• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2023

Accurate estimation of forest carbon stocks is important in establishing greenhouse gas reduction plans. In this study, we estimate the spatial distribution of forest carbon stocks using machine learning techniques based on high-resolution remote sensing data and detailed field survey data. The high-resolution remote sensing data used in this study are Landsat indices (EVI, NDVI, NDII) for monitoring vegetation vitality and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data for describing topography. We also used the forest growing stock data from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) for estimating forest biomass. Based on these data, we built a model based on machine learning methods and optimized for Korean forest types to calculate the forest carbon stocks per grid unit. With the newly developed estimation model, we created forest carbon stocks maps and estimated the forest carbon stocks in South Korea. As a result, forest carbon stock in South Korea was estimated to be 432,214,520 tC in 2020. Furthermore, we estimated the loss of forest carbon stocks due to the Donghae-Uljin forest fire in 2022 using the forest carbon stock map in this study. The surrounding forest destroyed around the fire area was estimated to be about 24,835 ha and the loss of forest carbon stocks was estimated to be 1,396,457 tC. Our model serves as a tool to estimate spatially distributed local forest carbon stocks and facilitates accounting of real-time changes in the carbon balance as well as managing the LULUCF part of greenhouse gas inventories.

• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.319-330
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• 2023

As the need for PM type observation increases, Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN), PM samplers analyzes aerosol samples for PM mass concentration and chemical composition, were recently installed at two sites: Yonsei University at Seoul and Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) at Ulsan. These SPARTAN filter samplers and nephelometers provide the PM_2.5 mass concentration and chemical speciation data with aerosol type information. We introduced the overall information and installation of SPARTAN at the field site in this study. After installation and observation, both Seoul and Ulsan sites showed a similar time series pattern with the daily PM_2.5 mass concentration of SPARTAN and the data of Airkorea. In particular, in the case of high concentrations of fine particles, daily average value of PM_2.5 was relatively well-matched. During the Yonsei University observation period, high concentrations were displayed in the order of sulfate, black carbon (BC), ammonium, and calcium ions on most measurement days. The case in which the concentration of nitrate ions showed significant value was confirmed as the period during which the fine dust alert was issued. From the data analysis, SPARTAN data can be analyzed in conjunction with the existing urban monitoring network, and it is expected to have a synergetic effect in the research field. Additionally, the possibility of being analyzed with optical data such as AERONET is presented. In addition, the method of installing and operating SPARTAN has been described in detail, which is expected to help set the stage for the observation system in the future.

• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.561-570
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• 2023

In order to improve the predictability of marine high-impacts weather such as typhoon and high waves, the marine observation network is an essential because it could be rapidly changed by strong air-sea interaction. In this regard, the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Korea Meteorological Administration (NIMS/KMA) has promoted the Argo float observation program since 2001 to participate in the International Argo program. In this study, current status and future direction of the NIMS/KMA Argo program are presented through the internal meeting and external expert forum. To date, a total of 264 Argo floats have been deployed into the offshore around the Korean Peninsula and the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The real-time and delayed modes quality control (QC) system of Argo data was developed, and an official regional data assembling center (call-sign 'KM') was run. In 2002, the Argo homepage was established for the systematic management and dissemination of Argo data for domestic and international users. The future goal of the NIMS/KMA Argo program is to improve response to the marine high-impacts weather through a marine environment monitoring and observing system. The promotion strategy for this is divided into four areas: strengthening policy communication, developing observation strategies, promoting utilization research, and activating international cooperation.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.280-293
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• 2002

In this study, we analyzed the long-term distribution patterns of $CH_4$ determined from the Moo-Ahn (MAN) observatory in relation with those derived from the world major background monitoring sites. Comparison of the data were made using those data sets collected for the period between Aug. 1995 to Dec. 1991. The mean $CH_4$ concentration of MAN observatory was measured to be 1898${\pm}$85.3 ppb, recording the highest concentration of all the monitoring sites. When the concentration of $CH_4$ for different stations was compared over latitudinal scale, its concentration appeared to increase systematically as a function of latitude with an exception of MAN (and the other Korean monitoring site at Tae Ahn). Moreover, such phenomenon was more distinctive in Northern than Southern Hemisphere. According to the analysis of the monthly distribution patterns of $CH_4$ at MAN observatory, its concentration level began to increase from the months of February/March and peaked during August. In addition, when the level of oscillation in monthly concentrations (between the maximum and minimum values) was checked, differences were significant between MAN and other monitoring stations. If the rate of concentration change was checked using the data sets collected for this limited time period in terms of linear regression analysis, results for MAN showed the highest annual increasing rate of 16.5 ppb. It is hence suggested that the largest variability in the $CH_4$ distribution patterns at MAN observatory may be reflected by the high irregularity in its source/sink processes.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.34 no.2_1
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• pp.295-300
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• 2018

