Nationwide monitoring for baseline contamination levels of petroleum derived hydrocarbons in coastal regions of South Korea

Abstract

The Hebei Spirit oil spill (HSOS) in December 7, 2007 spilled approximately 10,900 tons of crude oil in western coasts of South Korea. Insufficient and inadequate background data prior to spill impaired the assessment of oil spill impact. Background contamination data is important for establishing liability, defining restoration criteria, and estimating damages from oil spill in the marine environment. Only a few studies have been conducted so far on PAHs distribution along the Korean coastline. Those studies were limited to specific coastal areas and also to EPA’s 16 priority PAHs. The purpose of the present study is to provide current baseline level of petroleum derived hydrocarbons in the Korean coastal regions. Comprehensive distribution of petroleum derived hydrocarbons will serve as a baseline data when oil spill occurs in the coastal region. Information on hydrocarbon sources also will contribute for effective environmental damage assessments.ackground contamination data is important for establishing liability, defining restoration criteria, and estimating damages from oil spill in the marine environment. Only a few studies have been conducted so far on PAHs distribution along the Korean coastline. Those studies were limited to specific coastal areas and also to EPA’s 16 priority PAHs. The purpose of the present study is to provide current baseline level of petroleum derived hydrocarbons in the Korean coastal regions. Comprehensive distribution of petroleum derived hydrocarbons will serve as a baseline data when oil spill occurs in the coastal region. Information on hydrocarbon sources also will contribute for effective environmental damage assessments.1