• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2012

Polar cap potential has long been considered as an indicator for the amount of energy flowing in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. Thus, the estimation of polar cap potential is important to understand the physical process of the magnetosphere. To estimate the polar cap potential in the Northern Hemisphere, merging electric field by Kan & Lee (1979) is adopted. Relationships between the PC index and calculated merging electric field ($E^*$) are examined during full-time and storm-time periods separately. For this purpose Dst, AL, and PC indices and solar wind data are utilized during the period from 1996-2003. From this linear relationship, polar cap potential (${\Phi}^*$) is estimated using the formula by Doyle & Burke (1983). The values are represented as $58.1{\pm}26.9$ kV for the full-time period and $123.7{\pm}84.1$ kV for a storm-time period separately. Considering that the average value of polar cap potential of Doyle & Burke (1983) is about 47 kV during moderately quiet intervals with the S3-2 measurements, these results are similar to such. The monthly averaged variation of Dst, AL, and PC indices are then compared. The Dst and AL indices show distinct characteristics with peaks during equinoctial season whereas the average PC index according to the month shows higher values in autumn than in spring. The monthly variations of the linear correlation coefficients between solar wind parameters and geomagnetic indices are also examined. The PC-AL linear correlation coefficient is highest, being 0.82 with peaks during the equinoctial season. As with the AL index, the PC index may also prove useful for predicting the intensity of an auroral substorm. Generally, the linear correlation coefficients are shown low in summer due to conductance differences and other factors. To assess the role of the PC index during the recovery phase of a storm, the relation between the cumulative PC index and the duration is examined. Although the correlation coefficient lowers with the storm size, it is clear that the average correlation coefficient is high. There is a tendency that duration of the recovery phase is longer as the PC index increases.

• Atmosphere
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2011

The performance assessment in radiosonde observation on the special observation program (ProbeX-2009) is performed and the characteristics of precipitation using Auto Weather System (AWS) and radiosonde data in 2009 at the Ulleungdo are investigated. The launching time, observation time, and maximum altitude of radiosonde are satisfied with the regulation from Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) but the duration of observational time of radiosonde is much shorter than that of the ProbeX-2007 because the altitude of launching site is higher than others in 2007. From the analysis of trajectories of radiosonde, most radiosondes at the Ulleungdo tend to move into the east because the westerly prevail at the middle latitude. However, when the Okhotsk high is expanded to the Korean peninsula and the north-westerly winds strengthen over the East Sea as the subtropical high is retreated, radiosonde tends to move into the south-west and south-east, respectively. Maximum distance appears at the end of observation level before May but the level of maximum distance is changed into 100 hPa after June because the prevailing wind direction is reversed from westerly to easterly at the stratosphere during summer time. The condition of precipitation was more correlated with the dynamic instability except Changma season. Precipitation in 2009 at the Ulleungdo occurred under the marine climate so that total precipitation amounts and precipitation intensity were increased and intensified during nighttime. The local environment favorable for the precipitation during nighttime was while the wind speed at the surface and the inflow from the shoreline were strengthened. Precipitation events also affected by synoptic condition but the localized effect induced by topography was more strengthened at the northern part of Ulleungdo.

• Atmosphere
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.345-358
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• 2017

The decadal change in rainfall for Changma period over the South Korea in early-2000s is detected in this study. The Changma rainfall in P1 (1992~2002) decade is remarkably less than in P2 (2003~2013) decade. The much rainfall in P2 decade is associated with the increase of rainy day frequency during Changma period, including the frequent occurrences of rainy day with a intensity of 30 mm/day or more in P2 decade. This decadal change in the Changma rainfall is due to the decadal change of atmospheric circulation around the Korean Peninsula which affects the intensity and location of Changma rainfall. During P2 decade, the anomalous anti-cyclone over the south of the Korean Peninsula, which represents the expansion of the North Pacific high with warm and wet air mass toward East Asia, is stronger than in P1 decade. In addition, the upper level zonal wind and meridional gradient of low-level equivalent potential temperature in P2 decade is relatively strengthened over the northern part of the Korean Peninsula than in P1 decade, which corresponds with the intensification of meridional gradient between air mass related to the East Asian summer monsoon nearby the Korean Peninsula in P2 decade. The enhanced meridional gradient of atir mass during P2 decade is favorable condition for the intensification of Changma rainfall band and more Changma rainfall. The atmospheric conditions related to enhanced Changma rainfall during P2 decade is likely to be influenced by the teleconnection linked to the suppressed convection anomaly over the southern part of China and South China Sea in P2 decade.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.445-460
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• 2012

