진해만 입구해역의 표층 퇴적물 특성과 저서환경

Abstract

Surface sediments in the mouth area of Jinhae Bay were investigated to evaluate the benthic environment in terms of geochemical criteria and macrobenthos abundance. Characteristics of the surface sediment distribution exhibited muddy sediments in the most part of study area. Some mixed sediments of coarse sand and mud were distributed along the coastal area of Geoje Island and around the Jeo Islands. Organic matter from ignition loss and total organic carbon from CHNS varied between respectively. The source of organic matter based on the C/S ratio was mixed with in situ biogenic and terrigenous organic matter. The C/S ratio of organic matter also suggested both an anoxic bottom condition in several parts of the study area. The content of hydrogen sulfide in surface sediment was extremely variable and showed spatio-temporal variation from site to site. In several locations, the content of hydrogen sulfide as an index of eutrophication was over the critical value (0.2 mg/g), suggesting that several parts of the study area were not favorable for the habitat of macrobenthos. The relationship among the number of individuals of marcrobenthos, hydrogen sulfide, and organic matter was not clear, but a potential negative relationship between individuals of marcrobenthos and hydrogen sulfide was indicated.