Levels and chemo dynamics of pesticide residues in eastern lake Tanganyika basin, Tanzania

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Date
2014
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Publisher
Unversity of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This thesis reports on levels and chemodynamics of pesticide residues in eastern Lake Tanganyika basin of Tanzania. The aim of this study was to investigate the types, levels and distribution of pesticide residues in environmental samples. Water, soil, sediments and fish samples were collected from Kigoma region during April and June and analysed for pesticide residues. Six different types of pesticide residues and metabolites were detected, namely, p,p’-DDT, o,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, diazinon and chlorpyrifos. DDT, DDD and DDE were the predominantly detected compounds in all of the samples. Diazinon and chlorpyrifos were detected in soil samples collected from vegetable and coffee farms. The highest concentrations of total DDT in sediment, soil, fish and water samples were up to 120 µg/kg dw, 564.13 µg/kg dw, 339 µg/kg fw and 221 ng/L, respectively. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon had concentrations up to 184 and 36 µg/kg dw, respectively. The distribution of DDT residues levels among sample matrices were soil > fish > sediment > water. Highest concentrations of DDT residues were detected in soil samples collected from tobacco farms and lowest concentrations of DDT residues were detected in water samples collected from tomato farm. The ratios of (p,p’- DDE + p,p’-DDD)/p,p’-DDT indicate recent inputs in most samples. The study reveals that there is recent use of DDT, diazinon and chlorpyrifos in Kigoma region. Continued use of DDT indicates risks and may result into serious environmental problems. The area therefore needs serious environmental monitoring
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF SB950.3.T34N35)
Keywords
Pesticides, Environmental aspect, Eastern Lake Tanganyika Basin, Tanzania
Citation
Nambela, L. (2014) Levels and chemo dynamics of pesticide residues in eastern lake Tanganyika basin, Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam