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
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
A long-term pH variation in coastal waters along the Korean peninsula was assessed for the first...
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