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

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 26; no. 19; pp. 19379 - 19388
• Main Authors: Hwang, Dong-Woon, Kim, Pyoung-Joong, Kim, Seong-Gil, Sun, Chul-In, Koh, Byoung-Seol, Ryu, Sang-Ok, Kim, Tae-Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.07.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Cadmium; Chemical oxygen demand; Coasts; Copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological effects; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental assessment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental risk; Environmental science; Farms; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Humans; Industrial areas; Lead; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Metal concentrations; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Organic chemistry; Organic matter; Pollution; Pollution levels; Pollution load; Republic of Korea; Research Article; Restoration; Sediment load; Sediments; Spatial Analysis; Spatial distribution; Sulfides; Sulfides - analysis; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution Control; Zinc; Republic of Korea; South Korea; Intertidal sediment; Organic matter; Metal; Assessment; Korea
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05177-z

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.