Assessment of Long-Term Physicochemical Water Quality Variations by PCA Technique in Lake Hwajinpo, South Korea

Physicochemical properties of water were analyzed to assess the long-term water quality variations in Lake Hwajinpo, Korea. Water quality data monitored from 1998 to 2015 was divided in three periods and descriptive statistics, correlation and rotated components were deducted using statistical procedures. Based on the results of analyses, water quality patterns in three periods (1998-2003, 2004-2009 and 2013-2015) were distinguishable from each other. Water parameters, Chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dissolved oxygen and pH, showed the highest mean values in the first period. On the other hand, conductivity and salinity in the second period and temperature and suspended solids in the third period showed the highest mean values. Principal component analysis (PCA) procedure was utilized to deduct the most significant parameters influencing water quality and observed that each period had different pattern of variables. Salinity and conductivity were the two variables highly contributing in first component/factor (F1) explaining 20.77% and 22.93% of the total variance in the first period and second period, respectively. But total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a were the two variables highly loading in F1 of the third period explaining 23.72% of total variance. These results revealed that the water quality of Lake Hwajinpo had different patterns of variations throughout the study period. Thus, PCA results could be valuable to understand the water quality status of water body and take proper steps to protect the water environment.

Experiences with Constructed Wetland Systems in Korea

In spite of the low temperature during the winter season and the high land environment, the wetland treatment system is gaining popularity in Korea because of its lower construction cost and simplicity in operation and maintenance. Many different types of wetland treatment systems have been built during the last 10 years, among which the free water surface wetland has been predominant. Most of the large-scale systems are government projects for improving the water quality of the streams flowing into the estuary dikes and reservoirs. The covering plants used in this system are different in different areas but cattails and reeds or their combinations are common. Constructed wetlands in Korea can be characterized by their shallow depths and short hydraulic residence times. There is no established flow pattern and configuration rules for constructing wetlands, but many efforts have been made with a view to improving their ecological function. Flow control is the most difficult problem in designing a riverbed or riparian wetland. There have been scores of flow rate control devices developed for wetlands, but none of them guarantee wetlands’ safety against flooding. In earlier wetland construction, the building materials were mainly soil. Recently, strong and durable building materials such as rocks, gravel beds, concrete and steel are used at vulnerable places to protect them from erosion. Our investigation indicated that the wetland system would be an appropriate technology because it is not only cheaper to construct, but also requires less maintenance work. However, we suffer from the reduced effectiveness in performance during the winter. We need to evaluate the partial treatment accomplished during 6 to 7 months per year.

韩国基于风险的大坝安全管理研究现状

大坝一旦完建,大坝业主和大坝工程师的首要职责就是通过实施检查和安全评估对大坝进行合理的维护,这也是相关条例、法规和法案的要求。之前,韩国的大坝安全评估都是基于规范和定性的方法,没有考虑自然的不确定性。最近,基于风险的大坝安全管理被认为是大坝安全管理下一代范例中真正可靠的选择。笔者介绍了目前传统的制度体系在大坝安全管理中是如何运作的,以及基于风险的大坝安全管理是如何作为一种新的大坝安全范例来引进的。笔者还会介绍一些大坝安全导则和法规来追述韩国大坝安全管理的变化历史。最后,笔者将简要介绍某大坝在大坝风险评估方面开展的工作,这是新的大坝安全范例。

Water hammer in the pump-rising pipeline system with an air chamber

Water hammer following the tripping of pumps can lead to overpressure and negative pressure. Reduction in overpressure and negative pressure may be necessary to avoid failure, to improve the efficiency of operation and to avoid fatigue of system components. The field tests on the water hammer have been conducted on the pump rising pipeline system with an air chamber. The hydraulic transient was simulated using the method of characteristics. Minimizing the least squares problem representing the difference between the measured and predicted transient response in the system performs the calibration of the simulation program. Among the input variables used in the water hammer analysis, the polytropic exponent, the discharge coefficient and the wave speed were calibrated. The computer program developed in this study will be useful in designing the optimum parameters of an air chamber for the real pump pipeline system. The correct selection of air chamber size and the effect of the inner diameter of the orifice to minimize water hammer have been investigated by both field measurements and numerical modeling.

Silica-quaternary ammonium “Fixed-Quat” nanofilm coated fiberglass mesh for water disinfection and harmful algal blooms control

Intensification of pollution loading worldwide has promoted an escalation of different types of disease-causing microorganisms, such as harmful algal blooms(HABs), instigating detrimental impacts on the quality of receiving surface waters. Formation of unwanted disinfection by-products(DBPs) resulting from conventional disinfection technologies reveals the need for the development of new sustainable alternatives. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds(QACs) are cationic surfactants widely known for their effective biocidal properties at the ppm level. In this study, a novel silica-based antimicrobial nanofilm was developed using a composite of silica-modified QAC(Fixed-Quat) and applied to a fiberglass mesh as an active surface via sol–gel technique. The synthesized Fixed-Quat nanocoating was found to be effective against E. coli with an inactivation rate of 1.3 × 10^(-3) log reduction/cm min. The Fixed-Quat coated fiberglass mesh also demonstrated successful control of Microcystis aeruginosa with more than 99% inactivation after 10 hr of exposure.The developed antimicrobial mesh was also evaluated with wild-type microalgal species collected in a water body experiencing HABs, obtaining a 97% removal efficiency. Overall,the silica-functionalized Fixed-Quat nanocoating showed promising antimicrobial properties for water disinfection and HABs control, while decreasing concerns related to DBPs formation and the possible release of toxic nanomaterials into the environment.