Entry Name: KU-Kim-MC2

VAST Challenge 2018
Mini-Challenge 2

Team Members:

Wooil Kim, Korea University, wooilkim@korea.ac.kr PRIMARY
Hyunsik Yoon, Korea University, yoonhs96@korea.ac.kr
Moonyoung Choi, Korea University, cmyelling@gmail.com
Changbeom Shim, Korea University, scbeom@korea.ac.kr
Yon Dohn Chung, Korea University, ydchung@korea.ac.kr

Student Team: NO

Tools Used:

Excel
A web-based interactive visualization tool using D3.js and python
(developed by the VAST challenge team of Korea University)

Approximately how many hours were spent working on this submission in total?

120 hours

May we post your submission in the Visual Analytics Benchmark Repository after VAST Challenge 2018 is complete? YES

Video

Youtube link

Questions

1. Characterize the past and most recent situation with respect to chemical contamination in the Boonsong Lekagul waterways. Do you see any trends of possible interest in this investigation? Your submission for this questions should contain no more than 10 images and 1000 words.

Figure 1-1 shows that similar trends of some materials (see ②) of three sampling stations, which are connected by waterways (see ①). We can imagine that several chemicals or water properties are moved from Busarakhan to Kannika through Chai (or reverse).

Figure 1-1. Similar trends on the stream #1.

Figure 1-2 also shows another similar trends of some materials (see ②) of two different sampling stations, which are connected on the stream of water (see ①). In this case, the related components are moved from Somchair to Sakda (or reverse). According to the Figures 1-1 and 1-2, water and soil contamination could be occured along with the stream.

Figure 1-2. Similar trends on the stream #2.

As seasons have changed from summer to winter and from winter to summer, water temperature goes down and up again. Dissolved oxygen also shows the similar pattern to the water temperature. This is due to the fact that the higher water temperature is, the more oxygen water can keep.

Figure 1-3. Water temperature and Oxygen.

In Archara, Decha, Tansanee, the components have been monitored after 2009. January. On the contrary, other locations such as Boonsri, Busarakhan, Chai, Kannika, Kohsoom, Sakda, and Somchair have been monitored from 1999. As shown in the map, Achara, Decha, Tansanee are at the left side of the map. It could denote that some accidents happened over 2009.

Figure 1-4. 1999 vs 2009.

Figure 1-5 denotes the chemical pie chart over three days, 2003-03-12, 2003-03-18, 2003-3-26. We cannot be sure where the dangerous components have come from and gone over time, because the water flow rate and the direction are unknown. Therefore, if there is additional information such as water flow rate and the direction, it will be possible to guess the trajectory of the components.

Figure 1-5. The black hole.

When the most recent situation (from 2015) is compared with the past situation, it is denoted that a heavy metal ration of the past situation is explicitly higher than the ratio of the current situation. When we look at the pie chart table on the left side of Figure 1-6, we can see that the ratio of metal elements has been gradually lowered since 1998. Maybe there will be a reason that a regulation for the heavy metal group is strengthened.

Figure 1-6. Heavy metal.

About 2009, sampling locations of the AOX change to Boonsri and Kohsoom. Also about 2008, sampling locations for newly added industrial chemicals are done at Boonsri and Kohsoom. This is because the location of waste dumping is expected around Boonsri and Kohsoom. According to data analysis, the estimated location will be a little closer to the Boonsri than before (see Figure 1-7).

Figure 1-7. So close!

2. What anomalies do you find in the waterway samples dataset? How do these affect your analysis of potential problems to the environment? Is the Hydrology Department collecting sufficient data to understand the comprehensive situation across the Preserve? What changes would you propose to make in the sampling approach to best understand the situation? Your submission for this question should contain no more than 6 images and 500 words.

There are something strange on 15th August, 2003 according to Figure 2-1. We can realize the change of the amount of metals all over the sampling stations (see ① and ② for in detail). At that time, someone would dump metal-related materials or products (see ③).

Figure 2-1. Metal party.

Figure 2-2 represnets when and where Methylosmolene is found. We can find the dangerous level of Methylosmolene (see ①, two red boxes). The sampling sites are Kohsoom and Somchair (see ②). Since 2016, the Methylosmolene data can be gotton (see ③).

