금강 하구언 갑문의 폐쇄에 따른 금강하구의 물리, 퇴적학적 특성변화를 살펴 보 았다. 갑문쇄 이후 최대조류 유속은 갑문개방 시기에 비하여 약 30-40% 감소하였다. 또한 금강하구의 수괴유동이 둔화되어, 염분 및 수괴투명도의 수직적 성충(vertical stratification)이 형성되었다. 이에 따라 금강하구는 갑문개방기의 완전혼합형 (wellmixed type) 하구로부터 갑문쇄 이후에는 부분혼합형(partially-mixed type) 또 는 염쇄기형(salt-wedge type)하구로 변이하였다. 갑문이후 부유물함량은 표층에서 1 0∼100 mg/l의 범위로 측정되어, 갑문개방기에 비하여 약 1/4∼1/3의 수준으로 뚜렷하 게 감소하였다. 이와 같은 부유물함량의 감소경향은 첫째 조류유속이 감소하여 해저퇴 적물의 저층재부유 현상이 감소하였고, 둘째 수괴의 수직적성층이 형성되어 저층 혼탁 수의 상부확산이 둔화되었기 때문으로 변이하였고, 세립질 부유퇴적물의 퇴적작용이 보다 활발하게 나타날 것으로 예상된다.
A comparative study to understand the changes in physical and sedimentological natures was carried out in the Keum Estuary before and after the gate-close of Keum River weir. After closing of weir-gate maximum tidal current speed decreased about 30∼40% compared with that of the previous gate-opening period. Water masses also represent vertical stratifications both on water salinity and water transparency. The Keum Estuary seems to be changed from the well-mixed type estuary during the gate-opening period to the "partially-mixed type" and/or "salt-wedge type" estuary after the closing of weir-gate. The concentrations of suspended matter range 10∼100 mg/l in surface waters after the gate-close of Keum River Weir, representing about 1/4 to 1/3 decrease than those during the gate-close of Keum River Weir, representing about 1/4 to 1/3 decrease than those during the gate0opening period. Such decrease of suspended mater appears to be due to the decrease in the resuspension of bottom sediments, and also due to the vertical stratification of water masses that prevented the upward diffusion of turbid bottom waters. It is, therefore, expected that the depositional environment of Keum Estuary has been changing into the low energy conditions after the closing of weir gate, resulting in the rapid deposition of fine suspended matters within the Keum Estuary.
