Sterols of sewage indicators in marine sediments of Jinhae Bay, Korea

The ${\Delta}^5$ sterols were measured in be sediments of Jinhae Bay surrounded by industrial cities to assess the sewage-derived contamination. The total concentrations of total sterols ranged from 2.03 to 19.56 ${\mu}g/g$ dry wt. The principal sterol was cholesterol with a contribution of more than 50% to total sterols. Coprostanol, providing an indication of long-term sewage loads, was found in all sediment samples and the concentrations were 0.03-3.86 ${\mu}g/g$ dry wt, accounting for 1-26% to total sterols. The cluster analysis of sampling stations indicated that the sewage-derived contamination was localized in inner Masan Bay.