Fate of artificial musk fragrances associated with suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the River Elbe (Germany) in comparison to other organic contaminants

Four artificial musk fragrances were detected in 31 suspended particulate matter samples of the River Elbe at Magdeburg during June 1996–May 1997. 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta(g)-2-benzopyran (galaxolide) and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyltetrahydronaphthalene (tonalide) showed the highest levels (148–770 ng/g), which was in the same order as the concentration of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo(a)pyrene. The concentration of 4-tert-butyl-3,5-dinitro-2,6-dimethylacetophenone (musk ketone) was significantly lower (4–22 ng/g) and similar to the level of lindane contamination. 4-Acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert-butyldihydroindene (celestolide) was detected in more than half of the samples and in the same concentration range as musk ketone (<4–43 ng/g). The partition coefficients of selected musk fragrances in laboratory experiments were in the same order as for γ-hexachlorcyclohexane (HCH) and isomers. In comparison, the coefficients for tonalide in field measurements was significantly higher (9,55* 103 L/Kg) than the value for galaxolide (4,42* 103 L/Kg), musk ketone (1,7* 103 L/Kg) and γ-HCH (7,24* 102 L/Kg).