• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.369-377
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• 2009

Performance of the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) operational storm surge prediction system for the Korean coast is presented here. Results for storm surge hindcasts and forecasts calculations were analyzed. The KORDI storm surge system consists of two important components. The first component is atmospheric models, based on US Army Corps of Engineers (CE) wind model and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the second components is the KORDI-storm surge model (KORDI-S). The atmospheric inputs are calculated by the CE wind model for typhoon period and by the WRF model for non-typhoon period. The KORDI-S calculates the storm surges using the atmospheric inputs and has 3-step nesting grids with the smallest horizontal resolution of ${\sim}$300 m. The system runs twice daily for a 72-hour storm surge prediction. It successfully reproduced storm surge signals around the Korean Peninsula for a selection of four major typhoons, which recorded the maximum storm surge heights ranging from 104 to 212 cm. The operational capability of this system was tested for forecasts of Typhoon Nari in 2007 and a low-pressure event on August 27, 2009. This system responded correctly to the given typhoon information for Typhoon Nari. In particular, for the low-pressure event the system warned of storm surge occurrence approximately 68 hours ahead.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.431-444
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• 2012

We simulated and compared present and future ocean circulation in the East China Sea using an East Asia Regional Ocean model. Mean climate states for 1990~1999 and 2030~2039 were used as surface conditions for simulations of present and future ocean circulation, which were derived from the simulations of three different global climate models, ECHAM5-MPI, GFDL-CM2.0 and MIROC3.2_hires, for the 20th century and those of 21st century as projected by the IPCC SRES A1B. East Asia Regional Ocean model simulated the detailed patterns of temperature, salinity and current fields under present and future climate conditions and their changes instead of the simple structures of global climate models. To some extent, there are consistent ocean circulation changes derived from the three pairs corresponding to the global climate model in so much as the temperature increases not only in winter but summer at both the surface and bottom and that temperature and salinity changes are prominent near the Chinese coast and in the Changjiang bank. However, the simulated circulations are different among each other depending on the prescribed atmospheric conditions not only under present climate but also with regard to future climate conditions. There is not a coincident tendency in ocean circulation changes between present and future simulations derived from the three pairs. This suggests that more simulations with different pairs are needed.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2015

Snow albedo can be decreased if there are any impurities on the snow surface other than the snow itself. Due to the decrease of snow albedo, melting rates of surface snow can increase, which is very crucial in climate change and hydrogeology in many parts of the world. Anthropogenic black carbons caused by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuel affect snow and tephra particles generated by geologic volcanic activities reduce snow albedo. In this study, we investigated isotopic compositions for snow covered by tephra particles and compared with this with clean snow. Isotopic compositions of snow with tephra statistically show more enriched than those of clean snow (p<0.02). This can be explained by the fact that snow becomes enriched in $^{18}O$ or D relative to meltwater as melting rates are increased. In addition, the slopes of the linear regression between oxygen and hydrogen for snow with tephra and clean snow are 6.7 and 8, respectively, and the latter is similar to that of the global meteoric water line of 8. Therefore, we can conclude that snow impurities control the isotopic compositions of snow, which is very crucial in the study of climate change and hydrogeology. To quantitatively explain these observations, melting experiments and numerical approaches are required.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.259-270
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide information to understand the context of the Antarctic Treaty System by looking back on its development process. It also aims to review the roles and activities of the CEP in the System in order to support the improvement of our Antarctic science policy. This study considered the developmental histories of independent conventions for Antarctic conservation and Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty under the system. CEP, established in accordance with the Protocol, has expanded its roles in the ATCM under the circumstances of climate change and increasing human activities in the treaty area. I examined CEP's functions, relationships with formal observers, and its activities along with CCRWP. In addition, I have estimated the contribution of the Parties to the CEP based on the documents submitted by the Parties. The leading Parties of the System have strengthened their initiatives to expand contributions to CEP with their output based on national Antarctic Program. However, Korea has not been able to take initiatives in the System even though Korea has invested considerable resources in its Antarctic program. To strengthen Korea's capability to instigate initiatives in the system, I suggest the following approaches: Firstly, Korea should improve its Antarctic science policy based on the newly established CEP five-year work plan; Secondly, Korea should organize a long-standing expert group to focus on Antarctic environmental policy and related scientific information; finally, Korea should intensify its collaboration with other Parties in developing Antarctic environmental priority issues.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.spc3
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• pp.325-336
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• 2011

Seasonal to inter-annual variations of water properties in the western channel of the Korea Strait are investigated using quasi-monthly hydrographic observations collected during 2006-2010. Weak vertical temperature and salinity gradients are observed during the winter months and these remain until May. At the upper layer, temperature increases from March and reaches a maximum in August, while salinity decreases during the same period. Near-bottom water shows low temperatures during late winter and fall with a minimum peak in September. Korea Strait Bottom Cold Water produces thick layers (>20 m) in 2006 and 2010, while it is observed very near the bottom with relatively high temperature in 2008 and 2009.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.219-229
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• 2009

