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Thirty-two bleak fish (Alburnus alburnus) from three places along the Spanish River Cinca, a tributary of Ebro River, were collected for polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) determinations. Sampling sites corresponded to up- and downstream from Monzón, a heavily industrialized town draining to the river. Four different PBDE congeners (BDE-47, -153, -154 and -183) and HBCD were found at levels ranging from not detected (nd) to 573ng/g wet weight for total PBDEs and from nd to 1643ng/g wet weight for HBCD. The lowest values were found upstream of the industrialized area. Concentrations in fish were compared with previous data in sediment samples collected at the same sampling sites, and large fish to sediment ratios for these brominated compounds indicate that they are highly bioavailable. Moreover, PBDE and HBCD concentrations are correlated with fish length and weight indicating the bioaccumulation of these contaminants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Classical and emerging FRs were analyzed in sediments and sludge from two Iberian river basins. [•] Halogenated norbornenes were detected in sediments from Spain for the first time. [•] Although BDE-209 was still the most abundant congener, levels of DBDPE were close. [•] Although concentration levels of halogenated norbornenes were low, its use is expected to increase during the next years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This work is part of the research included in the European project AQUATERRA, focused on the study of different persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in different risk zones along the Ebro River basin. Within monitoring programmes, a high contaminated area was detected, located along the Cinca River, a tributary of Ebro River, downstream a heavily industrialized town (Monzón). Data showed a high hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) contamination in this area. Our work included the analysis of sediments and biota, with special attention on aspects such as temporal trends, bioavailability and bioaccumulation of these contaminants. Moreover, an attempt of identification of source contamination was carried out, with the analysis of industrial effluents. The industry responsible of the contamination was identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]