A recent study by researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and collaborating institutions has detected alarming levels of cocaine in Brazil’s coastal waters and its potential effects on marine life, including the longnose shark. The findings were published in a scientific journal focused on environmental science, highlighting a growing concern about how illicit drug waste enters marine ecosystems.
The researchers examined 13 predatory fish samples and found detectable amounts of cocaine in all specimens. They also identified significant traces of benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine, within the tissues of various marine species studied.
In the sharks examined, concentrations of both substances were markedly higher than typical baseline levels, with measurements suggesting a substantial impact on their physiology and health. Cocaine’s water-soluble properties are known to reduce cell viability and increase DNA fragmentation in aquatic organisms, potentially affecting growth, reproduction, and survival over time.
Environmental pollution from illicit drugs remains a pressing issue for Brazil, a country heavily involved in regional drug production and trafficking networks. Waste from clandestine laboratories can reach waterways, and incidents such as discarded or accidentally lost packaging during smuggling can contribute to the marine pollution burden. These pathways illustrate how illegal activity can have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and public health downstream.
Past observations in Brazil’s major ports have shown that dissolved cocaine concentrations in coastal waters can resemble the levels of everyday pollutants, such as caffeine, underscoring the ubiquity and persistence of these contaminants in the marine environment. Source: STE study and related regional monitoring efforts, which emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance and effective mitigation strategies to protect marine life and water quality in coastal communities.