Quality control of pollutants analysis-Korean experience

Standard reference materials (SRM) for contaminants analysis in sediment and biota were provided by NMEMC, China for intercalibration exercise. These SRM consist of freeze-dried mussel tissue, oyster tissue and sediment. Analyses of heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs and OCPs in SRM were conducted in the laboratory of KORDI. Hg was analyzed using CVAAS with gold-amalgamation. Cu, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Sn and Sb were analyzed using ICP-MS. Zn and Fe were measured by flame AAS method. 16 priority PAHs were analyzed on soxhlet extracts using pyrene d10 as a surrogate standard. Biological samples for PAHs analysis were subjected to Sephadex cleanup. GC-ECD were used for the qualification of PCB and OCPs after FLorisil cleanup of extracts. Compatible analytical technique will be set up through exchange of experts following the results of intercalibration exercise1

The distributional characteristics of organochlorines in Manila clams

A 35 clam samples were collected along coastal marine areas along the Western coast of Korean Peninsula in order to obtain a present level of organochlorine compounds of HCHs, DDTs, PCB during 1999-2001. The PCBs concentrations in clams were in the range ND-13.97ng/gDW(m=3.02ng/gDW) and the concentrations of PCB153 accounted for 24% total PCB concentration. The DDTs concentrations ranged 1.26-18.63ng/gDW(m=3.02ng/gDW) in clams. o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE accounted for 41, 25% of toal DDTs. B-HCH was the most abundant HCH isomers in clams. The level of contamination of HCHz, DDTs and PCBs in clams in the western coast of Korea were comparable to those in relatively unpolluted areas of the world.2

Inhibition of Acetylcolinesterase (AChE) activities in the adductor muscle of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) by organophosphorous pesticides.

A range of exposure concentrations were selected to establish the relationship between the AChE activity in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and organophosphorous pesticides. The experiment showed a dose-response relationship for AChE inhibition in the adductor muscle of Manila clam over wide concentration ranges of organophosphorous pesticides (chlorpyrifos, methidathion, IBP, diazinon). Extent of AChE activity reduction depends on exposure duration to chlorpyrifos in an experiment with clams exposed to 0.3 mg/L chlorpyrifos for 48 h. The optimum pH of homogeneizing buffer for AChE activity in the adductor muscle was found to be 8.0. Among different tissues of Manila clams AChE inhibition was the highest in the adductor muscle followed by gill. It is suggested that that the inhibition of AChE activity in the adductor muscle of Manila clams could be used as a monitoring tool for the bioeffects caused by these contaminants.1

Bioacccumulation of heavy metals in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) collected on the western coast of Korea.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Zn) in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) was studied with respect to their concentrations in sediments and water column. The heavy metal concentrations in the intertidal sediments of the western coast of Korea were low compared to other coastal areas of the Korea. Generally Manila clams collected on the western coast of Korea contained more As and Cu than in mussels. Manila clams accumulated other trace elements in the approximately the same amount as in mussels. Heavy metal concentrations in the tissues of Manila clams increased with increasing shell length.1

Distribution characteristics of Organophosphorous pesticides in water and suspended particles of Asan Bay, Korea

The concentration of OPPs in fresh water, seawater and suspended particles were measured in Asan Bay, Korea from June 2004 to October 2005. During the samplingperiod, the highest concentrations of pesticides detected in freshwater and seawater were 12-3448ng/L for IBP, 3-1483ng/L for DDVP and 2-259ng/L for Diazinon. Mevinphos, Ethoprophos, Merphos, Parathion-methyl, Azynphos-methyl and Azynphos-ethyl were also frequently detected in freshwater and seawater with concentrations generally lower than 100ng/L The concentrations of OPPS generally decreased with increasing distance from the shore implying progressive dilution in the marine environment. The highest concentrations of IBP and Diazinon were odserved in August due to intensive application of these pesticides in the watershed. Adsorption of pesticides onto suspended particles was studied in Asan Bay. DDVP, Phorate, Sulfotepp, Diazinon and IBP appeared to have high adsorption capacity onto suspended particles.2

Bioavailability of PAHs and organochlorines in the intertidal zone of the mid-western coast of Korea

