, Sept. 20 -- Followed by Hokersar, Manasbal; Wular shows lowest concentrations

Srinagar, Sep 19: Water chestnut harvested from Kashmir's Dal Lake has accumulated elevated levels of certain heavy metals, including cadmium and zinc, with concentrations in the edible fruit exceeding permissible limits cited in a new study, raising concerns over potential food-safety risks.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, analysed water, sediment and water chestnut (Trapa natans) samples from four major water bodies of Jammu and Kashmir - Dal Lake, Hokersar Wetland, Manasbal Lake and Wular Lake - for eight heavy metals.

The researchers found a clear pollution gradient, with Dal Lake recording the highest levels of heavy-metal accumulation, fol...