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Contamination of aquatic system by chlorinated pesticides and their spatial distribution over North-East India

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Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides, the potential chemical pollutants, are extensively used for agriculture and vector control purposes due to their low cost and high effectiveness. DDT and HCH residues were examined in different surface and groundwater resources of district Dibrugarh and Nagaon of Assam state, Northeast India. The mean HCH concentrations in surface water samples were 4403 ng/L and 4911 ng/L, while 5168 ng/L and 5574 ng/L in groundwater samples from Dibrugarh and Nagaon districts respectively. Total DDT levels were 5402 ng/L and 6121 ng/L in surface water while 6549 ng/L and 6904 ng/L in groundwater from Dibrugarh and Nagaon respectively. DDT levels in groundwater were found to be highest among the levels reported so far. The dominant OCPs were found to be β-HCH among HCHs and p,p′-DDT among DDTs. The ratios of DDT/(DDE+DDD) and α-HCH/γ-HCH revealed that residue levels in water were originated from long past to recent mixed source of technical HCH and lindane for HCHs and mainly technical DDT for DDTs. About 93% samples for DDT and 90% samples for HCH exceeded the WHO recommended drinking water limits which is a matter of great concern and posing a serious threat to aquatic ecosystem and human health. Spatial distribution was also investigated to identify the areas with higher pesticide loadings in groundwater. Present data on contamination profile of OCPs in this survey can be used as reference levels for future POPs monitoring programme.

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  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar Garhwal, 246174, Uttarakhand, India

    Kumkum Mishra & Ramesh C. Sharma

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  1. Kumkum Mishra
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  2. Ramesh C. Sharma
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Correspondence to Kumkum Mishra.

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Mishra, K., Sharma, R.C. Contamination of aquatic system by chlorinated pesticides and their spatial distribution over North-East India. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 3, 144–155 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-011-0092-3

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