Combined copper isotope and elemental signatures in bivalves and sediments from the Korean coast: Applicability for monitoring anthropogenic contamination

This study investigates the applicability of elemental and Cu isotope compositions in sediments and bivalves from the Korean coast to monitor anthropogenic Cu contamination. Sediments with high Cu (>64.4 mg/kg) and/or moderate enrichment levels (EF_Cu) exhibit homogenous δ⁶⁵Cu_AE647 values (−0.12 to +0.16 ‰), suggesting similar anthropogenic Cu fingerprints along the Korean coast. Sediments with Cu concentrations near natural background levels (< 20.6 mg/kg) display large isotopic variability (Δ⁶⁵Cu_max-mim: ~0.8 ‰), encompassing those from sediments under anthropic influences. We hypothesize that Cu isotopic compositions of Korean geology are heterogeneous, therefore, natural end-members of source mixing models should be established locally at small scales. Cu concentrations in Oysters correlate with sediments, and their isotopic compositions are more suitable for monitoring Cu contamination, while mussel's regulatory mechanisms seem to affect source records. The current Cu isotope data will help to detect shifts attributable to anthropic contamination in future biomonitoring.