Distribution and pollution sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in reclaimed tidelands and tidelands of the western sea coast of South Korea.
The wide-scale reclamation of tidal flats distributed throughout the western and southern coastal areas in Korea has been completed, in an effort to expand the available arable land. The present studies were conducted in order to characterize the concentrations and compositional patterns of selected PAHs, in order to obtain more information regarding environmental risk assessments for sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture in reclaimed tidelands and tidelands in South Korea. The PAH contents were low to moderate, relative to other urbanized regions of the world. Sigma PAHs ranged from 69.8 to 1,175.2 ng g(-1) in dry weight, with a mean value of 394.4 ng g(-1). Differences were observed in the Sigma PAHs concentrations between industrial complex areas and rural regions. The two dominant PAHs were identified as fluoranthene and pyrene. These compounds constituted 1.4 to 55.0% (mean, 33.4%) and 2.7 to 45.6% (mean, 22.0%) of the Sigma PAHs. Our correlation analysis revealed that the Sigma PAHs contents were associated significantly with the organic carbon content (R(2) = 0.86, P < 0.01) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC; R(2) = 0.89, P < 0.01) in the reclaimed tidelands and tidelands.
Cho
Jae-Young
JY
Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea. soilcosmos@chonbuk.ac.kr
Son
Jae Gwon
JG
Park
Bong-Ju
BJ
Chung
Byung-Yeoup
BY
D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014872:Water Movements; D053833:Wetlands
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants