Organochlorine residues in rural drinking water sources of northern and north Eastern India

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticide residues concentrations in water samples collected from rural areas of northern and north eastern districts of India were studied. In the study, pesticide residues were detected in both the surface and ground water although the concentrations detected were below the WHO prescribed limit. Alpha HCH, total HCH and aldrin were detected in all the samples. The total DDT was detected in 90.9% ground water and 82% surface water samples. The average beta HCH and pp’ DDT concentrations were found to be higher as compared to their other metabolites. Ground water had alpha HCH, beta HCH, gamma HCH, op'DDT, pp”; DDT, pp'DDE pp’ DDD, endosulfan and aldrin higher by 4.6% , 14.06%, 2.4%, 24.2%, 15.6%, 101.02%, 174%, 57.85% and 24.73% as compared to surface water. The correlation between pesticide residues and nitrate concentration was non significant and could be due to their low concentration.

Key words:

• organochlorine residues
• drinking water
• ground water
• surface water
• nitrates