Decreasing but still high levels of halogenated flame retardants in wetland birds in central Spain

The occurrence of classical and emerging halogenated flame retardants in bird samples collected between 2010–17 from the Castrejón reservoir (central Spain)was studied. Different wetland bird samples were analysed, including unhatched bird eggs and liver of dead nestlings. Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs)were detected in all the samples at high concentration values, with levels up to 5167 ng/g lw. Dechloranes were found in 78% of analysed samples, but at lower concentration levels, between not detected (nd)and 2153 ng/g lw. The time trend evaluation over the sampling period showed an approximately 50% decline in mean concentrations of PBDEs. However, the most recent data for PBDEs (2016–17)still indicate that, in some cases, and based on reported LOECs, wetland birds were exposed to PBDE concentrations that are associated with possible ecological hazards. © 2019 Elsevier LtdThis work has been funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Consolidated Research Group Water and Soil Quality Unit 2017 SGR 1404), and by the projects CGL2009-12753-C02-01/BOS , CGL2010-15726 and CGL2015-69445-P of the Spanish Ministerio of Economía y Competitividad . Biotage is acknowledged for providing SPE cartridges. We appreciate the help of Albert Estepa, Meritxell Mallén and Alba Martínez in the analytical work, and José C. Oliveros, Roberto Oliveros, Pilar Villalobos and Francisco Morales in the fieldwork. Appendix APeer reviewe