Constant slip rate during the late Quaternary along the Sulu He segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault near Changma,Gansu, China

The question of whether millennial‐scale geological slip rates are consistent with decade‐scale geodetic slip rates is of great importance in evaluating the nature of continental deformation within the Tibetan Plateau. We determined the time‐averaged slip rate of the Sulu He segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault, near Changma in Gansu Province, China, based on geomorphic analysis, remote sensing data, and cosmogenic ¹⁰Be surface‐exposure age dating. Quaternary alluvial fan deposits in the study area (Qf1, Qf2, Qf3) are displaced by left‐lateral movement along the Altyn Tagh Fault. Because of the large accumulated displacement of these fans, some of them have become disconnected from the fan apexes that are directly linked to the debris‐source areas in the piedmont of the Qilian Shan to the south. The total minimum offsets are estimated to be about 429 ± 41 m for Qf1, about 130 ± 10 m for Qf2, and 32 ± 1 m for Qf3. The ¹⁰Be surface‐exposure ages obtained for Qf1 and Qf2 are 100–112 ka and 31–43 ka, respectively. Accordingly, the slip rate since the period of Qf1 and Qf2 depositions is calculated to have been about 3.7 mm/yr.     

Factors causing dynamic variations in the saltwater–freshwater transition zone in a beach aquifer, Mangsang, South Korea

Dynamic variation in the saltwater–freshwater transition zone below a seafront beach in South Korea was investigated with long-term monitoring of the groundwater in relation to the precipitation, wave height, and tide. Correlation, spectral analysis, and regression analysis of monitoring data were performed to deduce the relationships between these factors. The general shape of the transition zone was affected by the seasonal groundwater levels, but temporary fluctuations were predominantly affected by local rising-groundwater-level events. The distinct increases in the groundwater level were closely related to the wave height. Different patterns of electrical conductivity (EC) change were detected in the shallow and deep zones, and these differences indicated that the transition zone was highly dynamic. The EC values at shallow depths were temporarily increased by the wave setup and tidal fluctuations during the rising-groundwater events, but the EC at greater depths was reduced by the seaward or downward movement of the relative freshwater. In exceptional cases, during extreme increases in the groundwater level resulting from seawater flooding, the rapid downward flow of the flooding saltwater through the well bore caused synchronous EC fluctuations at all depths.     

Propagation characteristics of historical tsunamis that attacked the east coast of Korea

In this study, a numerical modeling system based on the dispersion–correction finite difference scheme equipped with a grid-nesting scheme is constructed. The model is applied to simulate the propagation of three historical tsunami events that attacked the east coast of Korea. The calculated free-surface displacements for the cases of the 1983 Akita and the 1993 Okushiri tsunamis are compared with the observations at four tidal stations along the east coast of Korea. The comparison shows that the results agree well with the observations. The analyses of the simulated results show that underwater topography, such as submerged rises and ridges, plays an important role in the propagation of tsunamis in this region.     

Flight test evaluation of ILS and GBAS performance at Gimpo International Airport

We address the differences in the ways the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) offer approach guidance, and their principles and methods. We perform comparative analysis of the accuracy of deviation between the GBAS Landing System (GLS) and ILS by means of flight tests, using the flight inspection aircraft at Gimpo International Airport. Our results show that the ILS deviation error increases as the distance between the threshold of runway and the aircraft increases; on the other hand, the GLS deviation error is stable, within the range of ±0.5 to ±2 m lateral and vertical deviation, respectively. We also analyze the alignment accuracy of the ILS and GLS based on the evaluation criteria of Category I of the Federal Aviation Administration, and our analysis results confirm that both systems satisfy the requirements (lateral: ±0.1°, vertical: ±0.05°).     

Marine-Derived Fungi in Korea

Ocean Science Journal - Studies on marine fungi (termed as ‘marine-derived fungi’ in this paper) have been significantly increasing worldwide because of the critical role displayed by...     

