• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.606-614
• /
• 2009

To evaluate the biological water quality, diatom-based biological indices (DAIpo and TDI) were examined in the Sum-River and the Dal-stream. Having BOD concentrations below $2mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in most sites, water quality of both rivers was good. The DAIpo and TDI values ranged from 29.8 to 91.4 and from 38.7 to 93.0 respectively. From the biological water quality assessment, DAIpo and TDI for both rivers displayed fair to fairly poor water quality levels. However, the two indices showed more polluted conditions than expected from the BOD vlaues. In addition, DAIpo, having wider range of differences, appears to be more sensitive to the change in water quality when compared to TDI values. Statistical analysis using principal component analysis showed that Nitzschia palea and Diatoma vulgare might not be the appropriate indicators due to their low correlations with other indicators.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.879-885
• /
• 2009

The present study was carried out to develop biological criteria for water quality assessment using benthic diatoms. Selecting of the indicator diatoms, three parameters were considered: broad distribution (180 taxa occurred over 3% at upper level), species abundance (158 taxa occurred over $1.5{\times}10^5cells/cm^2$), and sensitivity (184 taxa occurred more than once as 1st and 2nd dominant species). Overall, total 208 taxa were selected, including 38 varieties, 170 species, 34 genera, 9 families, 3 orders, and 1 phylum. The most dominant taxonomic group (family) was Naviculaceae (52%), followed by Diatomaceae (15%), Nitzschiaceae (12%) and Achnantaceae (11%). COD and TP were proposed as new water quality standards (draft) to improve the existing BOD standard and to manage and control efficiently non-biodegradable organic pollutants. With this regard, we used TP standard (draft) in developing biological water quality criteria for diatoms. TP standards (draft) proposed as Ia = 0.02 mg/L or less, Ib = 0.05 mg/L or less, II = 0.1 mg/L or less, III = 0.2 mg/L or less, IV = 0.4 mg/L or less, V = 0.6 mg/L or less and VI = above 0.6 mg/L. Biological assessment system (4 class system) was developed and proposed for diatom using modified Tropic Diatom Index (TDI). Biological assessment of TDI appear B grade (Good).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.229-238
• /
• 2012

This research was to examine the physiochemical factors and the attached diatoms of ecological wetland in Paju from August 2010 to May 2011. As a result of physicohemical water quality assessment, the water temperature did not fluctuate much due to ample riparian vegetation and aquatic plants growing at the site. Due to the effect of Han River Estuary, site 4, 5 and 6 had high electricity conductivity. The BOD concentration was high at site 2, 3, and 4 caused by decrease in water quantity and inflow of polluted water. At all sites, T-N and T-P concentrations ranged from eutrophic to hypertrophic status. At the downstream, the T-N and T-P concentrations decreased by inhabiting aquatic plant. Total of 98 taxa of attached diatoms were found. As for dominant taxa, Achnanthes convergens, A. minutissima, Gomphonema gracile, G. parvulum, Melosira varians, Navicula seminulum, N. minima, N. pseudolanceolata, Nitzschia amphibia, N. palea, Surirella minuta and Synedra ulna var. fragilariodes appeared. The result of biological assessment of water quality rated the sites B(suboptimal)~D(poor) during seasons of low water temperature, Fall and Winter, with DAIpo ranging 24.1~68.2 and TDI of 48.4~85.6. During Spring and Summer, all sites were rated D(poor) with DAIpo lower than or equal to 40, and TDI above or equal to 70. The biological assessment of water quality at the research site showed inferior TDI result compared to that of DAIpo.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.768-783
• /
• 2006

Biological stream environment assessment has been an essential trend of aquatic ecosystems among advanced countries, because the chemical water quality assessment has limitations that only represent temporal water environmental status. Benthic macroinvertebrates are the most popular bioindicator group useful to biological water quality assessment for a long time. In addition, a number of indices using benthic macroinvertebrates have recently been developed not only for water quality assessment but also for ecological health assessment. In this paper Korean Saprobic Index (KSI) based on Zelinka-Marvan's saprobic valency concept is developed by applying DIN 38410 in Germany. The KSI value was widely applicable to most Korean streams with the exception of sand-based large streams, for example main stream of Nakdong River. But as a result of non-linear regression analysis the correlation between KSI and $BOD_5$ concentration was high and KSI reflected water quality alteration for mid and long-term period. In spite of applicability of KSI, it should be supplemented and developed to make it strong by accumulating field data as well as to manage integrated water environment in general through continuous biomonitoring.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.531-537
• /
• 2012

