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Brazil River Filled with Dead Fish After Industrial Waste Dump

Several tons of fish have died in a major river in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, following an alleged illegal dumping of industrial waste from a sugar and ethanol plant. Environmental authorities and prosecutors reported this on Wednesday.

Initial estimates suggest that between 10 and 20 tons of fish perished in the Piracicaba River, located in southeastern Brazil. Officials believe that wastewater discharged improperly from the Estiva Sao Jose plant in Rio das Pedras flowed into a stream connected to the river, causing significant harm.

Estiva, the company responsible for the plant, did not respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press.

Adriano Queiroz, from Sao Paulo’s environmental agency, emphasized that the environmental damage is severe, noting that it will take many years for the ecosystem to recover due to the large number of fish killed and the variety of species affected.

The Piracicaba River runs through a protected area known as Tanqua, often referred to as Sao Paulo’s mini-Pantanal because of its rich biodiversity and natural beauty. The river basin covers an extensive area of 12,531 square kilometers.

On the day of the incident, witnesses observed countless dead fish floating on the water, illustrating the gravity of the environmental disaster. Prosecutors expressed deep concern not only for the ecological impact but also for the local community, including fishermen whose livelihoods depend on the river.

Authorities are actively investigating to determine if the dumping constitutes an environmental crime. They have requested comprehensive reports on water conditions and are awaiting technical assessments before deciding on legal actions, both civil and criminal.

The Sao Paulo state environmental agency, CETESB, received initial reports of the fish die-off and foul odor from the river on July 7. They immediately requested the Salto Grande hydroelectric plant to release more water to dilute the pollution. By July 9, improvements in water quality were noted, but subsequent reports indicated another mass die-off downstream in Tanqua.

The Piracicaba River holds historical significance, having served as a vital water source for agriculture and transportation in Sao Paulo state for many years.

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