title: Assessment of trace pollutants in Korean coastal sediments using the triad approach: a review.
abstract: Here we summarize and review the previous efforts on sediment assessment together with major scientific findings that were conducted in the Korean coastal waters since late 1990s. Towards integrated triad analysis, sediment data (>1700 samples) reported from the Korean coasts were collected and reviewed of which data collectively includes three components of chemical, toxicological, and ecological measures. First, the chemistry data suggested widespread and historic distribution of sedimentary pollutants along the Korean coasts. Spatial distributions suggested that their sources were independent of each other, while some localized areas (highlighted for Lake Shihwa, Masan Bay, and Ulsan Bay) and zones with extremely high pressures of certain pollutants were also identified. The mass balance analyses and/or direct correlations linking triad components reflected a general agreement between endpoints. The benthic community responses given by species occurrence and diversity also reflected the type and degree of sediment contamination, however, could not be fully explained by the known target chemicals. Overall, the triad assessment of trace pollutants in Korean coastal sediments seemed to be useful and much powerful when all the components are fully addressed.
authors: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research, Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jskocean@snu.ac.kr.
authors: Jong Seong
authors: JS
authors: Khim
authors: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research, Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seongjin
authors: S
authors: Hong
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Benthic community; In vitro bioassay; Korean coastal waters; Sediment assessment; Trace organic pollutants; Triad approach