Advances in computational morphodynamics using the International River Interface Cooperative (iRIC) software

Results from computational morphodynamics modeling of coupled flow–bed–sediment systems are described for 10 applications as a review of recent advances in the field. Each of these applications is drawn from solvers included in the public-domain International River Interface Cooperative (iRIC) software package. For mesoscale river features such as bars, predictions of alternate and higher mode river bars are shown for flows with equilibrium sediment supply and for a single case of oversupplied sediment. For microscale bed features such as bedforms, computational results are shown for the development and evolution of two-dimensional bedforms using a simple closure-based two-dimensional model, for two- and three-dimensional ripples and dunes using a three-dimensional large-eddy simulation flow model coupled to a physics-based particle transport model, and for the development of bed streaks using a three-dimensional unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver with a simple sediment-transport treatment. Finally, macroscale or channel evolution treatments are used to examine the temporal development of meandering channels, a failure model for cantilevered banks, the effect of bank vegetation on channel width, the development of channel networks in tidal systems, and the evolution of bedrock channels. In all examples, computational morphodynamics results from iRIC solvers compare well to observations of natural bed morphology. For each of the three scales investigated here, brief suggestions for future work and potential research directions are offered. © 2019 The Authors Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

滩涂水边线Landsat-5影像提取方法

快速获取遥感影像水边线时空变化信息具有重要意义,滩涂水边线提取一直是遥感技术应用的难点问题。水边线在遥感影像上具有独特的空间关系与光谱特征。本文综合使用颜色模型变换法、信息熵计算法、最大类间方差法及边缘检测方法。以长江口崇明东滩为研究区,研究了Landsat-5卫星影像海陆对比度增强及不同尺度下的边缘提取,重点给出了基于热红外波段的水边线空间特征与光谱特征的计算方法,在面向对象技术框架下提出了一种顾及空间关系和光谱特征的遥感影像水边线快速提取方法。实验结果表明:(1)基于最大类间方差法的局部阈值分割法能够自动提取band 6的水边线,水边线连续、完整,空间信息丰富;(2)综合使用最佳指数法、离散度方法及颜色模型变换方法,能够有效增强海陆对比度,基于最大类间方差法的局部自适应Canny算子能够自动检测出增强后遥感影像高精度边缘;(3)利用水边线的空间关系和光谱特征,能够由计算机自动实现水边线的识别与连接工作;(4)本文提出的水边线提取方法速度快、自动化程度高,分别继承了阈值分割法的连续性强的优点和Canny算子定位精度高、细节呈现能力强的优势。研究结果对于海岸带动态变化、陆海相互作用机制、海岸带资源保护与开发及近海工程管理等研究具有重要的参考价值。     

Three-dimensional visualization of an emotional map with geographical information systems: a case study of historical and cultural heritage in the Yeongsan River Basin,Korea

The objective of this study is the production and visualization of an emotional map to reveal the unique emotions inherent to the areas surrounding the Yeongsan River, which is often referred to as ‘the cradle of civilization’ in Korea. The sites selected for this study are the 11 cities and districts (5667.6 km²) that cut across the vast granary in the southeastern region of Korea, near the Yeongsan River. The emotional map was produced by extracting features of historical and cultural heritage distributed throughout this region and by using a geographic information systems program and its functions for spatial analysis. A database was constructed through interviews with locals and Global Positioning System to index 4318 pieces of cultural heritage to achieve the visualization of emotions. Among the 558 historical relics considered for representing the regional culture, 100 with the largest emotional impact were selected. It was determined that loyalty (), justice (), courtesy (), resentment (), and anger () should be the major emotional elements. Methodologically, a set of regional, periodic, historical, and emotional classification codes were first systematized. After subjecting this data to inverse distance weight interpolation and vertical exaggeration coefficients, the three-dimensional emotional map could be visualized.     

Dynamics of the gryphon activity of gas-water lithoclastic (Mud) volcanoes and their relation to the natural seismicity as exemplified by Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk volcano (Sakhalin Island)

This paper reports detailed evidence on the dynamics of the gryphon activity of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk gas-water lithoclastic (mud) volcano. It was obtained by visual observations during periods between the short-term eruptions of 1959, 1979, and 2001 and, especially, during continuous monitoring between June 18 and September 3, 2005. In addition to the direct observations, the monitoring included measurements (three times per day) of the air temperature and pressure, the temperature of the liquid lithoclastic mass filling the crater hollows of several gryphons of various types, and the amounts of gases released by the two largest and most active gryphons. Liquid lithoclastic mass was collected daily in the crater of the largest (main or central) gryphon for the subsequent ICP AES analysis for five elements (Al, Fe, Ca, Mn, and Ba). The results of the monitoring were compared with the measurements of natural seismicity using the system of Dat and Datamark digital seismic stations. The acquired information was used to unequivocally demonstrate the existence of a direct causal relation between the activity of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcano, the dynamics of the chemical composition of the liquid lithoclastic mass ejected from its main gryphon, and the regional and local natural seismicity, which was previously conjectured. The dynamics of one of the measured elements (Al) is potentially useful for the prediction of eruptions.     

Assessing the impacts of land use changes on watershed hydrology using MIKE SHE

A fully distributed, physically-based hydrologic modeling system, MIKE SHE, was used in this study to investigate whole-watershed hydrologic response to land use changes within the Gyeongancheon watershed in Korea. A grid of 200 × 200 m was established to represent spatial variations in geology, soil, and land use. Initial model performance was evaluated by comparing observed and simulated streamflow from 1988 to 1991. Results indicated that the calibrated MIKE SHE model was able to predict streamflow well during the calibration and validation periods. Proportional changes in five classes of land use within the watershed were derived from multi-temporal Landsat TM imageries taken in 1980, 1990 and 2000. These imageries revealed that the watershed experienced conversion of approximately 10% non-urban area to urban area between 1980 and 2000. The calibrated MIKE SHE model was then programmed to repeatedly analyze an artificial dataset under the various land use proportions identified in the Landsat TM imageries. The analysis was made to quantitatively assess the impact of land use changes (predominantly urbanization) on watershed hydrology. There were increases in total runoff (5.5%) and overland flow (24.8%) as a response to the land use change.     

