• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.125-125
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• 2023

Estuarine dams are dams constructed in estuaries for reasons such as securing freshwater resources, controlling water levels, and hydroelectric power generation. These estuarine dams alter the flow of freshwater to the coastal ocean and the tidal properties of the estuaries which has implications for the estuaries' circulation and sediment transport. A previous study has analyzed the effect of estuarine dams on 1D (along-channel) circulation and sediment transport. However, the effect of estuarine dams on the transverse variability of along-channel and across-channel circulation and sediment transport has not been studied and is not known. In this study, a coupled hydrodynamic-sediment dynamic numerical model (COAWST) was used to analyze the transverse variability of along-channel and across-channel flow and sediment transport in estuaries with estuarine dams. The estuarine dam was found to change the 3D structure of circulation and sediment transport, and the result was found to depend on the estuarine type (i.e., strongly stratified (SS) or well-mixed (WM) estuary). The SS estuary had inflow in the channel and outflow over the shoals, consistent with estuarine circulation. Longer discharge interval reduced the estuarine circulation. The WM estuary had inflow over the shoals and outflow in the channel, consistent with tide-induced circulation. As the estuarine dam was located nearer to the estuary mouth, the tide-induced circulation was reduced and replaced with estuarine circulation. The lateral circualtion was the greatest in the tide-dominated estuaries. It was reduced and changed direction due to differential advection change as the dam was located nearer the mouth. Overall, the WM estuary transverse flow structure changed the most. Lateral sediment flux was important in all estuaries, particularly for transporting sediments to the tidal flats.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.519-519
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• 2023

Estuarine dams are a recent and global phenomenon. While estuarine dams can provide the benefit of improved freshwater resources, they can also alter estuarine processes. Due to the wide range of estuarine types and estuarine dam configurations, the effect of estuarine dams on estuaries is not well understood in general. To develop a systematic understanding of the effect of estuarine dam location and freshwater discharge interval on a range of estuarine types (strongly stratified, partially mixed, periodically stratified, and well-mixed), this study used a coupled hydrodynamic-sediment dynamic numerical model (COAWST) and compared flow, sediment transport, and morphological conditions in the pre- and post-dam estuaries. For each estuarine type, scenarios with dam locations at 20, 55 and 90 km from the mouth and discharge intervals of a discharge every 0.5, 3, and 7 days were investigated. The results were analyzed in terms of change in tide, river discharge, estuarine classification, and sediment flux mechanism. The estuarine dam location primarily affected the tide-dominated estuaries, and the resonance length was an important length scale affecting the tidal currents and Stokes return flow. When the location was less than the resonance length, the tidal currents and Stokes return flow were most reduced due to the loss of tidal prism, the dead-end channel, and the shift from mixed to standing tides. The discharge interval primarily affected the river-dominated estuaries, and the tidal cycle period was an important time scale. When the interval was greater than the tidal cycle period, notable seaward discharge pulses and freshwater fronts occurred. Dams located near the mouth with large discharge interval differed the most from their pre-dam condition based on the estuarine classification. Greater discharge intervals, associated with large discharge magnitudes, resulted in scour and seaward sediment flux in the river-dominated estuaries, and the dam located near the resonance length resulted in the greatest landward tidal pumping sediment flux and deposition in the tide-dominated estuaries.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.276-276
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• 2022

Estuarine dams are constructed for securing freshwater resources, flood control, and improving upstream navigability. However, their impact on estuarine currents, stratification, and sediment fluxes is not well understood. To develop a general understanding, an idealized modeling study was carried out. Tide and river forcing were varied to produce strongly stratified, partially mixed, periodically stratified, and well-mixed estuaries. Each model ran for one year. Next, the models were subject to the construction of an estuarine dam and run for another year. Then, the pre- and post-dam conditions were compared. Results showed that estuarine dams can amplify the tidal range and reduce the tidal currents. The post-dam estuaries tended to be a salt wedge during freshwater discharge and a bay during no freshwater discharge. For all estuaries, the estuarine turbidity maximum moved seaward, and the suspended sediment concentrations tended to decrease. In terms of sediment flux mechanisms, the estuarine dam increased the seaward river runoff for cases with strong river, and increased the landward tidal pumping for cases with strong tides.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2022

