Toxic algae has turned a river in Sao Paulo, Brazil, green leading to the death of fish.

Footage from the Tiete River shows a vivid green hue coating the water's surface.

Footage captured by environmentalists shows the thick, syrup-like algae sticking to a boat's oars.

The ecological crisis also led to scores of dead fish along the riverbanks, attributed to a disrupted oxygen balance caused by pollution.

The Sao Paulo State Environmental Company (Cetesb) attributes this latest disaster to green algae pollution, exacerbated by water hyacinths, which block free-flowing waters and reduce oxygen content.

The invasion of microalgae is linked to nutrient enrichment, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen, from human waste and agricultural fertilizers, intensified by rising temperatures.

Cetesb warns of potential airborne toxins affecting both aquatic life and humans in proximity to polluted waterways.

This footage was filmed and produced 22 January 2024.

In a nightmare scenario, Brazil's Tiete River, spanning over 1,000km through Sao Paulo State, has transformed into a vivid green hue due to an invasion of toxic algae. Environmentalists captured disturbing footage in Novo Horizonte, revealing thick, syrup-like algae adhering to boat oars as they navigated the water. The ecological crisis also led to scores of dead fish along the riverbanks, attributed to a disrupted oxygen balance caused by pollution.

Once a thriving commercial waterway abundant with fish and wildlife, the Tiete River has suffered decades of industrial pollution and the impact of hydroelectric power station developments, according to environmentalists. The Sao Paulo State Environmental Company (Cetesb) attributes this latest disaster to green algae pollution, exacerbated by water hyacinths, which block free-flowing waters and reduce oxygen content. The invasion of microalgae is linked to nutrient enrichment, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen, from human waste and agricultural fertilizers, intensified by rising temperatures. Cetesb warns of potential airborne toxins affecting both aquatic life and humans in proximity to polluted waterways.

[NOTE: speech in Portugese]