Water pollution in the Amazon and the challenges of environmental jurisdictional protection: limits and possibilities of the collective process

Abstract

Water pollution in the Amazon goes beyond an environmental issue: it affects ecosystems, threatens traditional and Indigenous communities, and undermines fundamental rights. Mercury contamination from illegal mining poses serious risks to public health, food security, and the preservation of cultural practices deeply connected to rivers. This scenario reflects predatory economic exploitation, institutional shortcomings, and the lack of effective public policies. Challenges such as the difficulty of holding polluters accountable, the slowness of judicial processes, and the gap between court decisions and local realities intensify the crisis. Furthermore, the scarcity of reliable data and weak environmental monitoring reinforce the marginalization of riverside and Indigenous populations. This study sought to understand how water pollution in the Amazon is established and perpetuated, analyzing its social, environmental, and legal impacts. To achieve this, a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach was adopted, based on literature published between 2020 and 2025. The results indicate that overcoming this problem requires integrated strategies that combine scientific evidence, legal action, and active participation of local communities. Only through this approach will it be possible to ensure effective protection for affected populations and maintain the Amazon as a natural and cultural heritage of global relevance.