• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.444-450
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• 2011

Perchlorate ($ClO_4^-$) is a contaminant found in surface water and soil/ground water. Autotrophic perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) use hydrogen gas ($H_2$) as an electron donor to remove perchlorate. Since iron corrosion can produce $H_2$, feasibility of autotrophic perchlorate-removal using zero-valent iron (ZVI) was examined in this study using activated sludge that is easily available from a wastewater treatment plant. Batch test showed that activated sludge microorganisms could successfully degrade perchlorate in the presence of ZVI. The perchlorate biodegradation was confirmed by molar yield of $Cl^-$ as perchlorate was degraded. Scanning electron microscope revealed that rod-shaped microorganisms on the surface of iron particles used for the autotrophic perchlorate-removal, suggesting that iron particles could serve as supporting media for the formation of biofilm as well. DGGE analyses revealed that microbial profile of the inoculum (activated sludge) was different from that of biofilm sample obtained from the ZVI-added enrichment culture used for $ClO_4^-$-degradation. A major band of the biofilm sample was most closely related to the class Clostridia.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.209-215
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• 2012

The performance and removal efficiencies of a pilot scale biofilter were estimated by using ammonia and hydrogen sulfide as the odorous gases. Expanded polyurethane foam coated with powdered activated carbon and zeolite was used as a biofilm supporting medium in the biofilter. Odorous gases from the sludge thickener of a municipal wastewater treatment plant were treated in the biofilter for 10 months and the inlet ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were 0.1-1.5 and 2-20 ppmv, respectively. The removal efficiencies reached about 100% at the empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 3.6-5 seconds except for the adaptation periods. The pressure drop of the biofilter caused by the gas flow was also low that the maximum attained was 31 mm $H_2O$ during the operation. Its stability was confirmed in the long term due to the fact that the biofilter and the polyurethane medium had a minimum plugging and compression. The microbial community on the medium is critical for the performance of the biofilter especially the distribution of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB). The distribution of Nitrosomonas sp. (AOB) and Thiobacillus ferroxidans (SOB) was confirmed by FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis. The longer the operation time, the more microbial population observed. Also, the medium close to the gas inlet had more microbial population than the medium at the gas outlet of the biofilter.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.676-681
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• 2013

Perchlorate (${ClO_4}^-$) is an emerging contaminant found in surface water and soil/groundwater. Microbial removal of perchlorate is the method of choice since perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) can reduce perchlorate to harmless end-products. A previous study [3] showed experimental evidence of autotrophic perchlorate removal using elemental sulfur granules and activated sludge. The granular sulfur is a relatively inexpensive electron donor, and activated sludge is easily available from a wastewater treatment plant. A batch test was performed in this study to further investigate the effect of various environmental parameters on the perchlorate degradation by sludge microorganisms when elemental sulfur was used as electron donor. Results of the batch test suggest optimum conditions for autotrophic perchlorate degradation by sludge microorganisms. The results also show that sulfur-oxidizing PRB enriched from activated sludge removed perchlorate better than activated sludge. Taken together, this study suggests that autotrophic perchlorate removal using elemental sulfur and activated sludge can be improved by employing optimized environmental conditions and enrichment culture.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2015

PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ehters) are rarely dissolved in water due to their strong hydrophobicity and large molecular mass so not many researches were done in aqueous environment compared to other environmental compartments. However, the mass loading from wastewater treatment plant into aquatic environment, re-suspension from bottom sediment and partitioning from floating particles and colloids may not be negligible. It is, therefore, important but also difficult to investigate PBDEs in water environment. Recent overcoming resolution towards this barrier to monitor hydrophobic organic compounds in aquatic environment is using passive sampling technique like semipermeable membrane device. By using passive sampling, it might be possible to obtain long-term reproducible monitoring result and detect the trace amounts of PBDEs, with controlling fluctuation of surrounding environmental factors during the sampling event. So therefore, this study is purposed to confirm the possibility of using SPMD (semi-permeable membrane device) as water monitoring tool. Grab samples, composite samples and SPMDs were applied in river bank to evaluate the concentration difference and temporal fluctuation by various water sampling method, and to assess the water concentration prediction capability of SPMD for the PBDEs.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2002

The monthly water quality data measured at 19 stations located in the Sapkyo reservoir watershed were clustered into 2 to 7 clusters and factor analysis was conducted to characterize the water quality, using the information obtained from cluster analysis. The result of cluster analysis shows that Sapkyo reservoir and each stream (Sapkyo stream, Muhan stream and Kokkyo stream) in Sapkyo reservoir watershed hove their own water quality characteristics. The result of water quality analysis indicates that the concentration of suspended solids from Sapkyo reservoir is much higher than those of other streams, and which is probably because of increment of phytoplankton biomass with rich nutrient flowing Into Sapkyo reservoir from the upper stream of watershed. Furthermore, the concentrations of biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were 3.5 to 4.8 times and 1.7 to 2.5 times those of other streams, respectively. The overall water quality of Sapkyo reservoir watershed was considered to exceed eutrophic condition. Based on factor analysis, the water quality characteristics of Sapkyo stream and Muhan stream were closely related with farm land and residence. The water quality of Kokkyo stream was influenced by superabundant organic matter flowing from Chonan city and district wastewater treatment plant located in the upper stream of Kokkyo stream. The water quality factor influencing Sapkyo reservoir was closely related with water quality factors of other three streams.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.519-522
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• 2007

