• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.120-127
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• 1997

Depositional environment off the Shihwa Dam has been studied to investigate the change of sedimentation process and the pollution. In order to understand how the sediments are distributed, polluted and modified, depositional factors have been analyzed and compared with the previous data. Study area, located off the Shihwa Dam, was surveyed to collect 25 bottom samples and 2 cores in 1996 and echo-sounding in 1997. These sediments were analyzed for the study of the global characteristics of sediment such as grain size and organic matter. Among these samples, the selected twenty surface sediments were analyzed for the comparison with their contents of metallic elements (Al, Mn, Fe, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As). According to field and lab analysis of sediments, three sedimentological zones have been generally identified around study area; near the dam (sandy Silt), near the dike (Sand) and offshore (silty Sand) zones. Textural parameters show that the content of silt and clay is dominant near the dam excepting the dike zone of LNG Storage Base and offshore (Palmido). The total concentration of Mn, Ni, Fe, Zn and Cd in bulk sediments was increased after the construction of the dam, while the content of Mn and Cr were higher near tidal channel than in the offshore area. Meanwhile, the annual increasing pattern of some heavy metal has appeared in this area. Based on this primary study, modification of the depositional environment may be caused by the construction of the dam and LNG Storage Base. Additionally, environmental evaluation on organic/inorganic factors has been suggested for interpreting environmental changes caused by coastal development in the nearshore such as the Shihwa coastal area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2004

Sedimentation and depositional pattern of the fine-grained sediments in the southeastern inner shelf of Korea were studied using a very high-resolution seismic profiles and sediment data. The recent mud deposits up to 45 m thick are distributed in the inner shelf forming a nearshore belt from the eastern part of Geoje Island to off the Pohang along the coast. The sediment in this area consists of homogeneous mud with mean grain size between $8.6\;to\;5.3\phi$ and does not show any distinct variability It gradually becomes finer and well sorted northeastward along the coast. Sediments normally appear as structureless massive mud but X-radiographs show that some bioturbation and faint lamination are present. The sediments accumulate at a rate of 0.18-0.44 cm/yr and the rate coincides well with the long-term (a 1000-year scale) accumulation based on very high-resolution seismic data. Distribution of wet bulk density and velocity shows a gradual increase from the southeastern part of Ulsan to off Pohang, whereas porosity shows a reverse pattern. Correlations between velocity and porosity/mean grain size are different from other regions compared, due to the difference of sediment texture and sedimentary environment. The recent shelf deposits are seismically characterized by three distinct facies: 1) well-stratified (near the river mouth), 2) semi-transparent (eastern part of Geoje Island), and 3) transparent (off Ulsan). The results suggest that fine-grained sediment derived from rivers, forming a nearshore mud belt, have been transported northeastward by the northeastward-flowing coastal current.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2004

Based on the data obtained under the China-Korea joint project (1997-2001) and historic observations, the distribution, transportation and sedimentation of sediment in the southern Yellow Sea (SYS) are discussed, and the controversial formation mechanism of muddy sediments is also explored. The sediment transport trend analysis indicates that the net transport direction of sediment in the central SYS (a fine-grained sediment deposited area) points to $123.4^{\circ}E,\;35.1^{\circ}N$, which is a possible sedimentation center in the central SYS. The sediment transport pattern is verified by the distribution of total suspended matter (TSM) concentration and ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of particulate organic carbon (POC), the latter indicates that the bottom water plays a more important role than the surface water in transporting the terrigenous material to the central deep-water area of the SYS, and the Yellow Sea circulation is an important control factor for the sediment transport pattern in the SYS. The carbon isotope signals of organic matter in sediments indicate that the Shandong subaqueous delta has high sedimentation rate and the deposited sediments originate mainly from the modern Yellow River. The terrigenous sediments in deep-water area of the SYS originate mainly from the old Yellow River and the modern Yellow River, and only a small portion originates from the modern Yangtze River. The analytical results of TSM and stable carbon isotopes are further confirmed by another independent tracer of sediment source, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Five light mineral provinces in the SYS can be identified and they indicate inhomogeneity in sources and sedimentary environment. The modern shelf sedimentary processes in the SYS are controlled by shelf dynamic factors. The muddy depositional systems are produced in the shelf low-energy environments, which are controlled by some meso-scale cyclonic eddies (cold eddies) in the central SYS and the area southwest of the Cheju Island. On the contrary, an anticyclonic muddy depositional system (warm eddy sediment) appears in the southeast of the SYS (the area northwest of the Cheju Island). In this study, we give the cyclonic and anticyclonic eddy sedimentation patterns.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2013

