Do I correctly interpret the presence of benzoylecgonine to mean that the sharks were not only ingesting, but also metabolizing, the cocaine? I must admit that my thoughts also went to "Cocaine Bear" and "Sharknado." But Cocaine Bear was real and a pretty terrible thing.
Yes, you are correct! The presence of benzoylecgonine indicates that the sharks are not only ingesting cocaine but also metabolizing it. It's a concerning discovery. The reality of drug pollution's impact on marine life is a serious issue. Thanks for your interest!
When I worked for the United Way we funded safe drug disposal sites around our community. Every community should have them. On a personal note, my dr. Recently Prescribed a painkilling medication in a patch form. In addition to information about the drug, it comes with information for safe disposal instructions and safe disposal packets to put used patches in prior to discarding them. I think all RX drugs should minimally come with instructions for disposal. Adding the disposal packets when appropriate would further help to avoid environmental contamination.
Thank you for sharing, Evelina! These are the types of ideas we must consider across the board if we are going to protect our environment. Thank you for sharing!
Interesting. It raises all sorts of questions. You touch on contamination by other pharmaceuticals and compounds. I would like to see a summary of the relative quantities of all the different substances that are now accumulating in aquatic animals, as well as their thresholds for known harm. It is one thing to be able to identify a substance in a particular animal, but how likely is it to have a physiologic effect at that concentration? Does cocaine undergo biological magnification like fat soluble insecticides? Have they been measuring the cocaine concentrations in other types of fish? And for that matter, what prompted them to look at the cocaine content of sharks?
Michael, thank you for your insightful questions! Studies have shown that various pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, antidepressants, and NSAIDs, are commonly found in aquatic organisms such as fish and shellfish. These substances can accumulate in significant quantities, with cocaine being a particularly concerning contaminant.
Research indicates that cocaine can cause neurotoxicity, energy imbalances, and reproductive issues in marine life, even at low concentrations. For example, marine mussels exposed to cocaine showed decreased acetylcholinesterase activity and altered neurotransmitter levels, which can affect their overall health and behavior. Similarly, eels exposed to cocaine exhibited changes in oocyte morphology and hormone levels, impacting their reproductive capabilities.
The presence of cocaine in sharks was initially surprising and prompted further investigation due to their role as apex predators in marine ecosystems. Researchers discovered that cocaine concentrations in sharks were significantly higher than in other marine species, suggesting chronic exposure from untreated sewage and illegal drug dumping. This contamination not only affects the sharks but also raises concerns about the potential for these substances to enter the human food chain, posing health risks to consumers. While cocaine does not undergo biological magnification like fat-soluble insecticides, its persistent presence in the environment and its impact on marine life underscore the urgent need for measures to address pharmaceutical pollution in our oceans.
There is no getting around it. In sociology, human psychology, to dissuade bad behavior there must be a punishment component of criminal that is upheld. Doing drugs is bad... mkay
Perfect! I can already see the tagline: "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... they got addicted!" From the creators of Sharknado... get ready for a jaw-dropping, high-stakes adventure: Cocaine Shark!
Do I correctly interpret the presence of benzoylecgonine to mean that the sharks were not only ingesting, but also metabolizing, the cocaine? I must admit that my thoughts also went to "Cocaine Bear" and "Sharknado." But Cocaine Bear was real and a pretty terrible thing.
Yes, you are correct! The presence of benzoylecgonine indicates that the sharks are not only ingesting cocaine but also metabolizing it. It's a concerning discovery. The reality of drug pollution's impact on marine life is a serious issue. Thanks for your interest!
When I worked for the United Way we funded safe drug disposal sites around our community. Every community should have them. On a personal note, my dr. Recently Prescribed a painkilling medication in a patch form. In addition to information about the drug, it comes with information for safe disposal instructions and safe disposal packets to put used patches in prior to discarding them. I think all RX drugs should minimally come with instructions for disposal. Adding the disposal packets when appropriate would further help to avoid environmental contamination.
Thank you for sharing, Evelina! These are the types of ideas we must consider across the board if we are going to protect our environment. Thank you for sharing!
Interesting. It raises all sorts of questions. You touch on contamination by other pharmaceuticals and compounds. I would like to see a summary of the relative quantities of all the different substances that are now accumulating in aquatic animals, as well as their thresholds for known harm. It is one thing to be able to identify a substance in a particular animal, but how likely is it to have a physiologic effect at that concentration? Does cocaine undergo biological magnification like fat soluble insecticides? Have they been measuring the cocaine concentrations in other types of fish? And for that matter, what prompted them to look at the cocaine content of sharks?
Michael, thank you for your insightful questions! Studies have shown that various pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, antidepressants, and NSAIDs, are commonly found in aquatic organisms such as fish and shellfish. These substances can accumulate in significant quantities, with cocaine being a particularly concerning contaminant.
Research indicates that cocaine can cause neurotoxicity, energy imbalances, and reproductive issues in marine life, even at low concentrations. For example, marine mussels exposed to cocaine showed decreased acetylcholinesterase activity and altered neurotransmitter levels, which can affect their overall health and behavior. Similarly, eels exposed to cocaine exhibited changes in oocyte morphology and hormone levels, impacting their reproductive capabilities.
The presence of cocaine in sharks was initially surprising and prompted further investigation due to their role as apex predators in marine ecosystems. Researchers discovered that cocaine concentrations in sharks were significantly higher than in other marine species, suggesting chronic exposure from untreated sewage and illegal drug dumping. This contamination not only affects the sharks but also raises concerns about the potential for these substances to enter the human food chain, posing health risks to consumers. While cocaine does not undergo biological magnification like fat-soluble insecticides, its persistent presence in the environment and its impact on marine life underscore the urgent need for measures to address pharmaceutical pollution in our oceans.
There is no getting around it. In sociology, human psychology, to dissuade bad behavior there must be a punishment component of criminal that is upheld. Doing drugs is bad... mkay
Fascinating, although as a former TV exec I was seeing a mega series…Cocaine Shark
Perfect! I can already see the tagline: "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... they got addicted!" From the creators of Sharknado... get ready for a jaw-dropping, high-stakes adventure: Cocaine Shark!
You need to pitch it for shard week at discovery
Me? Its your idea! ;-)