• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제38권3호
• /
• pp.171-184
• /
• 2016

In order to assess the level of contamination and identify the priority contaminants in the Busan coast, intensive sediment sampling was conducted and persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals were analyzed. The Sediment Quality Index (SQI) was derived based on the contaminant data by comparing with Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) established in Korea, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand. Toxic contaminants were found to be widely distributed across the coast. Among organic contaminants, PAHs showed the highest concentration, followed by butyltins, nonylphenols, PBDEs, DDTs, PCBs, HCHs and CHLs. Heavy metals were also abundantly detected with the highest concentration of Zn followed by Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > As > Cd > Hg. Compared to organic contaminants, most heavy metals, except for Cu and Hg, were homogeneously distributed along the coast in a good relationship with total organic carbon of sediment particles. In general, the concentrations of organic compounds and heavy metals were highest at the inner part of harbor areas with a tendency to decline from inside areas to the outside, indicating the high loading of pollutants from harbors. A high exceedance for low-SQGs and high-SQGs was found for TBT, p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, Cu and Zn. The SQI scores calculated from low-SQGs and high-SQGs were in the range of 18-100 and 54-100, respectively. The inner part of Busan Harbor, Dadaepo Harbor, and Gamcheon Harbor were observed as being regions of concern. Overall, TBT, Cu, and p,p'-DDT were the chemicals most frequently exceeding SQGs and influencing SQI scores.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제44권6호
• /
• pp.759-771
• /
• 2011

We evaluated the pollution levels of organic matter and metallic element (Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, As, and Hg) in the intertidal surface sediments of Aphae Island using several sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and assessment techniques for sediment pollution. Based on the textural composition of sediment, the surface sediments were classified into two main sedimentary facies: slightly gravelly mud and silt. The concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) in the sediments ranged from 4.6-9.9 (mean $7.4{\pm}1.1$) $mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$ and from ND-0.53 (mean $0.04{\pm}0.10$) mgS/$g{\cdot}dry$, respectively. These values were considerably lower than those reported from a farming area in a semi-enclosed bay of Korea and for SQGs in Japan. The metallic element concentrations in the sediments varied widely with the mean grain size and organic matter content, implying that the concentrations of metallic elements are influenced mainly by secondary factors, such as bioturbation, the resuspension of sediment, and anthropogenic input. The overall results for the comparison with SQGs, enrichment factor (EF), and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$) indicate that the surface sediments are slightly polluted by Cr and Ni, and moderately polluted by As. Our results suggest that the intertidal surface sediments of Aphae Island are not polluted by organic matter or metallic elements and the benthic conditions are suitable for healthy organisms.

• 한국환경과학회지
• /
• 제26권5호
• /
• pp.639-649
• /
• 2017

Measurements of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were taken in surface sediments inside Seogwipo and Hallim Harbors of Jeju Island, Korea, to evaluate their distribution. These harbors typically have heavy ship traffic. The samples were collected three times (in June, October, and December, 2013). PCB concentrations in sediments from Seogwipo Harbor were higher than in those from Hallim Harbor, but both levels were very low, compared with those in other parts of the world. Sedimentary PCB levels had a strong correlation with organic carbon and fine granule mud content. PCB concentration values in the examined surface sediments were much lower than Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) such as ER-L (Effect Rrange-Low), TEL (Threshold Effects Level) and ISQG (Interim Sediment Quality Guideline)-low value applied in countries, such as USA, Canada, and Australia. This suggests that the PCBs did not have significant biological effects on benthic organisms in the marine environment.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제46권4호
• /
• pp.454-466
• /
• 2013

