Pollution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Surface Sediments of the Ulsan-Onsan Coast

Abstract

− Total acid digestion and 1 M HCl extraction methods were used to investigate the pollution status and the degree of ecological risk of trace metals in surface sediments from the Ulsan-Onsan coast. Total concentrations of trace metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Hg) were two-fold higher in surface sediments from Onsan coast than in those from Ulsan coast. The mean labile fractions of the total concentrations of Cd and Pb were 72% and 78%, respectively, indicating a high contribution from anthropogenic sources, whereas Cr, Li, Ni, and As in the residual fraction exceeded 80%, indicating a high contribution from natural sources. According to the results of assessment of trace metal pollution using the sediment quality guidelines in Korea, the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg were higher than the values of the probable effects level (PEL) at some stations of Onsan coast, and the concentrations of Cr and Ni were lower than the values of the threshold effects level (TEL). The pollution level and ecological risk of the trace metals were analyzed using various indexes (EF, I geo , m-PEL-Q, and ERI). Our results showed that the degree of pollution by trace metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Hg) on the Ulsan–Onsan coast was high, and Hg and Cd were the major potential ecological risk factors.