To Reduce Inflow of Nutrients Causing Algal Blooms, 'Compost Real-Name System' Implemented in Nakdong River Area Starting This Year

Ministry of Environment Launches Full-Scale 'Summer Algal Bloom Countermeasures'

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has decided to focus on reducing the inflow of nutrients, the main cause of green algae, to minimize the occurrence of green algae this year. Starting this year, a manure real-name system will be implemented in the Nakdonggang region.

The Ministry of Environment announced on the 7th that it will officially implement the "Summer Green Algae Countermeasures" containing these measures.

This summer is expected to have higher temperatures and similar precipitation compared to previous years (according to the Korea Meteorological Administration's long-term forecast), raising concerns about the full-scale occurrence of green algae and the issuance of algae warnings from June. As of the first week of June, harmful cyanobacteria causing green algae have appeared at some points in the Daecheongho and Nakdonggang watershed areas, and there is a high possibility that an algae warning interest stage will be issued for the lower Nakdonggang within this week.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment plans to minimize green algae occurrence by intensively reducing the inflow of nutrients, the main cause of green algae. From April to September, discharge standards for pollutants (total phosphorus) will be strengthened and enforced at 147 public sewage and wastewater treatment plants located near and upstream of green algae frequent occurrence areas.

Water quality monitoring and pollution reduction efforts such as the introduction of optimal agricultural management techniques, village environment improvement activities, and pollution reduction practice education will be promoted in selected areas with deteriorated water quality in upstream watersheds of water sources such as Naeseongcheon, Daecheongho, Bohyeonsanho, and Changnyeong-Haman Weir.

Additional measures tailored to regional characteristics will be implemented for the Nakdonggang and Daecheongho, which accounted for 86% of last year's algae warnings (average over the past three years). Starting this year, a manure real-name system will be implemented in the Nakdonggang region to reduce non-point pollution sources that discharge water pollutants indiscriminately from inappropriate manure stockpiling and unspecified locations such as urban areas, roads, farmland, mountains, and construction sites. In the Daecheongho area, biological nutrient reduction through pilot operation of floating treatment wetlands will be conducted to alleviate green algae occurrence.

The monitoring system will also be strengthened. The Ministry of Environment operates a three-dimensional monitoring system, including an algae warning system that measures algae concentrations and issues warnings at major water sources and waterfront activity areas nationwide (28 water sources and 1 waterfront activity area). In addition, it plans to support related agencies by predicting and providing weekly green algae occurrence amounts in some sections with frequent algae occurrence or high importance as water sources for proactive response. Equipment to monitor nutrients and green algae in real-time will be installed and operated in tributaries and streams of areas where green algae frequently occur (14 existing sites and 10 new sites) to identify pollutant inflow and green algae occurrence characteristics and further utilize them in establishing algae countermeasures.

The Ministry of Environment will make every effort to respond swiftly to prevent the spread of green algae if it inevitably occurs. To this end, joint training with related agencies will be conducted in June, and a summer green algae response situation room will be operated to promptly respond to emergency situations. For green algae that inevitably occur, mitigation and removal equipment such as water circulation devices, flow diffusion devices, surface aerators, algae barriers, and algae removal boats will be intensively deployed and operated around the occurrence areas, and if necessary, environmental response water will be discharged to take mitigation measures.

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae said, "We will do our best to reduce green algae occurrence and prevent damage caused by green algae so that the public does not worry," and added, "We will create a healthy water environment to supply safe drinking water."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.