Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Researchers have revealed cocaine's presence as an emerging contaminant in Brazil's Bay of Santos, the largest seaport in Latin America, alongside traditional pollutants.
Laboratory analyses conducted by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) unveiled cocaine's toxicological effects on marine organisms, including mussels, oysters, and fish.
UNIFESP researchers, in collaboration with Santa Cecília University (UNISANTA), confirmed cocaine's presence in surface water, sediments, and marine life, marking it as a concerning contaminant.
Monitoring conducted throughout the year revealed consistent cocaine presence, challenging initial hypotheses linking its occurrence solely to Carnival festivities. "This is a high bioaccumulation factor. Therefore, the seafood in the Bay of Santos may be contaminated by cocaine, but not only by cocaine," said Seabra.
Laboratory analyses demonstrated significant bioaccumulation of cocaine in brown mussels, highlighting potential risks to marine organisms and ecosystems.
Exposure to cocaine induces neuroendocrine responses in marine organisms, impacting neurotransmitter levels and reproductive processes, as evidenced by laboratory studies.
Research extends to assess cocaine's ecological risk, revealing severe cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in mangrove oysters, further emphasizing its status as a contaminant of concern.
The presence of cocaine in the Bay of Santos is attributed to a combination of factors, including drug trafficking routes, increased drug usage, and inadequate sewage treatment.
Researchers advocate for continued investigation into cocaine's environmental impact and the implementation of comprehensive monitoring programs to address emerging contaminants in coastal regions.