Polycyclic musk fragrances in different environmental compartments in Berlin (Germany)

The aim of this study was to obtain data about the contamination of differe nt environmental compartments (102 surface water samples, 59 sediment sampl es and 165 eel samples) by polycyclic musks (HHCB, AHTN, ADBI, AHMI, and AT II) within the framework of an exposure monitoring program. Results for HHCB (Galaxolide") gave the following mean values in areas stro ngly polluted with sewage: surface water 1.59 mug l(-1); sediment 0.92 mg k g(-1) d.w. and eel 1513 mug kg(-1) f.w. (in the edible portion) (6471 mug k g(-1) lipid). The following average concentrations were found in waters har dly contaminated with sewage: surface water 0.07 mug l(-1), sediment <0.02 mg kg(-1) and eel 52 <mu>g kg(-1) f.w. (445 mug kg(-1) lipid). Mean concent rations of 6.85 mug l(-1) (maximum: 13.3 mug/l) could be measured at sewage treatment plants' outlets. It could be shown that these polycyclics are highly suited to use as indica tors of the degree of contamination of waters with organic substances origi nating from sewage. A mean bioconcentration factor (BCF) on wet weight of 8 62 (HHCB) and 1069 (AHTN) for the transfer from water to eel under natural conditions could be calculated. The corresponding BCF-values based on the l ipid content of eel were 3504 (HHCB) and 5017 (AHTN). (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.