The information about the physicochemical environments, the species distribution and community of the epilithic diatom cells in Pyengchang river and inflow streams of Gangwon-do were studied for assessment of biological water quality from June 2008 to October 2010. Total 112 diatom taxa were identified with 2 orders, 9 families, 26 genera, 95 species and 17 varieties. Among the total taxa identified, 13 taxa, 52 taxa and 15 taxa represented the family Achnanthaceae, Naviculaceae and Bacillariaceae, respectively. The pH values of the water was found to be neutral to alkaline due to the limestone grounds of Pyengchang river and inflow streams. The 13 taxa including Epithemia adnata, belonged to alkaline-water diatoms, and three species - Cymbella japonica, Eunotia major and Fragilaria capitellata - are known to be acidic-water species. The species, Hannaea arcus, known as a cryophilic and mountain periphyton was identified at IF2, IF3 and IF4 in low water temperature environments at high altitudes, being a dominating species in P1 and IF1. Four saproxenous species - Achnanthes convergens, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata, Cymbella turgidula and Hannaea arcus - were dominant at some sampling sites. For biological water quality assessment, IF2, IF3 and P3 showed low water quality class. The values of DAIpo and TDI were 10.6 ~ 98.0 and 13.8 ~ 94.2, respectively. Therefore, biological water quality in Pyengchang river and inflow streams was relatively desirable.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.612-621
• /
• 2014

Physicochemical factors and the phytoplankton communities in the downstream area of Namhan-River were investigated from June 2012 to November 2013. We also assessed water quality using biological water quality indices. Total nitrogen was 2.4 mg/L, total phosphorus was 0.04 mg/L, and biological oxygen demand was 1.1 mg/L. This resulted in a level 2 (Ib, good) water quality rating. A total of 259 phytoplankton taxa were classified, consisting of 26 families, two subfamilies, 64 genera, 222 species, 32 varieties, and five formas. Bacillariophyceae dominated during a1l seasons and at all sites. The dominant species were Aulacoseira granulata, Cyclotella meneghiniana, C. stelligera, Melosira varians, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata, Nitzschia palea, N. amphibia, Cymbella minuta, and Achnanthes convergens. The diatom assemblage index for organic pollution values was level A-D, and TDI was level B-D. P-IBI at most sites was at the M (moderate) level, but TSI was at the E (eutrophic) level. Most indices dropped from upstream to downstream.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.784-795
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess biological river water quality by using epilithic diatoms at 40 selected sites in Geum, Youngsan, and Seomjin River systems. The sampling and analyses were performed during three seasons including January, April and June in 2005. Various water quality parameters also were analyzed. We attempted to classify the water quality condition by epilithic diatom indices (DAIpo and TDI) with the results of corresponding analyses of various chemical water quality parameters. A five class system was delivered to describe the water quality condition ranged from "very good" to "very poor." We also proposed a way of classifying water quality condition by combining two diatom indices of DAIpo and TDI. Our results showed that biomass of epilithic diatoms varied not only seasonally but spatially; it was not likely that winter diatoms represent average water quality condition, due to high concentration of nutrients. Water quality status assessed by diatom indices was generally worse than that assessed by BOD, indicating that BOD standard likely underestimates the biological condition of the water body. Importantly, nutrient-based diatom index (TDI) generally overestimated organic matter-based index (DAIpo) at most study sites, indicating that diatoms in studied rivers were likely more affected by nutrients than organic matter. Thus, management strategy to improve river water quality in Korea is suggested to emphasize more on the nutrients than organic matters.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.169-182
• /
• 2019

