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(T/EH124) Recent analyses of nitromusks in sewage and river water in the UK. Sabaliunas, Darius1, Webb, Simon2, Eckhoff, Bill3, Simonich, Staci3, 1 2 3 ABSTRACT- The concentrations of Musk Ketone (MK) and Musk Xylene (MX) were determined in influents and effluents from trickling filter (TF) and activated sludge (AS) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Aire Basin (Yorkshire, UK) in September 2000. Concentrations were also determined in the river receiving the effluent from the TF plant. MK influent concentrations were 0.37 microg/l for the TF plant and 0.75 microg/l for the AS plant. MX influent concentrations were 0.34 microg/l for the TF plant and 0.22 microg/l for the AS plant. After passage through the WWTPs, effluent concentrations were 0.04 - 0.06 microg/l for MK and 0.01 - 0.02 microg/l for MX. Removal rates for MK & MX respectively were 90% and 95% in the TF plant and 92% and 98% in the AS plant. River concentrations ranged from 0.002 microg/l for both MK and MX upstream of the effluent discharge to 0.024 microg/l MK and 0.007 microg/l MX immediately downstream of the discharge (dilution factor 2). Concentrations declined to 0.017 microg/l MK and 0.003 microg/l MX at 3.5 km downstream. A preliminary estimation of in-stream removal rate (via biotransformation, sorption and/or volatilization) in this river was 0.07 h-1 for MK and 0.197 h-1 for MX. The concentrations reported here are low relative to historical levels. This reflects changing usage patterns of nitromusks in detergents within the EU. As the study was conducted in the area covered by GREAT-ER (Geography-referenced regional exposure assessment tool for European rivers), the measured concentrations and WWTP and in-stream removal rates were used in the model to predict site-specific distribution of nitromusk concentrations in the Aire Basin. Key words: Perfumes, Sewage, Die-away, GREAT-ER |
