Analysis of trace organic contaminants in sediment, pore water, and water samples from Onsan Bay, Korea: instrumental analysis and in vitro gene expression assay.
Persistent organic pollutants and alkylphenols (APs) were determined in sediment and water samples from Onsan Bay, Korea, by using instrumental analysis and in vitro gene expression cell bioassay. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocabons (PAHs) were the predominant compounds in sediments with concentrations as great as 573 ng/g dry weight. The PAH concentrations were elevated in sediment from inland rivers that flow through Onsan City (mean: 116 ng/g dry wt) and discharge into Onsan Bay. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments ranged from <1.00 to 56.2 ng/g dry weight. Among different organochlorine (OC) pesticides analyzed (hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexanes, chlordanes, and DDTs), DDT concentrations were the greatest, ranging from <0.01 to 7.58 ng/g dry weight. The spatial gradient of contaminant concentrations suggested that streams and rivers are the major sources of PCBs, PAHs, and APs to the bay. Maximum concentrations of nonylphenol, octylphenol, and bisphenol A in sediments were 860, 11, and 204 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Screening of Onsan Bay sediment samples for dioxinlike activity with the H4IIE-luc in vitro cell bioassay revealed that 17 of 22 samples contained significant dioxinlike activity. Further fractionation of sediment extracts indicated that mid-polar and more polar fractions were responsible for the significant dioxinlike activity. Based on a mass balance analysis, PAHs apparently accounted for only a small portion of dioxinlike responses elicited by sediment extracts. Only one raw extract of sediment elicited a significant estrogenic response by MVLN cells. The combination of instrumental analysis and in vitro bioassay was useful to assess sediment quality and characterize the causative agents or potential toxic compounds present.
Koh
Chul-Hwan
CH
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, South Korea. kohch@snu.ac.kr
Khim
Jong Seong
JS
Villeneuve
Daniel L
DL
Kannan
Kurunthachalam
K
Giesy
John P
JP
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D007723:Korea; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D004147:Dioxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004967:Estrogens; D007306:Insecticides; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D008156:Luciferases