• Title/Summary/Keyword: polar regions

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Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Mangrove Sediments of Chuuk and Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (마이크로네시아 맹그로브 퇴적물 내 중금속 오염도 평가)

  • Ra, Kongtae;Lee, Charity M.;Noh, Jae-Hoon;Park, Heung-Sik;Kim, Eun-Soo;Kwon, Moon-Sang;Kim, Kyung-Tae
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.453-464
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    • 2013
  • Heavy metals in the mangrove sediments of Chuuk and Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia were analyzed to examine the pollution levels of heavy metals using enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI). The mean concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in surface mangrove sediments were 642, 125, 46.9, 149, 15.6, 0.14 and 8.55 ${\mu}g$, respectively. Kosrae mangrove sediments showed the highest concentrations of Cr and Ni while Chuuk contains more of other metals such as Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb. Compared to those from other mangrove regions of the world, Cr, Ni and As levels in mangrove sediments from Micronesia were at higher levels whereas Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were at lower to median levels. In core sediment of Chuuk, metal concentrations in the upper part were higher than those in the lower part. Based on the EF and PLI values, As is evaluated as the heaviest contaminant in the surface sediment from Micronesia whilst other metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) are present at slightly lesser levels.

Experimental Study on Structure Characteristics of Particulate Matter emitted from Ship at Various Sampling Conditions (다양한 샘플링 조건에 따른 선박 배기가스 내 입자상물질의 구조 특성에 관한 실험 연구)

  • Lee, Won-Ju;Jang, Se-Hyun;Kim, Sung-Yoon;Kang, Mu-Kyoung;Chun, Kang-Woo;Cho, Kwon-Hae;Yoon, Seok-Hun;Choi, Jae-Hyuk
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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    • v.22 no.5
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    • pp.547-553
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    • 2016
  • Black carbon (BC) contained in particulate matter (PM) originating from the exhaust gases of ships' diesel engines has been receiving great attention as a cause of glacial melting and warming in the polar regions. In this study, we took samples from various locations of PM emitted from the training ship (T/S) HANBADA's main engine, in cooperation with the Korea Maritime and Ocean University. We analyzed the structure and characteristics of these samples using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and applied our findings as fundamental research for developing PM reduction technology. We also employed our results to determine appropriate preemptive action to meet upcoming PM/BC regulations. In addition, we confirmed the emission trend of pollutants from exhaust gases under various engine operating conditions using an exhaust gas analyzer. Results obtained from the analysis of HR-TEM images showed that the structure of the PM is chain-like wispy agglomerates consisting of a number of individual spherical particles. As the sampling location was moved away from the turbo charger (T/C) towards the funnel, more condensates were observed at a low temperature and the molecular structure of the PM lost its characteristic BC structure as an amorphous structure gradually appeared. Furthermore, through the analysis of exhaust gases, we predicted a decrease in PM concentration in the exhaust stream as engine rpm increase.

A Quality-control Experiment Involving an Optical Televiewer Using a Fractured Borehole Model (균열모형시추공을 이용한 광학영상화검층 품질관리 시험)

  • Jeong, Seungho;Shin, Jehyun;Hwang, Seho;Kim, Ji-Soo
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.17-30
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    • 2020
  • An optical televiewer is a geophysical logging device that produces continuous high-resolution full-azimuth images of a borehole wall using a light-emitting-diode and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor image sensor to provide valuable information on subsurface discontinuities. Recently, borehole imaging logging has been applied in many fields, including ground subsidence monitoring, rock mass integrity evaluation, stress-induced fracture detection, and glacial annual-layer measurements in polar regions. Widely used commercial borehole imaging logging systems typically have limitations depending on equipment specifications, meaning that it is necessary to clearly verify the scope of applications while maintaining appropriate quality control for various borehole conditions. However, it is difficult to directly check the accuracy, implementation, and reliability for outcomes, as images derived from an optical televiewer constitute in situ data. In this study, we designed and constructed a modular fractured borehole model having similar conditions to a borehole environment to report unprecedented results regarding reliable data acquisition and processing. We investigate sonde magnetometer accuracy, color realization, and fracture resolution, and suggest data processing methods to obtain accurate aperture measurements. The experiment involving the fractured borehole model should enhance not only measurement quality but also interpretations of high-resolution and reliable optical imaging logs.

The Physiological and Ecological Comparisons between Warm (Pleuromamma sp.) and Cold Water Copepod Species (Neocalanus plumchrus) in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean Using Lipid Contents and Compositions (북서태평양에서 난수성(Pleuromamma sp.)과 냉수성(Neocalanus plumchrus) 요각류의 지방 함량 및 구성 분석을 통한 생리/생태 비교)

  • Ko, Ah-Ra;Ju, Se-Jong;Lee, Chang-Rae
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.121-131
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    • 2009
  • In an effort to better understand the physiological and ecological differences between warm and cold water copepod species in Korean waters using lipid contents and compositions, two species of copepods (Pleuromamma sp. as a warm water species and Neocalanus plumchrus as a cold water species) were collected from the Northwest Pacific and East Sea/Sea of Japan, respectively. The cold water species showed two fold higher lipid contents than the warm water species (11% vs. 5% of dry weight). Wax esters, known as one of the major storage lipid classes, were found to be the dominant lipid class (accounting for 64% of total lipids) in the cold water species, whereas, in the warm water species, phospholipids, which are known as membrane components, were the dominant lipid class (accounting for 43% of total lipids),with a trace amount of the storage lipids as a form of triacylglycerols (${\leq}1%$ of total lipids). With regard to the fatty acid compositions, saturated fatty acids (SAFA), especially 16:0 (about 30% of total fatty acids), were most abundant in the warm water species, whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA : 20:5(n-3)) (${\geq}16%$ of total fatty acids), were most abundant in the cold water species. Among the neutral fraction of lipids, phytol, originating from the side chain of chlorophyll and indicative of active feeding on phytoplankton, was detected only in the warm water species. Significant quantities of fatty alcohols were detected in cold water species, particularly long-chain monounsaturated fatty alcohols (i.e. 20:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11)), which are well known to abound in cold water herbivorous copepods. However, only trace amounts of short-chain fatty alcohols were detected in the warm water species. Twelve different kinds of sterols were detected in these copepod species, with cholest-5-en-$3{\beta}$-ol (cholesterol) and cholesta-5, 24-dien-$3{\beta}$-ol (desmosterol) dominating in cold and warm water species, respectively. In addition, for the warm water species (Pleuromamma sp.), we assessed the latitudinal gradients of lipid contents and compositions using samples from three different latitudinal regions (Philippine EEZ, Japan EEZ, and the East China Sea). Although no latitudinal gradients of lipid contents were detected, the lipid compositions, particularly dietary fatty acid markers, varied significantly with the latitude. The findings of this study confirm that the distribution of lipid contents and compositions in copepods may not only indicate their nutritional condition and diet history, but may also provide insights into their living strategies under different environmental conditions (i.e., water temperature, food availability).

Engineering Approach to Crop Production in Space (우주에서 작물 생산을 위한 공학적 접근)

  • Kim Yong-Hyeon
    • Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.218-231
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    • 2005
  • This paper reviews the engineering approach needed to support humans during their long-term missions in space. This approach includes closed plant production systems under microgravity or low pressure, mass recycling, air revitalization, water purification, waste management, elimination of trace contaminants, lighting, and nutrient delivery systems in controlled ecological life support system (CELSS). Requirements of crops f3r space use are high production, edibility, digestibility, many culinary uses, capability of automation, short stems, and high transpiration. Low pressure on Mars is considered to be a major obstacle for the design of greenhouses fer crop production. However interest in Mars inflatable greenhouse applicable to planetary surface has increased. Structure, internal pressure, material, method of lighting, and shielding are principal design parameters for the inflatable greenhouse. The inflatable greenhouse operating at low pressure can reduce the structural mass and atmosphere leakage rate. Plants growing at reduced pressure show an increasing transpiration rates and a high water loss. Vapor pressure increases as moisture is added to the air through transpiration or evaporation from leaks in the hydroponic system. Fluctuations in vapor pressure will significantly influence total pressure in a closed system. Thus hydroponic systems should be as tight as possible to reduce the quantity of water that evaporates from leaks. And the environmental control system to maintain high relative humidity at low pressure should be developed. The essence of technologies associated with CELSS can support human lift even at extremely harsh conditions such as in deserts, polar regions, and under the ocean on Earth as well as in space.

Analysis of Sea Surface Temperature Simulation in the Northwestern Pacific and the East Asian Marginal Seas using HadGEM2-AO (HadGEM2-AO를 이용한 북서태평양-동아시아 해역의 표층 수온 모의 특성 분석)

  • Kim, Haejin;Kim, Cheol-Ho;Shin, Hong-Ryeol
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.89-102
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    • 2016
  • In this study, we evaluated the model performance with respect to Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Net Heat Flux (NHF) by considering the characteristics of seasonal temperature variation and contributing factors and by analyzing heat budget terms in the Northwestern Pacific and East Asian Marginal Seas ($110^{\circ}E-160^{\circ}E$, $15^{\circ}N-60^{\circ}N$) using the HadGEM2-AO historical run. Annual mean SST of the HadGEM2-AO is about $0.065^{\circ}C$ higher than observations (EN3_v2a) from 1950 to 2000. Since 1960, the model has simulated well the long-term variation of SST and the increasing rate of SST in the model ($0.014^{\circ}C/year$) is comparable with observations ($0.013^{\circ}C/year$). Heat loss from the ocean to the atmosphere was simulated slightly higher in the HadGEM2-AO than that in the reanalysis data on the East Asian Marginal Seas and the Kuroshio region. We investigated the causes of temperature variation by calculating the heat budget equation in the two representative regions. In the central part of the Kuroshio axis ($125^{\circ}E-130^{\circ}E$, $25^{\circ}N-30^{\circ}N$: Region A), both heat loss in the upper mixed layer by surface heat flux and vertical heat advection mainly cause the decrease of heat storage in autumn and winter. Release of latent heat flux through the heat convergence brought about by the Kuroshio contributes to the large surface net heat flux. Positive heat storage rate is mainly determined by horizontal heat advection from March to April and surface net heat flux from May to July. In the central part of the subtropical gyre ($155^{\circ}E-160^{\circ}E$, $22^{\circ}N-27^{\circ}N$: Region B), unlike Region A, vertical heat advection predominantly causes the decrease of heat storage in autumn and winter. In spring and summer, surface heat flux contributes to the increase of heat storage in Region B and the period is two times longer than the period for Region A. In this season, shoaling of the mixed layer depth plays an important role in the increase of SST.

The Effects of Elevated Atmoshpheric CO2 on Chemical Weathering of Forest Soils (대기 중 이산화탄소의 증가가 산림 토양의 화학적 풍화작용에 미치는 영향)

  • Oh, Neung-Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.169-180
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    • 2014
  • Chemical weathering of forest soils can reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration over geologic time scales, providing many essential elements for life. Although many studies have been conducted on the effects of elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ on forest carbon storage using open top chambers and FACE (Free air $CO_2$ enrichment) facilities since the 1990s, studies on chemical weathering of forest soils under elevated $CO_2$ are relatively rare. Here I review on how elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ can affect the chemical weathering of forest soils and suggest directions on future research. Despite the recent advances in chemical weathering of forest soils under elevated atmospheric $CO_2$, it is still not clear how the large volume of forest soils would react under the condition. Future studies on weathering of forest soils covering large areas from the tropics to the polar regions with carefully monitored pre-treatment data would provide key information on how soils, the Earth's life sustaining engine, change under climate change.

Analyzing off-line Noah land surface model spin-up behavior for initialization of global numerical weather prediction model (전지구수치예측모델의 토양수분 초기화를 위한 오프라인 Noah 지면모델 스핀업 특성분석)

  • Jun, Sanghee;Park, Jeong-Hyun;Boo, Kyung-On;Kang, Hyun-Suk
    • Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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    • v.53 no.3
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    • pp.181-191
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    • 2020
  • In order to produce accurate initial condition of soil moisture for global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), spin-up experiment is carried out using Noah Land Surface Model (LSM). The model is run repeatedly through 10 years, under the atmospheric forcing condition of 2008-2017 until climatological land surface state is achieved. Spin-up time for the equilibrium condition of soil moisture exhibited large variability across Koppen-Geiger climate classification zone and soil layer. Top soil layer took the longgest time to equilibrate in polar region. From the second layer to the fourth layer, arid region equilibrated slower (7 years) than other regions. This result means that LSM reached to equilibrium condition within 10 year loop. Also, spin-up time indicated inverse correlation with near surface temperature and precipitation amount. Initialized from the equilibrium state, LSM was spun up to obtain land surface state in 2018. After 6 months from restarted run, LSM simulates soil moisture, skin temperature and evaportranspiration being similar land surface state in 2018. Based on the results, proposed LSM spin-up system could be used to produce proper initial soil moisture condition despite updates of physics or ancillaries for LSM coupled with NWP.

