Concentrations Of Polycyclic Musks Research Articles

Occurrence, Spatial Distribution, and Bioaccumulation of Dissolved Synthetic Musks in Freshwaters across China.

Commercial chemicals, such as synthetic musks, are of global concern, but data on their occurrence and spatial distribution in aquatic environments of large scale are scarce. Two sampling campaigns were conducted in the present study to measure freely dissolved synthetic musks in freshwaters across China using passive samplers, along with biological coexposure at selected sites. Polycyclic musks (PCMs) dominated synthetic musks, with a detection frequency of 95%. Higher concentrations of PCMs were observed in densely populated Mid, East, and South China compared to less populated regions, indicating the significance of anthropogenic activities for synthetic musks in water. The concentration ratios of galaxolide (HHCB)/tonalide (AHTN) were significantly higher in low-latitude areas than in high-latitude areas from June to September, suggesting that solar radiation played an important role in the degradation of HHCB/AHTN. Significant correlations were found between dissolved concentrations of HHCB and AHTN and their lipid-normalized concentrations in coexposed fish and clam. The estimated hazard quotients for HHCB and AHTN in freshwater fish consumed by humans were less than 0.01 at all sampling sites except the Yangtze River Basin. These results help to understand the environmental fate and ecological risks of synthetic musks on a large geographical scale.

Enantioselective analysis and fate of polycyclic musks in a water recycling plant in Sydney (Australia).

Synthetic polycyclic musks (PCMs) Galaxolide (HHCB), Tonalide (AHTN), Phantolide (AHDI), Traseolide (ATII) and Cashmeran (DPMI) are chiral chemicals that are commonly used in washing product industries as racemic mixtures. The major source of PCMs in municipal wastewater is from personal care and household products. Recent studies have shown that PCMs may enhance the relative toxicity of other environmental chemicals by inhibiting cellular xenobiotic defence systems. High sensitivity enantioselective analysis of these compounds enables improved characterisation of the environmental persistence and fate of PCMs, distinguishing between individual enantiomers so that a more complete understanding of environmental risks tributed by individual enantiomers may be obtained. Concentrations of PCMs through the various treatment stages of an advanced water recycling plant in Sydney were investigated to assess the removal of these chemicals. Average concentrations of HHCB, AHTN, AHDI, ATII and DPMI in influent were: 2,545, 301, 2, 5 and 33 ng L(-1), respectively. In the final effluent, AHDI, ATII and DPMI were not detected, while HHCB and AHTN were still measured at concentrations of 21 and 2 ng L(-1). No significant enantioselective transformation was detected during biological or advanced treatment processes.

Spatial distribution characteristics of polycyclic musks as a chemical marker in river water and sediment compared with other typical pollutants

Polycyclic musks (PMs), widely used in the cosmetic and perfume industries, are gaining attention as a new type of persistent organic pollutant (POP). The related contamination in developing countries, such as China, where the use of these compounds is increasing, needs to be closely monitored. This work systematically studied the distribution profile (water-suspended particulate-sediment-porewater) of PMs in Haihe River, China. The average concentrations of PMs were comparable to those of the traditional POPs. The typical PMs (galaxolide and tonalide) exhibited different environmental behaviors in various media. Water played a more significant role than suspended particulates in the transport of pollutants. Importantly, this work explored the relationships among PMs, surfactant, phosphorus, carbon, salinity, heavy metals and pesticides. Unlike previous reports focusing on the relationships among PMs, wastewater discharge and population distribution, this work innovatively studied the distribution characteristics of pollutants by principal components analysis. The results suggest that PMs can be used as a chemical marker indicating domestic contamination.

Levels and distribution of synthetic musks and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sludge collected from Guangdong Province

The levels and distribution of six polycyclic musks, three nitromusks and 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in sludge collected from 19 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in six cities in Guangdong Province, China. PAHs were detected in all of the sludge samples, and the levels of the total 15 PAHs ranged from 177.2–4421.8 μg/kg dry weight (dw). Four polycyclic musks, 4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert-butylindan (ADBI), 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindan (AHMI), 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta (g) -2-benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl -1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro naphthalene (AHTN), were found in these samples. The total concentrations of polycyclic musks varied from 794.4–12960.3 μg/kg dw, with HHCB and AHTN being the main components. Of the three nitromusks, 2,6-dinitro-3-methoxy-4-tert- butyl - toluene (MA) was only found in one sludge sample at the limit of detection (LOD) level, while 1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (Musk xylene, MX) and 4-acetyl-1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzene (Musk ketone, MK) were found at levels ranging from the LOD to 65.8 μg/kg dw and LOD to 172.7 μg/kg dw, respectively, in most of the sludge samples. The PAHs, polycyclic musks and nitro musks were also shown to have various distribution patterns, possibly due to their different wastewater sources and wastewater treatment technology.

