• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1051-1059
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• 2022

This study investigated microbial communities and their diversity in a full-scale mesophilic anaerobic digester treating sewage sludge. Influent sewage sludge and anaerobic digester samples collected from a wastewater treatment plant in Busan were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. It was found that the microbial community structure and diversity in the anaerobic digester could be affected by inoculation effect with influent sewage sludge. Nevertheless, distinct microbial communities were identified as the dominant microbial communities in the anaerobic digester. Twelve genera were identified as abundant bacterial communities, which included several groups of syntrophic bacteria communities, such as Candidatus Cloacimonas, Cloacimonadaceae W5, Smithella, which are (potential) syntrophic-propionate-oxidizing bacteria and Mesotoga and Thermovigra, which are (potential) syntrophic-acetate-oxidizing bacteria. Lentimicrobium, the most abundant genus in the anaerobic digester, may contribute to the decomposition of carbohydrates and the production of volatile fatty acids during the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge. Of the methanogens identified, Methanollinea, Candidatus Methanofastidiosum, Methanospirillum, and Methanoculleus were the dominant hydrogenotrophic methanogens, and Methanosaeta was the dominant aceticlastic methanogens. The findings may be used as a reference for developing microbial indicators to evaluate the process stability and process efficiency of the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2012

In this study, Application of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process for RO retentate treatment was performed. Efficiency of treatment by load and temperature variation was tested. The SBR process was operated two types as HRT per one cycle was 8 and 12 hours, respectively. Methanol was injected for an effective denitrificaion owing to low C/N ratio of the RO retentate. TN removal efficiency of the SBR process was relatively stable at the change of flow-rate and temperature. The optimum time cycle of SBR process was 2 cycle/day for TN removal, and in the case of 3 cycle/day, the effluent TN concentration was found under the effluent quality standard. In the result of assessment, the application of SBR process for RO retentate treatment was effective and could be utilized to design for the wastewater treatment plant. The specific nitrification rate (SNR) and specific denitrification rate (SDNR) were $0.043{\sim}0.066kg\;NH_3-N/kg\;MLVSS{\cdot}day$ and $0.096{\sim}0.287kg\;NH_3^--N/kg\;MLVSS{\cdot}day$, respectively. The derived kinetic could be applied for design to the aerobic and anoxic tank in the RO retentate treatment.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.113-125
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• 1984

Water supply has been mainly dependent on the construction of the dams in Korea. It is difficult, however, to continue to construct dams for many reasons, such as the decrease of construction sites, the increase of construction costs, the compensation of residents in flooded areas, and the environmental effects. Water demands have increased and are expected to continue increasing due to the concentration of people in the cities, the rise of the living standard, and rapid industrial growth. It is acutely important to find countermeasures such as development of ground water, desalination, and recycling of waste water to cope with increasing water demands. Recycling waste water includes all means of supplying non-potable water for their respective usages with proper water quality which is not the same quality as potable water. The usages of the recycled water include toilet flushing, air conditioning, car washing, yard watering, road cleaning, park sprinkling, and fire fighting, etc. Raw water for recycling is obtained from drainage water from buildings, toilets, and cooling towers, treated waste water, polluted rivers, ground water, reinfall, etc. The water quantity must be considered as well as its quality in selecting raw water for the recycling. The types of recycling may be classified roughly into closed recycle systems and open recycle systems, which can be further subdivided into individual recycle systems, regional recycle systems and large scale recycle system. The treatment methods of wastewater combine biochemical and physiochemical methods. The former includes activated sludge treatment, bio-disc treatment, and contact aeration treatment, and the latter contains sedimentation, sand filtration, activated carbon adsorption, ozone treatment, chlorination, and membrane filter. The recycling patterns in other countries were investigated and the effects of the recycling were divided into direct and indirect effects. The problems of water reuse in recycle patterns were also studied. The problems include technological, sanitary, and operational problems as well as cost and legislative ones. The duties of installation and administrative organization, structural standards for reuse of water, maintenance and financial disposal were also studied.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2001

