Distribution Characteristics of Dioxins in Marine Sediment from Busan Port in Korea

Abstract

Eight marine sediments from Busan port in Korea were annually analyzed to examine the concentration distribution of dioxins from 2006 to 2010. Yearly mean concentration of dioxins ranged from 186.3 to <TEX>$383.3pg\;g^{-1}$</TEX> in real values and 5.087 to 8.541 pg-TEQ (Toxicity equivalency) based on dry weight of samples. The dioxin concentration at the site near fishing market was the highest concentration among all sampling sites. Also the dioxin concentration at the sites with various pollutant sources such as large ships, sewage influx and thermal power station as well as fishing market was higher than that of the sites without specific pollutant sources. Another main factor that affects the dioxin concentration is topography characteristics of the bay. The bay has relatively high dioxin concentration because of the lack of the pollutant diffusion. This study demonstrated that the dioxin concentration in the site with pollutant sources and the lack of the pollutant diffusion was relatively high as compared with the other sites. As a result of contribution ratio of dioxin congeners, OCDD (Octachlorodibenzodioxin) in all sites was major contributor in real value, in contrast, dioxin congeners in TEQ values were dominated by 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF.