• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.615-624
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• 2010

The aims of this study were to investigate and confirm the occurrence and distribution patterns of synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) in Nakdong river basin (mainstream and its tributaries). 4 (HHCB, AHTN, AHMI and ADBI) out of 6 polycyclic musk compounds (PMCs) and 1 (musk xylene, MX) out of 5 nitro musk compounds (NMCs) were detected in 29 sampling sites and HHCB (>50%) was predominant compound followed by musk ketone (MK) and AHTN. The total concentration levels of SMCs on February 2009 and on September 2009 in surface water samples ranged from N.D. to 2147 ng/L and N.D. to 1386 ng/L, respectively. The highest concentration level of SMCs in the mainstream and tributaries in Nakdong river were Goryeong and Jincheon-cheon, respectively. The sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the river affect the SMCs levels in river and the SMCs levels decreased with downstream because of dilution effects.