Air quality forecasting has become an essential factor in facilitating sustainable development worldwide. Several countries have implemented monitoring stations to collect air pollution particle data ...and meteorological information using parameters such as hourly timespans. This research focuses on unravelling a new framework for air quality prediction worldwide and features Busan, South Korea as its model city. The paper proposes the application of an attention-based convolutional BiLSTM autoencoder model. The proposed deep learning model has been trained on a distributed framework, referred to data parallelism, to forecast the intensity of particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10). The algorithm automatically learns the intrinsic correlation among the particle pollution in different locations. Each location’s meteorological and traffic data is extensively exploited to improve the model’s performance. The model has been trained using air quality particle data and car traffic information. The traffic information is obtained by a device which counts cars passing a specific area through the YOLO algorithm, and then sends the data to a stacked deep autoencoder to be encoded alongside the meteorological data before the final prediction. In addition, multiple one-dimensional CNN layers are used to obtain the local spatial features jointly with a stacked attention-based BiLSTM layer to figure out how air quality particles are correlated in space and time. The evaluation of the new attention-based convolutional BiLSTM autoencoder model was derived from data collected and retrieved from comprehensive experiments conducted in South Korea. The results not only show that the framework outperforms the previous models both on short- and long-term predictions but also indicate that traffic information can improve the accuracy of air quality forecasting. For instance, during PM2.5 prediction, the proposed attention-based model obtained the lowest MAE (5.02 and 22.59, respectively, for short-term and long-term prediction), RMSE (7.48 and 28.02) and SMAPE (17.98 and 39.81) among all the models, which indicates strong accuracy between observed and predicted values. It was also found that the newly proposed model had the lowest average training time compared to the baseline algorithms. Furthermore, the proposed framework was successfully deployed in a cloud server in order to provide future air quality information in real time and when needed.
In assessing the adverse effects of acid mine drainage (AMD), the chemistry of AMD and stream water (i.e., pH and toxic metal concentrations) has been accounted as important monitoring parameters and ...its characteristics are regulated in many countries. Yet for the precise evaluation of eco-toxicological effect on AMD receiving streams, a more comprehensive evaluation parameter has to be recognized as a mandatory parameter. In this study, eco-toxicological correlations between chemical properties of water and sediments collected from an AMD receiving stream were investigated at an abandoned mine site in Korea. The stream water in the AMD watercourse near the mine adit that is highly acidic and contains high concentrations of heavy metals, has been neutralized as the AMD became diluted with nearby natural stream water. The toxicity of stream water showed a relatively strong correlation with the pH and dissolved metal concentrations of water implying the toxic effects of stream water on its stream biota. In contrast, the toxicity results obtained from stream sediments hardly showed close correlation with the composition of toxic elements, particularly with enriched arsenic.
•Geochemical/toxicological characteristics of AMD stream and sediment were investigated.•Unlike sediment, stream water showed good toxicity to chemical property correlation.•Development of a suitable toxicity evaluation method that considers sediment is needed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Busan is a representative of ocean cities in South Korea, which attracts many Chinese tourists. As a number of Chinese tourists increase, Chinese tourists’ evaluations of sightseeing resources in ...Busan appear extremely important. However, there are few researches on Chinese tourists’ evaluations of sightseeing in Busan. The purpose of this paper is to analyze Chinese tourists’ evaluations of Busan tourism. Chinese tourists who travel to Busan are chosen as research objects and several aspects including marine, fisheries and general tourism are investigated to evaluate the tourists’ overall satisfaction of the tourism in Busan. IPA analysis, factor analysis multiple regression analysis are used for the research.
The results are as follows. Chinese tourists’ evaluations of the importance and performance level of variables on Busan tourism were significantly different (total 19 of 25 variables) and the performance was lower than importance. This means the outputs of the various Busan tourism elements do not live up to their expectations. The findings show that Chinese visitors have high satisfaction on infrastructures of fisheries tourism (e.g. cleanness of aquatic product tourism facilities and sanitary state on fishery products), but low satisfaction in terms of the contents (e.g. unique cooking method experience of seafood and traditional seafood cooking consumption). The factors of fisheries tourism (e.g. product services of fisheries tourism and the attractiveness of seafood in Busan) never affect their satisfaction and intention to revisit and recommend the city.
