Mercury, cancer-causing pesticide found in Arkavathy river water samples
Bengaluru: Alarming new findings reveal the presence of hazardous substances, including mercury, the banned pesticide DDT, cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and fluoride, in the Arkavathy river. This vital water source, crucial for agriculture and horticulture in Karnataka, has been severely impacted by domestic and industrial pollution.
Recent tests on water and sediment samples collected from the river have exposed the disturbing levels of contamination. The samples were collected by volunteers from Paani Earth, a Bengaluru-based environmental organisation, from three locations: upstream and downstream of the Thippagondanahalli (TG Halli) reservoir, and the Dodda Mudavadi bridge, located 10 km upstream of where the Arkavathy meets the Vrishabhavathi river.
Among the alarming discoveries, DDT contamination was found at shockingly high levels—75 times above the European Union’s water quality standards—at a site 1 km upstream of the TG Halli reservoir, as cited by Deccan Herald on Friday. The analysis also revealed the presence of hexavalent chromium along with mercury and PAHs, harmful hydrocarbons known to cause various health issues, including skin irritation and cancer.
The water and sediment samples were analysed at the International Centre for Clean Water at IIT Madras. These findings underscore the significant gaps in India's water quality monitoring system.
The findings are particularly concerning as they come over two decades after the Karnataka High Court mandated measures to protect the Arkavathy river from pollution. The river, which originates near Nandi Hills, remains vulnerable to contamination until it merges with Vrishabhavathi, a waterbody tainted by Bengaluru’s sewage.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board does not monitor heavy metals or PAHs in the Arkavathy waters, leaving a crucial gap in pollution oversight.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 100th Saudi Pro League goal
Riyadh (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th Saudi Pro League goal as Al-Nassr beat Al-Shabab 4-2 to move five points clear at the top of the table.
The 41-year-old forward converted a Sadio Mané cross at the near post with 15 minutes remaining to record the 971st goal of his career on Thursday. It was also his 26th league goal of the season.
“Ronaldo is always dangerous going forward and we saw that again today,” Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said.
João Félix, signed from Chelsea in July, scored three goals for the league leaders.
The win took Al-Nassr to 82 points from 32 games, five ahead of Al-Hilal, which has three matches, one more than Nassr, left to play. Al-Hilal meets Al-Kholood on Friday and faces Nassr on Tuesday in what could be a title decider against its Riyadh rival.
“Now we have a derby match against our rival, which is a difficult encounter,” Jesus said.
“We are fully aware of its importance, and we are dealing with it with complete focus as we know that small details could decide the result.”
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has yet to secure a major trophy in Saudi Arabia since signing with Al-Nassr in December 2022.
