Assessment of trace pollutants in Korean coastal sediments using the triad approach: A review

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2014-02, Vol.470-471, p.1450-1462
• Main Authors: Khim, Jong Seong, Hong, Seongjin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benthic community; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; In vitro bioassay; Korean coastal waters; Seawater - chemistry; Sediment assessment; Trace organic pollutants; Triad approach; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution, Chemical - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.07.052

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. •Chemistry, toxicology, and ecology studies for sediment assessment are reviewed.•Hot-spots of sediment contaminations closely associated with surrounding activities.•Potential biological effects associated with sediments well reflected chemistry data.•Benthic community responses tell the type and degree of sediment contamination.•Sediment triad approach towards integrated assessment was well exampled in Korea.