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Various mussel and oyster samples and select top sediment samples were taken over 27 industrial and pristine coastal sites form South Korea's west, south, and east coasts. Site-specific total PCB, PCDD/F, and organochlorine TEQ levels in biota were 1–306 ng/g ww, 3–9,400 pg/g ww, and 0.3–200 pg/g ww, respectively. Temporal trends showed a general decrease in total TEQ with an increase in TEQ contribution by PCDD/Fs at most locations over the past decade. Linear regression was used to establish a relationship between each contaminant total and the respective TEQ contribution. Principal component analysis was used to model the congener-specific PCB and PCDD/F data, and two three-component models were developed that describe the congener-specific patterns based on the variance between samples over the entire data set. Unique PCDD/F patterns were identified and discussed with respect to outliers identified in the previously established TEQ regressions and a distinct PCDD/F pattern was found that related to a single industrial source (i.e., steel mill). PCB patterns were explored in relation to those of common commercial mixtures of PCBs (i.e., Aroclors) and patterns were discussed with respect to TEQ. It was found that sites with relatively high PCB-TEQs showed an Aroclor 1254–like contamination. Correspondence to: M. G. Ikonomou; email: ikonomoum@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca --> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) compounds were quantitatively determined from surface sediment samples (total59 stations) covering a whole basin where harbors, shipyards, and aquaculture farms were located. Butyltin compounds were detected from all the stations covering 640 km2 of an enclosed bay system. TBT concentrations ranged from 4 to 382 ng/g as tin on a dry weightbasis, and total butyltin concentrations, from 27 to 1763 ng/g. Horizontal distribution of TBT concentration showed apparent negative gradients from harbors and shipyards, indicating that its contamination was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. However, TBT concentrations were decreased steeply from source areas. Elevated DBT and MBT levels in creeks imply the possible input of DBT from industrial wastewater. Total butyltin concentrations in sediments are significantly correlated with particulate organic carbon concentration for the subset of stations that are distant from source areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyl- and phenyltin residues were quantified in seawater and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) from the Chinhae Bay System, Korea. Butyltin compounds were detected in all the seawater and C. gigas samples, whereas phenyltin compounds were not detected in any seawater samples. Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in seawater ranged <8-35 ng Sn L-1. TBT and triphenyltin (TPhT) concentrations in oysters ranged 95-885 and 155-678 ng Sn g-1, respectively. Spatial distribution of TBT was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. However, spatial distribution of TPhT was not consistent with that ofTBT. The estimated biological concentration factor (BCF) for TBT in C. gigas was about 25,000. Furthermore, 19 and 28% of total body burdens of TBT and TPhT were found in gonadal mass of C. gigas just priorto the spawning period, indicating that a proportional amount of TBTand TPhT would be released with a following reproductive process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the organochlorine contamination in the northeast coastal environment of Vietnam, a total of 41 surface sediments were collected from Ha Long Bay, Hai Phong Bay, and Ba Lat estuary, and analyzed for their organochlorine content. Organochlorine compounds (OCs) were widely distributed in the Vietnamese coastal environment. Among the OCs measured, DDT compounds predominated with concentrations ranging from 0.31 to 274 ng g(-1). The overall contamination level of DDTs in coastal sediments from northern Vietnam is comparable with those from other Asian countries. However, concentrations exceeding 100 ng g(-1) are comparable with high concentrations reported from India and China, the largest DDT consumers in the world. The overall concentrations of PCBs, HCHs, and chlordanes in surface sediments were in the ranges of 0.04-18.71 ng g(-1), not detected (n.d.) - 1.00 ng g(-1), and n.d. - 0.75 ng g(-1), respectively. Ha Long Bay and Hai Phong Bay were relatively more contaminated with DDTs and PCBs than other regions, respectively. In contrast, the distribution of HCHs was relatively homogeneous. OCs contamination in the coastal environment of Vietnam is closely related to shipping and industrial activities. The levels of DDT compounds in harbors and industrial areas exceeded their sediment quality guideline values suggested by Environment Canada [CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment), 2002. Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. In: Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg, MB] and Australian and New Zealand [ANZECC and ARMCANZ, 2000. National water quality management strategy. Paper No. 4, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, vol. 1, The Guidelines. Australia. Document: http://www.deh.gov.au/water/quality/nwqms/volume1.html], indicating that adverse effects may occur to marine species in that areas.

