• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2008

It is often believed that a more complex water quality model is better able to simulate reality. The more complex a model, however, the more parameters are involved thus increases the cost and uncertainty of modeling processes. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of two steady-state river water quality models, QUAL2E and QUAL-NIER, that have different complexity. QUAL-NIER is recently developed by National Institute of Environmental Research aiming to enhance the simulation capability of QUAL2E for eutrophic rivers. It is a carbon based model that considers different forms, such as dissolved versus particulate and labile versus refractory, of carbon and nutrients, and the contribution of autochthonous loading due to algal metabolism. The models were simultaneously applied to Nakdong River and their performance was evaluated by statistical verification with field data. Both models showed similar performance and satisfactorily replicated the longitudinal variations of BOD, T-N, T-P, Chl.a concentrations along the river. The algal blooms occurred at the stagnant reaches of downstream were also reasonably captured by the models. Although QUAL-NIER somewhat reduced the magnitude of errors, the hypothesis tests revealed no statistical evidence to justify its better performance. The contribution of autochthonous carbon and nutrient load by algal metabolism was insignificant because the hydraulic retention time is relatively short compare to the time scale of kinetic reactions. The results imply that the kinetic processes included in QUAL-NIER are too complex for the nature and scale of the real processes involved, thus needs to be optimized for improving the modeling efficiency.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.784-792
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• 2008

Greater focus must be placed on ensuring that the water quality model (WQM) reflects the objective of its application and the characteristics of the water environment properly before it is selected. In the development or application of WQM, various factors influencing the model predictions should be reviewed so that it can perform more properly and reasonably based on scientific theory. This study reviewed the characteristic of existing WQM and the domestic river environment to find the requirements of the model application for TMDLs management in Korea. In this study, a water quality model, QUAL-NIER, was developed based on the USEPA's QUAL2E. The core structure and reaction scheme of the model was established followed by the formulation of equations according to the scheme with some supplements on the reaction mechanisms which are necessary for domestic rivers. Algorithms on the equations were set up and programmed to form a computer-based model. The developed model, QUAL-NIER was applied to the main stem of the Nakdong river. The model was calibrated and verified to data measured in 2004. The model results displayed good agrement with the field measurements for both calibration and verification. From this study, it was concluded that the developed QUAL-NIER model was very powerful with regard to the water quality simulation in domestic rivers.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.902-909
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• 2009

With various reservoirs, dams and reduction of water velocity in downstream, rivers in Korea often have characteristics of accumulation of pollutants. Therefore, the main focus of water quality modeling in Korea needs to be shifted from DO to algae and organic matter. Moreover the structures of water quality models should be modified to have capability of simulating BOD which is a key factor of total water pollution load management in Korea as laboratory experiment BOD (Bottle $BOD_5$). In the SWAT model which is one of the widely used water quality models in Korea, the channel water quality module is using main algorithm of the QUAL2E model which has limitations in simulating algae, organic matter and Bottle BOD5 etc. To overcome this hindrance, in this study, the improved channel water quality module of the SWAT model (Q-SWAT) was proposed by linking the algorithms of the QUAL-NIER model which was developed based on the QUAL2E model to the SWAT model. The algorithms estimating the increase of internal organic matter by fractionization algal metabolism process and calculating Bottle $BOD_5$ were added and the results of proposed model were compared to those of the original SWAT model. The results of comparison test are showing that more accurate BOD values can be obtained with the Q-SWAT model and it is anticipated that the Q-SWAT model can be used as an effective tool of decision support through the water quality simulation and long term pollution source analysis.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1060-1067
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• 2006

Water quality in the Daecheong reservoir has been deteriorated by algal bloom due to nutrient supply from the upstream of the Daecheong reservoir after heavy rainfall. Algal bloom is propagated from eutrophicated tributary into the main body of the reservoir according to the hydrological conditions. This study is aimed to estimate the water current and temperature effect by the simulation of dam spill flow control using water quality model, CE-QUAL-W2 in 2003. Water current was resulted in nutrient transport from upstream of main reservoir and nutrients were delivered up to downstream by fast water velocity. Algal blooms occurred in stagnate zone of reservoir downstream as the current of downstream was retarded according to dam outflow control. Consequently water balance in stagnate zone triggered a rise of water temperature in summer. It affected algal bloom in the embayment of the reservoir. The simulation result by outflow control scenarios showed that spill flow augmentation induced in water body instability of stagnate zone so that water temperature declined. It could be suggested that outflow control minimize algal bloom in the downstream in the flooding season as long as water elevation level is maintained properly.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2017

The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of stream purification equipment system combined MBP (Micro Bubble Process) and AGBP (Aerobic Granular Biofilm Process). Based on results, the optimal HRT (Hydraulic Retention Time) of MBP and AGBP set as 0.72 and 2.4 h, respectively. In the results of continuous operation on combined MBP and AGBP, it is possible to achieve a BOD, TSS and T-P removal efficiency of 85, 90 and 94%, respectively. It also confirmed that the water quality of the stream can be purified with increasing circulation flow through water simulation evaluation applied the QUAL-NIER model. Consequently this purification system can resolve the stream purification and dry stream problem.