The study documents the magnitude of metal contamination in a few species of fishes, namely Scale Carp Cyprinus carpio communis , Mirror Carp Cyprinus carpio specularis , Leather Carp Cyprinus carpio nudus and Rainbow Trout Salmo gairdneri gairdneri in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu from five high altitude water bodies, namely Upper Bhavani, Emerald, Pykara, Kuntha and Kamaraj Sagar, and Ooty Lake. An average of 4.35 ppm of copper, 72.4 ppm of zinc and 0.72 ppm of lead wet weight was recorded among all the four species of fishes included in the study.   Lead concentration was below detectable level in 91% of the fishes studied. Of all the fishes Cyprinus carpio nudus suffered the maximum metal load (Cu 1.47 ppm; Zn 88.78 ppm Pb 1.47 ppm). The fishes of Emerald recorded the maximum metal load and Kamaraj Sagar Dam the minimum.   Among the tissues, kidney had the highest metal load. The study also investigated the daily dietary intake of the metals by humans through fish and compared with the guidelines stipulated by statuary agencies for human safety. The study further recommends for an intensive investigation to document the metal contamination on long-term basis so as to understand the potential impact on fishes and other components of the ecosystem particularly piscivorous birds.

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