• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2009

This study has been attempted to generate electricity, while simultaneously treating artificial organic wastewater using both batch and continuous microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In the batch MFC, current-voltage curve showed an onset potential of -0.69 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The potential range between this potential and 0 potential displayed an available voltage for an automatic production of electric energy and glucose, which was oxidized and treated at the same time. The 486 mg/L glucose solution showed the maximum power of $30mW/m^2$ and the maximum current density of $75mA/m^2$ shown in the power curve. As a result, discharging of the cell containing COD 423 mg/L at the constant current density of $60mA/m^2$ showed a continuous electricity generation for about 22 hours that dropped rapidly due to dissipating of organic material. Total electric energy production was 18.0 Wh. While discharging, the pH change was low and dropped from pH 6.53 to 6.20 then increased to 6.47, then stabilized at this charge. The COD treatment efficiency was found to be 72%. In the continuous MFC, COD removal tends to increase as the hydraulic retention time is increased. At one day of hydraulic retention time as the maximum value reaches the COD removal efficiency, power production rate and power production rate per COD removal that were obtained were 68.8%, $14mW/m^2$, and $20.8mW/m^2/g$ CODrm, respectively. In the continuous MFC, the power production rate per COD removal increases as the hydraulic retention time is increased and decreases as the organic loading rate is increased. At the values lower than an organic loading rate of $1kgCOD/m^3/d$, the values higher than about $18.1mW/m^2/g$ CODrm could be obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.591-591
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• 2016

최근에는 재이용을 위한 하 폐수의 처리 공정에 막을 이용한 기술적용이 증가되고 있는 추세이다(현 등, 2005). 막(membrane)을 이용한 수처리 공정은 원수에 상관없이 고도처리가 가능하며, 재이용수 이용 용도에 따른 수질제어가 가능할 뿐만 아니라 운용의 편리성 때문에 많은 각광을 받고 있다(박 등, 2004). 본 연구에서는 하수처리에 이용되는 분리막의 성능을 극대화하고, 분리막의 오염부하를 줄여주기 위하여 분리막 직전 전처리 시설로 부상방식의 고액분리장치를 개발하였다. 초고속 고액분리시스템은 기존의 응집부상공정을 응용한 기술로서 유기물의 응집시간을 최대 10초~2분 이내로 줄이는 기술을 바탕으로 타워형 모듈 형태로 개발하였다. 초고속 고액분리시스템과 분리막을 연계한 재이용수 수처리시스템의 성능 평가 및 현장적용을 위해 제주도 서부 하수 처리장에 일 $3,000m^3$ 규모의 Test-bed를 구축하였다. 구축된 하수재이용시스템의 처리 공정도는 "유입${\rightarrow}$고액분리시스템${\rightarrow}$분리막(UF, RO)${\rightarrow}$농경지 공급"으로 구성되어 있다. 먼저 하수처리장 방류수를 1차 유입조에 압송하면 전처리시설인 고액분리시스템을 통해 SS 등 입자성 물질이 처리되고, 다음 공정인 2차 처리공정(UF/RO)을 통과한 처리수는 인근지역의 농업용수로 공급되고 있다. 고액분리시스템은 ZT(Zeta Potential Tower) 모듈에서 유입수에 함유되어 있는 부유물질(SS), 유기물(질소, 인)을 응집제와 순간 반응시켜 응결, 응집, 부상방식으로 제거하는 공정이다. 고속 고액분리장치는 분리막 공정과 융 복합하여 다양한 유입수 성상에 따른 수처리를 가능하게 하여 재이용수 수질 향상뿐만 아니라 안정된 수자원 확보 측면에서 긍정적인 기술로 평가되었다.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.433-438
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• 2023

This study investigated the growth and metabolic characteristics of Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) according to pH, which has an alkaline optimal pH. The intake of inorganic carbon was expected to be the highest at the optimum pH 9, but it was different from the expectation, so the cause of the excessive intake of inorganic carbon at pH 7 was investigated. We tried to verify the triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis metabolic mechanism because it was assumedthat the inorganic carbon intake of A. platensis according to pH is closely related to lipid production inside the cell. To verify this, the effects of pH on inorganic carbon intake were examined through lipid analysis inthe cell of A. platensis according to pH. As a result, in the case of the effect of inorganic carbon intake of A. platensis according to pH on TAG content, pH 9 and pH 11 showed no significant difference in TAG content, but at pH 7, it was two times higher compared to pH 9 and pH 11. It was assumed that the reason why A. platensis excessively consumed inorganic carbon at pH 7 was because itincreased the TAG content in proportion to the intake of inorganic carbon to protect cells from external pH stress. In addition, it is considered that the TAG content produced in proportion to the intake of inorganic carbon is because acetyl-CoA produced in the Calvin cycle is required for the synthesis of TAG.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 2012

