Abstract
Levels of synthetic musk fragrances (SMFs) and various personal care products (PCPs) were measured in the Han River and its tributaries in Seoul, Korea. The most abundant SMF in all river and PCP samples was 4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-1,3,4,7-tetrahydrocyclopenta(g)sochromene (HHCB), followed by 1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-6,7-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone (AHTN), musk ketone (MK), and 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-2,5,6,7-tetrahydroinden-4-one (DPMI). The most abundant SMF in both PCPs and the Han River samples was HHCB, followed by AHTN. Moving from upstream to downstream in the Han River, the median SMF concentration was 6.756, 2.945, 0.304, and 0.141 μg/L in the sewage treatment plant (STP) influents, effluents, tributaries, and mainstream, respectively, implying that effective SMF removal was achieved during the sewage treatment process, followed by dilution in the receiving water. Four STPs using advanced biological treatment processes had removal efficiencies of 58.5%, 56.8%, and 38.1% for HHCB, AHTN, and MK, respectively. The highest SMF concentrations in the tributaries were observed at locations close to the STPs. Our study confirmed that the main source of SMFs in the receiving water were sewage effluents containing untreated SMFs, which largely originate from household PCPs, especially hair care products (e.g., shampoo) and perfumes.
Highlights
Synthetic musk fragrances (SMFs) are synthetic aromatic compounds that are used in the perfume industry to mimic the scent of deer and other animals [1,2]
The amount of polycyclic musk used in Korea in 2006 was reported to be 60.6 tons for 4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-1,3,4,7-tetrahydrocyclopenta(g)isochromene (HHCB) and 2 tons for 1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-6,7-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone (AHTN)
The aims of this study are (a) to measure the synthetic musk fragrances (SMFs) levels in sewage treatment plant (STP) influents, effluents, the mainstream of the Han River, and its tributaries; (b) to compare the SMF levels in the Han River samples with the levels found in personal care products (PCPs); and (c) to assess the possible sources and discuss the major removal mechanisms of SMFs in the Han River
Summary
Synthetic musk fragrances (SMFs) are synthetic aromatic compounds that are used in the perfume industry to mimic the scent of deer and other animals [1,2]. Synthetic musks are categorized as nitro, macrocyclic, polycyclic, or alicyclic musk according to their chemical structure and the synthesis methods [3,4]. Macrocyclic musk is difficult to synthesize, and expensive, because it has a complex chemical structure. The most commonly used nitro musks are musk ketone (MK; 1-(4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-dinitrophenyl) ethanone) and musk xylene This indicates that on a volume basis, polycyclic musk is more widely used than nitro musk in Korea. The annual usage of HHCB increased by more than six times in 2016 compared to 2006 [11]
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