title: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a benthic ecosystem in Gwangyang Bay, South Korea.
abstract: Benthic ecosystem in Gwangyang Bay, a fast developing industrial area with steel production, port container handling, petroleum and other chemical processing in South Korea was studied. The average levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCB) in the benthic components were: seawater 2.99 ± 0.13 (ng/L); sediment 294 ± 118 (ng/g TOC); [biota=ng/g lipid] starfish 92; prawn 131 ± 2; mussels 127 ± 22; crab 182 ± 114; clam 187; polychaeta 215; sea cucumber 497 ± 90; squill 603 ± 38; fish 396 ± 159. Levels in the inner bay samples were higher than the outer bay samples suggesting land based pollution. Good correlation (r(2)=0.79; p<0.05) existed between PCB concentration and lipid content indicating partitioning processes in action. PCB signature in the abiotic and biotic components shows enrichment of lower chlorinated congeners emitted by a unique source nearby, viz. steel manufacturing plant.
authors: Oil and POPs Research Group, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, 391 Jangmok-myon, Geoje-shi 656-834, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sang Hee
authors: SH
authors: Hong
authors: Narayanan
authors: N
authors: Kannan
authors: Un Hyuk
authors: UH
authors: Yim
authors: Jin-Woo
authors: JW
authors: Choi
authors: Won Joon
authors: WJ
authors: Shim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls