The Guanabara Bay is the landscape most often featured in visual representations of Rio de Janeiro, and the one that constitutes an integral part of the idealized image of the city.

However, in reality, the state of the surrounding nature and waters of Guanabara Bay reveal a high level of pollution. Every day, in addition to household garbage and waste that have been discharged uncleaned into the bay, chemical waste from nearby industries is beginning to threaten both flora and fauna. The waters are contaminated with high levels of dangerous heavy metals, including mercury.

All images © Elsa Leydier