Comparisons of Microwave-Assisted Extraction, Simultaneous Distillation-Solvent Extraction, Soxhlet Extraction and Ultrasound Probe for Polycyclic Musks in Sediments: Recovery, Repeatability, Matrix Effects and Bioavailability

The extraction method of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) has become a popular issue due to the emergence of PPCPs as contaminants. In this work, polycyclic musks, a typical type of PPCPs, were selected to test various techniques including microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), simultaneous distillation-solvent extraction (SDSE), Soxhlet extraction (SE), and ultrasound probe (UP). MAE and UP proved to be more effective pretreatment techniques than SE and SDSE, with high recovery, repeatability, accuracy, efficiency, little solvent consumption, and acceptable matrix effects. Notably, the chemical methods usually did not work well for the determination of bioavailability and the environmental fate of pollutants was overestimated. In this work, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was used as the ecological receptor to evaluate the bioavailability of chemical pollutants. The concentrations of polycyclic musks in sediments by way of UP extraction had a significant correlation (R 2 > 0.9, P < 0.01) with the concentrations in roots of wheat and the changes of chlorophyll, malondialdehyde and peroxidase in leaves of wheat. These changes suggest that the concentrations of polycyclic musks in sediments using UP extraction were comparable with the level of those in vivo. Through this work, it was discovered that using UP with a different solvent was suitable for determining total concentrations and the bioavailable fractions in sediments.

Polycyclic Musks in Water, Sediment, and Fishes from the Upper Hudson River, New York, USA

Synthetic musks are used in many consumer products for their pleasant odor and their binding affinity for fabrics. In the early 1990s, polycyclic musks were reported to occur in air, water, sediment, wildlife, and humans from many European countries. Concentrations of polycyclic musks, particularly 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta-[γ]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene (AHTN), have been reported to increase over time in the environment. In this study, concentrations of musks in water, sediment, fish, and mussel were determined from three locations along the upper Hudson River. HHCB and AHTN were detected in water (n = 5; 3.95–25.8 and 5.09–22.8 ng/L, respectively), sediment (n = 3; 72.8–388 and 113–544 ng/g, dry weight), fish (n = 30; <1–125 and <1–32.8 ng/g, lipid weight), and zebra mussel (n = 4; 10.3–19.3 and 42.2–65.9 ng/g, lipid weight) samples. Bioaccumulation factors of HHCB calculated for white perch, catfish, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass were in the range of 18 to 371, when the concentrations in fish were expressed on a wet weight basis; the factors were in the range of 261 to 12,900, when the concentrations in fish were expressed on a lipid weight basis.

Synthetic musks in blood of healthy young adults: Relationship to cosmetics use

Production of polycyclic musk compounds is increasing accompanied by a decline in nitro musk production. Although it can be assumed that due to this reduction nitro musks are less prevalent in human body fluids, there are no data available from the last decade. This study examined the concentrations of five nitro musks and six polycyclic musks in blood samples from young healthy volunteers. Blood was taken from 100 healthy students of the Medical University of Vienna. The lipophilic fraction was extracted and after purification analyzed by GC–MS. Study participants also completed a questionnaire on the use of cosmetics, about nutrition and other life-style aspects. Highest percentages of synthetic musks in blood plasma samples were found for galaxolide (91%, median 420 ng L − 1 ) and musk xylene (79%, median 11 ng L − 1 ). Both musk ketone and tonalide were found in 17%. In two cases musk ambrette was detected. In a multivariate approach only younger age, use of lotion and perfumes did significantly predict blood concentrations of polycyclic musks. For nitro musks except body surface area no significant predictor could be found. High percentage of the population is still exposed to nitro musk compounds although blood concentrations of nitro musks are generally lower than those of polycyclic musks. Compared to earlier investigations performed in the 1990s nitro musks were detected in lower percentages and concentrations. There seems to be no dominant source of nitro musk uptake although relationship to body surface area indicates cosmetic products applied to the skin as the likely origin of plasma concentrations.

