Assessment of contamination of marine sediments and their potential toxicity in the Uglovoy Bay, Peter the Great Gulf, Sea of Japan/East Sea

The content of harmful heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the Uglovoy Bay (Peter the Great Gulf, Sea of Japan/East Sea) was studied based on the surveys carried out in 2016–2021. The contamination of the sediments in the bay was compared to the background concentrations of elements and to common contamination indices. The degree of contamination was calculated using the contamination factor (Cf), modified overall degree of contamination (mCd), and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo). The toxicity of marine sediment samples for each metal was evaluated using the threshold effect level/probable effect level (TEL/PEL) values and the sediment quality guideline quotient (SQG-Q). The sources of pollutants entering the studied water area were analyzed. It is shown that the contamination of the Uglovoy Bay occurs continuously as a result of economic activities on its coast. The dynamics of contamination of the bay for the period 2016–2021 is presented.