HEAVY METALS IN ROAD DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS IN A BEACH TOWN IN BUSAN, KOREA: DISTRIBUTION AND POTENTIAL IMPLICATION FOR COASTAR POLLUTION

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate distribution and potential implication of heavy metals inroad deposited sediments (RDS) in beach town of Busan Korea. 9 RDS samples were collectedfrom the kerbs of traffic roads, and heavy metals in RDS samples were assessed. The contaminationlevels in RDS from study area were relatively similar or higher than that of other polluted cities.Zn, Ci, Cr and Pb, vehicle-related pollutants, were higher than that of other elements, such as Li,Co, Ni, As and Cd in RDS. Zn was most enriched element followed by Cd and Pb. To predict inputof eluted heavy metals from RDS by rain water, we tested artificial rain fall simulations with RDScollected from these study areas. The most extractable elements, by artificial rainwater, were Cu,Zn and Cr among the heavy meals in RDS, indicating that those metals can be pollution source ofthe adjacent estuarine environment. RDS in urban areas can be directly transported to coastalenvironment with storm water which has been recognized as a major contributor of pollutants tocoastal waters nearby urban areas. Therefore, seawater soluble fractions of heavy metals in RDSwere measured and the result of this experimental study suggested that the metal concentrations inseawater soluble fraction increase along with salinity of seawater and duration during the sinkingprocess in water column. in RDS samples were assessed. The contaminationlevels in RDS from study area were relatively similar or higher than that of other polluted cities.Zn, Ci, Cr and Pb, vehicle-related pollutants, were higher than that of other elements, such as Li,Co, Ni, As and Cd in RDS. Zn was most enriched element followed by Cd and Pb. To predict inputof eluted heavy metals from RDS by rain water, we tested artificial rain fall simulations with RDScollected from these study areas. The most extractable elements, by artificial rainwater, were Cu,Zn and Cr among the heavy meals in RDS, indicating that those metals can be pollution source ofthe adjacent estuarine environment. RDS in urban areas can be directly transported to coastalenvironment with storm water which has been recognized as a major contributor of pollutants tocoastal waters nearby urban areas. Therefore, seawater soluble fractions of heavy metals in RDSwere measured and the result of this experimental study suggested that the metal concentrations inseawater soluble fraction increase along with salinity of seawater and duration during the sinkingprocess in water column.