A Study on Pesticide Residue impacts on Groundwater Quality near Agricultural Activity Areas

Abstract

Agricultural runoff contaminates the groundwater sources. The widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes has resulted in the presence of their residues in groundwater sources. The present study aims to provide a better understanding of the impacts of pesticide residue on groundwater quality in some selected agro based rural habitations in Konaseema region of East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh state, India. pH is measured using a portable pH meter, Total dissolved solids (TDS) is measured by portable TDS sensor, Total hardness(TH) and Chloride (Cl^-) is measured by titrimetry, Sulphate (SO₄^2-) and Phosphate (PO₄^3-) are measured by spectrophotometer, Nitrate (NO₃^-) by using ion selective electrode. In waters near agricultural areas TH and PO₄^3- were observed to be higher than the guideline values of IS. The present work is mainly focused on characterizing ground waters for pesticide residues. The analytical results obtained indicated the presence of pesticide residues. The maximum concentration of pesticides were found particularly Trifluralin (1.28 mg/l), Terbutyl azine (1.29 mg/l), Dimethachlor (1.30 mg/l), Metribuzin (1.14 mg/l), Dimethrimol (1.26 mg/l), Ethion (1.08 mg/l), Bifenithrin (1.22 mg/l), Atrazine (1.28 mg/l), Beta HCH (1.18 mg/l), Lindane (1.25 mg/l), Diazinon (1.15 mg/l) and Butachlor (1.28 mg/l) respectively were indicate the contamination of waters with their residues.