박정수 Jungsu Park

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.335 Vol.37(No.5) 335-343, 2021

Water quality prediction is essential for the proper management of water supply systems. Increased suspended sediment concentration (SSC) has various effects on water supply systems such as increased treatment cost and consequently, there have been various efforts to develop a model for predicting SSC. However, SSC is affected by both the natural and anthropogenic environment, making it challenging to predict SSC. Recently, advanced machine learning models have increasingly been used for water quality prediction. This study developed an ensemble machine learning model to predict SSC using the XGBoost (XGB) algorithm. The observed discharge (Q) and SSC in two fields monitoring stations were used to develop the model. The input variables were clustered in two groups with low and high ranges of Q using the k-means clustering algorithm. Then each group of data was separately used to optimize XGB (Model 1). The model performance was compared with that of the XGB model using the entire data (Model 2). The models were evaluated by mean squared error-observation standard deviation ratio (RSR) and root mean squared error. The RSR were 0.51 and 0.57 in the two monitoring stations for Model 2, respectively, while the model performance improved to RSR 0.46 and 0.55, respectively, for Model 1.

Clustering, Ensemble machine learning, Gradient boosting decision tree, Water quality prediction, Water supply system, XGBoost

유영민 Youngmin You , 박종관 Jongkwan Park , 이병준 Byungjoon Lee , 이승윤 Sungyun Lee

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.344 Vol.37(No.5) 344-354, 2021

Optical methods such as UV and fluorescence spectrophotometers can be applied not only in the qualitative analysis of dissolved organic matter (DOM), but also in real-time quantitative DOM monitoring for wastewater and natural water. In this study, we measure the UV254 and fluorescence excitation emission spectra for a sewage treatment plant influent and effluent, and river water before and after sewage effluent flows into the river to examine the composition and origin of DOM. In addition, a correlation analysis between quantified DOM characteristics and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was conducted. Based on the fluorescence excitation emission spectra analysis, it was confirmed that the protein-type tryptophan-like DOM was the dominant substance in the influent, and that the organic matter exhibited relatively more humic properties after biological treatment. However, DOM in river water showed the fluorescence characteristics of terrestrial humic-like and algal tyrosine-like (protein-like) organic matter. In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted between the DOC and optical indices such as UV₂₅₄, the fluorescence intensity of protein-like and humic-like organic matter, then DOC prediction models were suggested for wastewater and river monitoring during non-rainfall and rainfall events. This study provides basic information that can improve the understanding of the contribution of DOC concentration by DOM components, and can be used for organic carbon concentration management in wastewater and natural water.

Dissolved organic carbon, Dissolved organic matter, Fluorescence spectra, Monitoring, UV₂₅₄

권은광 Eun-kwang Kwon , 이원태 Wontae Lee

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.355 Vol.37(No.5) 355-362, 2021

This study investigated the fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a water reclamation facility (WRF) in Korea. The WRF consists of coagulation, sedimentation, microfiltration, and reverse osmosis (RO) components. The production capacity of WRF is 90,000 m3/day. The reclaimed water is reused as industrial water. We also characterized DOM in raw, processed, and finished waters based on analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UVA₂₅₄), fluorescence excitation emission matrix (FEEM), and DOC fractions via liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD). Based on the results of DOC, UVA₂₅₄, and FEEM analyses, neither the coagulation/sedimentation nor the microfiltration at the WRF effectively removed DOM. The RO process removed more than 94% of DOM. The raw water (i.e., secondary treated effluent obtained from a wastewater treatment plant) exhibited tryptophan-like peaks, which are a promising marker of wastewater, in the FEEM analysis. Coagulation and microfiltration failed to eliminate the wastewater marker, whereas RO completely removed it. The raw water also carried high levels (89.4%) of hydrophilic and low-molecular weight substances, which are difficult to remove via coagulation-sedimentation or microfiltration. Humic substance was a major component of the hydrophilic fractions. Based on the LC-OCD analysis, RO effectively removed the humic and polymeric materials from DOM.

DOC, FEEM, LC-OCD, Organics, Water reclamation

한상무 Han Sang Moo , 김도형 Kim Do Hyeong , 정병곤 Jeong Byung Gon

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.363 Vol.37(No.5) 363-368, 2021

On the assessment results of the non-point source pollutant removability of bio-block using waste sewage sludge, at the reactor’s initial operation stage, the removal efficiency of COD was slightly unstable. However, after the reactor was stabilized, the COD removal efficiency was higher in the reactor filled with bio-blocks compared to the reactor filled with broken stones. In terms of nitrogen and phosphorus, their removal efficiency was unstable at the initial stage of the reactor operation. This phenomenon was investigated through the bio-block elution experiments. Results indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus were eluted from the bio-blocks affecting their removal at the initial operation. Furthermore, based on elution tests conducted after the dry ashing of the waste sewage sludge, part of the nitrogen and phosphorus was eluted similar to the bio-block elution test results, although considerable amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus were reduced compared to the sludge cake. Prior to the use of the waste sewage sludge bio-blocks as a filter medium to remove non-point source pollutants, a stabilization period of 10 days was required. After the stabilization process, results showed similar characteristics as general aggregates. Moreover, to use the bio-block as a filter medium for the non-point pollutant removal, the filling ratio of 75% was the most suitable as it resulted in the highest nitrogen removal efficiency after the stabilization. The results of this study suggested that waste sewage sludge can be suitably recycled as a mixed raw material for the bio-blocks, with satisfactory application as a filter medium in artificial wetlands, stormwater runoff problems, stream water pollutants to eliminate non-point source pollutants.

