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Eleven selected biological samples representing different ecosystems, trophic levels, and areas mainly in Sweden have been analyzed for 31 halogenated organic compounds or compound groups. The multiresidue analytical method provides a good opportunity to compare the concentrations of the different compounds in the investigated samples. By the use of ratios of these concentrations, comparisons can be done between species and areas. An attempt to describe an environmental distribution profile is demonstrated for some of the compounds using the concentration ratio between these compounds and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′‐hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153). Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) were found in all samples (130‐4,400 ng/g lipid weight [lw]) and in some of them at higher concentrations than the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The ratio of CP to PCB 153 is higher in the investigated terrestrial species than in the aquatic, which is not the case for the other compounds. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were also found in all but one sample (< 3‐2,140 ng/g lw). The concentrations were highest in industrialized areas but were also present in samples from background areas. Seven major congeners of PCBs were determined; the sum ranged from 50 to 200,000 ng/g lw in the investigated samples. Three coplanar PCB congeners were also analyzed (0.42‐160 ng/g lw) as well as polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), which were found at levels between 0.038 and 50 ng/g lw. The latter two groups do not seem to biomagnify in the food chain of herring to grey seal to the same extent as the major PCB compounds. Pentachlorobenzene was found in only three of the samples (0.6‐35 ng/g lw), whereas hexachlorobenzene was present in all samples (9‐330 ng/g lw). Among the organochlorine pesticides, total DDTs ranged from 4 to 280,000 ng/g lw and the hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) from < 19 to 650. Chlordane (< 6‐4,000 ng/g lw), toxaphene (not detected‐5,700), and dieldrin (< 11‐340) were also found. None of the analyzed polychlorinated phenols and guaiacols were detected in any of the investigated samples.

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In this study, several emerging compounds of concern in waste water are identified and discussed in relation to data available on their sources and mass flows in urban waters. In most western European situations, the highest contributions to the mass flow of xenobiotics to the urban water cycle stems from household and services applications (e.g. personal care compounds, pharmaceuticals, steroid hormones, flame retardants, fluorinated detergents etc.) as well as building and constructing environments (e.g. flame retardants, plasticizers, UV-blockers and biocides). The contribution from industrial point sources such as incineration industries e.g. coal, tar, steel and gas production (such as PAHs, PCBs, dioxins, etc.) and chemical industries are decreasing in relevance in terms of input and are hence currently of more local relevance only. In relation to identified compounds, this paper considers current data availability and its use in a range of management strategies for the mitigation or controlling of xenobiotics 'at source'. However it also identifies major knowledge gaps relating to the behaviour and fate of organic pollutants in various sectors of the urban water cycle including stormwater management, bank-and soil infiltration as well as underground and soil passage of polluted waters. It is also discussing the major sources of a range of current day urban pollutants. The paper considers the sources of emerging pollutants in a qualitative way.

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