• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.61-97
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• 2016

This is the second of two papers on the 3D numerical modeling of nearshore hydro- and morphodynamics. In Part I, the focus was on surf and swash zone hydrodynamics in the cross-shore and longshore directions. Here, we consider nearshore processes with an emphasis on the effects of oceanic forcing and beach characteristics on sediment transport in the cross- and longshore directions, as well as on foreshore bathymetry changes. The Delft3D and XBeach models were used with four turbulence closures (viz., ${\kappa}-{\varepsilon}$, ${\kappa}-L$, ATM and H-LES) to solve the 3D Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible flow as well as the beach morphology. The sediment transport module simulates both bed load and suspended load transport of non-cohesive sediments. Twenty sets of numerical experiments combining nine control parameters under a range of bed characteristics and incident wave and tidal conditions were simulated. For each case, the general morphological response in shore-normal and shore-parallel directions was presented. Numerical results showed that the ${\kappa}-{\varepsilon}$ and H-LES closure models yield similar results that are in better agreement with existing morphodynamic observations than the results of the other turbulence models. The simulations showed that wave forcing drives a sediment circulation pattern that results in bar and berm formation. However, together with wave forcing, tides modulate the predicted nearshore sediment dynamics. The combination of tides and wave action has a notable effect on longshore suspended sediment transport fluxes, relative to wave action alone. The model's ability to predict sediment transport under propagation of obliquely incident wave conditions underscores its potential for understanding the evolution of beach morphology at field scale. For example, the results of the model confirmed that the wave characteristics have a considerable effect on the cumulative erosion/deposition, cross-shore distribution of longshore sediment transport and transport rate across and along the beach face. In addition, for the same type of oceanic forcing, the beach morphology exhibits different erosive characteristics depending on grain size (e.g., foreshore profile evolution is erosive or accretive on fine or coarse sand beaches, respectively). Decreasing wave height increases the proportion of onshore to offshore fluxes, almost reaching a neutral net balance. The sediment movement increases with wave height, which is the dominant factor controlling the beach face shape.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 2016

The soils used as trackbed in Korea are selected using USCS utilizing basic soil properties such as Grain Size Distribution(GSD), % passing of #200 sieve ($P_{200}$), % passing of #4 sieve ($P_4$), Coefficient of uniformity ($C_u$), and Coefficient of curvature ($C_c$). Degree of compaction of the soils adapted in the code by KR should be evaluated by maximum dry density (${\gamma}_{d-max}$) and deformation modulus $E_{v2}$. The most important influencing factor that is critical to stability and deformation of the compacted soils used as trackbed is stiffness. Thus, it is necessary to construct a correlation between the modulus and the basic soil properties of trackbed soil in order to redefine a new soil classification system adaptable only to railway construction. To construct the relationship, basic soil test data is collected as a database, including GSD, maximum dry unit weight (${\gamma}_{d-max}$), OMC, $P_{200}$, $P_4$, $C_u$, $C_c$, etc.; deformation modulus $E_{v2}$ and $E_{vd}$ are obtained independently by performing a Repeated Plated Bearing Test (RPBT) and Light Weight Deflectometer Test (LWDT) for ten different railway construction sites. A linear regression analysis is performed using SPSS to obtain the relationship between the basic soil properties and the deformation modulus $E_{v2}$ and $E_v$. Based on the constructed relationship and the various obtained mechanical test data, a new soil classification system will be proposed later as a guideline for the design and construction of trackbed foundation in Korea.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.380-391
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• 2003

Surface sediments were collected from Gwangyang and Yeosu Bays to evaluate their sedimentological characteristics and geochemical aspects of both the benthic environment and heavy metal pollution. The grain size distribution includes both sandy and muddy sediments. Sand-rich sediments occur mainly near the POSCO and the channel between Namhedo and Yeosu Bando, while elsewhere mud-dominated sediments are present. TOC content ranges from 0.2 to 2.1 % and C/N ratios indicate that the range arises from the mix of organic matter. The C/S ratios of this organic matter show that parts of the study area are anoxic or have sub-anoxic bottom conditions. The hydrogen sulfide content of the sediment has a range of 0.7 to 301 ppm, with a high content occurring inshore of Myodo Island, where it indicates a polluted environment. The enrichment factor (Ef) and index of accumulation rate (Igeo) of ten heavy metals (Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, Li, Zn, V, Cr, Ba) show that parts of the study area contain from one to seven times more Pb and Ba, and from 0.8 to 3.5 times more of the other elements than the mean sediment value. The Igeo values of V and Cd show that different parts of the area can be classified as heavily polluted, heavily to moderately polluted, or more or less unpolluted. Those areas that have both high levels of enrichment and high accumulation rates of heavy metals contain predominantly fine sediments with a high organic matter and hydrogen sulfide content.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-314
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• 2019