Bio-block, Filling rate, Non-point source pollution, Remove efficiency, Waste sewage sludge

서지유 Seo Jiyu , 원정은 Won Jeongeun , 이호선 Lee Hosun , 김상단 Kim Sangdan

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.369 Vol.37(No.5) 369-380, 2021

In this work, we analyzed the effects of drought on the water temperature (WT) of Nakdong river basin major river sections using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and WT data. The analysis was carried out on a seasonal basis. After calculating the optimal time scale of the SPI through the correlation between the SPI and WT data, we used the copula theory to model the joint probability distribution between the WT and SPI on the optimal time scale. During spring and fall, the possibility of environmental drought caused by high WT increased in most of the river sections. Notably, in summer, the possibility of environmental drought caused by high WT increased in all river sections. On the other hand, in winter, the possibility of environmental drought caused by low WT increased in most river sections. From the risk map, which quantified the sensitivity of WT to the risk of environmental drought, the river sections Nakbon C, Namgang E, and Nakbon K showed increased stress in the water ecosystem due to high WT when drought occurred in summer. When drought occurred in winter, an increased water ecosystem stress caused by falling WT was observed in the river sections Gilan A, Yongjeon A, Nakbon F, Hwanggang B, Nakbon I, Nakbon J, Nakbon K, Nakbon L, and Nakbon M. The methodology developed in this study will be used in the future to quantify the effects of drought on water quality as well as WT.

Copula, Environmental drought, Nakdong river watershed, Water temperature

김건희 Kim Keonhee , 박채홍 Park Chaehongk , 심연보 Shim Yeonbo , 김난영 Kim Nan-young , 이수곤 Lee Soogone , 장재영 Jang Jaeyoung , 이가람 Lee Karam , 황순진 Hwang Soon-jin

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.381 Vol.37(No.5) 381-397, 2021

Off-flavor materials (geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB)) produced by microorganisms, such as, cyanobacteria and actinomycetes, cause freshwater use problems worldwide. Due to unpleasant taste and odor, these microorganisms have raised issues especially in drinking water resources. Recently, there has been increasing concern about 2-MIB and causal cyanobacteria, namely, Pseudanabaena, in Korea. However, material production and ecological dynamics remain largely unexplored. This study reviewed the distribution of Pseudanabaena, its species diversity, and the research trend of molecular ecology related to 2-MIB production in Korea. Based on published literature, we found that seven species of Pseudanabaena which include P. mucicola, P. limnetica, P. redekei, P. catenata, P. galeata, P. yagii, and P. cinerea appeared to occur in a variety of Korean water systems. All of these Pseudanabaena species were found in the North-Han River system (Lakes Soyang, Chuncheon, Uiam, and Paldang). Some of these species were also detected in other watersheds, but the precise species diversity was not identified. Species belonging to the Pseudanabaena genus are hard to classify through general microscopic alpha taxonomy, due to their very small cell size and similar morphological characters. Moreover, the potential of 2-MIB production cannot be detected by microscopic observation. Combining molecular ecological techniques, such as, environmental genomic materials (eDNA, eRNA) analyses to conventional methods could be useful to better understand the off-flavor material production and dynamics, thereby providing more efficient management strategies of freshwater systems.

Cyanobacteria, Environmental genomic materials (eDNA, eRNA), Off-flavor material, Pseudanabaena, 2-MIB

신유정 Yu Jeong Shin , 김용인 Young In Kim , 김정건 Jung Gun Kim , 염성일 Seong Il Yeom , 이도균 Do Gyun Lee

DOI:10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.5.398 Vol.37(No.5) 398-404, 2021

The use of water purifiers has been increasing every year due to increased drinking water safety concerns raised by the water pollution accidents occasionally reported. Currently, more than 10 million water purifiers have been distributed in Korea, and the estimation of the purifier sales reaches two million units per year. As a result, the number of used water purifier filters that must be replaced on a regular basis has gradually increased. However, regardless of the considerations for the capacity of used filters remaining, water purifier filters were replaced and collected at regular intervals. The high cost of disposal of the used filters by landfill or incineration were required. Thus, in this study, the current status and trends of recycling technologies for used water purifier filters were reviewed. It is noted that there was insufficient statistical data to understand the current status of the difference between the number of used water filters discarded and the number of those recycled. Most studies on the recycling of old water purifier filters have concentrated on pretreatment and cleaning methods for sediment filters and membrane filters, with the goal of extending the lifespan of used filters. Further, the study suggested future study directions on the recycling of used water purifier filters, which could be useful information on establishing environmental policy to promote the recycling of used filters.

Recycling, Trend analysis, Used water purifier filters, Waste