Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to build COD regression models for the Han River and evaluate water quality. Methods: Water quality data sets for the dry season (as of January) during a four-year period (2012-2015) were collected from the database of the Han River automatic water quality monitoring stations. Statistical techniques, including combined genetic algorithm-multiple linear regression (GA-MLR) were used to build five-descriptor COD models. Multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) are useful tools for extracting meaningful information. Results: The r² of the best COD models provided significant high values (> 0.8) between 2012 and 2015. Total organic carbon (TOC) was a surrogate indicator for COD (as COD/TOC) with high reliability (r²=0.63 in 2012, r²=0.75 for 2013, r²=0.79 for 2014 and r²=0.85 for 2015). The ratios of COD/TOC were calculated as 2.08 in 2012, 1.79 in 2013, 1.52 and 1.45 in 2015, indicating that biodegradability in the water body of the Han River was being sustained, thereby further improving water quality. The BOD/COD ratio supported these findings. The cluster analysis revealed higher annual levels of microorganisms and phosphorous at stations along the Hangang-Seoul and Hantangang areas. Nevertheless, the overall water quality over the last four years showed an observable trend toward continuous improvement. These findings also suggest that non-point pollution control strategies should consider the influence of upstreams and downstreams to protect water quality in the Han River. Conclusion: This data analysis procedure provided an efficient and comprehensive tool to interpret complex water quality data matrices. Results from a trend analysis provided much important information about sources and parameters for Han River water quality management.
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