This study assessed biological water quality using epilithic diatoms in the Yeong river, Naeseong stream and Wi stream in the upper region of the Nakdong river from May to October 2016. Epilithic diatoms were not mobile, so they could reflect long-term water quality. The sampled epilithic diatoms were identified a total 158 taxa which were composed to 2 orders, 3 suborders, 8 families, 34 genera, 143 species and 15 varieties. Dominant species were Achnanthes convergens and Achnanthes minutissima at Yeong river, Nitzschia inconspicua at Naeseong stream, and Achnanthes minutissima, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata and Navicula minima at Wi stream. As a result of the CCA, Electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were important factors determining the diatom species composition in the upper region of the Nakdong river. The correlation between diatom indices (DAIpo & TDI) measured to be high in the correlation coefficient (0.87) from the result of correlation analysis. In the result of the assessment of biological water quality using DAIpo and TDI, Yeong river was rated as class A at most sites. Naeseong stream was rated as class C to D at all sites except for N1 which was rated as Class A. Wi stream was rated as class B to C for DAIpo of W1, and TDI was rated as class D. The assessment of biological water quality at this site showed inferior TDI result compared to that of DAIpo. DAIpo and TDI of W2 were rated as class A to D, and the water quality has changed a lot. W3 and W4 were mostly rated as class B and C respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.757-767
• /
• 2006

Biological assessments are the primary tool for evaluating the biological condition of a water body and makes it possible to understand accumulative and long-term effect of stressors. They also provide reliable biological information for which disturbed systems are to be restored. Sustainable water environment is not enough with attaining only the clean water, but it should sustain healthy and diverse aquatic life. Aquatic organisms are affected by various factors, including not only water quality but also habitat condition and stressors, and thus good condition of both physical and chemical water quality is prerequisite for sustaining healthy organisms. Therefore, biological assessment, along with other physical and chemical assessments, are crucial for evaluating the health of a water body. Overall, sustainability of water environment demands the attainment and maintenance of ecological integrity, which is resulted from the combination of physical, chemical and biological integrity. The biological criteria will play very important role in the water resource management and policy issues, and thus bioassessment program should be fully implemented and supported eventually by the law. To keep ecosystem health of water environment safely from the toxic pollutants and other stressors, the following suggestions need to be considered in environmental quality standards in Korea. For the first step, the biological indicators need to be introduced in evaluating river quality condition; they provide a qualitative description of biological condition of water body. Secondly, the biological water quality standards using biotic indices should be developed and implemented under the consideration of characteristics of Korean river systems. Lastly, the ecological status classification regime (ESCR) should be developed and introduced; it could be used in quality assessment of the water environment in general. In developing ESCR, integration of physico-chemical, biological, and habitat parameters should be taken into account.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.117-128
• /
• 2010

The water qualities of Namdae-stream, Yeongok-stream and Sacheon-stream were examined, by using physicochemical factors, trophic status and epilithic diatoms from May 2008 to February 2009. The physicochemical water qualities of three streams were, except for some construction areas and sites of downstream, generally good, having less concentration than BOD of $2\;mg\;L^{-1}$. As for the sites of downstream, there were ongoing pollution such as graduation of nutrients in Namdae-stream and Sacheon-stream, due to salinity of seawater and topographical feature of the closed estuary. The examination of trophic status of Namdae-stream showed mesotrophic status in all the sites. Also, eutrophication was in progress as from the upstream to the downstream of Yeongok-stream, and Sacheon-stream showed eutrophic status in all its sites. As a result of the biological water quality assessment, Namdae-stream, excluding the downstream site, came out to be $\beta\sim\alpha$-oligosaprobic, and biological water quality was good, having TDI less than 50. Some construction sites and downstream site of Namdae-stream are $\beta$-mesosaprobic, and with the TDI over 70, the biological water quality assessment came out to be polluted. Yeongok-stream is $\beta\sim\alpha$-oligosaprobic, and its biological water quality is good, having TDI less than 40. Sacheon-stream, excluding the upstream site on May 2008 and February 2009, is $\beta\sim\alpha$-mesosaprobic, and its TDI over 70 shows that it has been polluted. The correlation analysis showed a high correlation in both DAlpo and TDI. Also, biological assessment of water quality (DAIpo, TDI) showed higher correlation with TSI rather than BOD.