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Congener‐specific characterization and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo‐ p ‐dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments from industrialized bays of Korea
Author(s) -
Moon HyoBang,
Choi HeeGu,
Lee PilYong,
Ok Gon
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1897/07-337r.1
Subject(s) - congener , polychlorinated dibenzofurans , environmental chemistry , polychlorinated dibenzodioxins , bay , dry weight , estuary , persistent organic pollutant , chemistry , contamination , environmental science , pollutant , oceanography , ecology , geology , biology , botany , organic chemistry
Polychlorinated dibenzo‐ p ‐dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls (DLPCBs) were determined in 122 coastal sediments from heavily industrialized areas in Korea. Toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of PCDD and PCDF (PCDD/F) and DLPCB ranged from 0.44 to 38.5 pg/g dry weight and from 0.01 to 38.4 pg/g dry weight, respectively. Overall PCDD/F and DLPCB concentrations were elevated in estuarine and inner bay locations close to industrial complexes, indicating that these contaminants derived from local discharges. Concentrations of PCDD/F measured in the present study were comparable to those in industrialized areas of other countries. Nonparametric multidimensional scaling ordination and congener‐specific characterization showed that combustion processes occurring in industrial complexes, including the steel industry, are the major source of PCDD/Fs in Korean coastal waters. There were no significant correlations among PCDD/Fs, DLPCBs, and total organic carbon; however, there was moderate correlation between PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in some coastal bays, suggesting that these chemicals have similar sources and movements in these locations.