Project outcomes are disseminated trough scientific publications, meetings with environmental authorities and with local associations
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 […]
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 […]