A Simple Method for Preserving Underground Water Resources in Volcanic Island (Jeju)

Abstract

Being mostly made up of highly permeable basalt and volcanic ash soil, Jeju Island’s lithosphere characterizes its streams to be dry, flowing only when precipitation is happening. Under this condition, this research was motivated to identify the need of conservation of underground water, which is taking up most of (84% of) Jeju’s water usage, and made an attempt to reduce the permeability of stream beds so that it can replace underground water and be used instead. To this end, this study suggested a simple method to make dry streams to carry water all-year-round by reducing permeability of stream floor. The experiment of permeability was performed on the porous basalt and compared it with that of same basalt with volcanic ash soil and Jumunjin sand layer added on top. The results showed a dramatic decrease in permeability of water when both volcanic ash soil and Jumunjin sand is were layered on top of porous basalt. Despite being gained in a controlled environment with a simple test, this result may provide a realistic and effective method of preserving Jeju Island’s underground water which ultimately is a method of resolving water related issues.