• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.612-624
• /
• 2007

The real-time monitoring of radon ($^{222}Rn$) concentrations has been carried out to evaluate its ambient background concentration levels in Gosan site, Jeju Island between January 2001 and December 2004. In addition, the atmospheric TSP aerosols have been sampled, and their ionic and metallic components were analyzed to understand the characteristics of air pollution. The mean concentration of radon was $3,121{\pm}1,627\;mBq/m^3$, and the seasonal mean concentrations for spring, summer, fall and winter seasons were 2,898, 2,398, 3,571 and $3,646\;mBq/m^3$, respectively, The hourly concentrations have shown the highest value at 7 a.m. and the lowest value at 2 p.m. From the backward trajectory analyses, the radon concentrations have increased, when the air parcels were moved from the Chinese continent to Jeju area. On the other hand, they have decreased, when the air parcels from the North Pacific Ocean. In the analytical results of ionic species and metal elements of TSP aerosols, the concentrations of $nss-{SO_4}^{2-}$ and S were higher in June and March. Meanwhile, the concentrations of other anthropogenic species as well as soil components were mostly higher in March and April. On the basis of factor analysis, the TSP aerosols at Gosan area were largely influenced by soil sources, followed by anthropogenic sources and marine sources. From the result of backward trajectory analyses, the concentrations of $nss-{SO_4}^{2-},\;{NO_3}^-$, Al and Ca were mostly higher, when the air parcels moved from Chinese continent to Jeju area. On the other hand, their concentrations were lower, when the air parcels drifted from the North Pacific Ocean.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.19-35
• /
• 2003

In order 새 investigate the spatial and seasonal variations of heavy metal pollution in heavily industrialized urban area, urban roadside sediments were collected for five years from gully pots in Seoul City. A series of studies have been carried out concerning the physicochemical characteristics of the sediments in order to evaluate the contamination of heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Roadside sediments and uncontaminated stream sediments were analyzed for total metal concentrations using acid extraction. The roadside sediments are characterized by very high concentrations of Zn (2,665.0$\pm$1,815.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g), Cu (445.6$\pm$708.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g), Pb (214.3$\pm$147.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) and Cr (182.1$\pm$268.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g), indicating an artificial accumulation of these metals to the sediment chemistry. Comparing with average contents of uncontaminated stream sediments, roadside sediments were shown zinc 14 times (up to 64.4), copper 9 times (up to 181.7), lead 6 times (up to 63.7), cobalt 6 times (up to 168.7), nickel 4 times (up to 98.4), cadmium 2 times (up to 12.8) and chrome 2 times (up to 40.2) high content. The relative degree of heavy metal pollution for roadside sediments collected from each district in Seoul City is evaluated using the “geoaccumulation index”. As a result, heavy-metal contamination is highest centering the oldest residential district and industry area, and contamination level decreases as go to outer block of the city. The factor analysis results indicate that the levels of Cu, Ni, Fe and Cr are strongly related to numbers of factories, whereas the concentrations of Cr, Zn and Cd dependant on pollution index, indicating artificial contamination due to site-specific traffic density.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.83-92
• /
• 1999

To investigate the influence of forest road characteristics and site conditions on the stability of forest-road in granite area, four forest roads had been selected in Kyongbuk regions. The total of 13 road characteristic variables were evaluated by the discriminant analysis. The factors influencing the stability of forest road were bed rock, slope length, coverage, hardness, side-ditch erosion and road width. But aspect and soil texture were not significant for the stability in this area. In the correlation between forest environment and road structure, hardness and bed rock was highly significant in stability group, and coverage and side-ditch erosion was highly significant in instability group. 75 of 175 segments were instable whereas the others were stable. The centroids value by discriminant function in the stability and instability were estimated to 3.0585 and -1.9116, respectively. The stability criterion of forest road was discriminated from the centroids value of the each group. The main factors contributing the stability of forest road were significant in order of side-ditch erosion, coverage, soil texture, elevation, gradient, slope length and construction year. The prediction rate of discriminant function for stability evaluation of forest road was as high as 97.44%. In conclusion, the forest road structure factors such as length, coverage and slope gradient were controlled by construction techniques. If the factors like those should be considered in design, construction and forest road management, the stability of forest road may increase more. And also, it is necessary to take slope protection measures like small terraces and retaining walls for stability of cut slope.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.105-113
• /
• 2009

Heat energy exchange is very important processes in the coastal wetland ecosystems. We observed and analyzed the net radiation flux, the sensible heat flux, the latent heat flux and the soil heat flux, which are balanced in the heat energy balance, over a reclaimed land covered with reeds at Goheung, Jeonllanamdo where is horizontally plane. The atmospheric turbulence had been measured in order to estimate the heat transfer during 5 intensive observation periods (IOPs). It was considered that the soil consists of water, fine particles, and vegetation canopy that changes color and density according to the season. We examined the characteristics of the heat flux and the vegetation effect on the air temperature control. It was noted that the heat was transported mainly by latent heat flux in the summer season and the vegetation canopy decreased the daily temperature range due to the heat storage. The air temperature was lower at the IOPs site than near urban area. This showed that the coastal wetland covered with the vegetation control the thermal environment.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.4-25
• /
• 2011

