Fecal Contamination Associated with Local Reclamation Activity in the Han River Estuary

Abstract

Vertical distributions of coprostanol (5 β -cholestan-3 β -ol) and other sterols were investigated in the intertidal sediment of Shinbul island in the Han River estuary to estimate the short-term variations of fecal contamination in association with reclamation activity which caused a construction of tidal barrier and emigration of residents from the island. Quantitative contributions of coprostanol in total sterol (9.87-15.84%) and in total organic carbon (82.0-157.7 μg g −1 OC) implied that a substantial amount of organic matter associated with fecal pollutants was introduced into the sediment. The highest contribution of coprostanol to organic carbon that was observed between 0.3-0.9 cm depth seemed to be associated with increased human activities for the reclamation project of the island. The ratio of coprostanol to organic carbon decreased within 0.3 cm depth, which indicated decreased fecal contamination after the emigration of residents from the island. The results suggested that measurement of coprostanol could relevantly reflect short-term fluctuation of fecal contamination in the sediment of the Han River estuary.