The water in the canals and irrigation channels in the L’Albufera Natural Park in Valencia, Spain, contain cocaine, ecstasy and six other drugs. Scientists at the University of Valencia have issued a warning about the dangers of this to wildlife and humans.
"The results confirm the presence of drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, codeine, morphine and cannabis in the surface waters of the L’Albufera National Park at levels ranging between 0.06 and 78.78 nanograms per liter," said Yolanda Pico, the lead study author and a senior professor in the Department of Nutrition and Bromatology at the University of Valencia.
The University of Valencia scientists, as well as scientists from the Desertification Research Centre, analyzed the presence of 14 kinds of illegal drugs – including heroin, cocaine and ecstasy – in 16 canals and irrigation channels in the beautiful natural park. The study looked for the residue these drugs produce in human urine, and then end up in the water.
Pico said that this "indicates, with increasing likelihood, that drugs are reaching the sewer and channel systems, and that in many cases they could be affecting the irrigation channels and waters of the L’Albufera lake."
"The health problems potentially caused by consuming these, added to the fact that these residues are still strongly pharmacologically active, may have consequences for land organisms and aquatic fauna," said Pico.
The L’Albufera Natural Park is one of the most important wetlands areas in Europe. The park is surrounded by cities, farms, businesses, industries, shopping malls and highways.