Net radiation is the total amount of radiation energy used as a heat flux for the Earth's energy cycle, and net radiation from the surface is an important factor in areas such as hydrology, climate, meteorological studies and agriculture. It is very important to monitoring the net radiation through remote sensing to be able to understand the trend of heat island and urbanization phenomenon. However, net radiation estimation using only remote sensing data is generally causes difference in accuracy depending on cloud. Therefore, in this paper, we retrieved and monitored high resolution surface net radiation at 1 hour interval in Eunpyeong New Town where urbanization using Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), Landsat-8 satellite and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model data reflecting the difference in building height. We compared the observed and estimated net radiation at the flux tower. As a result, estimated net radiation was similar trend to the observed net radiation as a whole and it had the accuracy of RMSE $54.29Wm^{-2}$ and Bias $27.42Wm^{-2}$. In addition, the calculated net radiation showed well the meteorological conditions such as precipitation, and showed the characteristics of net radiation for the vegetation and artificial area in the spatial distribution.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2021

Along with an increase in the frequency of high-concentration fine particulate matter in Korea, interest and research on ammonia (NH₃) are actively increasing. It is obvious that agriculture has contributed significantly to NH₃ emissions. However, studies on the long-term effect of fertilizer use on the ambient NH₃ concentration of agricultural land are insufficient. Therefore, in this study, NH₃ concentration in the atmosphere of agricultural land was monitored for 11 months using a passive sampler. The average ambient NH₃ concentration during the total study period was 2.02 ㎍ m^-3 and it was found that the effect of fertilizer application on the ambient NH₃ concentration was greatest in the month immediately following fertilizer application (highest ambient NH₃ concentration as 11.36㎍ m^-3). After that, it was expected that the NH₃ volatilization was promoted by increases in summer temperature and the concentration in the atmosphere was expected to increase. However, high NH₃ concentrations in the atmosphere were not observed due to strong rainfall that lasted for a long period. After that, the ambient NH₃ concentration gradually decreased through autumn and winter. In summary, when studying the contribution of fertilizer to the rate of domestic NH₃ emissions, it is necessary to look intensively for at least one month immediately after fertilizer application, and weather information such as precipitation and no-rain days should be considered in the field study.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2018

The information of surface reflectance ($R_{sfc}$) is important for the heat balance and the environmental/climate monitoring. The $R_{sfc}$ sensitivity to error-induced variables for the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) retrieval from geostationary-orbit satellite observations at 300-500 nm was investigated, utilizing polar-orbit satellite data of the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Ozone Mapping Instrument (OMI), and the radiative transfer model (RTM) experiment. The variables in this study can be cloud, Rayleigh-scattering, aerosol, ozone and surface type. The cloud detection in high-resolution MODIS pixels ($1km{\times}1km$) was compared with that in GEMS-scale pixels ($8km{\times}7km$). The GEMS detection was consistent (~79%) with the MODIS result. However, the detection probability in partially-cloudy (${\leq}40%$) GEMS pixels decreased due to other effects (i.e., aerosol and surface type). The Rayleigh-scattering effect in RGB images was noticeable over ocean, based on the RTM calculation. The reflectance at top of atmosphere ($R_{toa}$) increased with aerosol amounts in case of $R_{sfc}$<0.2, but decreased in $R_{sfc}{\geq}0.2$. The $R_{sfc}$ errors due to the aerosol increased with wavelength in the UV, but were constant or slightly decreased in the visible. The ozone absorption was most sensitive at 328 nm in the UV region (328-354 nm). The $R_{sfc}$ error was +0.1 because of negative total ozone anomaly (-100 DU) under the condition of $R_{sfc}=0.15$. This study can be useful to estimate $R_{sfc}$ uncertainties in the GEMS retrieval.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2016

