Dong-Woon Hwang

Nutrient inputs from submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in Masan Bay, an embayment surrounded by heavily industrialized cities, Korea

In order to estimate the magnitude of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and the associated nutrient fluxes in Masan Bay on the southern coast of Korea, we measured the concentrations of 226Ra and nutrients in seawater, brackish groundwater, and stream water in May and August 2006. Gauging unidentified nutrient fluxes through SGD is very important in this bay since diatom red tides have been occurring from April to October every year since the 1980s. Based on a 226Ra mass balance model, the submarine inputs of coastal groundwater were estimated to be 4.8x10(6) and 5.7x10(6) m3 d(-1) (61 and 71 L m(-2) d(-1)) in May and August, respectively, which were approximately 840% and 540% of the surface water discharge into the bay. The fluxes of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and silicate (DSi) through SGD were 2-3 fold higher than those via stream water, while the fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were comparable to those from surface waters during both sampling periods. Nutrient fluxes through stream waters relative to those from SGD were more significant in the inner part of the bay, which appears to be due to the direct influence of heavily polluted stream waters. Our study shows that the large and continuous supply of inorganic nutrients through SGD may play an important role in eutrophication and the occurrence of red tides in this bay, which should be taken into consideration in the environmental management of the bay.

Factors controlling excess radium in the Nakdong River estuary, Korea: submarine groundwater discharge versus desorption from riverine particles

The activities of naturally occurring radium isotopes ( 226 Ra and 228 Ra) in estuarine water were measured downstream of the dam constructed in the Nakdong River, Korea. The sampling of surface waters for radium, silicate, and suspended solid (SS) analyses was conducted at 18 stations during three periods (July 1997, April 1998, and June 1999). In general, radium activities exceeded the value expected from the mixing of two freshwater and seawater endmembers. We characterized the responses of Ra and Si according to three different conditions: (1) when the freshwater discharge and the water level of the dam relative to the sea level at low tide were lower (April 1998), the excess Ra and Si contents were lower in the estuary; (2) when the fresh water discharge was larger following heavy precipitation (July 1997), both excess Ra and Si contents were higher in the estuary with conservative mixing of Si; and (3) when the water level of the dam relative to the sea level at low tide was highest under low freshwater discharge (June 1999), high excess Ra but low Si levels were observed. The occurrence of high Ra activity in June 1999 was likely due to the large submarine brackish groundwater discharge downstream of the estuary. Since brackish groundwater in general contains high concentrations of nutrients, Ba, Ra, etc, our result suggests an important role for the submarine groundwater discharge on the biogeochemistry of estuarine/coastal waters, especially when the water level of the dam (hydraulic head) is high. D 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Comprehensive monitoring of synthetic musk compounds from freshwater to coastal environments in Korea: with consideration of ecological concerns and bioaccumulation.

This study investigated the concentration levels of synthetic musk compounds (SMCs), including HHCB (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-(g)-2-benzopyran), AHTN (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene), MK (Musk ketone), and MX (Musk xylene), in freshwater, freshwater and coastal sediments, and coastal bivalves from freshwater to coastal environments. The levels in freshwater close to sewage treatment plants (STPs) showed higher contamination and suggested a medium to high ecological risk, especially posed by MK making more than 65% contribution to the combined risk by the total SMCs. STP effluent discharge points showed higher SMC concentrations in freshwater and coastal sediments. Predominant HHCB contributions regardless of sample types such as abiota and biota were consistent with the greater usage of HHCB than AHTN and MK in Korea. However, the higher contributions of AHTN than those predicted from AHTN consumption in Korea indicate the need for further research on the characteristic properties of individual SMCs, including partitioning, biomagnification, degradation, and metabolism for a realistic risk characterization. With respect to the highest HHCB levels in coastal bivalves reported, we determined the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) to understand the bioaccumulation of SMCs between coastal sediment and bivalves. The calculated BSAF values suggested that SMCs in bivalves were not biomagnified via the food chain but mostly partitioned from sediment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure BSAF values of SMCs, especially HHCB, AHTN, and MK, in coastal bivalve samples.

