Heavy metal contamination threatens fish in Cauvery river

Researchers at the School of Environmental Sciences, Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli report elevated levels of heavy metals in the Cauvery River and its fish populations, raising concerns about human health risks from consumption of freshwater fish in the region.

- HD Bureau

Theteam’s analysis reveals that fish species caught from the river show concentrations of metals such as chromium, lead, nickel and cadmium that in some cases exceed permissible international limits, and the researchers caution against “regular or excessive” consumption of fish from this waterway.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Earth Sciences, finds that sediments and muscle tissues of commercial fish collected along stretches of the Cauvery show significant accumulation of heavy metals, attributed largely to anthropogenic discharges including industrial effluents, agricultural runoff and municipal waste.

According to the authors, chromium and lead are among the most persistent contaminants identified, while nickel and cadmium are emerging as growing concerns.