To assess the organochlorine contamination in the Korean marine environment, a nationwide monitoring study was conducted. A total of 138 surface sediments, covering the whole Korean coast, were collected and analyzed. Organochlorine compounds (OCs) were widely distributed in the Korean coastal environment, with PCB and DDT contamination being particularly prevalent. The overall concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, CHLs, and HCB in surface sediments were in the range of 0.088-199ngg(-1) (median value: 1.56ngg(-1)), 0.006-135ngg(-1) (0.68ngg(-1)), not detected (ND)-5.46ngg(-1) (0.32ngg(-1)), ND-3.26ngg(-1) (0.14ngg(-1)), and ND-2.59ngg(-1) (0.05ngg(-1)), respectively. The southeastern coast was found to be highly contaminated. Overall contamination status of Korean coastal sediments with regard to OCs is lower than that of USA. With the exception of highly industrialized sites, Korean coastal areas in general showed similar OC concentrations to those of other Asian countries. There was a significant correlation between distributions of most organochlorine contaminants with each other. OC contamination is closely related to shipping and industrial activities. Of the 7 sites categorized as highly polluted, 4 are in a harbor zone. Adverse effects to benthic communities are expected at the levels of OC contamination observed from harbor and industrial areas.

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been investigated in the surface and core sediments from Masan Bay, Korea. Total PAHs in the surface sediments ranged from 207 to 2670 ng/g dry weight with a mean value of 680 ng/g. Qualitative similarity and quantitative difference between inner and outer bay indicate that the main sources of PAHs are located in the inner bay and outer bay is also affected by the same sources. Vertical distribution of PAHs revealed that three distinctive stages could be differentiated with the help of PCA analysis. The highest concentration (industrialization stage) appeared between late 1950s and 1980, which was 10 years later than other developed countries. A strong pyrolytic source fingerprint has been detected with slight influence of petrogenic sources, and diagenetic PAH, perylene also contributed. Total organic carbon normalized PAHs (sum of 13 PAHs, 8.85-88.0 microg/g OC) were under the threshold effects concentration (TEC, 290 microg/g OC).

As a part of Mussel Watch Program in Korea, the contamination levels and accumulation features of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were assessed for 82 bivalve samples collected from 66 sites along the entire coast of Korea. The dry weight based sigmaPCBs and sigmaOCPs ranged from 4.4 ng g(-1) to 422.0 ng g(-1) (geometric mean = 36.9 ng g(-1)) and from 9.95 ng g(-1) to 131.37 (34.88) ng g(-1), respectively. PCB was predominant in Korean coast, followed by DDTs, HCHs, and Chlordanes. From the observed log normal distribution of PCB and each OCP, low- and high-levels were defined as geometric mean +/- 1 S.D., respectively. The levels at the sites near urban and/or industrial areas often exceeded the high-levels and the spatial distributions of sigmaDDTs and sigmaCHLs were correlated with that of sigmaPCBs, indicating terrestrial input pathways. Even distribution of sigmaHCHs suggested a possibility of atmospheric input pathway of HCHs. The observed isomer ratios of DDTs, HCHs, and CHLs indicated that aging has occurred.

A fast silyl derivatization technique for simultaneous GC/ MS analysis of alkylphenols, chlorophenols, and bisphenol A was developed. The analytes were silylized with an excess amount of bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) followed by hydrolysis of excess silyl reagent with water. Reaction rates of derivatization were studied in various solvents and found to be fastest in acetone. Derivatization reaction in acetone was completed quantitatively within 15 s at room temperature while it took more than 1 h in other solvents studied. Similar results were obtained in mixed solvents with acetone if the content of acetone was higher than 60% (v/v). Since water-immiscible solvents such as dichloromethane or hexane are frequently used in the extraction of phenolic analytes in various sample matrixes, acetone can be added to the extracts in order to accelerate the reaction rate of derivatization. Stability of the derivatives in sample for long-term storage was ensured by hydrolyzing excess derivatizing reagent, BSTFA, with a spike of water followed by dehydration using anhydrous sodium sulfate. On the basis of the above results, a derivatizing treatment kit was designed to improve the convenience of analysis. It was possible to treat sample within several minutes successfully by using the kit. So fast simultaneous determination of those anlaytes by GC/MS was possible with improved convenience as well as sensitivity and reproducibility.

Tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) compounds were quantitatively determined from surface sediment samples (total 59 stations) covering a whole basin where harbors, shipyards, and aquaculture farms were located. Butyltin compounds were detected from all the stations covering 640 km(2) of an enclosed bay system. TBT concentrations ranged from 4 to 382 ng/g as tin on a dry weight basis, and total butyltin concentrations, from 27 to 1763 ng/g. Horizontal distribution of TBT concentration showed apparent negative gradients from harbors and shipyards, indicating that its contamination was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. However, TBT concentrations were decreased steeply from source areas. Elevated DBT and MBT levels in creeks imply the possible input of DBT from industrial wastewater. Total butyltin concentrations in sediments are significantly correlated with particulate organic carbon concentration for the subset of stations that are distant from source areas.