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Bahamas Sharks Ingesting Cocaine, Painkillers
31 Mar
Summary
- Cocaine and painkillers detected in 28 of 85 analyzed sharks.
- Drug traces likely from human sources, not sewage.
- Affected sharks showed altered biological markers.
A groundbreaking study has revealed the presence of drugs, including cocaine and painkillers, in sharks inhabiting the waters of the Bahamas. Researchers analyzed serum samples from 85 sharks, identifying contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in 28 individuals near Eleuthera Island.
This marks the first documented instance of caffeine and acetaminophen in any shark species globally, and the first detection of diclofenac and cocaine in sharks from the Bahamas. Scientists believe human activity, such as divers releasing waste into the water, is the primary source of these drug traces.
The study, published in Environmental Pollution, found that sharks with CECs displayed altered levels of triglycerides, urea, and lactate. These changes could potentially lead to shifts in tissue function and behavior, although further research is needed to determine the detrimental impacts.
