Sedimentary records of metal contamination and eutrophication in Jinhae-Masan Bay, Korea.
Historical environmental pollution in a semi-enclosed coastal bay was investigated using high-resolution sedimentary records for C(org), N(tot), CaCO(3,) δ(13)C, and δ(15)N signatures, and trace metals. A temporal increase in organic matter might have been attributable to enhanced primary marine productivity, presumably caused by increased anthropogenic nutrient inputs in the semi-enclosed, eutrophic system. Metal accumulation occurred in three stages: a preindustrial stage before the 1930s with natural concentrations of metals, an industrialization stage (1940s-1970s) with the highest concentrations, and a postindustrial stage (post 1970s) with stable or decreasing concentrations. However, Hg exhibited a different accumulation history, with concentrations increasing in the early 1900s and accelerating after the 1920s, probably in response to coal burning.
South Sea Institute, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 656-830, Republic of Korea. oceanlim@kordi.re.kr
Dhong-il
DI
Lim
Hoi Soo
HS
Jung
Kyung Tae
KT
Kim
Hyeon Ho
HH
Shin
Seung Won
SW
Jung
D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005068:Eutrophication; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical