Bacteriological quality of seawater and mussels from the Changseon area, a designated shellfish growing area in Korea

We conducted a full sanitary survey of pollution sources, seawater, and mussels in or near the Changseon area, a designated shellfish-growing area in Korea, from 2011 to 2013, and evaluated their bacteriological quality. We... [ view full abstract ]

We conducted a full sanitary survey of pollution sources, seawater, and mussels in or near the Changseon area, a designated shellfish-growing area in Korea, from 2011 to 2013, and evaluated their bacteriological quality. We identified 164 potential pollution sources in the drainage area of the Changseon area, including 33 sources that discharged water during the survey period. Even though a large number of pollution sources were identified, they had no significant impact on the designated area. In the 612 seawater and 163 mussel samples from the sea of the study area, the levels of fecal contamination indicators in samples collected during the harvesting season in the designated area met the standards of various countries. Based on these results, it is unnecessary to adjust the existing boundary line of the designated area, as the mussels produced in this area are suitable for consumption based on their bacterial quality.