Evaluation of surface water quality is currently of great significance. While pollutants are the major factor for the deterioration of surface water quality, identification of pollutant sources for rivers is challenging, especially in areas with diver...
Evaluation of surface water quality is currently of great significance. While pollutants are the major factor for the deterioration of surface water quality, identification of pollutant sources for rivers is challenging, especially in areas with diverse land covers and multiple pollutant inputs. Determining the water quality variations in a river and their corresponding driving factors is crucial for a good management system of the surface water quality. The aim of this study is to identify the significant pollutant sources from the tributaries that are affecting the water quality of the Geum River and provide alternative management to improve the water quality of the river. Cluster analysis was applied to confirm the major polluted tributaries affecting the Geum River water quality. Then principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were applied to identify and apportion the major pollutant sources of the two major tributaries, Gab-cheon and Miho-cheon, of the Geum River. PCA identifies three major pollutant sources for Gab-cheon and Miho-cheon, respectively. For Gab-cheon, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), urban, and agricultural pollutions are identified as major pollutant sources. For Miho-cheon, agricultural, urban, and forest land are identified as major pollutant sources. On the contrary, PMF identifies three pollutant sources in Gab-cheon, same as PCA result and two pollutant sources in Miho-cheon. Water quality control scenarios were formulated and improvement of water quality in the river locations are simulated and analyzed with the Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code (EFDC) a 3 dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model. Scenario results were evaluated using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment water quality index (CCME WQI). PCA and PMF seem to be effective in identifying water pollution sources for the Geum river and also its tributaries in detail and thus can be used for the development of water quality improvement alternative of the above water bodies.