Abstract
Polycyclic musk fragrances are widely used as ingredients in personal care products, shampoos, lotions, and household cleaning agents. These chemicals have relatively high octanol-water partition coefficients, and therefore tend to accumulate in sediments, sludge, and biological tissues. We analyzed shrimp and sediment samples for the presence of synthetic musks. Samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction. Gel permeation chromatography and solid phase extraction with silica were used to clean the extracts. The extracts were analyzed with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry with Electron Impact ionization (GC-MS-EI) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Sediment samples were collected from three tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. HHCB was detected in concentrations up to 9.2 (average 1.1 ± 2.2) ng/g dry weight. Shrimp samples were collected as part of a seafood market survey of wild and farmed shrimp from the USA and other countries (Mexico, India, Equador, Thailand, China and others). Detected HHCB concentrations ranged from 48 to 683 (average 198 ± 156) ng/g lipid in farmed shrimp, and from 66 to 762 (average 334 ± 236) ng/g lipid in wild shrimp. Estimated concentrations of AHTN were up to 185 ng/g lipid in farmed shrimp, and up to 384 ng/g lipid weight in wild shrimp. HHCB was detected in all tissue samples analyzed, thus indicating the widespread distribution of this synthetic fragrance in shrimp.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors acknowledge Dr. Paul Pennington and James Daugomah, NOAA/NOS/CCEHBR. We acknowledge the Oceans and Human Health Initiative for funding and Drs. John Leffler and Craig Browdy from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for collecting shrimp samples. The authors acknowledge A.K. Leight, NOAA, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory for sediment sample design. We also acknowledge Ward Slacum of Versar, Inc. for collecting the sediment samples.