Anthropogenic nexus on organochlorine pesticide pollution: a case study with Tamiraparani river basin, South India

Abstract

The levels of 17 organochlorine pesticides residues (OCPs) in surface water and sediments from Tamiraparani river basin, South India were investigated to evaluate their potential pollution and risk impacts. A total of 96 surface water and sediment samples at 12 sampling stations were collected along the river in four seasons during 2008-2009. The ΣOCP concentrations in surface water and sediments were in the range of 0.1 to 79.9 ng l(-1) and 0.12 to 3,938.7 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively. Among the OCPs, the levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), aldrin, dieldrin, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, and mirex were dominant in the sediments. The dominant OCPs in water samples are heptachlor, o,p'-DDE, dieldrin, o,p'-DDD, and mirex, which show different source of contamination pattern among sampling seasons. The distribution pattern of DDTs, hexachlorocyclohexane, and other OCPs in the present study shows heterogenic nature of nonpoint source of pollution. Notable contamination of water and sediment sample that was observed in upstream (S2) 58 ng l(-1) and downstream (S11) 1,693 ng g(-1) dw explains agricultural and municipal outfalls, whereas frequent damming effect reduces the concentration level in the midstream. The overall spatial-temporal distribution pattern of ΣOCP residues are illustrated by GIS package.

Chemical Contaminants in Water and Associated Health Hazards

“…In Tamiraparani river basin, South India, the OCP concentrations in surface water and sediments were found to range between 0.1-79.9 ng/L and 0.12-3,938.7 ng/g dry weight (dry weight), respectively (Kumarasamy et al 2012), and heptachlor, o,p 0 -DDE, dieldrin, o,p 0 -DDD, and mirex were the dominant OCPs in water samples indicating heterogenic nature of nonpoint source of pollution.…”

Environmental Integrity of the Tamiraparani River Basin, South India

“…The basin is located between 8°30′ and 9°15′N latitudes and 77°10′ and 78°10′E longitudes. It originates on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 2,000 m above mean sea level (MSL), and runs for about 125 km and drains an area of 5,869 km 2 (Ravichandran et al 1996;Kumarasamy et al 2012). It traverses the hilly slope for a distance of 30 km and then flows on relatively low lands for 95 km and debauches into the Gulf of Mannar (Bay of Bengal).…”

“…In addition, about 20 million l/day is supplied to the Tuticorin industrial complex and township (Ravichandran 2003). The river Balasubramanian et al (1985) receives large quantities of land materials, urban and rural sewage effluents, industrial and agricultural wastes throughout the year, especially during September to December, the months of intensive rainfalls (Kumarasamy et al 2012). …”

“…The agricultural sector consumes about 67 % and the remainder is as domestic programs (Lal 2007). The pesticide pollution and their impact on Indian rivers are reported by several researchers (for example, Ramesh et al 1990;Subramanian 1997, 1999;Kumarasamy et al 2012). The present study seeks to identify and quantify OCPs concentrations in both water and sediment samples of the Tamiraparani River to assess the impacts of agricultural inputs on the river system.…”

“…Previous studies have focused on biogeochemistry, heavy metals, morphometric evaluation and trace organic pollutants (Ravichandran et al 1996;Ramesh et al 2002;Magesh and Chandrasekar 2012;Kumarasamy et al 2012Kumarasamy et al , 2013. The present study attempts compiling the water quality data to assess the status of water retrieved from this river for domestic and agricultural uses, and to determine spatial and temporal differences of various hydrochemical parameters related to water quality issues.…”