Hornets (Vespa spp) are top insect predators that can control pests, but their venomous stings and defensive behavior cause numerous human deaths throughout Asia. Hornets usually inhabit rural areas ...which reduces potential conflict with humans. In 2003, the invasive hornet, Vespa velutina, arrived in southern Korea (Yeongdo region) and became established. It is currently spreading northwards at a rate of 10–20km per year. Despite originating in tropical/subtropical areas of Indo-China, its nesting biology and life cycle in South Korea are similar to those found throughout its native range, with mature colonies containing 1000–1200 adults. In 7years, V. velutina has become the most abundant hornet species in Southern Korea by displacing native Vespa species such as V. simillima, which has a similar nesting biology. We also found a significant positive correlation between the abundance of V. velutina and the degree of urbanization, indicating that this invasive species was well adapted to urban environments. This was supported by our finding that 41% of emergency call-outs (119 Rescue Services) to deal with social wasps/hornet problems were due to V. velutina, which was twice as high as the number of calls about the next most abundant species. The rapid spread of V. velutina across southern Korea indicates that this species will continue to spread north-westward in the Korean peninsula and will become a major problem as more people and beekeepers come into contact with this aggressive invasive hornet.
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► In 2003 the invasive hornet Vespa velutina arrived in Southern Korea. ► Vespa velutina is currently spreading northwards at a rate of 10–20km per year. ► This species is shown more prominently especially in urban areas. ► Its preference for urban environment is bringing it into conflict with humans.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Serum samples were collected from volunteers of various ages and both genders using a proportionate stratified sampling method, to assess the exposure of the general population in Busan, South Korea ...to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). 16 PFCs were investigated in serum samples from 306 adults (124 males and 182 females) and one day composite diet samples (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from 20 of the serum donors, to investigate the relationship between food and serum PFC concentrations. Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid were the dominant PFCs in the serum samples, with mean concentrations of 8.4 and 13ng/mL, respectively. Perfluorotridecanoic acid was the dominant PFC in the composite food samples, ranging from <DL to 1.48ng/g. PFC concentrations in the serum samples increased with the age of the volunteer, and were higher in males than in females, similar to the results of other studies. We confirmed from the relationships between questionnaire results and the PFC concentrations in the serum samples, that food is one of the important contribution factors of human exposure to PFCs. However, there were no correlations between the PFC concentrations in the one day composite diet samples and the serum samples, because a one day composite diet sample is not necessarily representative of a person's long-term diet and because of the small number of samples taken.
