• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.123-126
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• 2010

Modeling non-point pollution across multiple scales has become an important environmental issue. As a more representative and practical approach in quantifying and qualifying surface water, a modular neural network (MNN) was implemented in this study. Two different site-scales ($1.5\;{\times}\;10^5$ and $1.62\;{\times}\;10^6\;m^2$) with the same plants, soils, and paddy field management practices, were selected. Hydrologic data (rainfall, irrigation and surface discharge) and water quality data (time-series nutrient loadings) were continuously monitored and then used for the verification of MNN performance. Correlation coefficients (R) for the results predicted from the networks versus measured values were within the range of 0.41 to 0.95. The small block could be extrapolated to the large field for the rainfall-surface drainage process. Nutrient prediction produced less favorable results due to the complex phenomena of nutrients in the drainage water. However, the feasibility of using MNN to generate improved prediction accuracy was demonstrated if more hydrologic and environmental data are provided. The study findings confirmed the estimation accuracy of the upscaling from a small-segment block to large-scale paddy field, thereby contributing to the establishment of water quality management for sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.60-70
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• 1998

Masan Bay is a typical enclosed coastal sea and receving body of discharges from Masan city and Changwon city. A POTW(Publicly Owned Treatment Works) started operation from November 1993 when the population of drainage area increased abcent 1.0 million and the effluent from this Plant has being discharged to the enclosed sea where is located at 15km distance from inner Masan Bay. Thus the inflow pattern to Masan Bay has been changed. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the relationship between urban wastewater discharge and water qualify change in a typical coastal zone. It is necessary a) to evaluate the change of input loadings, b) to determine the effect on water quality changes, and c) to find the respective importance of improvement options that must be controlled in the wastewater treatment plant. It was concluded that the sea water quality has being adversely affected by the discharge of insufficiently treated urban wastewater and the nutrient removal in wastewater treatment was very important and urgent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2018

As the sequencing batch reactor process is a time-oriented system, it has advantages of the flexibility in operation for the biological nutrient removal. Because the sequencing batch reactor is operated in a batch system, respiration rate is more sensitive and obvious than in a continuous system. The variation of respiration rate in the process well represented the characteristics of biological reactions, especially nitrification. The respiration rate dropped rapidly and greatly with the completion of nitrification, and the maximum respiration rate of nitrification showed the activity of nitrifiers. This study suggested a strategy to control the aeration of the sequencing batch reactor based on respirometry. Aeration time of the optimal aerobic period required for nitrification was daily adjusted according to the dynamics of respiration rate. The aeration time was mainly correlated with influent nitrogen loadings. The anoxic period was extended through aeration control facilitating a longer endogenous denitrification reaction time. By respirometric aeration control in the sequencing batch reactor, energy saving and process performance improvement could be achieved.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.291-304
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• 2023

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become an increasing concern in terms of human health risks as well as aesthetic impairment due to their toxicity. The reduction of water pollutants, especially nutrients from non-point sources in a reservoir watershed, is fundamental for HABs prevention. We investigated the pollutant removal efficiencies of a constructed wetland to evaluate its feasibility as a method for controlling non-point sources located in the Annaecheon stream within the Daecheong Reservoir watershed. The overall removal efficiencies of pollutants were as follows: BOD 14.3%, COD 17.9%, SS 50.0%, T-N 19.0%, and T-P 35.4%. These results indicate that constructed wetlands are effective in controlling pollutants from non-point sources. The seasonal variation in removal efficiency depended on the specific pollutants. The removal efficiencies of BOD, COD, and T-N were stable throughout the year, except during winter, which might have been influenced by lower microorganism activity. In contrast, T-P showed a consistent removal efficiency even during the winter season, suggesting that the wetland can reduce external phosphorus loading to the reservoir. Regarding the effects of pollutant loadings on removal efficiency, the effluent concentrations of all pollutants were significantly decreased compared to those in the influent in case of middle and high loadings. This demonstrates that constructed wetlands can handle high pollutant loads, including the initial runoff during rainfall, to prevent reservoir eutrophication. Despite the various strengths of wetland water purification, there are limitations as passive treatment. Therefore, more case studies should be conducted to suggest optimum operational conditions for constructed wetlands, taking into consideration reservoir-specific characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 1990

