• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.419-430
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• 2023

In response to the periodic occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in Korean freshwaters, various types of cyanobacteria removal technologies are being developed and implemented. Due to the differing principles behind these technologies, it is difficult to compare and evaluate their removal efficiencies. In this study, a standardized method for evaluating cyanobacteria removal efficiency was proposed by utilizing the results of removal operations using a mobile cyanobacteria removal device in the Seohwacheon area of Daechung Reservoir. During removal operations, the decrease in chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration (ΔChl-a) in the working area was calculated based on the amount of collected sludge, the efficiency rate, and the concentration of chl-a. Additionally, the required working days (WD) to reduce the chl-a concentration to 1 mg/m³ in the target area was calculated based on the area of the target zone, the maximum daily working area, and the efficiency rate. A method for calculating the cyanobacteria removal capacity was proposed based on the reduction rate of chl-a concentration in the water before and after the operation, the treatment capacity of the removal technology, and the water volume of the target area. The cyanobacteria removal capacity of the mobile cyanobacteria removal device used in this study was 6.64%/day (targeting the Seohwacheon area of Daechung Reservoir, approximately 500,000 m²), which was higher compared to other physical or physicochemical cyanobacteria removal technologies (0.02~4.72%/day). Utilizing the evaluation method of cyanobacteria removal efficiency presented in this study, it will be possible to compare and evaluate the cyanobacteria removal technologies currently being applied in Korea. This method could also be used to assess the performance and efficiency of physical or physicochemical combined cyanobacteria removal techniques in the "Guidelines for the Installation and Operation of Algae Removal Facilities and the Use of Algae Removal Agents" operated by the National Institute of Environmental Research.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.221-230
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• 2016

Multi-functional floating wetland island (mFWI) was developed in order to prevent algal bloom and to improve water quality through several unit purification processes. A test bed was applied in the stagnant watershed in an urban area, from the summer to the winter season. For the advanced treatment, an artificial phosphorus adsorption/filtration medium was applied with micro-bubble generation, as well as water plants for nutrient removal. It appeared that the efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus (T-P) removal was higher in the warmer season (40.9%, 45.7%) than in the winter (15.9%, 20.0%), and the removal performance (suspended solid, chlorophyll a) in each process differs according to seasonal variation; micro-bubble performed better (33.1%, 39.2%) in the summer, and the P adsorption/filtration and water plants performed better (76.5%, 59.5%) in the winter season. From the results, it was understood that the mFWI performance was dependent upon the pollutant loads in different seasons and unit processes, and thus it requires continuous monitoring under various conditions to evaluate the functions. In addition, micro-bubbles helped prevent the formation of anaerobic zones in the lower part of the floating wetland. This resulted in the water circulation to form a new healthy aquatic ecosystem in the surrounding environment, which confirmed the positive influence of mFWI.