Regional Sea Level Variability in the Pacific during the Altimetry Era Using Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition Method (앙상블 경험적 모드 분해법을 사용한 태평양의 지역별 해수면 변화 분석)

  • Cha, Sang-Chul;Moon, Jae-Hong
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.121-133
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    • 2019
  • Natural variability associated with a variety of large-scale climate modes causes regional differences in sea level rise (SLR), which is particularly remarkable in the Pacific Ocean. Because the superposition of the natural variability and the background anthropogenic trend in sea level can potentially threaten to inundate low-lying and heavily populated coastal regions, it is important to quantify sea level variability associated with internal climate variability and understand their interaction when projecting future SLR impacts. This study seeks to identify the dominant modes of sea level variability in the tropical Pacific and quantify how these modes contribute to regional sea level changes, particularly on the two strong El $Ni{\tilde{n}}o$ events that occurred in the winter of 1997/1998 and 2015/2016. To do so, an adaptive data analysis approach, Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD), was undertaken with regard to two datasets of altimetry-based and in situ-based steric sea levels. Using this EEMD analysis, we identified distinct internal modes associated with El $Ni{\tilde{n}}o$-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) varying from 1.5 to 7 years and low-frequency variability with a period of ~12 years that were clearly distinct from the secular trend. The ENSO-scale frequencies strongly impact on an east-west dipole of sea levels across the tropical Pacific, while the low-frequency (i.e., decadal) mode is predominant in the North Pacific with a horseshoe shape connecting tropical and extratropical sea levels. Of particular interest is that the low-frequency mode resulted in different responses in regional SLR to ENSO events. The low-frequency mode contributed to a sharp increase (decrease) of sea level in the eastern (western) tropical Pacific in the 2015/2016 El $Ni{\tilde{n}}o$ but made a negative contribution to the sea level signals in the 1997/1998 El $Ni{\tilde{n}}o$. This indicates that the SLR signals of the ENSO can be amplified or depressed at times of transition in the low-frequency mode in the tropical Pacific.

Surface Reflectance Retrieval from Satellite Observation (OMI) over East Asia Using Minimum Reflectance Method (위성관측 오존계에서 최소 반사도법을 이용하여 동아시아 지역의 지면반사도 산출)

  • Shin, Hee-Woo;Yoo, Jung-Moon;Lee, Kwon-Ho
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.212-226
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    • 2019
  • This study derived spectral Lambertian Equivalent Reflectance (LER) over East Asia from the observations of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) onboard polar-orbit satellite Aura. The climatological (October 2004-September 2007) LER values were compared with the surface reflectance products of OMI or MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in terms of the atmosphere-environment variables as follows: wavelength (UV, visible), surface properties (land, ocean), and cloud filtering. Four kinds of LER outputs in the UV and visible region (328-500 nm) were retrieved based on the averages of lowest (1, 5, and 10%) surface reflectance values as well as the minimum reflectance. The average of the lowest 10% among them was in best agreement with the OMI product: correlation coefficient (0.88), RMSE (1.0%) and mean bias (-0.3%). The 10% average and OMI LER values over ocean were 2% larger in UV than in visible, while the values over land were 1% smaller. The LER variability on the wavelength and surface property was highest (~3%) in the condition of both land and visible, particularly in the ice-cap and desert regions. The minimum reflectance values over the oceanic and inland sample areas overestimated the MODIS product by 1.4%. This high-resolution MODIS observations were effective in removing cloud contamination. The relative errors of the 10% average to MODIS were smaller (-0.6%) over ocean but larger (1.5%) over land than those of the OMI product to MODIS. The reduced relative error in the OMI product over land may result from additional cloud filtering using the Landsat data. This study will be useful when retrieveing the surface reflectance from geostationary-orbit environmental satellite (e.g., Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer; GEMS).