Evaluation Of Pesticide Residues In Water, Sediment And Fish Samples From Argungu River, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Osesua Benjamin Anthony
Department of Remedial Studies, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
Aliyu Fatima
Department of Science Technology, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
Malik Aminu Imonikhe
Department of Remedial Studies, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
Keywords: organochlorine, organophosphorus, pesticide residues, sediment, DDE
Abstract
The presence of pesticide residues (organochlorines and organophosphorus) were evaluated in water, sediment and fish samples from the Argungu river. The results obtained revealed the frequent presence of organochlorine residues (endosulfan, heptachlor, DDT, DDD, DDE, γ-HCH and aldrin) and organophosphorus residues (dimethoate, dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, fenitrothion, mevinphos and profenofos). Among the organochlorine residues detected DDE one of the metabolites of DDT has the highest mean concentration of 0.121µg/L in water, 0.778µg/g in sediment and 0.130µg/g in fish. DDD showed the mean concentration of 0.105µg/L, 0.416µg/g and 0.113µg/g in water, sediment and fish samples respectively. The mean concentration of γ-HCH was 0.099µg/L in water, 0.695µg/g in sediment and 0.082µg/g in fish, with percentage distribution of 90%, 98% and 58% in water, sediment and fish respectively. Chlorpyrifos was the only organophosphorus pesticide having mean concentration above the maximum permissible level in water as stipulated by FAO/WHO. The results also revealed no difference in mean concentration of residues in water and fish samples statistically while residues concentration in water and sediment sample are statistically different at p≤0.05. The presence of these residues in the river Argungu especially the persistent organochlorines is an indication of pesticide miss-used and therefore periodic monitoring is very imperative in order to safe guide the health of the people in this catchment