Distribution of Trace Metals in Seawater from Coastal Areas Near Marine Industrial Facilities and Power Plants

Hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), when discharged into the marine environment, affect to humans and marine organisms, even corrosive damage to marine facilities, or otherwise interfere with the use of marine areas. Therefore, it is necessary to study the background concentration and distribution status of hazardous substances discharged from marine industrial facilities located along the coast. In this study, a trace metal status survey of HNS in seawater was investigated around 5 industrial facilities and 5 power plants in Korea 2021–2023. Thre result of investigation was Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Se, Ni, Sn, Ag and V were detected in all regions and their concentrations were relatively high in some regions. In all regions, the material-specific detection ranges were Ba: 0.58-67.31, Cr: 0.02-19.76, Cu: 0.03-53.46, Pb: 0.0015-7.32, Mn: 0.05-342.12, Zn: 0.33-101.12, As: 0.03-8.68, Cd: 0.0007-0.78, Hg: 0.001-0.01, Se: 0.0044-4.88, Ni: 0.03-4.88, Sn: 0.0025-26.43, Ag: 0.0025-0.87 and V: 0.01-40.71. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse trace metals among HNS present in seawater in the surrounding waters, with the ultimate aim of effectively managing the discharge of HNS in industrial effluents.