This study was performed in 2010 to examine the flora and vegetation structure and chemical characteristics of soil in the growing community of Abeliophyllum distichum, located in the Byeonsanbando National Park. This Abeliophyllum distichum community has more individual numbers in Cheongrim-ni and Jungkye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, and Buan-gun area, which is designated as a Natural Monument (No. 370), and also where the habitat conditions for Abeliophyllum distichum is more favorable. The authors recorded 100 taxa with 45 families, 82 genus, 93 species, 4 varieties, and 3 forms. Among them, species such as Abeliophyllum distichum (critically endangered), Asarum maculatum (near threatened) and Chionanthus retusa (near threatened), which are categorized as rare plants, were recorded. According to the list of Korean endemic plants, 4 taxa, particularly Philadelphus schrenckii, Abeliophyllum distichum, Weigela subsessilis, and Lonicera subsessili, were recorded. The community of Abeliophyllum distichum is located in the northwest slope of Baekcheon watershed and the community is comprised of healthy soil. The community structure was classified into three: the Castanea crenata community, Zelkova serrata community, and Quercus serrata community. The Castanea crenata community is composed of the Cornus walteri, Platycarya strobilacea, Zelkova serrata, Rhamnella frangulioides, arranged in terms of importance percentage. The Zelkova serrata community is composed of Celtis sinensis, Quercus aliena, Styrax japonica, and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, also according to importance percentage. As for the Quercus serrata community, it is composed of Quercus variabilis, Castanea crenata, and Prunus sargentii, also arranged in terms of importance percentage. The importance percentage of Abeliophyllum distichum is 6.6% in the Castanea crenata community, 5.6% in the Zelkova serrata community and 5.1% in the Quercus serrata community. Moreover, in order of chemical characteristics of soil pH, electrical conductivity, available phosphoric, organic matter, and exchangeable cation (K, Ca, Mg) are analyzed. The No. 3 site was relatively higher than other districts of the same chemical characteristics of soil.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.193-204
• /
• 2000

In order to get some basic data on environmental friendly function by Korean organic farming, the chemical characteristics of soil were determined on 100 farm cultivating site in Paldang watershed area of Great Seoul. The EC and content of $NO_3-N$ and Av. $P_2O_5$ in topsoil(0~30cm) showed $2.30dS\;m^{-1}$, $82mg\;kg^{-1}$, $918mg\;kg^{-1}$ in the soil cultivated chinese cabbage. $2.29dS\;m^{-1}$, $86mg\;kg^{-1}$, $954mg\;kg^{-1}$ in the soil of lettuce, $1.83dS\;m^{-1}$, $66mg\;kg^{-1}$, $1114mg\;kg^{-1}$ in the soil of crown daisy. These salt accumulation(EC) and the high concentration of mineral content in topsoil such as nitrate and phosphate showed the soils of organic farming were contaminated by practice of organic farming for the maintenance strategy of soil fertility. The $NO_3-N$ and Av. $P_2O_5$ in the subsoil(30~60cm) showed $75mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $641mg\;kg^{-1}$, $72mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $466mg\;kg^{-1}$, $42mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $873mg\;kg^{-1}$ in soil cultivated chinese cabbage, lettuce and crown daisy respectively. It indicates eventually the high concentration of nitrate and phosphate in topsoil caused penetration to subsoil, and the high concentration of mineral contents in subsoil indicate the potential risk of leaching of ground water by Korean organic farming. The positive correlation at 1% between EC and $NO_3-N$, $K_2O$, T-C, $P_2O_5$ and T-N show the salt accumulation in the both soil depth of Korean organic farming were caused by minerals such as $NO_3-N$, $K_2O$, T-C, $P_2O_5$ and T-N by overuse of organic fertilizer.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.118-130
• /
• 2007

The steep-sloped agricultural land was severely damaged by rainfall events during July and August every year. The objective of this study was to investigate an effects of intensive rainfall to the soil properties of the steep-sloped agricultural land. Survey sites including the Sacheon myeon area were located in Gangneung, those were severely damaged from a forest fire in April 2000. Surveys were taken at these sites after two years of forest fire and severe rainfall events in August 2002, which included an event that poured with 870 mm of rainfall in a day. After this storm, soil erosion, burying, and flooding were observed. Severe soil loss was found at lower soil-depths, greater slopes, longer slope lengths, and concave landscapes. Soil loss and land slides were often found at areas with having a coarser textures, higher bulk densities, lower water holding capacity, and lower rates of soil aggregation. Crop growth stagnation was found at the site of crop restoration because of low soil fertility and poor drainage caused by the abrupt textural changes. In conclusion, it is necessary to manage the steep-slope agricultural land based on environmental impact assessment data of macro morphological and physical characteristics by intensive rainfall.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.39 no.10 s.171
• /
• pp.867-880
• /
• 2006

