Authorities in Sao Paulo state claim that a sugar and ethanol company deposited industrial garbage into the Piracicaba River this month, and tons of dead fish are now decomposing downstream.
State environmental agency Cetesb is conducting investigations, and public prosecutors have stated that their conservative estimate puts the number of dead fish in the river, around 200 km (125 miles) northwest of the state capital, at up to 20 metric tons.
Concern about the effects on their communities was high among the locals.
The fish had been stinking up the neighborhood for nearly a week before Thursday when it began to decompose. The riverbed was littered with bloated fish carcasses, some of which were entangled in the plants.
The Tanqua protected area, with its tropical wetlands and rich wildlife, is crossed by the Piracicaba River.
The prosecutors issued a statement stating that the magnitude and severity of the “environmental disaster” might cause the effects of the dumping to be felt for a long time.
Adriano Queiroz, head of licensing at Sao Paulo’s environmental office, said that the environment will take years to recover. He went on to say that biodiversity is suffering as a result of the large number of fish killed and the wide range of species impacted.
In honor of the tropical wetlands renowned for their rich species and breathtaking natural scenery, the Piracicaba River flows through a protected area called Tanqua. This region has been affectionately termed Sao Paulo’s mini-Pantanal.
Prosecutors are awaiting more technical information and have asked for a comprehensive assessment of the water conditions in order to proceed with civil and criminal culpability.
Data revealed a rise in the amount of dissolved oxygen by July 9, which improved circumstances for the fish to survive, according to CETESB.
Massive fish populations were decimated last year due to the Amazon’s devastating drought. Their remains have tainted the water supply of thousands of people.