The effects of HRT and effluent time on removals of pollutants in the electrochemical pilot were investigated. COD removal after 8 hour electrochemical reaction time in HRT 30 and 60 minutes were higher than that of 15 minute HRT. Turbidity removal was 90% or greater regardless of conditions during effluent time. Removals of T-N and T-P during effluent time in HRT 30 and 60 minutes were $71{\sim}74%$ and $85{\sim}98%$, respectively. To evaluate the combination of activated sludge process and continuous electrochemical as pretreatment, the removal efficiencies of pollutants was investigated. In two treatment processes of a single activated sludge system and a electrolysis pilot plus activated sludge systems, SVI and MLSS during effluent time were kept with $82{\sim}112$ and $1,230{\sim}1,750$ mg/L, respectively. COD removal was approximately 90% at early effluent time for both treatment systems, but COD removal in a single activated sludge was slightly decreased as effluent time went by, compared with the single activated sludge COD removal was slightly increased in the early stage of the electrolysis plus activated sludge system. Turbidity removal during effluent time was higher than 95% for both treatment systems. T-N removals during effluent time in a single activated sludge system and a electrolysis pilot plus activated sludge systems were $62{\sim}74%$ and $72{\sim}86%$, respectively. T-P removal in a electrolysis pilot plus activated sludge systems was increased by 9% at early effluent time and 15% after 72 hours of effluent time in compared with a single activated sludge system.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2014

Rainwater harvesting is a process by which rainwater collected from rooftop or other catchment is purified so that the water can be directly or indirectly used by human beings for beneficial uses. As rainwater is increasingly considered for high quality purposes, membranes have gained an important place in rainwater treatment. It has advantages such as the production of high quality water, small footprint, and affordable energy consumption. Nevertheless, membrane fouling is regarded as a serious problem similar to the cases of water treatment and wastewater reclamation. In this study, we applied microfiltration (MF) membranes for rainwater treatment. In addition, a low pressure ultraviolet (UV) process was also use as a pretreatment to control notonly. To quantify the effect of UV on organic matters, both total organic carbon (TOC) and UV absorbance (UVA) were measured. Moreover, the effect of UV pretreatment on membrane fouling was investigated. Experimental results indicated that the pretreatment of membranes using LPUV was effective to control fouling of MF membranes only when the rainwater was contaminated by algae. This was attributed the reduction and modification of organics after UV treatments. It is likely that the UV/MF process is a promising option for water treatment in decentralized water treatment such as micro water grid systems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.356-368
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• 2003

Water quality of effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPS) was reviewed to examine the feasibility of agricultural reuse using USEPA and WHO guidelines. It might meet the guidelines for BOD and SS, however, the most critical microbiological concentration was too high and further treatment is required. The pilot study of three treatments were performed to reduce microbiological concentrations. The UV irradiation was proved to be very effective in disinfection of secondary level effluent, and about 30 mW ${\cdot}$ s/$cm^2$ of dose was suggested to meet the even most stringent USEPA guidelines. Slow sand filter demonstrated effective removal of bacteria, and effluent concentration of total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and E. coli. dropped from about 10,000/100 mL to 300, 200, and 150 MPN/100 mL, respectively, showing over 95% removal. These level of bacterial concentration sufficiently meet the WHO guidelines ($10^3\;{\sim}\;10^5$ FC/100 mL), and could meet the more stringent USEPA guidelines (200 FC/100 mL) if properly applied. Slow sand filter also provided about 50% removal of SS, turbidity, and BOD in addition to bacterial removal. The removal efficiency of pond system was relatively poor, but still showed over 85% removal and effluent concentration of TC, FC, and E. coli was all below 10,000/100 mL. The pond system alone could meet the WHO guidelines, but hardly meet the USEPA guidelines and further treatment might be necessary. Overall, three methods evaluated in the study treat the effluent to meet the WHO microbiological guidelines for agricultural reuse. The UV disinfection and slow sand filter might also could the USEPA guidelines, while the pond system can hardly meet the USEPA guidelines if applied alone. The WHO and USEPA guidelines were made based on data from upland field agricultural system and may not be directly applicable to the paddy field agricultural system. Therefore, national standards for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water should be made considering domestic agricultural systems as well as international guidelines. Also, further investigation is recommended to develop optimum and feasible treatment measures for agricultural reuse of effluent from WWTPs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.198-205
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the removal of TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) in the batch and continuous type microcosm systems consisting of marsh and pond. First, the batch reactor study showed that TNT (10 mg/L) was completely removed in the marsh and pond system within 20 days. The major reductive metabolites of TNT include 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT), 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT), 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DANT), and 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene (2,6-DANT). These metabolites concentration also decreased during further treatment. The continuous reactor systems combining marsh and pond indicated the similar pattern of TNT degadation and the metabolites production. Among the continuous reactor combinations, marsh-pond system showed more stable TNT removal and metabolites production. The toxicity of the effluent from the continuous system was examined by Microtox Assay using Vibrio fischeri. The result showed that the effluent toxicity was reduced below toxicity endpoint ($EC_{50}$) after continuous marsh pond system, indicating that metabolites of TNT are less toxic than TNT itself. Based on the results, TNT contaminated wastewater can be efficiently treated using marsh and pond wetland systems.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.319-323
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• 2007

The Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) is being increasingly used to oxidize complex organic constituents in treated effluents from domestic wastewater treatment plants. Generally, ${NO_3}^--N$ concentrations ranges between 5 and 8 mg/L for biologically well-treated effluents. However, nitrate ions, ${NO_3}^-$, affects on oxidation as not only a well-known strong absorber of UV light below 250 nm of wavelength but also as an OH radical scavenger. The objective of this study was to evaluate the AOP systems for degradation of 2,4-DCP, and to delineate the effect of nitrate ions on UV oxidation of 2,4-DCP by conducting a bench-scale operation at various reaction times and initial concentrations of $H_2O_2$. The experimental results indicated that 2,4-DCP could be completely oxidized by $UV/H_2O_2$ process with an initial $H_2O_2$ concentration of 20 mg/L at a retention time of 1.0 min or longer. Nitrate ions did not show any adverse effect on 2,4-DCP oxidation at this high $H_2O_2$ concentration, and the practical initial $H_2O_2$ concentration and reaction time for the 80% oxidation turned out to be 5 mg/L and 1.0 min, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.206-213
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• 2008

Fish fauna and community structure were investigated at 2003, 2004 and 2006 in Lake Paldang and its inflows. In this survey, we collected 54 species belong to 14 families. Family Cyprinidae take 51.9% (28 species), Cobitidae and Gobiidae occupied 7.4% (each 4 species), respectively. E. erythropterus (11.8%) was dominant species and L. macrochirus (10.2%), designated as an ecosystem-invasive alien fish species by Ministry of Environment, M. yaluensis (9.1%), Z. platypus (7.7%) and R. brunneus (6.7%) were dominated in turn. H. molitrix, C. lutheri, P. altivelis, S. microdorsalis, L. costata. S. gracilis majimae, A. rivularis, P. koreanus. S. scherzeri and O. platycephala were rare species (less than 0.1% in relative abundance). In-lake area, 36 species of fishes belonging to 11 families were collected, and 48 species of 13 families were from inflows. The number of Korean endemic species were 19 species (35.2%), and 4 kinds of exotic species (7.4%), that is, C. cuvieri, H. molitrix, L. macrochirus and M. salmoides were found at this survey area. It was revealed by the analysis of fish community that diversity and richness indices were prominent at tributaries, and dominance index was high at the main body of Lake Paldang. Fish fauna showed rapid decline after dam construction which make the mid-Han river systems to lentic ecosystem, so many of meander-riffle fishes were disappeared dramatically. But after 1990s when installation of small scale wastewater treatment plants started in watershed, the water quality of small tributaries was improved. And also, expansion of the natural macrophytic vegetation of littoral zone should contribute to the development of diverse fish fauna in Lake Paldang.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 2016

The research aims to study the different flexible rubber tube diffusers used in urban wastewater treatment processes and aquaculture systems. The experiment was conducted in small-scale aeration tank with different physical properties of the tubes that were used as aerators. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$), oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) and aeration efficiency (AE) were measured and determined to compare the diffusers. Moreover, the bubble hydrodynamic parameters were analyzed in terms of bubble diameter ($d_B$) and rising velocity ($U_B$) by a high speed camera (2,000 frames/s). Then the interfacial area (a) and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient ($k_L$) can be calculated. The physical properties (tube wall thickness, tensile strength, orifice size, hardness and elongation) have been proven to be the key factor that controls the performance (kLa and OTE). The effects of hardness and elongation on bubble formation, orifice size and a-area were clearly proved. It is not necessary to generate too much fine bubbles to increase the a-area: this relates to high power consumption and the decrease of the kL. Finally, the wall thickness, elongation and hardness associated of the flexible tube diffuser (tube No. 12) were concluded, to be the suitable properties for practically producing, in this research.