In order to establish annual variations in the marine ecosystem of the East China Sea, suspended solids (SSs) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were extensively investigated in the northern part of the East China Sea from August 2003 to April 2008. Surface SS concentrations showed large spatial variations in spring and fall, but not in summer. Surface SS concentrations in spring were lower than those in summer and fall. In summer, SSs discharged from Changjiang were mostly deposited in the coastal areas and did not reach our study area which was located about 260 km from the river mouth. High SS concentrations were observed near the bottom, which resulted from resuspension of bottom sediments by the bottom currents. Surface POC concentrations did not exhibited large seasonal variations. Phytoplankton biomass was a main factor controlling surface POC concentrations. POC/chlorophyll ratios showed large seasonal variations, with maximum numbers in summer. POC/PON ratios were higher in summer than the Redefied ratio (6.6), while they were lower in spring and fall. In summer, higher POC/chlorophyll and POC/PON ratios were probably attributed to the high phytoplankton mortality caused by nutrient depletion in surface waters.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.415-422
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• 2009

The wave observation system in Korea has been established with an emphasis on pointmeasurement based on in situ instrumentations. However, the system cannot fully investigate the coastal wave-related problems that are significantly localized and intensified with three-dimensional regional geometries. Observation technique that can cover local processes with large time and spatial variation needs to be established. Video imaging techniques that can provide continuous monitoring of coastal waves and related phenomena with high spatial and temporal resolutions at minimum cost of instrumentation risks are reviewed together with present status of implementation in Korea. Practical applications of the video imaging techniques are suggested to tackle with various coastal issues of public concern in Korea including, real-time monitoring of wave runup and overtopping of swells on the east coast of Korea, longshore and rip currents, morphological and bathymetric changes, storm surge and tsunami inundation, and abnormal extreme waves in the west coast of Korea, etc.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.69-82
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• 2022

The Ross Sea, Antarctica plays an important role in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) which is the densest water mass in global thermohaline circulation. Of the AABW, 25% is formed in the Ross Sea, and sea ice formation at the polynya (ice-free area) developed in front of ice shelves of the Ross Sea is considered as a pivotal mechanism for AABW production. For this reason, monitoring the Ross Sea variations is very important to understand changes of global thermohaline circulation influenced by climate change. In addition, the Ross Sea is also regarded as a natural laboratory in investigating ice-ocean interactions owing to the development of the polynya. In this article, I introduce characteristics of the Ross Sea described in previous observational studies, and investigate variations that have occurred in the Ross Sea in the past and those taking place in the present. Furthermore, based on these observational results, I outline variations or changes that can be anticipated in the Ross Sea in the future, and make an appeal to researchers regarding the importance and necessity of continuous observations in the Ross Sea.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2002

For ten firn cores, from both the eastern and the western side of Lambert Glacier basin (LGB), snow accumulation rate and isotopic temperature were measured far the recent 50 years. Results show that snow accumulation for five cores over the eastern side of LGB (GC30, GD03, GD15, DT001, and DT085) at Wilks Land and Princess Elizabeth Land increases, whereas it decreases at the western side (Core E, DML05, W200, LGB 16, and MGA) at Dronning Maud Land, Mizuho Plateau and Kamp Land. For the past decades, the increasing rate was $0.34-2.36kg\;m^{-2}a^{-1}$ at the eastern side and the decreasing rate was $-0.01\;-\;-2.36kg\;m^{-2}\;a^{-1}$ at the western side. Temperatures at the eastern LGB were also increased with the rate of $0.02%o\;a^{-l}$. At the western LGB it was difficult to see clear trends, which were confirmed by Instrumental temperature records at coastal stations. Although statistic analysis and modeling results display that both surface temperature and accumulation rate has increased trends in Antarctic ice sheet during 1950-2000, the regional distributions were much more different for different geographic areas. We believe that ice-core records at Wilks Land and Princess Elizabeth Land reflect the real variations of SST and moisture change in the southern India Ocean. For the Kamp Land and Dronning Maud Land, however circulation pattern was different, by which the climate was more complicated. The International Trans-Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ITASE) aimed to reveal an overall spatial pattern of climate change over Antarctic ice sheet for the past 200 years. This study points the importance of continental to regional circulation to annual-decadal scale climate change in Antarctica.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.361-368
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• 2009

An operational oceanographic system needs to be established for the preservation and management of marine environments and resources, and also to secure the safety and efficiency of marine operations in Korea. One of the major roles of operational oceanography is to deliver ocean science products which can meet the requirements of users such as marine industries, the general public, government agencies, and scientific research communities. Technical issues in relation to development of an effective operational oceanographic system in Korea are identified and discussed. Among others, cooperation among the agencies in ocean, meteorology, hydrology and environment, and also among those of neighboring countries is important for the development of an effective operational oceanographic system. The strategy for building a system that meets the demands of users, with consideration to potential problems, are explored.