Assessment of the Pollution Levels of Organic Matter and Metallic Elements in the Intertidal Surface Sediments of Aphae Island

We evaluated the pollution levels of organic matter and metallic element (Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, As, and Hg) in the intertidal surface sediments of Aphae Island using several sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and assess- ment techniques for sediment pollution. Based on the textural composition of sediment, the surface sediments were classifi ed into two main sedimentary facies: slightly gravelly mud and silt. The concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and acid volatile sulfi de (AVS) in the sediments ranged from 4.6-9.9 (mean 7.4±1.1) mgO2/g·dry and from ND-0.53 (mean 0.04±0.10) mgS/g·dry, respectively. These values were considerably lower than those reported from a farming area in a semi-enclosed bay of Korea and for SQGs in Japan. The metallic element concentrations in the sediments varied widely with the mean grain size and organic matter content, implying that the concentrations of metallic elements are infl uenced mainly by secondary factors, such as bioturbation, the resuspension of sediment, and anthropogenic input. The overall results for the comparison with SQGs, enrichment factor (EF), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicate that the surface sediments are slightly polluted by Cr and Ni, and moderately polluted by As. Our results suggest that the intertidal surface sediments of Aphae Island are not polluted by organic matter or metallic ele- ments and the benthic conditions are suitable for healthy organisms.

Distribution of 90Sr in coastal seawater, sediments and organisms off two atomic power stations in Korea.

We have measured 90Sr activities in the marine environment (seawater, sediments and organisms) off the two Korean atomic power stations at Gori and Weolseong. The marine sampling sites were chosen in the vicinity of the power stations to investigate the dispersion of any local 90Sr sources. The 90Sr activities in seawater ranged from 1.3 to 1.9 mBq/l (mean: 1.4, n = 16) and 0.9 to 1.5 mBq/l (mean: 1.3, n = 29) at the Gori and Weolseong sites, respectively. These activities are comparable with those reported for the remote open ocean, suggesting that the 90Sr at these sites originated primarily from global fallout, which occurred during the 1960s, rather than from any local sources. The 90Sr activities in marine sediments ranged from 116 to 1,277 mBq/kg (mean: 565, n = 12) and from 304 to 1,799 mBq/kg (mean 933, n = 6) at the Gori and Weolseong sites, respectively. The horizontal distribution of 90Sr in surface sediments appears to be affected by grain size as well as local sedimentation rate. The enrichment of 90Sr in fish (5.5 +/- 2.6 mBq/kg, n = 5) and shellfish (7.1 +/- 1.2 mBq/kg, n = 2) was much lower than that in seaweed (57 +/- 33 mBq/kg, n = 5).

Accumulation of butyltin compounds in finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) from Korean coast: tracking the effectiveness of TBT regulation over time.

The concentrations of butyltin compounds (BTs) were measured in the livers of finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) caught off the Korean coast in 2003 and 2010, to assess the effectiveness of legislative action against BTs. The concentrations of BTs ranged from 65.1 to 1432 (average: 370) ng/g wet weight, within the ranges reported by previous studies. The levels of BTs in almost all the samples exceeded the suggested threshold value, implying potential adverse health effects from the BT exposures. Concentrations of BTs were significantly correlated with body length, weight, and age of finless porpoises, but were not correlated with sex. Spatial differences in the concentrations of BTs were not observed between Yellow and South Seas, while there was a significant decrease in BTs between the sampling years of 2003 and 2010. Our result indicates that the effectiveness on TBT ban has reached to marine mammals in the coastal waters of Korea.

Monitoring of trace metals in coastal sediments around Korean Peninsula

Spatial distributions and temporal variations of trace metals in Korean coastal sediments were investigated by determining seven metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in sediment collected from 71 stations between 2004 and 2010 (n=491). High metal concentrations were found in the southeastern coast, where there are many cities and industrial complexes, indicating that metal concentrations in Korean coastal sediment are significantly influenced by human activities associated with urbanization and industrialization. However, metal concentrations in sediment did not markedly vary temporally, which was because the coast is managed sustainably and because of the characteristics of the sediment environments. Based on the sediment quality guidelines and geoaccumulation index, Korean coastal sediments are practically unpolluted with Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn but moderately polluted with As. More intensive monitoring is required to determine the potential As sources and to understand the As geochemical cycles in Korean coastal sediments.

