• Atmosphere
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.467-482
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• 2010

In this study, characteristics of various stability indexes (SI) and environmental parameters (EP) for the lightning are analysed by using 5 upper air observatories (Osan, Gwangju, Jeju, Pohang, and Baengnyeongdo) for the years 2002-2006 over South Korea. The analysed SI and EP are the lifted index, K-index, Showalter stability index, total precipitable water, mixing ratio, wind shear and temperature of lifting condensation level. The lightning data occurred on the range of -2 hr~+1 hr and within 100 km based on the launch time of rawinsonde and observing location are selected. In general, summer averaged temperature and mixing ratio of lower troposphere for the lightning cases are higher about 1 K and $1{\sim}2gkg^{-1}$ than no lightning cases, respectively. The Box-Whisker plot shows that the range of various SI and EP values for lightning and no lightning cases are well separated but overlapping of SI and EP values between lightning and no lightning are not a little. The optimized threshold values for the detection of lightning are determined objectively based on the highest Heidke skill socre (HSS), which is the most favorable validation parameter for the rare event, such as lightning, by using the simulation of SI and EP threshold values. Although the HSS is not high (0.15~0.30) and the number and values of selected SI and EP are dependent on geographic location, the new threshold values can be used as a supplementary tool for the detection or forecast of lightning over South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.481-491
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• 2014

Blue-ice area is a glacial ice field in ice sheet, ice shelf and glaciers where snow ablation and sublimation is larger than snowfall. As the blue-ice area has large influences on the meteorite concentration mechanism and ice mass balance, it is required to quantify the concentration of blue-ice. We analyzed spectral reflectance characteristics of blue-ice, snow and cloud by using MODIS images obtained over blue-ice areas in McMurdo Dry Valleys, East Antarctica, from 2007 to 2012. We then developed Normalized Difference Blue-ice Index (NDBI) algorithm which quantifies the concentration of blue-ice. Snow and cloud have a high reflectance in visible and near-infrared (NIR) bands. Reflectance of blue-ice is high in blue band, while that lowers in the NIR band. NDBI is calculated by dividing the difference of reflectance in the blue and NIR bands by the sum of reflectances in the two bands so that NDBI = (Blue-NIR)/(Blue + NIR). NDBI calculated from the MODIS images showed that the blue-ice areas have values ranging from 0.2 to 0.5, depending on the exposure and concentration of blue-ice. It is obviously different from that of snow and cloud that has values less than 0.2 or rocks with negative values. The change of NDBI values in the blue-ice area has higher correlation with snow depth ($R^2=0.699$) than wind speed ($R^2=0.012$) or air temperature ($R^2=0.278$), all measured at a meteorological station installed in McMurdo Dry Valleys. As the snow depth increased, the NDBI value decreased, which suggests that snow depth can be estimated from NDBI values over blue-ice areas. The NDBI algorithm developed in this study will be useful for various polar research fields such as meteorite exploration, analysis of ice mass balance as well as the snow depth estimation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.731-737
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• 2016

To understand the characteristics and strength of the cold water that has caused damage to marine-culturing farms around Guryongpo, in the southwestern part of Korea, surface and water column temperatures were collected from temperature loggers deployed at a sea squirt farm during August-November 2007 and from a Real-time Information System for Aquaculture environment operated by NIFS (National Institute of Fisheries Science) during July-August 2015 and 2016. During the study period, surface temperature at Guryongpo decreased sharply when south/southwestern winds prevailed (the 18-26th of August and 20-22nd of September 2007 and the 13-15th of July 2015) as a result of upwelling. However, the deep-water (20-30m) temperature increased during periods of strong north/northeasterly winds (the 5-7th and 16-18th of September 2007) as a result of downwelling. Among the cold water events that occurred at Guryongpo, the mass death of cultured fish followed strong cold water events (surface temperatures below $10^{\circ}C$) that were caused by more than two days of successive south/southeastern winds with maximum speeds higher than 5 m/s. A Cold Water Index (CWI) was defined and calculated using maximum wind speed and direction as measured daily at Pohang Meteorological Observatory. When the average CWI over two days ($CWI_{2d}$) was higher than 100, mass fish mortality occurred. The four-day average CWI ($CWI_{4d}$) showed a high negative correlation with surface temperature from July-August in the Guryongpo area ($R^2=0.5$), suggesting that CWI is a good index for predicting strong cold water events and massive mortality. In October 2007, the sea temperature at a depth of 30 m showed a high fluctuation that ranged from $7-23^{\circ}C$, with frequency and spectrum coinciding with tidal levels at Ulsan, affected by the North Korean Cold Current. If temperature variations at the depth of fish cages also regularly fluctuate within this range, damage may be caused to the Guryongpo fish industry. More studies are needed to focus on this phenomenon.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.2_2
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• pp.351-363
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• 2020

