Trace elements in the Korean coastal environment.

The present article reports on the results of trace metal analysis in the Korean coastal environment during the last decade. Trace metals of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in seawater, sediments and mussels were determined in coastal areas of East, South and Yellow Seas. Clean sampling, the use of ultrapure reagents, reference materials and clean-room analysis were carried out to assure quality control. The concentrations of trace metals in the Korean coastal environment were compared with the results from other parts of the world oceans.