Application of Equilibrium Partitioning Approach for the Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Contamination in Sediments from Kyeonggi Bay, Namyang Bay, and Lake Shihwa, West Coast of Korea

  • Lee, Kyu-Tae (Department of Oceanography and Research Institute of Oceanography) ;
  • Tanabe, Shinsuke (Department of Environment Conservation, Ehime University) ;
  • Koh, Chul-Hwan (Department of Oceanography and Research Institute of Oceanography)
  • Published : 1999.03.31

Abstract

To assess present status of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination in Kyeonggi Bay, Namyang Bay, and Lake Shihwa, 63 sediment samples were analyzed and applied to equilibrium partitioning approach. Sediment quality criteria (SQC) for exposure to Kanechlor mixture (KC-mix) was calculated as a value of 16 ${\mu}$g/g-organic carbon (OC). Two sites (Sites Kl8 and Kl9) within Incheon North Harbor (INH) with total PCBs concentrations 48 and 38 ${\mu}$g/g-OC, respectively, exceeded SQC, indicating a potential of adverse biological effects. The advantage and disadvantage of equilibrium partitioning approach has been discussed.

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