Abstract
Hourly monitoring data from Saemangeum estuary, which is expected to become freshwater, was analyzed to evaluate the water quality characteristics. Higher algal growth at spring season than winter influenced the high ratio of organic nitrogen to total nitrogen and concentration of chemical oxygen demand (COD). About 87.9％ and 59.7％ of organic nitrogen was observed at winter season and spring season, respectively. Daily salinity analysis at the mouth of two main rivers demonstrated that the Dongjin in river was more influenced by tidal effect and showed higher variation than the Mankyung river. The ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus (N/P ratio) was different with site (estuary versus sea area) and season (winter versus spring) remarkably. The N/P ratio was highest (32.74 ∼ 43.93) at estuary in winter and was lowest (1.78 ∼ 3.06) at sea in spring. The high N/P ratio at estuary area implies that phosphorus can be the limiting nutrient factor for algal growth as in general freshwater river, therefore, water quality management practice considering river characteristics rather might be needed in the Saemangeum estuary. The Saemangeum project is nationally recognized for its environmental issues, and especially water quality concern is a critical factor to make policy decision and further assessment with continued monitoring is strongly recommended.
