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Ria Formosa’s “dramatically disappearing” seahorses
Recent studies suggest that Ria Formosa’s seahorse population is disappearing. Why exactly, no-one can say for sure – but the reduction in areas where the creatures can find shelter, and the fact that seahorses are particularly fragile, could be at the root of the drastic decline in the community that used to exist in this Algarvian wetland.
Edition 640 (19 Aug 2010), 
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Another contributory factor is the disappearance of the seaweed from this lagoon area that in turn affects bi-valve production, and could, for example, threaten the breeding of clams.
Also worrying researchers is coastal contamination stemming from a new generation of pollutants – among which are the many medicines and types of medication that flow intact from sewerage systems.
These are particularly harmful to the Ria’s marine species: antibiotics anti-depressants, painkillers and tranquilizers are some of the substances that contaminate marine species today. Until recently, Ria Formosa’s seahorse population was considered one of the largest and most stable in the world. But in just six years, their numbers have dwindled by 85 per cent…
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