Hydrological models with many parameters and complex model structures require a powerful and detailed model calibration/validation scheme. In this study, we proposed a multi-variable and multi-site calibration and validation framework for the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model applied in the Gap-cheon catchment located downstream of the Geum river basin. The sensitivity analysis conducted before main calibration helped understand various hydrological processes and the characteristics of subcatchments by identifying sensitive parameters in the model. In addition, the model's parameters were estimated based on existing data prior to calibration in order to increase the validity of model. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients and correlation coefficient were used to estimate compare model output with the observed streamflow data: $R_{eff}\;and\;R^2$ ranged 0.41-0.84 and 0.5-0.86, respectively, at the Heuduck station. Model reproduced baseflow estimated using recursive digital filter except for 2-5% overestimation at the Sindae and Boksu stations. Model also reproduced the temporal variability and fluctuation magnitude of observed groundwater levels with $R^2$ of 0.71 except for certain periods. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of multi-variable and multi-site method provided high confidence for the structure and estimated parameter values of the model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2009.09a
• /
• pp.133-144
• /
• 2009

Incheon Bridge, 18.4 km long sea-crossing bridge, will be opened to the traffic in October 2009 and this will be the new landmark of the gearing up north-east Asia as well as the largest & longest bridge of Korea. Incheon Bridge is the integrated set of several special featured bridges including a magnificent cable-stayed girder bridge which has a main span of 800 m width to cross the navigation channel in and out of the Port of Incheon. Incheon Bridge is making an epoch of long-span bridge designs thanks to the fully application of the AASHTO LRFD (load & resistance factor design) to both the superstructures and the substructures. A state-of-the-art of the geotechnologies which were applied to the Incheon Bridge construction project is introduced. The most Large-diameter drilled shafts were penetrated into the bedrock to support the colossal superstructures. The bearing capacity and deformational characteristics of the foundations were verified through the world's largest static pile load test. 8 full-scale pilot piles were tested in both offshore site and onshore area prior to the commencement of constructions. Compressible load beyond 30,000 tonf pressed a single 3 m diameter foundation pile by means of bi-directional loading method including the Osterberg cell techniques. Detailed site investigation to characterize the subsurface properties had been carried out. Geotextile tubes, tied sheet pile walls, and trestles were utilized to overcome the very large tidal difference between ebb and flow at the foreshore site. 44 circular-cell type dolphins surround the piers near the navigation channel to protect the bridge against the collision with aberrant vessels. Each dolphin structure consists of the flat sheet piled wall and infilled aggregates to absorb the collision impact. Geo-centrifugal tests were performed to evaluate the behavior of the dolphin in the seabed and to verify the numerical model for the design. Rip-rap embankments on the seabed are expected to prevent the scouring of the foundation. Prefabricated vertical drains, sand compaction piles, deep cement mixings, horizontal natural-fiber drains, and other subsidiary methods were used to improve the soft ground for the site of abutments, toll plazas, and access roads. Light-weight backfill using EPS blocks helps to reduce the earth pressure behind the abutment on the soft ground. Some kinds of reinforced earth like as MSE using geosynthetics were utilized for the ring wall of the abutment. Soil steel bridges made of corrugated steel plates and engineered backfills were constructed for the open-cut tunnel and the culvert. Diverse experiences of advanced designs and constructions from the Incheon Bridge project have been propagated by relevant engineers and it is strongly expected that significant achievements in geotechnical engineering through this project will contribute to the national development of the longspan bridge technologies remarkably.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.490-497
• /
• 2009

The horizontal and vertical response spectra using the observed ground motion from the recent 5 macro earthquakes were analysed and then were compared to both the seismic design response spectra(Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings(1997). 74 horizontal and 89 vertical observed ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that the horizontal MPOSD(Mean Plus One Sigma Standard Deviation) response spectra revealed much higher values for the whole frequency bands above 1 Hz than Reg. Guide(1.60). For the vertical response spectra, the results showed slightly higher than just between 7 and 8 Hz frequency band. The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that the horizontal MPOSD response spectra revealed much higher values for the whole periods below 2 second(0.5 Hz) than those of SE soil type. The vertical response spectra showed similar to the values of the Korean Standard Response Spectrum of SD soil type. These spectral values dependent on frequency could be related to characteristics of the domestic crustal attenuation and the effect of each site amplification. However, through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the conservation of horizontal seismic design response spectrum should be considered more significantly for the whole frequency bands above the 1 Hz.