While estuarine dams can develop freshwater resources and block the salt intrusion, they can result in increased sediment deposition in the estuary. The mechanism of increased sediment deposition in an estuary with an estuary dam is not well understood. To fill this knowledge gap, 7 ADCP measurements of flow and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) were collected along-channel in an estuary with an estuarine dam over a neap-spring cycle. Flow and SSC were used to calculate the sediment flux and sediment flux gradients. The results indicated that the cumulative sediment fluxes at all stations were directed landward. The along-channel sediment flux gradient was negative, which indicated deposition along the channel. The landward mean-flow fluxes were dominant in the deep portion of the channel near the estuary mouth, whereas landward correlation fluxes were dominant in the shallow portion of the channel near the estuarine dam. The tides were the dominant forcing driving the sediment fluxes throughout the estuary.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Sediment pollutants have been considered an important source for the eutrophication of estuarine reservoir. In this study, the effects of pollutants released from bottom sediment to water column were investigated. Sediment samples were collected each two station from Namyang and Sukmoon estuarine reservoirs in August 2013. The fractionation result of sediment phosphorus indicated that Adsorbed-P ($36.7{\pm}8.84%$) and Nonapatite-P ($29.3{\pm}12.50%$) are the two dominant phosphorus groups in the sediments. For sediment release test, eight sets of acrylic chamber (0.3 m $diameter{\times}1m$ high, with 0.15 m sediment depth) were used with aerobic and anaerobic environment. Under anaerobic conditions, rates of $NH_4-N$ release from the sediments were highly variable, with final concentrations of $NH_4-N$ in the overlying water varying from between about 0.69~1.04 in Namyang and 2.58~4.23 mg/L in Sukmoon reservoir. The $NH_4-N$ release was active at the upstream around the confluence of tributary compared to downstream near the embankment. The $PO_4-P$ release was more obvious than $NH_4-N$ in anaerobic condition. The final $PO_4-P$ concentrations were approximately from two-fold to eight-fold higher than initial concentration. In terms of reservoir water quality management, not only tributary pollutants but also sediment nutrient loading is necessary to consider the water quality contribution.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.225-236
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• 2003

In order to understand the relationship of depositional environment between fluvial and estuarine-embayment in Han River system, including depositional change in main Han River, more than 250 bottom sediment and 70 suspended sediment were analyzed with hydrologic data. Based on the previous data, the study area can be divided into two environment(fluvial and estuarine-embayment) by Singok underwater dam. The gravelly facies occurs in the South and North Han Rivers and sandy and silty facies occupies in the main Han River. Depositional environment of main Han River changed mainly because of limited sediment transport and hydrological condition. In the estuarine-embayment environment, coarse-grained sediments are dominant in tidal channel and of shore whereas fine and poorly sorted sediments are observed in coastal area. During moderate period, relationship between fluvial-estuarine-embayment system is discontinuou s because of flow restriction by artificial construction such as dam and underwater dam, so that each river system characterizes the individual environment. Fluvial and estuarine system is influenced by tide and, thus, transition zone of estuarine- embayment system moves landward. During flooding period, however, each river system is integrated as continuous depositional system by high discharge and, thus, transition zone of fluvial-estuarine-embayment system moves seaward. For further detailed systems about the lower Singok under-water dam, joint research of South-North Korea should be necessary.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.521-535
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• 2011

