Assessment of potential biological activities and distributions of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sediments of the west coast of South Korea.
The west coast of Korea has experienced environmental deterioration for more than half a century. In the present study, we specifically aimed to: i) evaluate potential toxicities of contaminants in sediments that cause effects mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptor (ER); ii) determine spatio-temporal distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols (APs); and iii) identify causes of greater potencies of samples. From 2010 to 2014, sediments were collected from 12 major estuarine and coastal regions along the west coast of South Korea. In vitro cell bioassays were performed to determine AhR- and ER-mediated potencies using H4IIE-luc and MVLN cells, respectively. Fifteen PAHs and six APs in sediments were identified by GC/MSD. Results of bioassays generally showed a low-to-moderate degree of contamination, however, greater AhR- and ER-mediated potencies were measured at some locations. Concentrations of PAHs and APs varied among locations, which indicated that sources were independently affected by the surrounding environment (e.g., industrial complex and cities). Results of bioassays were generally well correlated with concentrations of putative causative chemicals. Benzo[k]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[b]fluoranthene were the major AhR agonists, explaining approximately 30% of the bioassay-derived benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaP-EQ). Unknown AhR and ER agonists and potential mixture effects remain in question. Overall, the present study provides baseline information on chemical contaminations and potential toxicity of sediments in a fairly wide geographical region of the west coast of South Korea.
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Seungyeon
S
Jeon
Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hongseongjin@cnu.ac.kr.
Seongjin
S
Hong
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Bong-Oh
BO
Kwon
National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, Republic of Korea.
Jinsoon
J
Park
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sung Joon
SJ
Song
Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences & Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; Department of Zoology & Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
John P
JP
Giesy
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jskocean@snu.ac.kr.
Jong Seong
JS
Khim
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D010636:Phenols; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Alkylphenols; Effect-directed analysis; In vitro bioassay; PAHs; Sediment; Yellow Sea