Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz, a researcher at ICRA, presented the study “Occurrence, Distribution and Impact of Antibiotics in Contrasting Aquaculture Systems and Their Surroundings“ at the EuroMarine Open Science Days 2026, held from March 10 to 12, 2026, at the University of Cádiz (Spain).

The presentation summarized the findings obtained by ICRA researchers within the framework of the European project ARENA (completed in 2025). The study investigated the presence, distribution, and associated risks to the environment and human health of antibiotics in contrasting aquaculture systems where antibiotics are not used, including an open-water coastal mariculture facility and a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS).

The results indicated that both aquaculture systems showed evidence of external antibiotic contamination, likely originating from urban wastewater sources. These findings highlight the influence of surrounding anthropogenic activities on aquaculture environments, even in systems where antibiotics are not intentionally used.