Distribution and Characteristics of PAHs in Bivalves from Gwangyang Bay, Korea

Polyeyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantitatively determined in bivalves from Gwangyang Bay. Twenty-four kinds of target PAHs were detected in the entire samples. Total PAHs concentrations ranged 86.1∼1,210 ng g$\^$-1/ dry weight with a average concentration of 309 ng g$\^$-1/, which is much lower than those of other industrialized bays in Korea. Strong tidal currents and artificial interferences like reclamation and dredging activity were suggested as major reason for disparity between highly industrialization and low contamination status. There was no correlation between total PAHs and lipid contents, implying that lipid content is not the one major parameter for the accumulation of PAHs by bivalves. Input sources were inferred as petrogenic and pyrogenic PAHs. With help of PCA analysis, signals of seasonal variations, not only concentrations but also compositions were found.