Vero River, PBDEs

Some studies have also reported PBDE levels in sediments collected near industry facilities. Sellstrom et al. [29] reported total PBDE concentration levels between nd and 364 ng/g dw (nd-360 ng/g dw for BDE-209) in river sediments from a Swedish river with numerous textile industries. Higher PBDE levels up to 1,400 ng/g dw (nd-399 ng/g dw for BDE-209) were found downstream from a foam manufacturing plant using PBDEs in the United Kingdom [31]. BDE-209 burdens up to 4,600 ng/g dw have also been reported on suspended particulates from Dutch surface waters, decreasing with distance from a textile facility [42]. Our PBDE results were considerably higher than those reported for sediments collected near industrial areas, probably because of the small dilution factor of the Vero River at this area, which has an average flow of 2.1 m3/s. 

Brominated flame retardants, and especially PBDE-209, are particularly relevant in the section of the Vero River downstream Barbastro. Although the industrial activity on this area can be considered moderate, the usually low flow of the river and the absence of strict regulations for these compounds allow concentrations of pg/g of PBDEs in the fat of fish captured in this area [1]. 

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