Levels and distribution of synthetic musks and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sludge collected from Guangdong Province

Abstract

The levels and distribution of six polycyclic musks, three nitromusks and 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in sludge collected from 19 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in six cities in Guangdong Province, China. PAHs were detected in all of the sludge samples, and the levels of the total 15 PAHs ranged from 177.2-4421.8 µg/kg dry weight (dw). Four polycyclic musks, 4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert-butylindan (ADBI), 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindan (AHMI), 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta (g) -2-benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl -1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro naphthalene (AHTN), were found in these samples. The total concentrations of polycyclic musks varied from 794.4-12960.3 µg/kg dw, with HHCB and AHTN being the main components. Of the three nitromusks, 2,6-dinitro-3-methoxy-4-tert-butyl -toluene (MA) was only found in one sludge sample at the limit of detection (LOD) level, while 1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (Musk xylene, MX) and 4-acetyl-1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzene (Musk ketone, MK) were found at levels ranging from the LOD to 65.8 µg/kg dw and LOD to 172.7 µg/kg dw, respectively, in most of the sludge samples. The PAHs, polycyclic musks and nitro musks were also shown to have various distribution patterns, possibly due to their different wastewater sources and wastewater treatment technology.

Occurrence and distribution of organophosphorus flame retardants/plasticizers and synthetic musks in sediments from source water in the Pearl River Delta, China

“…The detailed analytical parameters have been reported previously [16,17]. Â 0.25-mm film; Thermo Fisher Scientific), with helium as the carrier gas at a flow rate of 1 mL/min.…”

Levels, compositions, and inventory of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sewage sludge of Guangdong Province, South China

“…However, the F2 sample, which originated from a domestic wastewater treatment plant in Fosan City, contained the highest concentrations of ∑ all PBDEs (5,052 ng/g) and BDE-209 (5,010 ng/g). Zeng et al (2012) found that the highest concentrations of PAHs (4,422 ng/g) were also detected in this sample (F2). The responsible WWTP received 90 % of its input from domestic sewage and an additional 10 % from industrial wastewater from ceramic and stainless steel factories.…”

“…Although PAHs in sewage sludge F5 were quite high (3,294 ng/g), its PBDEs were low (1,297 ng/g). This observation may be related to the fact that this sludge sample was primarily originated from treatment of petroleum-related wastewaters (Zeng et al 2012). When the concentrations of PBDEs in this investigation were correlated with those of PAHs, their relationship was highly significant (r >0.6) (Fig.…”

“…For most of these samples, three-ring and fourring PAHs such as phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene were the most abundant components and reflected a pyrogenic signal likely arising from extensive vehicular traffic. Conversely, in the sludge samples F2 and F3 located in Foshan City, five-ring and six-ring PAHs accounted for more than 60 % of the 15 PAHs, suggesting that they had similar wastewater sources (Zeng et al 2012). Although PAHs in sewage sludge F5 were quite high (3,294 ng/g), its PBDEs were low (1,297 ng/g).…”

“…The resemblance of the congener patterns in the sludge to those of the commercial penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE formulas suggests these as the possible PBDE sources to the wastewater treat plants. Zeng et al (2012) previously investigated the distribution of PAHs in the same sludge samples. They observed that PAHs were detected in all of the sludge samples, and the summed levels of 15 PAHs ranged from 177 to 4,422 μg/kg dry weight.…”