Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 13(01), 424–432
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2022.13.1.0015
Received on 06 December 2021; revised on 12 January 2022; accepted on 14 January 2022
Pesticides used in agricultural fields pose harmful effect to non-target organisms such as humans and many other aquatic and terrestrial organisms either directly or indirectly especially when they find their way into water bodies. This study is aimed at conducting a risk assessment of pesticide residues in water samples from River Gongola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Samples were collected randomly from different points along the river. Water samples were collected by lowering pre-cleaned plastic bottles into the bottom of the water body, 30cm deep, and allowed to over flow before withdrawing. Sampling points were approximately 50m away from each other. Pesticide residues in the collected samples were determined using GC/MS analysis with helium gas as a carrier. The levels of pesticides detected were compared with the maximum residue levels (MRL), the estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI) of each pesticide residue. Results of the analysis revealed nineteen (19) different pesticide residues belonging to organochlorines, organophosphates and pyrethroid class of pesticides. The concentrations of the pesticide residues detected in the water samples occurred below the maximum residue levels but above the acceptable daily intake set by European Union. The health risk index of each pesticide residue detected was below 1. Hence, life time consumption of water containing these pesticides poses no significant health threat. However, the presence of banned organochlorine pesticide residues is a cause for alarm.
River Gongola; Risk assessment; Pesticides; Pesticide residues; Maximum residue levels
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Otitoju Olawale, Moses A. Abah, Otitoju T. Grace, Bilyaminu Habibu, Emmanuel C. Okoli and Patience U. Omajali. Risk assessment of pesticide residues in water samples from river Gongola, Adamawa state, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 13(1), 424-432. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2022.13.1.0015