• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.1037-1041
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• 2005

It is well-known that the corrosive behavior of PMC (polymer matrix composite) structure is much better than the metal structure in the marine environment. The understanding of fracture behavior of PMC in the deep-sea environment is essential to expand its use in the marine industry. For a present study, fracture tests have been performed under four different pressure levels such as 0.1 MPa, 100 MPa, 200 MPa, and 270 MPa using the seawater-absorbed carbon/epoxy composite samples. Fracture toughness was determined from the work factor approach as a function of hydrostatic pressure. It was found that fracture behavior was a linear elastic for all pressure levels. The fracture toughness increased with increasing pressure.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.423-435
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• 2014

Verifying the similarity of environmental characteristics between an artificial impact site and a preserved or reference site is necessary to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the environmental impact of mining activity. Although an impact site (BIS station) and a preserved site (called KOMO station) that have been selected in the Korea manganese nodule contract area may share similar environmental characteristics, similarities in terms of the water column environment between both sites has not been investigated. In this study, we compared the chemical properties of the water columns and sinking particle fluxes between BIS and KOMO stations through two observations (August 2011 and September 2012). Additionally, we observed particle fluxes at the KOMO station for five years (July 2003~July 2008) to understand long-term natural variability. Vertical distributions of water column properties such as dissolved oxygen, inorganic nutrients (N, P, Si), total organic carbon below surface layer (within the depth range of 200 m) were not considerably different between the two sites. Especially, values of water column parameters in the abyssopelagic zone from 4000 m to bottom layer (~5000 m) were very similar between the BIS and KOMO sites. Sinking particle fluxes from the two sites also showed similar seasonality. However, natural variation of particle flux at the KOMO site varied from 3.5 to $129.9mg\;m^{-2}day^{-1}$, with a distinct temporal variation originating from ENSO events (almost forty times higher than a minimum value). These results could provide valuable information to more exactly evaluate the environmental impact of mining activity on water columns.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.80-82
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• 2007

We have isolated numerous cold deep-sea adapted microorganisms (piezophilic, formerly referred to as "barophilic" bacteria) using deep-sea research submersibles. Many of the isolates are novel psychrophilic bacteria, and we have identified several new piezophilic species, i.e., Photobacterium profundum, Shewanella violacea, Moritella japonica, Moritella yayanosii, Psychromonas kaikoi, and Colwellia piezophila. These piezophiles are involving to five genera in gamma-Proteobacteria subgroup and produce significant amounts of unsaturated fatty acids in their cell membrane fractions to maintain the membrane fluidity in cold and high-pressure environments. Piezophilic microorganisms have been identified in many deep-sea bottoms of many of the world oceans. Therefore, these microbes are well distributed on our planet. One of the isolated deep-sea piezophiles, Shewanella violacea strain DSS12 is a psychrophilic, moderately piezophilic bacterium from a sediment sample collected at the Ryukyu Trench (depth: 5,110 m), which grows optimally at 30 MPa and $8^{\circ}C$ but also grows at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) and $8^{\circ}C$. We have examined this strain to elucidate the molecular basis for gene regulation at different pressure conditions because this strain is useful as a model bacterium for comparing the various features of bacterial physiology under pressure conditions. In addition, we completed the sequencing of the entire genome of this piezophilic bacterium and we expect that many biotechnologically useful genes will be identified from the genome information.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2016

To understand the diet of chaetognaths, the gut content and fatty acid trophic makers (FATMs) of Sagitta crassa and S. nagae, which are the most predominant species of chaetognath in the Yellow Sea, were analyzed. Gut contents of the two species examined by microscopic analysis revealed that copepods are the major components of the diet (> 70% of gut contents) and there was no significant changes in the gut contents of two species collected in spring and summer season. Although 16:0, 20:5(n-3) (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and 22:6(n-3) (Docosahexanoic acid), which are known as phytoplankton FA markers, were the most dominant among the fatty acids in both chaetognath species, the detection of copepod FA markers, 20:1(n-9) (Gadoleic acid) and 22:1(n-11) (Cetoleic acid), provided evidence that their food sources include copepods. These results suggest that S. crassa and S. nagae are carnivores and mainly feed on copepods in the Yellow Sea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.536-542
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• 2023

Satellites represent cutting-edge technology, of ering significant advantages in spatial and temporal observations. National agencies worldwide harness satellite data to respond to marine accidents and analyze ocean fluctuations effectively. However, challenges arise with high-resolution satellite-based sea surface temperature data (Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis, OSTIA), where gaps or empty areas may occur due to satellite instrumentation, geographical errors, and cloud cover. These issues can take several hours to rectify. This study addressed the issue of missing OSTIA data by employing LaMa, the latest deep learning-based algorithm. We evaluated its performance by comparing it to three existing image processing techniques. The results of this evaluation, using the coefficient of determination (R²) and mean absolute error (MAE) values, demonstrated the superior performance of the LaMa algorithm. It consistently achieved R² values of 0.9 or higher and kept MAE values under 0.5 ℃ or less. This outperformed the traditional methods, including bilinear interpolation, bicubic interpolation, and DeepFill v1 techniques. We plan to evaluate the feasibility of integrating the LaMa technique into an operational satellite data provision system.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.123-125
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• 2013

