Cocaine and other illicit drugs in the marine environment: Potential effects and future directions

Cocaine and its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine, have been recently detected in sharks, indicating a growing concern over marine drug pollution. The presence of this drug in marine fauna poses risks such as physiological stress, impaired growth, reproduction, and altered behaviors, potentially l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2024-11, Vol.208, p.117064, Article 117064
Main Authors: Hauser-Davis, Rachel Ann, Wosnick, Natascha, Hoff, Rodrigo Barcellos, Vianna, Marcelo, Saggioro, Enrico Mendes
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Aquatic environments
Aquatic Organisms
bioaccumulation
biodiversity
Cocaine
Contamination
drugs
Drugs of abuse
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
fauna
human health
Humans
Illegal substances
Illicit Drugs
marine environment
marine pollution
metabolites
Monitoring
reproduction
wastewater treatment
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:Cocaine and its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine, have been recently detected in sharks, indicating a growing concern over marine drug pollution. The presence of this drug in marine fauna poses risks such as physiological stress, impaired growth, reproduction, and altered behaviors, potentially leading to biodiversity loss and disrupted ecological interactions. Biomagnification may further affect higher trophic levels, including humans. Addressing this issue requires continuous monitoring, studies on physiological effects, understanding contamination routes, and improving wastewater treatment. Additionally, stricter regulations on pharmaceutical disposal are necessary to mitigate the impacts of such pollutants on marine ecosystems and human health. •Marine drug pollution can affect biota behavior, ecosystem balance, and biodiversity.•A significant lack of research on illicit drug effects in marine wildlife is noted.•Illicit drug biomagnification poses potential human health and public safety risks.•Continuous monitoring, effect and contamination route assessments are required•Wastewater treatment and stricter pharmaceutical disposal regulations are necessary
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117064