Umwelt- und analytische Toxikologie

Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues on Oreochromis niloticus and Sediments in River Galma, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abubakar Mohammed Ndagi*, Umar Bayero, Adesakin TaiwoAdekanmi, Yusuf Abdullateef, Ibrahim K.A and Sakan M.S

Pesticides usage in agricultural fields to control pests could be extremely toxic to non-target organisms like fish and affects fish health through impairment of metabolism, sometimes leading to mortality. The present study was carried out to assess the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues in sediment samples and Oreochromis niloticus obtained from River Galma. Soxhlet extraction process was employed for fish while sediment extraction was done using a mixture of n-hexane and acetone. The extracts were cleaned-up and analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS). DDT, Mirex, Pentachlorophenol, Malathion, Chlordane and TNT were detected in the study area. Endrin, aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, alpha BHC and heptachlor were not detected in all the samples analyzed. Chlordane was the only detected pesticide in fish sample during wet season. The findings provide evidence of pollution of some of the organochlorine pesticide residues in River Galma. This shows that the River Galma is contaminated with organochlorine pesticides. Hence, serious need for continuous monitoring of these pesticide residues in water, sediments, fish and the environment is required in order to prevent various environmental and public health hazards that may arise from these pollutants.