Prediction of the transport and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Masan Bay, South Korea

A numerical simulation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Masan Bay, Korea, was conducted using a program written in STELLA to estimate the transport of organic chemicals in the coastal environment. A sensitivity analysis of dissolved PAHs and PAHs in suspended particulate matter (SPM) indicated that PAH levels were significantly influenced by the settling velocity, the adsorption and desorption rates. PAHs in phytoplankton were sensitive to all coefficient. The mass balance model indicated that the standing stocks of PAHs in water, in SPM, and in phytoplankton were 2.01×l0 ⁴g, 1.15×l0³g, and 7.5×l0^-1g, respectively. Flux were characterized by a high rate of desorption, followed by descending rates of adsorption, settling, and flow to the open sea. The scenario predicted a "safe" concentration level of dissolved PAHs of less than 30 ng/L if the input loads from rivers, the atmosphere, or both rivers and the atmosphere were reduced to 50%, 50%, or 30% of the current levels, respectively.