• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 1997

Water quality of streams and ground water from areas of different agricultural practices in the small catchments of the Han River basin was investigated. Water samples were collected from upper, middle and lower reaches of the Han River Basin where three types of agricultural management have been practiced : (1) highland agriculture and livestocks in Daegwanryung area, (2) typical upland and paddy farmings in Dunnae (Jucheon River) and Chuncheon (Soyang River) areas, and (3) intensive farming in the plastic film house in Guri area (Wangsuk stream). Water quality was monitored for EC, pH, COD, TSS, N, rations and anions. Concentrations of N, especially nitrate, and phosphorus in both stream and ground water exceeded the standard water quality criteria in many cases, but those of heavy metals were non-detectable or trace in most cases, except for Wangsuk stream where a high level was detected in a specific sampling time. Chemical criteria such as pH, EC and COD of the stream were suitable for irrigation purpose, but nitrate concentrations in ground water used in the intensive plastic film house were high enough to require a special management consideration. A model on the irrigation water quality incorporating EC and nitrate concentrations was suggested in view of fertilizer management and environmental quality.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.67-76
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• 2019

The objectives of this study were to analyze trends of water pollutants and to evaluate the achievement of water quality standards by subbasins in the Han River. The trends of 40 water pollutants at 232 water quality measurement points were analyzed. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total organic carbon (TOC), Total coliforms (TC), et cetera were found to be worsening trend. For evaluation of achievement, we evaluated water quality arithmetic mean with river environment standards and human health standards at representative points of the subbasin. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), TOC, Total phosphorus (T-P), Fecal coliforms (FC), TC exceeded water quality standards, and water quality of human health standards was all satisfied. So, we prioritized pollutants. If pollutants exceed water quality standards or were worse, they were classified first pollutants. Although BOD and T-P are first pollutants because of water quality standards excess, they are continuously improved. Also, it is better to maintain current status because water quality management system of BOD and T-P is well prepared. Meanwhile, TOC, TC, and FC exceed water quality standards. Furthermore, they were worse gradually, but there is a lack of management systems such as water quality standards of the effluence facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement the system. The results of this study can be used as primary data for the establishment of water quality standards and selection of management pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.422-431
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• 2009

This study was to provide basic data for aquatic ecosystem research using fishes. Field sampling was carried out at five selected sites of Gap Stream, and fish samples, especially for a selection of sentinel species were collected three times in June, September, and October 2007. We analyzed total length distribution of Zacco platypus in relation with the season and the sampling sites, and then compared with total body weight, condition factor (K), and age distribution of the fish. The fish population data were compared with physico-chemical water quality, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Water quality analysis showed a significant nutrient enrichment, based on total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), and organic matter pollution, based on biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the Site 5, which is directly influenced by wastewater disposal plant (WDP). Population analysis of the sentinel species showed that the total number of individuals, age distribution, and the population size-structure were influenced by the effluents from the WDP, and that reproductive failure of young-age population were evident in Site 5. According to the relation analysis of total weight to K, the disturbed population was mainly attributed to combined effects of habitat modifications and chemical degradations. Regression analysis of K values against water quality parameters showed significant (p<0.05) positive relations with nutrient and organic matter contents. Our data suggest that the population structure using a sentinel fish species reflected the ambient water quality in the stream and that diagnosis of aquatic ecosystem health using Z. platypus population may be practical for water resource and ecosystem conservations.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.513-524
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• 2020

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental and biological exposure of local residents who consumed arsenic-contaminated drinking water for less than one year. Methods: As a part of water quality inspections for small-scale water supply facilities, surveys were conducted of residents of two villages that exceeded the arsenic threshold for drinking water. The environmental impact survey consisted of surveys on water quality, soil, and crops in the surveyed area. Biological monitoring was performed by measuring the separation of arsenic species in urine and total arsenic in hair. Results: In the results of biological monitoring, the concentrations of AsIII and AsV were 0.08 and 0.16 ㎍/L, respectively. MMA and DMA were 0.87 and 36.19 ㎍/L. There was no statistically significant difference between the group who drank arsenic-removed groundwater or water from the small-scale supply facility and the group who drank tap water, purified water, or commercial bottled water. Some of the water samples exceeded the arsenic threshold for drinking water. There were no samples in the soil or rice that exceeded the acceptable threshold. Conclusion: In the case of short-term exposure to arsenic-contaminated drinking water for less than one year, there were no significant problems of concern from the evaluation of biological monitoring after arsenic was removed.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.768-783
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• 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 Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.110-119
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• 2024