This study investigated the water quality of effluents from the wastewater treatment plants, located at the Gumi Complex 4, Gumi, and Wonpyong, in Gumi. DOC accounted for higher than 70% of TOC, and oxidation efficiencies, calculated from carbon, were 13~43% for BOD and 37~73% for CODMn, respectively. Based on the biological decomposition experiments, R-DOC account for higher than 70% of DOC, mostly being occupied by refractory organic matters. This indicated that the biodegradable organics occupied more proportions of organic loadings than the refractory organics. The effect of the organics from a discharge of a sewage treatment plant on rivers, Gumi industrial Complex 4, Gumi, and Wonpyong on lower streams of the Nakdong River were found to be 15%, 6% and 16% respectively. The ratio of 15% suggests that comparatively, no large portions of TOC loadings are occupied, but the problem is that the biodegradable organic matters occupy a lot more proportions than that of the refractory organic matters. Thus, it is highly estimated that the refractory organics can gradually increase the pollution level of organics and precursors of disinfection by-products to the down-stream water treatment plants.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2022

The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooming and the contaminant sources were analyzed in the downstream of Jecheon Stream, a tributary of Chungju Reservoir. The concentrations of chlorophyll a at the Myungseo Fishing Point (GPS; 37°03'25.5"N, 128°03'13.6"E) were 399.2 and 184.8 mg m^-3 on October 18, 2015 and September 25, 2016, respectively, and the concentrations of total microcystins, a cyanobacterial toxin mainly produced by Microcystis, were 124.09 and 79.71 ㎍ L^-1, respectively. The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooming at the downstream of Jecheon Stream was closely related to the water level of Chungju Reservoir. The cyanobacterial blooming occurred after the increase of water level in Chungju Reservoir, when the water body stagnated. As a result of analyzing National Water Quality Monitoring Data of the upper region of Jecheon Stream, the main source of pollutant was Jangpyeong Stream, the tributary of Jecheon Stream, and the discharge water from Jecheon Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Jangpyeong Stream was considered to be the most important source of contaminant.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.488-493
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• 2004

The effects were examined from several conditions of $TiO_2$ photocatalysis reaction to phenols degradation by changing it's reacting conditions such as phenol concentration, pH, $TiO_2$ concentration, $H_2O_2$ concentration, flow rate, and intensity of ultraviolet rays. Phenol degradation was more efficient in low concentration of phenol, neutral pH. Phenol degradation appeared to increase as concentration of $TiO_2$ photocatalyst, that of $H_2O_2$ and intensity of ultraviolet rays increased. As $TiO_2$ dosage increased, initial rate constant k linearly increased. When $H_2O_2$ was injected more than optimum, phenol removal rate didn't increase in proportional to the change of $H_2O_2$ concentration as OH radicals was being consumed. When flow rate is less than $4.75m^3/m^2$ day, phenol removal efficiency appeared to decrease as ultraviolet rays transmission rate becomes low by $TiO_2$ suspension coated in photo reaction column. Meanwhile, initial rate constant according to light intensity change in less than $25mW/cm^2$ appeared to be in proportion to light intensity ($mW/cm^2$) Removal efficiency decreased about 12% after 180 minutes of reaction time while showed stable removal efficiency of 100% after 300 minutes when using regenerated $TiO_2$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.1 s.115
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• pp.110-118
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• 2006

The Namyang Stream in Hwaong polder was planned for several water uses including recreation, where people can contact the water and consume some amount during the recreational activity. A human health risk was assessed from exposure to E. coli in the Namyang Stream, which receives partially treated wastewater from watershed. The QUAL2E model was applied to simulate stream water quality, and this model was calibrated and verified with field monitoring data. The calibration result showed a high correlation coefficient of greater than 0.9. The mean concentration of E. coli in the Namyang Stream from the QUAL2E output was in the range of 5,000 ${\sim}$ 8,000 MPN 100 mL^{-1}$, which exceeded national and international guidelines. The Beta-Poisson was used to estimate the microbial risk of pathogens ingestion and the Monte-Carlo analysis (10,000 trials) was used to estimate the risk characterization of uncertainty. The Microbial risk assessment showed that the risk ranged from 7.9 ${\times}\;10^{-6}\;to\;9.4\;{\times}10^{-6}$. Based on USEPA guidelines, the range of $10^{-6}\;to\;10^{-8}$ was considered reasonable levels of risk for communicable disease transmission from environmental exposure, and the risk above $10^{-4}$ was considered to be in the danger of infection. Therefore, water quality of the Namyang Stream might not be in the danger of infection although it exceeded national and international guidelines. However, it was in the range of communicable disease transmission, and thorough wastewater collection and treatment at the source is recommended to secure safe recreation water quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2012