High-resolution chirp profiles were analyzed to investigate the echo types of near-surface sediments in the Yellow Sea off the Baegryeong Island. On the basis of seafloor morphology and subbottom echo characters, 7 echo types were identified. Flat seafloor with no internal reflectors or moderately to well-developed subbottom reflectors (echo type 1-1 and 1-2) is mainly distributed in the southern part of the study area. Flat seafloor with superposed wavy bedforms (echo type 1-3) is also distributed in the middle part. Mounded seafloor with either smooth surface or superposed bedforms (echo type 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3) occurs in the middle part of the study area. Irregular and eroded seafloor with no subbottom reflectors (echo type 3-1) is present in the northern part of the study area off the Baegryeong Island. According to the distribution pattern and sedimentary facies of echo types, depositional environments can be divided into three distinctive areas: (1) active erosional zone due to strong tidal currents in the northern part; (2) formation of tidal sand ridges in response to tidal currents associated with sea-level rise distributed in the middle part; and (3) transgressive sand sheets in the southern part. Such a depositional pattern, including 7 echo types, in this area reflects depositional process related to the sea-level rise and strong tidal currents during the Holocene transgression.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2006

Ichnology is the study of traces made by various organisms, which includes classification and description of traces, and interpretation of sedimentary process, behavior of organism and depositional environment based on traces and organism behavior. Ichnofacies, which is defined as the association of several traces related together with substrate characteristics and sedimentary processes, is closely related to depositional environment. Ichnology has been applied to sedimentology (to understand physical characteristics of depositional environment, sedimentation pattern and event bed), sequence stratigraphy (to recognize sequence boundaries and biostratigraphic discontinuities such as MFS, TSE and RSE), oil exploration (providing of many information without big cost) and palaeocology. Preliminary ichnological study on the Ganghwa intertidal flat shows that dominant ichofacies are changing with season and location, suggesting that their seasonal variation would be a good indicator to understand the seasonal change of sedimentary processes, the small- scale change of sedimentary environment and the preservation potential of such units. Ichnology on intertidal flat in western coast of Korea has a great potential to apply its results to petroleum geology as well as sedimentology.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.87-101
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• 2014

Recently, more attention has been paid to the geomorphological changes in the Nakdong River Estuary, because those changes are caused by artificial activities including weirs, reclamation and construction. In order to analyze quantitatively the recent geomorphological variability in the Nakdong River Estuary, we surveyed the depth and elevation of submarine topography near Jinwoodo and Sinjado from March 2007 to February 2012. A statistical method (based on Digital Shoreline Analysis System) and an Empirical Orthogonal Functions method were used to evaluate the morphological changes. According to the statistical variables (DCE, NDC, EPR, LRR), the highest amount and rate of accumulation were recorded around the Gadeokdo whereas the greatest amount of erosion appeared around the coast off the eastern part of Sinjado. In particular, a dynamic variation of morphology was clearly observed in the vicinity of the sub-tidal channel located between Jinwoodo and Sinjado, which seems to be attributable to channel migration. As a result of the EOF method, the first mode (48.7%) is most closely related to the pattern of morphological variability that might be associated with the westerly movement of sediment by longshore current. The spatial variability of the second mode (16.6%) was high in the shoreface of Sinjado, showing a 4-year periodicity of temporal variability. The strong correlation (coefficient 0.73) between the time coefficient and suspended sediment discharge from Nakdong River emphasizes the role of sediment discharge to deposition in this area. The spatial variability of the third mode (11.3%) was distributed mainly around the coast off the eastern part of Sinjado, which is related to the movement of the coastline of Sinjado. Based on the last 5 year's data, our results suggest that the study area is characterized on the whole by a depositional pattern, but the extent of sedimentation is different locally.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.615-628
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• 2004

In order to elucidate seasonal sedimentary characteristics and depositional environment after construction of seawall on macrotidal flat, a seasonal observations of surface sediments (total 450) and sedimentation rates on 4 transects have been investigated for 2 years. The eastern area of Iwon tidal flat, has been changed from semi-closed coast to open coast by construction of seawall, shows general seasonal changes similar to characteristics of open coast type, which represented both fining and bad sorted distribution due to deposition of fine sediments under low energy condition in the summer, and relatively coarser and better sorted distribution because of erosion of fine sediments in the winter. In considering angles of transects, distribution patterns of surface sediments, the northern and southern parts of eastern tidal flat are dominantly influenced by wave and tidal effects, respectively. As time goes by, the eastern tidal flat shows coarsening-trend of surface sediments caused by direct effect of tidal current, were and typhoon. Meanwhile the western area of seawall, which has been re-formed by construction seawall, is sheltered from northwesterly seasonal wind. The seasonal change pattern of western area of seawall is slightly different from that of eastern tidal flat. Mean grain size and sorting of surface sediments during spring is finer and worse than those during summer. This seasonal change pattern maybe influenced by topographic effects caused from the construction of seawall. In consideration of all result, the transport of fine sediments in the study area, which is supplied to limited sediments, shows clockwise circulation pattern that fine sediments are transported from the eastern tidal flat to the western area of seawall because of blocking of seawall in the winter and are transported reversed direction the summer. As a result, many changes have been observed in the study area after construction of seawall; however, this change is still in progress and is expected to need continuous monitoring.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.565-574
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• 2002