Background: The Mae Kha Canal is one of Chiang Mai's most important waterways. It supports local agriculture, irrigation, and transportation as well as provides stormwater drainage to prevent floods. Due to the unregulated rapid urbanization of the city and lack of efficient waste and wastewater management systems over the past few decades, the canal has become heavily polluted. This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of Mae Kha canal through assessment of the physico-chemical water quality and coliform bacteria. Moreover, benthic macroinvertebrates were samples and assessed using the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP^Thai) and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT^Thai) as biological indices. Results: The physico-chemical showed low dissolved oxygen levels, high levels of ammonia and phosphates, and elevated levels of biochemical oxygen demand, indicating that the water quality had significantly deteriorated. The canal was found to be heavily polluted, with most sites falling into the polluted to very heavily polluted. Coliform bacteria analysis revealed alarmingly high levels of total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria in the canal. The BMWP^Thai and ASPT^Thai scores indicated poor to very poor water quality. Conclusions: The physico-chemical and coliform bacteria indicated that the water quality of the Mae Kha canal had significantly deteriorated. The biological indices also indicated the poor to very poor water quality. This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive remediation efforts, emphasizing strategic planning, investment, and community engagement to revive the canal's ecological health and water quality.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.221-231
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• 2009

This study was carried out to comparatively identify characteristics of turbid water influence in Imha Reservoir, Soyang Reservoir, and Daecheong Reservoir in Korea. We used 3 years dataset from 2002 to 2004 and analyzed seasonal water quality characteristics, particular parameters in association with turbidity, and light transparency to figure out the trends. All parameters to be used in the study were total phosphate (TP), total nitrogen (TN), chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ (Chl), suspended solids (SS), Secchi depth (SD), conductivity, and verticallight extinction coefficienct($K_d$), euphotic zone ($Z_{eu}$), and critical depth ($Z_p$). All parameters depend on season and watershed. Suspended solids from Soyang Reservoir were usually caused by TP, mainly related to living wastes and agricultures in upper stream. Daecheong Reservoir was influenced by organic matters related to large phytoplankton biomass in summer and inorganic suspended solids by nutrients in the winter. However, in case of Imha Reservoir, turbid water, consisted in silt and clay through heavy precipitation remained in the waterbody to decrease water transparency along with TP and caused the light limitation in winter. Overall results suggest that it was necessary to establish various management programs because the reasons occurring turbidity were varied according to the reservoir circumstances.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2001

Improvement of water quality and Investigation of bacterial characteristics have been conducted in a pilot plant using biological activated carbon (BAC) in water treatment process at the downstream of the Nakdong River. Most of water control parameters were highly improved after passing through BAC. Approximately 54% of dissolved organic carbon was removed in coal-based BAC process. Bacterial biomass and bacterial production appeared $9.8{\times}10^8 CFU/g and 7.1mg-C/m^3$.hr in coal-based BAC, respectively. Predominant bacteria species grown in BAC were identified as Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas species. Particularly Pseudomonas vesicularis was dominant in both coal-based and coconut-based BACs, while Pseudomonas cepacia was dominant in wood-based BAC.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1551-1558
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• 2015

In Korea, many drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) have introduced and are going to introduce biological activated carbon (BAC) process to treated dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water which are difficult to control by conventional water treatment processes. Even though more decade have passed since introduced BAC in Korea, most of BAC operating method was followed to the modified sand filter operating manuals. In case of BAC backwashing, many DWTPs set the periods of backwashing about 3~5 days. In this study, we have collected data to set the proper BAC backwashing periods from both pilot-plant and real DWTPs. We had measured heterotrophic plate count (HPC), turbidity, water temperature, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and headloss from just after backwashing to the next backwashing time for two years. Considering water quality factors, the BAC run time from backwashing to the next backwashing could extend more 30 days without water quality deterioration if the head loss do not reach the limited level which depends on each BAC facilities' condition. It means the BAC treated water could be saved in the proportion of extended the backwashing period to the existing backwashing period.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.87-104
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• 2007

The objective of this study is to estimate the load of pollutants caused from the forest area among non-point pollutants within the Juam lake. The surveyed forest area was classified into broad-leaved, conifer, mixed and herbage area by forest tree type. Water quality and flux were investigated under rainfall and non-rainfall, respectively. Then, pollutant loading was evaluated by using the values of unit pollutant loading factor of each point and area of forest zone. Water quality analysis results of runoff by forest tree types were as follows. - Annual BOD, $COD_{Mn}\;and\;COD_{Cr}$ concentration of runoff in conifer area was high, and particle and biological recalcitrant compounds were flowed highly. - SS, T-N and T-P concentration was high in runoff from broad-leaved area, and biological degradable compounds was flowed. - Water quality of water from valley was maintained good under non-rainfall and could be utilized as fresh drinking water. Through water quality standard investigation, a countermeasure establishment was necessary to secure a good quality of drinking water - BOD, $COD_{Mn},\;and\;COD_{Cr}$ concentration of Bo-sung river was higher 1.5 times than other 2 streams, and because of high T-N, and T-P concentration in Songgwang stream, the management for this was necessary.