Surface permeability and shallow geological structures play significant roles in shaping the groundwater recharge of shallow aquifers. Surface permeability can be characterized by two concepts, intrinsic permeability and hydraulic conductivity, with the latter obtained from previous near-surface geological investigations. Here we propose a hydraulic equation via the cross-correlation analysis of the rainfall-groundwater levels using a regression equation that is based on the cross-correlation between the grain size distribution curve for unconsolidated sediments and the rainfall-groundwater levels measured in the Gyeongju area, Korea, and discuss its application by comparing these results to field-based aquifer test results. The maximum cross-correlation equation between the hydraulic conductivity derived from Zunker's observation equation in a sandy alluvial aquifer and the rainfall-groundwater levels increases as a natural logarithmic function with high correlation coefficients (0.95). A 2.83% difference between the field-based aquifer test and root mean square error is observed when this regression equation is applied to the other observation wells. Therefore, rainfall-groundwater level monitoring data as well as aquifer test are very useful in estimating hydraulic conductivity.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Benthic animals are important indicators in benthic environmental quality assessment. This study investigated the environmental characteristics and the distribution pattern of benthic animals, and assessed the benthic ecosystem using AMBI (AZTI's marine biotic index) and WQI (water quality index) in the subtidal zone of Muan bay. Samplings were collected from 10 stations in the subtidal zone of Muan bay on summer. In the upper area of Muan bay, grain size was finer and organic content was higher than those of in the lower area. The pollution indicator organism such as Musculista senhousia, Theora fragilis and Lumbrineris longifolia were dominant at some stations. The benthic community was distinguished into three groups of upper, center and lower area of Muan bay, and which were coincided with the results by correlation analysis between organic matter content and benthic health assessment (WQI and AMBI). As a result of this study, the health condition of the subtidal zone in Muan bay were good. However, from the results that benthic animals were not evenly distributed, and also the opportunistic species appeared, the load of organic matter in Muan bay seems to be increasing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-31
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the structure of benthic communities resulting from aquaculture activities and to assess the benthic health status of surface sediment in Gangjin Bay, a region known for concentrated shellfish aquaculture on the southern coast of Korea. Survey stations were divided into longline culture, bottom culture, and non-cultivation areas. The spatiotemporal distribution of physiochemical factors such as the grain size, water temperature, salinity, and total organic carbon in Gangjin Bay showed no significant differences between sampling stations. However, the species number, density, and diversity were relatively lower at the sampling stations in the bottom culture areas than at the other stations throughout the entire survey period. Cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis also clearly distinguished the benthic communities in the bottom culture areas from those in the other sampling areas. At the sampling stations in the longline culture and non-cultivation areas, Scolectoma longifolia and Sigambra tentaculata, which are indicator species of organically enriched areas, appeared as dominant species. However, excluding some stations influenced by physical factors such as the water depth and current speed, the occupancy rate was not high. The health assessment results, conducted using the fisheries environment assessment method, revealed good conditions with Grades 1 and 2 across the entire area. However, an examination of the spatiotemporal changes in benthic communities and the benthic health index indicated that the benthic environment in the bottom culture areas was affected by physical disturbances.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.115-123
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• 1990

The purpose of this study was to examine the uses of coal ash as a type of construction material. The methods of examination were chemical anlysis, soil laboratory test and the soil vibration test. Materials used were coal ash obtained as a by-product from 5 thermal power plants in Yongdong, Yongwol, Sochon(anthracite coal) and in Samchonpo and Honam (bituminous coal). Over 70% of the coal ash consisted of silica and alumina. The fly ash grain size showed a uniform distribution from fine-sand to silt, and that of the bottom ash showed from sand to gravel. The specific gravity and density of the coal ash were low. The long term strength increased gradually due to the self-setting property resulting from pozzolanic activity. The shear strength was higher than that of general soil. Cohesion and optimum moisture content of anthracite coal ash were higher than bituminous coal ash, whereas the maximum dry density was higher in bituminous coal ash. The coal ash dynamic Young's modulous curve range was similar to that of general soil. Of the results from the soil vibration test by car-running, the size relative acceleration level in the ash pond was higher than that of natural ground, but the damping ratio was lower than that of natural ground near the ash pond. The coal ash has more advantageous engineering properties than general soil with particles of the same size. For example, the California Bearing Ratio of the bottom ash at both Yongdong and Yongwol was 77~137%. Therefore we expect that if further study is done, coal ash can be used as a construction material when reclaiming seashore, construction embankments, road construction, making right-weight aggregate, or as a general construction material.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 1998

