A study from Sweden highlights how clobazam, an anti-anxiety drug polluting global waterways, alters the migration behavior of wild Atlantic Salmon. Research found that salmon exposed to clobazam were less cautious, aiding their migration through man-made barriers like hydropower dams. Although increased migration success seems positive, it can disrupt natural behaviors, affecting ecosystems. Surveys reveal drug contamination is widespread, with nearly 1,000 pharmaceutical drugs detected globally, raising concerns about biodiversity and public health. This research underscores the implications of pharmaceutical pollution on aquatic wildlife and ecosystems.
[Salmon exposed to clobazam] were more likely to complete their migration to the sea, and they passed through man-made barriers like hydropower dams faster than fish that were not exposed.
While an increase in migration success might initially sound like a positive effect, any disruption to natural behaviors can have negative consequences that ripple across ecosystems.
Surveys of the world's rivers have found drug contamination in waterways on every continent on Earth even Antarctica.
Almost 1,000 different active pharmaceutical drugs have been detected in environments worldwide, harming biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and public health.
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