Figure 2-2. Dumping (Methylosmolene) start.

We also can see another Methylosmolene information at another place (i.e., Chai). In early 2015, the amount of Methylosmolene get higher, but soon goes down (see ① in Figure 2-3). This time is related to the Figure 2-2. That is, any manufacturing company could change the dumping place from here (Chai) to another places (Kohsome and Somchair). .

Figure 2-3. Methylosmolene changes.

Adsorbable Organic Halides (AOX) is a measure of the organic halogen load at a sampling site such as soil from a land fill, water, or sewage waste. In Busarakan, Chai, Kannika, Sakda, Somchair, AOX has been monitored from 1998 to 2010. In Boonsri and Kohsoom, on the contrary, AOX has been monitored after 2009. This is due to the fact that AOX is no longer detected after 2009 in Busarakan, Chai, Kannika, Sakda, Somchair. We suppose that they sensed a certain environmental change at 2009 in Boonsri and Kohsoom. So, they have monitored AOX in that location from 2009 though the first measured value is zero.

Figure 2-4. AOX.

When we look at the list of elements which the sensor has collected, we can easily recognize that there is a difference between the lists which has been collected since 2005 and 2008. First, the list collected from 2005 to 2008 includes Alachlor, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endosulfan (alpha, beta), p.p-series and so on. All of them can be used for pesticides and herbicides. Second, the list collected from 2008 is composed of PCB series, cyanides, 1,2,3 Trichlorobenzene and so on. Most of them are used for industrial materials. There are probably two big events in 2005 and 2008.

Figure 2-5. Materials change.

3. After reviewing the data, do any of your findings cause particular concern for the Pipit or other wildlife? Would you suggest any changes in the sampling strategy to better understand the waterways situation in the Preserve? Your submission for this question should contain no more than 6 images and 500 words.

Chlorodinine (see ①) can attack and chemically destroy exposed body tissues. However, many sampling places start to measure the material lately. Fortunately, the amount is rapidly down. As a result, we can imagine that some bad things moved at that time, so the Pipit or other wildlife may live from that.

Figure 3-1. Lazy sampling.

In Boonsri, Kannika, Kohsoom, and Sakda, the total hardness is extremely low from 2011 to 2013. Total hardness is a measurement of the mineral content in a water sample that is irreversible by boiling. Therefore, total hardness can be equivalent to the total calcium and magnesium hardness. Animals and plants require calcium and magnesium for life. Calcium is an important component of cell walls, shells and bones of many aquatic organisms. Magnesium is a component of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis in green plants. Hard water can cause problems by leaving scaly deposits in pipes and appliances, and decreasing the cleaning action of soap and detergent. Most fish and aquatic organisms live in waters with hardness between 15 and 200 mg/L. Drinking water with hardness greater than 350 mg/L can be harmful to humans. In Kohsoom and Boonsri, total hardness in Kohsoom and Boonsri violates both the upper bound and the lower bound. In 2011, there was only too much magnesium without calcium.

Figure 3-2. The hardness.

A DO value of at least 5.0 ppm is desirable for most aquatic organisms, and is required for streams classified as “Fish and Wildlife” or higher. Dissolved oxygen decreases with increasing temperature, so DO values are expected to be higher during the winter and lower during the summer. Dissolved oxygen usually decreases with increasing depth, so DO values are expected to be higher at the surface of a lake and lower toward the bottom. In lakes and ponds with high nutrient concentration DO can change dramatically throughout the day because of photosynthesis by aquatic plants. Dissolved oxygen in water is higher in winter and lower in summer (opposite of temperature) because the solubility of oxygen is greater in colder water. In 2010 Summer, Dissolved oxygen in Kohsoom was 5.11 almost same as lower bound value 5. It can affect the wildlife.

Figure 3-3. Dissolved oxygen.

Total Alkalinity should be tested once every three to four weeks. Proper Total Alkalinity levels vary with the water temperature, the sanitizer used, and the pool finish. Ideal range for Total Alkalinity is from 125 - 150 ppm. High Bicarbonates increases the alkalinity, this may affect the wildlife.

Figure 3-4. Alkalinity.