Research

Spatial distribution, origin and contamination assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from Jangsong tidal flat, Kangryong river estuary, DPR Korea

 2023.3.2.

Chairman Kim Jong Il said:

"Scientists and technicians should work to overcome by their own efforts the problems which require an urgent solution for the development of the national economy of our country, and to introduce the scientific and technical successes of developed countries in accordance with its specific reality."

Recently, the spatial distribution, contamination and origin of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co and Cr) were investigated in surface sediments of Jangsong tidal flat (JTF), Kangryong river estuary, DPR Korea, which has been affected by various mining activities. The contamination assessment using various methods, such as Enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index and ecological risk indexes, indicated that JTF is not contaminated and has low ecological risk.

Multivariate analyses revealed that Mn, Ni and Cr originated from lithogenic source, whereas other metals were of anthropogenic origin, among which Fe and Co came from the iron mine settling pond near JTF, while Pb, Zn and Cu came from acid mine drainage (AMD) effluent by sulfide mining activity in catchment of JTF.

The result is published in the journal of "Marine pollution bulletin" (2021) under the title of "Spatial distribution, origin and contamination assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from Jangsong tidal flat, Kangryong river estuary, DPR Korea" (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112414).