Assessment of Diuron and Irgaol 1051 contamination in seawater and sediment from shipping areas in South Korea

Abstract

After the total ban on the use of TBT-based antifouling paints in South Korea, the use of alternative antifouling biocides may have been increased for the last decade. And, the wide use of alternative biocides may have led to the contamination of marine environments. Diuron and Irgarol 1051 are commonly used antifouling agents in many countries. Owing to the toxic and persistent nature of those compounds, the use of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 has been restricted or banned in some European countries since the early 2000s. However, there is no regulation on their use in South Korea, and their contamination data on the Korean coastal environment is very limited. In this study, this study investigated the concentrations and distributions of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in seawater and sediment from Jinhae Bay, South Korea. Samples were collected from large scale shipping area (Gohyun), small scale shipping area (Haengam), and small fishing port area (Sungpo) in April 2016. Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were detected in the concentration range of 10.9-50.3 ng/L (mean: 26±13 ng/L) and 0.12-0.80 ng/L (0.32±0.26 ng/L) from seawater, and 0.51-5.74 ng/g (2.22±1.64 ng/g) and 0.03-2.43 ng/g (0.46±0.71 ng/g) from sediment, respectively. The level of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in seawater were below global environmental quality guidelines. However, the concentration of Irgarol 1051 in sediment exceeded the environmental risk limits derived byion of marine environments. Diuron and Irgarol 1051 are commonly used antifouling agents in many countries. Owing to the toxic and persistent nature of those compounds, the use of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 has been restricted or banned in some European countries since the early 2000s. However, there is no regulation on their use in South Korea, and their contamination data on the Korean coastal environment is very limited. In this study, this study investigated the concentrations and distributions of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in seawater and sediment from Jinhae Bay, South Korea. Samples were collected from large scale shipping area (Gohyun), small scale shipping area (Haengam), and small fishing port area (Sungpo) in April 2016. Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were detected in the concentration range of 10.9-50.3 ng/L (mean: 26±13 ng/L) and 0.12-0.80 ng/L (0.32±0.26 ng/L) from seawater, and 0.51-5.74 ng/g (2.22±1.64 ng/g) and 0.03-2.43 ng/g (0.46±0.71 ng/g) from sediment, respectively. The level of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in seawater were below global environmental quality guidelines. However, the concentration of Irgarol 1051 in sediment exceeded the environmental risk limits derived by