Sediment Toxicity Assessment in Masan Bay, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

The spatial distribution of toxicity and chemical components of surface sediments was investigated in Masan Bay, southern coast of Korea. Three different types of toxicity tests were performed: (1) a 10-day amphipod (Haustorioides latipalpus) survival test on whole sediments, (2) a sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) fertilization test on pore water, and (3) a mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) development test on elutriate. The concentrations of trace metals, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and chlorinated organic compounds (PCBs,DDTs, etc) were determined. The whole sediment toxicity test showed that there was no acute toxicity in surface sediments. In contrast, the pore water toxicity test revealed that 2 out of 21 sites were highly toxic. Furthermore, in elutriated toxicity test, 9 out of 21 sites were toxic. In general, sites near the Masan Harbor (inner part of the Masan Bay) and two outlets from sewege treatment plants (Dukdong and Jinhae) showed relatively high toxicity. Concentrations of POC, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, some trace metals (especially cadmium, copper, zinc, lead) and PAHs congeners showed high correlations with toxicity data.