• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.387-394
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• 2016

Commercial 28 algae removal technologies that have been applied in domestic rivers and lakes with green tide were investigated, analyzed and classified. The classification of algae removal technologies was based on the three criteria (i.e., principle, flow rate of water body, and application period). Also, algae removal technologies were evaluated in terms of cost effectiveness, field applicability, effect durability, and eco friendliness. From the analysis results, technologies using physical, chemical, biological, and convergent controls were 32.2%, 25%, 21.4%, and 21.4%, respectively. The 75% of technologies have been applied to stagnant water body (${\leq}0.2m/s$). Also, algae harvesting ship with dissolved air flotation, conveyor belt and filtration processes and natural floating coagulant were found to have better field applicability, compared to other technologies. However, proper algae removal technology in specific rivers and lakes should be chosen after the evaluation of long-term pilot scale field test. Also, development of energy and resource recovery technologies from algae biomass is warranted.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.425-438
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• 2016

This study carried out zeta potential measurements of the Microcystis sp. under various solutions condition and investigated the characteristics of Microcystis sp. through the size control of microbubbles to eliminate algae that causes problems in aquatic ecosystems and human activities. DAF process was adopted and several coagulants were used to remove the Microcystis sp. CCD Camera was used to measure and analyze the size of microbubble, and fluorescent microscope was used to observe the particle, algae species and community. Zeta potential behavior of the algae was analyzed by using ELS-Z. Lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments were conducted to test flotation process. Polyaluminium chloride(PAC) coagulant was used, and the removal efficiency of the algae was assessed through Chlorophyll-a analysis. In the Lab-scale experiment, 2.2 ppm, 11 ppm, 22 ppm, and 44 ppm of polyaluminium chloride was injected to coagulate the algae. The coagulated algae was floated by the microbubble. The microbubbles in the experiments were generated at a air pressure of 450 ~ 550 kPa. The microbubble size was controlled in $36{\mu}m$, $100{\mu}m$, and $200{\mu}m$, respectively by using different diffuser. The results of lab-scale experiments on flotation plant indicated that the average removal rate was about 90% or above for 11 ppm, 22 ppm, and 44 ppm of polyaluminium chloride. On the other hand, in the pilot-scale experiment, the removal efficiency was in the range of 85% to 95% in all dose ranges of polyalumium chloride and aluminium sulfate coagulants.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2018

Although flotation techniques are often used for the removal of algal particles, the practicality of algae-harvesting technologies is limited owing to the complex and expensive facilities and equipment required for chemical coagulation. Here, we examined the feasibility of an approach to separating algal particles from water bodies without the need for chemical coagulants, depending on the condition of the algae, and to determine the optimal conditions. Using Anabaena sp., a cyanobacterium causes algal blooms in lakes, we stimulated auto-flocculation in algal particles without coagulants and conducted solid-liquid separation experiments of algal particles under various conditions. The six cultivation columns included in our analysis comprised four factors: Water temperature, light intensity, nutrients, and carbon source; auto-flocculation was induced under all treatments, with the exception of the treatment involving no limits to all factors, and algal particles were well-settled under all conditions for which auto-flocculation occurred. Meanwhile, flotation removal of auto-flocculated algal particles was attained only when nutrients were blocked after algae were grown in an optimal medium. However, no significant differences were detected between the functional groups of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) of floated and settled algal particles in the FT-IR peak, which can cause attachment by collision with micro-bubbles.

• 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.

• Clean Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2015

Conventional physicochemical technologies for algae growth inhibition have economical and environmental pollution problems. This study attempted to overcome the problems by nature-friendly biological inhibition technology using fibrous carrier. The experimental results showed that the most effective carrier material, polyester, exhibited the highest biofilm thickness. The removal efficiency for nutrient salts, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and algae growth inhibition of polyester carrier was 14.59%, 6.36%, and 77%, respectively, which is higher than for control group. These result indicate that the polyester carrier is available in eutrophic lake.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.521-527
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• 2017

Phosphorus is one of the limiting nutrients for the growth of phytoplankton and algae and is therefore one of leading causes of eutrophication. Most phosphorous in water is present in the form of phosphates. Different technologies have been applied for phosphate removal from wastewater, such as physical, chemical precipitation by using ferric, calcium or aluminum salts, biological, and adsorption. Adsorption is one of efficient method to remove phosphates in wastewater. To find the optimal media for phosphate removal, physical characteristics of media was analysed, and the phosphate removal efficiency of media (silica sand, slag, zeolite, activated carbon) was also investigated in this study. Silica sand showed highest relative density and wear rate, and phosphate removal efficiency. Silica sand removed about 36% of phosphate. To improve the phosphate removal efficiency of silica sand, Fe coating was conducted. Fe coated silica sand showed 3 times higher removal efficiency than non-coated one.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2023

As a result of algal bloom, algal organic matters (AOMs) are rapidly increased in surface water. AOMs can act as precursors for the formation of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs), which are serious problems in water treatment and human health. The main aim of this study is to characterize the formation of DBPs from AOMs produced by three different algae such as Oscillatoria sp., Anabaena sp., and Microcystis aeruginosa under different algal growth phases. In an effort to examine formation of DBPs during chlorination, chloroform (TCM), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) were determined under various CT (product of disinfectant concentration and contact time, mg·min/L) values. Generally, the amounts of DBPs tended to increase with increasing CT values at the most growth phases. However, there was a significant difference between the amounts of DBPs produced by the three algal species at different growth phases. This result is likely due to the chemical composition variability of AOM from different algae at different growth phases. In addition, the effect of pre-ozonation on coagulation for the removal of AOMs from three algal species was investigated. The pre-ozonation had a positive effect on the coagulation/flocculation of AOMs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2005

In situ permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technologies have been proposed to reductively remove organic contaminants from the subsurface environment. The major reactive material, zero valent iron ($Fe^0$), is oxidized to ferrous iron or ferric iron in the barriers, resulting in the decreased reactivity. Iron-reducing bacteria can reduce ferric iron to ferrous iron and iron reduced by these bacteria can be applied to dechlorinate chlorinated organic contaminants. Iron reduction by iron reducing bacteria, Shewanella algae BrY, was observed both in aqueous and solid phase and the enhancement of TCE removal by reduced iron was examined in this study. S. algae BrY preferentially reduced Fe(III) in ferric citrate medium and secondly used Fe(III) on the surface of iron oxides as an electron acceptor. Reduced iron formed reactive materials such as green rust ferrihydrite, and biochemical precipitation. These reactive materials formed by the bacteria can enhance TCE removal rate and removal capacity of the reactive barrier in the field.