Overview of the Policies for Phasing Out Ocean Dumping of Sewage Sludge in the Republic of Korea

Chang Soo Chung, Ki-Young Choi, Chang-Joon Kim, Jun-Mo Jung and Yeon S. Chang
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Chang Soo Chung: Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Ki-Young Choi: Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Chang-Joon Kim: Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Jun-Mo Jung: Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Yeon S. Chang: Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: Ocean dumping of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) that was treated in wastewater treatment plants in the Republic of Korea (ROK) began in 1993 and has sharply increased thereafter; this deteriorated the benthic environment of the dumping sites, consequently necessitating relevant policies to be developed to reduce dumping. This review introduces the outcomes of policies used to phase out ocean dumping of MSS in ROK and provides a method for improving contaminated environments. We first review a previous report submitted under the London Protocol in 2016 and then provide additional data collected since then. In addition, we introduce a scientific research result that reduced the concentration of harmful substances in the dumping sites by capping the dumping area. ROK established policies to phase out the dumping in 2006, which had immediate impacts, with dumping of MSS terminated in 2012. These policies were then expanded to terminate dumping of all types of sewage sludge in 2016, due to the fast and strict application of actions based on intergovernmental cooperation and societal consensus. In addition, the capping method that covered the contaminated sediments with dredged materials was effective. The success of the evaluated policies and research could be effectively applied to areas with similar circumstances.

Keywords: ocean dumping; sewage sludge; capping method; London Protocol (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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