Monitoring of organic contaminants in sediments from the Korean coast: Spatial distribution and temporal trends (2001-2007)

► The article is the first report on long-term POPs monitoring in sediments from Korea. ► High levels of POPs were found at sites near big cities and industrial complexes. ► Ubiquitous contaminants were PCBs, DDTs, PAHs, TBT and PCDD/Fs. ► Areas of low ecological risk were identified. ► Temporal trends in POP levels in sediments were unclear at most sites.