• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2017

A vertical multi-stage ammonia stripping reactor using E-PFR, which has been proved to be superior in anaerobic and aerobic treatment, was developed and a lab scale experiment was conducted. According to the change of stage number condition, the removal rate of the ammonia nitrogen in the reactor with 0-stage was about 52.5% after 8 hours (pH 10, temperature $35^{\circ}C$, and the air/liquid ratio $3min^{-1}$) However, in the reactor with 5-stage, the removal efficiency was about 62.6%. According to the change of pH condition, the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen was about 42.6% at pH 9 after 8 hours, and was about 74.4% at pH 11 (5-stage reactor, temperature $35^{\circ}C$, and the air/liquid ratio $3min^{-1}$). According to the change of temperature condition, the removal rate of the ammonia nitrogen was about 51% at $25^{\circ}C$ after 8 hours (5-stage reactor, pH 10, and the air/liquid ratio $3min^{-1}$), and was about 87.2% at $45^{\circ}C$. According to the change of air injection volume condition, the removal rate of the ammonia nitrogen was about 45.8% at $2min^{-1}$ after 8 hours (5-stage reactor, pH 10, and at $35^{\circ}C$). and was about 75% at $4min^{-1}$. Based on these results, we will follow up the applicability of the actual plant in the future through continuous operation evaluation.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.599-609
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• 2015

In order to investigate why OSA (oxic-settling-anaerobic) process produces less sludge than CAS (conventional activated sludge) process, sequential cultivation through 1^st aerobic-anaerobic-2^nd aerobic conditions, were carried out. Then, the intracellular concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD and NADH), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP and NADPH) were monitored for these three stages. Results showed that the concentrations of these energy substances rapidly decreased through time in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions but the anaerobic culture contained the lower energy level than aerobic culture. The 2^nd aerobic culture that experienced anaerobic condition showed lower concentration of these energy substances than those of the 1^st aerobic culture. Meanwhile, the anaerobic culture corresponding to the sludge holding stage of OSA was subjected to different soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) levels, detention time, and temperature to evaluate the effects of these variations on the energy level difference between the 1^st and 2^nd aerobic stages. The lower the SCOD concentration, the longer detention time; and the higher temperature in the anaerobic stage tended to further reduce the intracellular level of the 2^nd aerobic culture. On the average, the intracellular energy level of the anaerobic and 2^nd aerobic stage were 57.73% and 39.12% of the 1st aerobic culture, respectively. These indicated that the insertion of an anaerobic stage between two aerobic stages could lower the intracellular energy levels, hence the lower the sludge in OSA than CAS process. Moreover, manipulation of the operating conditions of the intervening anaerobic stage can change intracellular energy levels thereby controlling sludge production.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-45
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• 2017

This study explored spatiotemporal variability of water quality in correspondence with hydro-meteorological factors in the four stations of Euiam Reservoir located in the upstream region of the North-Han River from May 2012 to December 2015. Seasonal effect was apparent in the variation of water temperature, DO, electric conductivity and TSS during the study period. Stratification in the water column was observed in the near dam site every year and vanished between August and October. Increase of nitrogen nutrients was observed when inflowing discharge was low, while phosphorus increase was distinct both during the early season with increase of inflowing discharge and the period of severe draught persistent. Duration persisting high concentration of Chl-a (>$25mg\;m^{-3}$: the eutrophic status criterion, OECD, 1982) was 1~2 months of the whole year in 2014~2015, while it was almost 4 months in 2013. Water quality of Euiam Reservoir appeared to be affected basically by geomorphology and source of pollutants, such as longitudinally linked instream islands and Aggregate Island, inflowing urban stream, and wastewater treatment plant discharge. While inflowing discharge from the dams upstream and outflow pattern causing water level change seem to largely govern the variability of water quality in this particular system. In the process of spatiotemporal water quality change, factors related to climate (e.g. flood, typhoon, abruptly high rainfall, scorching heat of summer), hydrology (amount of flow and water level) might be attributed to water pulse, dilution, backflow, uptake, and sedimentation. This study showed that change of water quality in Euiam Reservoir was very dynamic and suggested that its effect could be delivered to downstream (Cheongpyeong and Paldang Reservoirs) through year-round discharge for hydropower generation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.139-154
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• 2008