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Intertidal Surface Sediments of Coastal Islands in the Western Part of Jeollanam Province Using Geochemical Assessment Techniques

We measured grain size, organic matter, and metallic elements (Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As) in intertidal sediments collected from six islands in the western part of Jellanam Province in order to evaluate heavy metal contamination in the tidal flat sediments of coastal islands. The evaluation of metal contamination was carried out using geochemical assessment techniques such as sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), enrichment factor (EF), and geoaccumulation index (). Surface sediments were classified into four sedimentary facies: sand, gravelly muddy sand, slightly gravelly mud, and silt. The concentrations of heavy metals in intertidal sediments from Jaeun, Amtae, Biguem, and Docho islands showed good positive correlations with mean grain size and ignition loss, indicating that the concentrations of metallic elements in these sediments were dependent on grain size and the organic matter content. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments from almost all of the stations were lower than two criterion values proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Based on the EF and results, surface sediments were a little polluted for Cr and were moderately polluted for As. Our results suggest that more intensive studies are necessary in the future in order to determine the major source of As in intertidal sediment and to evaluate the As pollution level in macrobenthos.

Chemical Contamination and Toxicity of Sediments from the Gunsan Coast, Korea

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), butyltins (BTs), nonylphenol (NP), and fecal sterols concentrations in sediments were investigated from Gunsan coast of Korea to evaluate organic pollution from anthropogenic activities. Sediment toxicity was also examined by bacterial bioluminescence toxicity test (Vibrio fischeri). The concentrations of 16 PAHs in sediments ranged from 67.9 to 425 ng/g dry wt; BTs ranged from 2.79 to 14.1 ng Sn/g dry wt; NP ranged from 20.7 to 2171 ng/g dry wt; and coprostanol, a fecal sterol, ranged from 7.60 to 245 ng/g dry wt. Effective concentration 50% (EC50) of sediments ranged from 0.38 to 23.8 mg/ mL. Most of the chemicals were present at levels lower than or comparable to the previously reported values from Korea. However, NP levels in the present study were in the high range of levels reported from the Korean coast, and 40% of the measured samples exceeded screening and ecotoxicological values of NP suggested by the Netherlands and Canada. This suggests that an ongoing source of NP is a serious concern in the Gunsan coast. High levels of contaminants were found in the proximity of potential sources, such as the outfall of a wastewater treatment plant for NP, an anthracite-fired power plant for PAHs, and ports for BTs, fecal sterols, and sediment toxicity. This indicates that Gunsan coast has various potential sources of marine sediment contaminants.

Sedimentary and Benthic Environment Characteristics in Macroalgal Habitats of the Intertidal Zone in Hampyeong Bay

To understand the characteristics of sedimentary and benthic environments in habitats of naturally-occurring intertidal benthic macroalgae, various geochemical parameters of sediment (grain size, ignition loss [IL], chemical oxygen demand [COD], and acid volatile sulfur [AVS]) and pore water (temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrients) were measured in the southern intertidal zone of Hampyeong Bay at two month intervals from April to October 2009. Ecological characteristics including the distribution and biomass of benthic macroalgae were also investigated. Benthic macroalgae were distributed below 4 to 5 m depth from mean sea level near the lower portion of the intertidal zone where air exposure time is relatively short. The distribution area and biomass of benthic macroalgae gradually decreased during the study period. The surface sediments in the benthic algal region were mainly composed of finer sediments, such as slightly gravelly mud and mud. The temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrient concentrations (except dissolved inorganic nitrogen) in pore water did not differ in regions with and without benthic macroalgae, whereas the mean grain size and the concentrations of IL, COD, and AVS in sediments were much higher in regions harboring benthic macroalgae. The correlation between mean grain size and IL in sediments displayed two distinct gradients and the slope was much steeper in regions harboring benthic macroalgae, indicating that the content of organic matter in benthic algal region is not solely dependent on mean grain size. Our results indicate that the benthic macroalgae in the southern intertidal zone of Hampyeong Bay play an important role in the accumulation of organic matter in sediment.