In order to evaluate and predict the environmental impact of the low-trophic-level ecosystem to environmental changes in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, an ecological modelling study was undertaken. Simulation results of average distribution patterns and concentrations of water quality factors during the summer by the model were acceptable. Phytoplankton and remineralization rate of organic matter were very important parameters by a sensitivity analysis. Water quality factors showed high values in the estuary of the Yangtze River and in the West and South Sea of Korea and low values in the central area of the Yellow Sea. There is a plume of high values, especially nutrients, off the mouth of the Yangtze that expands or contracts with changes in the discharge strength. Characteristics of responses of water quality factors vary for different scenarios of environmental change, such as land-based pollution sources and atmospheric forcing. It is suggested that changes of light intensity, discharges of input sources, and wind play an important role in the marine ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.192-205
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• 2009

The unexpected wind over the Mt. Hwawang on 9 February 2009 was deadly when many spectators were watching a traditional event to burn dried grasses and the fire went out of control due to the wind. We analyzed the fatal wind based on wind flow simulations over a digitized complex terrain of the mountain with a localized heating area using a three dimensional computational fluid dynamics model, CFD_NIMR_SNU (Computational Fluid Dynamics_National Institute of Meteorological Research_Seoul National University). Three levels of fire intensity were simulated: no fire, $300^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ of surface temperature at the site on fire. The surface heat accelerated vertical wind speed by as much as $0.7\;m\;s^{-1}$ (for $300^{\circ}C$) and $1.1\;m\;s^{-1}$ (for $600^{\circ}C$) at the center of the fire. Turbulent kinetic energy was increased by the heat itself and by the increased mechanical force, which in turn was generated by the thermal convection. The heating together with the complex terrain and strong boundary wind induced the unexpected high wind conditions with turbulence at the mountain. The CFD_NIMR_SNU model provided valuable analysis data to understand the consequences of the fatal mountain fire. It is suggested that the place of fire was calm at the time of the fire setting due to the elevated terrain of the windward side. The suppression of wind was easily reversed when there was fire, which caused updraft of hot air by the fire and the strong boundary wind. The strong boundary wind in conjunction with the fire event caused the strong turbulence, resulting in many fire casualties. The model can be utilized in turbulence forecasting over a small area due to surface fire in conjunction with a mesoscale weather model to help fire prevention at the field.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.19-22
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• 2007

Recently, the population of people exploring High Mountain trekking or expedition is increasing as an increase in the backpackers. Many accidents occurring at High Mountain above 6,000 m are the results of snow blindness. The damage of cornea and/or retina is direct cause of snow blindness. The UV intensity increases on the hand, along with the altitude caused by decrease in the atmospheric pressure, on the other hand the reflections by bright snow at high mountain area. And it increases approximately 3 times and 4 times higher than the ground level at altitude of 4,000 m and 8,000 m, respectively. The use of sunglasses is more favorable than goggles for the protection of snow blindness at High Mountains. The eye frames that have high mechanical strength and the plastic lenses which can protect UV 100% are recommended. The attachable shielding pads are needed to prevent the incident UV light reflected or scattered from the gap between glasses frame and face. The sunglasses must have flexible and long temples to wind the ears adequately for the prevention of detachment during climbing and it is recommended that the metal frame to be coated with plastics to prevent the eye surroundings from frostbite.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.773-784
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• 2018

In this study, we examined the UA (upwelling age) using wind data of AWS/ASOS in the East Sea coast and the correlation between UA and SST (sea surface temperature) from May to August in 1995 to 2016. The data used the 6 observations of the wind data of AWS/ASOS and the SST data of the COD/RISA provided by the National Institute and Fisheries Science near the East Sea coast. The UA was calculated quantitatively low but it rose when the actual cold water mass occurred. Correlation analysis between UA and SST showed the negative (-) r (correlation coefficient) predominately. At the time of cold-water mass in June to August 2013, the r had a very high negative value of -0.65 to -0.89 in the 6 observations. It proved that as the UA increases, the SST is lower. By knowing the UA, we were able to evaluate the trend of upwelling in the cold-water mass of the East Sea coast in the long term and it will contribute to minimizing the damage to aquatic organisms according to the size and intensity of the upwelling.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.169-179
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• 1991

