João Pestana, from CESAM/DBIO, was the latest guest on the ScienceCast podcast, where he discussed the various types of pollution affecting aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
An expert in aquatic ecotoxicology, João Pestana explained how contaminants such as pesticides, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products interact with each other and with natural factors, often producing unexpected effects in rivers, lakes, and the organisms that inhabit them. He emphasized the importance of studying these interactions under realistic conditions – through field and mesocosm experiments – to better understand the true threats to freshwater ecosystems.
Pestana also addressed the impacts of light pollution, a growing issue that disrupts the biological rhythms of many organisms, including aquatic insects and amphibians, affecting entire food chains. This often-overlooked form of pollution has consequences that extend far beyond what our eyes can see, contributing to the decline of nocturnal biodiversity.
Throughout the episode, the researcher reflected on the role of science in political decision-making and in raising public awareness about these invisible threats. With over 80 published articles and several projects funded at both national and European levels, João Pestana has made significant contributions to understanding the impacts of human activity and to developing mitigation strategies.
The Science Cast episode, the last of the current season, is now available on major streaming platforms – an opportunity to discover how science is working to protect water, biodiversity, and even the darkness of the night.
Watch the full interview here.