Oscillation Flow Dam Operation Method for Algal Bloom Mitigation

Green algae play an important role in ecosystems as primary producers, but they can cause algal blooms, which are socio-environmental burdens responding to them requires water resources from dam reservoirs. This study proposes alternative for reducing blooms through operation without using additional resources. A novel oscillation flow concept was suggested: oscillating discharge of irregular flow. To examine its effect, the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code—National Institute Environment Research (EFDC-NIER) model constructed and calibrated Namhan River, South Korea, downstream Chungju Dam Gangcheon Weir. The quality area were simulated analyzed August 2019, is when largest number harmful cyanobacteria had been reported recent years. Our results showed that produced significant variance velocity, bloom density River reduced by 20–30% Dam. However, further investigation required before practical application.