title: Inputs and distributions of synthetic musk fragrances in an estuarine and coastal environment; a case study.
abstract: Synthetic musks are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment. Compartmental distributions (dissolved, suspended particle associated and sedimentary) of the compounds throughout an axial estuarine transect and in coastal waters are reported. High concentrations of Galaxolide (HHCB) and Tonalide (AHTN) (987-2098 ng/L and 55-159 ng/L, respectively) were encountered in final effluent samples from sewage treatment plants (STPs) discharging into the Tamar and Plym Estuaries (UK), with lower concentrations of Celestolide (ADBI) (4-13 ng/L), Phantolide (AHMI) (6-9 ng/L), musk xylene (MX) (4-7 ng/L) and musk ketone (MK) (18-30 ng/L). Rapid dilution from the outfalls is demonstrated with resulting concentrations of HHCB spanning from 5 to 30 ng/L and those for AHTN from 3 to 15 ng/L. The other musks were generally not detected in the estuarine and coastal waters. The suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sedimentary profiles and compositions (HHCB:AHTN ratios) generally reflect the distribution in the water column with highest concentrations adjacent to sewage outfalls.
authors: School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Science, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
authors: Nicola R
authors: NR
authors: Sumner
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Guitart
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Fuentes
authors: James W
authors: JW
authors: Readman
mesh_terms: D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005843:Geography; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014992:Xylenes; C031447:musk xylene; C031448:musk ketone