Helena Joyce
The world's rivers are under attack from a variety of pollution sources, including industrial waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, and pharmaceuticals. A recent study found that pharmaceutical pollution is rampant in waterways worldwide, with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antidepressants being the most common drugs identified. This has led to dangerous levels of pollution in many rivers, with some even becoming unfit for human or animal consumption. While it is challenging to determine the single most polluted river, several contenders stand out for their severe pollution levels and the impact on the local population.
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Pharmaceutical pollution
A 2022 study analysed data from over 1,000 sites in 104 countries and found that pharmaceutical pollution is rampant in waterways around the world. The study, which included sampling sites on all seven continents, revealed that the most common drugs identified were antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antidepressants.
The Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Pollution in the urban areas of Lahore is reportedly very high due to poor waste management and drainage systems. The river sediments are severely polluted and have become a secondary source of pollution in the water. Another highly polluted river is the La Paz River in La Paz, Bolivia, which is part of the drainage basin of the Amazon.
While numerous studies have monitored APIs in rivers, the analytical methods and measured APIs vary, and many countries have not been included in the research. However, the highest cumulative API concentrations were observed in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and South America. The most contaminated sites were in low- to middle-income countries with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The presence of pharmaceuticals in rivers is a global threat to environmental and human health. As Dr Veronica Edmonds-Brown, an aquatic ecologist from the University of Hertfordshire, stated, "We can say [the impact of the presence of such pharmaceuticals in rivers] is likely to be negative but you have to do individual tests with each one and there are relatively few studies... This is only going to get worse as we are increasingly using pharmacological solutions to any illness whether physical or mental."
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Industrial waste
The Ganges River, considered sacred in India, is another victim of severe industrial pollution. The river faces contamination from industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and even religious activities, as it is a site for Hindu pilgrims and cremations. The once-sacred river now struggles with floating debris, toxic chemicals, and human waste, impacting the health and well-being of the surrounding communities.
The Sarno River, known for its flooding, also suffers from industrial and agricultural waste, leading to soil degradation and detrimental effects on the local fishing industry. The Mississippi River, one of the longest in the world, serves millions of US residents but is constantly subjected to industrial and agricultural waste, resulting in a noticeable brown colour and a decline in aquatic life.
Additionally, the Nile River, a lifeline in Egypt, faces pollution from industrial wastewater, oil pollution, and agricultural drainage, threatening the species that depend on its waters. These rivers highlight the significant impact of industrial waste on water bodies, endangering both human health and the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
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Sewage
One of the most polluted rivers in the world, India's Ganges River, is contaminated by raw sewage dumped from over 1,100 industrial units. The river is considered sacred by Hindus, who believe it cleanses people of their sins. However, the dumping of sewage and industrial waste has led to higher incidences of waterborne diseases in communities exposed to the river. The Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, is also heavily polluted by sewage and industrial waste, with only 35% of sewage treatment plants in Delhi complying with the requirements set by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
The Citarum River in Indonesia, the second most polluted river in the world, is contaminated by industrial waste, household sewage, and runoff from farms. The river faces toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and plastic debris, posing significant risks to human health and ecosystems. China's Yellow River has also suffered from untreated industrial sewage, with chemical factories and coal miners releasing wastewater into the river.
In South America, an unnamed 40-mile river in Argentina is considered the most polluted river on the continent due to massive amounts of industrial waste and sewage released into it. The river, also known as Slaughterhouse River, has high levels of mercury and lead, contributing to increased cancer cases in the surrounding areas.
The Nairobi River in Kenya is another example of a river impacted by sewage pollution. The river passes by the Nairobi Sewage Company and the Kamiti Tannery Factory, which release their waste into the water, leading to brackish and foul waters downstream.
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Agricultural runoff
The impact of agricultural runoff on river ecosystems is extensive. Nutrients in fertilizer and livestock manure, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause algal blooms in rivers and lakes. These blooms can lead to hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions that are harmful and often fatal to aquatic life. For example, when these nutrients reach the ocean, they cause blooms of cyanobacteria, which are decomposed by microbes that consume all the oxygen in the water, making it uninhabitable for fish and other marine organisms. This phenomenon is known as ocean dead zones, with the most well-known example being near the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico.
The effects of agricultural runoff on rivers vary depending on the type of agricultural operation, landscape conditions, soils, climate, and farm management practices. In regions with intensive agriculture, the impact on nearby rivers can be particularly severe. For example, the Ganges River in India, a sacred river for Hindus, suffers from massive water pollution due to the dumping of raw sewage, chemicals, and plastics. The river now has higher incidences of waterborne diseases, affecting the health of the communities that rely on it.
Addressing the issue of agricultural runoff requires a combination of improved farming practices and conservation strategies. Farmers can implement techniques such as contour strip cropping to reduce erosion and runoff. On a larger scale, initiatives like the National Water Quality Initiative in the United States aim to improve water quality by working with farmers to minimize the impact of agricultural operations on inland and coastal waters. By adopting sustainable practices and technologies, it is possible to reduce the amount of pollutants entering rivers through agricultural runoff and preserve the health of these vital ecosystems.
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Climate change
One of the most polluted rivers globally is the Citarum River in Indonesia. Serving a population of over 200 million, the Citarum suffers from industrial waste dumped by 2,000 factories along its banks, resulting in mercury levels far exceeding safe standards. Similarly, India's Ganges River, sacred to Hindus, is heavily polluted by raw sewage, chemicals, and plastic waste. The situation has led to increased waterborne diseases among exposed communities. Another tributary of the Ganges, the Yamuna River, is India's second most polluted river. The water is anoxic and laden with agricultural, industrial, and human waste, forming toxic foam that permeates the subsoil.
In South America, the River Plate, the second-biggest watercourse, faces pollution from industrial waste and chemical runoff from farming activities. The Río Grande, shared by the United States and Mexico, is impacted by water extraction for agriculture and domestic use, as well as pollution from industrial activities. Pakistan's main river is also in danger due to climate change, as the melting of glaciers reduces water flow, exacerbating the problem of pollution.
Europe is not exempt from river pollution. The Danube River, flowing through Central and Eastern Europe, is contaminated with antibiotics and chemical waste from bombed factories in Serbia. Italy's Sarno River, despite having a clean source, is tainted by agricultural, human, and industrial waste, leading to soil degradation during frequent flooding.
The problem of river pollution extends worldwide, with rivers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America affected by pollution. The impact of this pollution is far-reaching, threatening ecosystems, public health, and livelihoods. Unsafe water contributes to preventable diseases and deaths, particularly in developing countries where communities rely directly on these water sources.
To address these issues, collective action is necessary. Initiatives like the World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership aim to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainability. Local efforts, such as the "river warriors" cleaning Manila's Pasig River, demonstrate the power of community engagement. Additionally, individuals can play a role by supporting water conservation and demanding better waste management from governments and industries.
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Frequently asked questions
The Salween River, which originates in Tibet and runs through China and Burma, is considered the most polluted river in the world. The river has high levels of sulfur, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc due to waste from surrounding industrial parks.
Other highly polluted rivers include the Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan, the La Paz River in Bolivia, the Ganges River in India, the Citarum River, the Mississippi River in the United States, the Jordan River in Israel, the Sarno River in Europe, the Danube River in Europe, and the Buriganga River in Dhaka.
River pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage, and chemical pollution. Pharmaceutical pollution, specifically, has been identified as a significant and growing problem, with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antidepressants found in waterways worldwide.