Distribution of polycyclic musks in surface sediments from the Pearl River Delta and Macao coastal region, South China

Polycyclic musks were measured in surface sediments collected from the Pearl River Delta and Macao coastal region, South China, to investigate contamination from domestic sewage. Three polycyclic musk compounds-4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert-butylindan, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta(g)-2-benzopyran (HHCB), and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN)-were detected in sediment samples. Two polycyclic musks, HHCB and AHTN, were dominant components in sediment, consistent with the use pattern of polycyclic musks by perfume industries in the Pearl River Delta region. The concentrations of total polycyclic musks ranged from 5.76 to 167 microg/kg. Because of the large amount of domestic sewage and industrial wastewater discharged from the city of Guangzhou, the highest concentration of polycyclic musks was found in sediments from the Zhujiang River. The significant positive correlation between the HHCB to AHTN ratios and the concentrations of polycyclic musks suggested that the HHCB to AHTN ratio could be used as a tracer for source discrimination and for the degree of degradation in the environment.

Occurrence and fate of polycyclic musks in wastewater treatment plants in Kentucky and Georgia, USA

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a potential of source of polycyclic musks in the aquatic environment. In this study, contamination profiles and mass flow of polycyclic musks, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[γ]-2-benzopyran (HHCB), 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN), and HHCB-lactone (oxidation product of HHCB), in two WWTPs, one located in Kentucky (Plant A, rural area) and the other in Georgia (Plant B, urban), USA, were determined. HHCB, AHTN and HHCB-lactone were detected in the influent, effluent, and sludge samples analyzed. The concentrations in wastewater samples varied widely, from 10 to 7030 ng/l, 13 to 5400 ng/l, and 66 to 790 ng/l, for HHCB, AHTN, and HHCB-lactone, respectively. Sludge samples contained HHCB at <0.02–36 μg/g dry weight, AHTN at <0.02–7.2 μg/g dry weight, and HHCB-lactone at <0.05–17 μg/g dry weight. Based on the daily flow rates and mean concentrations of polycyclic musks, the estimated discharge of total polycyclic musks to the rivers was 21 g/day from Plant A and 31 g/day from Plant B. Mass balance analysis suggested that only 30% of HHCB and AHTN entering the plants was accounted for in the effluent and the sludge. Removal efficiencies of HHCB and AHTN in the two WWTPs ranged from 72% to 98%. In contrast, HHCB-lactone concentrations increased following the treatment. Concentrations of polycyclic musks in sludge were on the order of several parts per million. Incineration of sludge at one plant reduced the concentration of polycyclic musks.

Synthetic Musks in Fish from Urbanized Areas of the Lower Great Lakes, Canada

The concentrations of polycyclic and nitro musks were determined in freshwater fish from two urbanized areas in the lower Great Lakes: Hamilton Harbour in western Lake Ontario, and the Detroit River and nearby western Lake Erie. Fish collected included brown bullhead ( Ameiurus nebulosus), gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum), white perch ( Morone americana), yellow perch ( Perca fluviatilus), and a single walleye ( Stizostedion vitreum). No residues of nitro musks were detected in any of the fish, but since no attempt was made to analyze for the amino-metabolites of these compounds, it cannot be ruled out that these metabolites were present in the fish tissues. Fish from Hamilton Harbour had higher concentrations of polycyclic musks in their tissues than fish from the Detroit River, with a single yellow perch from Hamilton Harbour having the highest concentration of total polycyclic musks of 945 ng/g wet weight. The three polycyclic musk compounds present in the highest concentrations in fish were, in order of relative concentration, Galaxolide ® (i.e, HHCB) > Tonalide ® (i.e., AHTN) > Traseolide ® (i.e., ATII). Lower concentrations of Celestolide ® (i.e., ADBI) and Phantolide ® (i.e., AHMI) were also detected. There appeared to be species-dependent variability in the accumulation of musks that may be related to differences in the capacity of fish to metabolize these compounds.

Blood concentrations of polycyclic musks in healthy young adults

Knowledge on the concentration of polycyclic musk fragrance compounds in human blood is sparse. This study examined the concentrations of six polycyclic musks in blood samples from healthy volunteers. Blood was taken from hundred healthy students of the Medical University of Vienna. The lipophilic fraction was extracted and after purification analyzed by GC–MS. Study participants also completed a questionnaire on the use of cosmetics, about nutrition and other life-style aspects. Two compounds—galaxolide and tonalide—were identified in higher percentages of the blood plasma samples. Maximum plasma levels over 100 ng/l were also only found for galaxolide (4100 ng/l) and tonalide (800 ng/l). Women showed significantly higher levels than men. In a statistical multivariate approach only use of body lotion and age were predictive of positive galaxolide concentrations. For tonalide no significant predictor could be found. The findings mirror the replacement of nitro musk fragrances by polycyclic musks, mainly galaxolide. The high concentrations of galaxolide in human blood raise concern since few toxicological data are available.