Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8566, Japan
The present study determined concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including coplanar congeners, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in coastal sediments from Uwa Sea, western coast of Shikoku, Japan, in order to clarify the contamination status and historical trend of these chemicals. Concentrations of PCBs and PCDDs/DFs in surface sediments of Uwa Sea were cleary lower than those in other coastal areas of Japan. PCB concentrations in sediment cores showed a decreasing trend toward the upper layers. Concentrations of PCDDs/DFs in surface sediments in this study were lower than those in 1968. These results suggest that Uwa Sea is a suitable area for fish aquaculture.