Musk Fragrances Research Articles

A retention time locked gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method based on stir-bar sorptive extraction and thermal desorption for automated determination of synthetic musk fragrances in natural and wastewaters

A stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) method followed by automated thermal desorption (ATD) coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was optimized for determining trace levels of 18 synthetic fragrances (musks). Using the method developed a retention time locked library is created and converted to a screening database. This homebuilt database can be combined with deconvolution software for the identification of musks. A factorial design was provide to evaluate the main parameters and interactions between the factors affecting the process of SBSE. Operating with de MS-detector in the full-scan mode, high sensitivity with detection limits in the low ng L −1 range, and good linearity and repeatability were achieved for all musks. The applicability of the method developed was tested in natural waters (surface and groundwater) and wastewater of a plant treatment (WWPT). The results obtained confirmed the usefulness of the proposed method for the determination and unequivocal identification of musks. This approach enables the developed method to be used for routine screening of environmental samples and posterior rapid quantitation of the positive samples.

Automatic Searching and Evaluation of Priority and Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater and River Water by Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction followed by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A new analytical method based on stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC-TOF-MS), has been developed for the automatic searching and evaluation of nonpolar or semipolar contaminants in wastewater and river water. The target compounds selected were 13 personal care products (PCPs), 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 27 pesticides. Excellent results have been obtained in terms of separation efficiency and also in terms of compound identification. Exceptional method detection limits were achieved applying the optimized method, at or below 1 ng/L for most of the compounds in real samples. The reliable confirmation of analyte identity was possible at this low concentration level, even for typically troublesome compounds such as the PAHs. The other validation parameters were good. In addition to obtaining analytical information such as identification and quantification of target analytes, it is also possible to screen for nontarget compounds or unknowns. New contaminants have been identified in the wastewater effluents and river water samples, such as cholesterol and its degradation products, pharmaceuticals, industrial products, other pesticides, and PCPs. The multidimensional information generated by the instrument can also be used by the researchers for contrasting samples and identifying, much more easily, the major differences between samples. We have used this feature to propose studies of comparison between the fingerprinting of different water samples, such as the contamination variation along a river affected by the discharge of urban wastewaters and also the contamination variation over a period of time in the effluent. Results show that the most frequently detected contaminants (and the contaminants detected at higher concentrations) were the PCPs. The musk fragrances galaxolide and tonalid were the most concentrated compounds in the samples. The pesticides and PAHs were present at much lower concentration than PCPs.

Assessment of Synthetic Musk Fragrances in Seven Wastewater Treatment Plants of Beijing, China

Seven typical synthetic musks were measured in influents, effluents and sewage sludge from seven wastewater treatment plants of Beijing in three seasons. Galaxolide and tonalide were the dominant musks, and the levels were medium compared with those from other regions. Musk concentrations and galaxolide/tonalide ratios were low in warm seasons relative to cold seasons in both water and sludge samples. The removal efficiencies of galaxolide and tonalide ranged in <14.3%-98.0% and <18.5%-98.7%, respectively. The discharge of galaxolide and tonalide through effluents into environment were 1.8-685.6 g/d (mean: 70.1 g/d) and 1.6-195.3 g/d (mean: 22.9 g/d), respectively.

Occurrence and fate of pharmaceutical and personal care products in a sewage treatment works

