Nam-Chil Woo

HydroKorea and CarboKorea: cross-scale studies of ecohydrology and biogeochemistry in a heterogeneous and complex forest catchment of Korea

The KoFlux program is dedicated to understanding the fluxes of energy and matter, water resource management, and net ecosystem production in key ecosystems of Monsoon Asia. Under the framework of AsiaFlux, it is a joint effort with determined, comprehensive international strategies to bring Asia’s key ecosystems under observation. Built upon the augmented KoFlux infrastructure (i.e., Gwangneung supersite), the ‘HydroKorea’ and ‘CarboKorea’ projects pursue new methodologies to assess water and carbon cycles at various temporal, spatial, and process scales. Particularly, the multiscaling approaches are used to link process-level studies, flux footprint, ecohydrological and biogeochemical schemes, and high-resolution satellite images. We hope that the work presented here encourages more ground-breaking studies aimed at bridging the gaps in the cross-scale studies of ecohydrological and biogeochemical cycles in heterogeneous and complex landscapes.

Rare earth elements as indicators of groundwater environment changes in a fractured rock system: evidence from fracture-filling calcite

Rare earth element (REE) abundances in core samples from Precambrian crystalline rocks at the Samkwang Mine site provide evidence of the solution chemistry involved in precipitation of calcite on fractures. The rock types collected in core samples are mainly banded-gneisses, with mineral assemblages dominated by biotite, K-feldspar, quartz and plagioclase. Calcite, chlorite, muscovite and sericite occur as secondary minerals, with calcite being the main filling material in fractures. In general, the core samples from 4 boreholes are enriched in light REE (LREE) and depleted in heavy REE (HREE), with negative Eu anomalies. However, positive Eu anomalies also occur at specific depths within 3 boreholes. Variation of chondrite-normalized REE patterns results from the fracture-filling calcite in core samples. Calcite fracture fillings provide a record of paleo-hydrology, where Eu has been reduced and selectively concentrated in the solutions from which calcite has precipitated.

Characterization of controlled-release KMnO4 (CRP) barrier system for groundwater remediation: A pilot-scale flow-tank study

Release and spreading of permanganate (MnO(4)(-)) in the well-based controlled-release potassium permanganate (KMnO(4)) barrier system (CRP system) was investigated by conducting column release tests, model simulations, soil oxidant demand (SOD) analyses, and pilot-scale flow-tank experiments. A large flow tank (L x W x D=8m x 4m x 3m) was constructed. Pilot-scale CRP pellets (OD x L=0.05 m x1.5m; n=110) were manufactured by mixing approximately 198 kg of KMnO(4) powders with paraffin wax and silica sands in cylindrical moulds. The CRP system (L x W x D=3m x 4m x 1.5m) comprising 110 delivery wells in three discrete barriers was constructed in the flow tank. Natural sands (organic carbon content=0.18%; SOD=3.7-11 g MnO(4)(-)kg(-1)) were used as porous media. Column release tests and model simulations indicated that the CRP system could continuously release MnO(4)(-) over several years, with slowly decreasing release rates of 2.5 kg d(-1) (day one), 109 g d(-1) (day 100), 58 g d(-1) (year one), 22 g d(-1) (year five), and 12 g d(-1) (year 10). Mean MnO(4)(-) concentrations within the CRP system ranged from 0.5 to 6 mg l(-1) during the 42 days of testing period. The continuously releasing MnO(4)(-) was gradually removed by SOD limiting the length of MnO(4)(-) zone in the porous media. These data suggested that the CRP system could create persistent and confined oxidation zone in the subsurface. Through development of advanced tools for describing agent transport and facilitating lateral agent spreading, the CRP system could provide new approach for long-term in situ treatment of contaminant plumes in groundwater.

Efficacy of controlled-release KMnO4 (CRP) for controlling dissolved TCE plume in groundwater: A large flow-tank study

A well-based, reactive barrier system using controlled-release potassium permanganate (CRP system) was recently developed as a long-term treatment option for dilute plumes of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. In this study, we performed large-scale (L x W x D = 8 m x 4 m x 2 m) flow-tank experiments to examine remedial efficacy of the CRP system. A total of 110 CRP rods (OD x L=5 cm x 150 cm) were used to construct a well-based CRP system (L x W x D = 3 m x 4 m x 1.5 m) comprising three discrete barriers installed at 1-m interval downstream. Natural sands having oxidant demand of 3.7 g MnO(4)(-)kg(-1) for 500 mg L(-1)MnO(4)(-) were used as porous media. After MnO(4)(-) concentrations were somewhat stabilized (0.5-6.0 mg L(-1)), trichloroethylene (TCE) plume was flowed through the flow-tank for 53 d by supplying 1.19 m(3)d(-1) of TCE solution. Mean initial TCE concentrations were 87 microg L(-1) for first 20 d and 172 microg L(-1) for the next 33 d. During TCE treatment, flow velocity (0.60md(-1)), pH (7.0-8.2), and concentrations of dissolved metals ([Al]=0.7 mg L(-1), [Fe]=0.01 mg L(-1)) showed little variations. The MnO(2)(s) contents in the sandy media measured after the TCE treatment ranged from 21 to 26 mg kg(-1), slightly increased from mean baseline value of 17 mg kg(-1). Strengths of the TCE plume considerably diminished by the CRP system. For the 87 microg L(-1) plume, TCE concentrations decreased by 38% (53), 67% (29), and 74% (23 microg L(-1)) after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd barriers, respectively. For the 172 microg L(-1) plume, TCE concentrations decreased by 27% (125), 46% (93), and 65% (61 microg L(-1)) after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd barriers, respectively. Incomplete destruction of TCE plume was attributed to the lack of lateral dispersion in the unpumped well-based barrier system. Development of delivery systems that can facilitate lateral spreading and mixing of permanganate with contaminant plume is warranted.

Arsenic species in ecosystems affected by arsenic-rich spring water near an abandoned mine in Korea.

The objectives of this study were to quantitatively estimate the distribution of arsenic with its speciation and to identify potential pathways for transformation of arsenic species from samples of water, sediments, and plants in the ecosystem affected by the Cheongog Spring, where As(V) concentration reached levels up to 0.270 mg L(-1). After flowing about 100 m downstream, the arsenic level showed a marked reduction to 0.044 mg L(-1) (about 84% removal) without noticeable changes in major water chemistry. The field study and laboratory hydroponic experiments with the dominant emergent plants along the creek (water dropwort and thunbergian smartweed) indicated that arsenic distribution, reduction, and speciation appear to be controlled by, (i) sorption onto stream sediments in exchangeable fractions, (ii) bioaccumulation by and possible release from emergent plants, and (iii) transformation of As(V) to As(III) and organic species through biological activities.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Contamination from Uranium-Bearing Black Shale in Goesan–Boeun Areas, Korea

This study was initiated to identify the impact of metals and uranium enriched soil and black shale in groundwater quality and contamination. From a Piper diagram, groundwater was classified into four types as (Ca+Mg)−HCO3 type, (Ca+Mg)−SO4 type, the mixed type of these two and Na−HCO3 type, reflecting the complicated nature of geology of the study area. Silicate weathering appeared to be the major water–rock interaction. In groundwater, metals including Cr, Pb, Cu and V, previously identified as being enriched in soils and black shale, were much lower in concentrations than Korean and US EPA drinking water guidelines. Instead, Fe and Mn caused major water-quality problems. In the artesian groundwater from an abandoned uranium mine, the uranium concentration was 21.3 µg L−1, slightly higher than EPA guidelines of 20 µg L−1. Heavy metals in groundwater appeared to be controlled mostly by sorptions on to Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxides. They could be remobilised in groundwater with changes of pH and Eh conditions due to acid mine drainage from black shale or the recharge of fresh water. Uranium would be associated with carbonate and sulphate complexes in groundwater. Because of the remaining water-quality problems in the study area, we suggested containment of identified mine wastes, considering remedial measures for local problems with Fe and Mn, continuous monitoring of groundwater and developing groundwater from deep aquifers.

Water Quality and Pollution in the Hunchun Basin, China

Chemical properties and pollution of water resources were studied in the Hunchun basin, which is located in northeast China and borders directly North Korea and Russia along the Tumen river. Water quality was characterised according to its major constituents and geological features. Ground waters could generally be grouped into (Ca+Mg)-HCO3 type and (Ca+Mg)-(SO3+Cl) type in first and the second terrace areas, respectively. The mixing of these two types depends on the local conditions, such as pumping or permeability variations.Hunchun city is a pollution source for local water resources due to its uncontrolled sewage and urban discharge. In a previous study of the southwestern part of the Hunchun basin, groundwater contamination by Fe, Mn and NO3-N was reported. In addition, this study identified Cd and F as prevailing contaminants in the water resources. Pollution of water resources by these contaminants appeared to be affected by the application of fertilisers, irrigation practice, variation of aquifer characteristics, solubility of mineral phases, and discharge of domestic sewage. Wide distribution and high levels of Cd and F in surface- and ground waters could pose significant problems if they are utilised as major water supply sources.

