Assessment of pesticide residues in surface waters of Godavari delta,India

The present study investigated the levels of pesticide residues in waters of the godavari delta of south india. samples of surface waters were collected randomly from nine stations using grab technique over a period of one year in two different seasons (rabi and kharif). the study indicated that the surface waters of godavari delta were contaminated with pesticides associated with agricultural activities. detection of pesticides and their residues by gas chromatography with electron capture detection gave higher concentrations of hch isomers during pre-monsoon and monsoon indicating their high usage in agriculture. the commonly occurring pesticides were (range,μg l-1) chlorpyrifos 10.54-30.25; endosulfan 0.03-0.84; and monochrotophos 10.25-25.5. statistical analysis showed that there is significant difference in the concentration of monocrotophos in rabi season with respect to kharif season (at p<0.05).