Background: It is necessary to consider the overall countermeasure for analysis of nuclear activities according to the increase of the nuclear facilities like nuclear power and reprocessing plants in the neighboring countries including China, Taiwan, North Korea, Japan and South Korea. South Korea and comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty organization (CTBTO) are now operating the monitoring instruments to detect radionuclides released into the air. It is important to estimate the origin of radionuclides measured using the detection technology as well as the monitoring analysis in aspects of investigation and security of the nuclear activities in neighboring countries. Materials and methods: A three-dimensional forward/backward trajectory model has been developed to estimate the origin of radionuclides for a covert nuclear activity. The developed trajectory model was composed of forward and backward modules to track the particle positions using finite difference method. Results and discussion: A three-dimensional trajectory model was validated using the measured data at Chernobyl accident. The calculated results showed a good agreement by using the high concentration measurements and the locations where was near a release point. The three-dimensional trajectory model had some uncertainty according to the release time, release height and time interval of the trajectory at each release points. An atmospheric dispersion model called long-range accident dose assessment system (LADAS), based on the fields of regards (FOR) technique, was applied to reduce the uncertainties of the trajectory model and to improve the detective technology for estimating the radioisotopes emission area. Conclusion: The detective technology developed in this study can evaluate in release area and origin for covert nuclear activities based on measured radioisotopes at monitoring stations, and it might play critical tool to improve the ability of the nuclear safety field.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2006

Injection of $CO_2$ into underground saline formations, due to their large storage capacity, is probably the most promising approach for the reduction of $CO_2$ emissions into the atmosphere. $CO_2$ storage must be carefully planned and monitored to ensure that the $CO_2$ is safely retained in the formation for periods of at least thousands of years. Seismic methods, particularly for offshore reservoirs, are the primary tool for monitoring the injection process and distribution of $CO_2$ in the reservoir over time provided that reservoir properties are favourable. Seismic methods are equally essential for the characterisation of a potential trap, determining the reservoir properties, and estimating its capacity. Hence, an assessment of the change in seismic response to $CO_2$ storage needs to be carried out at a very early stage. This must be revisited at later stages, to assess potential changes in seismic response arising from changes in fluid properties or mineral composition that may arise from chemical interactions between the host rock and the $CO_2$. Thus, carefully structured modelling of the seismic response changes caused by injection of $CO_2$ into a reservoir over time helps in the design of a long-term monitoring program. For that purpose we have developed a Graphical User Interface (GUI) driven rock physics simulator, designed to model both short and long-term 4D seismic responses to injected $CO_2$. The application incorporates $CO_2$ phase changes, local pressure and temperature changes. chemical reactions and mineral precipitation. By incorporating anisotropic Gassmann equations into the simulator, the seismic response of faults and fractures reactivated by $CO_2$ can also be predicted. We show field examples (potential $CO_2$ sequestration sites offshore and onshore) where we have tested our rock physics simulator. 4D seismic responses are modelled to help design the monitoring program.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.5_3
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• pp.1053-1066
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• 2020

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is primarily released through industrial, residential, and transportation activities, and creates secondary air pollutants through chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Long-term exposure to SO₂ can result in a negative effect on the human body causing respiratory or cardiovascular disease, which makes the effective and continuous monitoring of SO₂ crucial. In South Korea, SO₂ monitoring at ground stations has been performed, but this does not provide spatially continuous information of SO₂ concentrations. Thus, this research estimated spatially continuous ground-level SO₂ concentrations at 1 km resolution over South Korea through the synergistic use of satellite data and numerical models. A stacking ensemble approach, fusing multiple machine learning algorithms at two levels (i.e., base and meta), was adopted for ground-level SO₂ estimation using data from January 2015 to April 2019. Random forest and extreme gradient boosting were used as based models and multiple linear regression was adopted for the meta-model. The cross-validation results showed that the meta-model produced the improved performance by 25% compared to the base models, resulting in the correlation coefficient of 0.48 and root-mean-square-error of 0.0032 ppm. In addition, the temporal transferability of the approach was evaluated for one-year data which were not used in the model development. The spatial distribution of ground-level SO₂ concentrations based on the proposed model agreed with the general seasonality of SO₂ and the temporal patterns of emission sources.