Origin and patterns of the Upper Paleolithic industries in the Korean Peninsula and movement of modern humans in East Asia

Assemblages classified as ‘Upper Paleolithic’ in the Korean peninsula are diverse in their composition, including not only some blade industries but also conventional ones continued from earlier Paleolithic periods. This has often been explained as the result of an indigenous development. However, the ‘heterogenic’ character of Upper Paleolithic industries is the result of the continuing influx of modern human populations via two different routes: (1) from Siberia and (2) from southern China. Blade technology from Siberia appeared in the Korean peninsula around 35 000 BP and coexisted with core and flake stone industries carried by modern humans from southern China and Southeast Asia throughout the Upper Paleolithic. This explanation is based on the current observation of patterns of Upper Paleolithic industries in East Asia. Blade industries have been found only in the northern part of East Asia while none have been reported in southern China, although modern Homo evidently dispersed via two different routes from the Near East. The ‘North-South Model’ of Modern Homo migrations into the Korean peninsula is supported by a genetic analysis of the Y-chromosome of the modern population in this region. Continuing influx of modern human population from both origins to the peninsula can explain the consistent presence of Upper Paleolithic industries that appear heterogenic.     

Holocene environmental changes on the east coast of Korea

We present a record of Holocene environmental change on the east coast of Korea, inferred using pollen, carbon-isotopic composition (??¹³C), total organic carbon, total sulfur, carbon/nitrogen ratios, particle size analysis and major element geochemistry in a sediment core from Soonpogae Lagoon. A multi-proxy paleoenvironmental approach had not previously been applied in Korea and allowed us to reconstruct climate and vegetation change, sea-level rise, lagoon development, and human impact on the east coast of Korea over the last 8,000?years. Evidence from Soonpogae Lagoon supports the following three conclusions: (1) As a drying trend prevailed on the east coast of Korea after ~5,900?cal?yr BP, chemical weathering weakened and herbaceous plants became more important than during the previous humid phase (Holocene Climate Optimum), (2) Sea-level rise on the east coast slowed dramatically about 6,800?cal?yr BP, resulting in low rates of sedimentation in Soonpogae Lagoon, and (3) Soonpogae Lagoon was almost completely isolated from the sea by sand barriers when human impact intensified ~2,100 BP.     

Coastal Pollution Mitigation with Lime and Zero Valent Iron

The Taiwan Strait region has many miles of coastline, and the Taiwan Straits Tunnel (TST) project faces many potential pollution problems as construction proceeds through sensitive areas. Conventional approaches for pollution mitigation require further examination. The recent development of nanoscale particle technology has shown distinct advantages for contaminant attenuation and ground improvement. This paper is focused on trace metals and is part of the overall effort to develop the nanoscale particle technology. Trace metals in ground and surface waters represent a continued threat to human and ecological health. One of the difficulties in removing toxic concentrations of trace metals from solution is the variable oxidation state and amphoteric nature of multiple constituents. In particular, while cationic metals (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺) may be rendered less mobile under high pH conditions, anionic metals (e.g., AsO₄^3-, CrO₄^2-, SeO₄^2-)may become more mobile. The objective of this research was to evaluate the sorption of both cationic and anionic trace elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and selenium (Se) under batch conditions. Mixtures of a local residual soil were tested alone and in combination with lime and zero valent iron. It was hypothesized that lime would raise the pH and precipitate positively charged metals while zero valent iron would create reducing conditions favorable to the immobilization of negatively charged metals. Results indicate that the use of lime and/or zero valent iron can increase the sorption capacity of soil. Compared to the baseline soil, sorption capacity increased with addition of lime for arsenic and cadmium while it decreased for chromium and selenium. In the case of zero valent iron addition, sorption capacity increased for cadmium, chromium and selenium, while showing no change for arsenic. When both lime and zero valent iron were used, the sorption capacity increased for all metals tested. These results suggest that the combined use of lime and zero valent iron may serve as an alternative treatment technology for removing trace metals from contaminated water systems.