To evaluate the organic matter and trace metal pollution in intertidal sediment of the coastal zone, various geochemical parameters (grain size, ignition loss [IL], chemical oxygen demand [COD], acid volatile sulfide [AVS], and metals [Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As]) were measured for the intertidal surface sediment of the mainland and islands between Mokpo and Haenam in the southwestern coast of Korea. The surface sediments consist mainly of finer sediments, such as mud and silt. The concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals in intertidal sediment were relatively high in the shoreline of the mainland than in that of islands and those in some stations exceeded the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Moreover, the concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals (except As) in sediment showed relatively good positive correlations with mean grain size, indicating that the concentrations of organic matter and trace metals in intertidal sediment of the study region are dependent on grain size of sediment. Pollution evaluation for trace metals using geochemical assessment techniques, such as enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, and SQGs, suggested that the intertidal sediments in the study region show light pollution with Cr and moderate pollution with As. More extensive interdisciplinary studies are required to determine the potential causes of As pollution in intertidal sediment.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제46권6호
• /
• pp.930-940
• /
• 2013

We evaluated contamination with organic matter and trace metals by analyzing grain size, ignition loss (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and trace metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As) in surface sediments at 28 stations around the Geum River estuary in July 2008. The surface sediments in the estuary were mainly composed of coarse sediment (sand and muddy sand), with mean grain size (Mz) ranging between $2-4{\O}$. The high concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals were mainly found at stations in front of the Gusan outer port and industrial complex, and near the Seocheon coast with relatively fine sediments. In addition, the concentrations of IL and all trace metals, except Pb and As, showed good positive correlations with Mz, indicating that the concentrations of organic matter and trace metals were mainly dependent on sediment grain size. The concentrations of COD, AVS, and trace metals in most sediments did not exceed the sediment quality guideline (SQGs). Although the sediments in the study region are not polluted with organic matter and trace metals, there are many point sources of pollutants, such as Gusan port and industrial complex, Janghang refinery, and a thermoelectric power plant around the Geum River estuary. Thus, the management of coastal environments through periodic monitoring of organic matter and trace metals is required in the future.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제44권6호
• /
• pp.772-784
• /
• 2011

We measured grain size, organic matter, and metallic elements (Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As) in intertidal sediments collected from six islands in the western part of Jellanam Province in order to evaluate heavy metal contamination in the tidal flat sediments of coastal islands. The evaluation of metal contamination was carried out using geochemical assessment techniques such as sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), enrichment factor (EF), and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$). Surface sediments were classified into four sedimentary facies: sand, gravelly muddy sand, slightly gravelly mud, and silt. The concentrations of heavy metals in intertidal sediments from Jaeun, Amtae, Biguem, and Docho islands showed good positive correlations with mean grain size and ignition loss, indicating that the concentrations of metallic elements in these sediments were dependent on grain size and the organic matter content. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments from almost all of the stations were lower than two criterion values proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Based on the EF and $I_{geo}$ results, surface sediments were a little polluted for Cr and were moderately polluted for As. Our results suggest that more intensive studies are necessary in the future in order to determine the major source of As in intertidal sediment and to evaluate the As pollution level in macrobenthos.

• 해양환경안전학회지
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.67-83
• /
• 2012

양식활동이 활발한 반폐쇄적인 내만에서 퇴적물의 지화학적 특성을 파악하기 위하여 2010년 4월 가막만 전역의 19개 정점에서 표층 퇴적물을 채취하여 퇴적물 중의 금속(V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb, As), 비금속(P, Se) 및 악티늄족 중 U원소의 분포특성을 파악하였다. 또한, 퇴적물기준 및 농축계수를 이용하여 금속원소의 오염도를 평가하였다. V, Cr, Fe, Co 및 Ni 등은 석영희석 효과, Cd 및 U은 유기물 희석효과, Mn, Ag, As 및 Se는 만의 북부 및 남부해역 정점들에서 표층퇴적물의 강한 환원환경경하에서 이산화망간 및 황산염이 유기물 분해의 산화제로 이용되면서 화학적 재분배에 의해 농도분포가 결정되어지는 것으로 보여진다. 미국 퇴적물 오염 기준(SQGs)에 의한 오염평가는 As의 경우 만의 중앙부를 제외한 대부분의 정점, Ni은 전 조사정점에서 ERL을 초과하였다. 농축계수(EF)를 이용한 평가는 Ni, Ag, Cd 및 As가 평균 EF가 1을 약간 초과하는 단계를 보였으며, 이외의 성분은 1과 유사하거나 혹은 그 이하 양호한 수준을 나타내었다.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제46권5호
• /
• pp.626-637
• /
• 2013