Atmospheric $O_3$ in the biosphere is formed under the favourable meteorological condition, when the primary pollutants, such as $NO_2, HC, CO, CH_4$, etc., react with over constituents. Observed annual average concentrations for 1989 and 1990 were 11.8 and 10.4 ppb, respectively. THe number of days measured ozone over 80 ppb in Seoul were 36 in 1989 and 39 in 1990. In general, monthly maximum values occurred in May and August. In comparison with 1 $\sim$ 2 maxima of $O_3$ distribution in large cities in other countries, it was found that there were 3 $\sim$ 4 maxima in Seoul and its suburbs. Topographic effects, resulted by wind channelling in the Han River valley and by the blocking of air pollutants in the mountain, appeared to produce multiple centres of $O_3$ maxima in Seoul. Surface $O_3$ values were low with decreasing solar radiation, when the cloudiness increased and precipitation occurred. According to 12 cases examined, 2 cases shown here, $O_3$ values exceeding 80 ppb were occurred when the Korean peninsular was under the influence of the backside airflows with high intensity of solar radiation. Occasionally, sea breezes were observed to occur in warm seasons, and the chanelling effect of the Han River valley appeared to increase the general wind (speed) to the east side of Seoul. In this meso-scale situation $O_3$ in downwind is highly correlated with precursors. The sea breeze of 2 $\sim$ 4 m $s^{-1}$ will take 3 $\sim$ 5 hours to transport photochemical precursors for 20 $\sim$ 50 km. In turn the areas of maximum $O_3$ occurrence in Seoul are in the range of meso-scale transport of air pollutants.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.319-341
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• 2010

The purposes of this study are to classify heavy snowfall types in the Republic of Korea based on fresh snowfall data and atmospheric circulation data during the last 36(1973/74-2008/09) snow seasons and to identify typical surface synoptic climate patterns that characterize each heavy snowfall type. Four synoptic climate categories and seventeen regional heavy snowfall types are classified based on sea level pressure/surface wind vector patterns in East Asia and frequent spatial clustering patterns of heavy snowfall in the Republic of Korea, respectively. Composite analyses of multiple surface synoptic weather charts demonstrate that the locations and intensity of pressure/wind vector mean and anomaly cores in East Asia differentiate each regional heavy snowfall type in Korea. These differences in synoptic climatic fields are primarily associated with the surge of the Siberian high pressure system and the appearance of low pressure systems over the Korean Peninsula. In terms of hemispheric atmospheric circulation, synoptic climatic patterns in the negative mode of winter Arctic Oscillation (AO) are also associated with frequent heavy snowfall in the Republic of Korea at seasonal scales. These results from long-term synoptic climatic data could contribute to improvement of short-range or seasonal prediction of regional heavy snowfall.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.432-449
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• 2009

In this study, the effects of high-resolution land cover on the simulation of near-surface meteorological fields were evaluated in two different coastal regions using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. These analyses were performed using the middle classification land cover data upgraded by the Korean Ministry of Environment (KME). For the purpose of this study, two coastal areas were selected as follows: (1) the southwestern coastal (SWC) region characterized by complex shoreline and (2) the eastern coastal (EC) region described a high mountain and a simple coastline. The result showed that the application of high-resolution land cover were found to be notably distinguished between the SWC and EC regions. The land cover improvement has contributed to generate the realistic complex coastline and the distribution of small islands in the SWC region and the expansion of urban and built-up land along the sea front in the EC region, respectively. The model study indicated that the improvement of land cover caused a temperature change on wide areas of inland and nearby sea for the SWC region, and narrow areas along the coastal line for the EC region. These temperature variations in the two regions resulted in a decrease and an increase in land-breeze and sea-breeze intensity, respectively (especially the SWC region). Interestingly, the improvement of land cover can contribute large enough to change wind distributions over the sea in coastal areas.