title: Comprehensive monitoring of synthetic musk compounds from freshwater to coastal environments in Korea: with consideration of ecological concerns and bioaccumulation.
abstract: This study investigated the concentration levels of synthetic musk compounds (SMCs), including HHCB (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-(g)-2-benzopyran), AHTN (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene), MK (Musk ketone), and MX (Musk xylene), in freshwater, freshwater and coastal sediments, and coastal bivalves from freshwater to coastal environments. The levels in freshwater close to sewage treatment plants (STPs) showed higher contamination and suggested a medium to high ecological risk, especially posed by MK making more than 65% contribution to the combined risk by the total SMCs. STP effluent discharge points showed higher SMC concentrations in freshwater and coastal sediments. Predominant HHCB contributions regardless of sample types such as abiota and biota were consistent with the greater usage of HHCB than AHTN and MK in Korea. However, the higher contributions of AHTN than those predicted from AHTN consumption in Korea indicate the need for further research on the characteristic properties of individual SMCs, including partitioning, biomagnification, degradation, and metabolism for a realistic risk characterization. With respect to the highest HHCB levels in coastal bivalves reported, we determined the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) to understand the bioaccumulation of SMCs between coastal sediment and bivalves. The calculated BSAF values suggested that SMCs in bivalves were not biomagnified via the food chain but mostly partitioned from sediment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure BSAF values of SMCs, especially HHCB, AHTN, and MK, in coastal bivalve samples.
authors: Marine Environmental Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 216, Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: islee@korea.kr.
authors: In-Seok
authors: IS
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, 63 Beon-gil, Busandaehak-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
authors: Un-Jung
authors: UJ
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, 63 Beon-gil, Busandaehak-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jeong-Eun
authors: JE
authors: Oh
authors: Marine Environmental Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 216, Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
authors: Minkyu
authors: M
authors: Choi
authors: Marine Environmental Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 216, Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dong-Woon
authors: DW
authors: Hwang
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000032:analysis*; D020387:Food Chain; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C008563:musk
keywords: Biota-sediment accumulation factor; Distribution pattern; Ecological risk assessment; Synthetic musk compounds