Lessons from Cross-Scale Studies of Water and Carbon Cycles in the Gwangneung Forest Catchment in a Complex Landscape of Monsoon Korea

KoFlux Gwangneung Supersite comprises complex topography and diverse vegetation types (and structures), which necessitate complementary multi-disciplinary measurements to understand energy and matter exchange. Here, we report the results of this ongoing research with special focuses on carbon/water budgets in Gwangneung forest, implications of inter-dependency between water and carbon cycles, and the importance of hydrology in carbon cycling under monsoon climate. Comprehensive biometric and chamber measurements indicated the mean annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of this forest to be . In conjunction with the tower flux measurement, the preliminary carbon budget suggests the Gwangneung forest to be an important sink for atmospheric . The catchment scale water budget indicated that of annual precipitation was apportioned to evapotranspiration (ET). The growing season average of the water use efficiency (WUE), determined from leaf carbon isotope ratios of representative tree species, was about with noticeable seasonal variations. Such information on ET and WUE can be used to constrain the catchment scale carbon uptake. Inter-annual variations in tree ring growth and soil respiration rates correlated with the magnitude and the pattern of precipitation during the growing season, which requires further investigation of the effect of a monsoon climate on the catchment carbon cycle. Additionally, we examine whether structural and functional units exist in this catchment by characterizing the spatial heterogeneity of the study site, which will provide the linkage between different spatial and temporal scale measurements.

Influence of the M9.0 Tohoku Earthquake on groundwater in Korea

The M9.0 earthquake occurred at 05:46:23 UTC on March 11, 2011 off the coast of Tohoku, Japan, causing devastating tsunami-driven disasters along coastal areas. The influence of the Tohoku earthquake was detected at 46 of 320 monitoring wells of the Korea National Groundwater Monitoring Network (NGMN) in terms of changes in water level, temperature, and electrical conductivity. Because the direction of water-level movement and its permanency was complicated, we classified water-level changes in wells into four types: Type I, wells in which the water level rose and did not recover during the observation period of three weeks (n = 7); Type II, wells in which the water level rose but then recovered (n = 4); Type III, wells in which the water level decreased without recovery (n = 23); Type IV, wells in which the water level declined but then recovered (n = 9). Type I and III wells were seen as evidence that the seismic waves from the earthquake had a significant impact and resulted in persistent changes in the groundwater system. Type II and IV wells showed changes in water levels of less than 20 cm to seismic waves transmitted through the aquifer system, indicating that these wells are earthquake-sensitive and may potentially be used for continuous earthquake monitoring. The combination of present seismic monitoring systems with groundwater monitoring at earthquake-sensitive wells could improve earthquake prediction and prevent earthquake-related disasters.

The 12 September 2016 ML5.8 midcrustal earthquake in the Korean Peninsula and its seismic implications

The seismicity in the Korean Peninsula has increased since the 2011 Mw9.0 Tohoku-Oki megathrust earthquake. Two strike-slip earthquakes with magnitudes of ML5.1 and 5.8 occurred in the southeastern Korean Peninsula on September 12, 2016. The two events occurred within 48 minutes. The ML5.8 earthquake was the largest event in the Korean Peninsula since 1978 when national seismic monitoring began. Both events produced strong high-frequency ground motions. More than 500 aftershocks with local magnitudes greater than or equal to 1.5 followed the events for two months. An unreported subsurface strike-slip fault with a dip of 65∘ to the east and a strike of N27∘ E was responsible for the earthquakes. The fault ruptured at depths of 11-16 km, resulting in a rupture plane of ∼26 km2. The aftershock distribution displayed horizontal streaks at a depth of ∼14 km, which was consistent with the focal mechanism solutions from long-period waveform inversion. The number of aftershocks decreased exponentially with time. The two ML5.1 and 5.8 earthquakes produced regional Coulomb stress changes of -4.9 to 2.5 bar. The spatial distribution of the aftershocks correlated with the Coulomb stress changes. The peak dynamic stress induced by strong ground motions reached 14.2 bar. The groundwater levels changed coseismically in some regions of decreased static stresses. The earthquakes on previously unidentified faults raised attention for the potential seismic hazards by earthquakes with long recurrence intervals.