China infrastructure construction market has huge potential for increased use of PPP/BOT mode and one of the most attractive markets of doing business. However, there are still a multitude of challenges for overseas EPC contractor to enter into the China PPP/BOT market both internally and externally. Especially, the construction legal system and relevant policies are considered at present the biggest barriers in accessing China construction market. Therefore, the main purpose of the paper is to identify the impact of the construction laws, regulations and BOT-related policies on the viability of foreign contractor-led BOT project in China. To the satisfaction of the purpose, this paper will first analyze China construction laws based on the key issues that must be tackled by foreign EPC contractor before they enter into China. This summary gives the possible contract scheme for a BOT project of interest in which foreign contractors could define the scope of works and measure the viability of the project. Finally, a case study of wastewater treatment plant BOT project in China subsequently illustrates some of the lessons learned from the foreign contractor's perspectives for successfully participating in future environmental market in China.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2000

In order to predict the performance of biological wastewater treatment plant, the kinetic parameters and stoichiometric coefficient must be known. The theories and experimental procedures for determining the biological kinetic parameters were discussed in this study. Respirometric analysis in the batch reactor was carried out for the experimental assessment of kinetic parameters. A simple procedure to estimate kinetic parameters of heterotrophs and autotrophs under aerobic condition was presented. The difficulties in the interpretation of COD and VSS measurements encouraged the conversion of respirometric data to growth data. Maximum specific growth rate, yield coefficient, half saturation constant and decay rate of heterotrophic biomass were obtained from OUR(Oxygen Uptake Rate) data. Maximum specific growth rate of autotrophic biomass was obtained from the increase of nitrate concentration. The aim of this paper is to estimate the kinetic parameters of heterotrophic and autotrophic biomass by means of the respirometric analysis of activated sludge behavior in the batch reactors. These procedures may be used for the activated sludge modeling with complex kinetic parameters.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.329-333
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• 2016

Disinfection by electrolysis would be useful for small wastewater treatment plant, combined sewer overflow, ballast water, swimming pool, and fish farming, where the transport, storage, and the use of chlorine gas is limited. This study investigated the feasibility of the electrolysis of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) for disinfection. The effects of HCl concentration, voltage and reaction time on the generation of oxidizing agents, HOCl, $O_3$, and $H_2O_2$, were examined in a series of batch test. The highest current efficiency was 99.3% which was found at 2.2%, 3 V, and 5 min of HCl concentration, voltage, and reaction time, respectively. Continuous electrolysis at 2.2% HCl, 3 V, and 5 min of the hydraulic retention time showed 97.4% of the current efficiency. Addition of sodium chloride up to 20 g/L linearly increased the oxidizing agents production. 92.2% of total coliforms were removed by the contact with the electrolyzed water.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.387-395
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• 2014

A highly sensitive analytical method based on stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) technique and gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) has been developed, allowing the simultaneous multi-analyte determination of 11 synthetic fragrances (SFs) in water samples. The stir bar coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was added to 40 mL of water sample at pH 3 and stirred at 1,100 rpm for 120 min. Other SBSE parameters (salt effect and presence of organic solvent) were optimised. The method shows good linearity (coefficients > 0.990) and reproducibility (RSD < 10.9%). The extraction efficiencies were above 83% for all the compounds. The limits of detections (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 2.1~4.1 ng/L and 6.6~12.9 ng/L, respectively. The developed method offers the ability to detect 11 SFs at ultra-low concentration levels with only 40 mL of sample volume. Matrix effects in tap water, river water, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) final effluent water and seawater were investigated and it was shown that the method is suitable for the analysis of trace level of 11 SFs. The method developed in the present study has the advantage of being rapid, simple, high-sensitive and both user and environmentally friendly.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.451-455
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• 2006

Heterotrophic biomass yield coefficients, $Y_H$, for aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic reactors were successfully estimated for the two wastewater treatment plants, where one plant was operating in the $A^2/O$ process and the other was operating in the 4-stage BNR process. The estimation of $Y_H$ was undertaken by plotting the biomass COD concentrations versus the soluble COD concentrations in order to calculate the ${\Delta}biomass$ COD/ ${\Delta}soluble$ COD in each batch reactor. The batch reactors employed in this study were fed by filtered influent and mixed liquors in the ratio of 10:1, and operated in the aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions, which represented the actual operating conditions for the $A^2/O$ and 4-stage BNR process. The average $Y_H$ values of the aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic reactor for the $A^2/O$ process were 0.52, 0.41 and 0.18 mg COD/mg COD, respectively, and those for the 4-stage BNR process were 0.58, 0.40 and 0.20 mg COD/mg COD, respectively. The average ratio of the $Y_H$ for aerobic reactors to those for the anoxic reactors were about 1:0.79 for the $A^2/O$ process, and about 1:0.69 for the 4-stage BNR process. The experimental method for anoxic and anaerobic $Y_H$ estimation shown in this study has turned out to be simple and efficient in its practical application.