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Fentanyl Found in Wild Dolphins, Indicating Drug Pollution in Oceans

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Rithani

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5 min read

13 Dec, 2024

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Scientists have identified traces of fentanyl and other pharmaceutical drugs in bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico.


The discovery raises serious concerns about marine pollution and its impact on ocean health.


The investigation began in 2020 when marine biologists from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi found a recently deceased dolphin during a routine survey.


The animal’s movements indicated it had just died, prompting the team to bring it back to their laboratory for further analysis.


Initially, researchers were studying the dolphin’s tissue for hormone-related research.


However, an untargeted chemical analysis, conducted in collaboration with a university biochemist, revealed unexpected results.


Image source: Pexels


The analysis flagged thousands of compounds, including fentanyl, a sedative, and a muscle relaxant.


The surprising discovery led the researchers to expand their study. Additional samples from 89 dolphins, including live specimens from Laguna Madre in Texas and historical samples from the Mississippi Sound, were tested.


The results showed that 24 of the 89 samples contained fentanyl, while every deceased dolphin tested positive for at least one of the drugs.


Notably, some of these samples dated back to 2013, suggesting that contamination has been a long-standing issue in Gulf waters.


Image source: Pixabay


Dolphins are exposed to these contaminants through their diet rather than drinking water, as they rely on their prey for hydration.


This means that the fish and marine organisms consumed by dolphins may also be affected, creating potential risks across the marine food chain.


The possible sources of contamination are varied. Agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and drug waste discarded from boats could all contribute to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the water.


One key location where a contaminated dolphin was found is near Robstown County, the site of a major fentanyl drug bust in 2023, hinting at a possible link between human activity and pollution.


Image source: Pexels


The presence of drugs like fentanyl adds to the growing list of challenges marine mammals face.


Dolphins are already vulnerable to threats such as oil spills, vessel traffic, noise pollution, and chemical contamination.


The addition of pharmaceutical pollutants could weaken their ability to cope with these other stressors, raising concerns about the long-term health of the species.


While the traces of drugs found in dolphin tissues were low, researchers emphasize the importance of continued monitoring.


Image source: Pixabay


There is currently no comprehensive research on the long-term impact of pharmaceuticals on marine mammals, making it essential to track changes in drug concentrations over time.


The findings highlight the ongoing need for stronger regulation of pollutants entering marine ecosystems.


As dolphins are key indicators of ocean health, their exposure to drugs like fentanyl underscores the broader environmental impact of human activity on marine life.


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