Two-dimensional trend-vector model of sediment transport is first tested in the tidal flat of Garolim Bay, mid-western coast of the Korean Peninsula. Three major parameters of surface sediment, i.e., mean grain size, sorting and skewness, are used for defining the best-fitting transport trend-vector on the sand ridge and muddy sand flat. These trend vectors are compared with the real transport directions determined from morphology, field observation and bedforms. The 15 possible cases of trend vectors are calculated from total sediments. In order to find the role of coarse sediments, trend vectors from sediments coarser than < 4.5 ${\phi}$, (sand size) are separately calculated from those of total sediments. As compared with the real directions, the best-fitting transport-vector model is the "case M" of coarse sediments which is the combined trend vectors of two cases: (1) finer, better sorted and more negatively skewed and (2) coarser, better sorted and more positively skewed. This indicates sand-size grains are formed by simpler hydrodynamic processes than total sediments. Transported sediment grains are better sorted than the source sediment grains. This indicates that consistent hydrodynamic energy can make sediment grains better sorted, regardless of complicated mechanisms of sediment transport. Consequently, both transported vector model and real transported direction show that the source of sediments are located outside of bay (offshore Yellow Sea) and in the baymouth. These source sediments are transported through the East Main Tidal Channel adjacent the baymouth. Some are transported from the subtidal zone to the upper tidal flat, but others are transported farther to the south, reaching the south tidal channel in the study area. Also, coarse sediment grains on the sand ridge are originally from the baymouth, and transported through the subtidal zone to the south tidal channel. These coarse sediments are moved to the northeast, but could not pass the small north tidal channel. It is interpreted that the great amount of coarse sediments is returned back to the outside of the bay (Yellow Sea) again through the baymouth during the ebb tide. The distribution of muddy sand in the northeastern part of study area may result from the mixing of two sediment transport mechanisms, i.e., suspension and bedload processes. The landward movement of sand ridge and the formation of the north tidal channel are formed either by the supply of coarse sediments originating from the baymouth and outside of the bay (subaqueous sand ridges including Jang-An-Tae) or by the recent relative sea-level rise.

• 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.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-19
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• 2002

Spatial distribution pattern of macrozoobenthos was studied along the salinity gradient and sedimentary environment in the Watancheon estuary, Beobseongpo, southwest coast of Korea. Ten stations were set from the mouth towards the head of estuary. Three replicate sediment samples were taken using a van Veen grab (surface area $0.1m^{2}$) at each station between June 1998 and January 1999. A total of 114 species were collected during the study period and they are composed of 44 species of polychaetes (39%), 34 of crustaceans (30%), 24 of molluscs (21%) and 12 of miscellaneous. The former two taxa together accounted for 69% in the total number of species. The mean density was 3,053 ind./m$^{2}$, comprising 2,536 ind./m$^{2}$ from polychaetes (83%) and 439 ind./m$^{2}$, crustaceans (14%). Moreover, the mean biomass was 58.23 gwwt./m$^{2}$, consisting of 29.56 gwwt./m$^{2}$ from polychaetes (51%), 23.38 gwwt./m$^{2}$, molluscs (40%). A spionid polychaete Minuspio japonica, two corophiid amphipods Grandidierella japonica and Corophium sinense, a bivalve Potamocorbula amurensis were major dominants at the head of estuary where the salinity was relatively lower compared with contiguous sites. The distributions of M. japonica and G. japonica were significantly related to the salinity and sediment environment, respectively, whereas C. sinense and P, amurensis showed no significance. The nereid polychaete, Hediste japonica, also predominated at the head of the estuary where bottom salinity was relatively low. Species diversity was high at the mouth area whereas low diversity and few species number were seen at the stations in the head of the estuary, influenced by freshwater and sandy sediment. Based on the cluster analysis, the macrobenthic community was classified into four station groups from head (station group A) toward mouth (group D) in the study area. The number of species and abundance between station group B and C were significantly different. And the abundance of between two neighboring station groups (station group A and B, B and C, C and D) was also different. These results suggested that the spatial distribution pattern of macrobenthos in this estuary seemed mainly related to gradients in bottom salinity and sediment grain size among environmental factors.