•The serum samples were collected using proportionate stratified sampling method.•PFC levels in serum increased with age and were higher in males than in females.•There was no correlation between 16 PFC levels in serum and one day composite diet.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Groundwater decrease and quality deterioration are common phenomena at coastal areas with subway tunnels in the world. This study investigated the problems in Busan Metropolitan City of Korea, using ...the integrated techniques of hydrogeological, hydro-geochemical, geostatistical, multivariate statistical and isotopic analyses. Groundwater around the subway was heavily discharged, and the groundwater level around the subway was fallen to −25.3 m on basis of mean sea level. The deep drawdown of groundwater level spurred the induction of seawater and salinized river water toward the inland area, and the groundwater was contaminated around the subway. This study identified that groundwater-level largely descended due to the excessive utilization of groundwater and the severe groundwater discharge from the subway tunnels, and that seawater and salinized river water intruded the inland groundwater and contaminated the groundwater around the subway. It is considered that this study will contribute to the investigation for the causes of groundwater decrease and contamination around subway tunnels in the worldwide metropolitan cities as well as the Busan City of Korea.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The global green development has led many ports to impose measures to reduce emissions and improve port efficiency. As large-scale construction can do damage to the environment, it is not supported ...under the green strategy, which makes it more important to make full use of existing resources in the port competition. While, whether there is a relationship between emissions and port efficiency, and whether the relationship can reflect the problems in port management are vital factors need to be considered when making port development strategy. To solve the two problems, this paper takes the case of Shanghai Port and Busan Port, and uses the three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the efficiency of the two ports respectively. Pollutant emissions from the ports are selected as an environmental variable in the second stage to examine their effects on the redundancy of input variables. The results indicate that the efficiency of Shanghai Port is insufficient due to excessive scale and pollutant emissions. Based on the results, some suggestions are given to improve the drawbacks. Furthermore, the use of the three-stage DEA to study the annual change in performance of a single target in this paper is also a novelty.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Existing literature illustrates inconsistent responses of seagrasses to oil exposure, both in the field and in the laboratory. Here, we add a new study that combined morphometric, demographic and ...photophysiology assessments to determine the potential oiling impacts to eelgrass (Zostera marina) from the 2007 Cosco Busan event in San Francisco Bay. Shoot densities, reproductive status, and rhizome elongation of Z. marina were examined at sites with pre-spill data, and eelgrass photosynthetic efficiency was measured post-spill. Shoot densities and percent elongation of rhizome internodes formed after the oil spill varied but with no consistent relationship to adjacent shoreline cleanup assessment team (SCAT) oiling categories. Similarly, differences in seagrass photosynthetic efficiency were not consistent with SCAT oiling categories. While thresholds for negative impacts on seagrass in general remain to be defined, conclusive oiling indicators for degree and duration of exposure would be important considerations and need examination under controlled study.
•A review of papers spanning 54 years describing the effect of oiling on seagrass revealed inconsistent findings.•Eelgrass was evaluated following the Cosco Busan oil spill in San Franciso Bay approximately three weeks after the event.•No relationship was found between oil exposure and eelgrass rhizome growth, shoot density or electron transport rate.•Controlled studies of oil exposure and seagrass responses are needed to define exposure limits for each seagrass species.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
This article delves into the history of one of the most infamous internment facilities in Korea’s recent past—Hyungje Bokjiwon (형제복지원), or Brothers Home. The article outlines the history of Brothers ...Home, its biopolitical production of ‘vanished lives’, and what enabled it to come into existence—arguing that this is an essential context for understanding the history of international adoption from Korea. Located in Busan, South Korea, Brothers Home began as an orphanage in the early 1960s but developed into a ‘social welfare institution’ in the early 1970s. The events that transpired from the early 1970s until the facility shut down in the late 1980s—a period which aligns with the height of international adoption from Korea—have led to some referring to this place as Korea’s ‘concentration camp’. Inmates died in the hundreds, predominantly due to malnutrition and illness, while many suffered brutal deaths through physical abuse and torture. Some of the children from Brothers Home were relocated to Western nations for adoption. The history of Brothers Home embodies the biopolitical process of bodies and lives simultaneously enveloped in and, at the same time, kept outside socio-legal frameworks to invalidate those lives or render them insignificant or invisible; to erase them from any meaningful, socio-legal context and thereby reducing those lives to bare life. The article will focus on three main areas: the history of Brothers Home, the biopolitical production of vanished lives, and how the latter resonates with specific instances depicted in testimonies written by people returning to Korea to uncover details about their adoption circumstances, that is, moments encapsulating this ‘production of vanished lives’. The central concern here is less to draw a direct line between international adoption and the events at Brothers Home, but rather to outline a crucial biopolitical context—epitomized in the history of Brothers Home—that precedes the adoption process and thus constitutes its condition of possibility. By juxtaposing this biopolitical context with autobiographical testimonies of people searching for information about the circumstances of their adoption, the article seeks to understand what it means to bear witness to the existence of a life whose desubjectivization—or disappearance—at the same time constitutes the witnessing subject’s condition of possibility.
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