What are the most polluted rivers in the world? Let’s delve into the details to discover the worst ones (and where they are located).
River pollution is one of the most serious and underestimated environmental problems globally. Every day, millions of tons of waste, plastics, chemicals, and industrial waste end up in waterways, compromising the health of ecosystems and endangering human safety.
The consequences, however, don’t just affect aquatic biodiversity. River pollution also impacts the quality of drinking water, fishing, agriculture, and food security. But what are the most polluted rivers in the world? Below, we’ll provide a ranking to help you understand them, taking into account various factors, such as the main causes, the quantity of waste present, and the risks to the environment and human health.
In many areas of the planet, rivers have become veritable open-air landfills, suffocated by tons of plastic, chemicals, heavy metals, and toxic industrial waste. According to the most recent analyses by UNEP and international studies, just ten major rivers are responsible for approximately 90% of the plastic that reaches the oceans. Below, we will examine the most affected waterways and the main causes that have led to this state of emergency.
Citarum (Java, Indonesia)
The Citarum is often cited as the most polluted river in the world. It flows through one of Indonesia’s most densely populated and industrialized regions, collecting waste from over 2,000 factories, plastic, untreated wastewater, and heavy metals. The water quality is so poor that it is often unusable even for untreated agricultural or domestic purposes.
Ganges (India)
The Ganges is a sacred river for millions of people, but its water quality is compromised by industrial discharges, urban sewage, and funeral practices that are not always compatible with environmental protection. Despite cleanup efforts, management remains a huge challenge.
Yamuna (India)
A tributary of the Ganges, the Yamuna flows through the Delhi metropolitan area and is under severe pressure from untreated urban sewage. Some sections of the river are ecologically degraded, with high bacterial counts and wastewater that compromise both recreational and fishing use.
Mississippi (United States)
The Mississippi is one of the longest rivers in the United States and is pressured by agricultural, industrial, and urban discharges. Excess nutrient accumulation has led to the formation of dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, compromising biodiversity and water quality.
Buriganga (Bangladesh)
The Buriganga, which flows through Dhaka and surrounding areas, is severely impacted by discharges from tanneries and light industries, as well as household waste. Sections of the river exhibit extremely low levels of dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of chemical and biological contaminants, with obvious impacts on aquatic life and the population living along its banks.
Marilao (Philippines)
The Marilao River is notorious for contamination from chemical industries, solid waste, and untreated sewage. Water quality is often compromised by toxic substances, which directly impact the health of local people and agricultural activities.
Yellow River (China)
The Yellow River, or Huang He, is notorious for high sedimentation and pollution from plastics and chemical contaminants. Water quality is severely compromised, making environmental protection and sustainable water management particularly complex challenges along its entire course.
Tietê (Brazil)
The Tietê flows through São Paulo and is severely polluted by industrial, municipal, and agricultural sewage. Despite purification efforts, water quality remains compromised, with significant impacts on public health and the environment.
Techa (Russia)
The Techa River has been contaminated by radioactive discharges from the Mayak industrial complex. The contamination has had serious consequences both for the health of the surrounding communities and for the entire river ecosystem, causing long-term environmental damage.
Coatzacoalcos (Mexico)
The Coatzacoalcos River is severely affected by industrial discharges. The lack of adequate environmental controls has exacerbated the situation, causing serious health problems for the populations living in the area and leading to significant deterioration of the surrounding natural environment.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: I fiumi più inquinati in Italia e nel mondo
