Ecological and human risk of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments, Manila clams and mussels, from coast of Chonsoo Bay, Korea

Abstract

The objectives of this study were 1) to find sedimentary PCBs and OCPs concentrations and their accumulation in Manila clams and mussels in Chonsoo Bay, Korea, 2) to document how the accumulation these chemicals in Manila clams and mussels varied related to seasonal changes and their body size, and 3) to assess their ecological risk of sediments as well as human risk posed by consuming those two bivalves for Korean population. The mean concentrations of ΣPCBs, ΣDDTs, and ΣHCHs in the sediments were 0.86 ± 0.12, 0.22 ± 0.04, and 0.20 ± 0.05 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, and HCHs appeared to be relatively low compared to other polluted marine areas in the world. The concentrations of PCBs in the Manila clams and mussels were 91 ± 35 and 115 ± 56 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The significant variances with respect to season and body size were observed for PCBs and HCHs in Manila clams and PCBs in mussels. The concentrations of these anthropogenic organic halides (PCBs, DDTs and HCHs) in sediments were not exceeded the ERL (Effects Range-Low) of US NOAA, implying that the adverse effects of sediments with those pollutants were insignificant. The consumption of those two bivalves from Chonsoo Bay seems to be safe for human health according to calculated Lifetime cancer risk and target hazard quotient values. varied related to seasonal changes and their body size, and 3) to assess their ecological risk of sediments as well as human risk posed by consuming those two bivalves for Korean population. The mean concentrations of ΣPCBs, ΣDDTs, and ΣHCHs in the sediments were 0.86 ± 0.12, 0.22 ± 0.04, and 0.20 ± 0.05 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, and HCHs appeared to be relatively low compared to other polluted marine areas in the world. The concentrations of PCBs in the Manila clams and mussels were 91 ± 35 and 115 ± 56 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The significant variances with respect to season and body size were observed for PCBs and HCHs in Manila clams and PCBs in mussels. The concentrations of these anthropogenic organic halides (PCBs, DDTs and HCHs) in sediments were not exceeded the ERL (Effects Range-Low) of US NOAA, implying that the adverse effects of sediments with those pollutants were insignificant. The consumption of those two bivalves from Chonsoo Bay seems to be safe for human health according to calculated Lifetime cancer risk and target hazard quotient values.