The occurrence and fate of eight pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) during sewage treatment has been studied in a pilot-scale treatment plant, comprising a primary settler (2.85 m(3)), an aeration tank (1.845 m(3)) and a secondary clarifier (0.5 m(3)), placed on site at a wastewater treatment works in the north west of the UK. It was fed both with raw sewage and the return liquor produced after sludge centrifugation, thus representing the most common configuration for a municipal sewage treatment plant based on the activated sludge process. Samples were taken at six different locations, including the return liquor stream, and analysed for musk fragrances and pharmaceutically active compounds belonging to various therapeutic groups such as anti-inflammatory drugs, tranquillisers and antiepileptics. Mass balances were conducted for those PPCPs that were quantifiable. The fate of the PPCPs was found to differ according to their physical-chemical characteristics. Anti-inflammatories underwent a degradation process and were almost completely removed from sewage during the biological treatment step. Musk fragrances were only partially removed, through adsorption onto the primary suspended solids and the biomass in the aerobic process, due to their strong lipophilic characteristics. The results of this study provide increasing evidence that the partial removal of these substances through the sewage treatment process contribute to the environmental occurrence of PPCPs. Consequently, existing STPs should be upgraded in order to attenuate the release of these substances into the aquatic environment.

Incorporating environmental attributes into musk design

The design of the molecule itself is the earliest phase in the process of developing useful products. Two of the 12 green chemistry principles, which state that chemicals should be designed to have minimal toxicity and degrade environmentally to innocuous products, are central to chemical design. Previously we used a series of case studies to show that generalizations about the effects of molecular structure can be used to design small molecules for biodegradability. Here, we extend one of the case studies (synthetic musk fragrances) to a wider range of structures, and address all three PBT properties (persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity). To this end, we first summarize ready biodegradation and aquatic toxicity data for musks including unpublished data from US Premanufacture Notice (PMN) chemicals. Bioaccumulation potential is then estimated for this set of musks using EPA's BCFBAF© (a component of EPI Suite©), KOAWIN© and ECOSAR© programs, and the results are used to compare musks across the various structural classes and make inferences about their environmental attributes. Last, the analysis is extended to target molecules. In this way we show how predictive methods and knowledge can be included as additional facets in rational design of small molecules.

Landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

In order to investigate landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and synthetic musk fragrances to the atmosphere, air samples were simultaneously taken at two landfills (one active and one closed) and two reference sites using high volume air samplers. Contaminants were accumulated on glass fiber filters (particle phase) and PUF/XAD-2/PUF cartridges (gas phase), extracted by methyl-tert butyl ether/acetone (neutral PFCs), methanol (ionic PFCs) or hexane/acetone (PBDEs, musk fragrances), and detected by GC–MS (neutral PFCs, PBDEs, musk fragrances) or HPLC–MS/MS (ionic PFCs). Total concentrations ranged from 84 to 706 pg m −3 (volatile PFCs, gas phase), from <MQL to 42 pg m −3 (ionic PFCs, particle phase), from 204 to 1963 pg m −3 (synthetic musk fragrances, gas + particle phase) and from 1 to 11 pg m −3 (PBDEs, gas + particle phase). Observed sum concentrations of PFCs and synthetic musk fragrances and partly PBDE concentrations were elevated at landfill sites compared to corresponding reference sites. Concentrations determined at the active landfill were higher than those of the inactive landfill. Overall, landfills can be regarded as a source of synthetic musk fragrances, several PFCs and potentially of PBDEs to ambient air. ► Landfills are sources of synthetic musk fragrances to ambient air. ► Landfills are minor sources of PFCs to ambient air (compared to musk fragrances). ► Landfills might be sources of PBDEs to ambient air. ► Active landfills are more significant sources of these contaminants than closed landfills.

POLYCYCLIC MUSK FRAGRANCES IN SEDIMENTS AND SHRIMP TISSUES

Polycyclic musk fragrances are widely used as ingredients in personal care products, shampoos, lotions, and household cleaning agents. These chemicals have relatively high octanol-water partition coefficients, and therefore tend to accumulate in sediments, sludge, and biological tissues. We analyzed shrimp and sediment samples for the presence of synthetic musks. Samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction. Gel permeation chromatography and solid phase extraction with silica were used to clean the extracts. The extracts were analyzed with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry with Electron Impact ionization (GC-MS-EI) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Sediment samples were collected from three tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. HHCB was detected in concentrations up to 9.2 (average 1.1 ± 2.2) ng/g dry weight. Shrimp samples were collected as part of a seafood market survey of wild and farmed shrimp from the USA and other countries (Mexico, India, Equador, Thailand, China and others). Detected HHCB concentrations ranged from 48 to 683 (average 198 ± 156) ng/g lipid in farmed shrimp, and from 66 to 762 (average 334 ± 236) ng/g lipid in wild shrimp. Estimated concentrations of AHTN were up to 185 ng/g lipid in farmed shrimp, and up to 384 ng/g lipid weight in wild shrimp. HHCB was detected in all tissue samples analyzed, thus indicating the widespread distribution of this synthetic fragrance in shrimp.