This study intended to explain the relationship between climate change and magnetic susceptibility of estuarine sediment. Data of OSL dating and magnetic susceptibility from estuarine tidal sediment were compared with various climate change data. During the last Holocene, the intense of magnetic susceptibility related with weaker Siberian High and stronger Asian Summer Monsoon. It is explained that high precipitation and runoff made much fluvial sediment input to the estuary. From the early to mid Holocene, there is no clear relationship between climate change and MS because of the much coastal sediment input caused by rapid sea level rise and the formation of upland soil and coastal marsh. These results contribute to reconstruct paleo-environmental changes of west coast of Korea, in the way of using benefit of ubiquitous estuarine tidal flats and relatively useful magnetic susceptibility methodoloy.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1375-1383
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• 2014

Total organic carbon(TOC), Total nitrogen(TN), and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were measured in the sediment and suspended parties in fresh lake water and saline estuarine water to determine the sources of Particulate organic matter(POM) in the sediments of the Youngsan river estuary. POM in the freshwater discharge water was mostly phytoplankton origin with little trace of terrestrial plants. POM from phytoplankton blooms formed in estuarine water in response to the nutrient enriched freshwater discharges was the most important sources of POM in the sediment near the dike, comprising more than 40% of the total organic matter. POM from freshwater phytoplankton and oceanic phytoplankton were also important sources of the sediment POM, and their contributions varied with the distances from the dike. Contribution of freshwater phytoplankton to sediment POM decreased from the dike to the outside of the estuary.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2005

Estuarine sediments are frequently polluted with hydrocarbons from fuel spills and industrial wastes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are components of these contaminants that tend to accumulate in the sediment due to their low aqueous solubility, low volatility, and high affinity for particulate matter. The toxic, recalcitrant, mutagenic, and carcinogenic nature of these compounds may require aggressive treatment to remediate polluted sites effectively. In petroleum-contaminated sediments near a petrochemical industry in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, in situ PAH concentrations ranged from 10 to 2,900 ${\mu}g/kg$ dry sediment. To enhance the biodegradation rate of PAHs under anaerobic conditions, sediment samples were amended with biostimulating agents alone or in combination: nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of slow-release fertilizer (SRF), lactate, yeast extract (YE), and Tween 80. When added to the sediment individually, all tested agents enhanced the degradation of PAHs, including naphthalene, acenaphthene, anthracene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, and benzo [a] pyrene. Moreover, the combination of SRF, Tween 80, and lactate increased the PAH degradation rate 1.2-8.2 times above that of untreated sediment (0.01-10 ${\mu}g$ PAH/ kg dry sediment/day). Our results indicated that in situ contaminant PAHs in anoxic sediment, including high molecular weight PAHs, were degraded biologically and that the addition of stimulators increased the biodegradation potential of the intrinsic microbial populations. Our results will contribute to the development of new strategies for in situ treatment of PAH-contaminated anoxic sediments.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.09b
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• pp.1189-1192
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• 2005

Due to their slow degradation properties, hydrophobic organic contaminants in estuarine sediment have been a concern for risks to human health and aquatic organisms. Studies of fate and transport of these contaminants in estuaries are further complicated by the fact that hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes in these regions are complex, involving processes with various temporal and spatial scales. In order to simulate and quantify long-term attenuation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Elizabeth River, VA, we develop a modeling approach, which employs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's water quality model, WASP, and encompasses key physical and chemical processes that govern long-term fate and transport of PAHs in the river. In this box-model configuration, freshwater inflows mix with ocean saline water and tidally averaged dispersion coefficients are obtained by calibration using measured salinity data. Sediment core field data is used to estimate the net deposition/erosion rate, treating only either the gross resuspension or deposition rate as the calibration parameter. Once calibrated, the model simulates fate and transport PAHs following the loading input to the river in 1967, nearly 4 decades ago. Sediment PAH concentrations are simulated over 1967-2022 and model results for Year 2002 are compared with field data measured at various locations of the river during that year. Sediment concentrations for Year 2012 and 2022 are also projected for various remedial actions. Since all the model parameters are based on empirical field data, model predictions should reflect responses based on the assumptions that have been governing the fate and sediment transport for the past decades.