
Massive urbanization on the planet has brought with it numerous polluting agents, such as household waste and waste and the effects of industrialization. Thus, human activity throughout history has caused the contamination of many natural spaces, including rivers, causing the serious crisis of fresh water.
The consequences for the environment and for the human being are dire, since rivers suppose life. For this reason, from Ecologist Verde, we want you to know the most polluted rivers in the world and that you become aware of the importance of caring for ecosystems.
Salween River
The salween river It is found in Southeast Asia, east of Tibet. Generally, it flows in a southerly direction for around 2,400 km through Yunnan, China and east of Myanmar. Thus, this river runs through various industrial zones in China and Burma.
Given the activities carried out along the river, mainly industrial in the textile field, this current has seriously increased its levels of lead, sulfur, copper, cadmium, zinc and mercury in a very short time, for which it is currently considered the most polluted river on the planet. In fact, many traders have abandoned their fishing tasks to resell plastic and glass collected from this river.

Silver river
The Silver river It is known for being an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean located in South America and for being formed by the union of the rivers Uruguay and the State of Paraná in Brazil, serving as a border between the borders of the Argentine Republic and the Eastern Republic of Uruguay.
For decades the second largest basin in South America has presented high levels of contamination as a cause of the emptying of domestic and industrial waste in its tributaries, as well as the draining of waters with Chemical wastes coming from agricultural tasks.
Here you can learn more about what are industrial discharges in water and its treatment.

Danube river
The Chemical wastes that have accumulated in this river since 1999 as a result of the fluids from the Serbian factories bombed during the attacks produced by the NATO forces make this another one of the main rivers on this list.
There are also other causes that have led to the alarming contamination situation from this central European river, ironically known as the "blue river" years ago. The increase in river transport in its waters is one of the most serious causes. In addition, it is estimated that this type of contamination will continue to grow in the coming years, even multiplying. Finally, the role of Danube river As a receptor for chemicals, pesticides and wastewater, they are also important causes that have caused its precarious state.

Ganges River
This river in northern India supplies almost half of the entire population of India, some 400 million people, making it the most important source of water in the country. Unfortunately, however, today it looks more like a landfill.
Many people make pilgrimage to the banks of the river to "purify their sins" and abandon the inert bodies of cremated humans and animals with the intention that their souls enter "Paradise". Consequently, these acts, along with sewage and other industrial wastes, are causing a huge pollution of the Ganges.
Despite good intentions to fix the situation, all attempts to save the river have failed. In fact, the situation of the Ganges is so dire that one of its tributaries, the Yamuna, has already been declared the most polluted urban river of the planet, where 100% of its content is fecal matter, 0% oxygen and, therefore, no type of life resists these conditions, both animal and plant.
In the image below and on the cover of this article you can check the Ganges river pollution.

Nile river
The largest river on the African continent has also not been spared from sneaking into this fearsome list of the most polluted rivers in the world.
The industrial and organic waste, the accumulation of sediments and the diversion of its waters have caused a huge rate of pollution in the river Nile. As a consequence of the almost 275 million tons of waste discarded in its waters, both organic waste and waste from industrial sectors such as hotels, hospitals and sewage systems, have caused many aquatic species to become extinct.
30 of the 47 species of fish that were traded for human consumption in the area have all disappeared. In addition to the loss of biological diversity in the area, this is creating a huge problem in the fishing sector.

Rio Bravo or Grande
The Bravo River It is the second largest basin in the United States, where it is known as Rio Grande, and is a fundamental source of water for the arid regions of this country, as well as for Mexico.
But nevertheless, the volume of water decreases daily due to the construction of more than 100 dams and aqueducts, and the one that remains is contaminated by the spills caused by various industries.

Other of the most polluted rivers in the world
In addition to the above, there are many more polluted rivers Worldwide:
- Murray-Darling River: the biodiversity of the area has been altered due to the introduction of non-native species, causing an environmental imbalance with the consequent threat of extinction for several species, as well as turbidity in its waters.
- Indus river: Due to climate change, this river does not receive the necessary amount of water from the glaciers, from where it originally received 80% of its water resources.
- Mekong River: the presence of arsenic in its waters devastates the surrounding ecosystems and puts people in the area at risk of poisoning.
- Yangtze river: It is the longest river in Asia, but the biological wealth of the area is being intoxicated by the use of fertilizers, pesticides and naval pollution. In the image below you can see this river.
- Mississppi river: Given its proximity to agricultural and industrial areas, this important river has also been affected by pollution.
- Pasig River: this river is the victim of contamination as a consequence of the neighborhoods built on its banks. Large amounts of sewage, garbage and chemical residues accumulate in its waters.
- The Tietê River: perhaps the most polluted river in South America, the Tietê accumulates pollution from sewage and industrial remains and emits toxic gases.

Importance of rivers and how to avoid their contamination
Rivers account for 2% of the total surface of fresh water on the planet and are one of our natural resources fundamental to survive. Almost all towns have a river near which they source. Without rivers, neither society nor nature as we know it would survive.
Among the many benefits it brings us, the most important are: a source of drinking water for humans and other animals, irrigation for agriculture and a means for transportation and commerce.
But nevertheless, human activity has damaged the quality of river waters polluting them with garbage and waste of all kinds: industrial, urban and domestic; thus altering the ecological balance of the environment. For this reason, it is vitally important that human beings become aware of our role in the world and avoid polluting not only rivers, but any natural area on the planet.
To help collaborate in the cleaning of the rivers and prevent them from continuing to pollute you can also carry out some steps. Remember the following tips:
- Do not throw garbage or leave any object in rivers or other natural areas, such as lakes or swamps.
- Also take care of the banks and adjacent areas of rivers.
- Do not pour oil or chemicals down the drain at home.
- Recycle at home, work, school …
- Do not bathe with soap in the rivers.
- Not such trees, nor do you collaborate in the great increase in the indiscriminate felling of these.
Here you can learn more about How to avoid water pollution.
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