Hi, I am Junghong and am studying at Eton College in the UK. As I took my passion for learning overseas to the UK, I was able to gain the interdisciplinary perspective to understand the importance of sustainable means to development. Today, I have taken my creativity into research with real-world applications-my first project developed a soil remediation model for abandonned gas stations, making the current water-based project a natural continuation.
At school, I am involved with the Environmental Society and the Social Impact Society, raising students’ awareness of critical social and global issues. I am also passionate about chess as well as outdoor activities, as a Cadet in the Combined Cadet Force.
Tell us what the water concern in your country is!There are numerous rivers in the UK that pass through major cities, such as the River Thames. The rivers accumulate industrial wastes, heavy metals, and oil from vessels. Such water pollution causes detrimental harm to the river ecosystem, as well as potentially entering the drinking water supply.
Selection of Water-Purifying Bacteria and Development of a Dissemination System Using Vessels to Improve Water Quality of Rivers
The problem of river water pollution is becoming increasingly alarming due to the increase in use of resources such as heavy metals and oil. The aim of this project is to determine the most effective microorganisms capable of purifying water, and to develop a model to disseminate the selected microorganisms into rivers. Yeasts and bacteria, isolated from streamwater, were classified and their survivability in a contaminated water environment was confirmed. Having analysed the effectiveness of such river microorganisms in oil and heavy metal removal, Phytobacter diazotrophicus was identified as the most effective bacteria. Finally, I designed a water purification system to allow bioremediating microorganisms to be constantly disseminated from vessels into rivers, which would prevent pollutant accumulation in rivers.