Toxicological impact assessment of heavy metal contamination on macrobenthic communities in southern coastal sediments of Korea

In the heavily industrialized Masan Bay of southern coast, Korea, the potential harmful effects of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn, and Hg) were evaluated in terms of the pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk assessment index (ERI) methods, and the results obtained were considered alongside the health of the macrobenthic fauna communities. The results revealed that the bay sediments, especially in the inner bay and the outfall area of a sewage treatment plant, are exposed to moderate to serious levels of metal pollution. Hg and Cd contributed the most to the potential toxicity response indices in sediments recently deposited in the bay. The potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the bay was highlighted by the use of the benthic biological pollution index (BPI), suggesting that the ERI is a useful toxicity response index, which can quantify the overall ecological risk level to a target environment.     

Evaluation of seismic displacements of quay walls

A new simplified dynamic analysis method is proposed to predict the seismic sliding displacement of quay walls by considering the variation of wall thrust, which is influenced by the excess pore pressure developed in backfill during earthquakes. The method uses the Newmark sliding block concept and the variable yield acceleration, which varies according to the wall thrust, to calculate the quay wall displacement.A series of 1 g shaking table tests were executed to verify the applicability of the proposed method, and a parametric study was performed. The shaking table tests verified that the proposed method properly predicts the wall displacement, and the parametric study showed that the evaluation of a realistic wall displacement is as important as the analysis of liquefaction potential for judging the stability of quay walls.     

Risk-based assessment of arsenic-affected aquacultural water in blackfoot disease hyperendemic areas

This work explored a risk-based arsenic (As) regulation in farmed pond water by ingesting tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in blackfoot disease hyperendemic areas and discussed a rational As regulation in pond water. Monte Carlo analysis was used to propagate the parameter uncertainty and to assess probabilistically regulation risks. A dynamic scheme of groundwater management was proposed that curves of utilization ratios against As concentrations in groundwater were established based on the risk-based regulation. The 5th to 95th percentiles of risks range from 3.5 × 10⁻⁷ to 6.0 × 10⁻⁵ via ingesting the farmed tilapia under the current As regulation in farmed pond water in Taiwan, 50 μg/L. To compare to inorganic As regulation in drinking water, the current As regulation in farmed pond water does not pose a great threat to human health, but it is unsafe. Therefore, this study suggests that the regulation of As in farmed pond water is revised to be 25 μg/L.     

Satellite-derived SST validation based on in-situ data during summer in the East China Sea and western North Pacific

Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) is validated based on in-situ data from the East China Sea (ECS) and western North Pacific where most typhoons, which make landfall on the Korean peninsula, are formed and pass. While forecasting typhoons in terms of intensity and track, coupled ocean-typhoon models are significantly influenced by initial ocean condition. Potentially, satellite-derived SST is a very useful dataset to obtain initial ocean field because of its wide spatial coverage and high temporal resolution. In this study, satellite-derived SST from various sources such as Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager (TMI), Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) and New Generation Sea Surface Temperature for Open Ocean (NGSST-O) datasets from merged SSTs were compared with in-situ observation data using an indirect method which is using near surface temperature for validation of satellite derived SST. In-situ observation data included shipboard measurements such as Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT), and Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD), and Argo buoy data. This study shows that in-situ data can be used for microwave derived SST validation because homogeneous features of seawater prevail at water depths of 2 m to 10 m under favorable wind conditions during the summer season in the East China Sea. As a result of validation, root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) are shown to be 0.55 °C between microwave SST and XBT/CTD data mostly under weak wind conditions, and 0.7 °C between XBT/CTD measurement and NGSST-O data. Microwave SST RMSE of 0.55 °C is a potentially valuable data source for general application. Change of SST before and after typhoon passing may imply strength of ocean mixing due to upwelling and turbulent mixing driven by the typhoon. Based on SST change, ocean mixing, driven by Typhoon Nari, was examined. Satellite-derived SST reveals a significant SST drop around the track immediately following the passing of Typhoon Nari in October, 2007.     

Geotechnical characterization of marine sediments in the Ulleung Basin,East Sea

The geotechnical characteristics of Ulleung Basin sediments are explored using depressurized samples obtained at 2100 m water depth and 110 m below the sea floor. Geotechnical index tests, X-ray diffraction, and SEM images were obtained to identify the governing sediment parameters, chemical composition and mineralogy. We use an instrumented multi-sensor oedometer cell to determine the small-strain stiffness, zero-lateral strain compressibility and electromagnetic properties, and a triaxial device to measure shear strength. SEM images show a sediment structure dominated by microfossils, with some clay minerals that include kaolinite, illite, and chlorite. The preponderant presence of microfossils determines the high porosity of these sediments, defines their microstructure, and governs all macroscale properties. The shear wave velocity increases as the vertical effective stress increases; on the other hand, porosity, permittivity, electrical conductivity, and hydraulic conductivity decrease with increasing confinement. All these parameters exhibit a bi-linear response with effective vertical stress due to the crushable nature of microfossils. Well-established empirical correlations used to evaluate engineering parameters do not apply for these diatomaceous sediments which exhibit higher compressibility than anticipated based on correlations with index properties. Settlements will be particularly important if gas production is attempted using depressurization because this approach will cause both hydrate dissociation and increase in effective stress.