Synthetic musk fragrances and heavy metals in snow samples of Beijing urban area, China

Seven typical synthetic musk fragrances (musk xylene (MX), musk ketone (MK), Galaxolide (HHCB), Tonalide (AHTN), Celestolide (ADBI), Traseolide (ATII) and Phantolide (AHMI)) and seventeen heavy metals (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Ti and Pb) were measured in 42 snow samples from Beijing urban area of China. Galaxolide (HHCB) and Tonalide (AHTN) showed the highest concentrations (6.5–75.1 and 2.2–16.4 ng/l, respectively) and highest detection frequency (nearly 100%) among the musks. MX, MK and ATII were only found in several samples. HHCB concentrations were not significantly relative with DOC, while AHTN concentrations were found positively correlated with DOC (p < 0.05). Moreover, Mn, Zn, Sb, Ba, Cu and As could be detected in most of snow samples, ranged in N.D.–71.3 μg/L. No significant correlation was observed in metal concentrations and DOC (p > 0.05). Significant correlations exist between the concentrations of HHCB and AHTN in snow samples (p < 0.001) of Beijing, China.