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Lesson

Cocaine Pollution Affects Salmon Behavior

A study finds that cocaine in water can change how salmon behave, impacting their movement and vulnerability to predators.

Source:theguardian.com

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Standard — Natural English

51 words · ~1 min read
Researchers have found that cocaine pollution in rivers and lakes may disrupt salmon behavior. Juvenile Atlantic salmon exposed to cocaine swam further and spread out more widely, which could affect their feeding habits and increase their risk from predators. The long-term consequences of this pollution on fish populations are still unclear.

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Test your understanding

Test your understanding

01What substance was found to pollute rivers and lakes?

02How did juvenile Atlantic salmon behave after exposure to cocaine?

03What risk do salmon face due to increased foraging?

04What do researchers call for regarding pharmaceutical companies?

Discussion

Discussion

What are the potential long-term effects of drug pollution on aquatic ecosystems?

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

  • pollution word

    the presence of harmful substances in the environment

    “Cocaine pollution in rivers can harm fish.”

  • disrupt word

    to interrupt or disturb the normal process

    “Cocaine can disrupt salmon behavior.”

  • vulnerable word

    capable of being easily harmed or attacked

    “Salmon may become more vulnerable to predators.”

  • forage word

    to search for and gather food

    “Fish need to forage for food to survive.”

  • consequences word

    the results or effects of an action

    “The consequences of pollution are not fully understood.”