Waste water treatment plants as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

To investigate waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) as sources of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and synthetic musk fragrances to the atmosphere, air samples were simultaneously taken at two WWTPs and two reference sites using high volume samplers. Contaminants were accumulated on glass fiber filters and PUF/XAD-2/PUF cartridges, extracted compound-dependent by MTBE/acetone, methanol, or hexane/acetone and detected by GC-MS or HPLC-MS/MS. Total (gas+particle phase) concentrations ranged from 97 to 1004pgm−3 (neutral PFCs), <MQL to 13pgm−3 (ionic PFCs), 5781 to 482,163pgm−3 (musk fragrances) and <1 to 27pgm−3 (PBDEs) and were usually higher at WWTPs than at corresponding reference sites, revealing that WWTPs can be regarded as sources of musk fragrances, PFCs and probably PBDEs to the atmosphere. Different concentrations at the two WWTPs indicated an influence of WWTP size or waste water origin on emitted contaminant amounts.

Occurrence of synthetic musk fragrances in human blood from 11 cities in China

We measured two nitro musk fragrances (musk xylene) and musk ketone) and five polycyclic musk fragrances (galaxolide [HHCB], tonalide [AHTN], celestolide [ADBI], traseolide [ATII], and phantolide [AHMI]) in human blood samples from 11 cities of China (n = 204). Possible temporal trends in musk concentrations and associations with personal factors, such as gender, age, and others, were studied. Galaxolide (HHCB) showed the highest median concentration (0.85 ng/g) followed by AHTN (0.53 ng/g) with high detection frequency (91 and 77%, respectively). Concentrations of the other synthetic musk fragrances, including musk ketone and musk xylene, were all below the quantification limits. The results suggested that musk concentrations were not significantly relative to gender and body weight but positively correlated with age groups and locations. Apparent differences were also observed in the ratios of HHCB to AHTN concentrations among different cities.

Influence of the employment of adsorption and coprecipitation agents for the removal of PPCPs in conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems

Three activated sludge reactors were operated to improve the removal of organic micropollutants such as Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs). Reactor 1 (R1) was operated as a Conventional Activated Sludge reactor (CAS), Reactor 2 (R2) consisted of a CAS unit that was continuously fed with FeCl3 whereas granular activated carbon (GAC) was fed directly into the mixed liquor of Reactor 3 (R3) in order to attain concentrations in the range 100-1,000 mg/L. PPCPs removal rates varied depending on the compound present in each reactor during the entire 220 days of operation. Some substances showed the same behaviour in all reactors, such as the acidic pharmaceuticals naproxen and ibuprofen, which were almost completely removed (> 90%). More hydrophobic organic substances, like musk fragrances, were about 90% removed after 40 days of operation in all of the reactors. The main difference between the three reactors was obtained in R3 when the GAC concentrations in the aeration tank were around 500-1,000 mg/L. Under these conditions, the more recalcitrant compounds like diazepam and carbamazepine could be removed by up to 40%, and diclofenac up to 85%. Adsorption isotherms for PPCPs were obtained with activated carbon, and the results were successfully fitted to the Freundlinch equation. The more recalcitrant compounds (carbamazepine, diazepam and diclofenac) had the highest adsorption capacities onto GAC, which is consistent with the behaviour observed in R3 and helps to identify the removal mechanism (adsorption for these compounds, whereas absorption for fragrances).

