OCCURRENCE OF SYNTHETIC MUSK COMPOUNDS AND THEIR FATE IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE RIVER SAALE IN GERMANY

Due to a widespread usage and a lack of biodegrad-ability, Synthetic Musk Compounds (SMC) can be found as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, which enter the environment especially via domestic wastewater. We investigated the occurrence and fate of six Polycyclic and two Nitro Musk Compounds in water and sediment samples from 13 locations along the river Saale in the municipal area of Halle (Saale), Germany on a monthly basis for one year. Sample analysis was carried out using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry and Galaxolide(R) (HHCB) was by far the most abundant analyte in all water samples. The remaining substances could be detected at least once, but mostly in concentrations below their respective Limits of Quantification. Highest concentrations for all detected compounds were determined in final effluent of the local sewage treatment plant (STP). Based on statistical analysis of the data obtained, a second, much smaller emission source could be identified in the examined area. In sediment samples five out of eight analytes could be detected. The analyte contents were very variable, depending on the sediment's character.