Investigation of chemodynamics of pesticides and their metabolites at Kilombero sugarcane plantations and environs, Morogoro region, Tanzania

Abstract

This thesis report on the levels and chemo dynamics of pesticides and their metabolites in soil, sediment, flora and water samples from Kilombero sugarcane plantations and environs, Morogoro region, Tanzania. The sample were selected for 56 pesticides residues using GC-EC D and GC and the results were confirmed by GC-MS. A total of 91 environmental samples were analyzed out of which 78% were focused to contain 18 different types of pesticides. Total DDT had a concentration range of BDL 0.182ug/L in water, 12.2-81-3ug/kg d.w. in siol, BDL-64.89 ug/kg d.w. in sediment and 5.03-25.0 ug/kg d.w. in flora. Endosulfan ws detected in soil, sediment and flora at a concentration range of 1.09-13.41 ug/kg d.w. HCHs were detected at a concentration range of o.008-0.019 ug/L in water and 2.32-16.79 ug/kg d.w in soil, sediment and flora. Aldrin and dieldrin were detected in the concentration range of 0.029-0.382 ug/L in water and DBL -6.47 ug/kg d.w. in soil, sediment and flora aldrin whereas dieldrin was only detected in soil at a concentration range of 2.71-11.56 ug/kg d.w. metolachlor and chloroneb herbicides being reported for the first time in Tanzania environmental samples were found to have concentration range of 3.07-9.41 and 1.10-12.83 ug/kg d.w. in water and DBL-6 .47 ug/kg d.w. in soil respectively whereas the concentration of metalachlor in water range from o.oo6-0.008 ug/L. There were remarkable differences in the detection frequencies and concentration between the dry and rainy seasons. The detected pesticides were generally lower than the safety standards except for aldrin in water that was found to be much higher than the safety standards as stipulated by TBS and WHO/FAO