Protecting one of the world’s most exceptional freshwater resource : transboundary cooperation in the Guiana shield

The Guiana Shield is one of the world’s most exceptional freshwater resources, with its unique aquatic biodiversity, climate regulation services, social and cultural values - making the region a hotspot for water resources conservation. However, human pressures have dramatic impacts on the quality of water resources and aquatic environments. In particular, the question of uncontrolled mining activities remains central, since it affects both public health and the environment, particularly through mercury pollution. Mercury ends in watercourses both through erosion of soils that are naturally rich in mercury, and because of its use in illegal and unregulated alluvial gold mining. Suriname, French Guiana and Brasil.