It is well known that alluvial sediment located in coastal region has been easily affected by geohazard like ground subsidence, marine or meteorological disasters which threaten invaluable lives and properties. The subsidence is a sinking of the ground due to underground material movement that mostly related to soil compaction by water extraction. Thus, continuous monitoring is essential to protect possible damage from the ground subsidence in the coastal region. Radar interferometric application has been widely used to estimate surface displacement from phase information of synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Thanks to advanced SAR technique like the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS), a time-series of surface displacement could be successfully calculated with a large amount of SAR observations (>20). Because the ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 L-band observations maintain higher coherence compared with other shorter wavelength like X- or C-band, it has been regarded as one of the best resources for Earth science. However, the number of ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 observations might be not enough for the SBAS application due to its global monitoring observation scenario. Unfortunately, the number of the ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Stripmap images in area of our interest, Busan which located in the Southeastern Korea, is only 11 which is insufficient to apply the SBAS time-series analysis. Although it is common that the radar interferometry utilizes multiple SAR images collected from same acquisition mode, it has been reported that the ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Stripmap-ScanSAR interferometric application could be possible under specific acquisition mode. In case that we can apply the Stripmap-ScanSAR interferometry with the other 18 ScanSAR observations over Busan, an enhanced time-series surface displacement with better temporal resolution could be estimated. In this study, we evaluated feasibility of the ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Stripmap-ScanSAR interferometric application using Gamma software considering differences of chirp bandwidth and pulse repetition frequency (PRF) between two acquisition modes. In addition, we analyzed the interferograms with respect to spectral shift of radar carrier frequency and common band filtering. Even though it shows similar level of coherence regardless of spectral shift in the radar carrier frequency, we found periodic spectral noises in azimuth direction and significant degradation of coherence in azimuth direction after common band filtering. Therefore, the characteristics of spectral bandwidth in the range and azimuth direction should be considered cautiously for the ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Stripmap-ScanSAR interferometry.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.240-252
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• 2005

The relationships between wave and wind around the Korean Peninsula have been analyzed with the data from the buoys moored at five stations (Dugjug-do, Chilbal-do, Geomoon -do, Geoje-do, Donghae) by Korea Meteorological Administration. Generally, the relationship between wave and wind is the highest at the stations in the West Sea and the lowest at the stations in the South Sea, and the middle at the station in the East Sea. The characteristics shown at each station are as follows. Highest wave is developed at Chilbal-do with strong northwesterly wind in winter because the sea is opened in the wind direction and wave is amplified by shoaling effect. At Chilbal-do, wave directions coincide with wind directions relatively well. On the other hand, waves are not fully developed at Dugjug-do in winter due to limited fetch since the sea is blocked by Hwanghae-do in the northwest direction. The limitation in fetch is more serious at the stations in the South Sea. In the South Sea, the direction of dominant northerly wind is blocked by land so that wave heights are small even with very strong northerly wind. In the South Sea, whatever wind direction is, waves dominantly come in the direction from the East China Sea, which are from the south at Geomoon-do and the southwest at Geoje-do. At these directions, waves are coming even with weak wind. At the station in the East Sea, waves are highly developed due to vast area, but not so high as in Chilbal-do because wind and wave directions do not coincide in many cases. As shown, wind direction is important in the wave development as well as wind speed. The reason is that the fetch is determined by wind direction. In the case of long-lasted wind with fixed direction at Chilbal-do and Dugjug-do, wave directions are well coincident with wind directions and wave heights increase with response time, which is the duration between the highest wind and wave. However, in the case of disagreement between wind and wave directions at the station in the East Sea, wave heights do not increase as highly as at Chilbal-do and Dugjug-do in spite of strong wind and longer response time. The results show us that waves are highly developed with strong wind, long fetch, and long duration, and also show that wave development ratios are different at different stations due to environmental factors such as the direction towards sea or land, bottom topography, and the scales of adjacent seas.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.E
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• pp.332-342
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• 1994