The nearly 75% of animal feed materials used for livestock production are imported every year in Korea. Most of imported feed ingredients are concentrated feeds such as com, wheat, soybean, soybean meal, etc. and they are used as the source materials for the production of assorted feed. The imported concentrated feeds are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Therefore, the consistent import of feed ingredients may cause an increase of nutrient deposit in our agricultural ecosystem. In the current review, it was discussed with the situation of the feed importation and its nutritional composition to evaluate the nutrient load by the imported feeds onto agricultural ecosystem. The nutrient load caused by imported feeds in agricultural environment was compared with the nutrient demand for crop production. The amounts of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ introduced by the imported fteds in Korea were 371, 140 and 143 Ktons. And, the N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ loads excreted from imported feeds in livestock were 148, 84 and 86 Ktons of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ and These nutrient loads by the imported feeds are at the percentage of N 52%, $P_2O_5$ 52% and $K_2O$ 42% in the comparison of total nutrient amounts excreted from livestock animals in Korea. The 82.3% of nutrients excreted from livestock was recycled to crop land as compost and liquid fertilizer, and the others were discharged to river after water treatment processing or disposed to ocean. Also, passing through the recycling process far the production of compost and liquid fertilizer, the amount of nutrients was reduced by the ammonia vaporization of livestock feces and urine. Accordingly, N 81, $P_2O_5$ 74 and $K_2O$ 76 Ktons in the nutrients excreted from livestock were estimated to be utilized in the crop land. Consequently, it was estimated that 44, 48 and 69 Ktons of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ were taken up with crops in the consideration of the ratio of mineralization, and the amounts of leached or deposited N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ in crop land were estimated to be 37, 27 and 7 Ktons, respectively. It is estimated that 12%, 34% and 48% of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ introduced by the imported feeds were used by crops, and 10%, 34% and 5% of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ were leached or deposited in agricultural ecosystem. Therefore, considering the leached and deposited amounts of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ originated from the imported feed ingredients, the consistent import of feeds may gradually increase the nutrient load onto agricultural ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.288-297
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate the ecological stream health through the Multimetric Fish Assessment Index (MFAI) along with fish fauna analysis based on the tolerance and trophic guilds at Miho stream in 2008 and 2009. Also, we analysed total mercury concentration in fish tissues to examine heavy metal contamination. Total sampled fish were 40 species and 2,557 individuals and Zacco platypus was the most dominant with 35% relative abundance. It was sampled with 11.4% RA for Korean endemic species (10 species 291 individuals) less than average RA 39.3% for the Geum river watersheds. According to the tolarance guild analysis, tolerant species was more dominant with 58.9% RA (15 species, 1,507 individuals) than sensitive species with 6.6% RA. Trophic guild analysis also suggested that omnivores were more dominant (60.5% RA) than insectivores (31.5% RA). Riffle-benthic species was also sampled with 7.7% RA. Ecological stream health based on the MFAI were averaged 25.3 (n=3) with fair-poor condition in 2008 and also 26.3 (n=3) with fair condition in 2009, just slightly increased than 2008. Qualitative habitat evaluation index was averaged 134 (n=3) with fair condition but most of sites had sediment accumulation that reflected substrate degradations proceeding. From the result of total mercury accumulation in fish tissues, kidney and liver tissues showed the highest but the lowest for gill tissues. Overall mercury concentration were not exceed the national standards by Korean Federation of Drug and Administration (KFDA). Consequently, our result could correspond with the characteristics of Miho stream where point sources such industrial complexes and wastewater treatment plant widely distributed around the stream along the gradient of up and downstream.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1152-1160
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• 2017

