Distribution Characteristics of Organic Matters and Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Samcheok Port

To evaluate geochemical characteristics of surface sediments in Samcheok Port, the distribution characteristics of particle sizes, organic matters and heavy metals were investigated. The sediments showed a mixed property of sand, silt, and clay, however fine-grains dominated at the inner port and coarse-grains dominated at the outer port. The organic (COD, TOC, and IL) contamination of the sediment at the inner port were higher than that of the outer port, and the concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus at the inner port was higher than those of the outer port. Also, heavy metals contamination of surface sediments at the inner port was higher than those of the outer port (except for As). From the results of high organic matter concentrations and C/N ratio at the inner port, it is considered that the contamination of organic matters was mainly derived from the land. The correlation analysis among the particle size, chemical composition, and heavy metals resulted in high correlation between silt-clay and heavy metals, and between organic matters and heavy metals. The sequential extraction results of heavy metals showed the sum of exchangeable, carbonate, and oxide fractions of Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and As were 14.8, 49.8, 39.1, 32.2, 51.8 and 26.6%, respectively.