Organochlorine pesticide residues in water and Silver Catfish (Bagrus bajad Fabricius, 1775) from a tropical man-made lake, Northwestern, Nigeria

Organochloride pesticides remain widely used in Africa, despite their potential public health issues. This study assessed the organochloride pesticides (OCPs) residues in water and silver catfish from Ajiwa Reservoir. The concentrations of OCPs in water and fish samples were determined using GC analysis, while One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means for each parameter among the selected stations (Kadaji, Gamji and Kundu waje). Significantly higher concentrations of Aldrin (2.66±0.44ngL-1), Diedrin (1.71±0.38ngL-1), Endrin aldehyde (2.31±0.22ngL-1), Endrin ketone (2.56±0.22ngL-1), beta-BHC (1.70±0.66ngL-1), gamma- BHC (0.85±0.30ngL-1) and delta- BHC (1.19±0.47ngL-1) were found in the gills of fish from Kadaji. Also, significantly higher Endosulfan (2.24±0.70 gL-1), Methoxychlor (2.63±0.95gL-1) and p,p'-DDE (1.77±0.34ngL-1) were found in the muscles of fish from Gamji. In contrast, Diedrin (2.111±0.59ngL-1) and Endrin aldehyde (3.84±0.86ngL-1) were significantly higher in the fish muscles from Kadaji. The OCPs in the water were not significantly different among the stations except Alpha-BHC (1.50±0.63 ngL-1). The study revealed the presence of various organochlorine pesticides in the fish tissues and the water, indicating a possible bioaccumulation in the fish. Although all the organochlorines were not above the safety level, however, it is not impossible that this might lead to possible health issues in the future