The distribution of butyltin compounds (BTs) in the sediments and seawater, at the river outfalls, fishing ports, shipyards, and industrial zone docks of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan were investigated. Twenty sediment and seawater samples were collected from various locations in the Harbor in 2006, and analyzed for monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and tributyltin (TBT). Results showed that the concentration of total BTs varied from 1.5 to 151 ng/g in sediment samples, with TBT being the major component of the sediment samples. This suggests that sediments could be the most possible sink of TBT brought by the sorption mechanism. The concentrations of BTs ranged from 9.7 to 270 ng/L in seawater samples, whereas DBT and MBT, the degradation byproducts of TBT, were mainly the most abundant BT compounds of the seawater samples. This indicates that the abiotic or biotic degradation potential of TBT was significant. Spatially, the highest concentrations of BTs were observed in both water and sediment samples collected from the shipyard and fishing port areas. This indicates that the shipping related activities (e.g., navigation, ship repair, and ship building), would contribute most of BTs in the environment. Results show that the concentrations of degradation products (DBT and MBT) were related closely to temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and chlorophyll-a of the seawater. This implies that seasonal changes of the water parameters controlled the degradation of TBT in seawater. The observed levels of BT compounds in both seawater and sediments were much higher than those required to induce toxic effects on marine organisms suggesting that appropriate TBT control strategies should be taken in Kaohsiung Harbor. Sediment samples were collected from the river outfalls, fishing ports, shipyards, and industrial zone docks of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan to evaluate the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments. Collected sediment samples from 12 locations were analyzed for 17 different PAHs, organic content, and grain size. The results show that the total PAH concentrations varied from 472 to 16,201 ng/g dry wt, with a mean concentration of 5,764 ng/g dry wt The highest PAH concentrations were from the industrial zone docks situated in south Kaohsiung Harbor, ranging from 8,788 to 16,201 ng/g dry wt Among those sediment samples, the 5-, 6-ring PAHs were predominant PAH congeners in sediments, ranging from 42 to 71%. However, the dominant PAH congeners were 2-, 3-ring PAHs (37 to 42%) collected from steel industrial zone docks. This indicates that the sources for the PAH contamination at steel industrial zone docks were different from the other zones in Kaohsiung Harbor. According to the diagnostic ratios, the possible source of PAHs in the industrial zone dock could be coal combustion while in the other zones it could be petroleum combustion. The total PAH levels were expressed as the total toxic equivalent (TEQcarc). The total TEQcarc varied from 55 to 1,964 ng TEQ/g dry wt. Higher total TEQcarc values were found at industrial zone docks (from 1,404 to 1,964 ng TEQ/g dry wt). As compared with the US Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the observed levels of PAHs at industrial zone docks exceeded the effects range low (ERL), and could thus cause acute biological damage. However, the lower levels of PAHs at the other zones would not exert adverse biological effects. Results would be helpful in developing strategies for sediment remediation in Kaohsiung Harbor.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This study addresses the distribution of trace metals in sediment cores from the dam Marcela in order to evaluate the occurrence of impacts associated with human and industrial activity. The dam is located in the city Itabaiana in the state of Sergipe, it was built in the period 1953 - 1957 barring Fuzil stream. It has an area of 1.4 km2 with storage capacity of 2,700,000 m3. Two sediment cores were collected in November of 2008 with approximately 45cm in two distinct points. The samples were sectioned in 5 cm each and they were analyzed by to determine the following chemical elements: Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, Al, Fe, Corg and Ntotal. The average value of Corg/Ntotal in the range 4,97- 7,64 and 6,39-7,69, for cores I and II respectively, indicative autochthonous and allochthonous origin of the organic matter. The multivariate statistical analysis (Principal component analysis) applied to the set of results showed that the two cores in relation to concentrations of metals are different, with evidence of enrichment for Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn in the surface layers. The contamination factor calculed showed contamination moderate level for metals Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn. The risk assessment code (RAC), which consider the percentage of metal extracted in the label fraction (F1) of BCR procedure, showed that chromium does not present risk to the environment, copper, nickel and lead were low to medium risk, and zinc had of very high to High risk to the aquatic environment. Small variations in environmental conditions, such as pH or salinity, could therefore increase availability of the elements to the aquatic system. The metals concentrations were always at the lower limit the TEC and PEC, defined by consensual sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), in this case, it is not possible to predict what adverse effects the metal can cause in this environment. / Neste trabalho foi determinada a distribuição de metais traço em testemunhos de sedimento do Açude Marcela com o objetivo de avaliar a ocorrência de impactos associados à atividade humana e industrial, desenvolvidas naquela região. O Açude Marcela localiza-se na cidade de Itabaiana Sergipe, foi construído no período 1953 à 1957 pelo barramento do riacho Fuzil e tem uma área de 1,4km2 , com capacidade de armazenamento de 2.700.000 m3. Foram coletados em novembro de 2008 dois testemunhos de sedimentos com aproximadamente 45cm de profundidade em dois pontos distintos do açude. Os testemunhos foram secionados a cada 5cm para determinação dos seguintes elementos químicos: Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, Al, Fe, Corg e Ntotal. A relação Corg/Ntotal variou de 4,97-7,64 e 6,39-7,69 para os testemunhos I e II, respectivamente, indicando origem autóctone e alóctone para a matéria orgânica presente no sedimento. A análise estatística multivariada (análise de componentes principais-ACP), aplicada ao conjunto dos resultados, mostrou que os dois testemunhos, em relação às concentrações dos metais, são estatisticamente diferentes, com evidências de enriquecimento por Cr, Cu, Mn e Zn, nas camadas mais superficiais. O fator de contaminação calculado mostrou um nível de contaminação moderado para os metais Cr, Cu, Mn e Zn. O Fator de Risco (RAC), que compreende a percentagem do metal extraída na fração lábil (F1) do procedimento (BCR) empregado, indicou que o cromo não apresentou risco ao ambiente. Cobre, níquel e chumbo apresentaram risco baixo a médio, e zinco apresentou risco alto a altíssimo para o ambiente aquático. Sendo assim, pequenas variações nas condições ambientais podem remobilizar esses elementos do sedimento para a coluna d água. As concentrações dos metais nos testemunhos estiveram entre TEC e o PEC, definidos pelos valores guias de qualidade de sedimento consensual (VGQS), indicando que, nas condições atuais, o sedimento pode exercer efeito adverso aos organismos do açude em questão.