Odorous compounds from the operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have increasingly become public health concerns and civil complaints. This study identifies priority management stages in WWTPs by quantitatively analyzing the distribution of complex odor and designated odor substances across key processes using a dimensionless tool (the Odor Activity Value, OAV), while providing a statistical basis and operational strategies for efficient odor mitigation in public facilities. Although there was a very poor correlation between designated odorous concentrations and complex odor level (dilution ratio), the application of the OAV yielded much more accurate results with a strong correlation (R2 = 0.7) specifically at high-temperature condition. Odor potential in the wastewater treatment processes fluctuates substantially depending on the specific unit. Statistical analysis using Kruskal–Wallis tests demonstrated that influent and sludge treatment process (return flow and centrate) produce much higher odor intensities compared to the biological reactor and secondary clarifier. Based on PERMANOVA analysis, differences in the profiles of complex odor and the OAVs of designated odorants across 6 treatment stages explained 64.1% of the total variance. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) showed that sludge treatment processes form a distinct, unique cluster, whereas sewage treatment streams present a more gradual transition of odor profiles. Statistical assessment using the Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated that mean odorants levels did not have considerable shift under high-temperature and low-temperature conditions. However, the sensory perception in higher temperatures enhanced relative to the OAVs. In conclusion, the OAV is an effective dimensionless tool, as it establishes priorities in odor management and control, offering a practical supplementary indicator for addressing civil complaints. These findings provide a robust foundation for optimizing deodorization systems designs and operational efficiency of odor mitigation systems within WWTPs.

Abstract
1. 서 론
2. 재료 및 방법
    2.1 대상 시설
    2.2 가스발생 실험
    2.3 시료 채취 및 분석 방법
    2.4 품질관리 및 보증
    2.5 악취활성도
    2.6 자료 통계 처리 및 분석
3. 결과 및 고찰
    3.1 처리 공정별 악취 물질 농도 특성
    3.2 악취활성도 기반 공정별 악취 특성
    3.3 공정 간 악취 수준의 통계적 유의성 검정
    3.4 온도 조건에 따른 악취 반응 특성
4. 결 론
References
<저자정보>

• 심예섭(서울물재생시설공단) | Yeaseop Shim (Seoul Water Recycling Corporation)
• 김민철(서울물재생시설공단) | Mincheol Kim (Seoul Water Recycling Corporation)
• 최유리(서울시보건환경연구원) | Yuri Choi (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) Corresponding author
• 채호승(서울시보건환경연구원) | Hoseung Chae (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 김여숙(서울시보건환경연구원) | Yeo-sook Kim (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 김남진(서울시보건환경연구원) | Nam-jin Kim (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 신덕영(서울시보건환경연구원) | Deok-Young Shin (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 김영일(서울시보건환경연구원) | Young-il Kim (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 이준연(서울시보건환경연구원) | Jun-Yeon Lee (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 권승미(서울시보건환경연구원) | Seung-Mi Kwon (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
• 박주성(서울시보건환경연구원) | Ju-Sung Park (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)