Abstract
Groundwater data (water level, electrical conductivity (EC) and temperature) have been collected since 1995 from the national groundwater-monitoring stations in South Korea. Recently, substantial groundwater-level decline and deterioration of groundwater quality were reported at several stations. Relevant authorities undertook to investigate the groundwater hazards and to devise mitigation measures for selected monitoring stations. However, there were no criteria to determine the status of the groundwater level and EC, compared with historic data. A methodology is presented, which defines the groundwater condition. Using the suggested criteria, water level and EC data are classified into normal, watch and warning levels, leading to different administrative measures and technical investigations. The primary criterion compares the observed values for the evaluation year (e.g. 2003) and the historic values of normal years preceding the evaluation year (e.g. 1996–2002), using box plots. The secondary criterion uses variation trends of the values with the aid of parametric and non-parametric trend tests. Final decisions are dependent on scores assigned to each test. According to the criteria suggested, detailed investigations and mitigation measures for water level decline are required for seven stations and those for water quality are needed for 18 stations because they reside within the warning classification.
Résumé
Des données hydrogéologiques (niveau piézométrique, conductivité électrique (CE) et température) ont été collectées depuis 1995 à partir du réseau national de stations de surveillance des eaux souterraines de la Corée du Sud. Récemment, une baisse substantielle du niveau de l’eau souterraine et une détérioration de la qualité de l’eau ont été signalées sur plusieurs stations de surveillance. Les autorités compétentes ont entrepris d’étudier les risques pour les eaux souterraines et de trouver des mesures de mitigation pour les stations de surveillance sélectionnées. Cependant, aucuns critères n’existaient permettant de déterminer le statut du niveau piézométrique et de la conductivité électrique en comparaison des données historiques. Une méthodologie est présentée et définie les conditions hydrogéologiques. A l’aide des critères proposés, les données de niveaux piézométriques et de conductivités électriques sont classées suivant les niveaux dits normaux, niveaux à surveiller et niveaux d’alerte, conduisant à poursuivre des mesures administratives et des investigations techniques différentes. Le premier critère compare, grâce à des boites à moustache, les valeurs observées pour les années d’évaluation (1996–2002 par exemple). Le deuxième critère utilise les tendances de variation des valeurs à l’aide de tests de tendance paramétriques et non paramétriques. Les décisions finales dépendent des résultats de chaque test. D’après les critère suggérés, sept stations nécessitent des mesures d’investigations détaillées et de mitigation pour la baisse du niveau d’eau, et 18 stations nécessitent des mesures pour la qualité de l’eau car elles se situent dans une zone classée en alerte.
Resumen
En las estaciones nacionales de aguas subterráneas de Corea del Sur, se han recogido datos de agua subterránea (niveles piezométricos, conductividad eléctrica (CE) y temperatura) desde 1995. Recientemente, se ha observado en algunas estaciones que el nivel de agua subterránea ha descendido sustancialmente y que se ha producido un deterioro de la calidad de la misma. Las autoridades competentes han decidido emprender la investigación de los riesgos en aguas subterráneas y tomar medidas de mitigación para estaciones seleccionadas. Sin embargo, no había criterio para determinar el estado del nivel piezométrico y la CE, comparados con los datos históricos. Se presenta una metodología que define las condiciones de las aguas subterráneas. Utilizando los criterios propuestos, los datos de nivel piezométrico y de CE se han clasificado como normales, en vigilancia o preocupantes, atendiendo a diferentes medidas administrativas e investigaciones técnicas. El criterio primario compara los valores observados para el año de evaluación (por ejemplo, 2003) y los valores históricos de años normales anteriores a este año de evaluación (por ejemplo, 1996–2002), mediante gráficos de caja. El criterio secundario utiliza tendencias de variación de los valores con la ayuda de tests de tendencias paramétricas y no paramétricas. Las decisiones finales dependen de los resultados asignados a cada test. De acuerdo con los criterios sugeridos, se necesitan investigaciones detalladas y medidas de mitigación para el descenso de los niveles en siete estaciones y lo mismo para la calidad del agua en 18 estaciones, que se encuentran en niveles preocupantes.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the research project entitled “Research on mitigation methods and counter-plans for potential groundwater hazards in Korea” by KIGAM and K-Water. Support from Dr. J.-H. Won, Mr. K.-H. Ahn, Mr. J.-M. Lee at K-WAETR and Mr. M.-J. Yi at GeoGreen21 Co., Ltd. is greatly appreciated. Three anonymous reviewers greatly improved the initial manuscript. The authors are greatly indebted to S. Duncan for technical corrections.
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Lee, JY., Moon, SH. & Lee, KK. Determining the condition of groundwater in evaluating the need for corrective measures: a case for the national groundwater-monitoring network in South Korea. Hydrogeol J 16, 123–137 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0218-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0218-5