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Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of metals in intertidal sediments, Korea

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Abstract

We measured the concentrations of acid volatile sulfide (AVS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and metals (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments of 74 intertidal sectors along the western and southern coasts of Korea to determine their spatial distribution and pollution status. The concentrations of AVS, COD, and metals were relatively higher in northwestern and southeastern coasts due to human and industrial activities around metropolitan, industrial complexes, and large-scale farms. The results of the sediment quality guidelines and geoaccumulation index for organic matter and metal revealed that almost all intertidal sediments were unpolluted with regard to AVS, COD, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn and some intertidal sediments in northwestern and southeastern coasts were moderately polluted with regard to As. However, the results of pollution load index and ecological risk index for metal showed that intertidal sediments in the southeastern coast are significantly polluted and could have an adverse effect on benthic organisms. Thus, the appropriate management policy and restoration plan for intertidal sectors with high metal pollution level in Korea is necessary to improve the quality of intertidal sediment.

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Acknowledgments

We thank a lot of colleagues who helped with sampling and analyses.

Funding

This work was supported by a research grant from the National Institute of Fisheries Science (R2019045) and by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea (NRF-2019R1C1C1002197).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Environment Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Sciences (NIFS), Busan, 46083, Republic of Korea

    Dong-Woon Hwang

  2. Fisheries Resources and Environment Division, South Sea Fisheries Research Institute, NIFS, Yeosu, 59780, Republic of Korea

    Pyoung-Joong Kim

  3. Marine Environment Monitoring Team, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), Busan, 49111, Republic of Korea

    Seong-Gil Kim, Chul-In Sun & Byoung-Seol Koh

  4. Institute of Coastal Management & Technology (CMT), Muan, 58552, Republic of Korea

    Sang-Ok Ryu

  5. Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea

    Tae-Hoon Kim

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  1. Dong-Woon Hwang
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Correspondence to Tae-Hoon Kim.

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Hwang, DW., Kim, PJ., Kim, SG. et al. Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of metals in intertidal sediments, Korea. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 19379–19388 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05177-z

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