The status of ocean monitoring in Korea

Abstract

Most of ocean monitoring in Korea is focusing on regional and coastal seas, though the activity in the open ocean has been increasing for the research purposes. Recent studies in relation to long term ocean changes in the seas adjacent to Korea indicate that both sea water temperature and sea level are increasing and ocean acidification is ongoing about two to three times larger and faster than their global ocean means. It is also suggested that such changes are possibly influenced by the changes in both large scale atmospheric and oceanic forcing. However, the related dynamics for the oceanic linking between the marginal seas and the North Pacific Ocean are less analyzed than those for the interaction between the marginal seas and large scale atmospheric forcing because of the lack of oceanic time series data. It is necessary to develop an integrated observation system linking marginal seas and the North Pacific Ocean. The status of ocean monitoring in Korea will be explained and the suggestion to develop a marginal sea and open ocean networking system will be presented.orea indicate that both sea water temperature and sea level are increasing and ocean acidification is ongoing about two to three times larger and faster than their global ocean means. It is also suggested that such changes are possibly influenced by the changes in both large scale atmospheric and oceanic forcing. However, the related dynamics for the oceanic linking between the marginal seas and the North Pacific Ocean are less analyzed than those for the interaction between the marginal seas and large scale atmospheric forcing because of the lack of oceanic time series data. It is necessary to develop an integrated observation system linking marginal seas and the North Pacific Ocean. The status of ocean monitoring in Korea will be explained and the suggestion to develop a marginal sea and open ocean networking system will be presented.