Mekong and Tonle Sap pollution hotspots

 The most polluted areas of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake are concentrated in regions where urban runoff, plastic waste, and untreated sewage converge with fragile ecosystems and dense populations. Here's a breakdown:

🌊 Mekong River – Pollution Hotspots

  1. Vietnam’s Mekong Delta (e.g. Can Tho, Vinh Long)

    • Heavy accumulation of plastic waste, agricultural runoff, and industrial discharge.

    • Fishermen report nets clogged with trash; fish stocks are declining rapidly.

  2. Tonle Sap Confluence (Cambodia)

    • Where the Mekong meets Tonle Sap, plastic and organic waste accumulate, especially during flood reversals.

  3. Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle (Thailand–Laos–Myanmar border)

    • Pollution from unregulated dumping, mining runoff, and tourism-related waste.

  4. Luang Prabang & Vientiane (Laos)

    • Urban wastewater and sedimentation from upstream dam construction.

🐟 Tonle Sap Lake – Critical Zones

  1. Floating Villages (e.g. Kompong Luong, Pursat Province)

    • Direct discharge of human waste and greywater into the lake.

    • Over 234 tonnes of faeces enter the lake daily from surrounding communities.

  2. Siem Reap Inflow Area

    • Impacted by tourism, poor sanitation infrastructure, and deforestation runoff.

  3. Southern Floodplain (near Phnom Penh)

    • Receives backflow from the Mekong during flood season, bringing in pollutants.

⚠️ Key Pollutants

  • Plastic debris & microplastics (from packaging, fishing gear)

  • Nitrogen & phosphate (from fertilizers and sewage)

  • Heavy metals & pesticides (from agriculture and industry)

  • Organic waste (from floating toilets and livestock)

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