Changes of marine environments due to human activities in coastal waters of Korea

Abstract

A comprehensive review of scholarly articles was conducted to examine the marine environmental changes in four representative bays in Korea. Cheonsu Bay experienced a reduction in water area to half of its original size due to the completion of dikes and related reclamation projects. Consequently, the flow environment and biota were altered, leading to increased organic pollution. Gwangyang Bay saw a reduction in water area to half as a result of reclamation projects for industrial complexes and container terminals. This led to changes in sedimentation, a deteriorating flow environment, and declining water quality, as well as the emergence of heavy metal pollution. The marine environment of Jinhae Bay improved after the 2000s; however, harmful algal blooms and hypoxic water masses still occurred in the northern and western waters. Yeongil Bay exhibited harbor oscillations similar to the natural period of Pohang New Harbor, and endocrine-disrupting substances were detected in some sediments.