• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.112-120
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• 2015

Statistical trend analysis using the data from the National Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network (NGQMN) of Korea was conducted to establish a new groundwater quality management framework. Sen’s test, a non-parametric statistical method for trend analysis, was used to determine the linear trend of the groundwater quality data. The analysis was conducted at different confidence levels (i.e., at 70, 80, 90, 95, and 99% confidence levels) for three of groundwater quality parameters, i.e., nitrate-nitrogen, chloride, and pH, which have sufficient time series of the NGQMN data between 2007 and 2013. The results showed that different trends can be determined for different depths even for the same monitoring site and the numbers of wells having significant trends vary with different confidence levels. The wells with increasing or decreasing trends were far less than the wells with no trend. Chloride had more wells with increasing trend than other parameters. On the other hand, nitrate-nitrogen had the most wells with increasing trend and concentration exceeding 75% of the threshold values (TVs). Based on the methodology used for this study, we suggest including groundwater TVs and trend analysis to evaluate groundwater quality and to establish an advanced groundwater quality management framework.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2010

Romania aims to adopt and implement the European Union's legislation, also including that for the field of water management. Like other countries, groundwater in Romania is locally polluted from point sources, such as leaking landfills, as well as from diffuse pollution sources, include fertilizers, pesticides and leakages from sewers, in urbanized areas. Diffuse pollution can also occur indirectly, by over-exploitation of groundwater wells, resulting in salt water intrusion, as well as from mining and exploitation of mineral aggregates. Romania has quite an intensive monitoring scheme to measure groundwater quality in phreatic and confined aquifers. The purpose of the work resumed in this paper was to derive natural background levels (NBL) for groundwater in order to distinguish the natural elevated concentrations of some substances (natural phenomena) from point and diffuse pollution (anthropogenic phenomena). Based on these NBLs, threshold values (TV) for groundwater will be set according to the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive and the related Groundwater Directive. This paper describes the results of a study for the derivation of NBL and TV in a pilot Groundwater Body. Also, the process and draft results for extrapolating this work for all Romanian groundwater bodies is explained, as well as points for future consideration with respect to monitoring and management.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.spc
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• pp.18-39
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• 2023

Rapid development of geophysical exploration and hydrogeologic monitoring techniques has yielded remarkable increase of datasets related to groundwater systems. Increased number of datasets contribute to understanding of general aquifer characteristics such as groundwater yield and flow, but understanding of complex heterogenous aquifers system is still a challenging task. Recently, applications of data science technique have become popular in the fields of geophysical explorations and monitoring, and such attempts are also extended in the groundwater field. This work reviewed current status and advancement in utilization of data science in groundwater field. The application of data science techniques facilitates effective and realistic analyses of aquifer system, and allows accurate prediction of aquifer system change in response to extreme climate events. Due to such benefits, data science techniques have become an effective tool to establish more sustainable groundwater management systems. It is expected that the techniques will further strengthen the theoretical framework in groundwater management to cope with upcoming challenges and limitations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.3-5
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• 2005

The objective of this research was to develop a framework of the Soil Environment Information Management System (SEIMS). In this study, we found that the SEIMS needs to be consisted of three sub-systems (i.e., information input system, DB system, and opening to the public system), which is operated on the Web-GIS basis. Also, we suggested structure and detailed items for each sub-system which are acceptable under the basis of current legal and institutional system. Furthermore, we made several suggestions for future-oriented system. Further researches need to be pursued for developing efficiently the SEIMS, such as 1) DB standards for the SEIMS, 2) guidelines for each cleanup phase, 3) improvement of the SEIMS for groundwater quality, and 4) integrated SEIMS for both soil and groundwater system.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

This review examined the current administrative policies and guidelines for management of reclaimed soils after remediation processes and proposed practical strategies to improve the potential value of the remediated soil as a resource. Three management practices are proposed to facilitate more efficient recycling of remediated soil; obligatory use, quality certification, and tracking of the remediated soils. If properly implemented in utilization of remediated soil, these strategies could contribute to enhancing public safety by assuring soil quality. Such administrative tools, for both suppliers and demanders, are expected to mitigate potential risks associated with the transactions of remediated soil. To enhance the quality assurance process, a soil quality certification combined with the soil health assessment index was proposed. The systematic integration of the suggested practices with soil health assessment can allow to produce optimal results, encompassing affordability, efficiency, and accessibility, which helps establishing more robust 'Remediated Soil Recycling Management System (RSRMS)'. Subsequent researches should be conducted to develop more effective policies that incorporate soil health assessment tools. The proposed management practices for remediated soil, coupled with soil health assessment, can be a pioneering effort to achieve such goals. By fostering an environmentally friendly policies, the sustainable utilization of remediated soil can be attained. Overall, the proposed strategies can provide a sound framework for responsible and sustainable soil management practices.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.271-280
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• 2024