We measured the grain size, ignition loss (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and trace metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As) of intertidal surface sediment collected from 11 islands (62 stations) in the southern region of Jeollanam Province. The objective of this research was to evaluate the organic matter and trace metals contaminations of sediments from coastal island tidal flats. Surface sediment texture was characterized as follows: mud, sandy silt, muddy sand, and slightly gravelly sand facies. The finer sediments are mainly dominated in the northern part of each island. The concentrations of IL, COD, AVS and some trace metals (Al, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Hg) were higher in the northwestern part of Wan Island and the area between Gogeum and Sinji Islands, and were associated with relatively finer sediment, as compared to other locations. The concentrations of Mn, Pb, Cd, and As were higher in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Geoguem and Pyungil Islands, but were not correlated with mean grain size. Based on sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the concentrations of trace metals were lower than the values of effect range low (ERL), used in United States, and threshold effects level (TEL), used in Korea, with exception of As. Similarly, the intertidal sediments were moderately contaminated with As, based on the the enrichment factor (EF) and the geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$). The high concentration of As in intertidal sediments from this study region may be due to the input of naturally or artificially contaminated submarine groundwater, contaminated waste from seaweed aquaculture operations and/or land-based seaweed processing facilities. Further studies are needed to identify the sources of As in this study region, and to determine the effects of As contamination on coastal ecosystem.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제48권4호
• /
• pp.542-554
• /
• 2015

Grain size, the content of ignition loss (IL), and the concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg) in surface sediments from the Taehwa River estuary, Ulsan, were measured to evaluate pollution levels and potential ecological risks of organic matter and trace metals in estuarine sediment. The mean grain size (Mz) of sediments in the study region ranged from $-0.8-7.7{\varphi}$ (mean $2.8{\pm}2.4{\varphi}$). Surface sediments in the upstream region of the Taehwa River were mainly composed of coarse sediments compared to the downstream region. The concentrations of IL, COD, AVS and trace metals in the sediment were much higher at downstream sites of Myeongchon Bridge in the vicinity of industrial complexes than at upstream sites of those in the vicinity of the residential areas due to the anthropogenic input of organic matter and trace metals by industrial activities. On the basis of several geochemical assessment techniques [sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$), pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (ERI)], the surfaces sediments in the study region are not highly polluted for trace metals, except for As. However, the higher concentrations in downstream study regions of the Taehwa River could impact benthic organisms including shellfish (i.e. Manila clam) in sediments.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제48권5호
• /
• pp.789-797
• /
• 2015

The concentrations of trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were determined in 49 surface sediment samples collected in Yeoja and Gangjin Bays on the south coast of Korea, which contain many shellfish farms, in order to assess the contamination level and to understand the spatial distribution of trace metals. The average metal concentrations in the surface sediments of both bays decreased in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Hg. There were no differences in metal concentrations between shellfish farms and reference sites. The metal concentrations were significantly higher in Gangjin Bay than in Yeoja Bay. Notably, the Cu, Cd, and Hg concentrations were nearly twice as high in Gangjin Bay as in Yeoja Bay. A multivariate analysis showed a strong correlation among Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cr in the sediments of both bays, implying that the metal concentrations in the sediments in the study area were mainly dependent on natural processes, such as crustal components and diagenesis. Based on the geoaccumulation index and marine sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the surface sediments in Yeoja and Gangjin Bays are not polluted by trace metals.