A unicellular green alga was axenically isolated from a tidal pool on Ulleung-do, Korea. Morphological, molecular, and biochemical analyses revealed that the isolate belonged to Auxenochlorella protothecoides. The current study is the first record of this species in Korea. The microalgal strain was named as A. protothecoides MM0011 and its growth, lipid and pigment compositions, and biomass properties were investigated. The strain is able to thrive in a wide range of temperatures ($5{\sim}35^{\circ}C$) and to withstand up to 1.5 M NaCl. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that the isolate was rich in nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Its major fatty acids were linoleic acid (27.6%) and ${\alpha}-linolenic$ acid (39.6%). Thus, this indigenous microalga has potential as an alternative source of ${\omega}3$ and ${\omega}6$ PUFAs, which currently come from fish and plant oils. Also, the HPLC analysis revealed that the value-added antioxidant, lutein, was biosynthesized as the accessory pigments by the microalga. A proximate analysis showed that the volatile matter content was 85.6% and an ultimate analysis indicated that the gross calorific value was $20.3MJ\;kg^{-1}$. Since 40.5% of total nitrogen and 27.9% of total phosphorus were removed from the medium, respectively, it also has potential as a feedstock for biofuel applications which could be coupled to wastewater treatment. In addition, the biomass may also serve as an excellent animal feed because of its high protein content (51.4%). Therefore, A. protothecoides MM0011 shows promise for application in production of microalgae-based biochemicals and as a biomass feedstock.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2018

According to the in social aspects such as population growth, urbanization and industrialization, development of livestock industry by meat consumption, amount of organic wastes (containing sewage sludge and food waste, animal manure, etc) has been increased annually in South Korea. Precise monitoring of 11 organic wastes biogas facilities were conducted. The organic decomposition rate of organic wastewater was 68.2 % for food wastes, 66.8 % for animal manure and 46.2 % for sewage sludge and 58.8 % for total organic wastes. As a result of analyzing the biogas characteristics before and after the pretreatment, the total average of the whole facility was measured to be 560 ppm using iron salts and desulfurization, and decreased to 40 ppm when the reduction efficiency was above 90 %. Particularly, when iron salt is injected into the digester, the treatment efficiency is about 93 %, and the average is reduced to 150 ppm. In the case of dehumidification, the absolute humidity and the relative humidity were analyzed. The dew point temperature of the facility where the dehumidification facility was well maintained as $14^{\circ}C$, the absolute humidity was $12.6g/m^3$, and the relative humidity was 35 %. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the disadvantages of biogasification facilities of organic waste resources and optimize utilization of biogas and improve operation of facilities. This study was conducted to optimize biogas utilization of type of organic waste(containing sewage sludge and food waste, animal manure) through precision monitoring.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.1081-1095
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• 2020

This study is to evaluate stream flow and water quality changes of Yeongsan river basin (3,371.4 km2) by inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) from Juam dam of Seomjin river basin using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool). The SWAT was established using inlet function for IBWT between donor and receiving basins. The SWAT was calibrated and validated with 14 years (2005 ~ 2018) data of 1 stream (MR) and 2 multi-functional weir (SCW, JSW) water level gauging stations, and 3 water quality stations (GJ2, NJ, and HP) including data of IBWT and effluent from wastewater treatment plants of Yeongsan river basin. For streamflow and weir inflows (MR, SCW, and JSW), the coefficient of determination (R2), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and percent bias (PBIAS) were 0.69 ~ 0.81, 0.61 ~ 0.70, 1.34 ~ 2.60 mm/day, and -8.3% ~ +7.6% respectively. In case of water quality, the R2 of SS, T-N, and T-P were 0.69 ~ 0.81, 0.61 ~ 0.70, and 0.54 ~ 0.63 respectively. The Yeongsan river basin average streamflow was 12.0 m3/sec and the average SS, T-N, and T-P were 110.5 mg/L, 4.4 mg/L, 0.18 mg/L respectively. Under the 130% scenario of IBWT amount, the streamflow, SS increased to 12.94 m3/sec (+7.8%), 111.26 mg/L (+0.7%) and the T-N, T-P decreased to 4.17 mg/L (-5.2%), 0.165 mg/L (-8.3%) respectively. Under the 70% scenario of IBWT amount, the streamflow, SS decreased to 11.07 m3/sec (-7.8%), 109.74 mg/L (-0.7%) and the T-N, T-P increased to 4.68 mg/L (+6.4%), 0.199 mg/L (+10.6%) respectively.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2023

