Development of a Marine Environmental Information System (MEIS) using data on Land-Sea Interactions in the Nakdong River Estuary, South Korea

Abstract

The Nakdong River in South Korea is about 510 km long and is subject to natural erosion and sedimentation and various potential sources of human pollution, such as urban dumping and input from industrial complexes and many cities. This study developed a marine environmental information system (MEIS) to understand the land-sea interactions and provide data on the characteristics of the brackish water zone around the barrier islands. The MEIS was run in real time (1-s intervals) and made periodic marine observations (one to four times a year). The real-time data were largely obtained from a closed-circuit television and automatic weather stations using long-term evolution communication at two stations in March 2016. Since May 2015, the data have included periodic observations of surface sediment distributions (n = 90), the characteristics of suspended sediments in inlets and channel (n = 4), the brackish water zone environment during spring tide ebb and flood (n = 14, three lines), the seasonal variation in sedimentation along tidal flats (n = 29, three lines), and landscape classifications of the sub-environment (n = 30) in the barrier islands. The collected information includes real-time and a huge heterogeneous dataset characterized by multi-dimensional, multivariate, and spatiotemporal distribution variability. The system enables data management, and open access is necessary. The MEIS will enable effective estuary management and contribute to reducing the damage caused by natural disasters. Real-time prediction information has been integrated with environmental sensitivity index maps, which are provided using a geographic information system to enable a response strategy.