To assess the environmental impacts of offshore wind farming and sea sand mining, coastal areas are zoned on the basis of their natural oceanographic characteristics. Textural and geochemical properties of South Korean coastal sediments, including mean grain size (Mz), CaCO₃ and organic-matter contents, and metal concentrations (Al, K, Ba, rare earth elements, Zr, etc.), were analyzed and categorized in this case study, practically applying common sediment properties for rational zoning of the South Korean coastal environment. Three characteristic zones are scientifically classified in the study area, although four groups of sediment sampling stations were statistically clustered based on their major sediment properties. Zone 1, in the northwestern part of the Korean west coast, is characterized as covered with coarse-grained sediments containing low concentrations of the measured elements under a macro-tidal regime (6.5–9 m), while Zone 3 is characterized by fine-grained sediments with high elemental concentrations under a micro-tidal regime (>3.5 m). Silty Zone 2 sediments appear to be a mixture of sandy Zone 1 and muddy Zone 3 sediments under a meso-tidal regime. The difference in tidal forces among the zones is proposed as a primary constraint of overall sediment textural and geochemical characteristics, while sediment provenance provides subsequent control. Sediment contamination with anthropogenic pollutants is unperceivable in this case study. However, the K and Li concentrations in coarse-grained feldspar and fine-grained illite, respectively, are likely not limited by the tidal flow regime.

为了评估海上风力发电和海砂开采对环境的影响，沿海地区根据其自然海洋学特征进行分区。韩国沿海沉积物的结构和地球化学特性，包括平均粒度 (Mz)、CaCO ₃在本案例研究中，对有机质含量和金属浓度（Al、K、Ba、稀土元素、Zr 等）进行了分析和分类，实际应用了常见的沉积物特性来合理划分韩国沿海环境。研究区内科学划分了三个特征带，但根据其主要沉积物性质对四组沉积物采样站进行了统计聚类。位于韩国西海岸西北部的 1 区的特征是在大潮汐状态下（6.5-9 m）被粗粒沉积物所覆盖，所测元素浓度较低，而 3 区的特征是细粒沉积物在微潮情况下 (>3.5 m) 具有高元素浓度的粒状沉积物。粉质 2 区沉积物似乎是中潮汐状态下的沙质 1 区和泥质 3 区沉积物的混合物。建议将各带之间潮汐力的差异作为总体沉积物结构和地球化学特征的主要约束条件，而沉积物来源则提供后续控制。在这个案例研究中，人为污染物造成的沉积物污染是不可察觉的。然而，粗粒长石和细粒伊利石中的 K 和 Li 浓度可能分别不受潮汐流状态的限制。在这个案例研究中，人为污染物造成的沉积物污染是不可察觉的。然而，粗粒长石和细粒伊利石中的 K 和 Li 浓度可能分别不受潮汐流状态的限制。在这个案例研究中，人为污染物造成的沉积物污染是不可察觉的。然而，粗粒长石和细粒伊利石中的 K 和 Li 浓度可能分别不受潮汐流状态的限制。