The distribution and bioavailability of PAHs and organochlorines in the intertidal sediments and in Manila clams collected on the western coast of Korea was studied. MW202 and MW228 appeared as important individual PAH compounds implying that pyrolytic PAH is an important source for PAHs in the study area. For Manila clams collected during this study BSAF of phenanthrene and pyrene were calculated to be 0.058∼0.379 and 0.020∼0.126 gOC/g lipid respectively. Tetra-chloro CB appeared to be the most important congener of PCBs found in the intertidal sediments. Penta-chloro CB accounted for 29.4∼58.1% of total PCBs found in Manila clams. Highly chlorinated PCBs were more commonly found in mussel tissues than in clam tissues. β-HCH concentration in Manila clams was significantly higher than that in oyster and in A. Amurensis (starfish). The reason for the different accumulation pattern of organic pollutants in diverse organisms are discussed.1

Distribution and bioavailability of PAHs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides on the western coast of Korea

The distribution and bioavailability of PAHs and organochlorines in the intertidal sediments and in Manila clams collected on the western coast of Korea was studied. MW202 and MW228 appeared as important individual PAH compounds implying that pyrolytic PAH is an important source for PAHs in the study area. For Manila clams collected during this study BSAF of phenanthrene and pyrene were calculated to be 0.058∼0.379 and 0.020∼0.126 gOC/g lipid respectively. Tetra-chloro CB appeared to be the most important congener of PCBs found in the intertidal sediments. Penta-chloro CB accounted for 29.4∼58.1% of total PCBs found in Manila clams. Highly chlorinated PCBs were more commonly found in mussel tissues than in clam tissues. β-HCH concentration in Manila clams was significantly higher than that in oyster and in A. Amurensis (starfish). The reason for the different accumulation pattern of organic pollutants in diverse organisms are discussed.1

Composition of PAHs and organochlorines in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarium) in the intertidal zone of the mid-western coast of Korea.

The composition of PAHs and organochlorines in Manila clams collected on the mid-western coast of Korea was studied. Concentrations of tPAHs in sediment were in the range 86.0∼244.1ng/g dw. MW202 and MW228 appeared as important individual PAH compounds implying that pyrolytic PAH is an important source for PAHs in the study area. Tetra-chloro CB appeared to be the most important congener of PCBs found in the intertidal sediments. Penta-chloro CB accounted for 29.4∼58.1% of total PCBs found in Manila clams. Accumulation of PCB-28, PCB-44 decreased with increasing shell length of Manila clams. The reason for the different accumulation pattern of organic pollutants in Manila clams and mussels are discussed.2

Composition of PAHs and organochlorines in Manila clams (Ruditapes philipinarum) in the intertidal zone of the mid-western coast of Korea.

The composition of PAHs and organochlorines were studied in the tissues of Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) collected on the western coast of Korea. MW202 and MW228 appeared as important individual PAH compounds in the intertidal sediments implying that pyrolytic PAH is a major source for PAHs in the study area. For Manila clams collected during this study BSAF of phenanthrene and pyrene were calculated to be 0.058～0.379 and 0.020～0.126 gOC/g lipid respectively. Tetra-chloro CB appeared to be the most important congener of PCBs found in the intertidal sediments. Penta-chloro CB accounted for 29.4～58.1% of total PCBs found in Manila clams. Highly chlorinated PCBs were more commonly found in mussel tissues than in clam tissues. β-HCH concentration in Manila clams was significantly higher than that in oyster and in A. amurensis (starfish). The reason for the different accumulation pattern of organic pollutants in diverse organisms is discussed.1

Composition of PAHs and organochlorines in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) in the intertidal zone of the mid-western coast of Korea.

The composition of PAHs and organochlorines were studied in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) collected on the western coast of Korea. MW202 and MW228 appeared as important individual PAH compounds in the intertidal sediments implying that pyrolytic PAH is a major source for PAHs in the study area. For Manila clams collected during this study BSAF of phenanthrene and pyrene were calculated to be 0.058∼0.379 and 0.020∼0.126 gOC/g lipid respectively. Tetra-chloro CB appeared to be the most important congener of PCBs found in the intertidal sediments. Penta-chloro CB accounted for 29.4∼58.1% of total PCBs found in Manila clams. Highly chlorinated PCBs were more commonly found in mussel tissues than in clam tissues. β-HCH concentration in Manila clams was significantly higher than that in oyster and in A. amurensis (starfish). The reason for the different accumulation pattern of organic pollutants in diverse organisms is discussed.1