Based on previous investigations of aerial photographs and topographical surveys, this study focuses on the sedimentologic features of the Daebudo area including sedimentation processes, sedimentary facies and hydrologic conditions of the erosional coast. A total of 137 surface sediments and one core (by hand auger) sediment were obtained to interpret the depositional environment of the erosional coast in the macro-tidal coast. Surface sediments are distributed from sandy gravel (sG) to silt (Z). Textural parameters are characterized not only by coarse, poorly sorted, positive skewed and multi-modal distribution in the supra-tidal flat, but also finer, relatively well-sorted, symmetric distribution in the intertidal flat. According to the C/M diagram, sediment transport modes of study area are characterized by the mixed mode of suspension and bedload in the upper-, middle-tidal flat and by uniform suspension in the lower-tidal flat due to tidal effect. Vertical sediment distribution of the core, collected near shoreline, shows coarsening-upward, poorly sorted pattern by the input of detritus resulting from coastal erosion. Considering the sedimentological features of the study area, it appears to be composed of a coastal zone changed by not only artificial reclamation, but also by natural processes such as strong wave action due to typhoons and storms during high water level and long/short-term sea level rising. As a result, tide-dominated erosional coasts show that the shore is affected by local, temporal and hydrological conditions near high tide level and that the intertidal flat is represented by a general tide-dominated sedimentary environment.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 1999

To study the characters of surface sediment and to describe the seasonal depositional environment as a result of sedimentation process off Byun-San Peninsula, a total 61 samples of surface sediment (32 samples in summer; 29 samples in winter) were collected and analysed. A digitized depth data from sea chart and echosounding profiles along five trans-sections were helpful for understanding the morphological factors. The types classified by the characters of surface sediment are type I (sand, S), type II (silty sand, zS), and type ill (sandy silt, sZ). Mean grain size varies from 2.11 to 7.81 ${\Phi}$. The positive-skewness shows the typical tide-dominated environment. The sediment type of the northwestern stations is medium sand and the sorting value is 0.5~1.4 ${\Phi}$ of well/moderately sorted. Meanwhile, other stations are composed of muddy sands and sandy muds transported from rivers and offshore. These sediment types toward inshore change gradually from silty sand to sandy silt. According to the C/M diagram, there are three major transport modes of sediment: bed load (Mode A), graded suspension (Mode B), and suspension (Mode C), correlating with north-eastern sandy area, middle part of silty-sand area, and southern sandy-silt area, respectively. The result of Principal Component Analysis shows also similar pattern of sediment types. In result, sediment texture of type III tends to be finer and more poorly-sorted than that of type II and sediment facies are correlateed with sedimentation process.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.127-141
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• 1978

The major structures characteristic of the Taebaegsan sedimentary basin were regionally analyzed with special reference to its southeastern extension to the Yeonhwa-Ulchin district of economic interest in zinc-lead mineralization. The basin geometry, basement setting, sedimentary components, and the characteristics of deformation and igneous activity of the Taebaegsan basin differ basically from those of the adjacent mobile belt of the Ogcheon geosyncline, although the latter affected the basin's western side considerably. The subrectangular shape of the Taebaegsan basin reflects the checkered pattern of basement-block arrangement, and the carbonate-dominated lithologic components of the basin-fill indicate a cratonic depositional setting, which is comparable to some of the North American mid-continental craton. The Taebaegsan basin, however, has somewhat been less stable than the North American megacraton that is reflected in the former's thicker sedimentary fill and steeper faults of later deformation, showing a tendency to increase in thickness close to the basement-block boundaries, which may indicate contacts of possibly detached cratonic blocks of Precambrian age; these weak zones of block boundaries have been the loci of repeated sedimentation, deformation and related igneous intrusions. A series of downthrown or uplifted tilted blocks, in which the Cambro-Ordovician sedimentary wedges and the late Cretaceous to early Tertiary igneous intrusives are involved, occurs intermittently across the Yeonhwa-Ulchin district in a noticeable pattern of en echelon type. These sedimentary wedges are correlated to the Cambro-Ordovician section of the Hambaeg syncline to the west in stratigraphy and lithology, and are considered to have resulted from the northeastern and/or northwestern cross-faulting of the pre-existing syncline belt of easterly trend, extended from the main portion of the Hambaeg syncline. These structural junctions (or intersections) of the earlier syncline belt and the later cross-faults have been acted as a guide to ascending igneous materials and hydrothermal ore-forming fluids to form a zone of zinc-lead skarn deposits across the Yeonhwa-Ulchin district showing a stepwise recurrence of these deposits toward the east.