In this study, experiment on phosphorus removal was performed by using microbubble liquid film flotation tank with microbubble module. After dissolving gas and liquid in dissolving tank, microbubble liquid film system created microbubbles in equal size under fixed low pressure. After being passed through $A_2O$ and m-$O_3$ process, secondary treatment wastewater was used as influent in phosphorus removal process. When the T-P concentration of influent was 2.89 mg/L, alum(8%, 30 mg/L) was injected into a microbubble flotation tank, the treatment resulted 94% of T-P removal rate. Remaining T-P concentration was less than 0.2 mg/L, which is in accord with the effluent quality standard. Seasonal variations in water temperature showed no differences in T-P removal property. When the inflow concentration of SS was 1.0 mg/L or more, it served as coagulation nuclei in the coagulation process. In that condition, average T-P removal rate was higher than 97%. When 50% of floated scum was returned, coagulator Al included in scum assisted the injected coagulator and maximized the coagulation efficiency of pollutant. In such treatment, the T-P concentration was measured as 0.18 mg/L and satisfied the outflow water quality standard, which is 0.2 mg/L or less.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.281-302
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• 2023

Carbon is not only an essential element for life but also a key player in climate change. The radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a powerful tool not only to understand the carbon cycle but also to track pollutants derived from fossil carbon, which have a distinct radiocarbon isotope ratio (Δ¹⁴C). Many studies have reported Δ¹⁴C of carbon compounds in streams, rivers, rain, snow, throughfall, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea, which are reviewed in this manuscript. In summary, (1) stream and river carbon in South Korea are largely derived from the chemical weathering of soils and rocks, and organic compounds in plants and soils, strongly influenced by precipitation, wastewater treatment effluents, agricultural land use, soil water, and groundwater. (2) Unprecedentedly high Δ¹⁴C of precipitation during winter has been reported, which can directly and indirectly influence stream and river carbon. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of local contamination sources of high Δ¹⁴C, the results suggest that stream dissolved organic carbon could be older than previously thought, warranting future studies. (3) The ¹⁴C analysis has also been applied to quantify the sources of forest throughfall and PM_2.5, providing new insights. The ¹⁴C data on a variety of ecosystems will be valuable not only to track the pollutants derived from fossil carbon but also to improve our understanding of climate change and provide solutions.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 1998

A model of pond system is developed for treatment and recycling of excreta from twenty-five adult dairy cattle. It is composed of wastewater treatment ponds and small fish ponds. Those are three facultative ponds in series; primary-secondary-tertiary pond and these are designed to rear carps without feeding. A pit is constructed at the bottom of primary pond for efficient sludge sedimentation and effective methane fermentation. It is contrived to block into it the penetration of oxygen dissolved in the upper layer of pond water. The excreta from the cattle housed in stalls are diluted by water used for clearing them. The washed excreta flow into the pit. The average yearly $BOD_5$ concentration of influent is 398.7mg/l. That of the effluent from primary, secondary and tertiary pond of the system is 49.18, 27.9, and 19.8.mg/l respectively. Approximate 88, 93, and 95 % of BOD5 are removed in each pond. The mean yearly SS concentration of influent is 360.5 mg/l That of the effluent from each pond is 53.4, 45.7, and32.7mg/l respectively. Approximate 86, 88, and 91% of SS are removed in each pond. The $BOD_5$ concentration of secondary and tertiary pond can satisfy 30mg/l secondary treatment standard. The SS concentration of effluent from tertiary pond, however, is slightly greater than the standard, which results from activities of carps growing in the pond. The average yearly total nitrogen concentration of influent is 206.8mg/l and that of the effluent from each pond is 48.6, 30.8, and 21.0mg/l respectively. Approximate 74, 88, and 90% of total nitrogen are removed in each pond. The mean yearly total phosphorous concentration of influent is 20.7mg/l and that of the effluent from each pond is 5.3, 3.2, and 2.1mg/l respectively. Approximate 97, 98, and 99% of total phosphorous are removed in each pond. The high removal of nitrogen and phosphorous results from active growth of algae in the upper layer of pond water. Important pond design parameters for southern part of Korea -- areal loading of BOD5, liquid depth, hydraulic detention time, free board, and pond arrangement -- are taken up.