Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Fish In British Rivers Are Testing Positive For Cocaine, Ketamine And MDMA

Ciara Sheppard

Published 
| Last updated 

Fish In British Rivers Are Testing Positive For Cocaine, Ketamine And MDMA

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Fish in rural waters across the UK are being exposed to illegal drugs, and scientists are yet to know the effect that these chemicals are having on their bodies.

Researchers at King's College London and University of Suffolk tested the chemical exposure of freshwater shrimp from 15 locations across Suffolk, finding cocaine in all the fish they tested, as well as Ketamine, and MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy.

Traces of cocaine and other drugs have been found. Credit: Flickr
Traces of cocaine and other drugs have been found. Credit: Flickr

The study also found other pharmaceuticals and several pesticides that are no longer approved for use in the EU.

Advert

Lead author, Dr Thomas Miller from King's College London said: "Although concentrations were low, we were able to identify compounds that might be of concern to the environment and crucially, which might pose a risk to wildlife.

"As part of our ongoing work, we found that the most frequently detected compounds were illicit drugs, including cocaine and ketamine and a banned pesticide, fenuron. Although for many of these, the potential for any effect is likely to be low."

Credit: PA
Credit: PA

While its expected to find traces of these chemicals in waterlife in the River Thames and London, scientists were surprised to find contaminated fish in the country's rural rivers.

Advert

Dr Leon Barron added: "Such regular occurrence of illicit drugs in wildlife was surprising. We might expect to see these in urban areas such as London, but not in smaller and more rural catchments.

Credit: Pexels
Credit: Pexels

"The presence of pesticides which have long been banned in the UK also poses a particular challenge as the sources of these remain unclear."

Professor Nicholas Bury from the University of Suffolk says that the impact of 'invisble' chemical pollution on wildlife should be treated with as much seriousness as microplastic pollution.

Advert

Loading…

"Environmental health has attracted much attention from the public due to challenges associated with climate change and microplastic pollution," he says.

"However, the impact of 'invisible' chemical pollution (such as drugs) on wildlife health needs more focus in the UK as policy can often be informed by studies such as these."

Topics: Life News, Real, Life

Ciara Sheppard
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Gogglebox star George Gilbey dies aged 40

13 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Viewers binge 'gripping' crime drama in one go amid calls for second series

2 days ago