Assessing the pollution and ecotoxicological status of the Iguaçu River, southern Brazil: A review.

This article reviews the chemical pollution status of the Iguaçu River basin (IRB) in Brazil, emphasizing its environmental and socioeconomic significance, including its high rate of endemic fish species and hydroelectric potential. It identifies multiple pollution sources across the basin’s upper, middle, and lower regions, with urban and industrial effluents predominating in the upper basin and agricultural runoff, including pesticides and toxic metals, impacting the middle and lower basins. The review documents the occurrence of persistent organic pollutants, emerging contaminants, and trace metals in water, sediments, and biota, alongside ecotoxicological evidence of adverse effects on fish health and population dynamics. It also discusses the socioeconomic impacts related to water quality degradation, such as increased human health risks and antimicrobial resistance. The study highlights the need for integrated water management strategies, improved wastewater treatment, and conservation efforts to mitigate pollution and protect the basin’s biodiversity and human populations.