본 연구는 1997년 6월부터 1999년 7월까지 영산강집수역에서 수생식물과 특정식물 분포를 조사하였다. 조사된 수생식물은 정수식 19과 52종, 부유식물 5과 7종, 침수식물 7과 12종, 부엽식물 7과 15종으로 총 32과 86종이 나타났으며, 습지식물은 36과 135종으로 조사되었다. 감소추세종인 통발, 자라풀, 끈끈이주걱, 이삭귀개, 땅귀개와 멸종위기종인 순채와 가시연꽃이 확인되었다.

Thirty-eight sediment samples collected from the Youngsan River channel were analysed for Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb to recognize the extent of contamination. Results showed that a wide range of contents was apparent for every metal over the study area. These differences have been mainly related to the textural variability of sediments. Exceptions to this were found in the contents of Cu, Zn, Pb and possibly Mn. The contents of Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn were particularly higher in the sediments from the confluence of tributaries. Downstream profile of metal/Al ratios indicates that pollutant inputs from the Kwangju tributary are mainly responsible for enrichment of these metals in bed sediments of the Youngsan River.