Non-point source (NP) pollutants in an agricultural landuse are discharged from a large area compared to those in other land uses, and thus effective source control measures are needed. To develop appropriate control measures, it is necessary to quantify discharge load of each source and evaluate the degree of water quality improvement by implementing different options of the control measures. This study used Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) to quantify pollutant discharge loads from different sources and effects of different control measures on water quality improvements, thereby supporting decision making in developing appropirate pollutant control strategies. The study area is the Gyeseong river watershed in Changnyeong county, Gyeongsangnam-do, with agricultural areas occupying the largest proportion (26.13%) of the total area except for the forest area. The main pollutant sources include chemical and liquid fertilizers for agricultural activities, and manure produced from small scale livestock facilities and applied to agriculture lands or stacked near the facilities. Source loads of chemical fertilizers, liquid fertilizers and livestock manure of small scale livestock facilities, and point sources such as municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), community WWTPs, private sewage treament plants were considered in the HSPF model setup. Especially, NITR and PHOS modules were used to simulate detailed fate and transport processes including vegitation uptake, nutrient deposition, adsorption/desorption, and loss by deep percolation. The HSPF model was calibrated and validated based on the observed data from 2015 to 2020 at the outlet of the watershed. The calibrated model showed reasonably good performance in simulating the flow and water quality. Five Pollutants control scenarios were established from three sectors: agriculture pollution management (drainge outlet control, and replacement of controlled release fertilizers), livestock pollution management (liquid fertilizer reduction, and 'manure management of small scale livestock facilities) and private STP management. Each pollutant control measure was further divided into short-term, mid-term, and long-term scenarios based on the potential achievement period. The simulation results showed that the most effective control measure is the replacement of controlled release fertilizers followed by the drainge outlet control and the manure management of small scale livestock facilities. Furthermore, the simulation showed that application of all the control measures in the entire watershed can decrease the annual TN and TP loads at the outlet by 40.6% and 41.1%, respectively, and the annual average concentrations of TN and TP at the outlet by 35.1% and 29.2%, respectively. This study supports decision makers in priotizing different pollutant control measures based on their predicted performance on the water quality improvements in an agriculturally dominated watershed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.139-153
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• 2023

This study aimed to understand the spatiotemporal variations in nitrogen content in the Gyeongan stream along the main stream and at the discharge points of the sub-basins, and to identify the origin of the nitrogen. Field surveys and laboratory analyses, including chemical compositions and isotope ratios of nitrate and boron, were performed from November 2021 to November 2022. Based on the flow duration curve (FDC) derived for the Gyeongan stream, the dry season (mid-December 2021 to mid-June 2022) and wet season (mid-June to early November 2022) were established. In the dry season, most samples had the highest total nitrogen(T-N) concentrations, specifically in January and February, and the concentrations continued to decrease until May and June. However, after the flood season from July to September, the uppermost subbasin points (Group 1: MS-0, OS-0, GS-0) where T-N concentrations continually decreased were separated from the main stream and lower sub-basin points (Group 2: MS-1~8, OS-1, GS-1) where concentrations increased. Along the main stream, the T-N concentration showed an increasing trend from the upper to the lower reaches. However, it was affected by those of the Osan-cheon and Gonjiamcheon, the tributaries that flow into the main stream, resulting in respective increases or decreases in T-N concentration in the main stream. The nitrate and boron isotope ratios indicated that the nitrogen in all samples originated from manure. Mechanisms for nitrogen inflow from manure-related sources to the stream were suggested, including (1) manure from livestock wastes and rainfall runoff, (2) inflow through the discharge of wastewater treatment plants, and (3) inflow through the groundwater discharge (baseflow) of accumulated nitrogen during agricultural activities. Ultimately, water quality management of the Gyeongan stream basin requires pollution source management at the sub-basin level, including its tributaries, from a regional context. To manage the pollution load effectively, it is necessary to separate the hydrological components of the stream discharge and establish a monitoring system to track the flow and water quality of each component.