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), ocean warming and acidification are accelerating as a result of the continuous increase in atmospheric $CO_2$. This may affect the function and structure of marine ecosystems. Recently, changes in marine environments/ecosystems have been observed (increase in SST, decrease in the pH of seawater, northward expansion of subtropical species, etc.) in Korean waters. However, we still don't understand well how climate change affects these changes and what can be expected in the future. In order to answer these questions with regard to Korean waters, the project named 'Assessment of the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems in the South Sea of Korea' has been supported for 5 years by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and is scheduled to end in 2013. This project should provide valuable information on the current status of marine environments/ecosystems in the South Sea of Korea and help establish the methodology and observation/prediction systems to better understand and predict the impact of climate/marine environment changes on the structure and function of marine ecosystems. This special issue contains 5 research and a review articles that highlight the studies carried out during 2012-2013 through this project.

• Proceedings of the Korea Committee for Ocean Resources and Engineering Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.117-121
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• 2001

For the effective development or preservation of Tokdo, the natural environments in the ambient sea area should be well investigated. The wave deformations and wave breaking in the vicinity have much affected the bottom morphology of Tokdo as well as its ecological environment. The present study investigates the wave deformations and wave breaking through a numerical model. The final goal is to provide the fundamental wave data for the effective development or preservation of Tokdo in future. The extended mild slope equation was applied to Tokdo sea area for three different deep water wave conditions (S, SSE, NNE directions). The results showed that for the S and SSE directions the wave heights in the area between the east island and the west island were very low with the level of 1~2m, but for the NNE direction they appeared pretty high with 3~4m, In the sea area near the northwest of west island, the wave heights were low to be 1~3m for all three directions of deep water wave.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.64-79
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• 2015

We investigated the tidal current, hydrographic data, and benthic environment of major sea cucumber (Holothuroidea, de Blainville, 1834) habitats in Baengnyeongdo, Jindo and Uljin to understand the optimal environmental or ecological habitat for sea cucumbers. The three study areas were characterized by a cold-water mass of temperatures ranging $12{\sim}18^{\circ}C$, with an active circulation between the surface and deep waters. According to an analysis of the tidal current map, a strong flow velocity of $100{\sim}120cm\;s^{-1}$ appeared in Baengnyeongdo and Jindo. The three sea cucumber habitats showed the common characters of a bottom sediment composed of sand-silt, a diverse seaweed colony and benthic organisms, and boulders and rocks which provide a hideout for the organisms. We aimed to draw the optimal habitat condition for sea cucumbers in Korea, and the result showed that the low water temperature, rapid water flow, active vertical mixing between surface and deep waters, bottom composed by sand-silt, large rocks, and diverse seaweed colony and benthic organism were important factors. The optimal habitat for Juvenile sea cucumbers was the intertidal areas characterized by a muddy bottom, reef, and seaweed. The optimal habitat for adult sea cucumbers was characterized by a place where sand and mud are mixed, and the body size of the sea cucumber was proportional to water depth, and the relatively large boulders and rocks compared to the intertidal area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2015

International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently developing rules with regard to exploitation of manganese nodules which will be contained in its first regulations governing the exploitation of deep seabed mineral resources. A stakeholder survey was conducted in the early 2014 by ISA with the aim of facilitating participation of interested entities in the development process of the rules. The stakeholders who had replied to the survey included existing contractors, sponsoring States, environmentalists, academics, and nongovernmental organizations. Opinions given by them largely reflect their own interests. This paper aims to clarify the scope of the obligations regarding the environmental protection which may be imposed on contractors under the new regulations for the exploitation of manganese nodules. To do so, it first analyses the express provisions on environmental protection applicable to deep seabed mining included in the Law of the Sea Convention, its agreement on implementation of Part XI, and the regulations on exploration for manganese nodules. Secondly, it categorizes these obligations based on the categories of international obligations suggested by Combacau and Alland. Based on the categorizations this paper concludes that, in addition to the existing duties to protect deep seabed environment within the Law of the Sea Convention system, the following new obligations could be added: conservation of exploitation sites for a limited time after the contract is ceased; taking all necessary measures for rehabilitation of destroyed ecosystems that occurredas a result of mining activities; monitoring exploitation sites for a limited period time after the contract is ceased; observing rules and standards on safety of ships and environmental protection adopted under IMO instruments; regulation on the discharge of mine tailings from the facilities used for exploitation of deep sea minerals. Lastly, this paper attempts to provide ways of reflecting national interests in terms of potential obligations which may be included in the new regulations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.11 no.1 s.22
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• pp.77-82
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• 2005

In order to investigate the initial stage of deep water formation between Vladivostok and the subpolar front in the East Sea, the factors, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, measured by multi-ship surveys in ]969 have been used. Deep water formation in the .cast Sea occurs in essentially two different forms: near continent and open ocean formation. The position of eddy derived from potential vorticity matches well with that of deep water formation. The vertical and horizontal distributions of potential vorticity, geostrophic current, temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen give clues for the preconditioning phase qf open ocean formation like a doming of isotherm, associated with a cyclonic circulation.