• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.989-1000
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• 2018

The provenance of the Central Yellow Sea Mud (CYSM) in the Yellow Sea has been attracted a great deal of attention over the last three decades, but a consensus is not yet reached. In this study, 101 surface sediment samples collected from the CYSM were investigated to determine provenance and transport mechanisms in the area using the clay minerals and major element components. The Huanghe sediments are characterized by higher smectite, but the Changjiang sediments are more abundant illite contents. Western Korean rivers contain more kaolinite and chlorite than do Chinese rivers. The Chinese rivers have higher $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, and CaO than the Korean rivers at the same $Al_2O_3$ concentration. Therefore, the clay minerals and major element concentrations can be useful indicator for the source. Based on our results, we suggest that the surface sediments in CYSM were composed mainly of Changjiang sediments, mixed a partly with sediments from the Huanghe and the western Korean rivers. Although the northwestern part of CYSM is proximate to the Huanghe, the contents of smectite and CaO were extremely low. It could be evidence that the Huanghe materials do not enter directly into the CYSM due to the Shandong Peninsula Front. Considering the oceanic circulation in the Yellow Sea, the Changjiang sediments could be transported eastward with the Changjiang Diluted Water and then mixed in CYSM via the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC). Huanghe sediments could be provided by coastal currents (Shandong Coastal Current and Yellow Sea Coastal Current) and the YSWC. In addition, sediments from western Korean rivers might be supplied into the CYSM deposit via the Korean Coastal Current, Transversal Current, and YSWC.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers Conference
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• 1992.08a
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• pp.158-165
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• 1992

Bottom sediments, in various types of sediment transport models, have been usually assumed to be horizontally and/or vertically homogeneous. The assumption may be appropriate in well-sorted sedimentary environments including sand beaches and high turbid regions of fine grained cohesive sediments. (omitted)

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.195-204
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• 2000

order to investigate physical characteristics and element concentrations of sediments, coastal bottom sediments were collected at 20 stations in the vicinity of Youngkwang Nuclear Power Plant. After air drying of samples in the laboratory. article size distribution was examined by Master sizer (X-350F), radio-activity by HPGe ${\gamma}$-spectrphotometer, and element concentrations by ICP-AES and AAS. According to particle size analysis , sediments are mainly composed of silt fraction weith 23% of sand, 65% of silt and 12% of clay on average. Most sediments are derived from muddy environment that silt dominates with the characteristics of 5.3${\varsigma}$ mean particle size, poorly sorted, very fine skewed and lepto-kurtic. Only two sediments are well sorted with sandy silt owing to wind, winnowing action, tide and current andits complex reactions. Element concentrations in the coastal bottom sediments are relatively high at finer sediment and show significant relationship with grain size. Index of geoaccumulation by heavy metals at every sampling station is classified as practically unpolluted. The radioactivities of the sediments were measured for 15 isotope elements, and 2 elements of K-40 and Cs-137 were detected in most sediments. The K-40 is the natural nuclide and the artificial nuclide of Cs-137 was thought to be derived from the fallout of past nuclear weapon test. The results of correlation coefficient between grain size and radioactivity shows that the activity of Cs-137 significantly increases in finer grain.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.302-307
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• 2002

The characteristics of trace metals were investigated in the sediments of the Mokpo coastal area, southwestern coast of Korea. Surface sediments were collected in September 3, 2002 after a strong rain event. The sampling sites were categorized into the inner and outer harbour based on salinity distribution and difference of trace metal concentration was evidence between these two zones. The enrichment factor (E' F) of Zn and Cr were high at the mouth of Mokpo Harbour and $E \cdot F$ of Cu was high at the east-south of Dali Island. One hundred percent of Mn and Pb samples and $40\%$ of Zn samples had E' F higher than 1 suggesting that they are accumulated in the entire outer of Mokpo Harbour. Trace metals appeared to be accumulated in the inner harbour by input of sediments in the discharged freshwater from Young-San River during strong rainfall whereas they were influenced by natural sedimentation and human activities in part.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.244-253
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• 2010

The quality of marine sediments from the industrialized coastal areas of Korea (Ulsan Bay, Masan Bay, and artificial Lake Shihwa) was investigated using a bacterial bioluminescence toxicity test. Sediment toxicity results were compared with the levels of chemical contamination (trace metals, organic wastewater markers, acid volatile sulfides, total organic carbon). Effective concentration 50% (EC50) of sediments ranged from 0.014 to 1.126 mg/mL, which is comparable to or lower than values in contaminated lakes, rivers, and marine sediments of other countries. Sediment reference index (SRI) ranged from 13 to 1044, based on the EC50 of the negative control sample. Mean average SRI values in Masan Bay and Lake Shihwa were approximately 8 and 9 times as high as that in Ulsan Bay, indicating higher sediment toxicity and greater contamination in the two former regions. Sediment toxicity were strongly associated with the concentrations of some chemicals, suggesting that this test may be useful for determining potential chemical contamination in sediments.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.215-218
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• 2004

Marine sediments and bivalves were sampled at 20 stations from coastal regions of Korea, to investigate the levels and patterns of some chlorobenzene isomers. Total chlorobenzenes were in the range of 0.32-3.55 ng/g dry weight in marine sediments and 0.26-0.84 ng/g wet weight in bivalves. Hexachlorobenzene levels in marine sediments and bivalves were lower thar or comparable to those levels of reported in other countries. Isomeric patterns of some chlorobenzenes in marine sediments and bivalves were slightly different. However, the pre-dominant isomer in marine sediments and bivalves was 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. Hexachlorobenzene contribution to total concentrations was higher in sediments than in bivalves.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate geochemical characteristics of surface sediments in the Keum river estuary adjacent to coastal area. For this study we collected the 21 surface sediments samples. Mean size of surface samples was $3.24{\sim}6.65{\phi}$ on inner estuary and was $2.15{\sim}3.42{\phi}$ on outside estuary. Surface samples were composed of silt on inner estuary and were composed of sand which was more larger than $4{\phi}$ on outside estuary. Most major elements except CaO, $Na_2O$ showed good relationships between variation of contents and grain size. Contents of $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, $K_2O$, $TiO_2$, $P_2O_5$ and $M_nO$ were increased predominately owing to the variation of mean size of surface samples. Contents of Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Sr, Zn, La, Ce, Pb, Rb, Nd have a good relationships with grain size but Ba, Th, Sm have not. All of major and minor elements contents except $K_2O$ and Ba were less than world mean contents of shallow surface sediments but apprehend a high pollution possibility on silt sediments in the estuaries.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.64-78
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• 2019

The background concentrations of heavy metals in Korean coastal sediments were estimated using heavy metal data for 495 sediments obtained from 'National Marine Ecosystem Survey (Coastal ecosystem) in 2016-2017' and the extent of contamination was assessed. Al, Cs, and Li are chosen as appropriate indicators for sediment grain size. In the relationships between heavy metal and indicators concentrations, the lowest slope data were selected through the outlier removal and residual analysis, and the background concentrations were presented as a linear regression line between metal and indicator. Comparing the previous studies for the background concentrations of heavy metals in Korean coastal sediments, concentration levels were generally consistent but those for As and Cd were presented for the first time, and the background concentration using Li as the indicator was presented for the first time.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.375-391
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• 2015

Trees to arrest sand-shifting have been planted on most of coastal dunes in Korea and considered as conservative objects. However, we reconsider that the simplicity of these trees have hindered ecological roles of coastal dunes; geochemical cycle and habitats of endemic species in coastal ecosystem. We examined geochemical properties of sediments on Byunsuran dune field where is planted with pine trees. There are significant difference in properties between embryo dune sediments and foredune sediments, but there are not between foredune and secondary dune. There are no significant difference between pine forest sediments and mixed forest sediments. It is also not showed the difference between dune ridge sediments and swale sediments. Despite spatial diversity from appearance, geochemical properties are not linked with geomorphic and vegetational conditions because of dense planted trees on foredune. To recover natural properties of coastal dunes, we need to change the conservation scheme to increase geomorphic and ecological diversity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22
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• pp.63-70
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• 2004

Tributyltin (TBT) and its degradation products, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) were quantitatively determined in surface sediments and two molluscan species, Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and rock shell (Thais ctavigera), from Gwangyang Bay, Korea. Butyltin compounds were detectable in almost all sediment and biota samples. Tributyltin concentrations in surface sediment ranged<2∼33 ng g$\^$-1/, which is at a lower end of TBT concentrations in industrialized bays in Korea. However, TBT levels in sediments were related to boating activities around the bay. In biota samples, TBT concentrations were in the range of 178∼2,458 ng g$\^$-1/ toy oyster and 47∼236 ng g$\^$-1/ for rock shell. Relatively high TBT concentrations in biota were found near wharves for fisherboats and harbor areas. About 90∼100％ of the female T. clavigera displayed imposex, and relative penis length index of the imposexed-female was in the range of 20.9∼107.9％. Furthermore, TBT body residue had a significant positive relationship with degree of imposex in T. clavigera. Overall, TBT concentrations in Gwanyang Bay were much lower than other major bays in Korea.