Assessment of Herbicides and Pesticides Residues in Gella Surface Water

Abstract

Presence of pesticides residues in ponds and earth dam waters of Gella Town used by the community as a means of water source was assessed. Water samples were collected in triplicates and residual pesticides determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. The study showed presence of residual organochlorine, except for beta-BHC not detected in Tangore pond 1 (P01), Tangore pond 2 (P02), Girmana’a pond (P04), and Kurbaca pond (P05); dieldrin and heptachlor were not detected in P04 and P05; and heptachlor epoxide was not detected in P01, P02 and P04. Chlorpyriphos and dichlovos were detected in all water samples. Dieldrin was not detected in Bogga earth dam (ED) and P01. Fenitrothion was only detected in P02 and Majivu’a pond (P03); Fenthion and Malathion were only detected in P02 and P04, respectively. Pyrethroid pesticides were detected in all water samples studied except for bifentrin and deltamethrin not detected in P02, P04; and P02, respectively. Atrazine, paraquat and metalochlor were all detected in water studied, except for P01 in which metalochlor was not detected. The presence of residual pesticides in the ponds and earth dam drinking water sources of Gella is a clear indication of pollution due to anthropogenic activities. This therefore, calls for immediate intervention of Non-Governmental Organizations and both Federal and State Governments to come to the aid of Gella community and provide it with potable water. It is also pertinent that regular monitoring of this pollution factor is important to prevent occurrence of water borne epidemics in the area.