title: Distributions of persistent organic contaminants in sediments and their potential impact on macrobenthic faunal community of the Geum River Estuary and Saemangeum Coast, Korea.
abstract: Over the last 30 years, the Geum River Estuary and Saemangeum Coast have been subject to major environmental changes, including dike construction, reclamation, and development of industrial complexes. This study aimed to: 1) investigate the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylphenols (APs), and styrene oligomers (SOs), 2) identify the sources of sedimentary organic matter, and 3) determine key environmental factors controlling the macrozoobenthos community structure. A total of 58 surface sediments were collected from the estuary and coastal area in 2014. Specific persistent organic contaminants (POCs), including 24 PAHs, 6 APs, and 10 SOs were measured. PAHs, APs, and SOs were detected in the sediments at all sites, with concentrations varying among sites. Although POCs concentrations were generally below the Canadian sediment quality guidelines, relatively greater concentrations of POCs were found at some sites adjacent to industrial complexes and the estuarine area. Sediment organic carbon, total nitrogen, and the stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) were determined. Some sites near watergate had about 2-3‰ lighter δ13C values compared to other areas, indicating that these sites are affected by terrestrial organic matter. The number of species in the macrofaunal community was significantly correlated with δ13C values (p < 0.001), positively, suggesting that the origin of sedimentary organic matter is important for controlling the macrozoobenthos distribution. Overall, this research provides information about the level and sources of sediment pollution, the origins of organic matter, and the relationships with the macrofaunal community.
authors.affiliation: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seo Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seongjin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bong-Oh
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biotechnology, Anyang University, Ganghwagun, Incheon 23038, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jongseong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Myongji University, Yongin 17058, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Marine Policy Research Division, Korea Maritime Institute, Busan 49111, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jungho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jskocean@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jong Seong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Khim
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D031986:Geum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Alkylphenol; Macrofaunal community; Organic matter; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; Styrene oligomer