• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2024

An analysis of the coastal water temperature in the Tongyeong waters, the eastern sea of the South Sea of Korea, revealed that the water temperature rose sharply before the typhoon made landfall. The water temperature rise occurred throughout the entire water column. An analysis of the sea surface temperature data observed by NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellites, indicated that sea water with a temperature of 30℃ existed in the eastern waters of the eastern South Sea of Korea before the typhoon landed. The southeastern sea of Korea is an area where ocean currents prevail from west to east owing to the Tsushima Warm Current. However, an analysis of the satellite data showed that seawater at 30℃ moved from east to west, indicating that it was affected by the Ekman transport caused by the typhoon before landing. In addition, because the eastern waters of the South Sea are not as deep as those of the East Sea, the water temperature of the entire water layer may remain constant owing to vertical mixing caused by the wind. Because the rise in water temperature in each water layer occurred on the same day, the rise in the bottom water temperature can be considered as owing to vertical mixing. Indeed, the southeastern sea of Korea is a sea area where the water temperature can rise rapidly depending on the direction of approach of the typhoon and the location of high temperature formation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.635-649
• /
• 2007

Geochemical composition, stable isotopes $({\delta}^{18}O,\;{\delta}D,\;{\delta}^{34}S)$ and noble gases(He, Ne and Ar) of nine hot spring water and three groundwater for five hot springs(Jukam, Hwasun, Dokog, Jirisan, Beunsan) from the Honam area were analyzed to investigate the hydrogeochemical characteristics and the hydrogeochemical evolution of the hot spring waters, and to interpret the source of sulfur, helium and argon dissolved in the hot spring waters. The hot spring waters show low water temperature ranging from 23.0 to $30.5^{\circ}C$ and alkaline characteristics of pH 7.67 to 9.98. Electrical conductivity of hot spring waters is $153{\sim}746{\mu}S/cm$. Groundwaters in this area were characterized by the acidic to neutral pH range$(5.85{\sim}7.21)$, the wide electrical conductivity range $(44{\sim}165{\mu}S/cm)$. The geochemical compositions of hot spring and groundwaters can be divided into three water types: (1) $Na-HCO_3$ water type, (2) Na-Cl water type and (3) $Ca-HCO_3$ water type. The hot spring water of $Ca-HCO_3$ water type in early stage have been evolved through $Ca(Na)-HCO_3$ water type into $Na-HCO_3$ type in final stage. In particular, Jurim alkaline(pH 9.98) hot spring water plotted at the end point of $Na-HCO_3$ type in the Piper diagram is likely to arrive into the final stage in geochemical evolution process. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic data of the hot spring water samples indicate that the hot spring waters originated from the local meteoric water showing latitude and altitude effects. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ value for sulfate of the hot spring waters varies widely from 0.5 to $25.9%o$. The sulfur source of most hot spring waters in this area is igneous origin. However, The ${\delta}^{34}S$ also indicates the sulfur of JR1 hot water is originated from marine sulfur which might be derived ken ancient seawater sulfates. The $^3He/^4He\;and\;^4He/^{20}Ne$ ratios of the hot spring waters range from $0.0143{\times}10^{-6}\;to\;0.407{\times}10^{-6}\;and\;6.49{\sim}584{\times}10^{-6}$, respectively. The hot spring waters are plotted on the mixing line between air and crustal components. It means that the He gas in the hot spring waters was mainly originated from crustal sources. However, the JR1 hot spring water show a little mixing ratio of the helium gas of mantle source. The $^{40}Ar/^{36}Ar$ ratios of hot spring water are in the range from $292.3{\times}10^{-6}\;to\;304.1{\times}10^{-6}$, implying the atmospheric argon source.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.64-73
• /
• 2015

The distributions of Pb and Cd concentrations in the surface seawater of the East Sea were investigated during the R/V Lavrentyev cruise (July 2009) in which four transects from Russia shore to South were conducted to collect 26 surface water samples. The total dissolved concentrations of Pb and Cd were measured using ICP-MS (Perkin Elmer, DRC-e). In the coastal area, their concentrations of Russia shore (Pb, 0.08; Cd, 0.10 nM) were comparable for Cd but on the other hand, 6 times lower for Pb than Korea shore (Pb, 0.49; Cd, 0.11 nM). In the subregion, their concentrations of Warm region (Pb, 0.22; Cd, 0.01 nM) were about 1.7 times higher for Pb but 0.4 lower for Cd than Cold region (Pb, 0.13; Cd, 0.14 nM). The distributions of Pb and Cd concentrations were divided by lowest level at $10^{\circ}C$ of water temperature. Below $10^{\circ}C$, Pb and Cd concentrations increased when surface water temperatures decreased. Above $10^{\circ}C$, their concentrations increased with temperature, which showed highest concentrations in the Ulleung basin, directly influenced by flux from East Korean Warm Current and neighboring countrys (Korea and Japan). Specially, in the case of Pb, the concentrations decrease remarkablely with temperatures decrease from D10 directly influenced by flux from East Korean Warm Current, which shows highest Pb level. By comparing with other sea areas (Western Mediterranean, East Pacific), Pb concentrations in the East Sea were a little higher. The influence of East Korean Warm Current and neighboring countrys (Korea and Japan) may be relatively important. Therefore, the distribution of Cd may primarily be influenced by mixing of different water masses while the distribution of Pb may mainly be influenced by flux from East Korean Warm Current and atmospheric inputs. River inputs and interaction with particulate materials may also some roles for the distribution of these elements.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.425-440
• /
• 2000

The physico-chemical characteristics and the concentrations of chlorophylls of coastal seawater were investigated to know the seasonal variations of biological oceanographic environments in the Islands of Ullungdo(U) and Dokdo(D). The samplings of sea water according to different depths were performed four seasons (May, June, August and November) in five stations along the coast of Ullungdo Island and 3 times (June, August and November) in three stations around the coast of Dokdo Island. The seasonal variations of sea water temperature showed that the formation of thermocline in August was distinct in comparison to the other seasons. The sea water in the surface was influenced by low temperature-high salinity in May and with high temperature-low salinity in the investigated area. The amount of seston was high in May (5.3-15.0mg/l) and was low in August (1.4-4.9mg/l) in ullungdo island. for the nutrients or sea water in Ullungdo Island, the concentrations of nitrate and ammonium were higher than Dokdo Island (nitrate-max. of U in August : 0.10-11.50$\mu\textrm{g}$/1, max. of D in August : 2.92-8.10$\mu\textrm{g}$/l : ammonium-max. of U in November : 14.18-20.69$\mu\textrm{g}$/l, max. of D in June : 0-1.78 $\mu\textrm{g}$/l). The high concen-tration of chlorophylls showed on the deeper layer from 30 m to 50 m in August (U 30 m : 0.85$\mu\textrm{g}$/l ; D 50m : 1.02 $\mu\textrm{g}$/l), while the concentrations of chlorophylls were even in May, June and November in the deeper layer of surface layer. In conclusion, the establishment of thermocline in deeper area of the euphotic layer in August was a trigger far the development of phytoplankton, while the complex physico-chemical system by diverse currents and vertical mixing of sea water in the area induced the even distribution of phytoplankton in both epilimnion and hypolimnion in May, June and November.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 1999

As part of an on-going project investigating flux of materials in the Keum River Estuary, we have monitored seasonal variations of nutrients, suspended particulate matter (SPM), chlorophyll, and salinity since 1997. Meteorological data and freshwater discharge from the Keum River Dike were also used, Our goal was to answers for (1) what is the main factor for the seasonal fluctuation of nutrients in the Keum River Estuary? and (2) are there any differences in nutrient distributions before and after the Keum River Dike construction? Nitrate concentrations in the Keum River water were kept constant through the year. Whereas other nutrients varied with evident seasonality: high phosphate and ammonium concentrations during the dry season and enhanced silicate contents during the rainy season. SPM was found similar trend with silicate. During the rainy season, the freshwater discharged from the Keum River Dike seemed to dilute the phosphate and ammonium, but to elevate SPM concentration in the Keum Estuary. In addition, the corresponding variations of SPM contents in the estuarine water affected the seasonal fluctuations of nutrients in the Estuary. The most important source of the nutrients in the estuarine water is the fluvial water. Therefore, the distribution patterns of nutrients in the Estuary are conservative against salinity. Nitrate, nitrite and silicate are conservative through the year. The distribution of phosphate and ammonium on the other hand, display two distinct seasonal patterns: conservative behavior during the dry season and some additive processes during the rainy days. Mass destruction of freshwater phytoplankton in the riverine water is believed to be a major additive source of phosphate in the upper Estuary. Desorption processes of phosphate and ammonium from SPM and organic matter probably contribute extra source of addition. Benthic flux of phosphate and ammonium from the sediment into overlying estuarine water can not be excluded as another source. After the Keum River Dike construction, the concentrations of SPM decreased markedly and their role in controlling of nutrient concentrations in the Estuary has probably diminished. We found low salinity (5~15 psu) within 1 km away from the Dike during the dry season. Therefore we conclude that the only limited area of inner estuary function as a real estuary and the rest part rather be like a bay during the dry season. However, during the rainy season, the entire estuary as the mixing place of freshwater and seawater. Compared to the environmental conditions of the Estuary before the Dike construction, tidal current velocity and turbidity are decreased, but nutrient concentrations and chance of massive algal bloom such as red tide outbreak markedly increased.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.353-365
• /
• 1998

Light absorption coefficient per unit mass of particles, i.e., specific absorption coefficient, is important as one of the main parameters in developing algorithms for ocean color remote sensing. Specific absorption coefficient of chlorophyll ($a^*_{ph}$) and suspended sediment ($a^*_{ss}$) were analyzed with a spectrophotometer using the "wet filter technique" and "Kishino method" for the seawater collected in the Yellow and Mediterranean Sea. An improved data-recovery method for the filter technique was also developed using spectrum slopes. This method recovered the baselines of spectrum that were often altered in the original methods. High $a^*_{ph}({lambda})$ values in the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea and low values in the Yellow Sea were observed, ranging 0.01 to 0.12 $m^2$/mg at the chlorophyll maximum absorption wavelength of 440 nm. The empirical relationship between $a^*_{ph}$(440nm) and chlorophyll concentrations () was found to fit a power function ($a^*_{ph}$=0.039 $^{-0.369}$), which was similar to Bricaud et al. (1995). Absorption specific coefficients for suspended sediment ($a^*_{ss}$) did not show any relationship with concentrations of suspended sediment. However, an average value of $a^*_{ss}$ ranging 0.005 - 0.08 $m^2$/g at 440nm, was comparable to the specific absorption coefficient of soil (loess) measured by Ahn (1990). The morepronounced variability of $a^*_{ss}$ than $a^*_{ph}$ was determined from the variable mixing ratio values between particulate organic matter and mineral. It can also be explained by a wide size-distribution range for SS which were determined by their specific gravity, bottom state, depth and agitation of water mass by wind in the sea surface.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.91-109
• /
• 2022

The ocean is a significant sink for atmospheric anthropogenic CO₂, absorbing one-third of the total CO₂ emitted by human activities. In return, oceans have experienced significant declines in seawater pH and the aragonite saturation state also called ocean acidification. This study evaluates the distribution of aragonite saturation state, an indicator to assess the potential threat from ocean acidification, by combining newly obtained data from the west coast of South Korea with previous datasets covering the Yellow Sea, East Sea, northern South China Sea, and southeast coast of South Korea. In general, offshore waters absorb atmospheric CO₂; however, most of the collected water samples show aragonite oversaturation. On the southeast coast, the aragonite saturation state was significantly affected by river discharge and associated variables, such as freshwater input with nutrients, seasonal stratification, biological carbon fixation, and bacterial remineralization. In summer, hypoxia and mixing with relatively acidic freshwater made the Jinhae and Gwangyang Bays undersaturated with respect to aragonite, possibly threatening marine organisms with CaCO₃ shells. However, widespread aragonite undersaturation was not observed on the west coast, which receives considerable river water discharge. In addition, occasional upwelling events may have worsened the ocean acidification in the southwestern part of the East Sea. These results highlight the importance of investigating site-specific ocean acidification processes in coastal waters. Along with the above-mentioned seasonal factors, the dissolution of atmospheric CO₂ and the deposition of atmospheric acidic substances will continue to reduce the aragonite saturation state in Korean waters. To protect marine ecosystems and resources, an ocean acidification monitoring program should be established for Korean waters.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.99-110
• /
• 2022

We investigated physicochemical properties and isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ¹³C_TOC and δ ¹⁵N_TN) in the old fish farming (OFF) site after the cessation of aquaculture farming. Based on this approach, our objective is to determine the organic matter origin and their relative contributions preserved at sediments of fish farming. Temporal and spatial distribution of particulate and sinking organic matter(OFF sites: 2.0 to 3.3 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 18.8 to 246.6 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate, control sites: 2.0 to 3.5 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 25.5 to 129.4 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate) between both sites showed significant difference along seasonal precipitations. In contrast to variations of δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N_TN values at water columns, these isotopic compositions (OFF sites: -21.5‰ to -20.4‰ for δ¹³ C_TOC, 6.0‰ to 7.6‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN, control sites: -21.6‰ to -21.0‰ for δ¹³C_TOC, 6.6‰ to 8.0‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN) investigated at sediments have distinctive isotopic patterns(p<0.05) for seawater-derived nitrogen sources, indicating the increased input of aquaculture-derived sources (e.g., fish fecal). With respect to past fish farming activities, representative sources(e.g., fish fecal and algae) between both sites showed significant difference (p<0.05), confirming predominant contribution (55.9±4.6%) of fish fecal within OFF sites. Thus, our results may determine specific controlling factor for sustainable use of fish farming sites by estimating the discriminative contributions of organic matter between both sites.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.84-98
• /
• 2022

Estuary is important in terms of biodiversity because it has the characteristics of transition waters, created by the mixing of fresh- and seawater. The estuarine water circulation provides a variety of habitats with different environments by inducing gradients in the chemical and physical environment, such as water quality and river bed structure, which are ultimately the main factors influencing biological community composition. If the water circulation is interrupted, the loss of brackish areas and the interception of migration of biological communities will lead to changes in the spatial distribution of biodiversity. In this study, among the sites covered by the Estuary Aquatic Ecosystem Health Assessment, we selected study sites where changes in biodiversity can be assessed by spatial gradient from the upper reaches of the river to the lower estuarine area. The α-, γ- and β-diversity of diatom, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish communities were calculated, and they were divided into open and closed estuary data and compared to determine the trends in biodiversity variation due to estuarine circulation. As results, all communities showed higher γ-diversity at open estuary sites. The benthic macroinvertebrate community showed a clear difference between open and closed estuaries in β-diversity, consequently the estuarine transects were considered as a factor that decreases spatial heterogeneity of their diversity among sites. The biodiversity trends analyzed in this study will be used to identify estuaries with low γ- and β-diversity by community, providing a useful resource for further mornitoring and management to maintain estuarine health.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.729-744
• /
• 2023

The value of lithium has significantly increased due to the rising demand for electric cars and batteries. Lithium is primarily found in pegmatites, hydrothermally altered tuffaceous clays, and continental brines. Globally, groundwater-fed salt lakes and oil field brines are attracting attention as major sources of lithium in continental brines, accounting for about 70% of global lithium production. Recently, deep groundwater, especially geothermal water, is also studied for a potential source of lithium. Lithium concentrations in deep groundwater can increase through substantial water-rock reaction and mixing with brines. For the exploration of lithim in deep groundwater, it is important to understand its origin and behavior. Therefore, based on a nationwide preliminary study on the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution of thermal groundwater in South Korea, this study aims to investigate the distribution of lithium in the deep groundwater environment and understand the geochemical factors that affect its concentration. A total of 555 thermal groundwater samples were classified into five hydrochemical types showing distinct hydrogeochemical evolution. To investigate the enrichment mechanism, samples (n = 56) with lithium concentrations exceeding the 90th percentile (0.94 mg/L) were studied in detail. Lithium concentrations varied depending upon the type, with Na(Ca)-Cl type being the highest, followed by Ca(Na)-SO₄ type and low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type. In the Ca(Na)-Cl type, lithium enrichment is due to reverse cation exchange due to seawater intrusion. The enrichment of dissolved lithium in the Ca(Na)-SO₄ type groundwater occurring in Cretaceous volcanic sedimentary basins is related to the occurrence of hydrothermally altered clay minerals and volcanic activities, while enriched lithium in the low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type groundwater is due to enhanced weathering of basement rocks by ascending deep CO₂. This reconnaissance geochemical study provides valuable insights into hydrogeochemical evolution and economic lithium exploration in deep geologic environments.