@article{ART003331908},
author={Juchan Lee and MinSun Kwon and HyeRyeon Gwon and Hoon Kang and JongGu Kim},
title={Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir},
journal={Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment},
issn={1225-7184},
year={2026},
volume={35},
number={2},
pages={116-131}
TY - JOUR
AU - Juchan Lee
AU - MinSun Kwon
AU - HyeRyeon Gwon
AU - Hoon Kang
AU - JongGu Kim
TI - Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir
JO - Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
PY - 2026
VL - 35
IS - 2
PB - Korean Society Of Environmental Impact Assessment
SP - 116
EP - 131
SN - 1225-7184
AB - This study evaluated the spatiotemporal variations of water quality parameters and identified pollution mechanisms and nutrient limitation characteristics in three major zones (Riverine, Transitional, and Lacustrine) of the Saemangeum Reservoir. To this end, long-term water quality data (including temperature, salinity, TN, TP, COD, TOC, Chl-a, and SS) collected from 13 monitoring stations over a 10-year period (2015–2025) were utilized. The study applied ratio indices alongside comprehensive statistical analyses, including One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results indicated that water quality was strongly influenced by freshwater inflow in the Riverine zone and gradually improved towards the Outer zone due to physical dilution. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the first principal component (PC1), explaining 48.1% of the total variance, represented land-based anthropogenic pollution driven by freshwater input, while the second component (PC2, 16.6%) represented biological metabolic activities such as algal growth and nutrient uptake. The regression analysis between COD and TOC showed similar slopes across zones, suggesting the dominance of physical mixing; however, a significant correlation between Chl-a and COD in the lacustrine zone confirmed the contribution of autochthonous organic matter. Furthermore, the TN:TP ratio analysis indicated that the entire reservoir was under a phosphorus-limited (P-limited) environment throughout the year. The Trophic State Index (TSI) assessment classified all zones as eutrophic or hyper-eutrophic states. Consequently, effective water quality management in the Saemangeum Reservoir requires prioritizing the reduction of Total Phosphorus (TP) loads and implementing strategies to control internal pollution loads caused by algal blooms.
KW - Saemangeum Reservoir;Organic Matter Characteristics;Nutrient Limitation;Principal Component Analysis (PCA);Eutrophication
DO -
UR -
ER -
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang and JongGu Kim. (2026). Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir. Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment, 35(2), 116-131.
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang and JongGu Kim. 2026, "Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir", Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment, vol.35, no.2 pp.116-131.
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang, JongGu Kim "Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir" Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment 35.2 pp.116-131 (2026) : 116.
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang, JongGu Kim. Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir. 2026; 35(2), 116-131.
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang and JongGu Kim. "Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir" Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment 35, no.2 (2026) : 116-131.
Juchan Lee; MinSun Kwon; HyeRyeon Gwon; Hoon Kang; JongGu Kim. Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir. Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment, 35(2), 116-131.
Juchan Lee; MinSun Kwon; HyeRyeon Gwon; Hoon Kang; JongGu Kim. Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir. Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment. 2026; 35(2) 116-131.
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang, JongGu Kim. Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir. 2026; 35(2), 116-131.
Juchan Lee, MinSun Kwon, HyeRyeon Gwon, Hoon Kang and JongGu Kim. "Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Quality and Identification of Pollution Mechanisms Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Saemangeum Reservoir" Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment 35, no.2 (2026) : 116-131.