For the purpose of evaluating nutrient loadings into rivers and lakes from agricultural land, especially from paddy fields and also nutrient degradation in drainage channels, the Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen(TKN) and the Total Phosphorus(TP) were investigated in 29.5 ha. paddy fields in Hwa-Sung, Kyong-Ki, Korea, during the period from May 8, 1989 to Sep. 27, 1989. The results of the study can be su㎜arized as follows : 1. Annual inputs into paddy fields were 180 N-kg/ha 46 P-kg/ha. by fertilization, and 15.0 TKN-kg/ha. 10.0 TP-kg/ha. by irrigation, 8.0 TKN-kg/ha. 0.34 TP-kg/ha. by rainfall respectively. The amount of nutrient involved in surface runoff from paddies was 39.0 TKN-kg/ha. 9.2 TP-kg/ha. and in seepage 7.5 TKN-kg/ha. 2.1 TP-kg/ha. respectively 2. In WS1 stream(reach length equals 950m), nutrients decreased 0.31 TKN-mg/L/km, 0.01 TP-mg/L/km and in WS2 stream (reach length equals 750m) which are more meandering and undulating than WS1, the nutrients decreased 0.84 TKN-mg/L/km, 0.11 TP-mg/L/km. From these results, it was concluded that low stream velocity due to meandering and undulation promotes more degradation of nutrient concentrations. 3. For the purpose of decreasing nutrient loads from paddy fields, the amount of fertilizer used needs to be controlled, irrigation weirs need to be constructed in the drainage channels to delay the transportation of nutrients by decelerating the stream velocity and plants such as plantain-lily need to be cultivated in the channel to consume nutrients and therefore enlarge chances of self-purification.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.379-399
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• 2008

Spatial-temporal variations in physiochemical water qualities (temperature, salinity, DO, SPM, POC and nutrients) of surface and bottom waters were investigated along the mid-western coastal area (Taean Peninsula to Gomso Bay) of Korea. Spatial distribution patterns of temperature and salinity were mostly controlled by the physical mixing process of freshwater from Geum River and/or Gyunggi Bay with nearby coastal water. A strong tidal front is formed off Taean Peninsula during spring and summer. Seasonal variations in nutrient concentrations, lower in spring and summer and higher in fall and winter, are primarily regulated by magnitude of phytoplankton occurrence rather than freshwater loadings into the bay. Based on seasonal and spatial variability of physicochemical parameters, water quality of the study area can be divided into four water masses; Gyunggi Bay-influenced Water Mass (GBWM), Geum River-influenced Water Mass (GRWM), Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water Mass (YSBCWM) and Cheonsu Bay Water Mass (CBWM). Water quality of the GBWM (Taean Peninsula coastal area), which has relatively low salinity and high concentrations of nutrients, is strongly controlled by the Gyunggi Bay coastal water, which is under influence of the Han River freshwater. In this water mass, the mixed layer is always developed by strong tidal mixing. As a result, a tidal front is formed along the offshore boundary of the mixed layer. Such tidal fronts probably play an important role in the distribution of phytoplankton communities, SPM and nutrients. The GRWM, with low salinity and high nutrients, especially during the flood summer season, is closely related to physiochemical properties of the Geum River. During the flood season, nutrient-enriched Geum River water mass extends up to 60 km away from the river mouth, potentially causing serious environmental problems such as eutrophication and unusual and/or noxious algal blooms. Offshore (<$30{\sim}40m$ in water depth) of the study area, YSBCWM coupled with a strong thermocline can be identified in spring-summer periods, exhibiting abundant nutrients in association with low temperature and limited biological activity. During spring and summer, a tidal front is formed in a transition zone between the coastal water mass and bottom cold water mass in the Yellow Sea, resulting in intensified upwelling and thereby supplying abundant nutrients to the GBWM and GRWM. Such cold bottom water mass and tidal front formation seems to play an important role in controlling water quality and further regulating physical ecosystem processes along mid-western Korean coastal area.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2014

