Persistent organic pollution characterization of sediments in Pearl River estuary

Kwok Wing Chau

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

63 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As a byproduct of rapid urbanization and industrial development in the Pearl River estuary of South China, excessive release of various types of persistent toxic substances were conveyed from agricultural, industrial and municipal discharges at upstream section down into the estuary largely via various river outlets. In this paper, a persistent organic pollution (POP) characterization of sediments in the estuary is undertaken. More than one bioavailable toxicants are detected to play active roles in causing toxicity of marine sediments in the estuary. POPs may be transported for long distances to the downstream end of the Pearl River delta region. The data suggests that DDT might still be applied illegally within the region recently and that the prevalent levels of DDTs and HCHs in sediments are likely to pose detrimental biological effects on benthic organisms. The findings have significant implications in order to understand the environmental changes, to determine reasonable ways for future development, and to maintain a sustainable environment in the Pearl River estuary region.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1545-1549
Number of pages5
JournalChemosphere
Volume64
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2006

Keywords

  • Contamination
  • Pearl River estuary
  • Persistent organic pollution
  • Sediment
  • South China
  • Toxicology characterization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Environmental Chemistry

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