In this study, a bacterial strain exhibiting high degradation activity toward organic wastes was isolated and taxonomically identified. Five strains with excellent hydrolytic activity toward starch, lipids, and proteins were isolated from slaughter waste processors. Among the five strains, YBK-W4, which showed the highest amylase, protease, and lipase activities, was selected. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, YBK-W4 was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus (B. atrophaeus) and designated B. atrophaeus YBK-W4. The optimal temperature and pH for enzyme activity of B. atrophaeus YBK-W4 were 37~42°C and pH 7, respectively. The bacterium was grown on Luria-Bertani (LB) agar containing 12% NaCl, where enzyme activity was 11.4~29.7% of that observed in LB agar without NaCl. These results suggest that B. atrophaeus YBK-W4 is a useful bacterial agent for the decomposition of organic waste, such as food and slaughterhouse waste.

The Daechong dam is located nearby Chongju city, and the population alone in the Chongju- Chongwon area is over one half million. It is found that the number of days for fog occurrence after constructing the dam was much fewer than those before constructing it. It appears that the construction of a large dam did not cause to increase in the occurrence of fog in the Chongju area, and that was the increase due to topographical characteristics and wind direction. Low visibility in the Chongju-Chongwon area occurred frequently. In summer, Chongwon recorded more days of poor visibility than those observed at Chongju. It is thought that TSP. SO_2 and NO_2 were the main constituents of air pollutants causing the reduction in visibility. These air pollutants are produced by vehicles and industrial activities in the region.