Residue Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Sediments in the Retting zones of Kadinamkulam Estuary, South India

In India, almost all organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been banned but some farmers and industries are still using it for agricultural purpose. The present study has been performed for determination of the range of different types of organochlorine pesticides in the water and sediments samples of Kadinamkulam estuary, South India. For the analysis, water and sediment samples were collected from the six selected stations including five coir retting zones and non-coir retting area of the estuary. Water samples were extracted and analyzed for the determination of pesticide residues (α, γ and δ BHC, Aldrin, DDT, DDE, Hepatochlor, Endosulphan) using Gas chromatograph with an ECD detector. The study reveals that the concentrations of all pesticides studied in sediment samples and in water samples are above the guideline values for drinking water quality.