HHCB/AHTN ratios

In the Canadian samples the concentrations ranged between HHCB 205 -1300 n/L, AHTN 110-520 ng/L, ADBI 4-19 ng/L, and AHMI 2-6 ng/L in the effluent water samples. The highest concentrations for all compounds were measured in the effluents from the Mill Cove Plant in Bedford, Nova Scotia. The HHCB/AHTN ratios were close in the range of 1.86 - 2.50. 

The median HHCB/AHTN ratio in Lippe river water was 2.9 (Dsikowitzky et al., 2002), close to the HHCB/AHTN ratio of 2.5, which was deduced from the 1995 European use volumes (Balk and Ford, 1999a). However, in water samples from the Elbe river, the Saale river and the Mulde river, Germany, lower median HHCB/AHTN ratios were determined, 1.4 to 1.8 (data compiled by Rimkus, 1999). Apparently, HHCB/AHTN ratios are subject to fluctuations, since Simonich et al. (2000) have shown that the percent removal of both compounds during wastewater treatment in the STPs analysed was very similar. 

However, the type of treatment, may it be biological, chemical, or a combination could have a different outcome. Variations of HHCB/AHTN ratios were possibly a result of ongoing supply of HHCB and AHTN with variable ratios or a higher biodegradability of HHCB (Postma et al., 1996). Based on different influent concentrations in the US and Europe (see Table 2 Simonich et al., 2002) we speculate on processes during the transport within the aquatic system, as the ratios in effluent samples are different from those reported for aquatic systems. 

Tab. 2 Concentrations of HHCB, AHTN, ADBI and AHMI and HHCB/AHTN ratios in water samples from the Lippe river (site numbers see Fig. 2) and in two samples from Hamm sewage treatment plant.

Site No. HHCB [ng/L] AHTN [ng/L] ADBI [ng/L] AHMI [ng/L] HHCB/AHTN ratio... 

Site No. TOC [%] HHCB rug/gToci AHTN rug/gToci AHMI rus/g toci HHCB/AHTN ratio... 

HHCB/AHTN ratios in Lippe river sediments are significantly lower (average 1.2) than in Lippe river water samples (average 2.9). Accordingly, AHTN is enriched in the sediments. Winkler et al. (1998) investigated musk concentrations in water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the Elbe river. They found a HHCB/AHTN ratio of about 1 in SPM, whereas river water analysis showed a HHCB/AHTN ratio of about 2 (which is also illustrated by the higher partition coefficient... 

HHCB/AHTN ratios in sediments and suspended particulate matter were lower than in water samples. The enrichment of AHTN in sediments may demonstrate its preferential adsorption to particulate matter. This is confirmed by field data of Winkler et al. (1998) but disagrees with the very similar sorptive behaviour of both compounds which were measured in laboratory tests (Balk and Ford, 1999a). 

Ratios of dissolved HHCB/AHTN are included in Table 2. The ratios for the Canadian samples (1.9 to 2.5) matched closely those reported for the North Sea, and other remote sampling locations and the US (Bester et al. 1998a Heberer et al. 1999 Osemwengie and Steinberg 2001), while those for the Swedish samples (3.7 to 5.3) were closer to highly contaminated samples from Berlin (Heberer et al. 1999 Fromme et al. 2001) and other STP-effluents (Dsikowitzky et al. 2002). 

Cashmeran (DPMI) Celestolide (ADBI) Phantolide (AHMI) Galaxolide (HHCB) Traseolide (ATTI) Tonalide (AHTN) Musk Xylene Musk Ketone Ratio HHCB/AHTN References... 

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