Cauvery Fish Study: Cadmium and Lead Above Safe Limits
Why in the news
A study of Cauvery fish found toxic metal levels that could threaten regular fish eaters.
Study findings
- Metals tested: chromium, cadmium, copper, lead, zinc.
- Cadmium and lead exceeded safe limits in many species; levels varied by site and species.
- Possible risks: carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic, including neurological and kidney harm.
- Pollution sources: industrial effluents, farm runoff, untreated sewage.
About heavy metals
- Dense, high-atomic-weight metals that are toxic once they accumulate in organisms, e.g. Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, Cu.
About the Cauvery
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Dakshina Ganga |
| Origin | Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka |
| Length | 765 km via Karnataka and Tamil Nadu |
| Tributaries | Kabini, Hemavati, Noyil, Amaravati, Bhavani |
| Mouth | Bay of Bengal near Cuddalore; Cauvery Delta, the Garden of Southern India |
| Dams | Krishnaraja Sagar, Mettur, Grand Anicut |
Exam angle
- Metals above limits: cadmium and lead.