Occurrence of emerging contaminants, priority substances (2008/105/CE) and heavy metals in treated wastewater and groundwater at Depurbaix facility (Barcelona, Spain)

The presence of 170 pharmaceuticals, personal care products, priority substances according to the 2008/105EU Directive and four metals (Cd, Ni, Hg, Pb) have been investigated at the Llobregat delta, south of Barcelona (Spain). In the area, reclaimed water is destined to satisfy environmental uses, irrigation and the construction of a hydraulic barrier against seawater intrusion in the deep aquifer of the delta. A monitoring survey was undertaken of water samples from a tertiary wastewater treatment plant (Depurbaix), treated waste water with an additional treatment of ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection (WWATP, for the hydraulic barrier injection). Groundwater samples from the aquifer receiving recharge were also investigated. The pharmaceutical group of substances was detected in sampled waters at concentrations rarely exceeding a few μg/L, among the compounds Caffeine, Nicotine and Galaxolide (musk fragrance) were found to be present in more than 60% of the samples. Diuron was the only priority substance detected. The four metals were always present in a variable concentration. After the WWATP treatment the majority of analytes are removed from tertiary treated wastewater or their concentration is reduced below 0.1 μg/L. Monitoring revealed a widespread occurrence of analysed compounds in groundwater. Among them Codeine (analgesic), Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), Iopamidol, Iopromide (contrast agent) and Paraxanthine (metabolite of caffeine) have only been detected in groundwater, and are not present in water currently being injected in the deep aquifer.

Microreactor Performance Studies of the Cycloaddition of Isoamylene and α-Methylstyrene

The cycloaddition reaction between isoamylene and α-methylstyrene yields indane compounds 1,1,2,3,3,-pentamethylindane and 3-ethyl-1,1,3-trimethylindane, which are intermediate cyclic products used in the synthesis of musk fragrances. This exothermic reaction is usually carried out industrially in large semibatch reactors. The microreactor, with enhanced heat and mass transfer characteristics, was used for the reaction with aqueous sulfuric acid as catalyst. The dependence of reactant conversion, product yield, and average reaction rates on catalyst concentration, temperature, velocity, residence time, and the molar ratio of the reactants in the feed was investigated. A similar study was also performed in the semibatch reactor to compare its performance with that of the microreactor. Higher product yields were obtained in the microreactor, and the average reaction rates in the microreactor were 3 orders of magnitude greater than those obtained in the semibatch reactor.

Cycloaddition of Isoamylene and ?-Methylstyrene in a Microreactor using Filtrol-24 catalyst: Microreactor Performance Study and Comparison with Semi-Batch Reactor Performance

The cycloaddition reaction between isoamylene and ?-methylstyrene yields indane compounds 1,1,2,3,3,-pentamethylindane and 3-ethyl-1,1,3-trimethylindane, which are intermediate cyclic products used in the synthesis of musk fragrances. This exothermic reaction is conventionally carried out industrially in large semi-batch reactors, which have high heat and mass transfer resistances, are difficult to optimize, and scale-up. Aqueous sulfuric acid is conventionally used as the catalyst for the cycloaddition reaction, but solid catalysts offer many advantages over the corrosive aqueous sulfuric acid catalyst including the elimination of expensive separation and purification steps, and the need to use corrosion resistant materials of construction. A microreactor, which has enhanced heat and mass transfer characteristics, high surface to volume ratio, and improved fluid mixing, was used for the reaction using an acidic solid catalyst, Filtrol-24. A parametric study to obtain the dependence of product yield, reactant conversion and space-time yield on process variables such as catalyst particle size, residence time, velocity, temperature, pressure and the molar ratio of the reactants in the feed, was conducted. Through this study the optimum reaction conditions were obtained. The cycloaddition reaction was also performed in the semi-batch reactor using Filtrol-24 catalyst in order to compare its performance to that of the microreactor. Higher product yields were obtained in the microreactor compared to the semi-batch reactor, and the space-time yield in the microreactor was 4.8 times larger than that obtained in the semi-batch reactor at optimum reaction conditions in both reactors.

