Sampling protocols, analytical methods and equipment are getting ready for the expedition
51 pharmaceuticals and metabolites identified in Amazonian waters
A target and suspect screening approach as been applied to assess the presence of 900 pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in Amazonian freshwaters. Our study identified 51 different compounds, with the highest prevalence of contaminants in streams crossing the urban areas of Manaus, Macapá and Belém. Most compounds in the identified list are analgesics and antihypertensives. Our study has been published in the journal Water Research, and shows the first evidence of pharmaceuticals being widespread contaminants in Amazonian freshwater […]
Pharmaceuticals threaten Amazonian freshwater ecosystems
A new study has been published in Environment International which shows the first quantitative analysis of pharmaceuticals and other urban contaminants in Amazonian freshwater ecosystems. We assessed exposure patterns in four large cities of the Brazilian Amazon (Manaus, Santarém, Macapá, Belém). Our study shows that the chemical burden created by the emission of untreated wastewaters from urban areas poses significant long-term risks for freshwater ecosystems, with chemical mixtures potentially affecting up to 50-80% of species. We conclude that the protection of Amazonian freshwater ecosystems […]
Expedition 2019 succesfully completed!
The SILENT AMAZON expedition concluded successfully on the 15 December of 2019. After 30 days navigating the river, the field team has achieved its main goal: collecting 40 samples of water across different anthropogenic pressure gradients in the basin. It has been more than 1500 km, and focal sampling in four major cities: Manaus, Santarém, Macapá and Belém. Moreover, the team has managed to get 17 macrophyte and 53 fish samples. Water samples have been send to different laboratories […]
National Geographic Bootcamp
In July 2019, Andreu Rico attended the Story Telling Bootcamp organized by the National Geographic Society. Several workshops were organized on research communication, scientific photography and video, and social media. Also, there was an opportunity to show our research to a crowd of highly influential researchers in the Amazon. But, most importantly, it was a great opportunity to meet amazing people and learn from other projects taking place along the Amazon River.