Hierarchical cluster and factor analyses were used to identify various influences on free tropospheric air samples at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii during MLOPEX. The cluster analysis separated thirteen chemical and meteorological variables into three characteristic groups (1)clean air, (2)anthropogenically influenced air, (3)marine and volcanic influenced air. The cluster analysis results compared well with those of factor analysis. Six independent components were identified in factor analysis. We have related these components to (1)volcano influenced air, (2)stratosphere-like air, (3)boundary-layer air with recent anthropogenic influence, (4)photochemical haze, (5)marine boundary- layer air, and (6)modified marine tropospheric air. Excluding local influence, we could calculate the nighttime free tropospheric values for $O_3$(41$\pm$10 ppbv), HN $O_3$(94$\pm$45 pptv), N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ (16$\pm$10 ppbv), S $O_4$$^{[-10]}$ (60$\pm$0 pptv), N $H_4$$^{＋}$(71$\pm$6 pptv), N $a^{＋}$(5$\pm$1 pptv), PAN(13$\pm$9 pptv), MeN $O_3$(3.5$\pm$1.5 pptv), 2-butyl N $O_3$(0.6$\pm$0.1 pptv), $H_2O$$_2$(1015$\pm$44 pptv), $C_2$C $l_4$(3.3$\pm$0.1 pptv), condensation nuclei(249$\pm$13c $m^{-3}$), and dew point(-8.5$\pm$5.3$^{\circ}C$) during this experiment..

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.115-127
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• 2018

This study aims to propose management strategies of ventilation paths for improving urban thermal environments. For this purpose, Gimhae-si in Gyeongsangnamdo was selected as a study area. We analyzed hot spots and cool spots in Gimhae by using Landsat 8 satellite image data and spatial statistical analysis, and finally derived the vulnerable areas to thermal environment. In addition, the characteristics of ventilation paths including wind direction and wind speed were analyzed by using data of the wind resource map provided by Korea Meteorological Administration. As a result, it was found that a lot of hot spots were similar to those with weak wind such as Jinyoung-eup, Jillye-myeon, Juchon-myeon and the downtown area. Based on the analysis, management strategies of ventilation paths in Gimhye were presented as follows. Jinyoung-eup and Jillye-myeon with hot spot areas and week wind areas have a strong possibility that hot spot areas will be extended and strengthened, because industrial areas are being built. Hence, climate-friendly urban and architectural plans considering ventilation paths is required in these areas. In Juchon-myeon, where industrial complexes and agricultural complexes are located, climate-friendly plans are also required because high-rise apartment complexes and an urban development zone are planned, which may induce worse thermal environment in the future. It is expected that a planning of securing and enlarging ventilation paths will be established for climate-friendly urban management. and further the results will be utilized in urban renewal and environmental planning as well as urban basic plans. In addition, we expect that the results can be applied as basic data for climate change adaptation plan and the evaluation system for climate-friendly urban development of Gimhye.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.70-80
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• 2003

