Banned Drugs Found in Fish in Brazilian River

   Researchers from the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture at the University of Sao Paulo have discovered several classes of antibiotics found in the water of the Piracicaba River in Brazil, as well as inside the fish. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic, which is rarely used in livestock due its high levels of toxicity, was found in the lambari fish within the river. Not only was this antibiotic toxic to the marine life, but it can also cause DNA damage which was later measured by changes in blood cells. However, a plant called Salvinia auriculata, was found to negate the effects caused by Chloramphenicol on the fish if present in the water. I thought this study was very interesting because it shows how antibiotics are usually thought of in a positive way, but it can actually cause harm in other animals which can snowball into it negatively effecting humans.

Tags: #Fish #Antibiotics #Pollution

Sources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012638.htm

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12302-025-01275-7