Anthropogenic organic contaminants in sediments of the Lippe river, Germany

All samples were taken from stagnant water zones near the riverside at a maximum depth of 5 cm with high-grade steel vessels and filled in glass vessels with teflon seals. The samples were stored at +4°C until extraction. Further details of the applied sampling techniques have been described previously (Schwarzbauer et al., 2001). 

Quantification limits (LOQ) were calculated at 0.5 ng/g diy matter (signal to noise ratio of approx. 10 1 in real samples), whereas detection limits were specified at 0.1 ng/g dry matter. All concentrations are recoveiy corrected and normalized on dry weight bases. 

The GC/MS non-target screening analyses revealed numerous compounds of which selected ones are subsequently presented and discussed in the following mainly with respect to their source specifity and their spatial distribution within the riverine system. Concentrations of anthropogenic marker compounds as well as of still unnoticed contaminants will effectively characterize anthropogenic emissions and provide a more detailed view on the pollution of the Lippe river. All quantitative data are shown in Tab. 2 a-d. 

In this study the quantitatively most important polycyclic musk fragrances, 7-acetyl-l,l.,3 4,4,6-hexamethyl-l, 2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN, Tonalide ) [Structure 1 Appendix] and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexacyclopenta[g]-2-benzopyrane (HHCB, Galaxolide ) [Structure 2 Appendix] were considered. Generally low concentrations between the limit of detection (LOD) and approx. 90 ng/g were detetcted 

Antiseptics may also serve as municipal molecular markers. Triclosan [Structure 4 Appendix] is a common antiseptic used in toothpastes, detergents, socks, underwear, plastic products, shampoos, deodorants and soaps (Adolfsson-Erici et al., 2002 Lindstrom et al., 2002). With respect to these specific applications and to its environmental stability triclosan can be regarded as a municipal molecular marker. In the Lipper river sediments investigated methyltriclosan [Structure 5 Appendix], a methylated transformation product of the antiseptic, was identified exclusively. This methylated metabolite was formerly identified in lakes and rivers in Switzerland together with its primary substrate triclosan (Lindstrom et al., 2002). 

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Anthropogenic organic contaminants in sediments of the Lippe river, Germany ... 

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