Cocaine found in muscle/liver of sharpnose sharks off coast of Rio de Janeiro

A study conducted by marine biologists and ecotoxicologists in Brazil has discovered cocaine in the muscle and liver tissues of Brazilian Sharpnose sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, indicates that the concentration of cocaine found in these sharks is approximately 100 times higher than that observed in other marine animals. The cocaine likely enters the ocean through wastewater from sewage systems, runoff from drug labs, and discarded packages by traffickers. The study involved purchasing 13 sharks from local fishermen, which were then dissected for analysis using tandem mass spectrometry. The researchers emphasize that this finding is just the beginning of understanding the implications of illicit drugs in marine ecosystems. They are uncertain about the effects of cocaine on shark behavior and reproductive functions, noting that other toxins have been shown to disrupt reproductive processes in sharks. Previous studies have also indicated that cocaine can cause DNA damage in mollusks. The researchers call for further investigation to identify the sources of cocaine pollution in marine environments to mitigate its introduction into the ocean.