Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1836
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1836
25 Jun 2024
 | 25 Jun 2024

Long-term variations of pH in coastal waters along the Korean Peninsula

Yong-Woo Lee, Mi-Ok Park, Seong-Gil Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Yong-Hwa Oh, Sang Heun Lee, and Dong Joo Joung

Abstract. The decreasing seawater pH trend associated with rising atmospheric CO2 levels adversely affects marine organisms and ecosystems, posing significant concerns for coastal fisheries and economies. Despite this, long-term pH variation in coastal waters remains poorly understood. This study investigates pH variability in the coastal waters of Korea over 11 years (2010–2020) and identifies the principal drivers of pH fluctuations. Unlike the persistent pH decline observed in open oceans and other coastal systems, Korean coastal waters showed no significant pH variation, suggesting local biogeochemical processes may exert a greater influence than atmospheric CO2. Analysis of environmental data (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, and dissolved oxygen (DO)) revealed a strong correlation between pH and DO. However, instances of pH changes exceeding those predicted by DO depletion indicate additional biogeochemical factors at play. As global seawater warms, reduced dissolved gases, including oxygen, are expected to cause further pH decline in coastal waters. This trend could critically impact Korean coastal waters, which support extensive aquaculture operations integral to the local and national economy. Therefore, high-frequency monitoring is essential to extend current time series and predict future water quality.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

06 Feb 2025
Long-term variations in pH in coastal waters along the Korean Peninsula
Yong-Woo Lee, Mi-Ok Park, Seong-Gil Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Yong Hwa Oh, Sang Heon Lee, and DongJoo Joung
Biogeosciences, 22, 675–690, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-675-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-675-2025, 2025
Short summary
Yong-Woo Lee, Mi-Ok Park, Seong-Gil Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Yong-Hwa Oh, Sang Heun Lee, and Dong Joo Joung

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1836', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1836', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Jul 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1836', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1836', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Jul 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (04 Sep 2024) by Jack Middelburg
AR by DongJoo Joung on behalf of the Authors (06 Oct 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (09 Oct 2024) by Jack Middelburg
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (17 Oct 2024)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (23 Oct 2024) by Jack Middelburg
AR by DongJoo Joung on behalf of the Authors (25 Oct 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (31 Oct 2024) by Jack Middelburg
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (14 Nov 2024)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (27 Nov 2024) by Jack Middelburg
AR by DongJoo Joung on behalf of the Authors (28 Nov 2024)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

06 Feb 2025
Long-term variations in pH in coastal waters along the Korean Peninsula
Yong-Woo Lee, Mi-Ok Park, Seong-Gil Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Yong Hwa Oh, Sang Heon Lee, and DongJoo Joung
Biogeosciences, 22, 675–690, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-675-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-675-2025, 2025
Short summary
Yong-Woo Lee, Mi-Ok Park, Seong-Gil Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Yong-Hwa Oh, Sang Heun Lee, and Dong Joo Joung
Yong-Woo Lee, Mi-Ok Park, Seong-Gil Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Yong-Hwa Oh, Sang Heun Lee, and Dong Joo Joung

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Short summary
A long-term pH variation in coastal waters along the Korean peninsula was assessed for the first time, and it exhibited no significant pH change over an 11-year period. This contrasts with the ongoing pH decline in open oceans and other coastal areas. Analysis of environmental data showed that pH is mainly controlled by dissolved oxygen in bottom waters. This suggests that ocean warming could cause a pH decline in Korean coastal waters, affecting many fish and seaweeds aquaculture operations.
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