Synthetic musks in suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment, and sewage sludge

Abstract

Nitro musk and polycyclic musk fragrances accumulate in solid matters of the aquatic environment. They are analyzed by extraction with an organic solvent and subsequent measurement by GC/MS. Among the polycyclic musks AHTN and HHCB are the dominating contaminants; DPMI, ADBI, AHDI, and ATII are partly found, but at significantly lower concentrations. Within the nitro musk compounds only musk xylene and musk ketone are detected in a part of the samples with concentration levels below those of the polycyclic musks. The suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples were usually obtained by flow-through centrifuges. In many surface waters, the AHTN and HHCB concentrations showed median values of 40-500 μg kg-1 dry matter (dm) in SPM. The polycyclic musk content in SPM collected by sedimentation chambers was only approximately 15% of that in the centrifuge-type SPM. In general, sediment samples were about one order of magnitude less contaminated by musk fragrances than SPM samples. Mean AHTN and HHCB concentrations of 5000-28,000 μg kg-1 dm were usually observed in sewage sludge. Sewage sludge from industrial waste water showed lower musk levels than that from domestic sewage. In sewage treatment plants, metabolism of nitro musks was observed; some of the transformation products were identified. Partition coefficients were determined for several synthetic musks. Obviously the adsorption of musk compounds to solid matter is of minor importance only: about 90% of AHTN or HHCB and 97% of musk xylene or musk ketone are dissolved in the water phase.