recognized in the sediments. The relative abundance and distribution of most of the elements varied significantly with the grain size of sediments. High contents of Al, Fe, Mg, Ti, P, Mn, V, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn were found in the finer sediments in the upper tidal flat of the study area, suggesting that tidal sedimentation processes play an important role in controlling the distribution of these elements. However, sediment grain size does not impose any significant effect on the abundance and distribution of Ca, Na, K, Ba, Sr and Pb. It appears that the clastic mineralogy in the coarse-grained fractions is the dominant factor determining the distribution of these elements in the study area.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2020

Background: In Korea, Symplocos prunifolia Siebold. & Zucc. is only found on Jeju Island. Conservation of the species is difficult because little is known about its distribution and natural habitat. The lack of research and survey data on the characteristics of native vegetation and distribution of this species means that there is insufficient information to guide the management and conservation of this species and related vegetation. Therefore, this study aims to identify the distribution and vegetation associated with S. prunifolia. Results: As a result of field investigations, it was confirmed that the native S. prunifolia communities were distributed in 4 areas located on the southern side of Mt. Halla and within the evergreen broad-leaved forest zones. Furthermore, these evergreen broad-leaved forest zones are themselves located in the warm temperate zone which are distributed along the valley sides at elevations between 318 and 461 m. S. prunifolia was only found on the south side of Mt. Halla, and mainly on south-facing slopes; however, small communities were found to be growing on northwest-facing slopes. It has been confirmed that S. prunifolia trees are rare but an important constituent species in the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Jeju. The mean importance percentage of S. prunifolia community was 48.84 for Castanopsis sieboldii, 17.79 for Quercus acuta, and 12.12 for Pinus thunbergii; S. prunifolia was the ninth most important species (2.6). Conclusions: S. prunifolia can be found growing along the natural streams of Jeju, where there is little anthropogenic influence and where the streams have caused soil disturbance through natural processes of erosion and deposition of sediments. Currently, the native area of S. prunifolia is about 3300 ㎡, which contains a confirmed population of 180 individual plants. As a result of these low population sizes, it places it in the category of an extremely endangered plant in Korea. In some native sites, the canopy of evergreen broad-leaved forest formed, but the frequency and coverage of species were not high. Negative factors that contributed to the low distribution of this species were factors such as lacking in shade tolerance, low fruiting rates, small native areas, and special habitats as well as requiring adequate stream disturbance. Presently, due to changes in climate, it is unclear whether this species will see an increase in its population and habitat area or whether it will remain as an endangered species within Korea. What is clear, however, is that the preservation of the present native habitats and population is extremely important if the population is to be maintained and expanded. It is also meaningful in terms of the stable conservation of biodiversity in Korea. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is judged that a systematic evaluation for the preservation and conservation of the habitat and vegetation management method of S. prunifolia should be conducted.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2020

Background: The Himalayan forests are of great importance to sustain the nature and community resource demands. These forests are facing pressures both from anthropogenic activities and ongoing global climatic changes. Poor natural regeneration has been considered a major problem in mountainous forests. To understand the population structure and regeneration status of Larix (Larix griffithiana and Larix himalaica), we conducted systematic vegetation surveys in three high-altitude valleys namely Ghunsa (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, KCA), Langtang (Langtang National Park, LNP), and Tsum (Manaslu Conservation Area, MCA) in Nepal Himalaya. The average values of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and sapling height were compared for three sites and two species using Kruskal-Wallis test. Population structure was assessed in terms of proportion of seedlings, saplings, and trees. Regeneration was analyzed using graphical representation of frequencies of seedlings, saplings, and trees in histograms. Results: The results showed that the population structure of Larix in terms of the proportion of seedling, sapling, and tree varied greatly in the three study areas. KCA had the highest record of seedling, sapling, and tree compared to other two sites. Seedlings were the least among three forms and many plots were without seedlings. We found no seedling in MCA study plots. The plot level average DBH variation among sites was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 7.813, df = 2, p = 0.02) as was between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 5.9829, df = 1, p = 0.014). Similarly, the variation in average tree height was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 134.23, df = 2, p < 0.001) among sites as well as between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 128.01, df = 1, p < 0.001). All the sites showed reverse J-shaped curve but more pronounced for KCA and MCA. In comparing the two species, Larix griffithiana has clear reverse J-shaped diameter distribution but not Larix himalaica. Conclusion: The varied responses of Larix manifested through regeneration status from spatially distinct areas show that regeneration limitations might be more pronounced in the future. In all the three studied valleys, regeneration of Larix is found to be problematic and specifically for Larix griffithiana in MCA and Larix himalaica in LNP. To address the issues of disturbances, especially serious in LNP, management interventions are recommended to sustain the unique Himalayan endemic conifer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.575-585
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• 2000

Mass and elemental dry deposition fluxes and ambient particle size distributions were measured using dry deposition plates, a cascade impactor. and a CPS(Coarse Particle Sampler), from July to November 1998 in Seoul. Korea. Primarily anthropogenic elemental fluxes (Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were on average one to two orders of magnitude lower than primarily crustal elements (Al, Ca). Complete total and elemental particle size distributions showed trimodal size distributions due to the peak in particles larger than $10{\mu}m$ in diameter. A multi-step model and the Sehmel-Hodgson model were used to calculate total and cumulative deposition fluxes. The result indicated that dry deposition fluxes were extremely sensitive to the mass of particles larger than $10{\mu}m$ in diameter due to their high dry deposition velocities. The result showed that particles larger than $10{\mu}m$ in diameter dominated atmospheric dry deposition. The modeled fluxes calculated using the measured atmospheric particle size distributions and modeled deposition velocities were compared to measured ones. In general, the measured mass and elemental fluxes agreed well with the modeled ones.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 2002

Natural geological and environmental processes reflect to element abundances in geological materials on the surface. This study aims to elucidate a possibility of geostatistical application to differentiate geochemical anomalies affected by anthropogenic and geogenic factors. A regional geochemical map was produced using 'inverse distance weight interpolation' method for analytical results of stream sediments «150 11m) which were collected from 2,290 first- to second-order streams over the whole Gyeonggi Province. The Jurassic granitic batholith in the southeastern province was selected as a target for the geostatistical examination. Factor analysis was conducted using 22 elements for stream sediments from 445 drainage basins over the granitic body. Co, Cr, Sc, MgO, Fe$_{2}$O$_{3}$, V, and Ni were grouped with high correlation coefficients and the depletion of the components may reflect the whole-rock chemistry of the granite. Regression analysis was done using Co, Cr, and Sc as dependent variables and other six components as independent variables, and the results were drawn as maps. The maps acquired generally show quite similar distribution patterns with those of concentrations of each variable. The similarity in the spatial patterns between the two maps indicates that the application of regression statistics can be valid for the interpretation of regional geochemical data. However, some components show local discrepancies which may be influenced by secondary factors regardless of the basement lithology. The regression analysis may be effective in extracting local geochemical anomalies which may reflect rather anthropogenic pollutions than geogenic influences.