We report the first direct measurement of $CO_2$ flux over Kwangneung broadleaf deciduous forest, one of the tower flux sites in KoFlux network. Eddy covariance system was installed on a 30 m tower along with other meteorological instruments from June to August in 2002. Although the study site was non-ideal (with valley-like terrain), turbulence characteristics from limited wind directions (i.e., 90$\pm$45$^{\circ}$) was not significantly different from those obtained at simple, homogeneous terrains with an ideal fetch. Despite very low rate of data retrieval, preliminary results from our analysis are encouraging and worthy of further investigation. Ignoring the role of advection terms, the averaged net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of $CO_2$ ranged from -1.2 to 0.7 mg m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ from June to August in 2002. The effect of weak turbulence on nocturnal NEE was examined in terms of friction velocity (u*) along with the estimation of storage term. The effect of low uf u* NEE was obvious with a threshold value of about 0.2 m s$^{-1}$ . The contribution of storage term to nocturnal NEE was insignificant; suggesting that the $CO_2$ stored within the forest canopy at night was probably removed by the drainage flow along the hilly terrain. This could be also an artifact of uncertainty in calculations of storage term based on a single-level concentration. The hyperbolic light response curves explained ＞80% of variation in the observed NEE, indicating that $CO_2$ exchange at the site was notably light-dependent. Such a relationship can be used effectively in filling up the missing gaps in NEE data through the season. Finally, a simple scaling analysis based on a linear flow model suggested that advection might play a significant role in NEE evaluation at this site.

• Atmosphere
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.305-315
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• 2018

This study investigates the characteristic spatial patterns and dynamic processes associated with the summertime extreme temperature events in South Korea during the last 20 years (1995~2014) using Self-Organizing Map (SOM). The classified SOM patterns commonly have high temperature and anticyclonic circulation anomalies over South Korea. The two major teleconnection patterns are identified: one is from the subtropical western North Pacific (WNP) affecting to the north and the other is from the North Atlantic (NA) affecting downstream region. The meridional teleconnection pattern is related to the forcing of positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly over the WNP. The northward propagating Rossby wave generates the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) pattern to form an anticyclonic circulation anomaly over South Korea. On the other hand, NA SST anomalies generate an eastward Rossby wave train across the Eurasian continent, leading to the development of an anticyclonic circulation anomaly over South Korea. The EAP pattern occurs more frequently in July and August, whereas the midlatitude teleconnection pattern associated with NA SST anomalies develops more frequently in early summer (June).

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.2 s.113
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• pp.168-187
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• 2006

Windy meteorological conditions and dried fire fuels due to higher atmospheric instability and dryness in the lower troposphere can exacerbate fire controls and result in more losses of forest resources and residential properties due to enhanced large wildland fires. Long-term (1979-2005) climatology of the Haines Index reconstructed in this study reveals that spatial patterns and intra-annual variability of the atmospheric instability and dryness in the lower troposphere affect the frequency of wildland fire incidences over the Korean Peninsula. Exponential regression models verify that daily high Haines Index and its monthly frequency has statistically significant correlations with the frequency of the wildland fire occurrences during the fire season (December-April) in South Korea. According to the climatic maps of the Haines Index created by the Geographic Information System (GIS) using the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), the lowlands below 500m from the mean sea level in the northwestern regions of the Korean Peninsula demonstrates the high frequency of the Haines Index equal to or greater than five in April and May. The annual frequency of the high Haines Index represents an increasing trend across the Korean Peninsula since the mid-1990s, particularly in Gyeongsangbuk-do and along the eastern coastal areas. The composite of synoptic weather maps at 500hPa for extreme events, in which the high Haines Index lasted for several days consecutively, illustrates that the cold low pressure system developed around the Sea of Okhotsk in the extreme event period enhances the pressure gradient and westerly wind speed over the Korean Peninsula. These results demonstrate the need for further consideration of the spatial-temporal characteristics of vertical atmospheric components, such as atmospheric instability and dryness, in the current Korean fire prediction system.