This study examines the European Union (EU)'s policies on managing nitrate contamination in groundwater and provides implications for the future groundwater management in South Korea. Initiated by the 1991 Nitrate Directive, the EU has pursued a multifaceted approach to reduce agricultural nitrate pollution through sustainable ('good') farming practices, regular nitrate level monitoring, and designating Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. Further policy integrations, like the Water Framework Directive and Groundwater Directive, have established comprehensive protection strategies, including the use of pollutant threshold values. Recently, the 2019 Green Deal escalated efforts against nitrates, aligning with broader environmental and climate objectives. This review aims to explore these developments, highlighting key mitigation strategies against nitrate pollution, and providing valuable insights for the future sustainable groundwater nitrate management in South Korea, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and collaborative efforts to restore and improve groundwater quality.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2008

This paper sought to provide information regarding the water resources in the Philippines, focusing on the issues of water quality, status of water use and water scarcity, and other threats to water availability. Although the country has sufficient amount of water resources, it was found out that water availability is still threatened by some major water resources problems: increasing water demand due to drastic growth in population, water resources pollution, droughts and flooding and weak institutional framework to address these problems. Water quality problems include increasing groundwater and surface water pollution. Moreover, drought and flooding have also increased damages in recent years due to deteriorating watersheds and high economic and population growth. In relation to these, the government enacted national laws to define and deal with water control and quality management. The objective of this research was to present and evaluate current conditions and issues on Philippine water resources.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.82-91
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• 2008

This paper sought to provide information regarding the water resources in the Philippines, focusing on the issues of water quality, status of water use and water scarcity, and other threats to water availability. Although the country has sufficient amount of water resources, it was found out that water availability is still threatened by some major water resources problems: increasing water demand due to drastic growth in population, water resources pollution, droughts and flooding and weak institutional framework to address these problems. Water quality problems include increasing groundwater and surface water pollution. Moreover, drought and flooding have also increased damages in recent years due to deteriorating watersheds and high economic and population growth. In relation to these, the Government enacted national laws to define and deal with water control and quality management. The objective of this research was to present and evaluate current conditions and issues on Philippine water resources.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-145
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• 1998

Unlike water or air quality standards that have been established by legislation using potential human health impact as the primary criterion, soil quality depends on the soils primary function and its relevant environmental factors, which is much more site- and soil specific. A properly characterized soil quality assessment system should serve as an indicator of the soil capacity to produce safe and nutritious food, to enhance human and animal health, and to overcome degrative processes. For our proposed example, a high quality soil with regard to maintaining an adequate soil productivity as a food production resources must accommodate soil and water properties, food chain, sustainability and utilization, environment, and profitability, that (i) facilitate water transfer and absorption, (ii) sustain plant growth, (iii) resist physical degradation of soil, (iv) produce a safe food resources, (v) cost-effective agricultural management. Possible soil quality indicators are identified at several levels within the framework for each of these functions. Each indicator is assigned a priority or weight that reflects its relative importance using a multi-objective approach based on principles of systems to be considered. To do this, individual scoring system is differentiated by the several levels from low to very high category or point scoring ranging from 0 to 10, And then weights are multiplied and products are summed to provide an overall soil quality rating based on several physical and chemical indicators. Tlne framework and procedure in developing the soil quality assessment are determined by using information collected from an alternative and conventional farm practices in the regions. The use of an expanded framework for assessing effects of other processes, management practices, or policy issues on soil quality is also considered. To develop one possible form for a soil quality index, we should permit coupling the soil characteristics with assessment system based on soil properties and incoming and resident chemicals. The purpose of this paper is to discuss approaches to defining and assessing soil quality and to suggest the factors to be considered.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.98-104
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• 2017

Human Resources Development of Korea has been practicing performance evaluation for occupational qualification licences in environmental sectors that include water, air, and wastes management, but not soil. The purpose of the study was to improve overall quality of the national qualification test in the soil sector to better train applicants based on National Competency Standards (NCS), which is designed to emphasize site-specific conditions and knowledge. This study systematically analysed the current licence test in the soil sector with respect to qualification units, performance criteria, knowledge, techniques, and attitude as described in NCS. Furthermore, test evaluation was conducted to examine the validity of the revised licence test. The test results indicated the revised test method would bring positive outcomes to the related industry. Upon the reviews and amendments by the field experts, the result of this study could serve as a framework to the development of more robust and reliable licence test.