Removal of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) under nitrifying and denitrifying conditions

The contribution of volatilization, sorption and transformation to the removal of 16 Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in two lab-scale conventional activated sludge reactors, working under nitrifying (aerobic) and denitrifying (anoxic) conditions for more than 1.5 years, have been assessed. Pseudo-first order biological degradation rate constants ( k biol) were calculated for the selected compounds in both reactors. Faster degradation kinetics were measured in the nitrifying reactor compared to the denitrifying system for the majority of PPCPs. Compounds could be classified according to their k biol into very highly ( k biol > 5 L g SS −1 d −1), highly (1 < k biol < 5 L g SS −1 d −1), moderately (0.5 < k biol < 1 L g SS −1 d −1) and hardly ( k biol < 0.5 L g SS −1 d −1) biodegradable. Results indicated that fluoxetine (FLX), natural estrogens (E1 + E2) and musk fragrances (HHCB, AHTN and ADBI) were transformed to a large extent under aerobic (>75%) and anoxic (>65%) conditions, whereas naproxen (NPX), ethinylestradiol (EE2), roxithromycin (ROX) and erythromycin (ERY) were only significantly transformed in the aerobic reactor (>80%). The anti-depressant citalopram (CTL) was moderately biotransformed under both, aerobic and anoxic conditions (>60% and >40%, respectively). Some compounds, as carbamazepine (CBZ), diazepam (DZP), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP), manifested high resistance to biological transformation. Solids Retention Time (SRT aerobic >50 d and <50 d; SRT anoxic >20 d and <20 d) had a slightly positive effect on the removal of FLX, NPX, CTL, EE2 and natural estrogens (increase in removal efficiencies <10%). Removal of diclofenac (DCF) in the aerobic reactor was positively affected by the development of nitrifying biomass and increased from 0% up to 74%. Similarly, efficient anoxic transformation of ibuprofen (75%) was observed after an adaptation period of 340 d. Temperature (16–26 °C) only had a slight effect on the removal of CTL which increased in 4%.

Research-based development of a lesson plan on shower gels and musk fragrances following a socio-critical and problem-oriented approach to chemistry teaching

A case is described of the development of a lesson plan for 10th grade (age range 15-16) chemistry classes on the chemistry of shower gels. The lesson plan follows a socio-critical and problem-oriented approach to chemistry teaching. This means that, aside from learning about the basic chemistry of the components making up modern shower gels in the lab, the students should become sensitised to the evaluation of the product, i.e. reflecting upon the use of potentially harmful ingredients. Therefore, the lesson plan also deals with the use of artificial musk fragrances in cosmetic products. The lesson plan was developed within the framework of a Participatory Action Research project. From the accompanying evaluation based on teachers' feedback, written student questionnaires and a study based on students’ group discussions, the lesson plan was refined in different cycles of development, testing, evaluation and reflection. In the end, the lesson plan was found to be highly feasible, motivating, and an initiator of intense discussions among pupils. The group discussions indicate that this teaching approach has the potential to promote a more balanced and well thought-out view among at least some of the students when dealing with aspects of consumer behaviour and reports in the media. The overall approach seems to be promising for promoting higher-order cognitive skills, i.e. reflection and evaluation within the framework of science, technology and society.