Nonpoint pollution sources from agricultural activities are a major cause of water quality impairment. A nutrient management program utilizes farm practices that maintain efficient crop production systems and control agricultural nonpoint pollution sources. The objectives of present study were to identify appropriate best management practices (BMPs) according to changes of cropping system of main upland crop for reducing AGNPs loadings and to simulate the effects of the application of the several BMPs scenarios in Saemangeum watershed. The selected BMP scenarios were: 1) to convert naked barley and hulled barley to hairy vetch or chinese milk vetch, 2) to convert red pepper to soybean crop, and 3) to combine two scenarios, converting naked barley and hulled barley to hairy vetch or chinese milk vetch + converting red pepper to soybean crop. As a result of BMPs application, the crop requirement of nitrogen and phosphorus for upland crop reduced nitrogen by 41% and phosphorus by 47% in scenario 1, whereas scenario 2 reduced nitrogen by 30% and phosphorus by 23%. Overall, scenario 3 reduced nitrogen by 72% and phosphorus by 70% in agricultural non-point pollution sources associated with chemical fertilizer and livestock manure in Saemangeum watershed.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.815-821
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• 2011

This study aims to estimate the biological decomposition capacity of MPC(Microorganism Porous-Concrete). MPC has specific surface area formed by inside pores, and bio compound was added to those pores to reduce pollutants loading. To evaluate the water purification capacity of MPC, we carried out the comparative studies using different media types [GPC(General Porous-concrete), CPC(Compound porous-concrete), LPC(Lightweight aggregate porous-concrete)] under the condition of CFSTR, and different retention times (30, 60 and 120 min). We also estimated the purification capacity of MPC under different concentrations of pollutant loadings. The MPC showed higher efficiency in water purification function than other conventional porous concretes with efficient decrease rates of SS, BOD, COD, and nutrient concentrations. In the comparison experiment for different retention times, MPC showed the highest removal efficiency for all tested pollutants in the longest retention time(120 min). In the long period test, the removal efficiencies of MPC concrete were high until 100 days after the set up of the operation, but began to decrease. Outflow flux was invariable compared with inflow flux so that extra detention time for media fouling such as back washing is not needed. But the results suggested that appropriate management is necessary for long-term operation of MPC. As the final outcome, MPC using bio organisms is considered to be efficient for stream water purification when they used as substrates for artificial river structure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.390-399
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the construct validity of a Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children. In a previous report (Kang, et al., 2012), the food behavior checklist for children's NQ, consisting of 19 items, was grouped into a 5-factor structure according to the exploratory factor analysis: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. In this study, the construct validity of the NQ was assessed using a confirmatory factor analysis. Elementary school students (n = 1,393) from six large cities completed the NQ test. Indicator tests suggested an adequate model fit (goodness of fit index = 0.9613; adjusted GFI = 0.95; standardized root mean square residual = 0.0464; chi-square test statistics of < 0.001 p-value, 82.1), and item loadings were significant for all subscales (p < 0.05). The standardized path coefficients were used as the weights of the items. The NQ and the 5 factor scores of the student were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Logistic regression was applied to find the significant factors in order to affect a specific nutrient status. The receiver operation characteristic curve analyses were performed in order to find diagnostic cut-off points of the five factors. The food behavior checklist for children's NQ would be a handy and suitable instrument for evaluating dietary behaviors of Korean children.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2019

Background: Han River estuary is a national wetland reserve near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South Korea and North Korea. This trans-boundary estuary area has been well preserved and shows distinctive plant communities along the salinity gradient. To elucidate energy flows and nutrient cycling in this area, we studied trophic relations between the dominant sesarmid crab, Sesarma dehaani, and food sources in three wetlands with different environments along the estuarine gradients. Results: Stable isotope signatures (${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$) of the crabs were significantly different among the sites and body size classes. Seasonal changes in ${\delta}^{13}C$ of small crabs were distinct from those of large individuals at all the sites. The isotopic values and fatty acid profiles of the crabs were more different among the sites in September than in May. In May, large-sized crabs utilized more plant materials compared to other dietary sources in contrast to small-sized crabs as revealed by a stable isotope mixing modeling, whereas contributions to diets of crabs were not dominated by a specific diet for different body size in September except at site 1. Based on PCA loadings, fatty acid content of $18:3{\omega}3$, known as a biomarker of plant materials, was the main factor to separate size groups of crabs in May and September. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ value of sediment had high correlation with those of small-sized crabs at site 1 and 2 when 1-month time lag was applied to the value for crabs during the surveyed period. Conclusions: Based on the stable isotope and fatty acid results, the consumption habits of S. dehaani appear to be distinguished by sites and their size. In particular, smaller size of S. dehaani appears to be more dependent on fewer food sources and is influenced more by the diet sources from the sediments in Han River estuary.