RESUMEN
A total of 222 surface sediments were collected in the Ulleung Basin, southwestern East/Japan Sea, from the coast to the basin and analyzed for grain size, total organic carbon, biogenic silica and major and trace elements. The metal concentrations of the surface sediments were highly spatially variable, and their distributions were grouped into four types by factor analysis: waste dumping materials (Cr, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sb, and Pb); detrital materials (Al, Fe, and Cs); suboxic diagenetic materials (Mn, Mo, Co, and Ni); and anoxic diagenetic materials (Cd and U). From core samples collected near the dumping site, approximately the top 10 cm was well mixed in the 210Pbex profiles and highly enriched in the above metals related to dumping materials. The enrichment factor of Sn indicates dumping materials well, and its distribution can be used to estimate the dispersion range of the dumped material in this basin.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente , Sedimentos Geológicos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Japón , Océanos y Mares , Metales/análisis , Oligoelementos/análisisRESUMEN
Mercury (Hg) contamination in open coastal areas has attracted public concern regarding safe fish consumption and management of the coastal environment, especially in areas of accidental Hg spills on inland coasts. This study investigated the temporal and spatial distribution of Hg in sediments of Youngil Bay and the Hupo Basin, East Sea, Korea; it also discussed the sources and transport of anthropogenic Hg. Hg hot spots were found in the northern Hupo Basin (elevated by 2-3×) and the river mouth area in Youngil Bay (elevated by approximately 70×). The river mouth contamination resulted from the destruction of a dam impounding landfill waste, while the basin contamination was attributed to atmospheric deposition and Hg enrichment associated with increased organic carbon concentrations driven by high biological production in the coastal upwelling area. Spilled Hg was transported to open coastal areas up to 36.6°N.
Asunto(s)
Mercurio , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Animales , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Sedimentos Geológicos , Mercurio/análisis , Ríos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
To determine the characteristics of metal pollution sources in Ulsan Bay, East Sea, 39 surface and nine core sediments were collected within the bay and offshore area, and analyzed for metals and stable lead (Pb) isotopes. Most surface sediments (>95% from 48 sites) had high copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and Pb concentrations that were as much as 1.3 times higher than background values. The primary source of metal contamination came from activities related to nonferrous metal refineries near Onsan Harbor, and the next largest source was from shipbuilding companies located at the mouth of the Taehwa River. Three different anthropogenic sources and background sediments could be identified as end-members using Pb isotopes. Isotopic ratios for the anthropogenic Pb revealed that the sources were imported ores from Australia, Peru, and the United States. In addition, Pb isotopes of anthropogenic Pb discharged from Ulsan Bay toward offshore could be determined.