IMPACT OF GLYPHOSATE AND DICHLORVOS UTILIZATION IN SMALL-SCALE FARMING ON SURFACE WATER QUALITY IN SHAGARI LGA, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of glyphosate and dichlorvos utilization in small-scale farming on surface water quality in Shagari LGA, Sokoto State, Nigeria. The water quality analysis was done using the facilities of the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CGEB), Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria. For water sample analysis, samples were taken from ten points during the wet season and another ten sample points for dry season. Glyphosate and Dichlorvos concentration were determined using spectronic 2ID spectrophotometer (APHA, 2008). As revealed in the study, sample point B3 (SGR) ranked the highest with value 25.101mg/l B4 (SGR) ranked second with 13.531mg/l, and sample point B2 (SGR) ranked the least with 1.942mg/l. This revealed that sample point B3 (SGR) ranked the major area with highest level of toxidity of Glyphosate concentration as indicated in the study which has detrimental negative impact on quality of surface water by increasing its degradation in terms of quality and this in turn affect number of aquatic habitat the surface water can support. As indicated in the study, sample point B12 (NGK) ranked the highest with value 151.702mg/l, sample point B14 (SGR) ranked second with 129.109 mg/l, sample point B13 (SGR) ranked third with 50.115 mg/l and sample point B15 (SGR) ranked the least with 23.183mg/l. The WHO (2016) permissible limit is 30mg/l and only B15 (SGR) was below the value. This revealed that majority of the water samples has high toxidity of Dichlorvos concentration and can affect both human and aquatic lives negatively. The utilization of glyphosate and dichlorvos in small-scale farming can negatively impact surface water quality through runoff and leaching, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems and human health. Regular monitoring of surface water quality in agricultural areas is essential to identify potential contamination and assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures.