• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.70-77
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• 2003

From March 1998 to August 2000, the phenological and morphometric changes of Zostera marina L. were examined at the Duksan Port in the eastern coast of Korea. Morphometric characteristics, phenological stage, shoot density, biomass of Z. marina population and environmental parameters were also measured. Nutrient levels in water column varied over the season. Morphometric characteristics of vegetative shoot changed with season; shoot heights ranged from 54.2 cm (March) to 100.0 cm (October). Reproductive shoots appeared from mid-March to early September of which the height was ranged from 97.8 cm (March) to 213.0 cm (July). The flowering phase started at 12$^{\circ}C$ and the fruit development was resulted up to 21$^{\circ}C$. The seed maturing was developed at 22$^{\circ}C$-$25^{\circ}C$. Shoot density and biomass in permanent quadrate (0.25 m$^2$) were significantly different among seasons ranging from 38 to 136 shoots (mean 80.3$\pm$6.5) for shoot density, and 190 g dry wt m$^{-2}$ in October 1998 to 922 g dry wt m$^{-2}$ in June 1998 for biomass respectively. Relationships between shoot morphometrics and physico-chemical parameters were not significantly correlated. Seasonal changes in water temperature seemed responsible for the replacement of reproductive phases and the annual changes of shoot morphometrics in Z. marina populations.

• Atmosphere
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.227-241
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• 2016

This study investigated the cause of the heavy snowfall that occurred in the East Coast of Korea from 6 February to 14 February 2014. The synoptic conditions were analyzed using blocking index, equivalent potential temperature, potential vorticity, maritime temperature difference, temperature advection, and ground convergence. During the case period, a large blocking pattern developed over the Western Pacific causing the flow to be stagnant, and there was a North-South oriented High-to-Low pressure system over the Korean Peninsula because of this arrangement. The case period was divided into three parts based on the synoptic forcing that was responsible for the heavy snowfall; detailed analyses were conducted for the first and last period. In the first period, a heavy snowfall occurred over the entire Korean Peninsula due to strong updrafts from baroclinic instability and a low pressure caused by potential vorticity located at the mid-troposphere. In the lower atmosphere, a North-South oriented High-to-Low pressure system over the Eastern Korea intensified the easterly airflow and created a convergence zone near the ground which strengthened the upslope effect of the Taebaek Mountain range with a cumulative fresh snowfall amount of 41 cm in the East Coast region. In the last period, the cold air nestled in the Maritime Province of Siberia and Manchuria strengthened much more than that in the first half and extended to the East Sea. The temperature difference between the 850 hPa air and the SST was large and convective clouds developed over the sea. The highest cumulative fresh snow amount of 39.7 cm was recorded in the coastal area during this period. During the entire period, vertically oriented equivalent potential temperature showed neutral stability layer that helped the cloud formation and development in the East Coast. The 2014 heavy snowfall case over the East Coast provinces of Korea were due to: 1) stagnation of the system by blocking pattern, 2) the dynamic effect of mid-level potential vorticity of 1.6 PVU, 3) the easterly air flow from North-South oriented High-to-Low pressure system, 4) the existence of vertically oriented neutral stable layer, and 5) the expansion of strong cold air into the East Sea which created a large temperature difference between the air and the ocean.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1089-1101
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• 2009

In this paper, changes in the intensity (e.g., central pressure and maximum sustained wind speed) of Tropical Cyclone (TC) in summer in the regions located at $30^{\circ}N$ in East Asia from 1988 to 1991 were found. The intensity of TC from 1991 to 2007 was much higher than that of TC from 1965 to 1988. The reason for this was that the frequency of TCs passing China from 1991 to 2007 was much lower than that of TCs from 1965-1988 because a northeasterly wind caused by high-pressure circulation in East Asia got severer along the East Asian coast. Instead, TCs moved from the eastern region of the Tropical West Pacific to Korea and Japan mainly after passing the East China Sea due to the low-pressure circulation strengthened in the subtropical waters of East Asia. In addition, low Vertical Wind Shear (VWS) was created along the mid-latitude regions of East Asia and the main path of TCs from 1991 to 2007. Most of the regions in the Northwestern Pacific showed higher Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from 1991 to 2007, and had a good environment where TCs were able to maintain a higher intensity on the mid-latitude. In particular, a low sensible heat flux occurred due to high snow depth in East Asia in the spring of 1991 to 2007. Accordingly, the lower layer of East Asia showed high-pressure circulation, and the sea surrounding East Asia showed low-pressure circulation. Thus, the typical west-high, east-low pattern of winter atmospheric pressure was shown. The possibility of snowfall in East Asia in spring to be used as a factor for predicting the summer intensity of TC in the mid-latitude regions of East Asia was insinuated. The characteristics of TC in a low-latitude region were the same in Korea. The latest intensity of TCs got higher, and the landing location of TCs gradually changed from the west coast to the south coast.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.310-317
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• 2017

Background: Many studies about climate-related range shift of plants have focused on understanding the relationship between climatic factors and plant distributions. However, consideration of adaptation factors, such as dispersal and plant physiological processes, is necessary for a more accurate prediction. This study predicted the future distribution of marlberry (Ardisia japonica), a warm-adapted evergreen broadleaved shrub, under climate change in relation to the dispersal ability that is determined by elapsed time for the first seed production. Results: We introduced climate change data under four representative concentration pathway (RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) scenarios from five different global circulation models (GCMs) to simulate the future distributions (2041~2060) of marlberry. Using these 20 different climate data, ensemble forecasts were produced by averaging the future distributions of marlberry in order to minimize the model uncertainties. Then, a dispersal-limited function was applied to the ensemble forecast in order to exam the impact of dispersal capacity on future marlberry distributions. In the dispersal-limited function, elapsed time for the first seed production and possible dispersal distances define the dispersal capacity. The results showed that the current suitable habitats of marlberry expanded toward central coast and southern inland area from the current southern and mid-eastern coast area in Korea. However, given the dispersal-limited function, this experiment showed lower expansions to the central coast area and southern inland area. Conclusions: This study well explains the importance of dispersal capacity in the prediction of future marlberry distribution and can be used as basic information in understanding the climate change effects on the future distributions of Ardisia japonica.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.520-532
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• 2015

In order to understand the Holocene sea level changes in the eastern Yellow Sea, the west coast of Korea, and to compare the rates of sea level rise in each period of time, the geological proxy records for pre-instrumental era and measurement data for the present day were combined and analysed. The sea level in the Yellow Sea rose fast with a rate of about 10 mm/yr during the early Holocene, and decelerated down to 1 mm/yr since the mid to late Holocene. The rising rates of sea level in the 20th century were slightly higher than those in the late Holocene. The present-day rates of sea level rise, known as the 'rapid' rise, are in fact much lower or similar, compared to the early to mid Holocene sea levels in the study area. Recent tide-gauge data show that sea level rise in the eastern Yellow Sea has been accelerating toward the 21st century. These rising trends coincide well with global rising patterns in sea level. Additionally, the present-day rising trends of sea level in this study are correlated with increased rates of carbon dioxide concentrations and sea surface temperatures, further indicating a signal to global warming associated with the human effect. Thus, the sea level changes induced by current global warming observed in the eastern Yellow Sea and world's oceans can be considered as 'Anthropocene' sea level changes. The changes in sea level are based on instrumental measurements such as tide-gauges and satellite altimetry, meaning the instrumental era. The Holocene changes in sea level can thus be reconstructed from geological proxy records, whereas the Anthropocene sea-level changes can be solely based on instrumental measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.103-119
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• 1995

This Paper aims to compare the lower marine terraces distributed from Muckho to Gangneung in the mid-eastern coast of Korean peninsula by the geomorphic method of using characteristies of terrace features and terrace deposits, paleosol, and fossil cryogenic structures, and to estimate the age of the lower marine terraces on the basis of the comparisons of those with the characteristics of thalassostatic terrace in adjacent rivers. The 1ower marine terraces in this area can be classified into two levels, i.e., lower marine terrace I and II surfaces, in desending order, according to the difference of former shoreline altitude. The former shoreline heights of the lowerm marine terrace I and II surfaces are 18m and 10m, respectiveiy. The width of the I surface is broader and distributed more continuousiy than that of II surface. Daejin I surface in Muckho coast, and Myeongju and Anin terrace in Gangneung coast could be classified into the lower marine terrace I surface, and Daejin II surfaCe into II surface. The Surface of ancient shore platform of the lower marine terrace I and II surfaces were weathered, and the color of the terrace deposit ranges from red to reddish brown. And this terrace deposit is covered with slope deposit of Last Glacial or fossil periglacial structures (platy structure and vecicle) of Last Glacial are formed in terrace deposit. These facts indicate that the lower marine terrace I and II surfaces had been formed before the Last Glacial, and then affected by chemical weathering under warm environment, finally followed by cold period. But the deposit of the lower marine terrace I surface is more weathered than that of II surface. And pseudogleyed red soil, which is developed in I but not in II surface, could be judged to have been formed in the Last Interglacial culmination stage (Oxygen isotope stage 5e). Therefore, in terms of the degree of weathering of the terrace deposit and the existence of pseudogleyed red soil, the age of both terrace is thought to be a little different. And the characteristics of the above mentioned II surface are accord with those of thalassostatic terrace formed in middle or late period of the Last Interglacial (5e or 5a). Thus on the basis of above all points, the lower marine terrace I and II surfaces in this area could be seen to have formed in the Last Interglacial culmination stage and middle or late period of the Last Interglacial, respectively. Because the lower mamine terrace I surface is broadry distributed in the eastern coast of Korea nPeninsula, the surface could be used to be a key surface in studying Quaternary marine terraces.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 1971

The geotectonics and geomorphic structure of Korea resulted from the Song-rim Disturbance and the Daebo orogenic movements. Afterward this mountainous peninsula underwent several geological changes on a small scale, and it was also claimed that the steady rising of the elevated peneplain of the eastern coast and the submerging of the southwestern coastal area are largely due to the tilted block movement. These views have been generally accepted good in several ways, but they are limited in range or lacking in theoretical integration. The present writer investigated the geology of the Mt. Chi-ri-san and the Honam coal mining area for a geological map in 1965, respectively. The results of these studies convinced the present writer that the conventional views, which were based upon a theory of lateral pressure should be reconsidered in many respects, and more recent studies made it clear that the morphological development in the southwestern area can be better explained by the orogenic movement and rock control. The measurement of submerging speed of the western coastal area (Pak. Y. A., 1969) and a new account on the geology and tectonics of the Mid-central region of South Korea (Kim O.J., 1970) act as an encouragement to a new explanation. The present writer's researches on the extreme southwestern portion of the peninsula show that the steady submerging of this area cannot be attributed to a simple downthrown block phenomenon caused by block movement. It is no more than the result of the differential movement of uplifting in the eastern and western coastal areas and the rising of sea-level in the post-glacial period. This phenomenon could be easily explained by the comparison of the rate of rise in sea-level and amount of heat flow between Korea and other areas in the world. The existance of the erosional planes in the Sobaik-San ranges also provide an evidence of an upheaval in the western coast area. Though the Sobaik-San ranges largely follow the direction of the Sinian system. They consist of the numerous branches, whose trends run more or less differently from their main trend because of the disharmonic folding, are converged into Mt. Sobaik-San and Chupungryung. The undulation of the land is not wholely caused by orogenic movements, where as the present writer confirmed that the diversity of morphological development is the direct reflection of geological conditions such as rocks and processes which constitute the basic elements of geomorphic structure. An east-west directed mountain range which could be named as Hansan mountain range, was claimed to be oriented by the joint control. The geological conditions such as a special erosion and weathering of agglomerate and breccia tuff usually produce pot-hole like submarine features which cause the whirling phenomenon at the southwestern coast channel.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.684-688
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• 2011

The feeding habits of Paralichthys olivaceus in the Uljin marine ranching area, located on the mid-eastern coast of Korea, were studied from January to November 2009. In total, 381 specimens were collected; fish ranged in size from 15.4 to 59.0 cm in total length. P. olivaceus is a carnivore, mainly consuming other fishes and crustaceans. The prey items of P. olivaceus changed ontogenetically. Small individuals fed on decapod crustaceans while large ones fed heavily on other fishes. The diet of P. olivaceus varied seasonally. Fish comprised the main prey items throughout the year. The stomach contents index (SCI) of each size class increased and the dietary breadth index (DBI) of each size class decreased as individuals grew.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.505-520
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• 2011

This study is aimed to examine the change on extreme precipitation events in South Korea. The country is divided into six basins, and seven extreme precipitation indices-related to heavy rainfall are analyzed at sixty weather stations. The increasing trend in amount of heavy rainfall is more stable than that in days of heavy rainfall. The increasing trend is the most stable when days of rainfall are more than 50 mm, or rainfall is over the 95th percentile. The precipitation indices-related to heavy rainfall was mostly increasing during analysis period. Especially, basins of the Han river, the upper Nakdong river, and the Eastern coast show significantly increasing trends compared to the other basins. However, the increasing trends of the Geum river and the Seomjin river are not statistically significant. Heavy rainfall events had stably increased in the Han and the Nakdong rivers since the mid-1970s. However, the number of stably increasing regions has decreased since the mid-2000s. It means that the frequency and intensity of the recent heavy rainfall become more irregular.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2002

The detailed structure of a tidal front and its ebb-to flood variation in the main tidal channel of the Kyunggi Bay in the mid-west coast of Korea were investigated by analyzing CTD data and drifter trajectories collected in late July 1999. A typical tidal front was formed in water about 60 m deep at the mouth of the channel. Isotherms and isohalines in the upper layer above the seasonal pycnocline in the offshore stratified zone inclined upward to the sea surface to form a surface front, while those in the lower layer declined to the bottom front. The location of the front is consistent with $100 S^3/cm^2$ of the mixing index H/U defined by Simpson and Hunter (1974), where H is the water depth and U is the amplitude of tidal current. The potential energy anomaly in the frontal zone varied at an ebb-to flood tidal cycle, showing a minimum at slack water after ebb but a maximum at slack water after flood. This ebb-to flood variation in potential energy anomaly is not accounted for by the mixing index. We conclude that on- and offshore displacement of the water column by tidal advection is responsible for the ebb-to-flood variation in the frontal zone.