Fate of floating debris released from Major rivers around Korea

Abstract

Using a Lagrangian particle tracking model, the trajectories of floating debris that are originated from seven major rivers around Korea peninsula (five rivers in Korea: the Han, Keum, Youngsan, Seomjin, and Nakdong Rivers two rivers in China: the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers) are investigated. Daily ocean current data of HYCOM analysis and wind data of ECMWF reanalysis were used in the particle model. We assumed that the amount of the debris released from each river is linearly proportional to the population over catchment area of the river. Particles are released daily from each river for six years. There is no convergent zone in waters around Korea. The main part of particles land on the coast near the originating river. For particle traveling long distances, the final destination is governed by ocean currents, of course. Although the main portion of the particles from the Chinese rivers lands on the Chines coast, the number of particles overwhelms those from the Korean ones and the Chines Rivers especially Yangtze could have a large impact on Korea peninsula and Japan.