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®) and AHTN (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene; trade name, e.g., tonalid®) 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 to 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.