Results of non target screening of lipophilic organic pollutants in the German Bight II:: Polycyclic musk fragrances

The presence.of the polycyclic musk fragrances HHCB (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-(g)-2-benzopyran; trade name, e.g. galaxolide(R)) and AHTN (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene; trade name, e.g., tonalid(R)) in estuarine and marine waters is shown. A method for the quantification of these compounds is described and the results of the quantification in water from the North Sea are given. Concentrations reach from 0.09 td 4.8 ng l(-1) for HHCB in the North Sea (95 ng l(-1) in the river Elbe estuary), while they vary from 0.08 to 2.6 ng l(-1) for AHTN in the North Sea, (67 ng l(-1) in the river Elbe estuary). The values determined in water samples of the years 1990 and 1995 show no statistically significant difference for AHTN, while HHCB shows a trend towards higher concentrations in 1995 at some stations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.