Amperometric detection at carbon felt electrodes. Application to the determination of nitro musk derivatives and phenolic endocrine disruptors

The use of a carbon-felt electrode (CFE) of small dimensions for the amperometric detection of various nitro musk fragrances and phenolic compounds with endocrine disrupting properties is reported. The electrode material is composed of multiple disordered carbon fibres of micrometre diameter. The use of CFE for the detection of nitro musk derivatives implied the electrochemical activation by applying successive SW voltammetric scans between 0.0 and +2.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 0.1 M PBS of pH 7.0. At the activated CFE (aCFE), cyclic voltammograms for nitro musks derivatives in 0.1 M PBS of pH 7.0, showed a non-reversible behaviour with two or three cathodic peaks corresponding to the number of nitro groups present in the molecule. Hydrodynamic voltammograms from nitro musk solutions obtained under flow injection conditions at the aCFE led to the selection of a cathodic potential of −800 mV vs. Ag/AgCl as the value to be applied for the amperometric detection of these compounds. A calibration graph for musk ketone was obtained between 0.1 and 10 μg mL−1 with a detection limit of 50 ng mL−1. A RSD value of 3.7% was calculated for 10 successive measurements of 500 ng mL−1 musk ketone with no need for cleaning the electrode surface. Similar results to those obtained by GC-MS were found for the analysis of incense samples by FI with amperometric detection at the activated CFE. FI hydrodynamic voltammograms for estrogenic phenols at non-activated CFE exhibited current anodic plateaux from which a detection potential of +700 mV was chosen. Liquid chromatography with amperometric detection at the CFE was accomplished to analyze mixtures of estrogenic compounds. A mobile phase consisting of 40 : 60 (v/v) acetonitrile : 0.05 M PBS of pH 7.0 was employed. Detection limits ranging between 102 nM for bisphenol A (BPA) and 182 nM for 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) were achieved. Good recoveries were obtained in the analysis of well water and tap water samples spiked with five phenolic estrogenic compounds at a 14 nM each concentration level.

Determination of organic micro-pollutants such as personal care products, plasticizers and flame retardants in sludge

In this study, a method for the determination of organic micro-pollutants, i.e. personal care products such as synthetic musk fragrances, household bactericides, organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers, as well as phthalates in sludge, has been developed. This method is based on lyophilisation and accelerated solvent extraction followed by clean-up steps, i.e. solid phase extraction and size exclusion chromatography. The determination is performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Stable isotope-labelled compounds such as musk xylene (MX D15), tri-n-butylphosphate (TnBP D27) and triphenylphosphate (TPP D15) were used as internal standards. Recovery rates were determined to be 36-114% (with typical relative standard deviation of 5% to 23%) for the target compounds. The limit of detection was 3-30 ng g(-1), and the limit of quantification was 10-100 ng g(-1) dry matter.

Blast from the Past: Melting Glaciers as a Relevant Source for Persistent Organic Pollutants

In this study, the hypothesis that melting Alpine glaciers may represent a secondary source of persistent organic chemicals is investigated. To this end, a dated sediment core from a glacier-fed lake (Lake Oberaar, Switzerland) was analyzed for a wide range of persistent organic pollutants, organochlorine pesticides, and synthetic musk fragrances. Input fluxes of all organochlorines increased in the 1950s, peaked in the 1960s-1970s, and decreased again to low levels in the 1980s-1990s. This observation reflects the emission history of these compounds and technical improvements and regulations leading to reduced emissions some decades ago. The input of synthetic musks remained at a high level in the 1950s-1990s, which is consistent with their relatively constant production throughout the second half of the 20th century. Since the late 1990s, input of all compound classes into the high-Alpine Lake Oberaar has increased sharply. Currently, input fluxes of organochlorines are similar to or even higher than in the 1960s-1970s. This second peak supports the hypothesis that there is a relevant release of persistent organic chemicals from melting Alpine glaciers. Considering ongoing global warming and accelerated massive glacier melting predicted for the future, our study indicates the potential for dire environmental impacts due to pollutants delivered into pristine mountainous areas.

Identification and toxicological evaluation of musk fragrances and thiophenes in extracts of river sediment samples

Identification and toxicological evaluation of musk fragrances and thiophenes in extracts of river sediment samples

Inputs and distributions of synthetic musk fragrances in an estuarine and coastal environment; a case study

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.